Callie used to love rope -- the release of control, letting go of her life and her job babysitting one of the AI models that runs Tyton. That is, until her girlfriend lost her job, and with it, her subscription to the chem tech that kept her sane. But a two year dry spell and her persistent best friend manage to drag her out to see a new product -- Lumijute, and hopefully a chance to move on and meet someone new.
Talia is also trying to get over her ex. She was the only one who understood her rage. Her need for revenge against the Natalist cult she was born into. The only one who could break through those walls. It could have been forever, except for one small detail. But Callie might be just the thing she's looking for.
Sesi's need to avenge her mother has hit a dead end, but in the process, she uncovered something she shouldn't have. Lumijute isn't just some new toy and she'll need an AI psychologist to unravel the truth -- and one just so happens to be dating her ex. She's also just her type.
Cults. Corporations. Cyberware. The fate of it all rests on three women and their bad ideas. But sometimes, bad ideas are the only ones left.
I quite enjoyed the premise of a dystopian future where humans were on the verge of extinction because women could not bear children. Bear that it is both the conception and the burden of it.
The story had a lot of intrigue and mystery, some humor, some action and suspense while being a little violent at times. I'm glad there was only one main bondage scene which I think was nicely told even though I'm not a big fan of bdsm.
I also liked how different fonts were used for the chapter titles, dates, text messages and main body and I was pleased to see the Inuit/Inuktut syllabic script used, telling a tale of an Inuit origin myth. The chapters themselves are named after the cards of the Tarot deck.
It was nice that the first half of the book did not focus too much on the romance of the three MCs because it felt a little too instalove. Talia and Sesi were ex-lovers and Callie was someone newly met but somehow all three were instantly attracted to one another. There wasn't much interaction portrayed between Talia and Sesi so I just don't know how all of a sudden they ended up a throuple 🤷🏻♀️
The ending itself was nice and sweet but still a few lingering questions remained... So overall I did quite enjoy the storyline.
I'm leaving a voluntary review in exchange for a free copy.
Can I just start out by saying - this was a gorgeously laid-out ebook? So much character in headers, title fonts, text chain detailing, even body font, etc? Usually I feel a little bit like I'm doing homework reading a virtual copy when I could be holding a physical book in my hand but this was a digital work of art!
Which was, in fact, totally appropriate for this tech-smart, sexy sapphic cyberpunk gem of a story. The impeccable vibes did not stop with the graphic design. The feeling of the world suffused every paragraph, just totally immersive sci-fi atmosphere from page one, and I was having a wild ride of a good time living in it.
If that wasn't plenty already, as soon as we started meeting the love interests? I was ALL in. Just sat there like... was this book made in a lab just for me?? My all-time favorite underutilized dynamic is and this not only delivered in style, but did it in a weird, awesome, genre-forward book with cool AIs, futuristic counterculture and spicy gangs, creepy cults, niche sex toys, multidimensional diversity, wacky climate stuff, like?? What??? What a feast!!
Towards the end, I admit it took a turn I was less invested in, but my personal feelings about aren't really a fair standard to apply when it was very much thematically relevant to the backstory and thruline lore of the parts of the book I was fully on board for. If anything, I'd just say I felt a tiny bit let down by how some of the action-adventure-AI-subterfuge-gang-murder-spicy-times wrapped up faster than I was through enjoying them. All to say: I wanted more!
On one last personal fav note - I know this can be a bit of a controversial opinion, but “head hopping,” when done seamlessly and used to its full effect, is actually one of my absolute favorite POVs to read. And this book did it so well!! Totally cinematic -- could just feel the camera and conversational/emotional/mental focus panning around any given scene, which meant I was able to enjoy the most fun moments of each interaction between our leading ladies from exactly the POV I would get the most fun from. The internal monologues were always distinct enough that I never found myself having to reread a paragraph to adjust my expectation of whose POV it had been. This would have given the whole book an extra star if I weren’t already maxxed out from character dynamics, vibes, and plot. Masterfully done, and at something I've seen established tradpub authors totally fall short on to boot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, enthusiastically, and eager to read anything else from the author I can get my hands on!
Dive into a sapphic polyamorous romance set in a technologically advanced world full of vibrant cyberpunk culture, exploring the complex dynamics of rival gangs, enigmatic cults, and a drastically altered climate. Prepare for a thrilling adventure filled with compelling characters and a meticulously crafted storyline that will leave you captivated from beginning to end.
Marine St Jean’s insightful world-building and engaging narrative create a truly unforgettable reading experience. This isn't just a story; it's an immersive journey into a future both fascinating and unsettling.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What an experience this story is with an excellent amount of spice. A futuristic dark poly romance. I love the way that all three women's lives were detailed and you get to see what makes them who they are. I was immediately drawn into the book and did not want it to end. It takes you on a journey of survival with family, found family, and ex-lovers to friends back to lovers adding a third person to their relationship. Lots of different character dynamics but all written very well. My only complaint is the way the story ended. I wish there had been more to it, the way the time jumped ahead at the end without much detail during those chapters just felt a bit rushed.
Thank you to the Author and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I LOVED this! Finding polyamory with three women is so difficult. I felt like all the characters were unique and the ending was so different and unexpected, but it made perfect sense to me. I loved the best friend interaction with the other two fmcs and how "phobias" are treated and called out. Everyone is flawed, but growing. Cyberpunk can sometimes be so oppressive, but this was so hopeful!
I need to start by saying that I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi. I find it too magick-y, if that makes sense. Im also not usually a fan of polyamory. I'm not poly myself and it seems complicated.
So why am I rating a book that shouldn't be for me 5 stars? Because the world building felt real. Gritty, messy, dark and the sci-fi elements caused as many problems as they solved and the poly relationship made so much sense, especially with the history Talia and Sesi had.
I also loved how the culture of the city changed with technology. Racism and sexism and homophobia still exist, but how they are expressed changed. Its clear the author spent time thinking about all of it and then wove it into the fabric of the story.
The ending was different than I was expecting, but after sitting with it for awhile, I have to admit that maybe Ive been so conditioned by patriarchy that any ending that doesn't have certain elements is "off". I can't think of a more woman centred or empowered ending.
It's so rare that a romance makes me think that I can't help but give this full marks.
Tyton: the spider and the dragonfly I thought was well written and enjoyable cyberpunk sapphire romance. It has some action, suspense and likable characters. Callie, Talia, Sesi all seem to have good chemistry and intimacy between the pairing, sweet and little a spicy. If you're a fan of cyberpunk, sapphic three pairing romance , you will enjoy the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book became my top example of outstanding fiction written by a lesbian for other lesbians before I was even 50% finished with it. The plot is a solid trope used as a framework and given all the right tweaks to let it shine. The characters, maybe especially the super-stabby one, are eminently relatable both simmering in the dystopia of the book and against the backdrop of the real world today. The premise beneath all that is too perfect to spoil. And hells is it hot.