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Lord of the Empty Isles
Interstellar fugitive Idrian Delaciel will die by inches, and Remy Canta will laugh as he goes.
Five years ago, Idrian ordered a withering—a death curse—cast on Remy's brother that cost him his life, and Remy hasn't been the same since. Now Remy finally has the materials he needs to return the favour, but he has one major problem. When he casts the withering, it rebounds onto him.
The implications are unthinkable: Remy is fatebound to his brother's killer.
Even worse, the only way to slow the curse for long enough to find a cure is to join forces with Idrian and his criminal crew. But when he gets there, Remy discovers there are more than just their lives at stake.
Idrian is the sole provider of life-saving supplies to tens of thousands of innocents, and when he dies, they'll die with him. Caught up in perilous heists and a race against time, Remy finds himself truly living for the first time since his brother died.
Too bad for Remy—the only way to stop a withering is to kill the witherer.
Winter's Orbit meets The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet in this story of loss, power, and privilege with a queerplatonic hate to love story at its heart.
Five years ago, Idrian ordered a withering—a death curse—cast on Remy's brother that cost him his life, and Remy hasn't been the same since. Now Remy finally has the materials he needs to return the favour, but he has one major problem. When he casts the withering, it rebounds onto him.
The implications are unthinkable: Remy is fatebound to his brother's killer.
Even worse, the only way to slow the curse for long enough to find a cure is to join forces with Idrian and his criminal crew. But when he gets there, Remy discovers there are more than just their lives at stake.
Idrian is the sole provider of life-saving supplies to tens of thousands of innocents, and when he dies, they'll die with him. Caught up in perilous heists and a race against time, Remy finds himself truly living for the first time since his brother died.
Too bad for Remy—the only way to stop a withering is to kill the witherer.
Winter's Orbit meets The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet in this story of loss, power, and privilege with a queerplatonic hate to love story at its heart.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2024
14 people are currently reading
2138 people want to read
About the author
Jules Arbeaux
2 books77 followersBorn in the big city but raised reckless and barefoot deep in the woods, Jules Arbeaux is a science fiction and fantasy author and inveterate enjoyer of visceral, wrenching poetry and prose, complex characters, and powerful relationships of every flavor.
Cat parent, artist, learner of languages, and professional neglector of many thriving succulents, Jules subsists on sour gummy worms and far-fetched dreams. LORD OF THE EMPTY ISLES, forthcoming from Hodderscape in summer 2024, is the author's debut novel.
Cat parent, artist, learner of languages, and professional neglector of many thriving succulents, Jules subsists on sour gummy worms and far-fetched dreams. LORD OF THE EMPTY ISLES, forthcoming from Hodderscape in summer 2024, is the author's debut novel.
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April 1, 2024
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“To heal
you must cut down
to the beating heart of things.
You must prepare to ruin.”
I doubt there's any fate worse than accidentally binding yourself to your sworn enemy with the very spell you aimed to curse them with. But, that is the cruel and twisted fate of nineteen-year-old Remy Canta when a withering spell he aimed solely at the man responsible for killing his older brother, Idrian Delaciel - once upon a time his childhood hero, now interstellar fugitive rebounds, linking his own lifespan to him and every other member of his criminal crew. 😥 'How funny. How rare, how impossible to be bound to the man who ruined his life.' And the only way to keep it in check - becoming a member of the crew as they scale the stars and open space in a high-speed adventurous journey that would forever change his views on life and his opinion of the very man he thought he would never forgive. 🌠
“Remy would never cut Cameron away. Pain is a small price to pay for keeping this last piece of him close.”
Amidst all the action and danger, the trials and tribulations, the torment and the torture, there lies a heart-wrenching story of one young man coping with the loss of his brother - unable to fully grieve in order to let his soul settle in peace. It is not just about retribution - it is about realization of what led to his death and coming to terms with it. It's about facing a reality that has been shielded from you, only to discover how much he has been unaware of all these years. 'Cameron deserved more than I ever gave him. Seeking justice for his death is the least I could do. I don’t know what kind of brother I’d be if I didn’t at least try.' 🥺 Remy is a protagonist who has only one aim in mind - rid himself of the curse, so that he can exact his timely revenge on Idrian - and only him; for perhaps, it has always intended to be that way. He never meant to involve others in his quest for vindication, and that is where the heart of his character stands out - guilt. It is that guilt that leads him to uncover so much more that he was not aware of - to be a part of his crew and see lands and people that he never knew existed or concerned himself with
Remy's interactions with all the supporting cast were quite enjoyable and different - namely, Tirani, Yves, and of course, Idrian. I loved the friendship with Tirani - his soul-sister, his best friend and confidante, his link to his home and heart - the support system to his conscience and his righteous state of mind. A beautiful friendship that he would sacrifice anything to protect her tears and heartache. 🫂 💛 'The people who love us, they don’t want us to hurt ourselves to earn their love or forgiveness or suffer because they’re gone.' I enjoyed getting to know Yves - a complex multi-faceted character whose actions may be questionable and single-minded, at times, but in the end, his heart and intentions are in the right place. He comes off as slightly uncaring to Remy's plight, but somehow, he is the one who cares the most. And as the author slowly peels off the layers to these characters and the rest of the supporting cast, I enjoyed how each of them carried their own weight, were pivotal parts to the story that made me sympathize with them - in more ways than one. 👍🏻
“But in this dark, hopeless place, he’s a symbol, and Remy no longer knows what face he can show the man who preserves with one hand and destroys with the other.”
I ate up every morsel of interaction between Remy and Idrian Delaciel—self-proclaimed Lord of the Empty Isles. All that bitter anger, that relentless hurt, that desperate desire to make him pay for what he'd done to him - it was described perfectly. But, so too was the gently coaxing way in which Remy saw the person that Idrian really was. I loved their dynamic, their banter, the fight or flight moments when Remy was drawn towards him and started to see perhaps he wasn't the villain he thought him to be. 😟 For each little bit that he learned more about him, a part of him wanted to learn just as much more - to have him closer to him as a friend and not an enemy. 'The world is full of sharp and unlovely things, but Idrian isn’t one of them.' How he defied everything that he thought he was, earning his respect and care and wanting to stand by his side rather than facing him as an enemy. That he could feel guilty over hurting him, even when it was his sole intention was to finish him off. The quiet shift in Remy's feelings was very subtle, but I liked how it felt so very natural - like a gradual sinking in that he was slowly processing. 🩶🩶
“Healing feels like betrayal, like releasing a fragile, precious thing kept from crumbling only by the pressure of his hands.”
But most of all, I love that this is not just a sci-fi story; this is the story of healing and forgiveness - a chance to overcome the shadow of revenge and heal his grief-stricken heart from the tragedy that drove him to focus on one thing and one thing only. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 The bond he had with his brother, Cam, is never forgotten; it is nurtured and tended to - a reminder of happy days gone and the urge to live up to all that he was, losing himself in the process because of that loss. It is how life had lost all meaning and existence seemed pointless, simply because he was so hell-bent on revenge. 'Why did he ever think more death could pay for a life?' Remy's growth in understanding that part of himself was beautifully captured; it shined in certain moments, most significantly in one heart-wrenching moment that I could feel his loss and sadness - viscerally so. It was so very palpable - that haunting ache that I had to read that scene twice; I definitely teared up at it - it was a really powerful and moving scene. 😢
There was a great balance of humor and angst, levity and tragedy, action and respite that I appreciated. Although, one thing that I should mention is that I wasn't so much confused about the explanations for certain fate-bound tethers, but it did make the writing confusing. If that makes any sense? Like, I understood what it was intending to say, but it made the writing less fluid. I also couldn't help but draw a few similarities to Fullmetal Alchemist, which may or may not be accurate; so that may have marred my overall opinion on it. Towards the ending, I also felt the writing slacken a little bit; it became a bit too repetitive and the pacing lost a little fluidity to the steady momentum I had been enjoying. 🙁 I know it's more about reaching a climax as we near the end of the journey, but as it veered into a more political stand-off with a slightly predictable plot reveal that I couldn't hype myself up to care about. I did appreciate the path to get there - it's just the destination didn't feel very well-rounded. 🙍🏻♀️
It was still an enjoyable and engaging read, with an absolutely stunning cover that was also one of the reasons that drew me towards it. 🤩 I'm not normally a fan of science-fiction, but the cover was too irresistibly stunning for me to resist, along with a very enticing blurb, so I knew I had to give this a chance. 👏🏻👏🏻 And I am glad that I did, because there truly was a very touching and emotional story packed underneath that resonated with me. 'A person shouldn’t be easy to sum up. That’s what makes a life matter.' I never felt bored at any time and I was interested in seeing how far Remy would have to go to find a way out for himself and the others. I also felt that there were a few hints to suggest that there is the possibility of a sequel, and if so, then I will be sure to stop by. ✨🌌💫
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“To heal
you must cut down
to the beating heart of things.
You must prepare to ruin.”
I doubt there's any fate worse than accidentally binding yourself to your sworn enemy with the very spell you aimed to curse them with. But, that is the cruel and twisted fate of nineteen-year-old Remy Canta when a withering spell he aimed solely at the man responsible for killing his older brother, Idrian Delaciel - once upon a time his childhood hero, now interstellar fugitive rebounds, linking his own lifespan to him and every other member of his criminal crew. 😥 'How funny. How rare, how impossible to be bound to the man who ruined his life.' And the only way to keep it in check - becoming a member of the crew as they scale the stars and open space in a high-speed adventurous journey that would forever change his views on life and his opinion of the very man he thought he would never forgive. 🌠
“Remy would never cut Cameron away. Pain is a small price to pay for keeping this last piece of him close.”
Amidst all the action and danger, the trials and tribulations, the torment and the torture, there lies a heart-wrenching story of one young man coping with the loss of his brother - unable to fully grieve in order to let his soul settle in peace. It is not just about retribution - it is about realization of what led to his death and coming to terms with it. It's about facing a reality that has been shielded from you, only to discover how much he has been unaware of all these years. 'Cameron deserved more than I ever gave him. Seeking justice for his death is the least I could do. I don’t know what kind of brother I’d be if I didn’t at least try.' 🥺 Remy is a protagonist who has only one aim in mind - rid himself of the curse, so that he can exact his timely revenge on Idrian - and only him; for perhaps, it has always intended to be that way. He never meant to involve others in his quest for vindication, and that is where the heart of his character stands out - guilt. It is that guilt that leads him to uncover so much more that he was not aware of - to be a part of his crew and see lands and people that he never knew existed or concerned himself with
Remy's interactions with all the supporting cast were quite enjoyable and different - namely, Tirani, Yves, and of course, Idrian. I loved the friendship with Tirani - his soul-sister, his best friend and confidante, his link to his home and heart - the support system to his conscience and his righteous state of mind. A beautiful friendship that he would sacrifice anything to protect her tears and heartache. 🫂 💛 'The people who love us, they don’t want us to hurt ourselves to earn their love or forgiveness or suffer because they’re gone.' I enjoyed getting to know Yves - a complex multi-faceted character whose actions may be questionable and single-minded, at times, but in the end, his heart and intentions are in the right place. He comes off as slightly uncaring to Remy's plight, but somehow, he is the one who cares the most. And as the author slowly peels off the layers to these characters and the rest of the supporting cast, I enjoyed how each of them carried their own weight, were pivotal parts to the story that made me sympathize with them - in more ways than one. 👍🏻
“But in this dark, hopeless place, he’s a symbol, and Remy no longer knows what face he can show the man who preserves with one hand and destroys with the other.”
I ate up every morsel of interaction between Remy and Idrian Delaciel—self-proclaimed Lord of the Empty Isles. All that bitter anger, that relentless hurt, that desperate desire to make him pay for what he'd done to him - it was described perfectly. But, so too was the gently coaxing way in which Remy saw the person that Idrian really was. I loved their dynamic, their banter, the fight or flight moments when Remy was drawn towards him and started to see perhaps he wasn't the villain he thought him to be. 😟 For each little bit that he learned more about him, a part of him wanted to learn just as much more - to have him closer to him as a friend and not an enemy. 'The world is full of sharp and unlovely things, but Idrian isn’t one of them.' How he defied everything that he thought he was, earning his respect and care and wanting to stand by his side rather than facing him as an enemy. That he could feel guilty over hurting him, even when it was his sole intention was to finish him off. The quiet shift in Remy's feelings was very subtle, but I liked how it felt so very natural - like a gradual sinking in that he was slowly processing. 🩶🩶
“Healing feels like betrayal, like releasing a fragile, precious thing kept from crumbling only by the pressure of his hands.”
But most of all, I love that this is not just a sci-fi story; this is the story of healing and forgiveness - a chance to overcome the shadow of revenge and heal his grief-stricken heart from the tragedy that drove him to focus on one thing and one thing only. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 The bond he had with his brother, Cam, is never forgotten; it is nurtured and tended to - a reminder of happy days gone and the urge to live up to all that he was, losing himself in the process because of that loss. It is how life had lost all meaning and existence seemed pointless, simply because he was so hell-bent on revenge. 'Why did he ever think more death could pay for a life?' Remy's growth in understanding that part of himself was beautifully captured; it shined in certain moments, most significantly in one heart-wrenching moment that I could feel his loss and sadness - viscerally so. It was so very palpable - that haunting ache that I had to read that scene twice; I definitely teared up at it - it was a really powerful and moving scene. 😢
There was a great balance of humor and angst, levity and tragedy, action and respite that I appreciated. Although, one thing that I should mention is that I wasn't so much confused about the explanations for certain fate-bound tethers, but it did make the writing confusing. If that makes any sense? Like, I understood what it was intending to say, but it made the writing less fluid. I also couldn't help but draw a few similarities to Fullmetal Alchemist, which may or may not be accurate; so that may have marred my overall opinion on it. Towards the ending, I also felt the writing slacken a little bit; it became a bit too repetitive and the pacing lost a little fluidity to the steady momentum I had been enjoying. 🙁 I know it's more about reaching a climax as we near the end of the journey, but as it veered into a more political stand-off with a slightly predictable plot reveal that I couldn't hype myself up to care about. I did appreciate the path to get there - it's just the destination didn't feel very well-rounded. 🙍🏻♀️
It was still an enjoyable and engaging read, with an absolutely stunning cover that was also one of the reasons that drew me towards it. 🤩 I'm not normally a fan of science-fiction, but the cover was too irresistibly stunning for me to resist, along with a very enticing blurb, so I knew I had to give this a chance. 👏🏻👏🏻 And I am glad that I did, because there truly was a very touching and emotional story packed underneath that resonated with me. 'A person shouldn’t be easy to sum up. That’s what makes a life matter.' I never felt bored at any time and I was interested in seeing how far Remy would have to go to find a way out for himself and the others. I also felt that there were a few hints to suggest that there is the possibility of a sequel, and if so, then I will be sure to stop by. ✨🌌💫
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
June 6, 2024Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stroughton for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 56%
Main character Remy is metabolizing the grief from his brother's murder at the hands of Idrial Dalaciel, who cursed him. Remy is finally ready to avenge the loss of his brother, but the process goes awry when he becomes magically tied to Idrial. He seeks out Idrial's crew to reverse the effects of this rebounded curse. There's also a cast of loveable and diverse characters to keep the readers company.
I found the interrogation of Remi's grief to be really tender and heartfelt, and it helped me feel emotionally connected to him sooner than expected.
I thought the introduction to the sci-fi and fantasy elements, particularly the 'tethers' was initially fascinating; it established real consequences and the potential for its use to go haywire, which created stakes. But eventually its use started feeling half baked and too amorphous for me to be able to feel a firm enough grasp on the magic given that the author takes the time to add explanations. I'd rather have the magic feel fully nebulous, because attempting to explain it while also leaving it with many loose threads makes it feel as if the magical aspects are tripping over themselves.
At least until the 56% mark, the transitions between the plot-driven parts and character moments feel ebb and flow in a way that feels too staccato. It made my reading experience jarring.
There are plenty of things to love about this story—it's queer, has promising magic, blends the genres of fantasy and sci-fi, and explores themes with its characters with apt tenderness. But the stylistic choices are not meshing well with my reading preferences, so I'm DNFing it because I don't want to complete a book with so many merits and good intentions only to give it a low rating.
DNF @ 56%
Main character Remy is metabolizing the grief from his brother's murder at the hands of Idrial Dalaciel, who cursed him. Remy is finally ready to avenge the loss of his brother, but the process goes awry when he becomes magically tied to Idrial. He seeks out Idrial's crew to reverse the effects of this rebounded curse. There's also a cast of loveable and diverse characters to keep the readers company.
I found the interrogation of Remi's grief to be really tender and heartfelt, and it helped me feel emotionally connected to him sooner than expected.
I thought the introduction to the sci-fi and fantasy elements, particularly the 'tethers' was initially fascinating; it established real consequences and the potential for its use to go haywire, which created stakes. But eventually its use started feeling half baked and too amorphous for me to be able to feel a firm enough grasp on the magic given that the author takes the time to add explanations. I'd rather have the magic feel fully nebulous, because attempting to explain it while also leaving it with many loose threads makes it feel as if the magical aspects are tripping over themselves.
At least until the 56% mark, the transitions between the plot-driven parts and character moments feel ebb and flow in a way that feels too staccato. It made my reading experience jarring.
There are plenty of things to love about this story—it's queer, has promising magic, blends the genres of fantasy and sci-fi, and explores themes with its characters with apt tenderness. But the stylistic choices are not meshing well with my reading preferences, so I'm DNFing it because I don't want to complete a book with so many merits and good intentions only to give it a low rating.
January 23, 2024
Hi, I'm Jules! I wrote this! Before I flee this site forever (this book belongs to readers now—to hold or to hate, etc. etc., until DNF do you part), I'm giving it five stars. I wrote it during a year when I wasn't sure I could write anything. It was exactly the book I needed to write, and it was also the one I needed to read. Lucky, that—I read it SO MANY TIMES in edits. I'm proud of this little thing.
Not every book will be for every reader. As far as I can tell, most books won't be the perfect fit for MOST readers. The majority of authors are just weird little people throwing words into the world in hopes that they find readers hungry for their precise brand of weird. So, uh... *throws it at you* Catch, if you want? Bon appétit? I hope you find something to love in the chaotic blend of snark, pain, hope, and queerplatonic found family/hate-to-love vibes that is Lord of the Empty Isles!
This story has been fortunate enough to find an extraordinary group of people who really got it. I hope it might find more once it's out in the world, but I try not to indulge in delusions of grandeur, so I'll say only this: if it finds one reader who needs it, that'll be a good start.
Similar vibes can be found in:
✔️ Books: Winter's Orbit, Nophek Gloss, Under the Whispering Door, Cascade Failure
✔️ Authors: Becky Chambers, Everina Maxwell, Essa Hansen
Anyway, if you devour smart, searing, stoic military sci-fi and this book ends up in your hands instead... godspeed and apologies in advance. I hope you like the Feelings
For Content Warnings: Feel free to visit the book's page on my website! Perhaps the most major thing to keep in mind is that this book deals prominently with grief related to a loss that happens prior to the start of the book.
Not every book will be for every reader. As far as I can tell, most books won't be the perfect fit for MOST readers. The majority of authors are just weird little people throwing words into the world in hopes that they find readers hungry for their precise brand of weird. So, uh... *throws it at you* Catch, if you want? Bon appétit? I hope you find something to love in the chaotic blend of snark, pain, hope, and queerplatonic found family/hate-to-love vibes that is Lord of the Empty Isles!
This story has been fortunate enough to find an extraordinary group of people who really got it. I hope it might find more once it's out in the world, but I try not to indulge in delusions of grandeur, so I'll say only this: if it finds one reader who needs it, that'll be a good start.
Similar vibes can be found in:
✔️ Books: Winter's Orbit, Nophek Gloss, Under the Whispering Door, Cascade Failure
✔️ Authors: Becky Chambers, Everina Maxwell, Essa Hansen
Anyway, if you devour smart, searing, stoic military sci-fi and this book ends up in your hands instead... godspeed and apologies in advance. I hope you like the Feelings
For Content Warnings: Feel free to visit the book's page on my website! Perhaps the most major thing to keep in mind is that this book deals prominently with grief related to a loss that happens prior to the start of the book.
September 28, 2024
Lord of the Empty Isles is a scifi-fantasy debut that was just absolutely spectacular. It’s been five years since Remy Canta’s brother died of a death curse, murdered by Remy’s once childhood idol—interstellar fugitive Idrian Delaciel. When Remy finally has the last ingredient needed to cast his own death curse on Idrian, the curse goes wrong and rebounds on himself too, linking their lifespans together. So Remy must hunt down Idrian and infiltrate his criminal crew to find a way to fix the curse before it’s too late. But as Remy gets to know Idrian, he learns that his vengeance may bring more devastating consequences than he could have imagined as Idrian is more than just the evil villain he thought him to be.
Again, I cannot emphasize how much I absolutely loved this book. But be forewarned that this may not be for everyone and some may need to be in the right mindset before reading it. The books is a devastating tale of grief and loss, of the love for family and the bonds that tie people together, and of just how far some people will go for those they love. In the midst of undercover infiltrations, interstellar heists, mysterious curses, a conspiracy to the very top of the government, and a race against the clock, the book still managed to bring me to tears so so many times with its soul.
Remy is a man still reeling from the murder of his older brother, the man who raised him and the only family he had left, and he is blinded by his hate and single-minded quest for vengeance. It was honestly gutwrenching just reading about his love for his brother and his anger for what happened that it will make you actually root for him to get his vengeance. Meanwhile, Idrian is a morally gray man who does what he does for a reason. He is a man beloved by his people for bringing them hope in their bleak existence and hated by others for what he represents. There is a certain parallel you can make with his people’s plight and what is going on in the world right now.
There is no romance here (Remy himself is actually aroace), and that is not to the book’s detriment. Instead, it features queerplatonic relationships, bonds greater than that of friends and beyond that of family or lovers. The book has a magic system of sorts involving different kinds of bonds between people (think tethers), and it demonstrates the different types of relationships from romantic to the platonic. Together, Remy and Idrian help each other grow and heal to break the cycle of violence that has lead them down their dark paths. It is about confronting their conflicts and learning to understand if not forgive the actions that have been done. There are several noteworthy scenes of them just interacting (their initial confrontation when all is revealed and another towards the end) that were so exceptionally powerful that it still manages to make me tear up just thinking about it.
Lord of the Empty Isles is a moving and devastating cozy scifi-fantasy blend featuring an aroace protagonist, a found family, and queerplatonic relationships on top of its epic scifi story. Be ready to cry.
*I received an eARC from Hodder & Stoughton/Hodderscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Again, I cannot emphasize how much I absolutely loved this book. But be forewarned that this may not be for everyone and some may need to be in the right mindset before reading it. The books is a devastating tale of grief and loss, of the love for family and the bonds that tie people together, and of just how far some people will go for those they love. In the midst of undercover infiltrations, interstellar heists, mysterious curses, a conspiracy to the very top of the government, and a race against the clock, the book still managed to bring me to tears so so many times with its soul.
Remy is a man still reeling from the murder of his older brother, the man who raised him and the only family he had left, and he is blinded by his hate and single-minded quest for vengeance. It was honestly gutwrenching just reading about his love for his brother and his anger for what happened that it will make you actually root for him to get his vengeance. Meanwhile, Idrian is a morally gray man who does what he does for a reason. He is a man beloved by his people for bringing them hope in their bleak existence and hated by others for what he represents. There is a certain parallel you can make with his people’s plight and what is going on in the world right now.
There is no romance here (Remy himself is actually aroace), and that is not to the book’s detriment. Instead, it features queerplatonic relationships, bonds greater than that of friends and beyond that of family or lovers. The book has a magic system of sorts involving different kinds of bonds between people (think tethers), and it demonstrates the different types of relationships from romantic to the platonic. Together, Remy and Idrian help each other grow and heal to break the cycle of violence that has lead them down their dark paths. It is about confronting their conflicts and learning to understand if not forgive the actions that have been done. There are several noteworthy scenes of them just interacting (their initial confrontation when all is revealed and another towards the end) that were so exceptionally powerful that it still manages to make me tear up just thinking about it.
Lord of the Empty Isles is a moving and devastating cozy scifi-fantasy blend featuring an aroace protagonist, a found family, and queerplatonic relationships on top of its epic scifi story. Be ready to cry.
*I received an eARC from Hodder & Stoughton/Hodderscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2024
Delightful book! Dark at times, but all the better for the story of grief, pain, and identity it's telling.
The magic system is new and unique (confusing in the beginning, though), and the characters leap off the page! My favorite part was the emphasis on platonic relationships (MC is gender nonconforming/aroace), which we so rarely see explored to this degree.
My only complaint is that some characters felt a little too immature for their age at times, but overall it didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The magic system is new and unique (confusing in the beginning, though), and the characters leap off the page! My favorite part was the emphasis on platonic relationships (MC is gender nonconforming/aroace), which we so rarely see explored to this degree.
My only complaint is that some characters felt a little too immature for their age at times, but overall it didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 4, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Hodderscape for the opportunity!
First off, I stayed up 'til 3 AM reading this book last night, and I was bawling by the end. I honestly can't believe this was a debut! I read this immediately after reading Winter's Orbit for the first time too, and honestly my heart is just so full. The worldbuilding and magic was immaculate, the characters were so great to follow and the way grief was explored here was SO GOOD. I resonated so much with the different dynamics here and once again, I can't believe this was a debut. I love Remy, I love Idrian, I love the found family, I love the politics and the messages that Jules had here. I was constantly kept on my toes with everything that was happening, and I just love how everything came together. I absolutely can't wait to see what Arbeaux writes next!!!
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I can't believe this is a debut.
It's almost 3 am, but I'm bawling because of how beautiful this was. The way it dealt with grief was so good and the worldbuilding was so good. ANYWAY FULL RTC.
First off, I stayed up 'til 3 AM reading this book last night, and I was bawling by the end. I honestly can't believe this was a debut! I read this immediately after reading Winter's Orbit for the first time too, and honestly my heart is just so full. The worldbuilding and magic was immaculate, the characters were so great to follow and the way grief was explored here was SO GOOD. I resonated so much with the different dynamics here and once again, I can't believe this was a debut. I love Remy, I love Idrian, I love the found family, I love the politics and the messages that Jules had here. I was constantly kept on my toes with everything that was happening, and I just love how everything came together. I absolutely can't wait to see what Arbeaux writes next!!!
-------------
I can't believe this is a debut.
It's almost 3 am, but I'm bawling because of how beautiful this was. The way it dealt with grief was so good and the worldbuilding was so good. ANYWAY FULL RTC.
June 18, 2024
Update re-read: I adore this book so fucking much it hurts in the best way
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY 🌟
First of all, thanks, netgalley, for the arc. All thoughts are mine.
It's been a long time since I cried that hard while reading a book. Lord of the empty isles has one of the most accurate depictions of grief I've ever read. And while it made me drown in my own tears, I found it cathartic.
If you know grief, you know how insidious it is, and I found that exact feeling in Remy's journey. It felt true.
Lord of the empty isles is a story where everyone is doomed by the narrative, and you can't help but feel for them as they try to survive. Remy, our MC, has been trying to find his brother's killer for five years and when he finally find a way to get to him, it fires back at him and now he must figure how to disentangle himself from this mess. I really loved Remy because, in a way, he tried to keep his brother alive. Through revenge and hatred, but still. He tried to navigate his grief the best way he could.
Was he annoying at time? Yes.
Did I roll my eyes at him at first? Yes.
But. Like everything in life, nothing is easy, and you learn with Remy. You see him open his eyes to the world, and you can't help but care for him.
As for the other characters: I would give my life for them. They’re one of the liveliest bunch of characters I've had the pleasure to meet. Each and every one of them is full of life and bravado, and they're so easy to love.
I could spend longer gushing about this book but I'm writing through tears right now so. Forgive me ! .
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY 🌟
First of all, thanks, netgalley, for the arc. All thoughts are mine.
It's been a long time since I cried that hard while reading a book. Lord of the empty isles has one of the most accurate depictions of grief I've ever read. And while it made me drown in my own tears, I found it cathartic.
If you know grief, you know how insidious it is, and I found that exact feeling in Remy's journey. It felt true.
Lord of the empty isles is a story where everyone is doomed by the narrative, and you can't help but feel for them as they try to survive. Remy, our MC, has been trying to find his brother's killer for five years and when he finally find a way to get to him, it fires back at him and now he must figure how to disentangle himself from this mess. I really loved Remy because, in a way, he tried to keep his brother alive. Through revenge and hatred, but still. He tried to navigate his grief the best way he could.
Was he annoying at time? Yes.
Did I roll my eyes at him at first? Yes.
But. Like everything in life, nothing is easy, and you learn with Remy. You see him open his eyes to the world, and you can't help but care for him.
As for the other characters: I would give my life for them. They’re one of the liveliest bunch of characters I've had the pleasure to meet. Each and every one of them is full of life and bravado, and they're so easy to love.
I could spend longer gushing about this book but I'm writing through tears right now so. Forgive me ! .
July 25, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Lord of the Empty Isles is a highly emotional science fantasy novel written by Jules Arbeux, and published by Hodderscape. An excellent debut which shines especially in how touches difficult themes such as dealing with grief and the control of narratives by the power, while throwing a delicious amount of space pirates, banter and criminal found family.
Five years ago, Remy's brother died as a result of a withering (a death curse) cast due to an order from interstellar fugitive Idrian Delacial; from that moment, Remy has been grieving and thinking about vengeance. Now, he has the materials for paying back to Idrian; however, the withering goes wrong, bounding his fate to Idrian's. He will have to join forces with the assassin of his brother if he wants to find a cure; when he gets there, Remy finds that many more lives are at stake, as the Idrian's crew is also fatebound to him, and is responsible for providing life-saving supplies to thousand of lives in the empty isles.
After force of circumstance makes Remy a part of Idrian's crew, he finally finds a life that helps him to alleviate his grief; but time is against him, and the only apparent solution is ending his life before the curse ends with all his new mates.
With this premise, Arbeux has woven a novel that works in two senses: a more intimate one, that explores how Remy almost destroys himself as a consequence of grief, while taking more people on his demise; and a bigger one, about how the empty isles are being oppressed by the main planet, and how Idrian is fighting against that narrative that is asphyxiating them, not only giving them supplies, but also directly confronting the power.
The relationship that gets established between Remy and Idrian is quite an excellent example; both are similar in some aspects, but they are enemies due to circumstances. However, the more time they spend, Remy finally manages to overcome that animosity caused by grief, and starts to understand the reason behind Idrian's actions. They pass from enemies to platonic lovers; an almost poetic ending.
The rest of the crew has some peculiarities, but they are almost the family Remy was missing; some rough moments happen, but all are working for a common goal.
The world-building is quite interesting, painting a portrait of a main planet that oppresses those empty isles, a strong political power that keeps them under the threat of not getting enough resources (effectively killing them); in those circumstances, we can understand the apparition of Idrian's crew. Interestingly, Arbeux manages to point how important is controlling the narrative, and how the powerful use the mass media to create enemies to blame, even if those are the same experiencing the consequences of that genocide.
Honestly, Jules Arbeux has proven herself as a talented written with this kind of powerful debut; it's not only touching on an emotional level, but also invites you to think about many topics that are quite accurate nowadays. SFF fans, you need to read Lord of the Empty Isles, and prepare to get emotionally destroyed.
Lord of the Empty Isles is a highly emotional science fantasy novel written by Jules Arbeux, and published by Hodderscape. An excellent debut which shines especially in how touches difficult themes such as dealing with grief and the control of narratives by the power, while throwing a delicious amount of space pirates, banter and criminal found family.
Five years ago, Remy's brother died as a result of a withering (a death curse) cast due to an order from interstellar fugitive Idrian Delacial; from that moment, Remy has been grieving and thinking about vengeance. Now, he has the materials for paying back to Idrian; however, the withering goes wrong, bounding his fate to Idrian's. He will have to join forces with the assassin of his brother if he wants to find a cure; when he gets there, Remy finds that many more lives are at stake, as the Idrian's crew is also fatebound to him, and is responsible for providing life-saving supplies to thousand of lives in the empty isles.
After force of circumstance makes Remy a part of Idrian's crew, he finally finds a life that helps him to alleviate his grief; but time is against him, and the only apparent solution is ending his life before the curse ends with all his new mates.
With this premise, Arbeux has woven a novel that works in two senses: a more intimate one, that explores how Remy almost destroys himself as a consequence of grief, while taking more people on his demise; and a bigger one, about how the empty isles are being oppressed by the main planet, and how Idrian is fighting against that narrative that is asphyxiating them, not only giving them supplies, but also directly confronting the power.
The relationship that gets established between Remy and Idrian is quite an excellent example; both are similar in some aspects, but they are enemies due to circumstances. However, the more time they spend, Remy finally manages to overcome that animosity caused by grief, and starts to understand the reason behind Idrian's actions. They pass from enemies to platonic lovers; an almost poetic ending.
The rest of the crew has some peculiarities, but they are almost the family Remy was missing; some rough moments happen, but all are working for a common goal.
The world-building is quite interesting, painting a portrait of a main planet that oppresses those empty isles, a strong political power that keeps them under the threat of not getting enough resources (effectively killing them); in those circumstances, we can understand the apparition of Idrian's crew. Interestingly, Arbeux manages to point how important is controlling the narrative, and how the powerful use the mass media to create enemies to blame, even if those are the same experiencing the consequences of that genocide.
Honestly, Jules Arbeux has proven herself as a talented written with this kind of powerful debut; it's not only touching on an emotional level, but also invites you to think about many topics that are quite accurate nowadays. SFF fans, you need to read Lord of the Empty Isles, and prepare to get emotionally destroyed.
Want to read
August 22, 2023A super queer, genre bendy book featuring an aroace-spec and gender non-conforming lead!? With a focus on queerplatonic relationships and found family?? I'm crying this sounds so good and full of so much fun and action!!
June 7, 2024
Thank you netgalley for the arc!
I requested this book on a bit of a whim and wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I ultimately was glad I did.
What sells Lord of the Empty Isles is that it immediately establishes dire and emotionally resonant stakes. From the first couple chapters, I was so locked in, it really didn't really matter what happened for the rest of the book, but luckily the rest of the book was pretty good too.
The main character, Remy, is seeking revenge on the criminal who killed brother. But, whoops! Their lives are linked and he cannot kill him without killing himself, and now the clock is ticking down on both of their lives. What ensues after is an introspection on love and loss, grief and healing, the value and undervaluing of a life.
Anything truly genuine can sometimes feel a little corny, but like I said, I was on board. The same can be said about some of the soap-opera-esque reveals. Like, yes they're a little melodramatic, but also?? Drama is a good thing when I like it. At the beginning of the novel, I thought it was paced too quickly, but by the end, I appreciated how the story unfolded and was paced. All the characters bloomed colorfully on the page, with complete inner lives and personalities. Found family is a little hit or miss for me, but top to bottom, this is a cast you can care for.
All debuts have some technical mishaps in terms of plot, but the heart of this book was in the right place. Not only that, but setting, magic system, character, and plot were all interconnected into theme with a captivating diligence. As someone who appreciates comprehensive thematics only second to character work, it was like a breath of fresh air to see both done so well. The novel lets you roll around the ideas it's introducing like the medicinal burn of a lozenge at the back of your tongue. And what a lozenge.
I requested this book on a bit of a whim and wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I ultimately was glad I did.
What sells Lord of the Empty Isles is that it immediately establishes dire and emotionally resonant stakes. From the first couple chapters, I was so locked in, it really didn't really matter what happened for the rest of the book, but luckily the rest of the book was pretty good too.
The main character, Remy, is seeking revenge on the criminal who killed brother. But, whoops! Their lives are linked and he cannot kill him without killing himself, and now the clock is ticking down on both of their lives. What ensues after is an introspection on love and loss, grief and healing, the value and undervaluing of a life.
Anything truly genuine can sometimes feel a little corny, but like I said, I was on board. The same can be said about some of the soap-opera-esque reveals. Like, yes they're a little melodramatic, but also?? Drama is a good thing when I like it. At the beginning of the novel, I thought it was paced too quickly, but by the end, I appreciated how the story unfolded and was paced. All the characters bloomed colorfully on the page, with complete inner lives and personalities. Found family is a little hit or miss for me, but top to bottom, this is a cast you can care for.
All debuts have some technical mishaps in terms of plot, but the heart of this book was in the right place. Not only that, but setting, magic system, character, and plot were all interconnected into theme with a captivating diligence. As someone who appreciates comprehensive thematics only second to character work, it was like a breath of fresh air to see both done so well. The novel lets you roll around the ideas it's introducing like the medicinal burn of a lozenge at the back of your tongue. And what a lozenge.
July 11, 2023
This book, y’all. I knew I had to read it when I heard it featured an acespec lead, found family, and a central enemies-to-queerplatonic relationship. There is truly no better combination of themes to get my attention. And now that I’ve read it, let me say Jules Arbeaux DELIVERED.
There are a lot of parallels here to Essa Hansen’s NOPHEK GLOSS, another book with similar themes that I greatly enjoyed. LORD OF THE EMPTY ISLES combines heartwrenching themes of grief with a truly imaginative magic system based on interpersonal bonds, all wrapped up in a tightly plotted package of goodness. The stakes in this one could not be higher: the MC’s life, the lives and/or happiness of the people he loves, the fate of the world itself. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down without finding out how it ends.
I’m committed to writing reviews free of major spoilers for all of the unreleased books I read, so I can’t elaborate much more on the ending. But I want to shout out my favorite character in the book: Yves. Oh, Yves. You carved out my heart with a scalpel and cheerfully left me bleeding out on the floor.
I’m now convinced that all magic systems should be deeply interwoven into the relationships between characters and the nature of their love for each other. This is how you do fantasy, people. I can’t wait to see what Arbeaux comes up with next.
There are a lot of parallels here to Essa Hansen’s NOPHEK GLOSS, another book with similar themes that I greatly enjoyed. LORD OF THE EMPTY ISLES combines heartwrenching themes of grief with a truly imaginative magic system based on interpersonal bonds, all wrapped up in a tightly plotted package of goodness. The stakes in this one could not be higher: the MC’s life, the lives and/or happiness of the people he loves, the fate of the world itself. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down without finding out how it ends.
I’m committed to writing reviews free of major spoilers for all of the unreleased books I read, so I can’t elaborate much more on the ending. But I want to shout out my favorite character in the book: Yves. Oh, Yves. You carved out my heart with a scalpel and cheerfully left me bleeding out on the floor.
I’m now convinced that all magic systems should be deeply interwoven into the relationships between characters and the nature of their love for each other. This is how you do fantasy, people. I can’t wait to see what Arbeaux comes up with next.
November 8, 2023
In a world ravaged by climate change and controlled by a seemingly benevolent authoritarian state, Remy Canta is just trying to do his best!!
Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux is a fast-paced yet thoughtful debut novel, perfect for those who love reading deeply human imaginings of future societies. This book has a really cool magic system that explores how as human beings we're all linked to each other in one way or another. I felt like I could see and touch the magical bonds that (in the world of this book) link people for different emotional and fated reasons--grief, love, revenge....
If you'd enjoy exploring a vividly drawn corner of a vast universe where stealth spaceships are named after ancient fish (!!) and queer communities / queer platonic relationships are celebrated in all their beautiful, intensely human glory, then this is the one for you. It explores capitalism, the climate crisis, loss of family, and how seeking revenge can often be just as damaging for the one seeking it as it is for their subject. Roll on June 2024 !
Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux is a fast-paced yet thoughtful debut novel, perfect for those who love reading deeply human imaginings of future societies. This book has a really cool magic system that explores how as human beings we're all linked to each other in one way or another. I felt like I could see and touch the magical bonds that (in the world of this book) link people for different emotional and fated reasons--grief, love, revenge....
If you'd enjoy exploring a vividly drawn corner of a vast universe where stealth spaceships are named after ancient fish (!!) and queer communities / queer platonic relationships are celebrated in all their beautiful, intensely human glory, then this is the one for you. It explores capitalism, the climate crisis, loss of family, and how seeking revenge can often be just as damaging for the one seeking it as it is for their subject. Roll on June 2024 !
January 26, 2024
casually made me sob and I said thank you:) the way this book explores grief and queer platonic friendships was so beautiful! we do not get enough cosy sci-fi novels, but this one just hit the spot!
June 4, 2024
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
HIGHLIGHTS
~comfy clothes > sexy clothes
~revenge gets ComplicatedTM
~hoverboard!!!
~platonic soulmates ftw
~on your own head be it if you fuck with the doctor
Lord of the Empty Isles is a book that completely defies expectations in some ways, while making use of well-worn – and well-loved – tropes in others. I mean, just mixing fantasy and sci fi in the same setting is still a rare thing (which it shouldn’t be: PUBLISH MORE SCIENCE FANTASY, PUBLISHERS!), and Arbeaux does so deftly, but Arbeaux has also written a story that elevates and celebrates non-romantic relationships – which might be even rarer than science fantasy.
And I loved it!
Aroace Remy is a citizen on the planet Verdine – a planet that, in the past, suffered complete climate collapse. But a lot of hard work has seen it recover, and now in the present day, people are not so much environmentally friendly so much as they are environmentally vigilant. Breaking any of the strict environmental laws – or the population laws that restrict each family to one child only – gets the convicted sent to the Empty Isles: Alta, Fluora, or Toxys. They’re not actually islands; they’re man-made moons, and way back when they held Verdine’s survivors while the planet healed enough to be able to support life again. But these days the moons (or Isles) are inescapable prisons, and the people who get sent there never come back.
This is very important.
Idrian Delaciel is a famous criminal who runs his operations out of the Isles. Five years before the book starts, he had Remy’s brother, Cam, killed. And in the opening pages, Remy finally gets what he needs to return the favour.
Here’s where the magic comes in: in this world, there are those who can see the bonds tying people together, and those who can, to a limited extent, manipulate them. The lore Arbeaux poured into this set-up is fascinating without being overwhelming; most of our information on the different kinds of bonds comes from the excerpts of an in-world text called On the Manipulation of Tethers, excerpts that kick off most chapters. To be honest, I would happily read On the Manipulation of Tethers in its entirety, if Arbeaux decided to actually write it, because it really was SO COOL. (As an example, what kind of bond it is you have with this other person determines where on your body it is anchored – it could be your hands, your head, your FEET… I mean. FEET!!! I loved all of this SO MUCH.)
Remy, as the blurb says, is a witherer – someone who can cut bonds (with the consent of those involved), or, with the right materials, place a death-curse on a person.
Which he does. On Idrian. Because fair’s fair, right? Idrian had Cam killed; now Remy’s going to kill Idrian.
…Small problem: turns out Remy has a fatebond with Idrian – which means he, Remy, is now under the curse too.
In all fairness, HOW WAS HE SUPPOSED TO GUESS HE WAS FATEBOUND TO THAT GUY? OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE UNIVERSE? I wouldn’t have seen it coming either!
Of course, we know all this going in – it’s there in the blurb. And Arbeaux does not dilly-daddle; Remy casts the withering in the first couple of chapters.
From there, things take off.
I think the reasons Lord of the Empty Isles is getting compared to Winter’s Orbit and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet are: space; queerness between two guys (although there is no romance here); being flung together and making connections/found family under pressure; and, most conclusively, Arbeaux’ prose is compulsively readable. (I may not have 5-starred Winter’s Orbit, but you can’t say Everina Maxwell’s writing isn’t wonderfully easy to read.) Case in point: I don’t think many authors can hold your attention when the blurb has already given you the whole story. But Arbeaux had me hooked; by the just-enough worldbuilding; by Remy’s intense, visceral emotions; by the laugh-or-you’ll-cry mix-ups; by the utter refusal to give us an easy answer to some of the thorniest, and most painful, questions humans can ask ourselves.
That’s what lingers with me, now that I’ve read the book: the ugly ethical tangles Remy and Idrian – and everyone counting on Idrian – are in. Arbeaux makes no effort to simplify things for us or give us easy answers – or any answers at all; if anything, I think Lord of the Empty Isles implies that there are no correct answers. The problem – Idrian doing terrible things in order to safeguard thousands of other people – is unsolvable. You can’t truly say he’s wrong for doing what he needs to do to save so many – but you can’t say he’s ‘right’ either. Doing terrible things for good reasons doesn’t make the things not-terrible any more. And I was quietly pleased that Arbeaux didn’t try to convince us otherwise – didn’t try to influence the reader’s opinion one way or the other. Arbeaux just – presents the problem, if that makes sense. Shows us all sides of it, in what I thought was a very unbiased manner.
And then lets us work out what we think and feel for ourselves.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
HIGHLIGHTS
~comfy clothes > sexy clothes
~revenge gets ComplicatedTM
~hoverboard!!!
~platonic soulmates ftw
~on your own head be it if you fuck with the doctor
Lord of the Empty Isles is a book that completely defies expectations in some ways, while making use of well-worn – and well-loved – tropes in others. I mean, just mixing fantasy and sci fi in the same setting is still a rare thing (which it shouldn’t be: PUBLISH MORE SCIENCE FANTASY, PUBLISHERS!), and Arbeaux does so deftly, but Arbeaux has also written a story that elevates and celebrates non-romantic relationships – which might be even rarer than science fantasy.
And I loved it!
Aroace Remy is a citizen on the planet Verdine – a planet that, in the past, suffered complete climate collapse. But a lot of hard work has seen it recover, and now in the present day, people are not so much environmentally friendly so much as they are environmentally vigilant. Breaking any of the strict environmental laws – or the population laws that restrict each family to one child only – gets the convicted sent to the Empty Isles: Alta, Fluora, or Toxys. They’re not actually islands; they’re man-made moons, and way back when they held Verdine’s survivors while the planet healed enough to be able to support life again. But these days the moons (or Isles) are inescapable prisons, and the people who get sent there never come back.
This is very important.
Idrian Delaciel is a famous criminal who runs his operations out of the Isles. Five years before the book starts, he had Remy’s brother, Cam, killed. And in the opening pages, Remy finally gets what he needs to return the favour.
Here’s where the magic comes in: in this world, there are those who can see the bonds tying people together, and those who can, to a limited extent, manipulate them. The lore Arbeaux poured into this set-up is fascinating without being overwhelming; most of our information on the different kinds of bonds comes from the excerpts of an in-world text called On the Manipulation of Tethers, excerpts that kick off most chapters. To be honest, I would happily read On the Manipulation of Tethers in its entirety, if Arbeaux decided to actually write it, because it really was SO COOL. (As an example, what kind of bond it is you have with this other person determines where on your body it is anchored – it could be your hands, your head, your FEET… I mean. FEET!!! I loved all of this SO MUCH.)
Remy, as the blurb says, is a witherer – someone who can cut bonds (with the consent of those involved), or, with the right materials, place a death-curse on a person.
Which he does. On Idrian. Because fair’s fair, right? Idrian had Cam killed; now Remy’s going to kill Idrian.
…Small problem: turns out Remy has a fatebond with Idrian – which means he, Remy, is now under the curse too.
In all fairness, HOW WAS HE SUPPOSED TO GUESS HE WAS FATEBOUND TO THAT GUY? OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE UNIVERSE? I wouldn’t have seen it coming either!
Of course, we know all this going in – it’s there in the blurb. And Arbeaux does not dilly-daddle; Remy casts the withering in the first couple of chapters.
From there, things take off.
She makes work of anger, and silence of sadness.
I think the reasons Lord of the Empty Isles is getting compared to Winter’s Orbit and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet are: space; queerness between two guys (although there is no romance here); being flung together and making connections/found family under pressure; and, most conclusively, Arbeaux’ prose is compulsively readable. (I may not have 5-starred Winter’s Orbit, but you can’t say Everina Maxwell’s writing isn’t wonderfully easy to read.) Case in point: I don’t think many authors can hold your attention when the blurb has already given you the whole story. But Arbeaux had me hooked; by the just-enough worldbuilding; by Remy’s intense, visceral emotions; by the laugh-or-you’ll-cry mix-ups; by the utter refusal to give us an easy answer to some of the thorniest, and most painful, questions humans can ask ourselves.
That’s what lingers with me, now that I’ve read the book: the ugly ethical tangles Remy and Idrian – and everyone counting on Idrian – are in. Arbeaux makes no effort to simplify things for us or give us easy answers – or any answers at all; if anything, I think Lord of the Empty Isles implies that there are no correct answers. The problem – Idrian doing terrible things in order to safeguard thousands of other people – is unsolvable. You can’t truly say he’s wrong for doing what he needs to do to save so many – but you can’t say he’s ‘right’ either. Doing terrible things for good reasons doesn’t make the things not-terrible any more. And I was quietly pleased that Arbeaux didn’t try to convince us otherwise – didn’t try to influence the reader’s opinion one way or the other. Arbeaux just – presents the problem, if that makes sense. Shows us all sides of it, in what I thought was a very unbiased manner.
And then lets us work out what we think and feel for ourselves.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
June 19, 2024
Headlines:
One of the best found families
Queer platonic connections
Tethers
So much about this book was unexpected to me, I thought there would be a 'love story', I was uncertain about the tethers in the first few pages and I wasn't sure what I thought about Remy. Excuse my 180 after a chapter or two where I was completely inquisitive and invested in the ideas of tethers..."please tell me more" and I began to like Remy a lot.
Remy went from entitled to rebel, from murderer to saviour and all of this was under the watch of Idrian, the Lord of the Empty Isles. Idrian was a character I wanted to get to know, to unpick and find out what made him tick. I didn't get to know him quite as much as I wished but I really liked who he was as an individual, but even more, who he was as a leader and friend.
This book delivered on the kind of found family I long for in books. This family was inter-dependent in a good way, full of authenticity and rolled from one crisis-trauma to the next. There were lots of queer characters who were simply their lovely selves.
The story/plot had lots to bring in terms of grief and loss, a displaced population under the control of a dictator who rationed their water, air and food; so much to identify with current times. While there were difficult scenes in this story, the author still managed to make this a hopeful read.
Lastly, I just want to address my expectations in terms of a romantic love, there wasn't, although there seemed to be chemistry. However, the other kinds of love were strong and prevalent and I don't think I missed out on this.
Jules Arbeaux is an author I will be jumping to read again. I think this is a standalone as it wraps up well but I guess there could be more to come in this world. I would be happy if there was.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Hodderscape for the review copy.
One of the best found families
Queer platonic connections
Tethers
So much about this book was unexpected to me, I thought there would be a 'love story', I was uncertain about the tethers in the first few pages and I wasn't sure what I thought about Remy. Excuse my 180 after a chapter or two where I was completely inquisitive and invested in the ideas of tethers..."please tell me more" and I began to like Remy a lot.
Remy went from entitled to rebel, from murderer to saviour and all of this was under the watch of Idrian, the Lord of the Empty Isles. Idrian was a character I wanted to get to know, to unpick and find out what made him tick. I didn't get to know him quite as much as I wished but I really liked who he was as an individual, but even more, who he was as a leader and friend.
This book delivered on the kind of found family I long for in books. This family was inter-dependent in a good way, full of authenticity and rolled from one crisis-trauma to the next. There were lots of queer characters who were simply their lovely selves.
The story/plot had lots to bring in terms of grief and loss, a displaced population under the control of a dictator who rationed their water, air and food; so much to identify with current times. While there were difficult scenes in this story, the author still managed to make this a hopeful read.
Lastly, I just want to address my expectations in terms of a romantic love, there wasn't, although there seemed to be chemistry. However, the other kinds of love were strong and prevalent and I don't think I missed out on this.
Jules Arbeaux is an author I will be jumping to read again. I think this is a standalone as it wraps up well but I guess there could be more to come in this world. I would be happy if there was.
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Hodderscape for the review copy.
June 13, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a delight! I was intrigued by the synopsis, and though sometimes I don’t jive super well with books with a heavier romantic focus, I did enjoy this one. It did admittedly take me a while to get into the story, and I’m not sure if it was my mood, the fact I read this as an audiobook, or the book itself. Regardless, I think Arbeaux had some excellent character work and I liked the focus on platonic relationships. It was definitely about the level of sweet I’d been expecting, which was what initially made me hesitant about this—it’s well done and quite good, but also not necessarily the kind of story I always seek out. Still, I’m not mad about it because I did find the overall work to be impressive and well done. I didn’t always get on well with Remy, but he’s quite believable and I’d absolutely be open to rereading this one.
The audiobook was narrated by Georgina Sander and I thought it was well done and added to the story!
This book was a delight! I was intrigued by the synopsis, and though sometimes I don’t jive super well with books with a heavier romantic focus, I did enjoy this one. It did admittedly take me a while to get into the story, and I’m not sure if it was my mood, the fact I read this as an audiobook, or the book itself. Regardless, I think Arbeaux had some excellent character work and I liked the focus on platonic relationships. It was definitely about the level of sweet I’d been expecting, which was what initially made me hesitant about this—it’s well done and quite good, but also not necessarily the kind of story I always seek out. Still, I’m not mad about it because I did find the overall work to be impressive and well done. I didn’t always get on well with Remy, but he’s quite believable and I’d absolutely be open to rereading this one.
The audiobook was narrated by Georgina Sander and I thought it was well done and added to the story!
September 20, 2025
This one was an unexpected gem. The book centers very heavily on grief (specifically mourning a sibling and/or caregiver). I think I found the synopsis rather confusing and was sort of predisposed to disliking it (because of the tethers, which I quite frankly still don’t understand).
The tethers themselves ended up being not super important except for sort of setting the stage (there were some strange inconsistencies and I have a lot of lingering questions, but we’ll put those in a box out of the way for the remainder of this review)
Instead, we have found family! And a corrupt government. And so much death and grief.
I think the sci-fi/dystopian elements were pretty vague. But I don’t think they really needed to be fleshed out. I think we were pretty solid with a character driven story instead.
The tethers themselves ended up being not super important except for sort of setting the stage (there were some strange inconsistencies and I have a lot of lingering questions, but we’ll put those in a box out of the way for the remainder of this review)
Instead, we have found family! And a corrupt government. And so much death and grief.
I think the sci-fi/dystopian elements were pretty vague. But I don’t think they really needed to be fleshed out. I think we were pretty solid with a character driven story instead.
June 2, 2024
As soon as I started Lord of the Empty Isles I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting. It was everything I loved in a title from the complex grey characters to the found family. The only thing I would highlight is there is no romance here (Remy himself is aroace), and the relationships are queerplatonic.
Instead, it features bonds greater than friends and beyond that of family or lovers. Lord of the Empty Isles has a magic system that explores the idea of rope-like bonds between people. Our main POV character Remy is hunting down the man who killed his brother Idrian. However they are bonded together and they must help each other grow and heal to break the cycle of violence that has led them down their dark paths.
If you loved Everina Maxwell's Oceans Echo and Line and Orbit by Sunny Moraine then this is the book for you! Wonderfully written and devastatingly sad, Land of the Empty Isles is a cosy scifi-fantasy blend featuring an aroace protagonist, a found family, and queerplatonic relationships on top of its epic scifi story that I could not put down.
Instead, it features bonds greater than friends and beyond that of family or lovers. Lord of the Empty Isles has a magic system that explores the idea of rope-like bonds between people. Our main POV character Remy is hunting down the man who killed his brother Idrian. However they are bonded together and they must help each other grow and heal to break the cycle of violence that has led them down their dark paths.
If you loved Everina Maxwell's Oceans Echo and Line and Orbit by Sunny Moraine then this is the book for you! Wonderfully written and devastatingly sad, Land of the Empty Isles is a cosy scifi-fantasy blend featuring an aroace protagonist, a found family, and queerplatonic relationships on top of its epic scifi story that I could not put down.
January 12, 2025
I was so hyped to read this book. Space fantasy, fate bonds, queer rebels, a vengeful main character who has to infiltrate his sworn nemesis’s gang but who begins questioning things along the way. Themes about inequality, propaganda, violent resistance, and forgiveness It had literally everything I could ever want in a book.
Which was why I was disappointed when it was such a fucking flop.
Some of the blame falls on the way that Goodreads has advertised this book. It’s tagged as a romance, which it definitively is not. It’s also tagged as Adult Fiction - I don’t know if that’s how the author intended it to be marketed but this book absolutely reads like YA, even if the characters are technically over 18. I have nothing against YA or non-romance, but I went in with certain expectations that were not met.
Some other expectations that weren’t met include likeable and interesting characters. Remy, the MC, is such a fucking snore. His only discernible personality trait is that he wants to avenge his brother, but since he gets over that remarkably quickly he’s left as just a generic good person who doesn’t want children to die. Wow, I’m riveted. The other central character, Idrian, is comparatively better, but still isn’t much more than a copy-paste ‘rebel with a tragic backstory and a heart of gold.’ The rest of the so called found family are so unremarkably interchangeable as to not even warrant a mention. Special shout out to Tirani, who, when she would conveniently disappear every time she wasn’t needed (which was most of the time), I would completely forget about because she was such a wet tissue of a character. The main antagonist was a caricature of the affably evil villain, complete with a monologue that conveniently reveals his entire evil plan at the end.
Bland, interchangeable dialogue. Cheap, forced found family. I was told this book would make me laugh, and to its credit I could tell when it was SUPPOSED to be funny, because the author was trying very, very hard to work in charming, witty banter, but every attempt at humour left me with vague second-hand embarrassment instead. I suspect the author cut their teeth writing fan fiction but never actually learned how to use story elements that sets original fiction apart, such as making us care about characters we don’t know or like yet. All of the cutesy found family moments assume a level of commitment that I never get to develop. “Aren’t they so quirky and fun?” the author seems to say every time? No, they’re fucking annoying.
The only character who was at all interesting was Yves. Give me a story about them and leave the rest on the cutting room floor.
The plot looks good on paper, and it does have a few engaging moments such as the initial withering and the Block D collapse on Alta. But the story itself starts to fall apart once you think about it for more than a few seconds. Why did the Chancellor wait so long to build a hate campaign against Idrian when all of the plot’s events could have occurred in the last five years? He could have choked out the Isles’ supplies, force Idrian’s hand as per the story, and then kill him in a strike attack instead of risking it all on Remy’s Withering. Why did Cam tell his brother who cursed him but not bother to explain the circumstances and instead rely on Remy finding the recording in his necklace that he only discovered by complete chance? Why did Roca, after realising Remy was being suspicious, not tell her friend and lover and instead let them all drink the alcohol that she correctly guessed was spiked? Why? Because plot, I guess.
The pacing was bizarre as well. Sections that should have gotten more build-up zipped by and others that should have been snappy stretched on and on. Despite it only being about 350 pages it took me ages to read because it was so damn tedious.
And, of course, the biggest plot hurdle: Remy has grown up on Verdine propaganda his whole life and has nursed a murderous grudge against Idrian for five years, but is able do deconstruct all of that in three days. AT MOST. All the citizens of Verdine immediately call for a complete rehaul of the system because of one video clip of atrocities. It’s a cute idea, but if we’ve learned anything from the televised genocide in Gaza it’s that people will do Olympic level mental gymnastics to justify war crimes against people they’re taught not to care about. A similarly childish idea is that only a single evil person - the Chancellor in this case - is responsible for political oppression on this level instead of it being the work of an entrenched institution. This book is Baby’s First Political Resistance Narrative, basically.
I did like the magic system, for what it’s worth. And there’s asexual representation. I can’t in good faith call it good, because Remy is such a lump, but the representation … exists. So.
Tl;dr: glad I got this as a gift so I didn’t waste my money on it.
Which was why I was disappointed when it was such a fucking flop.
Some of the blame falls on the way that Goodreads has advertised this book. It’s tagged as a romance, which it definitively is not. It’s also tagged as Adult Fiction - I don’t know if that’s how the author intended it to be marketed but this book absolutely reads like YA, even if the characters are technically over 18. I have nothing against YA or non-romance, but I went in with certain expectations that were not met.
Some other expectations that weren’t met include likeable and interesting characters. Remy, the MC, is such a fucking snore. His only discernible personality trait is that he wants to avenge his brother, but since he gets over that remarkably quickly he’s left as just a generic good person who doesn’t want children to die. Wow, I’m riveted. The other central character, Idrian, is comparatively better, but still isn’t much more than a copy-paste ‘rebel with a tragic backstory and a heart of gold.’ The rest of the so called found family are so unremarkably interchangeable as to not even warrant a mention. Special shout out to Tirani, who, when she would conveniently disappear every time she wasn’t needed (which was most of the time), I would completely forget about because she was such a wet tissue of a character. The main antagonist was a caricature of the affably evil villain, complete with a monologue that conveniently reveals his entire evil plan at the end.
Bland, interchangeable dialogue. Cheap, forced found family. I was told this book would make me laugh, and to its credit I could tell when it was SUPPOSED to be funny, because the author was trying very, very hard to work in charming, witty banter, but every attempt at humour left me with vague second-hand embarrassment instead. I suspect the author cut their teeth writing fan fiction but never actually learned how to use story elements that sets original fiction apart, such as making us care about characters we don’t know or like yet. All of the cutesy found family moments assume a level of commitment that I never get to develop. “Aren’t they so quirky and fun?” the author seems to say every time? No, they’re fucking annoying.
The only character who was at all interesting was Yves. Give me a story about them and leave the rest on the cutting room floor.
The plot looks good on paper, and it does have a few engaging moments such as the initial withering and the Block D collapse on Alta. But the story itself starts to fall apart once you think about it for more than a few seconds. Why did the Chancellor wait so long to build a hate campaign against Idrian when all of the plot’s events could have occurred in the last five years? He could have choked out the Isles’ supplies, force Idrian’s hand as per the story, and then kill him in a strike attack instead of risking it all on Remy’s Withering. Why did Cam tell his brother who cursed him but not bother to explain the circumstances and instead rely on Remy finding the recording in his necklace that he only discovered by complete chance? Why did Roca, after realising Remy was being suspicious, not tell her friend and lover and instead let them all drink the alcohol that she correctly guessed was spiked? Why? Because plot, I guess.
The pacing was bizarre as well. Sections that should have gotten more build-up zipped by and others that should have been snappy stretched on and on. Despite it only being about 350 pages it took me ages to read because it was so damn tedious.
And, of course, the biggest plot hurdle: Remy has grown up on Verdine propaganda his whole life and has nursed a murderous grudge against Idrian for five years, but is able do deconstruct all of that in three days. AT MOST. All the citizens of Verdine immediately call for a complete rehaul of the system because of one video clip of atrocities. It’s a cute idea, but if we’ve learned anything from the televised genocide in Gaza it’s that people will do Olympic level mental gymnastics to justify war crimes against people they’re taught not to care about. A similarly childish idea is that only a single evil person - the Chancellor in this case - is responsible for political oppression on this level instead of it being the work of an entrenched institution. This book is Baby’s First Political Resistance Narrative, basically.
I did like the magic system, for what it’s worth. And there’s asexual representation. I can’t in good faith call it good, because Remy is such a lump, but the representation … exists. So.
Tl;dr: glad I got this as a gift so I didn’t waste my money on it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2024
For me, a sci-fi book is a hit or miss and this was an absolutely hit. I had a hard time putting it down and I really just wanted to know more about the characters and find out where the plot was going.
I won't lie, I did have a bit of trouble understanding the magical bonds and how they worked and were linked to everyone (my bad). That aside, I did love the concept of the tethers. Everyone is connected in some way, romanctic or platonic, you name it and each one of these bonds can be linked to a different part of the body (and will resemble a different relationship).
The main character, Remy, is a complex character. He has his flaws, but I loved his character growth throughout the story. Now, don't even get me started about the rest of the characters because I loved every single one of them. Idrian and his crew were just *chef's kiss*. Even if they were a little messy and chaotic, they were still incredibly loyal to each other. ++ Who doesn't love a found family.
I also found this book extremely well written and I had no trouble figuring out where the story took place. I was able to picture everything so vividly and it almost felt like I was there with the characters.
I highly recommend this book to anyone (even the people that rarely read sci-fi). I had a lot of fun reading this and I just wish there was more. I can't wait to read more books from the author.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I won't lie, I did have a bit of trouble understanding the magical bonds and how they worked and were linked to everyone (my bad). That aside, I did love the concept of the tethers. Everyone is connected in some way, romanctic or platonic, you name it and each one of these bonds can be linked to a different part of the body (and will resemble a different relationship).
The main character, Remy, is a complex character. He has his flaws, but I loved his character growth throughout the story. Now, don't even get me started about the rest of the characters because I loved every single one of them. Idrian and his crew were just *chef's kiss*. Even if they were a little messy and chaotic, they were still incredibly loyal to each other. ++ Who doesn't love a found family.
I also found this book extremely well written and I had no trouble figuring out where the story took place. I was able to picture everything so vividly and it almost felt like I was there with the characters.
I highly recommend this book to anyone (even the people that rarely read sci-fi). I had a lot of fun reading this and I just wish there was more. I can't wait to read more books from the author.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2023
I am an emotional wreck after finishing this.
May 26, 2024
I remember requesting this book on Netgalley, while also pre-ordering the book, thinking this was gonna be a nice sci-fi romance with a touch of fantasy. I was therefore really happy when Hodderscape granted me a review copy, but since I noticed that cozy romance is starting to bore me a little I was also a little afraid to start reading this novel. I don't know where it went wrong with the marketing, but this book turned out to be so so so much more than I had expected it to be.
The book started exactly like I had expected. I was actually convinced during the first reading session that I was eventually gonna cancel my pre-order. I was completely and entirely wrong. During my second reading session the politics appeared and the book all of a sudden became a million times darker than I had expected it to be. And since we were experiencing everything through Remy's eyes we also felt the shock, betrayal and pain he felt.
I don't wanna give too much away, but this book does an amazing job showing how politics work, how propaganda works and how it's possible to make so many people believe that what you do is for the best even if it's not. It's also an amazing book to show that you really have to get to know people to really understand AND judge them. No matter how much you've heard and learned about someone, you can never know who has been controlling the narrative.
I also really love all the love in this book. All the forgiveness. All those times people are trying to understand someone despite their emotions pushing them into another direction. In a way, despite all the dark scenes and despite all the sickening moments, this book is therefore also really hopeful and inspiring. We see people overcoming hatred. We see people willing to look at things from someone else's perspective. We see people trying to be forgiving and understanding.
I will certainly keep an eye on this author.
The book started exactly like I had expected. I was actually convinced during the first reading session that I was eventually gonna cancel my pre-order. I was completely and entirely wrong. During my second reading session the politics appeared and the book all of a sudden became a million times darker than I had expected it to be. And since we were experiencing everything through Remy's eyes we also felt the shock, betrayal and pain he felt.
I don't wanna give too much away, but this book does an amazing job showing how politics work, how propaganda works and how it's possible to make so many people believe that what you do is for the best even if it's not. It's also an amazing book to show that you really have to get to know people to really understand AND judge them. No matter how much you've heard and learned about someone, you can never know who has been controlling the narrative.
I also really love all the love in this book. All the forgiveness. All those times people are trying to understand someone despite their emotions pushing them into another direction. In a way, despite all the dark scenes and despite all the sickening moments, this book is therefore also really hopeful and inspiring. We see people overcoming hatred. We see people willing to look at things from someone else's perspective. We see people trying to be forgiving and understanding.
I will certainly keep an eye on this author.
April 8, 2024
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I originally gave it 4 stars, but revised it to 3 because there were just so many things that bothered me about it. It only gets as high as 3 for two reasons: firstly, the main character is aroace (as am I), I have rarely seen a book that handles that so well and aroace rep means the world to me; secondly, even if I felt like the execution was lacking in places, I really liked the story.
I'm going to start with the positives, in case anyone only wants to read this far. I was fascinated by the magical system - bonds tying people to each other in different ways - and the way that the bonds weren't divided into romantic, platonic, familial etc but more by their characteristics: intellectual, instinctive, several other kinds which I confess I don't remember right now. There was no hierarchy of relationship, everyone has bonds which can change or fade with time but none is necessarily more important than another, and I just thought it was a really interesting concept overall.
I also really liked how Remy's aroaceness was handled, in that largely, it wasn't. I feel like a lot of the time, when a character is written as aroace, it can dominate their story, and so I don't tend to see aroace characters for whom their conflict is about something other than their identity. I appreciated it being brought up relatively early, and then not mentioned again. It doesn't influence his every interaction, it simply is, he doesn't have any love interests and it's not an absence (proving that stories can be perfectly compelling without them and that a great many of them might benefit from literally any other kind of relationship dynamic instead, but that's a separate discussion not directly relevant to this book). I don't think I really realised the extent to which so many books rely on romantic tension to drive the plot until I read this without, and it's like a breath of fresh air.
However, I do feel like this book requires you to suspend your disbelief beyond a reasonable extent for a lot of it. Perhaps I'm just overly critical, but it felt to me like there were a lot of contradictions in the way the book's world was assembled and the characters' motivations. For instance, the leader of the world where Remy lives seems to have almost a stranglehold on information, providing propaganda that Remy and most of the people he knows (before the plot really kicks off) accept without question - except, there appears to be next to no surveillance, no overly patriotic (or suspicious, or callous) neighbours turning people in and the world's most notorious criminal was known and liked by young children, even in the capital city, and has been operating for 10+ years. The world seems relatively queernorm, which is nice, there's a nonbinary character who just is, and it's mentioned briefly that Remy's brother was attracted to all genders - except Remy's school also enforced gender norms aggressively, punishing him when he dared to wear a shirt that was not 'for boys' and making the act of doing so such a risk that he considered it to be on par with the daring acts of his idol at the time, the previously mentioned notorious criminal. Remy grew up on the governmental propaganda that made him believe everyone on the 'Isles' were criminals and deserved their punishment, and also hated Idrian Delaciel so much that he intended to kill him personally - yet after a day with Idrian and a few hours on one of the Isles, he has apparently shed every single bias he's ever had and is wholeheartedly on the side of the man who was responsible for his brother's death, along with all of that man's friends.
Also, as much as I liked the concept of the tethers, I really struggled to conceptualise how they worked. It seemed possible to form bonds with people you'd never met - such as Remy with Idrian - and yet they are supposed not to influence how people interact, only reflect it. How can that be so when you can know upon meeting someone that you're fate-bound to them? Surely that would affect how you perceive them. The different types - both location and colour - of tethers was introduced slowly, and often after they'd first been mentioned in the text, so I found it hard to keep track of everything and would have really benefited from them all being explained succinctly at the beginning or something. Who knows, maybe they'll add that in the final version, I am only reading an advance copy. I found it hard to understand as well how people could not be bonded to each other but still get along well - or perhaps they were, and it just wasn't mentioned? - and I'm not clear on how a bonded relationship differs from one that isn't, especially since the tethers in theory can have varying thickness depending on the strength of a bond, so does someone have a very thin tether connecting them to everyone they've ever interacted with, even in passing? I'm also not clear on how they develop, whether they're always there and you find out who they connect to over time or can be produced spontaneously without one having always existed. So, overally, a great idea, but could have done with a bit more fleshing out, in my opinion.
I really wanted to like this book. I'd heard good things about it, I'd heard going in that there was aroace rep and I thought that it could have been an absolutely brilliant story were things a little different. In the end, though, I ended up rather ambivalent, and looked at this book to rate it purely from an analytical perspective, really, because it didn't compel me. I look forward to what the author writes next, however, as I think there is great potential there, it just wasn't quite realised in this book.
I'm going to start with the positives, in case anyone only wants to read this far. I was fascinated by the magical system - bonds tying people to each other in different ways - and the way that the bonds weren't divided into romantic, platonic, familial etc but more by their characteristics: intellectual, instinctive, several other kinds which I confess I don't remember right now. There was no hierarchy of relationship, everyone has bonds which can change or fade with time but none is necessarily more important than another, and I just thought it was a really interesting concept overall.
I also really liked how Remy's aroaceness was handled, in that largely, it wasn't. I feel like a lot of the time, when a character is written as aroace, it can dominate their story, and so I don't tend to see aroace characters for whom their conflict is about something other than their identity. I appreciated it being brought up relatively early, and then not mentioned again. It doesn't influence his every interaction, it simply is, he doesn't have any love interests and it's not an absence (proving that stories can be perfectly compelling without them and that a great many of them might benefit from literally any other kind of relationship dynamic instead, but that's a separate discussion not directly relevant to this book). I don't think I really realised the extent to which so many books rely on romantic tension to drive the plot until I read this without, and it's like a breath of fresh air.
However, I do feel like this book requires you to suspend your disbelief beyond a reasonable extent for a lot of it. Perhaps I'm just overly critical, but it felt to me like there were a lot of contradictions in the way the book's world was assembled and the characters' motivations. For instance, the leader of the world where Remy lives seems to have almost a stranglehold on information, providing propaganda that Remy and most of the people he knows (before the plot really kicks off) accept without question - except, there appears to be next to no surveillance, no overly patriotic (or suspicious, or callous) neighbours turning people in and the world's most notorious criminal was known and liked by young children, even in the capital city, and has been operating for 10+ years. The world seems relatively queernorm, which is nice, there's a nonbinary character who just is, and it's mentioned briefly that Remy's brother was attracted to all genders - except Remy's school also enforced gender norms aggressively, punishing him when he dared to wear a shirt that was not 'for boys' and making the act of doing so such a risk that he considered it to be on par with the daring acts of his idol at the time, the previously mentioned notorious criminal. Remy grew up on the governmental propaganda that made him believe everyone on the 'Isles' were criminals and deserved their punishment, and also hated Idrian Delaciel so much that he intended to kill him personally - yet after a day with Idrian and a few hours on one of the Isles, he has apparently shed every single bias he's ever had and is wholeheartedly on the side of the man who was responsible for his brother's death, along with all of that man's friends.
Also, as much as I liked the concept of the tethers, I really struggled to conceptualise how they worked. It seemed possible to form bonds with people you'd never met - such as Remy with Idrian - and yet they are supposed not to influence how people interact, only reflect it. How can that be so when you can know upon meeting someone that you're fate-bound to them? Surely that would affect how you perceive them. The different types - both location and colour - of tethers was introduced slowly, and often after they'd first been mentioned in the text, so I found it hard to keep track of everything and would have really benefited from them all being explained succinctly at the beginning or something. Who knows, maybe they'll add that in the final version, I am only reading an advance copy. I found it hard to understand as well how people could not be bonded to each other but still get along well - or perhaps they were, and it just wasn't mentioned? - and I'm not clear on how a bonded relationship differs from one that isn't, especially since the tethers in theory can have varying thickness depending on the strength of a bond, so does someone have a very thin tether connecting them to everyone they've ever interacted with, even in passing? I'm also not clear on how they develop, whether they're always there and you find out who they connect to over time or can be produced spontaneously without one having always existed. So, overally, a great idea, but could have done with a bit more fleshing out, in my opinion.
I really wanted to like this book. I'd heard good things about it, I'd heard going in that there was aroace rep and I thought that it could have been an absolutely brilliant story were things a little different. In the end, though, I ended up rather ambivalent, and looked at this book to rate it purely from an analytical perspective, really, because it didn't compel me. I look forward to what the author writes next, however, as I think there is great potential there, it just wasn't quite realised in this book.
January 1, 2025
3.75* While the world building/magic system was a little confusing at times, I ultimately found myself very much enjoying this action-packed, yet cozy sci-fi story. The characters truly stole the show and I look forward to reading more from June Arbeaux in the future. I feel like this is a book I will love even more on a reread.
November 21, 2024
I don’t know why I thought this was going to be cosy. It’s not. It’s both depressing and emotionally devastating, but it does tell a story of human tenacity and hope.
August 22, 2023
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I feel so BLESSED.
Honesty time, I’m a bit of a hard sell on sci-fi. I’m more of a fantasy girl at heart. But this book quickly became one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. It’s a fantasy sci-fi hybrid and VERY accessible so if you’re usually a bit intimidated by sci-fi do not let that put you off, or you’ll be missing out on something really special.
There is so much to love about this book: the queerplatonic found family vibes, the cli-fi themes and the skilful writing to name just a few. The pacing in this book means I literally found it impossible to put down. I read the whole second half in one sitting because there was simply no acceptable place to pause.
Remy, the main character was a highlight for me. He has so many relatable flaws which the narrative doesn’t shy away from or excuse, while also making him incredibly likeable, and the accompanying cast is an eclectic mix of characters who also all possess depth and their own inner struggles.
The plot of this novel has some very heartwrenching moments of which I can say no more without spoilers! So I’ll just say…. I sobbed, I laughed, I screamed. This book is unique, memorable and impactful. I cannot wait to see what the author does next!
Honesty time, I’m a bit of a hard sell on sci-fi. I’m more of a fantasy girl at heart. But this book quickly became one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. It’s a fantasy sci-fi hybrid and VERY accessible so if you’re usually a bit intimidated by sci-fi do not let that put you off, or you’ll be missing out on something really special.
There is so much to love about this book: the queerplatonic found family vibes, the cli-fi themes and the skilful writing to name just a few. The pacing in this book means I literally found it impossible to put down. I read the whole second half in one sitting because there was simply no acceptable place to pause.
Remy, the main character was a highlight for me. He has so many relatable flaws which the narrative doesn’t shy away from or excuse, while also making him incredibly likeable, and the accompanying cast is an eclectic mix of characters who also all possess depth and their own inner struggles.
The plot of this novel has some very heartwrenching moments of which I can say no more without spoilers! So I’ll just say…. I sobbed, I laughed, I screamed. This book is unique, memorable and impactful. I cannot wait to see what the author does next!
June 1, 2024
Lord of the Empty Isles was one of the ARCS I got approved for that I was really quite excited for, as the reviews and the summary really had enticed me. The cover being gorgeous also helped!
I struggled with the first half of the book, I'm not going to lie. It might have been due to me reading this before bed, but I felt a little confused about how the Isles work, exactly, what they look like in comparison to Verdine, where our MC starts their journey. I also struggled a little bit with our MC, as they are privileged and angry (that part I do understand!) but I didn't find them very likeable which made it hard for me to be interested in the story and for it to keep my attention for long enough.
But then halfway through the book, there is a lot of heavy work on the character development, and disillusionment, and I found myself growing to like a lot of the characters. As the story progressed, I found myself wondering what was going to happen, how the author was going to let the story come to a conclusion. And then those last few chapters really blew it out of the water!
It had me tearing up a little, the last few chapters speak of such grief and loss and how to heal from it, and it was written in such a way it really pulled me out of my shell and made me sit with my own grief too, for a while, to let it go. And then it just clicked for me, hence the rating going up to 4/5.
The story overall is fun, the main themes are found family, learning about the evil government, growth as a person, bettering oneself, sacrificing whatever is necessary for the greater good, and dealing with death, grief, and healing from it. Would recommend if you like sci-fi, non-binary and gender nonconforming characters, and overthrowing a corrupt government!
* Thank you to NetGalley, the author, Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! *
I struggled with the first half of the book, I'm not going to lie. It might have been due to me reading this before bed, but I felt a little confused about how the Isles work, exactly, what they look like in comparison to Verdine, where our MC starts their journey. I also struggled a little bit with our MC, as they are privileged and angry (that part I do understand!) but I didn't find them very likeable which made it hard for me to be interested in the story and for it to keep my attention for long enough.
But then halfway through the book, there is a lot of heavy work on the character development, and disillusionment, and I found myself growing to like a lot of the characters. As the story progressed, I found myself wondering what was going to happen, how the author was going to let the story come to a conclusion. And then those last few chapters really blew it out of the water!
It had me tearing up a little, the last few chapters speak of such grief and loss and how to heal from it, and it was written in such a way it really pulled me out of my shell and made me sit with my own grief too, for a while, to let it go. And then it just clicked for me, hence the rating going up to 4/5.
The story overall is fun, the main themes are found family, learning about the evil government, growth as a person, bettering oneself, sacrificing whatever is necessary for the greater good, and dealing with death, grief, and healing from it. Would recommend if you like sci-fi, non-binary and gender nonconforming characters, and overthrowing a corrupt government!
* Thank you to NetGalley, the author, Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! *
June 3, 2024
I adored this book. Featuring an aroace MC, found family, platonic connections, and it's just a beautiful sci-fi novel in which our main character accidentally fatebinds himself to his brother's killer. Exploring hope and forgiveness, this is one of my favourite books of the year.
Would absolutely recommend the audiobook as well!
Would absolutely recommend the audiobook as well!
June 11, 2024
Jules Arbeaux's debut, Lord of the Empty Isles, sits in that still-too-rare space between SF and fantasy. It's set in a world where magical 'tethers' are central to everybody's experience: you can be invisibly tethered through love, work, fate, intellectual interest or duty, and when deep-rooted tethers snap through death, you can end up with a 'rotbond' which causes you continuing pain unless you have it removed by a witherer. Nineteen-year-old Remy is one of these witherers, but he also has a rotbond of his own after the murder of his brother five years ago. He knows that his brother's death was ordered by Idrian Delaciel, a space pirate who robs supplies for a group of outcast people living on a group of moons. When he gets hold of some of Delaciel's blood, he is finally able to take revenge by casting a death curse. Unfortunately, it has consequences he never imagined...
I obviously did not pay much attention to the blurb of this book before requesting it because I thought it was going to be a romance (I think the comp to Winter's Orbit misled me there) and I missed that one early twist is actually revealed upfront. I was actually glad that I went into the story pretty blind, so I'd suggest skipping the publisher's description if you can. (Also, absolutely no problem that there was no romance. I appreciated the focus on platonic ties.) Lord of the Empty Isles feels more like YA to me than the other adult SFF novels that are obvious comps (Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series, for example) but it's done very well, avoiding the usual issues I have with YA SFF. I loved that the plot basically centres on solving a magical problem, reminding me of old-school YA fantasy like Patricia C. Wrede's Searching for Dragons and Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic and Circle Opens series - I will always enjoy reading about the unseen mechanics of magic. And while these characters are not deeply individual nor complex, Arbeaux is very good at letting them inhabit a morally grey area; they all make mistakes and mess up, but they also have their priorities in order when it comes to dealing with death curses
The fantasy elements of Lord of the Empty Isles are stronger than the SF. The SF bits are necessary to set up the situation Idrian and his crew confront, but don't feel quite fleshed out, and the resolution of the novel makes this world feel even more like a game than a genuine political system. Nevertheless, I loved the system of tethers, there's loads more to explore here, and I'd love to see Arbeaux write further novels set in this universe, though ideally not with the same cast, as I think their story is done.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
I obviously did not pay much attention to the blurb of this book before requesting it because I thought it was going to be a romance (I think the comp to Winter's Orbit misled me there) and I missed that one early twist is actually revealed upfront. I was actually glad that I went into the story pretty blind, so I'd suggest skipping the publisher's description if you can. (Also, absolutely no problem that there was no romance. I appreciated the focus on platonic ties.) Lord of the Empty Isles feels more like YA to me than the other adult SFF novels that are obvious comps (Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series, for example) but it's done very well, avoiding the usual issues I have with YA SFF. I loved that the plot basically centres on solving a magical problem, reminding me of old-school YA fantasy like Patricia C. Wrede's Searching for Dragons and Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic and Circle Opens series - I will always enjoy reading about the unseen mechanics of magic. And while these characters are not deeply individual nor complex, Arbeaux is very good at letting them inhabit a morally grey area; they all make mistakes and mess up, but they also have their priorities in order when it comes to dealing with death curses
The fantasy elements of Lord of the Empty Isles are stronger than the SF. The SF bits are necessary to set up the situation Idrian and his crew confront, but don't feel quite fleshed out, and the resolution of the novel makes this world feel even more like a game than a genuine political system. Nevertheless, I loved the system of tethers, there's loads more to explore here, and I'd love to see Arbeaux write further novels set in this universe, though ideally not with the same cast, as I think their story is done.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
December 28, 2024
this was a really lovely book, very glad i bought it! also it’s just gorgeous, from the cover to the painted edges to the design etched into the book itself.
one of the things that struck me most about this book was the beautifully unique and special worldbuilding. first of all, i love the post climate disaster world setting. this isn’t a story about climate change, it’s a story about what it takes to maintain sustainability/beauty and how people can corrupt that in the name of good. reminds me of what i was trying to do with one of my creative writing stories. second, there’s this beautifully complex and cool tether/bond system. there are different colors and locations for bonds, which interact to demonstrate the complexity and multiplicity of how human connections manifest. lots of emphasis on platonic (without being too excessive about it), along with family (which actually is the most emphasized imo) and a little about romance. basically, a (sorta) magic system that demonstrates how all sorts and types of relationships are meaningful and important. goddamn, i’m obsessed. like, it’s just so good? so affirming for aromantic and asexual people without being like so much about it? idk that sounds mean but i like how it just felt so effortless but also very strong and rooted in the world. same way i feel about the locked tomb and sapphicism, it’s not like haha we are all lesbians mwa mwa mwa, it’s about the real deep world changing feelings that come with being queer and how that impacts your life/the world around you. that did this but with aromantism/asexuality.
the plot was very well done, impactful and stressful but with lessening pressure from some humor. the characters weren’t the star of the show but they were there and i liked them all. same with relationships, not much time was really spent on the mcs two strongest relationships (one previously established and one budding with the person he’s bonded to) but the time that was spent made them feel impactful and real.
one of the biggest themes was grief. i thought was quite well done, especially at the end. really lovely and sad stuff.
also just the morally grayness of it all!!!! some of the conversations they had about the actions they all took, really great. morally grayness that understands what morally gray actually means. morally gray for a purpose, not just for the vibes.
overall, really fantastic book. i would like a nice novella of them all hanging out and being happy please. they deserve it so. much. def recommend and i have a beautiful copy to lend out :,)
one of the things that struck me most about this book was the beautifully unique and special worldbuilding. first of all, i love the post climate disaster world setting. this isn’t a story about climate change, it’s a story about what it takes to maintain sustainability/beauty and how people can corrupt that in the name of good. reminds me of what i was trying to do with one of my creative writing stories. second, there’s this beautifully complex and cool tether/bond system. there are different colors and locations for bonds, which interact to demonstrate the complexity and multiplicity of how human connections manifest. lots of emphasis on platonic (without being too excessive about it), along with family (which actually is the most emphasized imo) and a little about romance. basically, a (sorta) magic system that demonstrates how all sorts and types of relationships are meaningful and important. goddamn, i’m obsessed. like, it’s just so good? so affirming for aromantic and asexual people without being like so much about it? idk that sounds mean but i like how it just felt so effortless but also very strong and rooted in the world. same way i feel about the locked tomb and sapphicism, it’s not like haha we are all lesbians mwa mwa mwa, it’s about the real deep world changing feelings that come with being queer and how that impacts your life/the world around you. that did this but with aromantism/asexuality.
the plot was very well done, impactful and stressful but with lessening pressure from some humor. the characters weren’t the star of the show but they were there and i liked them all. same with relationships, not much time was really spent on the mcs two strongest relationships (one previously established and one budding with the person he’s bonded to) but the time that was spent made them feel impactful and real.
one of the biggest themes was grief. i thought was quite well done, especially at the end. really lovely and sad stuff.
also just the morally grayness of it all!!!! some of the conversations they had about the actions they all took, really great. morally grayness that understands what morally gray actually means. morally gray for a purpose, not just for the vibes.
overall, really fantastic book. i would like a nice novella of them all hanging out and being happy please. they deserve it so. much. def recommend and i have a beautiful copy to lend out :,)
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