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Sentient Stars #1
Umbra
Umbra is the first book in the Sentient Stars trilogy, an intergalactic, space opera, adventure story, with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, told from 3 POV’s with fully sentient starships, a militaristic society, alien worlds, and a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy humanity.
Earth That Was has faded into myth. After millenia spent wandering, humans are no longer nomads. Twelve tribes stand allied under the United Tribal Axis; but there is a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy everything.
All Skyla wanted after leaving the Navy was to be left alone. Just her ship, the stars, and a new adventure. But when a strange virus disables her ship, she is thrown into the middle of a conflict she doesn’t understand, forcing her to take on responsibilities she swore she never would again.
Hinata always followed the rules, honor above all else. He always won, until he didn’t. Sentenced to exile for his failures, he is determined to prove himself, until a mysterious woman arrives on his station and chaos threatens to break already fragile alliances.
Freyja was always angry, an outcast, playing the part of admiral and black ops operative. But she is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ games and when she’s stranded on the wrong side of enemy lines after a vengeful battle, she’s forced to ally with her adversaries to clear her name.
A Rogue.
A Commander.
And an Admiral.
Brought together by circumstance, held together by duty.
Can they find a way to work together to save humanity?
Earth That Was has faded into myth. After millenia spent wandering, humans are no longer nomads. Twelve tribes stand allied under the United Tribal Axis; but there is a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy everything.
All Skyla wanted after leaving the Navy was to be left alone. Just her ship, the stars, and a new adventure. But when a strange virus disables her ship, she is thrown into the middle of a conflict she doesn’t understand, forcing her to take on responsibilities she swore she never would again.
Hinata always followed the rules, honor above all else. He always won, until he didn’t. Sentenced to exile for his failures, he is determined to prove himself, until a mysterious woman arrives on his station and chaos threatens to break already fragile alliances.
Freyja was always angry, an outcast, playing the part of admiral and black ops operative. But she is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ games and when she’s stranded on the wrong side of enemy lines after a vengeful battle, she’s forced to ally with her adversaries to clear her name.
A Rogue.
A Commander.
And an Admiral.
Brought together by circumstance, held together by duty.
Can they find a way to work together to save humanity?
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2024
168 people are currently reading
1766 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
May 3, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Filled with flawed yet loveable characters, spunky sentient starships, cutthroat political intrigue, exhilarating space battles, emotionally charged interpersonal relationships, and a delicious tease of slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, UMBRA is a multi-POV intergalactic space opera adventure that will leave you star-struck by the end!
Now, Toro wastes absolutely zero time and launches us straight into the action. On the one hand, I was immediately hooked by the astronomically high levels of intrigue and tension, but at the same time the action-packed introduction to each of the three POV characters felt quite hectic to me. I found it a bit hard to distinguish between their inner voices at first, which is why it took me quite a while to really get settled into the story.
However, once these characters’ paths started to cross, it seemed like the stars had suddenly aligned for me, and I blazed through the rest of the book from there. Skyla, Hinata and Freyja all quickly proved to be very compelling protagonists to me, especially because all their virtues and vices are immediately on full display. Both the world-ending stakes and the personal stakes quickly rise to unimaginable heights, and I honestly loved getting dragged into a wild emotional rollercoaster along with them as their complicated pasts started to catch up to them.
The feisty Skyla, who is arguably the main main character of this story, immediately captured my heart in the prologue, and I only came to love her more as her layers were peeled back. I mean, she is bonded to a sentient starship with a very strong personality and picks up a wolf-ish animal companion along the way… how could I not love her?!
And the development of her complicated interpersonal relationships with the other two POV characters was also riveting to watch unfurl. Look, I am not saying that this is a romance-driven story at all, but I also can’t pretend like I wasn’t eating up all the little tantalising bits of teasing banter, electrifying sexual tension, and delicious ‘will they, won’t they’ vibes between her and the broody, straight-laced Hinata; this is how you do a good slow-burn romance subplot!
All that said, my favourite storyline in the entire book was easily Freyja’s, and I don’t think that will be a popular opinion. Did I want to strangle her many times throughout this story? Yes, absolutely. But what can I say, I will always be trash for a misunderstood, angry woman who is way too snarky for her own good. The exploration of her vulnerable sides and her tentative growth over the course of this story was just beautiful to witness, and I honestly wanted to just give her a big hug by the end.
UMBRA might not be a dense brick of a book, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it lacks depth in any kind of way. The amount of world building that Toro manages to pack into this narrative alongside all the powerful character work and chaotic action is truly out of this world. From the mystifying lore and legends about Earth That Was, to the diverse cultures of the 12 tribes, to the intricate webs of political schemes, to the neurological bond between captains and their sentient starships, and to all the mysteries surrounding the looming danger that is threatening to destroy humanity; I was truly over the moon about it all!
Now, I can’t sit here and pretend that some of the scientific terminology and quantum physics concepts didn’t make my tiny brain crack a bit initially, but somehow Toro managed to smoothly catch me up without ever giving an awkward info-dump. The accessible yet eloquent prose combined with the emotionally engaging storytelling made this entire story and universe just unfurl in the most organic way possible, which is exactly what made UMBRA so deliciously bingeable.
Safe to say, I think UMBRA is an incredibly strong opening to the Sentient Stars trilogy, and I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface. Especially after the bittersweet final chapters and brutal cliffhanger, I am now counting down the days until book 2 releases. If you are ready to be launched into an exciting space opera adventure that strikes the perfect balance between emotionally rich character work, riveting political intrigue, and pulse-pounding space battles, then I can’t recommend UMBRA highly enough!
*****************************************
Second read 2025: 4.25 stars
Excuse me, but how was this even better on re-read? The audiobook is honestly phe-no-me-nal, so immersive and addictive. Freyja is still my fave, but I loved the others even more the second time around, especially the secondary characters. I am so ready to launch straight into book 2, bring on the drama and chaos!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Filled with flawed yet loveable characters, spunky sentient starships, cutthroat political intrigue, exhilarating space battles, emotionally charged interpersonal relationships, and a delicious tease of slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, UMBRA is a multi-POV intergalactic space opera adventure that will leave you star-struck by the end!
Now, Toro wastes absolutely zero time and launches us straight into the action. On the one hand, I was immediately hooked by the astronomically high levels of intrigue and tension, but at the same time the action-packed introduction to each of the three POV characters felt quite hectic to me. I found it a bit hard to distinguish between their inner voices at first, which is why it took me quite a while to really get settled into the story.
However, once these characters’ paths started to cross, it seemed like the stars had suddenly aligned for me, and I blazed through the rest of the book from there. Skyla, Hinata and Freyja all quickly proved to be very compelling protagonists to me, especially because all their virtues and vices are immediately on full display. Both the world-ending stakes and the personal stakes quickly rise to unimaginable heights, and I honestly loved getting dragged into a wild emotional rollercoaster along with them as their complicated pasts started to catch up to them.
The feisty Skyla, who is arguably the main main character of this story, immediately captured my heart in the prologue, and I only came to love her more as her layers were peeled back. I mean, she is bonded to a sentient starship with a very strong personality and picks up a wolf-ish animal companion along the way… how could I not love her?!
And the development of her complicated interpersonal relationships with the other two POV characters was also riveting to watch unfurl. Look, I am not saying that this is a romance-driven story at all, but I also can’t pretend like I wasn’t eating up all the little tantalising bits of teasing banter, electrifying sexual tension, and delicious ‘will they, won’t they’ vibes between her and the broody, straight-laced Hinata; this is how you do a good slow-burn romance subplot!
All that said, my favourite storyline in the entire book was easily Freyja’s, and I don’t think that will be a popular opinion. Did I want to strangle her many times throughout this story? Yes, absolutely. But what can I say, I will always be trash for a misunderstood, angry woman who is way too snarky for her own good. The exploration of her vulnerable sides and her tentative growth over the course of this story was just beautiful to witness, and I honestly wanted to just give her a big hug by the end.
UMBRA might not be a dense brick of a book, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it lacks depth in any kind of way. The amount of world building that Toro manages to pack into this narrative alongside all the powerful character work and chaotic action is truly out of this world. From the mystifying lore and legends about Earth That Was, to the diverse cultures of the 12 tribes, to the intricate webs of political schemes, to the neurological bond between captains and their sentient starships, and to all the mysteries surrounding the looming danger that is threatening to destroy humanity; I was truly over the moon about it all!
Now, I can’t sit here and pretend that some of the scientific terminology and quantum physics concepts didn’t make my tiny brain crack a bit initially, but somehow Toro managed to smoothly catch me up without ever giving an awkward info-dump. The accessible yet eloquent prose combined with the emotionally engaging storytelling made this entire story and universe just unfurl in the most organic way possible, which is exactly what made UMBRA so deliciously bingeable.
Safe to say, I think UMBRA is an incredibly strong opening to the Sentient Stars trilogy, and I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface. Especially after the bittersweet final chapters and brutal cliffhanger, I am now counting down the days until book 2 releases. If you are ready to be launched into an exciting space opera adventure that strikes the perfect balance between emotionally rich character work, riveting political intrigue, and pulse-pounding space battles, then I can’t recommend UMBRA highly enough!
*****************************************
Second read 2025: 4.25 stars
Excuse me, but how was this even better on re-read? The audiobook is honestly phe-no-me-nal, so immersive and addictive. Freyja is still my fave, but I loved the others even more the second time around, especially the secondary characters. I am so ready to launch straight into book 2, bring on the drama and chaos!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 19, 2024
4.5 stars.
Umbra was something a bit new for me – a science-fiction romance, a romantasci-fi? Whatever you want to call it, it was a damn fine read. It did take a little while to fully hit its stride for me, but when it did, it did so with a bang, and with little echoes of the opening couple of episodes from the reimagined series of Battlestar: Galactica that I very much enjoyed. The opening wasn't by any means substandard – I enjoyed it from the start – but as the first book in a new series, you have to give over enough time to set the scene and introduce the characters, and I think that was done well here.
There are three POV characters, and the chapters are nicely divided between them. There's never a point where you feel you've been away from a character for too long, and you get to know each of them properly, even when they are spending time together and others might fall into the trap of focussing on just one POV. I thought they each brought something to the table, and although their backgrounds may be similar, their personalities and motives are not. While I did like all three of our leads, I felt that the side characters were also well crafted and helped to flesh out the world this story is set within.
I liked the concept of the AI ships, and how they were integrated, but also how they can become characters in their own right (or at least, the one we mainly see can). They didn't feel out of place with the science of this world, but they did manage to add something a little different, and a little interesting. Along with the background elements of old tech and "Earth that was", I feel like there is so much more to explore with the science of this series as well.
I really enjoyed my time with this book, the audio version of which was also well-narrated, and I look forward to continuing the journey.
Umbra was something a bit new for me – a science-fiction romance, a romantasci-fi? Whatever you want to call it, it was a damn fine read. It did take a little while to fully hit its stride for me, but when it did, it did so with a bang, and with little echoes of the opening couple of episodes from the reimagined series of Battlestar: Galactica that I very much enjoyed. The opening wasn't by any means substandard – I enjoyed it from the start – but as the first book in a new series, you have to give over enough time to set the scene and introduce the characters, and I think that was done well here.
There are three POV characters, and the chapters are nicely divided between them. There's never a point where you feel you've been away from a character for too long, and you get to know each of them properly, even when they are spending time together and others might fall into the trap of focussing on just one POV. I thought they each brought something to the table, and although their backgrounds may be similar, their personalities and motives are not. While I did like all three of our leads, I felt that the side characters were also well crafted and helped to flesh out the world this story is set within.
I liked the concept of the AI ships, and how they were integrated, but also how they can become characters in their own right (or at least, the one we mainly see can). They didn't feel out of place with the science of this world, but they did manage to add something a little different, and a little interesting. Along with the background elements of old tech and "Earth that was", I feel like there is so much more to explore with the science of this series as well.
I really enjoyed my time with this book, the audio version of which was also well-narrated, and I look forward to continuing the journey.
January 28, 2025
A space opera, adventure story, with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance.
We have a rogue archaeologist seeking adventure, a rule-following commander facing exile, and an outcast admiral under the Empress’s thumb.
They don’t like each other, they don’t want to work together, but they are forced to form a tentative alliance as something big happens behind the scenes.
This introduces you to action immediately which grabs your attention but makes it hard to orient yourself and know and care for the characters.
This also made differentiating between the characters perspectives as this is told in three POVs. The time jumps at the start was also slightly jarring and made the first third slightly disjointed.
I might have wanted more on the world-building and more information on the politics, yet I am sure more will be revealed as the series continues and more comes to light.
This is a great staring point for those just starting their venture into science fiction – especially for those seeking romance and a fast-pace.
By the way, there is also sentient AI space ships!
Audiobook arc gifted by the author.
Bookstagram
We have a rogue archaeologist seeking adventure, a rule-following commander facing exile, and an outcast admiral under the Empress’s thumb.
They don’t like each other, they don’t want to work together, but they are forced to form a tentative alliance as something big happens behind the scenes.
This introduces you to action immediately which grabs your attention but makes it hard to orient yourself and know and care for the characters.
This also made differentiating between the characters perspectives as this is told in three POVs. The time jumps at the start was also slightly jarring and made the first third slightly disjointed.
I might have wanted more on the world-building and more information on the politics, yet I am sure more will be revealed as the series continues and more comes to light.
This is a great staring point for those just starting their venture into science fiction – especially for those seeking romance and a fast-pace.
By the way, there is also sentient AI space ships!
Audiobook arc gifted by the author.
Bookstagram
May 11, 2024
On paper, this totally seemed like a book that I would adore. While the premise held great potential, the execution left much to be desired for ME specifically.
However, the world-building felt superficial, with science fiction elements lacking depth and complexity. Instead of being immersed in a rich and expansive universe, the story often relied on clichés and familiar tropes. This is a great entry point for those just venturing into science fiction – especially those interested in strong romance subplots without the slog of terms and world-building typical in the genre.
Amidst the backdrop of an intergalactic adventure/mystery, the story delves into the complexities of three characters grappling with the weight of familial and tribe expectations. I loved the three different points of view because they were so different. As they navigate their respective journeys, they confront assumptions and misunderstandings in their assorted relationships. One of the highlights of the book for me was the star-crossed romance, which provided some much-needed emotional depth.
Another of the standout elements of the book is the sentient ships and their deep bonds (or lack thereof) with their pilots. This aspect adds a fascinating layer, offering a glimpse into a world where technology and consciousness intertwine in unexpected ways. But despite that intriguing element and potential for growth, they felt flat and one-dimensional. The relationships lacked depth, and the interactions between the partners often felt forced or contrived. It would have been better as the main aspect of the story, in my humble opinion.
This one will appeal to readers new to the science fiction genre or those seeking a light and easy read. While the story may lack depth in certain areas, particularly in its world-building and character development, it nevertheless holds appeal for readers seeking an engaging and fast-paced story. However, for more seasoned sci-fi enthusiasts, the lack of depth and complexity may leave them longing for more substance.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
However, the world-building felt superficial, with science fiction elements lacking depth and complexity. Instead of being immersed in a rich and expansive universe, the story often relied on clichés and familiar tropes. This is a great entry point for those just venturing into science fiction – especially those interested in strong romance subplots without the slog of terms and world-building typical in the genre.
Amidst the backdrop of an intergalactic adventure/mystery, the story delves into the complexities of three characters grappling with the weight of familial and tribe expectations. I loved the three different points of view because they were so different. As they navigate their respective journeys, they confront assumptions and misunderstandings in their assorted relationships. One of the highlights of the book for me was the star-crossed romance, which provided some much-needed emotional depth.
Another of the standout elements of the book is the sentient ships and their deep bonds (or lack thereof) with their pilots. This aspect adds a fascinating layer, offering a glimpse into a world where technology and consciousness intertwine in unexpected ways. But despite that intriguing element and potential for growth, they felt flat and one-dimensional. The relationships lacked depth, and the interactions between the partners often felt forced or contrived. It would have been better as the main aspect of the story, in my humble opinion.
This one will appeal to readers new to the science fiction genre or those seeking a light and easy read. While the story may lack depth in certain areas, particularly in its world-building and character development, it nevertheless holds appeal for readers seeking an engaging and fast-paced story. However, for more seasoned sci-fi enthusiasts, the lack of depth and complexity may leave them longing for more substance.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
April 11, 2024
Maybe I’m slightly biased as someone who grew up with all things sci-fi, which basically puts this book in my wheelhouse, but this debut is absolutely phenomenal! Please do not let the genre deter you from reading this. It is a wonderful gateway introduction to intergalactic sci-fi space adventure. As someone who has dipped more than a toe/foot/leg into the genre (and subgenres), it made me absolutely giddy as a reader.
One of my favorite things about Umbra is that it takes the complexities of a sci-fi/space opera and simplifies it to a degree that makes it easily digestible. So many aspects of sci-fi can make a story convoluted and hard to follow when you start to get into the mechanics of it, especially when there’s tech or sentient ships involved. But honestly it is told in such a way that is easy to follow while keeping the reader wholly engaged in the characters and the plot taking place. And my god, what a ride it is! The writing is so well done and really envelops you into the various worlds and environments.
In addition, the characters and their voices are strong! The story is written from 3 POV, which allows the reader to really get a feel for each individual and their makeup - like what drives them, why are they doing what they’re doing and how that affects the overall outcome. The development of various relationships and how events unfold felt truly organic in how it ultimately brings everyone together. And the integration of AI and the fully sentient ships just adds to the overall enjoyment of the story.
The mysteries and intrigue abound as our characters find themselves in a situation not of their own making but doing what needs to be done to circumvent catastrophe. I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to ARC read this and I cannot wait to continue this trilogy!
⟡ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
⟡ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 1/5
⟡ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: adult sci-fi, space opera adventure, militaristic society, sentient starships, political intrigue, ST + BSG vibes, slow burn romance, reluctant allies to lovers, rag tag crew, found family, witty banter, space battles, sword fights, cliffhanger ending, & more
⟡ 𝐂𝐖: violence, mass destruction
One of my favorite things about Umbra is that it takes the complexities of a sci-fi/space opera and simplifies it to a degree that makes it easily digestible. So many aspects of sci-fi can make a story convoluted and hard to follow when you start to get into the mechanics of it, especially when there’s tech or sentient ships involved. But honestly it is told in such a way that is easy to follow while keeping the reader wholly engaged in the characters and the plot taking place. And my god, what a ride it is! The writing is so well done and really envelops you into the various worlds and environments.
In addition, the characters and their voices are strong! The story is written from 3 POV, which allows the reader to really get a feel for each individual and their makeup - like what drives them, why are they doing what they’re doing and how that affects the overall outcome. The development of various relationships and how events unfold felt truly organic in how it ultimately brings everyone together. And the integration of AI and the fully sentient ships just adds to the overall enjoyment of the story.
The mysteries and intrigue abound as our characters find themselves in a situation not of their own making but doing what needs to be done to circumvent catastrophe. I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to ARC read this and I cannot wait to continue this trilogy!
⟡ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
⟡ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 1/5
⟡ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: adult sci-fi, space opera adventure, militaristic society, sentient starships, political intrigue, ST + BSG vibes, slow burn romance, reluctant allies to lovers, rag tag crew, found family, witty banter, space battles, sword fights, cliffhanger ending, & more
⟡ 𝐂𝐖: violence, mass destruction
November 20, 2024
What an awesome read! Full review to come, but this was excellent!
April 28, 2025
Review originally on SFF Insiders website:
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
So if, like me, you have seen the author Amber Toro compare her book Umbra to many popular science fiction books and shows, you are not alone. I do have to say that this marketing strategy of hers worked wonders on me. It piqued my curiosity, along with seeing the many positive reviews from people I know have similar views as mine, and so I picked it up. This story begins with a bang and definitely packs a sci-fi punch that will make fans of the genre very happy. It has sentient starships, cool animal companions, very well thought out characters, and even a dash of romance mixed into a very well woven tale of companionship. The energy and action starts right off the bat, in all of the different POVs that are featured throughout the novel. I will get to what I really liked about the novel in just a bit, but I will say that this space opera is one that will become a favorite of many.
The strength of the novel and what I most liked were the different characters that are all interconnected in very different and vibrant ways. I can’t say that I had a favorite out of the main three, but there were moments in each of them that stood out to me as being an impactful part of the story. There are similarities and differences between all of them, but they are all uniquely their own person which is a testament to the author for how well thought out they are. The sentient ships are something that also stands out to me. It has become something fairly regular in the sci-fi books that I have read recently, but the relationship in this novel was something that felt fun and fresh. Thoughts of Knight Rider definitely popped into my mind at different points of the story. The science of the world is well done, but not overly in depth in which some of the ideas would warrant. This is more of a personal take as I find these types of ideas fascinating and love knowing how it all works. The idea that Earth is gone and there is a lot that has passed between now and where the book takes place in the future, is a fantastic bit of world building that really fits everything very well. Now I am not a romance reader and count myself as not being the most knowledgeable about this genre. That being said, this romance was very approachable and did not pull me out of the story. It does have moments of steam but does not tip into the spicy side. I can’t say it added or took away from the story to me, but I am sure that it is a highlight for some readers.
Overall, this is a solid space opera that many readers will find exciting as it is a very fast paced novel that will fly by at the speed of light. I eagerly look forward to future installments into this trilogy and more as this seems to be a universe that is huge in scope and ideas. It seems as if there is no end as to what could happen. Amber Toro has fulfilled her end of the promise that she gave to me with her advertising and add my endorsement that this is most definitely a book that will appeal to many different fans. Do yourself a favor and find out for yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
So if, like me, you have seen the author Amber Toro compare her book Umbra to many popular science fiction books and shows, you are not alone. I do have to say that this marketing strategy of hers worked wonders on me. It piqued my curiosity, along with seeing the many positive reviews from people I know have similar views as mine, and so I picked it up. This story begins with a bang and definitely packs a sci-fi punch that will make fans of the genre very happy. It has sentient starships, cool animal companions, very well thought out characters, and even a dash of romance mixed into a very well woven tale of companionship. The energy and action starts right off the bat, in all of the different POVs that are featured throughout the novel. I will get to what I really liked about the novel in just a bit, but I will say that this space opera is one that will become a favorite of many.
The strength of the novel and what I most liked were the different characters that are all interconnected in very different and vibrant ways. I can’t say that I had a favorite out of the main three, but there were moments in each of them that stood out to me as being an impactful part of the story. There are similarities and differences between all of them, but they are all uniquely their own person which is a testament to the author for how well thought out they are. The sentient ships are something that also stands out to me. It has become something fairly regular in the sci-fi books that I have read recently, but the relationship in this novel was something that felt fun and fresh. Thoughts of Knight Rider definitely popped into my mind at different points of the story. The science of the world is well done, but not overly in depth in which some of the ideas would warrant. This is more of a personal take as I find these types of ideas fascinating and love knowing how it all works. The idea that Earth is gone and there is a lot that has passed between now and where the book takes place in the future, is a fantastic bit of world building that really fits everything very well. Now I am not a romance reader and count myself as not being the most knowledgeable about this genre. That being said, this romance was very approachable and did not pull me out of the story. It does have moments of steam but does not tip into the spicy side. I can’t say it added or took away from the story to me, but I am sure that it is a highlight for some readers.
Overall, this is a solid space opera that many readers will find exciting as it is a very fast paced novel that will fly by at the speed of light. I eagerly look forward to future installments into this trilogy and more as this seems to be a universe that is huge in scope and ideas. It seems as if there is no end as to what could happen. Amber Toro has fulfilled her end of the promise that she gave to me with her advertising and add my endorsement that this is most definitely a book that will appeal to many different fans. Do yourself a favor and find out for yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
May 20, 2025
This is a 4.5 star read in actuality, but closer to a 4 than a 5.
This review is for the readers, not the author. I would say I mostly loved it with very few things I didn't.
The writing was SO good. I was brought into the story right from the beginning and the whole time I wanted to know what would come next.
It has all the things I like about a space opera. It was like it pulled from very familiar stories such as Star Trek, Star wars, Red Rising, and even Sanderson's Skyward series.
The characters were fantastic. Everyone had their own voice and personality. I loved the different ways they played with and against the other personalities.
I loved the relationship between Skyla and her ship Pele, and I had feelings about Hinata and his ship too.
I'm very invested in Sky and Freya's friendship!! ,
I wasn't a huge fan of all the profanity. I don't know why. But that really bothers me. And I strongly disliked Tristan's playboy nature and exploits. He was believable, but gross.
What I did not find believable was the romantic tension. When the lovers would get together, I wasn't feeling it. That might just be me. Except for a moment of extreme stress at the end.
Even with those criticisms I really really loved it and can't wait to read the next one!!
Thanks to Amber Toro for the complimentary audiobook. All the opinions in this review are my own.
This review is for the readers, not the author. I would say I mostly loved it with very few things I didn't.
The writing was SO good. I was brought into the story right from the beginning and the whole time I wanted to know what would come next.
It has all the things I like about a space opera. It was like it pulled from very familiar stories such as Star Trek, Star wars, Red Rising, and even Sanderson's Skyward series.
The characters were fantastic. Everyone had their own voice and personality. I loved the different ways they played with and against the other personalities.
I loved the relationship between Skyla and her ship Pele, and I had feelings about Hinata and his ship too.
I'm very invested in Sky and Freya's friendship!! ,
I wasn't a huge fan of all the profanity. I don't know why. But that really bothers me. And I strongly disliked Tristan's playboy nature and exploits. He was believable, but gross.
What I did not find believable was the romantic tension. When the lovers would get together, I wasn't feeling it. That might just be me. Except for a moment of extreme stress at the end.
Even with those criticisms I really really loved it and can't wait to read the next one!!
Thanks to Amber Toro for the complimentary audiobook. All the opinions in this review are my own.
April 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this audioiobook! The narrators Megan Carver and Benjamin Farmer really nailed the pacing and gave us the right amount of emotion. I couldn't stop listening and blew through this story in 2 sittings.
The story itself was terrific! Several POVs, which always brings depth to the story, and lots of intrigue! I loved the characters and especially the sentient ships! The enemies to loves trope isn't overdone here. It's expertly wielded to balance the dangerous situations the cast of characters are facing.
I'm super excited about the next book and I hope we get the same narrators for the audiobook!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
Thanks to the author for this review copy. My opinions and review are my own!
The story itself was terrific! Several POVs, which always brings depth to the story, and lots of intrigue! I loved the characters and especially the sentient ships! The enemies to loves trope isn't overdone here. It's expertly wielded to balance the dangerous situations the cast of characters are facing.
I'm super excited about the next book and I hope we get the same narrators for the audiobook!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
Thanks to the author for this review copy. My opinions and review are my own!
March 25, 2025
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For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
Brace for impact: Toro’s debut, Umbra, thrusts you into a character-driven space opera, told through three POVs: a rogue running from her past, an exiled commander looking for redemption, and an ostracized admiral seeking justice. Umbra unleashes a moderately paced intergalactic thrill ride, fusing Firefly with a modern spin. It seamlessly integrates hard sci-fi with a romantic subplot that deals with humanity on the brink of war. It’s packed with intense sword clashes and epic ship battles, layered with political intrigue as houses cause dissension among the Order, and a cliffhanger that sets the stage for the sequel, Parallax.
When I jumped into this story, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the romance angle, since I’m not a big fan of that stuff in novels. So naturally, I approached it with some hesitation, though the “slow-burn romance” label eased my nerves a bit. Still, I wouldn’t call it “enemies to lovers romance” since they were never actually enemies. If anything, Hinata and another character, given their backstory, would’ve fit that label more. To me, the romance angle was closer to a forbidden love or star-crossed lovers, a Montague-Capulet vibe straight out of Romeo & Juliet, given the tension between the houses. The slow-burn built nicely, budding throughout. But the actual sex scene? I don’t care for it in novels, implied works just as good. In my typical form, I skipped over it. It’s there for the fans of it, not me, and they’ll likely eat it up.
The cover of Umbra hooked me instantly, it’s one of those “read me now” types. The cover done by David Gardias speaks volumes to what the story is about, and frankly, it’s flawless, trad publishing should be sweating. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of his work. Then there’s the name Umbra, which is Latin for shadow or shade, which also tells its own subtle story. Finally, I discovered the dual narration by Megan Carver & Benjamin Farmer. One thing that is always scary is, what if one doesn’t stack up to the other? That was not the case, they both made Toro’s story come to life even better than I had hoped for.
I found the characters compelling and the world easily immersive. Toro did a good job of creating a diverse cast of flawed characters while weaving in historical elements to their Earth That Was ancestors. While I thought some of this hit home greatly, one really stuck out to me for a different reason that I’ll mention at the end of this review. While Skyla, Hinata and Freyja were all great characters and we got a dive into who they were and what made them tick, I felt like there was more that could have been added to their backstories, maybe it’s saved for later.
The side characters nearly steal the spotlight, like Freyja’s berserkers Kylian & Tristan, whose witty banter was a key ingredient that helped the crew with their infectious energy, while Gabriel and the Empress deliver chills. Pele, Skyla’s sentient warship, and the unique bond they share is the real standout. Echoing Captain Malcolm Reynolds loyalty to his ship Serenity (minus the sentience) and Calen & Valerys’s bond in The Bound and the Broken (fresh off book 4’s ARC). The world-building’s just as gripping, one planet, Medina stood out, not just for its vivid presence, but every time it strutted onto the page, I was ready to slap on some neon shades, crank up Tone Loc’s Funky Cold Medina to the max and moonwalk across the galaxy like a retro space king!
Yet beneath the trek through the universe, the machinations, the battles and star-crossed lovers longing over one another, Umbra digs into duty’s weight and parental scars. This underlying message hits hard and reveals the story’s deeper core values.
I had a lot of fun reading this, and I’m excited for its sequel, but I do have a minor critique: Hinata wears his katana on his back, which looks undeniably cool, thanks to its popularity in films and gaming, but it’s not very practical, especially during combat. Drawing or especially sheathing from that position is awkward and near impossible, something movies typically gloss over, by cutting away and cutting back. Traditionally the katana is worn at the hip in a saya, even in non-combat situations for easy access. Larger swords like the odachi and the naginata were worn on the back because they were too long to wear at the hip, or they were carried by a helper. There are also conflicting times where he puts it in his coat to conceal it or in “his belt.” It’s minor, but it’s a detail I noticed.
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
Brace for impact: Toro’s debut, Umbra, thrusts you into a character-driven space opera, told through three POVs: a rogue running from her past, an exiled commander looking for redemption, and an ostracized admiral seeking justice. Umbra unleashes a moderately paced intergalactic thrill ride, fusing Firefly with a modern spin. It seamlessly integrates hard sci-fi with a romantic subplot that deals with humanity on the brink of war. It’s packed with intense sword clashes and epic ship battles, layered with political intrigue as houses cause dissension among the Order, and a cliffhanger that sets the stage for the sequel, Parallax.
When I jumped into this story, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the romance angle, since I’m not a big fan of that stuff in novels. So naturally, I approached it with some hesitation, though the “slow-burn romance” label eased my nerves a bit. Still, I wouldn’t call it “enemies to lovers romance” since they were never actually enemies. If anything, Hinata and another character, given their backstory, would’ve fit that label more. To me, the romance angle was closer to a forbidden love or star-crossed lovers, a Montague-Capulet vibe straight out of Romeo & Juliet, given the tension between the houses. The slow-burn built nicely, budding throughout. But the actual sex scene? I don’t care for it in novels, implied works just as good. In my typical form, I skipped over it. It’s there for the fans of it, not me, and they’ll likely eat it up.
The cover of Umbra hooked me instantly, it’s one of those “read me now” types. The cover done by David Gardias speaks volumes to what the story is about, and frankly, it’s flawless, trad publishing should be sweating. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of his work. Then there’s the name Umbra, which is Latin for shadow or shade, which also tells its own subtle story. Finally, I discovered the dual narration by Megan Carver & Benjamin Farmer. One thing that is always scary is, what if one doesn’t stack up to the other? That was not the case, they both made Toro’s story come to life even better than I had hoped for.
I found the characters compelling and the world easily immersive. Toro did a good job of creating a diverse cast of flawed characters while weaving in historical elements to their Earth That Was ancestors. While I thought some of this hit home greatly, one really stuck out to me for a different reason that I’ll mention at the end of this review. While Skyla, Hinata and Freyja were all great characters and we got a dive into who they were and what made them tick, I felt like there was more that could have been added to their backstories, maybe it’s saved for later.
The side characters nearly steal the spotlight, like Freyja’s berserkers Kylian & Tristan, whose witty banter was a key ingredient that helped the crew with their infectious energy, while Gabriel and the Empress deliver chills. Pele, Skyla’s sentient warship, and the unique bond they share is the real standout. Echoing Captain Malcolm Reynolds loyalty to his ship Serenity (minus the sentience) and Calen & Valerys’s bond in The Bound and the Broken (fresh off book 4’s ARC). The world-building’s just as gripping, one planet, Medina stood out, not just for its vivid presence, but every time it strutted onto the page, I was ready to slap on some neon shades, crank up Tone Loc’s Funky Cold Medina to the max and moonwalk across the galaxy like a retro space king!
Yet beneath the trek through the universe, the machinations, the battles and star-crossed lovers longing over one another, Umbra digs into duty’s weight and parental scars. This underlying message hits hard and reveals the story’s deeper core values.
I had a lot of fun reading this, and I’m excited for its sequel, but I do have a minor critique: Hinata wears his katana on his back, which looks undeniably cool, thanks to its popularity in films and gaming, but it’s not very practical, especially during combat. Drawing or especially sheathing from that position is awkward and near impossible, something movies typically gloss over, by cutting away and cutting back. Traditionally the katana is worn at the hip in a saya, even in non-combat situations for easy access. Larger swords like the odachi and the naginata were worn on the back because they were too long to wear at the hip, or they were carried by a helper. There are also conflicting times where he puts it in his coat to conceal it or in “his belt.” It’s minor, but it’s a detail I noticed.
October 25, 2024
I've been veering into more Scifi this year. Between Symbiosis/TheDrift, Empire of Silence, Falling into Oblivion, its been a good run. Umbra is another solid read in the genre.
How much you enjoy this book will likely be based on your opinion of the 3 main characters. I'll be honest, while Skyla and Hinata immediately grabbed my attention (Skyla in particular has an EXCELLENT opening chapter), I was kinda sketchy on Freyja. She doesn't come off as very likable, and I think its intentionally written that way. However, as the story progressed, Freyja became my favorite character. I do admit it felt a bit awkward, as Skyla and Hinata get thrown in our face a lot and we follow their slow burn (and its slow) journey of the Navy drop out and her attractive, always follow the rules new buddy.
The plot and worldbuilding is interesting. Some people may have issues with the plot, as most of the story its shrouded in mystery. For better or for worse (I think better) the characters spend a good portion of the book having no idea what the hell is going on, which means we also have no idea what the hell is going on. It didn't bother me all that much, but some people may get annoyed as Skyla and Hinata share drinks and have their Should I be doing this???????? moment while the plot stalls. I do want to say there are payoffs. Mysteries are unraveled at a steady pace, and it never gets boring—I assumed the book was much shorter than it was by the time I finished
The AI's are probably the most interesting part of the worldbuilding. I love the brief conversations alluding to the dangers of AI, while the other side shows them as not only a useful tool, but a genuine friend. I got Liveship Traders vibes from Pele and the different personalities of the other ships. I also liked the idea of Deep Fakes (yes, deep fakes) and the history of how they were banned for threatening society. Its all fascinating stuff, and I think the fact that Amber has a scientific AI background adds to the credibility.
All and all, excellent book. Highly recommended to either side of the scifi and romantasy crowd. Looking forward to the next one
How much you enjoy this book will likely be based on your opinion of the 3 main characters. I'll be honest, while Skyla and Hinata immediately grabbed my attention (Skyla in particular has an EXCELLENT opening chapter), I was kinda sketchy on Freyja. She doesn't come off as very likable, and I think its intentionally written that way. However, as the story progressed, Freyja became my favorite character. I do admit it felt a bit awkward, as Skyla and Hinata get thrown in our face a lot and we follow their slow burn (and its slow) journey of the Navy drop out and her attractive, always follow the rules new buddy.
The plot and worldbuilding is interesting. Some people may have issues with the plot, as most of the story its shrouded in mystery. For better or for worse (I think better) the characters spend a good portion of the book having no idea what the hell is going on, which means we also have no idea what the hell is going on. It didn't bother me all that much, but some people may get annoyed as Skyla and Hinata share drinks and have their Should I be doing this???????? moment while the plot stalls. I do want to say there are payoffs. Mysteries are unraveled at a steady pace, and it never gets boring—I assumed the book was much shorter than it was by the time I finished
The AI's are probably the most interesting part of the worldbuilding. I love the brief conversations alluding to the dangers of AI, while the other side shows them as not only a useful tool, but a genuine friend. I got Liveship Traders vibes from Pele and the different personalities of the other ships. I also liked the idea of Deep Fakes (yes, deep fakes) and the history of how they were banned for threatening society. Its all fascinating stuff, and I think the fact that Amber has a scientific AI background adds to the credibility.
All and all, excellent book. Highly recommended to either side of the scifi and romantasy crowd. Looking forward to the next one
May 24, 2024
Action packed sci-fi / space opera adventure, with a slow burn romance.
Told from 3 POV we follow the journeys of a rogue, admiral and commander and their intertwined destinies.
I liked seeing the characters backgrounds and distinct personalities and motivations, coupled with the sentient ships and bonds with the pilots. An exciting space adventure, and the first in a trilogy.
Told from 3 POV we follow the journeys of a rogue, admiral and commander and their intertwined destinies.
I liked seeing the characters backgrounds and distinct personalities and motivations, coupled with the sentient ships and bonds with the pilots. An exciting space adventure, and the first in a trilogy.
December 9, 2024
This was a super fast read with a lot packed into it. I really enjoyed it, especially after I was a bit skeptical due to the “romance” tag. But Amber Toro does a really nice job of balancing action/story with relationships, keeping things accessible for most. I was also fascinated with some of the takes on AI, particularly as we’re in a time where we need to be thinking about the impact AI will have on our lives and humanity. Hyped for book 2.
4/5 ⭐️
4/5 ⭐️
August 1, 2024
A space opera adventure filled with found-family done right and mysterious alien technology that leaves you guessing—this was a phenomenal read!
I came into Umbra seeing it mostly depicted as a futuristic sci-fi romance. Honestly, that worried me, as romance is far from my usual genre choice. I enjoy it in books, but not usually to the extent or “spice” levels that your more popular Romance authors are known for. But the overall premise intrigued me, and the reviews just seemed too good to pass this one up.
Alas, I’m so happy I dove in! While there was a bit too much of fingers being traced along jaws or chins for my liking, the aspect itself wasn’t overbearing and didn’t downgrade the read for me.
The first thing that really pulled me in was the character work. I felt instantly hooked on the three main protagonists and invested in their story. They were fleshed out, two were easy to root for, and the third you’re not meant to, so it was done right. And their progressions came full circle very nicely by the end.
The pacing and action sequences were spot on. I didn’t find myself dragging, and whenever the action hit, I was invested, absorbed, and easily followed along.
The world-building was also well done. There’s expansive imagery of humanity stuck traveling the stars with no set place to call “home.” The people are broken down into tribes, all with differing aspects of Ancient Earth’s mythology setting the tone for their cultures and lifestyles. It is a believable concept that humanity fled to the stars after some sort of cataclysm and did so broken down by culture. And I want to know more about those nanites, damnit! The tech, the mysteries of the signal and the Empress, the storyline had my head spinning. I kept wanting to keep reading to seek those answers.
There were a couple of jarring shifts in the book, especially early on. The prime example being when something drastic happens to one of the characters right at the start, then there is a massive time jump, and next we see that character they are fine. I understood the time jump and expected to get an in-depth breakdown filling out the in-between, but it never really came. There was some explanation, but I found it lacking.
However, the ending was fantastic! It really sets the stage for what I imagine will be a complex and engaging ultimate story. The found-family trope especially, the way it culminated in the end left me with chills. I’m so excited to continue this one down the road and hopefully learn the answers to the many mysteries that were set in this installment.
Well done, Amber! This is the start of something epic.
I came into Umbra seeing it mostly depicted as a futuristic sci-fi romance. Honestly, that worried me, as romance is far from my usual genre choice. I enjoy it in books, but not usually to the extent or “spice” levels that your more popular Romance authors are known for. But the overall premise intrigued me, and the reviews just seemed too good to pass this one up.
Alas, I’m so happy I dove in! While there was a bit too much of fingers being traced along jaws or chins for my liking, the aspect itself wasn’t overbearing and didn’t downgrade the read for me.
The first thing that really pulled me in was the character work. I felt instantly hooked on the three main protagonists and invested in their story. They were fleshed out, two were easy to root for, and the third you’re not meant to, so it was done right. And their progressions came full circle very nicely by the end.
The pacing and action sequences were spot on. I didn’t find myself dragging, and whenever the action hit, I was invested, absorbed, and easily followed along.
The world-building was also well done. There’s expansive imagery of humanity stuck traveling the stars with no set place to call “home.” The people are broken down into tribes, all with differing aspects of Ancient Earth’s mythology setting the tone for their cultures and lifestyles. It is a believable concept that humanity fled to the stars after some sort of cataclysm and did so broken down by culture. And I want to know more about those nanites, damnit! The tech, the mysteries of the signal and the Empress, the storyline had my head spinning. I kept wanting to keep reading to seek those answers.
There were a couple of jarring shifts in the book, especially early on. The prime example being when something drastic happens to one of the characters right at the start, then there is a massive time jump, and next we see that character they are fine. I understood the time jump and expected to get an in-depth breakdown filling out the in-between, but it never really came. There was some explanation, but I found it lacking.
However, the ending was fantastic! It really sets the stage for what I imagine will be a complex and engaging ultimate story. The found-family trope especially, the way it culminated in the end left me with chills. I’m so excited to continue this one down the road and hopefully learn the answers to the many mysteries that were set in this installment.
Well done, Amber! This is the start of something epic.
June 12, 2024
I love how Amber inserted her name in the first paragraph, I thought that was way cool 😎
The world building, great character, a tad of romance, the culture’s , political intrigue, great relational development and the bond between Captain and Ship ( the ships are special)! The space wording was good wasn’t over bearing and was understandable!
Action Filled with 3 POV with some great personalities to boot!
This was Fun in Space
Stranger than fiction
The smile on your face
Boy when we get there
We'll have fun in space
Roger Taylor “Fun in Space”
(Drummer From Queen)
Listened while reading this book
Thank you Amber for a copy of the book
It Got an honest review!!
I give this Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The world building, great character, a tad of romance, the culture’s , political intrigue, great relational development and the bond between Captain and Ship ( the ships are special)! The space wording was good wasn’t over bearing and was understandable!
Action Filled with 3 POV with some great personalities to boot!
This was Fun in Space
Stranger than fiction
The smile on your face
Boy when we get there
We'll have fun in space
Roger Taylor “Fun in Space”
(Drummer From Queen)
Listened while reading this book
Thank you Amber for a copy of the book
It Got an honest review!!
I give this Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
November 28, 2024
So enjoyed this slow burn space opera! Fast paced, complex, and with a super fun cast of characters! My favorite was probably the sentient spaceships!
Highly recommend to readers of scifi, space opera, and those who like romantasy and are willing to try something like it in space!
My rating: 5*
Highly recommend to readers of scifi, space opera, and those who like romantasy and are willing to try something like it in space!
My rating: 5*
February 25, 2025
A vast military space Odyssey with a genuine, heartfelt romance.
Amber Toro brilliantly weaves together Starship Troopers, Battlestar Galactica, political mystery, and romance for a wholly original story that grips you from start to finish. It's a descriptive and immersive universe that the author throws us into, and this combined with well-developed characters to really grab the reader from page one.
The characters themselves are incredibly diverse, each having a distinct personality and traits. We see new spins on the traditional military sci-fi roles that really make the characters pop. The no-nonsense commander and the militant admiral both hide past pain and hidden motivations that layer them more that the typical sci-fi outing. I personally found the inquisitive Dr. Dar to be my favorite.
I also found this book to have incredibly kinetic action. Its no-nonsense, past-paced energy really makes the reader invested. Combined with the care that the author takes with these characters, I was glued to the page every time any danger popped up.
The most applaudable part of the book was definitely the romantic element. So often, many shows, films, books, comics, and other media will tout a slow burn romance, but the characters in question immediately have romantic chemistry. Here, the love interests could not be more different at the start, but their interactions over time slowly and organically peel back the layers to reveal an undeniable, inescapable attraction. It shows an unbelievable amount of care for these characters and their journey on the author's part.
I highly recommend this book for any fans of sci-fi, adventure, action, and romance. This was a fantastic story and I very much look forward to the sequel.
Amber Toro brilliantly weaves together Starship Troopers, Battlestar Galactica, political mystery, and romance for a wholly original story that grips you from start to finish. It's a descriptive and immersive universe that the author throws us into, and this combined with well-developed characters to really grab the reader from page one.
The characters themselves are incredibly diverse, each having a distinct personality and traits. We see new spins on the traditional military sci-fi roles that really make the characters pop. The no-nonsense commander and the militant admiral both hide past pain and hidden motivations that layer them more that the typical sci-fi outing. I personally found the inquisitive Dr. Dar to be my favorite.
I also found this book to have incredibly kinetic action. Its no-nonsense, past-paced energy really makes the reader invested. Combined with the care that the author takes with these characters, I was glued to the page every time any danger popped up.
The most applaudable part of the book was definitely the romantic element. So often, many shows, films, books, comics, and other media will tout a slow burn romance, but the characters in question immediately have romantic chemistry. Here, the love interests could not be more different at the start, but their interactions over time slowly and organically peel back the layers to reveal an undeniable, inescapable attraction. It shows an unbelievable amount of care for these characters and their journey on the author's part.
I highly recommend this book for any fans of sci-fi, adventure, action, and romance. This was a fantastic story and I very much look forward to the sequel.
November 15, 2024
Thanks to Amber for providing me with an audiobook code and the opportunity to listen to this.
Wow! This was such a great listen. The narrators did a fantastic job. And Amber delivered such an amazing story that had me hooked from the very beginning. All the characters were extremely likable, entertaining, and equipped with their own personalities to set them apart. The details for all the characters made it easy to envision them and made the story that much more immersive. The world-building was some of my favorite. There's a lot to enjoy here exploring the different themes layered throughout, the action sequences, mystery, and a touch of romance.
I absolutely can not wait for what's to come next after that ending. I'm already planning a physical read of this because I enjoyed it so much.
Wow! This was such a great listen. The narrators did a fantastic job. And Amber delivered such an amazing story that had me hooked from the very beginning. All the characters were extremely likable, entertaining, and equipped with their own personalities to set them apart. The details for all the characters made it easy to envision them and made the story that much more immersive. The world-building was some of my favorite. There's a lot to enjoy here exploring the different themes layered throughout, the action sequences, mystery, and a touch of romance.
I absolutely can not wait for what's to come next after that ending. I'm already planning a physical read of this because I enjoyed it so much.
August 10, 2024
Umbra, the first volume in Amber Toro's Sentient Stars trilogy feels familiar and comforting, it just feels like it belongs with old friends like Battlestar Galactica, Dune and The Expanse. It brilliantly weaves together the story of three incredibly compelling and flawed characters set against the backdrop of epic space opera, intergalactic politics, militaristic society, lost civilizations and so very much more. I'm going to go ahead and call it peak RomantaSCI. It mixes together that slow burn romance and the hard sci-fi together perfectly into a tasty cocktail that goes down so smooth, but still manages to sneak up on you and completely change how you felt just a few short pages earlier. Anytime a book can take me for a thrill ride and make me drastically change my feelings , I'm hooked. I simply cannot wait for the next installment and the chance to return to the Sentient Stars universe.
April 17, 2024
As someone who followed "Umbra" from its beta stages through to ARC and eagerly anticipating its release on April 24th, my love and excitement for this novel is as deep as the uncharted space it explores. Written by an exceptionally talented data scientist, this debut novel not only dazzles with its interstellar tapestry but also educates, integrating hard and speculative science fiction seamlessly into a beautiful narrative.
The three distinct voices make each chapter a part of the overarching symphony of thrilling escapades and intricate relationships. The sentient ships, a brilliant blend of biology and technology, are particularly captivating. As a biologist myself, seeing the use of marine biology was a treat - especially for sci-fi, which more often than not is a physics heavy genre. Amber's background in data science also enriches every page, making the technology as accessible as it is fascinating, demonstrating the sheer brilliance of voices of women in STEM coming to science fiction.
"Umbra" is not just a story; it's an exploration into the complexity of human (and artificial) emotion and intellect. Each character of the cast is meticulously crafted, with nuances that pull you into their orbits and make you root for their journeys and growth. The dynamics of their relationships unfold with the organic chemistry of elements reacting, creating new, exciting possibilities.
As the days count down to the release, I find myself increasingly attached to this universe. Let me be the first to tell you, I envy first time readers, because I have been waiting for book 2 since the moment I finished reading the beta of book 1.
"Umbra" promises not just a series but a phenomenon— to readers old and new to sci-fi, let "Umbra" be your gateway to the wonders of the cosmos and the narratives that women in STEM can tell through the lens of fiction.
The three distinct voices make each chapter a part of the overarching symphony of thrilling escapades and intricate relationships. The sentient ships, a brilliant blend of biology and technology, are particularly captivating. As a biologist myself, seeing the use of marine biology was a treat - especially for sci-fi, which more often than not is a physics heavy genre. Amber's background in data science also enriches every page, making the technology as accessible as it is fascinating, demonstrating the sheer brilliance of voices of women in STEM coming to science fiction.
"Umbra" is not just a story; it's an exploration into the complexity of human (and artificial) emotion and intellect. Each character of the cast is meticulously crafted, with nuances that pull you into their orbits and make you root for their journeys and growth. The dynamics of their relationships unfold with the organic chemistry of elements reacting, creating new, exciting possibilities.
As the days count down to the release, I find myself increasingly attached to this universe. Let me be the first to tell you, I envy first time readers, because I have been waiting for book 2 since the moment I finished reading the beta of book 1.
"Umbra" promises not just a series but a phenomenon— to readers old and new to sci-fi, let "Umbra" be your gateway to the wonders of the cosmos and the narratives that women in STEM can tell through the lens of fiction.
May 20, 2025
Spice rating 🌶️ 2/5
Interesting storyline and solid world building, there were only two things that kept me from completely enjoying it. First, the swearing. There was a lot of it. Second, I'm not comfortable with smut/spice and this one toed the line for me with it's"almost" moments, implications, and crass comments.
Interesting storyline and solid world building, there were only two things that kept me from completely enjoying it. First, the swearing. There was a lot of it. Second, I'm not comfortable with smut/spice and this one toed the line for me with it's"almost" moments, implications, and crass comments.
January 6, 2025
This book is a good time. Told from three different POVs, but I don’t think I could pick a favorite as each of them were so well developed. Maybe Hinata because he gives off Cassius honor vibes? But still. If you want a space opera with a snarky AI spaceship and a touch of romance, this is your book. Especially if you like romantasy but wished it were more sci-fi than fantasy!
I am mad that I waited as long as I did to read this book, and am also mad that I now have to wait for book 2 to come out to continue this story. Several questions still need answers and I am Invested. Will definitely be looking forward to Parallax!
I am mad that I waited as long as I did to read this book, and am also mad that I now have to wait for book 2 to come out to continue this story. Several questions still need answers and I am Invested. Will definitely be looking forward to Parallax!
October 26, 2024
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I read this book as a judge for the fourth annual Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), this review is solely my own and does not reflect the opinions of the whole team**
CW: violence, blood, injury, gore, murder, death, medical content, child abuse, emotional abuse, war
--
This is a space opera set millennia after humanity has ventured into space, following 3 protagonists with a background in the navy of the United Tribal Axis – the alliance that formed between twelve tribes that are descended from the “Earth That Was” – who have each been pushed towards a different path in life. Skyla who has turned to the life of an outlawed archaeologist, Hinata who missed out on the position of Admiral and has been exiled for his failure, and Freyja who secured the position of Admiral but is under the vise grip of her mother, The Empress, and her scheming.
It is fast paced and action packed from the get go though the first couple of chapters are predominantly character introductions and a way to set the scene. The main plot doesn’t get started until maybe a third of the way in?
Admittedly, I found these opening chapters to be a little disjointed particularly Skyla’s as there are some time jumps and its not immediately clear how she is getting from one situation to the next when considering the circumstances she finds herself in. Hinata and Freyja’s initial rivalry and the developments following their Admiral examinations flowed a lot better and is what had me intrigued to continue. The more I read the more I came to appreciate the character work which is a big highlight in the book.
When the three of them eventually cross paths, they have to settle their differences and team up to get to the bottom of a politically fuelled conflict and then there is also this plotline about these signals from unchartered space. The overarching story has a nice blend of adventure and mystery to it but focuses on more personal stakes and whatever issues the characters directly face. How everything effects the universe as a whole is kept to the periphery until near the end of the book which is no doubt set up for the rest of the series. Thus I personally found that the broader political machinations lacked depth in this first instalment.
The worldbuilding is a little all over the place as you’re given details as and when they are relevant to the story. That said it never gets too overwhelming but by the end you only really know about a couple of key locations and select details about only two of the twelve tribes but not much about the wider workings of them collectively.
I was fascinated by the technology side of things though, particularly with regards to the sentient ships. While I wish there had been more of a focus on the specifics of the bonds within the story, I liked how each AI bio-ship had their own personality and enjoyed following the interactions and relationships they had with their human hosts.
Speaking of which I liked the romance subplot in this, it’s a good opposites attract relationship with the right amount of tension but I was personally more drawn to the already established platonic relationships and rivalries as they felt more authentic. Skyla and Rohaan’s friendship was particularly wholesome.
All in all I thought this was a fun read and is definitely one to check out if you like character focused, space adventure storylines!
**I read this book as a judge for the fourth annual Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), this review is solely my own and does not reflect the opinions of the whole team**
CW: violence, blood, injury, gore, murder, death, medical content, child abuse, emotional abuse, war
--
This is a space opera set millennia after humanity has ventured into space, following 3 protagonists with a background in the navy of the United Tribal Axis – the alliance that formed between twelve tribes that are descended from the “Earth That Was” – who have each been pushed towards a different path in life. Skyla who has turned to the life of an outlawed archaeologist, Hinata who missed out on the position of Admiral and has been exiled for his failure, and Freyja who secured the position of Admiral but is under the vise grip of her mother, The Empress, and her scheming.
It is fast paced and action packed from the get go though the first couple of chapters are predominantly character introductions and a way to set the scene. The main plot doesn’t get started until maybe a third of the way in?
Admittedly, I found these opening chapters to be a little disjointed particularly Skyla’s as there are some time jumps and its not immediately clear how she is getting from one situation to the next when considering the circumstances she finds herself in. Hinata and Freyja’s initial rivalry and the developments following their Admiral examinations flowed a lot better and is what had me intrigued to continue. The more I read the more I came to appreciate the character work which is a big highlight in the book.
When the three of them eventually cross paths, they have to settle their differences and team up to get to the bottom of a politically fuelled conflict and then there is also this plotline about these signals from unchartered space. The overarching story has a nice blend of adventure and mystery to it but focuses on more personal stakes and whatever issues the characters directly face. How everything effects the universe as a whole is kept to the periphery until near the end of the book which is no doubt set up for the rest of the series. Thus I personally found that the broader political machinations lacked depth in this first instalment.
The worldbuilding is a little all over the place as you’re given details as and when they are relevant to the story. That said it never gets too overwhelming but by the end you only really know about a couple of key locations and select details about only two of the twelve tribes but not much about the wider workings of them collectively.
I was fascinated by the technology side of things though, particularly with regards to the sentient ships. While I wish there had been more of a focus on the specifics of the bonds within the story, I liked how each AI bio-ship had their own personality and enjoyed following the interactions and relationships they had with their human hosts.
Speaking of which I liked the romance subplot in this, it’s a good opposites attract relationship with the right amount of tension but I was personally more drawn to the already established platonic relationships and rivalries as they felt more authentic. Skyla and Rohaan’s friendship was particularly wholesome.
All in all I thought this was a fun read and is definitely one to check out if you like character focused, space adventure storylines!
April 2, 2025
*Originally reviewed on SFF Insiders Blog
Let me start off by saying, I desperately need the next book now . May 20th can't come soon enough!!
“I am the blaze in the flame. I am the calm in the storm. I am the force behind the machine.”
From the very first page I was ensnared by this space odyssey. It had everything you could want from a great trek amongst the stars. AI ships that bond with their pilots like dragons do in fantasy, which I thought was a super fun concept. And I of course adored Pele with her sass, and being a meddlesome romantic. She's the best! Also the materials they're made from, being a mix of organic and metals was also really cool. I can't wait to see more of these fascinating ships, and I'm hoping for more on Tentei in the next installment >_> I need answers!
In addition to those awesome sentient spaceships, you also get cool space battles which give all the epic Star Wars vibes! I was so here for it. I'm an avid fan, particularly of the OG movies/books. Growing up my brother and I watched the VHS (oops, I'm dating myself) of the trilogy so many times we actually broke it. Blue screened and/or just spans of snow. That's how much we loved those movies. So reading this book?? My little nerd heart was over the moon! Only after finishing the book did I learn the author herself was a huge fan and it was inspiration for the book. It totally made sense since those were the vibes I was getting the entire time I was reading. Just proves I basically go into books completely blind lol. I mean, at some point, I've read the blurb for it to make it onto my tbr. But between the time I read the blurb and when I actually read a book, well…that blurb is no longer in the brain archive. So this was a really fun surprise to read.
While this obviously gives Star Wars vibes in spades, the story itself is uniquely different. We have an engaging plot full of political intrigue and espionage, military school rivalries, the search for signs of alien life, cartels, mysterious computer viruses, dealing with manipulative power-hungry mommas (all three of our characters have the misfortune of dealing with these lol), and so much more! This book is just jam-packed with ALL the good stuff!
We also get other really cool tech like mech armor (think Samus from Metroid games), weapons of all sorts, some with power options that make them quite similar to lightsabers, and other nifty things. There's all sorts of scientific stuff in here and loads of interesting ideas revolving around it all. We have potential mysteries of alien life, strange signals coming from deep space that has yet to be explored by the UTA. There's just so much amazing stuff in here!
We follow 3 PoVs: Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja, and the chapters alternate consistently between the 3. They are nice short chapters, as well, which I love. I was fond of two of the characters and enjoyed reading their chapters, but the third character not so much. At least not initially, but more on that later.
“When you are done chasing ghosts, come find us. Your people need you. I need you.”
Skyla Karsten, our fearless space explorer. After serving her tour of duty in the UTA navy, she just wants to live freely among the stars and explore the unknown. The way I saw her was the Indiana Jones of ancient galactic civilizations. Her adventures of exploring old ruins while orbiting unknown planets makes for highly engaging reading. Amusingly, I learned the author based Skyla off Han Solo, so that also makes so much sense with all her illegal contraband from her exploratory missions into uncharted space. Han or Jones, same actor, so I was close lol.
Hinata Azai, rank of commander of the UTA Navy. He is ambitious, determined, and just wants to make a name for himself in the navy. When things don’t go to plan for him, his mother unfairly has him exiled to Medina outpost where he’s supposed to contemplate his failings. This was so unjust of her and so frustrating to read! He gave me Kylo Ren vibes, IF Kylo didn't have anger issues and a penchant for tantrums. Hinata is his calm, by-the-book twin or alter ego. He always keeps his head down and follows the rules, much to Skyla's chagrin. But once he meets her he does start to bend the rules a little bit. The banter and chemistry between these two makes for such fun reading. They are super cute together, much like Han & Leia <3
She had traveled beyond the boundaries of the Known Galaxies, seen countless wonders across as many planets; and yet he was all she wanted.
Now Freyja Nygaard…
Let me preface this by saying Toro is a story whiz! She wrote a character I completely and thoroughly disliked, to put it mildly, and THEN she turned it around and made me like that same character by the end! The audacity! (Just kidding). That alone tells you what a phenomenal writer Toro is. I am the type of person that gets very emotionally invested in books, and I either get extremely attached to characters OR really repelled by them. I can't lie, Freyja was one who fell into the latter category for a large portion of this book.
For starters, she was the personality type that just rubs me the wrong way. She was haughty, arrogant, and constantly filled with rage ready to lash out at anyone around her. In addition to that, I was incredibly frustrated with her seeming complacency with anything and everything her mother ordered her to do. It was like she refused to question what her mother's motives were, what the end goal was, so long as no lives were lost. Being duplicitous in these political schemes did not make her likeable in the least, nor free her from guilt of the eventual results of those plans. I know she was forced into her role in the navy against her own desires, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t still do her best to uphold the integrity of the position of admiral, and due diligence in her duties, rather than be a puppet for her entitled mother’s whims. So from my perspective, she was rather weak-willed, and quite undeserving of her role.
So with my strong feelings against her, I thought there was no way my opinion could be changed. Well, I had a 75% feeling it couldn't be anyway. I have seen it happen on a few occasions, so I was curious to see if this would be one of those rare instances where I was forced to have a change of heart. And wouldn't you know it? It was! This really is the mark of a superb author, in my opinion, when they create a character you feel strongly one way about, but then they have the skill to force you to totally change your mind about them. I love being surprised and being convinced to change my stance. And Freyja herself had to have a change of heart as well, or this wouldn’t have been at all possible. The way Umbra ends with Freyja doing things her own way for a change was super refreshing to see! I look forward to seeing her grow more into her own self in the coming sequel.
“I have sat too long in the Empress' shadow, but no longer.”
The idea of the events behind the Exodus from Earth That Was was fascinating. Humanity wandering through space for centuries and yet still retaining their old earth lore, cultures, customs, and fashion was great as well. This is an all inclusive book of our real world, and I loved seeing it. Even though they’ve been scattered across the galaxies for a millennia, the different ethnic groups originating on Earth That Was stuck together in cohesive groups that then made up the twelve “tribes” of the new human order. And those tribes are united under one ruling body, the Senate. And each of these tribes has their own version of the “destruction myth” that drove humanity to seek safety in the stars. All of this added excellent depth to the history of this new world order.
I just had some minor quibbles. There were a couple instances where time lapses seemed a tad confusing, or maybe I was just too tired when reading in those moments. And then Skyla's furry friend–any description of him makes him sound like a big awesome cat (I would love to own him), but he has a famous wolf’s name. So I was a little confused on what his species he was supposed to be. I'm sticking with his being a big lovable kitty. I was also slightly bummed he was absent for most of the book, only being mentioned when it seemed convenient, but otherwise you'd almost forget he existed. I'm hoping for more of him in Parallax.
“From the stars we came, to the stars we return,”
Overall, though, I had a fantastic time reading Umbra! And like I said in the beginning, Parallax can’t come soon enough! That ending!!! Oh, did I not mention it was a cliffhanger? Here’s me telling you now, and man is it a doozy! Love it!
Want to dip your toes into Sci-Fi but don’t know where to start? This is a stellar choice to wade into the genre, with a slice of romance on the side.
Let me start off by saying, I desperately need the next book now . May 20th can't come soon enough!!
“I am the blaze in the flame. I am the calm in the storm. I am the force behind the machine.”
From the very first page I was ensnared by this space odyssey. It had everything you could want from a great trek amongst the stars. AI ships that bond with their pilots like dragons do in fantasy, which I thought was a super fun concept. And I of course adored Pele with her sass, and being a meddlesome romantic. She's the best! Also the materials they're made from, being a mix of organic and metals was also really cool. I can't wait to see more of these fascinating ships, and I'm hoping for more on Tentei in the next installment >_> I need answers!
In addition to those awesome sentient spaceships, you also get cool space battles which give all the epic Star Wars vibes! I was so here for it. I'm an avid fan, particularly of the OG movies/books. Growing up my brother and I watched the VHS (oops, I'm dating myself) of the trilogy so many times we actually broke it. Blue screened and/or just spans of snow. That's how much we loved those movies. So reading this book?? My little nerd heart was over the moon! Only after finishing the book did I learn the author herself was a huge fan and it was inspiration for the book. It totally made sense since those were the vibes I was getting the entire time I was reading. Just proves I basically go into books completely blind lol. I mean, at some point, I've read the blurb for it to make it onto my tbr. But between the time I read the blurb and when I actually read a book, well…that blurb is no longer in the brain archive. So this was a really fun surprise to read.
While this obviously gives Star Wars vibes in spades, the story itself is uniquely different. We have an engaging plot full of political intrigue and espionage, military school rivalries, the search for signs of alien life, cartels, mysterious computer viruses, dealing with manipulative power-hungry mommas (all three of our characters have the misfortune of dealing with these lol), and so much more! This book is just jam-packed with ALL the good stuff!
We also get other really cool tech like mech armor (think Samus from Metroid games), weapons of all sorts, some with power options that make them quite similar to lightsabers, and other nifty things. There's all sorts of scientific stuff in here and loads of interesting ideas revolving around it all. We have potential mysteries of alien life, strange signals coming from deep space that has yet to be explored by the UTA. There's just so much amazing stuff in here!
We follow 3 PoVs: Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja, and the chapters alternate consistently between the 3. They are nice short chapters, as well, which I love. I was fond of two of the characters and enjoyed reading their chapters, but the third character not so much. At least not initially, but more on that later.
“When you are done chasing ghosts, come find us. Your people need you. I need you.”
Skyla Karsten, our fearless space explorer. After serving her tour of duty in the UTA navy, she just wants to live freely among the stars and explore the unknown. The way I saw her was the Indiana Jones of ancient galactic civilizations. Her adventures of exploring old ruins while orbiting unknown planets makes for highly engaging reading. Amusingly, I learned the author based Skyla off Han Solo, so that also makes so much sense with all her illegal contraband from her exploratory missions into uncharted space. Han or Jones, same actor, so I was close lol.
Hinata Azai, rank of commander of the UTA Navy. He is ambitious, determined, and just wants to make a name for himself in the navy. When things don’t go to plan for him, his mother unfairly has him exiled to Medina outpost where he’s supposed to contemplate his failings. This was so unjust of her and so frustrating to read! He gave me Kylo Ren vibes, IF Kylo didn't have anger issues and a penchant for tantrums. Hinata is his calm, by-the-book twin or alter ego. He always keeps his head down and follows the rules, much to Skyla's chagrin. But once he meets her he does start to bend the rules a little bit. The banter and chemistry between these two makes for such fun reading. They are super cute together, much like Han & Leia <3
She had traveled beyond the boundaries of the Known Galaxies, seen countless wonders across as many planets; and yet he was all she wanted.
Now Freyja Nygaard…
Let me preface this by saying Toro is a story whiz! She wrote a character I completely and thoroughly disliked, to put it mildly, and THEN she turned it around and made me like that same character by the end! The audacity! (Just kidding). That alone tells you what a phenomenal writer Toro is. I am the type of person that gets very emotionally invested in books, and I either get extremely attached to characters OR really repelled by them. I can't lie, Freyja was one who fell into the latter category for a large portion of this book.
For starters, she was the personality type that just rubs me the wrong way. She was haughty, arrogant, and constantly filled with rage ready to lash out at anyone around her. In addition to that, I was incredibly frustrated with her seeming complacency with anything and everything her mother ordered her to do. It was like she refused to question what her mother's motives were, what the end goal was, so long as no lives were lost. Being duplicitous in these political schemes did not make her likeable in the least, nor free her from guilt of the eventual results of those plans. I know she was forced into her role in the navy against her own desires, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t still do her best to uphold the integrity of the position of admiral, and due diligence in her duties, rather than be a puppet for her entitled mother’s whims. So from my perspective, she was rather weak-willed, and quite undeserving of her role.
So with my strong feelings against her, I thought there was no way my opinion could be changed. Well, I had a 75% feeling it couldn't be anyway. I have seen it happen on a few occasions, so I was curious to see if this would be one of those rare instances where I was forced to have a change of heart. And wouldn't you know it? It was! This really is the mark of a superb author, in my opinion, when they create a character you feel strongly one way about, but then they have the skill to force you to totally change your mind about them. I love being surprised and being convinced to change my stance. And Freyja herself had to have a change of heart as well, or this wouldn’t have been at all possible. The way Umbra ends with Freyja doing things her own way for a change was super refreshing to see! I look forward to seeing her grow more into her own self in the coming sequel.
“I have sat too long in the Empress' shadow, but no longer.”
The idea of the events behind the Exodus from Earth That Was was fascinating. Humanity wandering through space for centuries and yet still retaining their old earth lore, cultures, customs, and fashion was great as well. This is an all inclusive book of our real world, and I loved seeing it. Even though they’ve been scattered across the galaxies for a millennia, the different ethnic groups originating on Earth That Was stuck together in cohesive groups that then made up the twelve “tribes” of the new human order. And those tribes are united under one ruling body, the Senate. And each of these tribes has their own version of the “destruction myth” that drove humanity to seek safety in the stars. All of this added excellent depth to the history of this new world order.
I just had some minor quibbles. There were a couple instances where time lapses seemed a tad confusing, or maybe I was just too tired when reading in those moments. And then Skyla's furry friend–any description of him makes him sound like a big awesome cat (I would love to own him), but he has a famous wolf’s name. So I was a little confused on what his species he was supposed to be. I'm sticking with his being a big lovable kitty. I was also slightly bummed he was absent for most of the book, only being mentioned when it seemed convenient, but otherwise you'd almost forget he existed. I'm hoping for more of him in Parallax.
“From the stars we came, to the stars we return,”
Overall, though, I had a fantastic time reading Umbra! And like I said in the beginning, Parallax can’t come soon enough! That ending!!! Oh, did I not mention it was a cliffhanger? Here’s me telling you now, and man is it a doozy! Love it!
Want to dip your toes into Sci-Fi but don’t know where to start? This is a stellar choice to wade into the genre, with a slice of romance on the side.
January 8, 2025
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
This book had me at page one. Umbra stands out as a well developed, thoroughly enjoyable space opera with a cinematic feel that checks all the boxes of a good sci-fi. The moderate pace struck a nice cadence while allowing the depth required for a well thought out galactic world. The growth that happens for the characters was palpable. This book has heart and I'd recommend it to any reader looking for their next great adventure.
The World that unfolds is an interesting, diverse, politically rich intergalactic future. With a wide array of cultural influences, Toro backs her galaxy's diversity with a logical path and sound lore. It felt authentic and possible. The political landscape offered a good assortment of loyalists, rebels, scavengers, and explorers navigating ruling houses, crime syndicates, and alien threats.
The Character development was awesome. They all wove together quite naturally and I was left feeling connected. Even the most despicable among them was an awesome character, maybe my favorite. I think in some characters there's room to grow and in some ways it feels purposeful for the series. The relationships are done well, with a good assortment of camaraderie, tension and flames. The romance subplot was fantastic.
The Plot that was really engaging. As the cast of characters made their way towards each other, getting pulled from different angles and motives, I was thoroughly enticed by the mysteries that lay beyond the known galaxies and the troubles brewing within. I walked away with more theories than answers, yet so satisfied with the story that unfolded in their intertwined destinies and the logic and relationships left me wanting more.
That was the great part of the Writing. It was an easy read with strong prose that stayed out of its own way. Toro struck a cinematic feel without getting too in the weeds. It gave me hints of BSG, Star Wars, and Firefly. The story let me breathe in the world and become totally invested, and I was left delightfully entertained.
This book had me at page one. Umbra stands out as a well developed, thoroughly enjoyable space opera with a cinematic feel that checks all the boxes of a good sci-fi. The moderate pace struck a nice cadence while allowing the depth required for a well thought out galactic world. The growth that happens for the characters was palpable. This book has heart and I'd recommend it to any reader looking for their next great adventure.
The World that unfolds is an interesting, diverse, politically rich intergalactic future. With a wide array of cultural influences, Toro backs her galaxy's diversity with a logical path and sound lore. It felt authentic and possible. The political landscape offered a good assortment of loyalists, rebels, scavengers, and explorers navigating ruling houses, crime syndicates, and alien threats.
The Character development was awesome. They all wove together quite naturally and I was left feeling connected. Even the most despicable among them was an awesome character, maybe my favorite. I think in some characters there's room to grow and in some ways it feels purposeful for the series. The relationships are done well, with a good assortment of camaraderie, tension and flames. The romance subplot was fantastic.
The Plot that was really engaging. As the cast of characters made their way towards each other, getting pulled from different angles and motives, I was thoroughly enticed by the mysteries that lay beyond the known galaxies and the troubles brewing within. I walked away with more theories than answers, yet so satisfied with the story that unfolded in their intertwined destinies and the logic and relationships left me wanting more.
That was the great part of the Writing. It was an easy read with strong prose that stayed out of its own way. Toro struck a cinematic feel without getting too in the weeds. It gave me hints of BSG, Star Wars, and Firefly. The story let me breathe in the world and become totally invested, and I was left delightfully entertained.
March 27, 2024
Everything about this book was done so well.
I loved the way we learned about each character and how they all ended up having to work together.
Each character was built up so well that you could connect with each one.
There were multiple POVs which I loved!
Slow burn romance was so good. 😘🤌🏼
The mystery and the adventure of it all was fast paced and so fun! It was such a great break from fantasy, to be in space, spaceships, and other planets.
This is a fun read and definitely worth it! 🤩
I loved the way we learned about each character and how they all ended up having to work together.
Each character was built up so well that you could connect with each one.
There were multiple POVs which I loved!
Slow burn romance was so good. 😘🤌🏼
The mystery and the adventure of it all was fast paced and so fun! It was such a great break from fantasy, to be in space, spaceships, and other planets.
This is a fun read and definitely worth it! 🤩
April 25, 2024
Umbra Sentient Stars - Amber Toro
3.5
OUT NOW!
Seeing Amber advertising her debut book a while back and seeing the words 'Sentient Ships' hooked me. I've discovered a real LOVE for scifi books after loving scifi TV shows such at Stargate for my WHOLE life. I truly believe we are not alone and I love reading and watching things that make my mind tick about that even more. I also loved the fact that although this book is a work of Fiction, Amber herself works in the data science sector with AI and it made that portion of the book feel very real to me with all of the analasys side of things and I also feel like AI sentience could become a thing in years to come.
As I started the book however, I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would like to in a book. Even at 50% of the way in, I didn't feel any emotional connection towards anyone other than Pele, the ship. Usually this is a big red flag with a book for me and I stop reading and contemplated it if I'm honest. But after 50% the book did pick up and was more enjoyable in my opinion. I really enjoyed where the gang searched for technology and were attacked by security plants. I also think that the best romance in the book isn't between two of the main characters, but it's one we haven't seen play out on page yet, there are only subtle hints of affection. I loved Freyja and Skylas relationship and for me is why it gained an extra half a star because towards the end, they got to me and I started to care about the characters!
I do want to know where the next book goes and I hope Skyla finds what she is looking for but the begining of this book with all the povs and not really getting to know the characters very well was confusing. I felt the best characters were the ones NOT with the main focus on them.
This was an ARC copy I received in return for an honest review all thoughts are my own. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a copy! ❤️
3.5
OUT NOW!
Seeing Amber advertising her debut book a while back and seeing the words 'Sentient Ships' hooked me. I've discovered a real LOVE for scifi books after loving scifi TV shows such at Stargate for my WHOLE life. I truly believe we are not alone and I love reading and watching things that make my mind tick about that even more. I also loved the fact that although this book is a work of Fiction, Amber herself works in the data science sector with AI and it made that portion of the book feel very real to me with all of the analasys side of things and I also feel like AI sentience could become a thing in years to come.
As I started the book however, I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would like to in a book. Even at 50% of the way in, I didn't feel any emotional connection towards anyone other than Pele, the ship. Usually this is a big red flag with a book for me and I stop reading and contemplated it if I'm honest. But after 50% the book did pick up and was more enjoyable in my opinion. I really enjoyed where the gang searched for technology and were attacked by security plants. I also think that the best romance in the book isn't between two of the main characters, but it's one we haven't seen play out on page yet, there are only subtle hints of affection. I loved Freyja and Skylas relationship and for me is why it gained an extra half a star because towards the end, they got to me and I started to care about the characters!
I do want to know where the next book goes and I hope Skyla finds what she is looking for but the begining of this book with all the povs and not really getting to know the characters very well was confusing. I felt the best characters were the ones NOT with the main focus on them.
This was an ARC copy I received in return for an honest review all thoughts are my own. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a copy! ❤️
April 22, 2024
I’d describe this book as a bit of a romantasy take on science fiction? in the same way romantasy doesn’t just mean romance + fantasy but has its own distinct tropes and vibes, this book is something different than the sum of “space opera” + romance. the romance is not actually a huge part of the plot, but the relationship and camaraderie between the FMC and MMC is a big part of the story. I liked those aspects of the relationship, though I do think the romance came on a little quick for me. my favorite relationship is between the main starship (Pele) and the FMC Skyla- they love each other a lot and have fun banter. I would have liked to see more ship crew hijinks and found-family-ness, but maybe we can get that in future books! they all have their own family trauma so I’d like to see them bonding over it!
the plot on this was fun, though nothing too unexpected. politics between different factions, alien technology and viruses, and space mercenaries all feature. I am excited to see where some of the politics go- it really seems like the author has a particular history in mind and a lot of worldbuilding to support it, but she isn’t info-dumping on us so we don’t see the entire picture quite yet, which I like.
overall, this book has fun and spunky characters, driven by complicated backstories and loyalties, fighting around in space and trying to figure out a conspiracy! ft. sentient ships and an animal sidekick!
the plot on this was fun, though nothing too unexpected. politics between different factions, alien technology and viruses, and space mercenaries all feature. I am excited to see where some of the politics go- it really seems like the author has a particular history in mind and a lot of worldbuilding to support it, but she isn’t info-dumping on us so we don’t see the entire picture quite yet, which I like.
overall, this book has fun and spunky characters, driven by complicated backstories and loyalties, fighting around in space and trying to figure out a conspiracy! ft. sentient ships and an animal sidekick!
August 31, 2024
No 5 stars isn't enough for this gem of a book, it deserves 7 stars and more. Probably an entire galaxy of stars if you get the sci-fi pun. Wow, what a read and I'm in love with this book and probably borderline obsessed. I can't stop thinking about the characters, the world building, the action packed tension and excuse me but is complex science supposed to be this easily digestible. I mean I didn't even need the glossary and I flew through the pages of the book at warp speed. The AI ships are an equally interesting character mix and throw in an intergalactic war with secret conspiracies and the book straight forward launches into the space of polished and beautiful sci-fi writing. Trust me, it felt like I was watching a movie the entire time and I never wanted it to end. The slow burn romance 🤌 (chef's kiss) and without any spice the chemistry literally sizzled off the pages. Please tell me where I can get a Commander Hinata Azai in real life because that man is perfection. Talk about empowering run the world female leads and I'm bowing before the two leading ladies in the book. And now why? Why Amber Toro would you leave me with that cliffhanger and that epilogue? I need to know what happens next. I love this book so much that I can safely say it's definitely my all time favorite sci fi book and now I'm hungrily waiting for the second book to drop.
April 27, 2024
I honestly never expected myself to love a sci-fi book so much! I’ve read a couple of sci-fi books in the past but never been so amazed by one. This was totally a different vibe and the fact that it’s a debut novel just completely blows my mind!
This book kept me captivated from the prologue. I was so sad every time I had to keep this book down. I’ve learned so much about space opera and all the scientific stuffs through this book which I don’t think I’d have ever learned otherwise 😂! Also the reason why I liked this book is because it wasn’t just fixed on Sci-fi but also had romantasy elements which I personally loved!
It had multiple POVs and all the characters were so engaging throughout the book. If I had to choose just one as my favorite character then it’d most likely be Skyla. I also loved Hinata and Freyja’s characters. Skyla and Hinata’s relationship was really cute and fun to read.
Overall, it was an easy and fun read. The plot was well written and this book ends with a cliffhanger! Ughh… I really need book two rn and can’t wait for it so release soon!
Whether you’re a sci-fi nerd or someone who just wants to explore more of sci-fi world, I can say that this is book will not disappoint you!
This book kept me captivated from the prologue. I was so sad every time I had to keep this book down. I’ve learned so much about space opera and all the scientific stuffs through this book which I don’t think I’d have ever learned otherwise 😂! Also the reason why I liked this book is because it wasn’t just fixed on Sci-fi but also had romantasy elements which I personally loved!
It had multiple POVs and all the characters were so engaging throughout the book. If I had to choose just one as my favorite character then it’d most likely be Skyla. I also loved Hinata and Freyja’s characters. Skyla and Hinata’s relationship was really cute and fun to read.
Overall, it was an easy and fun read. The plot was well written and this book ends with a cliffhanger! Ughh… I really need book two rn and can’t wait for it so release soon!
Whether you’re a sci-fi nerd or someone who just wants to explore more of sci-fi world, I can say that this is book will not disappoint you!
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