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The Kystrom Chronicles #2
The Unkillable Princess
Sean teams up with Tamara and Indigo to find his sister in the action-packed sequel to The Immmortality Thief.
Having escaped the dangers of the Nameless with the Philosopher Stone data, Sean thought his troubles were over. Until he gets a call for help from his sister Brigid--his long-dead sister.
Brigid is sparse on the details, but she needs Sean to go to the Republican city of Illin to retrieve something called a "Purifier" for her. Reeling from the desperate hope that his sister is alive, Sean aims for Illin, dragging his new companions, Tamara Gupta formerly a Republican soldier, and Indigo, the Minister responsible for the destruction of Sean's home, into the fray.
But as usual, Sean hasn't quite thought this through. The three of them are all wanted by Republican authorities, and Illin happens to be on the same planet as Sean’s old friend Senator Ketel. Y'know, the one who blackmailed and nearly murdered Sean. With every move Sean makes he discovers more intrigue, more people on his tail, and more ways that his little adventure could be the spark for war between the Republic and the Ministers. And to what end? Is it really his sister, a chance for family, and safety, on the other side?
Having escaped the dangers of the Nameless with the Philosopher Stone data, Sean thought his troubles were over. Until he gets a call for help from his sister Brigid--his long-dead sister.
Brigid is sparse on the details, but she needs Sean to go to the Republican city of Illin to retrieve something called a "Purifier" for her. Reeling from the desperate hope that his sister is alive, Sean aims for Illin, dragging his new companions, Tamara Gupta formerly a Republican soldier, and Indigo, the Minister responsible for the destruction of Sean's home, into the fray.
But as usual, Sean hasn't quite thought this through. The three of them are all wanted by Republican authorities, and Illin happens to be on the same planet as Sean’s old friend Senator Ketel. Y'know, the one who blackmailed and nearly murdered Sean. With every move Sean makes he discovers more intrigue, more people on his tail, and more ways that his little adventure could be the spark for war between the Republic and the Ministers. And to what end? Is it really his sister, a chance for family, and safety, on the other side?
400 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2025
59 people are currently reading
3564 people want to read
About the author
Taran Hunt
3 books186 followersTaran Hunt spent her childhood writing stories about unicorns until Battlestar Galactica, K. A. Applegate’s Animorphs, and Brian Greene’s The Elegant Universe turned her head. She got her degree in physics at Cornell University, studying weird exoplanets and the abstract elegance of math. After graduation she returned to her first love: storytelling. She works in theatre in New York City, where she lives with her partner and their increasingly round cat. She spends her limited free time weaving, making chainmail, and learning every language Duolingo has to offer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 1, 2025
4.5 ☆
”I had always thought of the past like a place: an old house you could go back into if only the door hadn't been locked behind you.”
this sequel was even better than the previous book. it’s another action packed sci-fi adventure, but there’s so much heart at the core of the story. the war between the Republic and the Minsters is still going strong in the background but my focus was entirely on the characters, can’t lie. there’s so many points that this book hits and it does them all perfectly.. forgiveness, revenge, doing the right thing, family, etc. this series also has a really fun tone in general and the chapter titles continue to be one of the best takeaways of the whole series lol. I’m unsure if there will be a sequel after this but I’m hoping so cause I’d read it in a heartbeat.
”But we were the house, and we were the door, and we were the lock.”
Sean, Tamara and Indigo have created one of my absolute favorite found family dynamics that I’ve ever read. Indigo remains my favorite character, him and his people were the ones who were responsible for the murder of Sean’s and so many other people’s loved ones — which is something he struggles with everyday. the way Sean and Tamara have treated him and continue to not let him give up on himself is just everything to me. i also loved Sean’s character development this time around, i was actually so proud of the man he has become. Tamara was just as badass and dependable as i remembered her being. i love them. this series being so underrated is a crime, go read it!!
”I had always thought of the past like a place: an old house you could go back into if only the door hadn't been locked behind you.”
this sequel was even better than the previous book. it’s another action packed sci-fi adventure, but there’s so much heart at the core of the story. the war between the Republic and the Minsters is still going strong in the background but my focus was entirely on the characters, can’t lie. there’s so many points that this book hits and it does them all perfectly.. forgiveness, revenge, doing the right thing, family, etc. this series also has a really fun tone in general and the chapter titles continue to be one of the best takeaways of the whole series lol. I’m unsure if there will be a sequel after this but I’m hoping so cause I’d read it in a heartbeat.
”But we were the house, and we were the door, and we were the lock.”
Sean, Tamara and Indigo have created one of my absolute favorite found family dynamics that I’ve ever read. Indigo remains my favorite character, him and his people were the ones who were responsible for the murder of Sean’s and so many other people’s loved ones — which is something he struggles with everyday. the way Sean and Tamara have treated him and continue to not let him give up on himself is just everything to me. i also loved Sean’s character development this time around, i was actually so proud of the man he has become. Tamara was just as badass and dependable as i remembered her being. i love them. this series being so underrated is a crime, go read it!!
December 12, 2024
The Unkillable Princess by Taran Hunt rockets back into The Kystrom Chronicles with an electrifying sequel that doesn’t just raise the stakes — it shatters them. Packed with heart stopping action, razor sharp twists, and gut wrenching emotional beats, we're reunited with our beloved intrepid trio while expanding the universe, diving into the political and personal ramifications of the discovery of the philosopher's stone data. Pivoting from the scifi horror thriller of The Immortality Thief to a scifi revenge spy thriller, this book hits like a lightning strike. Hunt delves deep into themes of family, forgiveness, atonement and the cost of vengeance. delivering a narrative that's equal parts action packed, heartfelt and brilliantly witty. The Unkillable Princess is sure to keep you captivated from start to finish.
If you haven’t read the first book, don’t worry - Hunt skillfully sets the scene so new readers can jump into the story, though there are spoilers for The Immortality Thief. That said, do yourself a favor and read the first installment too - it’s a masterpiece in its own right!
Shifting gears from the first book’s science fiction horror thriller roots, The Unkillable Princess morphs into a pulse pounding blend of scifi, spy thriller, and revenge fueled adventure. The result is a thrilling ride that never loses its humanity. Every twist and turn is a testament to Hunt’s ability to craft heart stopping action sequences while seamlessly weaving in reflective moments that hit like a gut punch. It's everything that made the first novel so gripping, with new flair that elevates the series to new heights.
Once again at the heart of the story are Hunt's characters and their evolving relationships. Sean, Indigo and Tamara return as a found family whose bonds are being grown and tested. Their evolving dynamics are as heartwarming as they are heartbreaking, leaving you eager to spend even more time with this unforgettable trio. The introduction of Brigid, Sean’s long lost blood sister, adds fresh tension as he’s torn between the family he’s chosen and the sister he believed dead. This clash of loyalties exposes raw, emotional stakes that resonate deeply, grounding the high-stakes drama in profoundly human dilemmas.
Against the backdrop of choices that could ignite a universe ending war, interstellar stakes are balanced with personal, intimate moments. Hunt digs deeply into the nuances of true forgiveness, the cost of atonement, and the seductive pull of revenge, crafting a narrative that’s as emotionally powerful as it is thrilling. And somehow Hunt still finds time to make us laugh with hilarious chapter titles, silly shenanigans and sibling rivalry antics that anyone with a brother or sister can relate to.
Bursting with heart, grit, and high octane action, The Unkillable Princess is a masterclass in storytelling. It's a shining example of what makes science fiction extraordinary, solidifying Hunt as a standout voice to watch. Whether you’re here for the gripping narrative, the unforgettable characters, or the themes that linger long after the final page, one thing is clear: this series is unmissable.
Thank you Solaris Books for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
If you haven’t read the first book, don’t worry - Hunt skillfully sets the scene so new readers can jump into the story, though there are spoilers for The Immortality Thief. That said, do yourself a favor and read the first installment too - it’s a masterpiece in its own right!
Shifting gears from the first book’s science fiction horror thriller roots, The Unkillable Princess morphs into a pulse pounding blend of scifi, spy thriller, and revenge fueled adventure. The result is a thrilling ride that never loses its humanity. Every twist and turn is a testament to Hunt’s ability to craft heart stopping action sequences while seamlessly weaving in reflective moments that hit like a gut punch. It's everything that made the first novel so gripping, with new flair that elevates the series to new heights.
Once again at the heart of the story are Hunt's characters and their evolving relationships. Sean, Indigo and Tamara return as a found family whose bonds are being grown and tested. Their evolving dynamics are as heartwarming as they are heartbreaking, leaving you eager to spend even more time with this unforgettable trio. The introduction of Brigid, Sean’s long lost blood sister, adds fresh tension as he’s torn between the family he’s chosen and the sister he believed dead. This clash of loyalties exposes raw, emotional stakes that resonate deeply, grounding the high-stakes drama in profoundly human dilemmas.
Against the backdrop of choices that could ignite a universe ending war, interstellar stakes are balanced with personal, intimate moments. Hunt digs deeply into the nuances of true forgiveness, the cost of atonement, and the seductive pull of revenge, crafting a narrative that’s as emotionally powerful as it is thrilling. And somehow Hunt still finds time to make us laugh with hilarious chapter titles, silly shenanigans and sibling rivalry antics that anyone with a brother or sister can relate to.
Bursting with heart, grit, and high octane action, The Unkillable Princess is a masterclass in storytelling. It's a shining example of what makes science fiction extraordinary, solidifying Hunt as a standout voice to watch. Whether you’re here for the gripping narrative, the unforgettable characters, or the themes that linger long after the final page, one thing is clear: this series is unmissable.
Thank you Solaris Books for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
February 16, 2025
“Oh, I don’t like to plan ahead,” I said. “It ages you. I want to stay young and beautiful forever, like Indigo.”
Most anticipated release of my whole entire life? Methinks yes.
I have literally been recommending The Immortality Thief to anyone who would listen for YEARS, and now I get to add The Unkillable Princess to that list.
I had no doubt that this book would not only live up to my expectations, but exceed them as well, which is exactly what happened.
The Unkillable Princess is a masterpiece, second book syndrome who? Not my girl, that's for sure.
This book isn't spooky like the first one was, but the stakes are upped to the max. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, unable to breathe as Sean, Tamara and Indigo got themselves into trouble for the billionth time, and I wondered how they'd get themselves out of it.
I love my silly little space family SO MUCH you guys, I can't even describe it. I swear, I experienced an emotional roller-coaster right along with them and that ending just about broke me. I'm in tears just thinking about it. If you looked at my highlights, yes, you'd see a bunch of funny lines, but then there's chapter 80 where I have entire pages highlighted, I'm telling you, I was internally screaming.
Then there was the ending of chapter 73, where my mouth actually dropped open. I was 100% not expecting it to happen that way, and by that person. It made a lot of sense later, but at that moment I was shook. I also grew to like that character, and was hoping they'd make it to the next book, but alas.
And the ending-ending was obviously a cliffhanger, but it was a pretty optimistic one, so I have HOPE that everything will work out and everyone will be well.
Now, can we please talk about Taran Hunt's incredible writing skills? She's one of those writers who could write a sentence, and it would be the best (and funniest) thing I've ever read.
I will never get tired of Sean's internal monologue, the clever chapter titles, or the flashback sequences that let us know exactly when they occurred with a healthy dose of humour.
Speaking of flashbacks, I had a grand ol' time seeing kid-Sean's antics, and his relationship with Brigid. I wasn't sure how I felt about her, until we heard what she did for Clover, that won me over (just a bit, the second part of my trust came at the end).
We got a world expansion, and with it, new problems for our heroes. This is all done in a way where it's not overwhelming, you gradually get to discover more and more, and, as I'd love to explore every nook and cranny of this universe, I had a blast with even the tiniest things (hello place that only serves blue and not green drinks).
But the best part of this series, is, of course, the characters. They're incredible and leap off the page. Each of them would sooner face death than see their friends get hurt, but more importantly, they don't leave anyone behind. They fight together, and stay together, as a real family does.
Even when Brigid joins the fray, and complicates things, it doesn't stop our favourite trio from growing closer. The depth of feelings shown in this book...you can tell Sean, Indigo and Tamara have an indescribable bond that will only grow stronger as time passes.
I also enjoyed the teeny tiny potential romance crumbs we got, I ship all of them with everyone so however they end up I'll be happy, but I just wanna say that I'm glad it's such a slow burn, because we get to see their friendship properly develop before we jump into anything else. That's how you know their foundation will be strong.
The Unkillable Princess is a fast paced read, but nothing felt underdeveloped, not the world, not the plot, and certainly not the characters. The chapters are short, so the book is easily bingeable, but I found myself trying to drag it out as long as possible because I simply didn't want it to end. I would live in this world if I could.
If you're a fan of shows like Firefly or Vagrant Queen, you'll love this book. If you trust any of my recs, please trust this one. Taran Hunt is an amazing author, and I need this series to take over the universe, so PLEASE READ IT!!! And also buy it so the rest of the books can come out too, thank you!!
P.S. I'm in hibernation until book three.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Most anticipated release of my whole entire life? Methinks yes.
I have literally been recommending The Immortality Thief to anyone who would listen for YEARS, and now I get to add The Unkillable Princess to that list.
I had no doubt that this book would not only live up to my expectations, but exceed them as well, which is exactly what happened.
The Unkillable Princess is a masterpiece, second book syndrome who? Not my girl, that's for sure.
This book isn't spooky like the first one was, but the stakes are upped to the max. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, unable to breathe as Sean, Tamara and Indigo got themselves into trouble for the billionth time, and I wondered how they'd get themselves out of it.
I love my silly little space family SO MUCH you guys, I can't even describe it. I swear, I experienced an emotional roller-coaster right along with them and that ending just about broke me. I'm in tears just thinking about it. If you looked at my highlights, yes, you'd see a bunch of funny lines, but then there's chapter 80 where I have entire pages highlighted, I'm telling you, I was internally screaming.
Then there was the ending of chapter 73, where my mouth actually dropped open. I was 100% not expecting it to happen that way, and by that person. It made a lot of sense later, but at that moment I was shook. I also grew to like that character, and was hoping they'd make it to the next book, but alas.
And the ending-ending was obviously a cliffhanger, but it was a pretty optimistic one, so I have HOPE that everything will work out and everyone will be well.
Now, can we please talk about Taran Hunt's incredible writing skills? She's one of those writers who could write a sentence, and it would be the best (and funniest) thing I've ever read.
I will never get tired of Sean's internal monologue, the clever chapter titles, or the flashback sequences that let us know exactly when they occurred with a healthy dose of humour.
Speaking of flashbacks, I had a grand ol' time seeing kid-Sean's antics, and his relationship with Brigid. I wasn't sure how I felt about her, until we heard what she did for Clover, that won me over (just a bit, the second part of my trust came at the end).
We got a world expansion, and with it, new problems for our heroes. This is all done in a way where it's not overwhelming, you gradually get to discover more and more, and, as I'd love to explore every nook and cranny of this universe, I had a blast with even the tiniest things (hello place that only serves blue and not green drinks).
But the best part of this series, is, of course, the characters. They're incredible and leap off the page. Each of them would sooner face death than see their friends get hurt, but more importantly, they don't leave anyone behind. They fight together, and stay together, as a real family does.
Even when Brigid joins the fray, and complicates things, it doesn't stop our favourite trio from growing closer. The depth of feelings shown in this book...you can tell Sean, Indigo and Tamara have an indescribable bond that will only grow stronger as time passes.
I also enjoyed the teeny tiny potential romance crumbs we got, I ship all of them with everyone so however they end up I'll be happy, but I just wanna say that I'm glad it's such a slow burn, because we get to see their friendship properly develop before we jump into anything else. That's how you know their foundation will be strong.
The Unkillable Princess is a fast paced read, but nothing felt underdeveloped, not the world, not the plot, and certainly not the characters. The chapters are short, so the book is easily bingeable, but I found myself trying to drag it out as long as possible because I simply didn't want it to end. I would live in this world if I could.
If you're a fan of shows like Firefly or Vagrant Queen, you'll love this book. If you trust any of my recs, please trust this one. Taran Hunt is an amazing author, and I need this series to take over the universe, so PLEASE READ IT!!! And also buy it so the rest of the books can come out too, thank you!!
P.S. I'm in hibernation until book three.
*Huge thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
October 14, 2024
Review originally appearing on FanFiAddict.com
Hello again dear reader or listener, I am here to tell you about the huge mistake I just made.
You see, while I very rarely do early reviews, this book has been my number one most anticipated sequel in the last two years. Which means the moment eArcs were up for grabs I went faster than light to request one, the MVPs at Solaris Books granted that request (thank you kindly, now whom do I address my therapy bill to?) and I, spectacularly stupid idea factory that I am, decided to read it right there and then. Instead of closer to release date this upcoming February. Which means I might need to wait even longer for the sequel! To add insult to injury, I actually binge reread book one and then jumped straight into the sequel.
So, if I die in the process, you’ll know this is what got me in the end. Just kidding, I shall be immortal if only to keep reading this perfect series. As you can probably already tell, I am indeed writing this review right after finishing this tiny marathon. Another ill-advised idea? Perhaps. The protagonist, Sean, and I share that trait.
Here is your official “ very mild spoilers for book one of the series ahead” warning and, if you’d like to read my happy rambles for that one first, this is where you’ll find them. Also, can we take a moment to once again drool at how awesome the cover art is?
Sophomore slump? Taran Hunt doesn’t know her.
The Unkillable Princess brashly kicks down the door in a swagtastic entrance, to announce to everyone that it is broader in scope, better in everything, and very ready to destroy your emotions. Every single one of them. And while it is very hard to say exactly what it is that makes this second entry in the Kystrom Chronicles so great, without any spoilers, I will do my very best, because this is everything you want in a sequel and more.
In The Immortality Thief, our wonderful chaotic trio of Sean, Tamara, and Indigo, followed the enemies, to reluctant allies, to found family pipeline, to perfection. It was done in the midst of claustrophobic action, high stakes, superb humor, and tons of emotional heft. Not to mention lots of monsters. It was a heist as much as it was a story about ethics, survival, and building trust. Now, with The Unkillable Princess, Hunt is treating the reader not only to the actual wider aftermath of the events that transpired at the end of book one, and their political ramifications, but also to the testing and tempering of that new bond between three characters that have found a family in one another when they least expected it. Torn between the family he found and the family he thought he had lost, Sean must make decisions that could mean far more than a broken heart. They could mean the begining of a war unlike any his universe has ever seen. Through all that, Hunt also gets to truly show us all of that wonderfully rich worldbuilding she had only been able to hint at with book one and its restricted setting.
This sequel is as much a spy thriller as it is a story of revenge, resentment, and idealism. But, at its core, it’s about a love so deep it’s nearly impossible to explain. And the fraught road to navigating conflicting feelings of past hurts haunting present care and affection. Hunt tackles complex themes of trauma, atonement, and PTSD, in a way that not only rings true, but bypasses lesser tropes or clichés commonly found in such contexts. Not only that, but she delivers fragility, under its various forms, in such a manner that makes her characters so much more than just words on a page. Moreover, this may be a more complex and intricately crafted story, with the broadening of both the settings and character cast, but it doesn’t feel like a completely different novel to its predecessor. It is both new, yet a perfect continuation and evolution of everything that worked in book one and you’d hoped to see more of in a sequel. The author expertly scales up everything, from the action to the somber moments, to the character development. And, of course, the shenanigans and hilarious chapter titles.
Also, you know how any time there is a found family trope, you might see or read a passing reference to moments between characters outside of the main plot – the so-called fluff – and we all live for it and desperately hold onto any shred of it we can find? Those bonding moments between characters that aren’t dependent on high stakes or plot driven character development. Just pure and simple, small moments bonding. That is something Hunt graces us with in this book, in heaps. Never mind that because it is all delivered through Sean’s unreliable narrating pov, he often observes something that he doesn’t truly see/understand in the moment, unlike the reader that is left giggling or clutching their chest in a wave of feels. Naturally, this only triples the staggering emotional damage that the rest of the book will wreak on you, but that is beside the point really. I’m fine… Who am I kidding, I am unwell.
I truly don’t know how the author managed to maintain the fast narrative pace despite all of the emotional weight she needed to carry across, but in between breakneck action worthy of the Mission Impossible franchise, reckless yet efficient spaceship piloting, and badass hand-to-hand combat, Hunt delivers another truly excellent romp, across planets and moons this time, that is in no way lacking in tons of heart and hilarity. You just need this in your life.
With The Immortality Thief, she showed us she had the skills and imagination to deliver a truly great sci-fi novel, but with The Unkillable Princess, Taran Hunt has certainly cemented her place among the pantheon of master storytellers.
Now excuse me while I go nurse the mother of all book hangovers, and trust that you will find me shouting from the rooftops to anyone who will listen about this series as soon as I recover. I am truly dying to read the next installment because I need answers to very important questions and my chest still aches hours later from the tachycardia those last ten chapters had me in.
The Unkillable Princess comes out February 11th, 2025 and you can pre-order now! Run don’t walk. I mean it!
Until next time,
Eleni A.E.
Hello again dear reader or listener, I am here to tell you about the huge mistake I just made.
You see, while I very rarely do early reviews, this book has been my number one most anticipated sequel in the last two years. Which means the moment eArcs were up for grabs I went faster than light to request one, the MVPs at Solaris Books granted that request (thank you kindly, now whom do I address my therapy bill to?) and I, spectacularly stupid idea factory that I am, decided to read it right there and then. Instead of closer to release date this upcoming February. Which means I might need to wait even longer for the sequel! To add insult to injury, I actually binge reread book one and then jumped straight into the sequel.
So, if I die in the process, you’ll know this is what got me in the end. Just kidding, I shall be immortal if only to keep reading this perfect series. As you can probably already tell, I am indeed writing this review right after finishing this tiny marathon. Another ill-advised idea? Perhaps. The protagonist, Sean, and I share that trait.
Here is your official “ very mild spoilers for book one of the series ahead” warning and, if you’d like to read my happy rambles for that one first, this is where you’ll find them. Also, can we take a moment to once again drool at how awesome the cover art is?
Sophomore slump? Taran Hunt doesn’t know her.
The Unkillable Princess brashly kicks down the door in a swagtastic entrance, to announce to everyone that it is broader in scope, better in everything, and very ready to destroy your emotions. Every single one of them. And while it is very hard to say exactly what it is that makes this second entry in the Kystrom Chronicles so great, without any spoilers, I will do my very best, because this is everything you want in a sequel and more.
In The Immortality Thief, our wonderful chaotic trio of Sean, Tamara, and Indigo, followed the enemies, to reluctant allies, to found family pipeline, to perfection. It was done in the midst of claustrophobic action, high stakes, superb humor, and tons of emotional heft. Not to mention lots of monsters. It was a heist as much as it was a story about ethics, survival, and building trust. Now, with The Unkillable Princess, Hunt is treating the reader not only to the actual wider aftermath of the events that transpired at the end of book one, and their political ramifications, but also to the testing and tempering of that new bond between three characters that have found a family in one another when they least expected it. Torn between the family he found and the family he thought he had lost, Sean must make decisions that could mean far more than a broken heart. They could mean the begining of a war unlike any his universe has ever seen. Through all that, Hunt also gets to truly show us all of that wonderfully rich worldbuilding she had only been able to hint at with book one and its restricted setting.
This sequel is as much a spy thriller as it is a story of revenge, resentment, and idealism. But, at its core, it’s about a love so deep it’s nearly impossible to explain. And the fraught road to navigating conflicting feelings of past hurts haunting present care and affection. Hunt tackles complex themes of trauma, atonement, and PTSD, in a way that not only rings true, but bypasses lesser tropes or clichés commonly found in such contexts. Not only that, but she delivers fragility, under its various forms, in such a manner that makes her characters so much more than just words on a page. Moreover, this may be a more complex and intricately crafted story, with the broadening of both the settings and character cast, but it doesn’t feel like a completely different novel to its predecessor. It is both new, yet a perfect continuation and evolution of everything that worked in book one and you’d hoped to see more of in a sequel. The author expertly scales up everything, from the action to the somber moments, to the character development. And, of course, the shenanigans and hilarious chapter titles.
Also, you know how any time there is a found family trope, you might see or read a passing reference to moments between characters outside of the main plot – the so-called fluff – and we all live for it and desperately hold onto any shred of it we can find? Those bonding moments between characters that aren’t dependent on high stakes or plot driven character development. Just pure and simple, small moments bonding. That is something Hunt graces us with in this book, in heaps. Never mind that because it is all delivered through Sean’s unreliable narrating pov, he often observes something that he doesn’t truly see/understand in the moment, unlike the reader that is left giggling or clutching their chest in a wave of feels. Naturally, this only triples the staggering emotional damage that the rest of the book will wreak on you, but that is beside the point really. I’m fine… Who am I kidding, I am unwell.
I truly don’t know how the author managed to maintain the fast narrative pace despite all of the emotional weight she needed to carry across, but in between breakneck action worthy of the Mission Impossible franchise, reckless yet efficient spaceship piloting, and badass hand-to-hand combat, Hunt delivers another truly excellent romp, across planets and moons this time, that is in no way lacking in tons of heart and hilarity. You just need this in your life.
With The Immortality Thief, she showed us she had the skills and imagination to deliver a truly great sci-fi novel, but with The Unkillable Princess, Taran Hunt has certainly cemented her place among the pantheon of master storytellers.
Now excuse me while I go nurse the mother of all book hangovers, and trust that you will find me shouting from the rooftops to anyone who will listen about this series as soon as I recover. I am truly dying to read the next installment because I need answers to very important questions and my chest still aches hours later from the tachycardia those last ten chapters had me in.
The Unkillable Princess comes out February 11th, 2025 and you can pre-order now! Run don’t walk. I mean it!
Until next time,
Eleni A.E.
July 22, 2025
5 stars
I really liked the first book in The Kystrom Chronicles but I absolutely loved this one. The first book felt more of a thriller to me but this one definitely felt like the start of an epic space opera.
The world opened up to include more planets and a much bigger adventure for our characters, with a mysterious plot that had so many unknowns to discover throughout the story. The characters themselves are also excellent and really make the story. There is so much depth and detailed backstory for all of them. They all have so much trauma and issues that I can't help but feel for them and seeing them progress and find hope for themselves and with each other was really moving and beautiful. Sean, Tamara, and Indigo are definitely some of my favourite characters in a sci-fi series that I've read so far.
Overall, I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. I don't know when the next installment will come out, assuming there is one, but I will absolutely be looking to get it as soon as it does.
I really liked the first book in The Kystrom Chronicles but I absolutely loved this one. The first book felt more of a thriller to me but this one definitely felt like the start of an epic space opera.
The world opened up to include more planets and a much bigger adventure for our characters, with a mysterious plot that had so many unknowns to discover throughout the story. The characters themselves are also excellent and really make the story. There is so much depth and detailed backstory for all of them. They all have so much trauma and issues that I can't help but feel for them and seeing them progress and find hope for themselves and with each other was really moving and beautiful. Sean, Tamara, and Indigo are definitely some of my favourite characters in a sci-fi series that I've read so far.
Overall, I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. I don't know when the next installment will come out, assuming there is one, but I will absolutely be looking to get it as soon as it does.
November 16, 2024
You will pry this trio away from my cold, dead hands.
Sean, Tamara “Lantern-Eyes”, and Indigo are back at it again for a very different space adventure in this action-and-hilarity-packed sequel.
While this story lacks the creepy, spooky atmosphere of its predecessor, it packs a punch in wit, psuedo-spying, and unraveling a years-old mystery. It gives me strong Doctor Who and Indiana Jones vibes this time around. I especially loved the well-paced flashbacks and how they compared to the present day timeline. It is really well done and very cinematic!
While Sean will always be a character that gives me everything I could ever need, I really enjoyed Tamara’s character work in this story. I will say—I wish we got more of Indigo!
I hope this isn’t the end of the adventure—I would love a book 3!!
Sean, Tamara “Lantern-Eyes”, and Indigo are back at it again for a very different space adventure in this action-and-hilarity-packed sequel.
While this story lacks the creepy, spooky atmosphere of its predecessor, it packs a punch in wit, psuedo-spying, and unraveling a years-old mystery. It gives me strong Doctor Who and Indiana Jones vibes this time around. I especially loved the well-paced flashbacks and how they compared to the present day timeline. It is really well done and very cinematic!
While Sean will always be a character that gives me everything I could ever need, I really enjoyed Tamara’s character work in this story. I will say—I wish we got more of Indigo!
I hope this isn’t the end of the adventure—I would love a book 3!!
November 3, 2024
First, let me say how excited I was to get access to this ARC. I adored the Immortality Thief earlier this year and was so excited to see more from indigo, Tamara “lantern eyes”, and Sean. This absolutely did not disappoint. I will say, while the first book leaned more into the horrors of the nameless ship, the Unkillable Princess settles into a found family adventure across space as our trio bounces between Galactic governments, secret operatives, and real family dramas. I really love Taran’s writing style. I wish I could say more without spoiling anything but if you enjoyed Immortality Thief , you will enjoy the Unkillable Princess keep reading the series. I need a book 3!
February 3, 2025
On my blog.
Galley provided by publisher
The Immortality Thief was hands-down one of the best books of 2022. It was always going to be a hard act to follow but oh boy did The Unkillable Princess knock it out the park! I don’t know how to put into words just how good this was and how much I desperately need news of a book three after this ending (Solaris? Solaris, hello?? Don’t leave me hanging!!). This series is sci-fi at its very very best.
Having discovered that his sister is actually not dead at the end of book one, Sean is now on a quest to find her, alongside (initially unwittingly) Tamara and Indigo. Except, heading to find her brings him back into the orbit of the senator who sent him to the ship in the first place, and Brigid might not be the same sister Sean knew any longer.
There’s so much about this book and series that’s incredible but truly what makes it for me is the relationship between Sean, Tamara, and Indigo. They started out as very reluctant allies and, to an extent, they still were by the end of book one. But their progression in this book… Amazing! Show-stopping! Spectacular! Sean and Indigo in particular had some scenes that left me almost winded. Especially at the end. (Hence the need to hear about a book three because you can’t just leave it like that!!) (Also I’m starting to side-eye various interactions between Sean and Indigo like, am I meant to read into them Like That or what?)
On top of this, the series as a whole is meticulous in its worldbuilding. This is a book you find yourself absorbed in, not just on account of the character relationships, but because the world itself is so incredibly compelling too. Obviously, book one didn’t move much beyond the haunted ship, but in this one we get to see more of the universe around that, we get to see Sean, Indigo and Tamara interacting with locations and scenarios that aren’t a horror ship. It’s tonally different from the previous book in that respect and it’s so fun for it.
And then, the plot. First of all, Sean is a fool, a first-class fool, but it’s okay. We knew that. Most of the plot involves our three main characters chasing after Brigid, but there’s an undercurrent too of the implications of releasing the philosopher’s stone data as they did. They’re being hunted on two fronts, by the senator who wants revenge and by factions unknown. It’s a plot that sinks its hooks into you from the very beginning and doesn’t let go.
Then, horror of horrors, it leaves you on a cliffhanger with no news of a book three even having been sold. Please, Solaris, I can’t go through another City of Lies situation, I just can’t! Therefore, I need everyone who reads this review to commit to picking up this series. You won’t regret it!
Galley provided by publisher
The Immortality Thief was hands-down one of the best books of 2022. It was always going to be a hard act to follow but oh boy did The Unkillable Princess knock it out the park! I don’t know how to put into words just how good this was and how much I desperately need news of a book three after this ending (Solaris? Solaris, hello?? Don’t leave me hanging!!). This series is sci-fi at its very very best.
Having discovered that his sister is actually not dead at the end of book one, Sean is now on a quest to find her, alongside (initially unwittingly) Tamara and Indigo. Except, heading to find her brings him back into the orbit of the senator who sent him to the ship in the first place, and Brigid might not be the same sister Sean knew any longer.
There’s so much about this book and series that’s incredible but truly what makes it for me is the relationship between Sean, Tamara, and Indigo. They started out as very reluctant allies and, to an extent, they still were by the end of book one. But their progression in this book… Amazing! Show-stopping! Spectacular! Sean and Indigo in particular had some scenes that left me almost winded. Especially at the end. (Hence the need to hear about a book three because you can’t just leave it like that!!) (Also I’m starting to side-eye various interactions between Sean and Indigo like, am I meant to read into them Like That or what?)
On top of this, the series as a whole is meticulous in its worldbuilding. This is a book you find yourself absorbed in, not just on account of the character relationships, but because the world itself is so incredibly compelling too. Obviously, book one didn’t move much beyond the haunted ship, but in this one we get to see more of the universe around that, we get to see Sean, Indigo and Tamara interacting with locations and scenarios that aren’t a horror ship. It’s tonally different from the previous book in that respect and it’s so fun for it.
And then, the plot. First of all, Sean is a fool, a first-class fool, but it’s okay. We knew that. Most of the plot involves our three main characters chasing after Brigid, but there’s an undercurrent too of the implications of releasing the philosopher’s stone data as they did. They’re being hunted on two fronts, by the senator who wants revenge and by factions unknown. It’s a plot that sinks its hooks into you from the very beginning and doesn’t let go.
Then, horror of horrors, it leaves you on a cliffhanger with no news of a book three even having been sold. Please, Solaris, I can’t go through another City of Lies situation, I just can’t! Therefore, I need everyone who reads this review to commit to picking up this series. You won’t regret it!
January 27, 2025
‘The Immortality Thief’ had one of the best sci-fi premises I have come across in some time. Unfortunately, I didn’t really enjoy the execution of this idea. ‘The Unkillable Princess’ has a much less unique premise, but a better execution. My main issue with ‘The Immortality Thief’ was that it felt ‘sparse’, since most of the book just consisted of the main group of characters walking through an abandoned spaceship, encountering various obstacles on their way. The second book does not suffer from this; the world-building that felt very rickety before now comes to life as the characters set out to explore the galaxy they’ve been talking about. However, I still find myself somewhat apathetic towards the main trio and their relationships - in theory they are all very interesting characters and have rather intriguing dynamics playing out between them, but this failed to translate into actual emotional attachment for me.
Overall, this is a solid book; it is very readable, the plot is logical and the characters lovable. However, there are still some significant flaws that really dampened my enjoyment of the story. Initially, I was very put off by the very frequent time jumps that were happening all throughout the book. During the first ~15% of the book they are very disorienting, as the 2 times we are jumping back and forth between are not sufficiently distinct to not cause confusion. Most importantly, I don’t see what these early flashbacks are adding to the narrative. As the story moves on, the flashbacks start heading to more distant times, and thus become far less obstrusive. Sometimes the sub-headings proclaiming what time the reader was visiting would interrupt the flow of the text and yank me out of immersion, but this happened less and less as I continued reading.
Another thing that annoyed me a bit was the fact that most chapters were around 3 pages long. I understand that preferred chapter length is a matter of taste, but I just cannot understand why such short chapters were chosen.
Apart from this, there were some moments where I questioned whether Sean might’ve gotten hit on the head a couple of times too many - like when he immediately accepted that his sister was alive upon receiving a written message from her, not even once questioning whether it might be a trap - but he is written to be a bit of dummy, so that kinda checks out. I’d also like to add that, as a person working on a master’s degree in linguistics, I really appreciated the way linguistics was used in the first book, as there aren’t many fiction books that do this to begin with. So I would have loved to see more of Sean’s linguistics background, for purely self-serving reasons.
Overall, this is a solid book; it is very readable, the plot is logical and the characters lovable. However, there are still some significant flaws that really dampened my enjoyment of the story. Initially, I was very put off by the very frequent time jumps that were happening all throughout the book. During the first ~15% of the book they are very disorienting, as the 2 times we are jumping back and forth between are not sufficiently distinct to not cause confusion. Most importantly, I don’t see what these early flashbacks are adding to the narrative. As the story moves on, the flashbacks start heading to more distant times, and thus become far less obstrusive. Sometimes the sub-headings proclaiming what time the reader was visiting would interrupt the flow of the text and yank me out of immersion, but this happened less and less as I continued reading.
Another thing that annoyed me a bit was the fact that most chapters were around 3 pages long. I understand that preferred chapter length is a matter of taste, but I just cannot understand why such short chapters were chosen.
Apart from this, there were some moments where I questioned whether Sean might’ve gotten hit on the head a couple of times too many - like when he immediately accepted that his sister was alive upon receiving a written message from her, not even once questioning whether it might be a trap - but he is written to be a bit of dummy, so that kinda checks out. I’d also like to add that, as a person working on a master’s degree in linguistics, I really appreciated the way linguistics was used in the first book, as there aren’t many fiction books that do this to begin with. So I would have loved to see more of Sean’s linguistics background, for purely self-serving reasons.
February 19, 2025
This was a good technical writing experience. There was good logical scene progression and the movement was timed perfectly with story line advancement. Do you hear a but?
This novel never gets off the pot. The minute you feel like your moving forward in temporal fashion, we are suddenly transported back in time to the MCs initial life experiences. Coupled with lengthy scene descriptions, this was hard to get through so I didn't.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
1.9/5
This novel never gets off the pot. The minute you feel like your moving forward in temporal fashion, we are suddenly transported back in time to the MCs initial life experiences. Coupled with lengthy scene descriptions, this was hard to get through so I didn't.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
1.9/5
May 28, 2025
Meh. Like the other book, I found Sean to be a bit of a boring and immature character. He is obsessed with his dead sister and half the book is flashbacks that show his relationship with her. I found myself skipping over these sections about half way through as I didn't feel like they were important to the rest of the story that I was actually interested in. I like Tamara and Indigo and I wish that more of the story was about them and less about Sean. The story is interesting enough and I am intrigued enough to want to read about what happens in the next book on Maria Nova.
Overall 3/5 stars, mostly stars lost for the boring and lame main character and soooo many unneeded flashbacks.
Overall 3/5 stars, mostly stars lost for the boring and lame main character and soooo many unneeded flashbacks.
January 13, 2025
The Unkillable Princess is the sequel to 2023’s The Immortality Thief by Taran Hunt. Sean with his new companions Republican defector Tamara and Minister general Indigo have just escaped the Nameless with a third of the Philosopher Stone data and blackmailed a Senator to start peace talks with the Ministers. When Sean’s long thought dead sister contacts him for help, they are dragged into a conspiracy to ignite the cold war between the Republic and the Ministers into all out war.
This sequel has a very different vibe and energy from The Immortality Thief. From the scifi horror thriller that first book was, this is a full on scifi spy thriller. This will be down to personal taste, but I quite liked The Immortality Thief more than I did this sequel which just didn’t deliver what I was expecting. This book had plenty (too much actually) of formal flashbacks that really broke up any momentum as compared to the previous book where the flashbacks were more informal recollections thrown in that served to break the tension. This structure just didn’t serve the new direction of the plot as well. That said, the story is action-packed, thrilling, and fast paced with a twisty plot that delivers on its spy thriller premise.
What it has going for it though is the development of the interpersonal relationships between Sean, Tamara, and Indigo as a found family of their own. It is in the quiet moments with this newly bound family that The Unkillable Princess outshines The Immortality Thief as we explore each of these characters and why they are drawn to each other. It’s that hint of coziness that allowed for the book to reach its many emotional highs and lows. I did tear up in this one (which the first book didn’t manage to get me to do).
We get to see the implications of Indigo’s confession and how Sean and him can build a relationship despite it. Here, Sean is faced with many more moral questions including choosing between the family he thought he lost or the family he found in the aftermath. One question that continues to hound me is the exact relationship of the central trio. Are they in a queerplatonic relationship? A throuple? Or just a family? I really don’t know, but I welcome any of those choices.
The Unkillable Princess takes the series to a different direction but retains its heart in these characters we grow to know and love.
*Thank you to Solaris Books for the eARC via NetGalley
This sequel has a very different vibe and energy from The Immortality Thief. From the scifi horror thriller that first book was, this is a full on scifi spy thriller. This will be down to personal taste, but I quite liked The Immortality Thief more than I did this sequel which just didn’t deliver what I was expecting. This book had plenty (too much actually) of formal flashbacks that really broke up any momentum as compared to the previous book where the flashbacks were more informal recollections thrown in that served to break the tension. This structure just didn’t serve the new direction of the plot as well. That said, the story is action-packed, thrilling, and fast paced with a twisty plot that delivers on its spy thriller premise.
What it has going for it though is the development of the interpersonal relationships between Sean, Tamara, and Indigo as a found family of their own. It is in the quiet moments with this newly bound family that The Unkillable Princess outshines The Immortality Thief as we explore each of these characters and why they are drawn to each other. It’s that hint of coziness that allowed for the book to reach its many emotional highs and lows. I did tear up in this one (which the first book didn’t manage to get me to do).
We get to see the implications of Indigo’s confession and how Sean and him can build a relationship despite it. Here, Sean is faced with many more moral questions including choosing between the family he thought he lost or the family he found in the aftermath. One question that continues to hound me is the exact relationship of the central trio. Are they in a queerplatonic relationship? A throuple? Or just a family? I really don’t know, but I welcome any of those choices.
The Unkillable Princess takes the series to a different direction but retains its heart in these characters we grow to know and love.
*Thank you to Solaris Books for the eARC via NetGalley
February 19, 2025
3,5 stars
Thank you to Solaris and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW/CW Murder | Gun Violence | Violence | Mentions of War
The Unkillable Princess is the sequel to The Immortality Thief, a scifi book from 2022. It jumps right in where we left off.
I'll be honest and say that I struggled a little with the start of this book. Partially this is due to it having been more than 2 years since I read the first one and I didn't quite remember everything that happened in the first book. Secondly the first few chapters go forth between current time and a few days within the chapters, and sometimes years prior. Sometimes the switches were a little jarring. Some of them also felt a little unnessecary. Luckily there were plenty of references to the first book to jog my memory and by the midway point I was enjoying the book a lot more.
It is a fast spaced story with quick chapters and a lot of action scenes. Sometimes I wish there was a little more time for reflection. Sometimes that is sort of thrown in with a flashback that I don't think always worked instead of having it being a normal scene.
Tamara and Indigo are solid and great characters. Sean, our point of view character, feels like a bit of a dummy. He isn't, not really. He is a languistic expert. He just likes to put his head in the sand. But I wish he was written a little more mature at moments. It would make him feel less like some poor comedy. He doesn't have to be. He has a lot in him but it takes a lot of digging sometimes to find it in this book.
I liked getting to see more of the world. The first book was very contained. The scope became a lot wider in this installment and they have to deal with a lot more people. The politics, rebellion, spies and two very different goverments.
Overall I think this is a a solid installment and sequel. If you love a fast spaced space book and can look past some of its flaws, this will be a great book (and series) for you.
Thank you to Solaris and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW/CW Murder | Gun Violence | Violence | Mentions of War
The Unkillable Princess is the sequel to The Immortality Thief, a scifi book from 2022. It jumps right in where we left off.
I'll be honest and say that I struggled a little with the start of this book. Partially this is due to it having been more than 2 years since I read the first one and I didn't quite remember everything that happened in the first book. Secondly the first few chapters go forth between current time and a few days within the chapters, and sometimes years prior. Sometimes the switches were a little jarring. Some of them also felt a little unnessecary. Luckily there were plenty of references to the first book to jog my memory and by the midway point I was enjoying the book a lot more.
It is a fast spaced story with quick chapters and a lot of action scenes. Sometimes I wish there was a little more time for reflection. Sometimes that is sort of thrown in with a flashback that I don't think always worked instead of having it being a normal scene.
Tamara and Indigo are solid and great characters. Sean, our point of view character, feels like a bit of a dummy. He isn't, not really. He is a languistic expert. He just likes to put his head in the sand. But I wish he was written a little more mature at moments. It would make him feel less like some poor comedy. He doesn't have to be. He has a lot in him but it takes a lot of digging sometimes to find it in this book.
I liked getting to see more of the world. The first book was very contained. The scope became a lot wider in this installment and they have to deal with a lot more people. The politics, rebellion, spies and two very different goverments.
Overall I think this is a a solid installment and sequel. If you love a fast spaced space book and can look past some of its flaws, this will be a great book (and series) for you.
May 18, 2025
I do not understand why this series is not talked about more! The first book, The Immortality Thief, blew me away and I have waited three years to get my hands on the sequel!
It may not have the creepy, terrifying atmosphere that the first book had, but it continues to be an emotional powerhouse. Holy shit, I mean the character growth, the grief, the guilt, the relationships, the found family, the sacrifices, the secrets. 🤯
I need a third book. Please! I need just one more adventure with these trauma-fueled babies. I need hugs and on-page closure and assurances for Sean, Indigo, and Lantern-Eyes 💜
Taran Hunt is a fantastic writer! Sean’s insane humor and yearning, Tamara’s smarts, competency, and dedication, and Indigo’s guilt, generosity, and trust fly off the page. It is rare to have so many main characters flushed out to this amazing degree. Also, I loved getting so much more universe building. What made the first book so incredible on an atmospheric level was the fact that it was almost entirely aboard a single ship, but this time we get to see them, travel to multiple planets and truly engage with the people there.
So yeah, just absolutely head over heels for these books! Please consider reading them!!
It may not have the creepy, terrifying atmosphere that the first book had, but it continues to be an emotional powerhouse. Holy shit, I mean the character growth, the grief, the guilt, the relationships, the found family, the sacrifices, the secrets. 🤯
I need a third book. Please! I need just one more adventure with these trauma-fueled babies. I need hugs and on-page closure and assurances for Sean, Indigo, and Lantern-Eyes 💜
Taran Hunt is a fantastic writer! Sean’s insane humor and yearning, Tamara’s smarts, competency, and dedication, and Indigo’s guilt, generosity, and trust fly off the page. It is rare to have so many main characters flushed out to this amazing degree. Also, I loved getting so much more universe building. What made the first book so incredible on an atmospheric level was the fact that it was almost entirely aboard a single ship, but this time we get to see them, travel to multiple planets and truly engage with the people there.
So yeah, just absolutely head over heels for these books! Please consider reading them!!
February 14, 2025
I didn’t like this one quite as much as the previous one (mostly because of the near constant mid-chapter flashbacks; I had a really hard time following along with the audiobook because of that) but I really liked the deep dive into sibling relationships and grief.
I think overall the plot was less tense than book one (I mean, they weren’t trapped in a spaceship being stalked by enemies of the human or monster variety), but I liked that we got to see a bit more of the world and the impacts that our main trio’s decisions would have on it.
Absolutely hype for book three, which I assume is forthcoming… eventually.
{Thank you Rebellion for the complementary copy in exchange for my honest review}
I think overall the plot was less tense than book one (I mean, they weren’t trapped in a spaceship being stalked by enemies of the human or monster variety), but I liked that we got to see a bit more of the world and the impacts that our main trio’s decisions would have on it.
Absolutely hype for book three, which I assume is forthcoming… eventually.
{Thank you Rebellion for the complementary copy in exchange for my honest review}
February 23, 2025
This was even better than the first book! And that bar was sky high. I loved seeing more of the world, the politics, more characters. There was plenty of action and intrigue, and I absolutely adore the three main characters. Their dynamic is everything. The complex relationship between Sean and Indigo was especially well done. I really hope there'll be a third book. Part of me wants to see all three of them get married and live a cute queer poly life and just be happy, but the bigger part of me enjoys their suffering far too much.
March 13, 2025
3.75 ⭐
I am sad this wasn't horror/sci-fi like the first one. Definitely a different vibe and setting than the first. But it was still solid.
We still have the very funny POV of Sean in this one. Honestly a lot of parts were pretty funny and had me laugh out loud. I still think this would make a great TV series!
There is more world building in this one but it was easy to read. It was well-paced and action filled. However, I will say that in this one I did unfortunately feel a little bit bored a couple of times. I hate to say it, but I was. And I was hoping for more Indigo! I felt like he didn't have as big of a part in this one! I was eating up all the little crumbs of him though.
I am sad this wasn't horror/sci-fi like the first one. Definitely a different vibe and setting than the first. But it was still solid.
We still have the very funny POV of Sean in this one. Honestly a lot of parts were pretty funny and had me laugh out loud. I still think this would make a great TV series!
There is more world building in this one but it was easy to read. It was well-paced and action filled. However, I will say that in this one I did unfortunately feel a little bit bored a couple of times. I hate to say it, but I was. And I was hoping for more Indigo! I felt like he didn't have as big of a part in this one! I was eating up all the little crumbs of him though.
November 7, 2025
4.5 stars
June 4, 2025
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, injury, murder, death, war, grief, terminal illness
--
After absolutely loving The Immortality Thief, The Unkillable Princess was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint.
Taking place almost immediately after the closing scenes of book 1 where Sean, Indigo and Tamara have escaped The Nameless and have split the Philosopher’s Stone data between themselves, The Republicand The Ministerium in order to try and broker peace between the two powers, Sean is determination to find his sister Brigid after receiving her call for help. Regardless of the risks since they’re wanted by the authorities, the trio head to Illin where they find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy that may be trying to ignite the war between The Republicand The Ministerium rather than putting a stop to it.
A quick paced and action packed sequel, Taran Hunt has taken a different direction with this instalment in terms of tone. Where book one had more locked room mystery and horror vibes here we have a story that takes on more of a spy thriller feel and it was so well done.
I did pause my reading just short of halfway with this one because of life things but was able to fold myself right back into the story immediately and whizz through the rest in like 2 days. I love Sean SO MUCH and his antics no matter how dumb made me smile.
The expansion of the world/universe was welcoming after the first book was predominantly stuck on a haunted space station and it made the universe seem all the more expansive. I loved the distinct details of the new planets that we visited.
The strength of this story though was without the doubt the characters and their relationships. Seeing Indigo, Tamara and Sean develop from reluctant allies that have started to care for each other at the beginning to a much stronger found family was so wholesome. What was really interesting too was the parallel shown between actual family and chosen family and how things such as acceptance and forgiveness were explored around them both.
I will admit that I wasn’t a fan of just how many flashbacks there were. The constant backwards and forwards nature of the narrative did effect the overall flow of the story for me however, I also really appreciated how all of these recollections from the past helped to flesh out Sean’s character more, in particular his relationship with Brigid. I also liked that we learned a lot more about Tamara in this.
I am just begging that Solaris/Rebellion let there be more books in this series because I’m not ready to let these characters go!! And with that ending Hunt can’t just stop the story there!!!!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, injury, murder, death, war, grief, terminal illness
--
After absolutely loving The Immortality Thief, The Unkillable Princess was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint.
Taking place almost immediately after the closing scenes of book 1 where Sean, Indigo and Tamara have escaped The Nameless and have split the Philosopher’s Stone data between themselves, The Republicand The Ministerium in order to try and broker peace between the two powers, Sean is determination to find his sister Brigid after receiving her call for help. Regardless of the risks since they’re wanted by the authorities, the trio head to Illin where they find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy that may be trying to ignite the war between The Republicand The Ministerium rather than putting a stop to it.
A quick paced and action packed sequel, Taran Hunt has taken a different direction with this instalment in terms of tone. Where book one had more locked room mystery and horror vibes here we have a story that takes on more of a spy thriller feel and it was so well done.
I did pause my reading just short of halfway with this one because of life things but was able to fold myself right back into the story immediately and whizz through the rest in like 2 days. I love Sean SO MUCH and his antics no matter how dumb made me smile.
The expansion of the world/universe was welcoming after the first book was predominantly stuck on a haunted space station and it made the universe seem all the more expansive. I loved the distinct details of the new planets that we visited.
The strength of this story though was without the doubt the characters and their relationships. Seeing Indigo, Tamara and Sean develop from reluctant allies that have started to care for each other at the beginning to a much stronger found family was so wholesome. What was really interesting too was the parallel shown between actual family and chosen family and how things such as acceptance and forgiveness were explored around them both.
I will admit that I wasn’t a fan of just how many flashbacks there were. The constant backwards and forwards nature of the narrative did effect the overall flow of the story for me however, I also really appreciated how all of these recollections from the past helped to flesh out Sean’s character more, in particular his relationship with Brigid. I also liked that we learned a lot more about Tamara in this.
I am just begging that Solaris/Rebellion let there be more books in this series because I’m not ready to let these characters go!! And with that ending Hunt can’t just stop the story there!!!!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
December 26, 2024
The Unkillable Princess is the follow up to Taran Hunts debut, The Immortality Thief. It follows on from the first book as Sean finds a link to his past and he, Tamara and Indigo work together armed with the knowledge they discovered in their previous mission.
I still love the found family of the 3 main characters in this story and the connection they have includes bickering, banter and a loyalty to another, which is a strong undercurrent throughout. Taran writes characters and speech very well.
I adored the first book but personally I felt this book became a bit too convoluted with ideas. New characters, planets, settings and subplots of political spy’s were introduced. This was heavily interlaced between present setting, memories of childhood and at times flashbacks to the previous 24 hours. I found this made it sometimes difficult to follow and a various times I found I had to reread parts to follow what was going on as the flicking between the time periods would happen so quickly with no strong reason as to why.
This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did, but I just feel it was bit more effort to immerse myself into this world due to the chopping and changing which lasted over half the story. If more books were to be released in this series I would still continue on.
Overall score 3.5/5
Thankyou to Solaris books and NetGalley for an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review
I still love the found family of the 3 main characters in this story and the connection they have includes bickering, banter and a loyalty to another, which is a strong undercurrent throughout. Taran writes characters and speech very well.
I adored the first book but personally I felt this book became a bit too convoluted with ideas. New characters, planets, settings and subplots of political spy’s were introduced. This was heavily interlaced between present setting, memories of childhood and at times flashbacks to the previous 24 hours. I found this made it sometimes difficult to follow and a various times I found I had to reread parts to follow what was going on as the flicking between the time periods would happen so quickly with no strong reason as to why.
This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did, but I just feel it was bit more effort to immerse myself into this world due to the chopping and changing which lasted over half the story. If more books were to be released in this series I would still continue on.
Overall score 3.5/5
Thankyou to Solaris books and NetGalley for an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 17, 2025
A wonderful read between Christmas and the New Year. This is book two of The Kystrom Chronicles by Taron Hunt. The three main characters met in book one and as that book is so good, you really should read it first.
In this book, the three are family and trying to establish peace between the twin star systems. A big ask to say the least! It picks up just where the first book ends and is a full pelt adventure. I read it in two sittings.
This book contains camaraderie, danger and thrills but isn't as terrifying as book one. Our trio go undercover, break into government facilities, liaise... There were also tears! Oh goodness, there was such a sad part....
The book is published on 11th February so you have plenty of time to order it and read book one. Enjoy.
Many thanks to Rebellion Solaris and Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
In this book, the three are family and trying to establish peace between the twin star systems. A big ask to say the least! It picks up just where the first book ends and is a full pelt adventure. I read it in two sittings.
This book contains camaraderie, danger and thrills but isn't as terrifying as book one. Our trio go undercover, break into government facilities, liaise... There were also tears! Oh goodness, there was such a sad part....
The book is published on 11th February so you have plenty of time to order it and read book one. Enjoy.
Many thanks to Rebellion Solaris and Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
April 6, 2025
Sadly not nearly as good as the first book in this series, but still an enjoyable read. The narrator changed from book 1 to book 2, so that took some adjusting. And there weren't the monsters in this one like in the first. It was more political based and try to get the data copy of the philosopher's stone info from the hands of the Republic into the Minister's hands, while too many people were double crossing one another and trying to insight a war. I may consider picking up book 3 once it's published as this one left the story unfinished, but not nearly as jaw dropping of a cliffhanger as book 1, but it wouldn't be something i'd go out of my way to buy on release day, that's for sure. Might wait until it's free from the library to pick it up.
July 5, 2025
It's kind of meh, with none of what made The Immortality Thief interesting.
It doesn't help that once again, the protagonist demonstrates that he's a terrible judge of character, and frankly downright gullible.
It doesn't help that once again, the protagonist demonstrates that he's a terrible judge of character, and frankly downright gullible.
February 11, 2025
At the start of the last book, I’d found Sean’s constant cheeky chappie persona a tad wearing. However, his overly cheeriness wasn’t an issue this time around – for once his long-dead sister surfaced, so did Sean’s trauma about the lethal attack that took out his family. Not surprising, given that he’d stood and mourned over his sister’s battered body, before fleeing the ongoing attack with his best friend, Benny when he was a mere teenager.
I thought this was very deftly handled. Sean’s shocked response and introspection could have so easily derailed the narrative drive and prevented this book from being the action-packed, plot-twisting adventure Hunt was going for. Instead, while we are treated to plenty of musings on his troubled past – Sean also has a whole lot going on right now. Stuff that could quickly end his life if he doesn’t pay attention. In addition, he finds himself caught up in a plot involving two mortal enemies – the Republic and the Ministers, who are the immortal overseers who’d destroyed Sean’s home planet, Kystrom.
This being Hunt, the above description makes the whole business sound a lot more cut and dried than it actually is. Sean is never sure exactly who are the major players – and whether Brigid is an innocent who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or one of the major players in her own right. Along with all the double-dealing, unexpected ambushes and sudden attacks, issues such as forgiveness, survivor guilt and how far family bonds should matter are explored.
We are given a ringside seat into the no-holds-barred sibling rivalry between Sean and Brigid during their upbringing. Some of the incidents are funny, while others reveal a darker side to both siblings’ driven personalities and their need to always win. That drive has clearly helped Sean survive the tough years when he and his best friend, Benny, ended up having to survive any way they could. Brigid had quite a different experience, having been rescued as one of the relatively few survivors and been adopted and brought up by one of the Ministers. An experience that has left her very bitter. While sibling relationships often act as a trigger to a narrative – I’m trying to recall the last time when I read such a frank deep-dive into the unspoken aspect of sibling relationships. The fact that when it comes to your parents and your interactions with them as a child, you are always competing for attention and approval with your brothers and sisters. Hunt’s portrayal of Sean and Brigid’s relationship completely sidesteps any hint of sentimentality and is all the more poignant and powerful because the resentments and guilt is right there, alongside the longing and loss they both experienced on believing the other one was dead.
All in all, this is cracking read on several levels. There is sufficient double-dealing and action to please the soul of any space opera reader, while Hunt’s skillful depiction of the main characters gives all that rushing about extra heft, because I really cared what happened to both Sean and Brigid. Highly recommended for fans who like their adventure to feature complex, interesting characters – but whatever you do, read The Immortality Thief first. While I obtained an arc of The Unkillable Princess from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
I thought this was very deftly handled. Sean’s shocked response and introspection could have so easily derailed the narrative drive and prevented this book from being the action-packed, plot-twisting adventure Hunt was going for. Instead, while we are treated to plenty of musings on his troubled past – Sean also has a whole lot going on right now. Stuff that could quickly end his life if he doesn’t pay attention. In addition, he finds himself caught up in a plot involving two mortal enemies – the Republic and the Ministers, who are the immortal overseers who’d destroyed Sean’s home planet, Kystrom.
This being Hunt, the above description makes the whole business sound a lot more cut and dried than it actually is. Sean is never sure exactly who are the major players – and whether Brigid is an innocent who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or one of the major players in her own right. Along with all the double-dealing, unexpected ambushes and sudden attacks, issues such as forgiveness, survivor guilt and how far family bonds should matter are explored.
We are given a ringside seat into the no-holds-barred sibling rivalry between Sean and Brigid during their upbringing. Some of the incidents are funny, while others reveal a darker side to both siblings’ driven personalities and their need to always win. That drive has clearly helped Sean survive the tough years when he and his best friend, Benny, ended up having to survive any way they could. Brigid had quite a different experience, having been rescued as one of the relatively few survivors and been adopted and brought up by one of the Ministers. An experience that has left her very bitter. While sibling relationships often act as a trigger to a narrative – I’m trying to recall the last time when I read such a frank deep-dive into the unspoken aspect of sibling relationships. The fact that when it comes to your parents and your interactions with them as a child, you are always competing for attention and approval with your brothers and sisters. Hunt’s portrayal of Sean and Brigid’s relationship completely sidesteps any hint of sentimentality and is all the more poignant and powerful because the resentments and guilt is right there, alongside the longing and loss they both experienced on believing the other one was dead.
All in all, this is cracking read on several levels. There is sufficient double-dealing and action to please the soul of any space opera reader, while Hunt’s skillful depiction of the main characters gives all that rushing about extra heft, because I really cared what happened to both Sean and Brigid. Highly recommended for fans who like their adventure to feature complex, interesting characters – but whatever you do, read The Immortality Thief first. While I obtained an arc of The Unkillable Princess from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
September 13, 2025
Having escaped the pervasive threat of the Nameless with the data from the Philosopher Stone, Sean, semi-alien Minister Indigo and Tamara think they can breathe a little easier. Having gone from firm enemies, to reluctant allies to tentative friendship, they are journeying away from the accursed spaceship they spent all of The Immorality Thief trapped inside. Sean wants to flee the minions of the corrupt human Senator who dispatched Sean on his mission in the first book and find somewhere to rest. Sean just wants to be done, and have his troubles over with. Then he gets a call for help from his sister Brigid. A sister he thought long-dead in the Minister-human war.
Brigid doesn’t give Sean many details, but tells Sean to go to the Republican city of Illin to retrieve something called a Purifier for her. Not quite able to comprehend that his sister is alive, Sean convinces his party that Illin is the best destination for them. So off they head. Tamara is a former Republican soldier. Indigo is the Minister responsible for the destruction of Sean’s home planet, and potentially his sister's death. Not ideal traveling companions on paper. Sean has not thought this through. They are all wanted by Republican authorities. Illin is home of the corrupt senator who sent Sean on his first mission. The more blundering steps forward Sean makes, the more he unearths people who want to kill him, and secrets and long fraught tensions which could be the catalyst for a devastating war between the Republic and Ministers.
Worst still, Sean doesn’t know what for. Is Brigid really his long lost sister? Who’s side is she on? And who’s side is Sean on?
This book took us across the galaxy on a breath-taking adventure. Where The Immorality Thief was bound up in the claustrophobic confines of the singular location, The Unkillable Princess has been set free. We learn more about the world that our unlikely trio live in, learning more about why their friendship is so unexpected, why the world has forged them as such, and how they are breaking through chains to make new powerful friendships. It tests their character, family bonds, and shows us the people they really are. Hunt does a wonderful job of really drawing out the characters, (I particularly enjoyed the use of flashbacks and quirky titles!) and of building an ever expanding universe in front of our eyes. It was teased at in book one, but we get to see it in all its glory here now. It is action packed, fast paced and a fantastic continuation to the Kystrom Chronicles. I look forward to seeing more of the trio's adventures, and what further havoc they can wreck in the universe!
*I received this book for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
Brigid doesn’t give Sean many details, but tells Sean to go to the Republican city of Illin to retrieve something called a Purifier for her. Not quite able to comprehend that his sister is alive, Sean convinces his party that Illin is the best destination for them. So off they head. Tamara is a former Republican soldier. Indigo is the Minister responsible for the destruction of Sean’s home planet, and potentially his sister's death. Not ideal traveling companions on paper. Sean has not thought this through. They are all wanted by Republican authorities. Illin is home of the corrupt senator who sent Sean on his first mission. The more blundering steps forward Sean makes, the more he unearths people who want to kill him, and secrets and long fraught tensions which could be the catalyst for a devastating war between the Republic and Ministers.
Worst still, Sean doesn’t know what for. Is Brigid really his long lost sister? Who’s side is she on? And who’s side is Sean on?
This book took us across the galaxy on a breath-taking adventure. Where The Immorality Thief was bound up in the claustrophobic confines of the singular location, The Unkillable Princess has been set free. We learn more about the world that our unlikely trio live in, learning more about why their friendship is so unexpected, why the world has forged them as such, and how they are breaking through chains to make new powerful friendships. It tests their character, family bonds, and shows us the people they really are. Hunt does a wonderful job of really drawing out the characters, (I particularly enjoyed the use of flashbacks and quirky titles!) and of building an ever expanding universe in front of our eyes. It was teased at in book one, but we get to see it in all its glory here now. It is action packed, fast paced and a fantastic continuation to the Kystrom Chronicles. I look forward to seeing more of the trio's adventures, and what further havoc they can wreck in the universe!
*I received this book for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
October 20, 2024
Every year, at the end of December, I rank the top books that I have read and create for myself a best of the best. In 2022 I chose The Immortality Thief as best book of the year (out of 201 read in total) so I was very enthusiastic when I saw a successor was finally upcoming.
The Unkillable Princess, book two of The Kystrom Chronicles, takes off where The Immortality Thief ended, almost starting with the same sentences that ended the first book. Sean Wren receives a message from Brigid, his younger sister who was killed eight years ago. The search for his sister becomes Sean's new goal in life. The scope of the first book was limited to the inside of a space ship, with only one last chapter introducing us to the planet Parnasse. Readers learned a great deal about the background of the human society, but didn't get to see any of it. 'The Unkillable Princess' is set on that same planet, and on a moon called Wentor. The scope of the story widens a little bit, but not too much yet. Space opera series sometimes tend to explode at a certain point, presenting an increasing number of intrigues and subplots. For now, The Kystrom Chronicles is still under control. I read book one in June 2022 and started in the second without re-reading anything. I still remembered the gist of the first book, but not all the details. There is no 'what happened before' chapter, but it only took a few chapters before things started to come to memory again. Taran Hunt integrated the need-to-knows neatly into the new story without these awkward moments when protagonists start telling each other things they already know for the sake of the reader's flawed memory, and there is indeed really no need for a preface telling the reader about the story so far.
Entangled with the main story line, lots of flashbacks were added about Sean's childhood and teenage years, mostly with his sister. They explain events from the past that shaped his present, and give insight in the relationship between the siblings (speaking of which: make sure to read the afterword to find out how young Taran Hunt dealt with the coming of her baby sister -- so funny). Chapter titles, which are sometimes lengthy and funny, include hints about when these flashbacks occur. Because these hints are mostly relative compared to another event, it's basically one big chaos of "X years before event A happened, Y years after event B happened". It's only an apparent chaos though, and this style definitely adds value to the narrative. The flashback stories on themselves are entertaining (and a rare time poignant) and add a lot to the emotional depth of Sean.
The main story lines --the search for Sean's presumed sister and the parallel attempt of Sean, Indigo and Tamara to stay out of the hands of the authorities-- are not very complex. There is pursuit, there is some rather straightforward intrigue, and there is humour, the latter mostly the result of Sean's inability to think his actions through before diving into them. The end result of this combination is simply a very well written, fast-paced and entertaining book, difficult to put aside while reading, easy to pick back up if real life forced you to put it aside anyway. The Unkillable Princess is a worthy successor to The Immortality Thief. After having read it, I wasn't even close to becoming bored. I still want to know (a lot) more about Sean, Tamara and Indigo. Extrapolating the time between publishing dates though, a third episode is to be expected not sooner than around June ... 2027! That's a bummer. Someone should bribe Taran Hunt into becoming a full time writer because she's good at it.
(Thank you Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for an early DRC in exchange for an honest review.)
The Unkillable Princess, book two of The Kystrom Chronicles, takes off where The Immortality Thief ended, almost starting with the same sentences that ended the first book. Sean Wren receives a message from Brigid, his younger sister who was killed eight years ago. The search for his sister becomes Sean's new goal in life. The scope of the first book was limited to the inside of a space ship, with only one last chapter introducing us to the planet Parnasse. Readers learned a great deal about the background of the human society, but didn't get to see any of it. 'The Unkillable Princess' is set on that same planet, and on a moon called Wentor. The scope of the story widens a little bit, but not too much yet. Space opera series sometimes tend to explode at a certain point, presenting an increasing number of intrigues and subplots. For now, The Kystrom Chronicles is still under control. I read book one in June 2022 and started in the second without re-reading anything. I still remembered the gist of the first book, but not all the details. There is no 'what happened before' chapter, but it only took a few chapters before things started to come to memory again. Taran Hunt integrated the need-to-knows neatly into the new story without these awkward moments when protagonists start telling each other things they already know for the sake of the reader's flawed memory, and there is indeed really no need for a preface telling the reader about the story so far.
Entangled with the main story line, lots of flashbacks were added about Sean's childhood and teenage years, mostly with his sister. They explain events from the past that shaped his present, and give insight in the relationship between the siblings (speaking of which: make sure to read the afterword to find out how young Taran Hunt dealt with the coming of her baby sister -- so funny). Chapter titles, which are sometimes lengthy and funny, include hints about when these flashbacks occur. Because these hints are mostly relative compared to another event, it's basically one big chaos of "X years before event A happened, Y years after event B happened". It's only an apparent chaos though, and this style definitely adds value to the narrative. The flashback stories on themselves are entertaining (and a rare time poignant) and add a lot to the emotional depth of Sean.
The main story lines --the search for Sean's presumed sister and the parallel attempt of Sean, Indigo and Tamara to stay out of the hands of the authorities-- are not very complex. There is pursuit, there is some rather straightforward intrigue, and there is humour, the latter mostly the result of Sean's inability to think his actions through before diving into them. The end result of this combination is simply a very well written, fast-paced and entertaining book, difficult to put aside while reading, easy to pick back up if real life forced you to put it aside anyway. The Unkillable Princess is a worthy successor to The Immortality Thief. After having read it, I wasn't even close to becoming bored. I still want to know (a lot) more about Sean, Tamara and Indigo. Extrapolating the time between publishing dates though, a third episode is to be expected not sooner than around June ... 2027! That's a bummer. Someone should bribe Taran Hunt into becoming a full time writer because she's good at it.
(Thank you Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for an early DRC in exchange for an honest review.)
February 10, 2025
I am a huge fan of The Immortality Thief and had been waiting for a sequel since 2023. I was not disappointed by The Unkillable Princess!
I think it's important to know going in that The Unkillable Princess is different from the first book. Don't go in expecting to see the characters running from monsters in space again! Don't get me wrong, they're still running, but running from the cops instead. The main plot elements borrow from spy/espionnage media rather than survival/horror (like in The Immortality Thief). Nonetheless, we still get to spend time with the characters, explore their relationships, and think about what comes after...
I really like following the action from Sean's perspective, and I hope that if we ever get a third book (please???), we get a bonus chapter or two from other characters' perspectives. I liked how we got to explore Sean and Brigid's sibling dynamic, especially with the flashbacks (which I felt were used well and added to the story!)
The plot and the character relationships remain at the core of the story in a way that reminds me of The Murderbot Diaries. The worldbuilding is there, but we're not meant to spend that much time thinking about it - which is totally fine by me since it doesn't take anything away from the story. My favorite element of book was definitely the relationship between Tamara, Sean, and Indigo and the exploration of their issues and trauma.
I really tried to take my time with this one and not devour it like I did with The Immortality Thief when I first read it. Despite that I definitely feel like I need to read it again after I go re-read The Immortality Thief! These characters have been living rent-free in my head since 2023 and will continue to do so.
I think it's important to know going in that The Unkillable Princess is different from the first book. Don't go in expecting to see the characters running from monsters in space again! Don't get me wrong, they're still running, but running from the cops instead. The main plot elements borrow from spy/espionnage media rather than survival/horror (like in The Immortality Thief). Nonetheless, we still get to spend time with the characters, explore their relationships, and think about what comes after...
I really like following the action from Sean's perspective, and I hope that if we ever get a third book (please???), we get a bonus chapter or two from other characters' perspectives. I liked how we got to explore Sean and Brigid's sibling dynamic, especially with the flashbacks (which I felt were used well and added to the story!)
The plot and the character relationships remain at the core of the story in a way that reminds me of The Murderbot Diaries. The worldbuilding is there, but we're not meant to spend that much time thinking about it - which is totally fine by me since it doesn't take anything away from the story. My favorite element of book was definitely the relationship between Tamara, Sean, and Indigo and the exploration of their issues and trauma.
I really tried to take my time with this one and not devour it like I did with The Immortality Thief when I first read it. Despite that I definitely feel like I need to read it again after I go re-read The Immortality Thief! These characters have been living rent-free in my head since 2023 and will continue to do so.
March 14, 2025
Fun, action-packed, and twisty, The Unkillable Princess is a sci-fi heist novel, which is a genre that deserves more entrants.
While The Immortality Thief took some hints from sci-fi horrors, this book goes more political, more heist. I actually really enjoyed the little genre flip, and hope the next book continues the trend.
You get reunited with Sean, Indigo, and Tamara, and yeah, okay, they've found a bit of a family in one another. 🥹 What more needs to be said?
I didn't entirely gel with Sean's first-person POV in the first book, and that slight hold-up continued here. On paper (um, except not, because unintended book pun), I should be obsessed and emotionally a bit unstable over all of the characters, but in reality, they all leave me a bit cold. I think these books hit great plot beats, but don't quite nail the emotional beats.
In the case of this book, part of the issue may be the format of the narrative. It jumps back and forth in time, from the present to Sean's past, and not in any particular order of him past. These time jumps occur within chapters, mid-scene, and chapters will jump back and forth several times. While I appreciate backstory and flashbacks, this particular format was jarring and took me out of the scene several times.
Overall, while the narrative structure didn't work particularly well for me, I think this is a good adventure book with a healthy dose of political worldbuilding, and there's a good deal to enjoy here. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher, Solaris, and to NetGalley for the ARC.
While The Immortality Thief took some hints from sci-fi horrors, this book goes more political, more heist. I actually really enjoyed the little genre flip, and hope the next book continues the trend.
You get reunited with Sean, Indigo, and Tamara, and yeah, okay, they've found a bit of a family in one another. 🥹 What more needs to be said?
I didn't entirely gel with Sean's first-person POV in the first book, and that slight hold-up continued here. On paper (um, except not, because unintended book pun), I should be obsessed and emotionally a bit unstable over all of the characters, but in reality, they all leave me a bit cold. I think these books hit great plot beats, but don't quite nail the emotional beats.
In the case of this book, part of the issue may be the format of the narrative. It jumps back and forth in time, from the present to Sean's past, and not in any particular order of him past. These time jumps occur within chapters, mid-scene, and chapters will jump back and forth several times. While I appreciate backstory and flashbacks, this particular format was jarring and took me out of the scene several times.
Overall, while the narrative structure didn't work particularly well for me, I think this is a good adventure book with a healthy dose of political worldbuilding, and there's a good deal to enjoy here. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher, Solaris, and to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 11, 2025
Taran Hunt returns to the world of The Immortality Thief in this super-fast paced sci fi thriller, The Unkillable Princess.
The Unkillable Princess picks up shortly after the events of the Immortality Thief, and the crew of the Viper; Sean Wren, Tamara Gupta and Indigo, the Ministerial Deserter find themselves entrenched in political espionage after Sean receives a communication out of the blue from his supposedly dead sister.
With a plot that moves at the pace of a zip wire, whilst having a bevy of twists and turns, The Unkillable Princess is a fantastic joyride of a book that never lets up.
Moving away from the isolation sci-fi tones of the first novel, Taran Hunt shifts gears and tones with this follow up. She expands the world of the republic as the book moves away from the singular location haunted house setting of the first book and takes in the planet of Parnasse and other areas of the Republic. The scope of the setting gives the narrative broadness that adds to the story.
As Sean attempts to determine if the contact that he has received is actually from his sister, we follow the group as their relationship grows. In addition to this we find out more about Sean and his background in the form of flashbacks. Initially this structure can confuse the reader, but as they become used to the structure it further expands the universe and what happened in the past.
The Unkillable Princess is a frenetically fast paced follow up to the Immortality Thief that is utterly enjoyable.
The Unkillable Princess picks up shortly after the events of the Immortality Thief, and the crew of the Viper; Sean Wren, Tamara Gupta and Indigo, the Ministerial Deserter find themselves entrenched in political espionage after Sean receives a communication out of the blue from his supposedly dead sister.
With a plot that moves at the pace of a zip wire, whilst having a bevy of twists and turns, The Unkillable Princess is a fantastic joyride of a book that never lets up.
Moving away from the isolation sci-fi tones of the first novel, Taran Hunt shifts gears and tones with this follow up. She expands the world of the republic as the book moves away from the singular location haunted house setting of the first book and takes in the planet of Parnasse and other areas of the Republic. The scope of the setting gives the narrative broadness that adds to the story.
As Sean attempts to determine if the contact that he has received is actually from his sister, we follow the group as their relationship grows. In addition to this we find out more about Sean and his background in the form of flashbacks. Initially this structure can confuse the reader, but as they become used to the structure it further expands the universe and what happened in the past.
The Unkillable Princess is a frenetically fast paced follow up to the Immortality Thief that is utterly enjoyable.
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