Saber of Truth

The Consortium #1

by C.L. Gordon

Across the stars, love is the most dangerous gamble of all.

Nexarium, strongest planet in the Consortium, hides a secret: its Governor is dying, and only a healer from the other end of the galaxy can save him.

For Major Task Canmore, commander of the Phantom Wing, his orders are kidnap the healer. But Kit Hart is nothing like he expected. Wanting her is dangerous. Needing her could destroy everything. And, haunted by a savior’s heart, she slips past his iron control...

When a deadly fever forces an evacuation from her home planet, Kit and Task board the Polaris, bound for Nexarium with hundreds of her people. Kit will stop at nothing to protect them, even as she’s pulled closer to the one man she should not trust.

But as the fragile peace of the Consortium begins to fracture, Task and Kit will have to choose which version of the future is worth the risk.

Saber of Truth is a sweeping sci-fi romance that will enthrall and tantalize lovers of fantastical worlds and burning desire.

Genres: Science Fiction

538 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

Reviews

[ObscureVi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookFunnel for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

It was my first time reading sci-fi romantasy and... HOLY--- how did I never tried the genre before?

Saber of Truth was like... imagine Star Wars (but make it more focused on romance + give it mysterious magical illness) and throw a dash of Shatter Me vibes (but this time it's the main male character) and make it adult.

Honestly, I'm so mad at myself that I started it so late (you know the feeling when you finally read something that was on your pile of shame for a really long time and it turns out to be one of the best books you had the pleasure to read? yup, that's exactly how I felt here), but at the same time I'm grateful, because after all the stress and problems I had on my mind those past few weeks it was absolutely the most perfect read I could have wished for.

Task? Thank you for reminding me that I still have a thing for blond morally grey men and the reason I thought it passed in the first place was because all the recent ones I stumbled upon wasn't it.

The yearning and the banter between Task and Kit along with forced proximity and forbidden love tropes? Chef's kiss.

I absolutely ate SOT up and to this moment I can't believe I inhaled those 500+ pages in less than twenty four hours. I'm sure I would finish it in one sitting if it wasn't for some house chores and sleep.

Don't even let me get started on the ending, okay? I think it should be a crime to end on such a cliffhanger. Absolutely diabolical.

Miss Gordon? I want the next book in my inbox, like right now, please. You just got yourself a fan for all your future books. Half of my friends list just got recommended this book, thank you very much.

[Chloe Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This made me feel nostalgic for all the sci-fi romances I was obsessed with as a teenager. It had all the magic of those but in an adult story and I could not put it down!! If you read/loved Across the Universe, These Broken Stars, + other similar YA sci-fi romances, this feels those stories in a more mature, adult format. The standout work in this book involved the character development, I enjoyed the themes presented and the struggles Kit and Task faced. I look forward to seeing where their story leads in the next installment…

Special thank you to C. L. Gordon for providing me with an ARC!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of the Shatter Me series will adore Gordon’s debut. I’ve been waiting for another sci-fi epic to devour, and it seems The Consortium is here to deliver. A mysterious, incurable pandemic, a deteriorating dictatorship, and two main characters clearly meant for each other but separated by the galaxy they live in. Kit is a take-no-shit protagonist desperate to save her planet, and Task is just as stubborn…for the opposite side. Of course, sparks fly, and Task begins to discover that everything he was raised to believe was built on secrets he must uncover. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to root for Kit and Task as a couple in the beginning, as opposed as they seemed, but I warmed up to the idea at the same time they did. Task falls in love with Kit’s brilliant brain and big heart, and Kit brings down his walls - it’s beautiful. I’m most fascinated by the person at the center of the Fever. What’s the cause? The real cure? Why is it so interested in Kit? The next book seems like it’s gearing up to dive deeper into Kit’s connection with the Fever, Task, and Nexarium as a whole, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.

[Luisa Lübke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was my first time diving into sci-fi/fantasy, and following Kit and Task made it an unforgettable experience—their stories, the secrets they carried, and the way their paths intertwined kept me completely hooked. The world-building is incredible, and I loved how parts of the story felt so relatable, especially reflecting the pandemic we all lived through. It had exactly the right amount of spice and lovable side characters (Voss mainly). Add on to that a little science for my nerdy brain and I’m already looking forward to the continuation of their story!
Would absolutely recommend.

Thank you to C.L. Gordon for the ARC!

[Kelly McNamee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written story! I loved every page of it and devoured it in only a couple hours. it ended on such a cliffhanger and I really want more 😭 I loved the story (although it reminded me a bit of COVID-19, the author did state he had this in the world prior to then). The magic and world building was phenomenal and the storytelling was amazing. I hope there's another book coming soon!!!

[Leizllyn Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have received an arc copy because this book was AMAZING. I haven't read SCI-fi in a while but back in highschool it was one of my favorite genres and this book reminded me why. I'm typically not a fan of 3rd person pov books but this book did it extremely well.

By the first few chapters I found myself already addicted to the stories and especially to Kit as I can see myself in her!! I have a career in blood testing so it was cool seeing little aspects of that in the plot. Lately I've been liking when books mainly have the romance as a sub plot rather than the entire plot (especially in fantasies) and this book was exactly that.

The slow burn/tension was also another addicting part for me and I think the build up was appropriate for this story! The way Kit and Tasks relationship grew was top tier and I liked how it didn't happen quickly and "unrealistically". Although being stuck in quarantine on a ship for 4 months does set you up for some kind of relationship eventually LOL

I'm assuming this is going to be a series because the ending had perfectly set up a sequel and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

[Stephanie Cascio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saber of Truth was a wild ride start to finish. If you're a fan of shows and movies like Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars add a dash of magic and you will probably enjoy Saber of Truth. Kit goes through a lot of personal growth throughout the story and so does Task but their story lines are so incredibly different. There were several twists that made it so you don't want to put the book down. Draven was an amazing villain from start to finish. He has no redeeming qualities. Several "side" characters made me want to throw the book (Kindle) across the room. So many emotions.  I love Kit and Task together. And the ending 🤯 definitely suggest checking this one out if you like Sci-Fi, a slow burn romance, characters that make you feel all the feels, and a dash of COVID PTSD 🙃

[Lorra_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than five stars!

The book was well researched and smartly written.

I came for the sci-fi setting, but the story completely took over. It felt original and real, especially with how it handles survival during a deadly outbreak and the emotional weight that comes with it.

The tension is constant, and the banter between Task and Kit made it even better. She’s a brilliant healer, he’s a commander willing to risk everything for her—even when it puts him at odds with his own orders.

The story also dives into grief, power, and control—what it means to keep going when everything is working against you.

And with rebellion building in the background, I already need the next book.

Such a strong start to the series.

[Paris Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paris Rona's ARC review incoming!!

If you love Star Wars and Hunger Games with romance and spice and outer space then this book is for you!

We meet Kit and Task, two polar opposites, who end up together on a race against time and power/corruption to stop a deadly Crimson Fever from decimating everyone.

The world building in this book is top notch! I really liked how the book tackled class consciousness and tried to answer the age old question of "who is the enemy?". Is it the girl you just met, that you've been tasked to kidnap for the greater good of the consortium? or is it your uncle, the one who has raised you and has never given you reason to doubt him--until now?

Kit has become one of my favorite characters for her tenacity and bravery in the face of adversity. She goes through a lot and still somehow manages to hold on through it all. Most people would crumble under the weight of her responsibility and learning how to control her power. She's such a great caregiver--almost to a fault, entirely too trusting but that's what makes her relatable and appeals to our humanity.

Task on the other hand is a completely different person. He's a hard stoned killer, with seemingly no vulnerabilities, until we see his relationship with Kit develop and we find out that underneath the hard exterior, lies a traumatized kid who lost his parents way too young and was abused and gaslit/manipulated by the person who's supposed to trust and love him the most--his Uncle Draven, the de facto ruler of the most powerful planet in the consortium. He's groomed Task to be his successor, but his overwhelming feelings for Kit make him start to question his actions and whether he wants power--at the cost of the love of his life.

Their relationship is the quintessential enemies to friends to lovers. They both help each other try and figure out a cure, and eventually find out about each others secrets, all while having tension and chemistry. They're on a spaceship for weeks, and they develop feelings for each other. And finally, when they seem to get on the same page, Task betrays her (in a shocking plot twist), turning her in to his uncle to siphon her life force, until he recognizes the error of his ways and rescues her and takes her off the planet.

Now I NEED to know what happens next in the series. Her bestie, ex-boyfriend and her brother were left back under the clutches of Draven, and I fear for their safety. This man has messed up Task and Kit so bad. I can't imagine what he would do them as leverage for Kit's freedom. It will be interesting to see how Kit and Task's relationship develops (or deteriorates) due to the lack of trust that being imprisoned had on Kit. I love a betrayal/grovel romance and I hope Kit makes Task yearn for all the pain he put her through (which is funny, seeing that he's a pain echo). I want to see Task stand up to his uncle and fight for his woman, and I want Kit to flourish her powers, and hopefully they become an absolute unit, them against Draven and the rest of society.

All in all, I had a ton of fun reading it and can't wait for the next installment. ;) 10/10 would read again!

Thank you so much to C.L. Gordon for the ARC!

[KMart Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add to your TBR if you love:
🪐 forbidden love and forced proximity
🪐 yearning, yearning, YEARNING
🪐 STEM healer WMC and tortured, blonde-haired MMC
🪐 hidden powers
🪐 magical pandemic that threatens humanity
🪐 he falls first
🪐 unique magic system interspersed with cool tech
🪐 secrets and betrayals
🪐 complementary powers

Move over, Romantasy, Scifi Romance is coming for your crown. Only maybe make it like a tech-inspired crown to match their outfit.

I am OBSESSED with this book and this romance and these characters! I LOVED the magical slash STEM link. I had an absolute blast with this!

The love story is perfection, especially since we, as the readers, know that Task will betray the woman he loves because he has a secret mission to kidnap her to heal his oppressive, violent, unforgiving uncle and his iron-fisted rule. Our boy has been manipulated and lied to and I kept shaking my head as he tried to convince him to stay in line. Still, you can't help but root for their love story that slowly develops as he's drawn to her like a moth to a flame despite his guilt. That looming betrayal is always there in the background, and it makes every soft moment feel a little more fragile. He’s drawn to her in a way he can’t control, even while knowing exactly how this is supposed to end, and it just… works. I ate it up.

Kit is exactly the kind of character I love. She’s compassionate without being naive, determined to save others because of her personal loss of her mother. Her desperation to help others is rooted in her own grief and loss and oof that spoke to me as someone also in the healing field. And Task is exactly the right tortured soldier who has been lied to and clings (just as desperately) to the lies that he's been told because of HIS trauma. The romance between them builds in a way that feels natural but still intense, and when it lands, it really lands. The chemistry is there from the start, but it deepens into something that feels worth the risk both of them are taking. The spice is exceptionally well done and made me melt. It fits the tone, adds to the connection, and doesn’t feel out of place.

And when things go wrong, it's realistic and interesting. Kit is furious, Task is guilty, and I cannot wait for the groveling that will need to happen in book 2.

I will say, there are some moments that echo real-world pandemic trauma, but in a good way. This was written before COVID per the author's note, but it did key in to memories of that time.

This is like catnip, Romantasy fans. You NEED to read it when it comes out. You will not be disappointed. The spice is excellent, the romance is perfect, and I devoured it in less than 24 hours. If you like romance with high stakes, emotional tension, and a “this could end very badly but I hope it doesn’t” kind of vibe, you’re going to want this on your radar immediately.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[A_rosy_time · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers in the second half of the review.

Worldbuilding: 4/5
I like the setting in space and the political relations between different nations, as well as finding out about the cultures and hierarchies within the nations. But parts of the worldbuilding are explained too briefly, so during the story I found myself not recognizing some planet or character names.
Also, early the FMC says „Thank God“, which took me out of the story, since at that point the characters hadn’t mentioned religion.

Magic: 4/5
Magic and Science are entwined in this story, and very thoroughly and vividly explained.

Characters: 2/5
As I said in „Worldbuilding“, names appear and then appear again much later. Since the character names are uncommon names, I mixed up the many side characters and friends of the main characters, which also meant I couldn’t care about specific ones. If you’re good at remembering names, this might not be an issue for you though.
The MMC, Task, was developed well. His dislike for other nations and loyalty to his own is shown often, and contrasts well with the FMC Kits worldview. Kit, on the other hand, was far too whiny for my taste. She is a doctor, and as such you’d expect her to stay calm in high pressure medical situations, but instead she panics and cries. This also doesn’t change throughout the book.

Plotholes:
Big spoiler here. In the very first chapters of the book, Kit heals two characters of a mysterious illness. She spends the next 60% of the book trying to find a cure for that mysterious illness, completely forgetting she already cured two patients. And when she does remember, it takes her a long time again to do what she did in the first chapters again. It was very frustrating to read Kits uncertainty.

Writing:
The chapters were rather short, which I enjoyed since it made the story flow well. I also liked the information at the start of each chapter, of how much time had passed. What didn’t work for me were the changes of perspectives within a chapter. Partially we read two pages from Kits view, then switch to Tasks view, and then back to Kits.
Also, all characters talk very similar. Many words are shortened like „Draven‘s been keeping things from him.“, „They‘d“, „She‘d“, which makes the writing sound amateurish. I feel like a leader of a nation shouldn’t talk the same way as a simple civilian. Also, many sentences start with „He“ or „She“, which gets monotonous very fast.


I feel like with proofreading and more editing this book could have been a great read for me, since the storyline itself was interesting. If you don’t mind the way of writing as much as me and like Science Fiction and Romance, you might like this book.

Thank you C. L. Gordon for an ARC of this book.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
6.5 out of 10

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱

🎖️⛑️ Military Elite x Healer
🔒 Forced Proximity
💞 Enemies to Friends to Lovers
🔗 His Mission is to Kidnap Her
😷 Global Pandemic
🚀 Space Travel
🥀 Yearning
⚡ Instant Attraction
🔥 Slow Burn
🏛️ Political Intrigue
💫 Magical Abilities

I loved the idea of this book - I haven’t read a space romantasy yet and the world building in this was quite interesting. The main characters also had a lot of chemistry and I loved their witty banter. I also like that they became friends before crossing into lovers, it made the relationship progression feel a lot more realistic. However it wasn’t just a slow burn romance but the story overall was a bit slow and I found myself wanting for more to have happened while they were stuck on a ship together for four months! Instead the days kind of passed by and it wasn’t until the end where things really picked up pace. I am excited to see where the next book takes us though as that cliffhanger sets the series up for the potential of a lot more!

"Across the stars, love is the most dangerous gamble of all.

Nexarium, strongest planet in the Consortium, hides a secret: its Governor is dying, and only a healer from the other end of the galaxy can save him.

For Major Task Canmore, commander of the Phantom Wing, his orders are kidnap the healer. But Kit Hart is nothing like he expected. Wanting her is dangerous. Needing her could destroy everything. And, haunted by a savior’s heart, she slips past his iron control...

When a deadly fever forces an evacuation from her home planet, Kit and Task board the Polaris, bound for Nexarium with hundreds of her people. Kit will stop at nothing to protect them, even as she’s pulled closer to the one man she should not trust.

But as the fragile peace of the Consortium begins to fracture, Task and Kit will have to choose which version of the future is worth the risk.”

“Saber of Truth” is Book One in the Consortium series and is out now! Thank you so much to C.L. Gordon and her team for the ARC opportunity 🫶✨

Rated MA for Spice, Violence, and Grief 🌶️🌶️⚔️⚠️

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

💉 ARC Review 🗡️

In this science fiction romance, Kit is a Luminary, a medic, who lives on Lumaria, where a pandemic is taking place and they need to evacuate the planet so that healthy citizens can re-populate elsewhere and come back...eventually...hopefully. 🥺

Task, a major in the armed forces, is tasked (see what I did there 😆) with helping the evacuation of the Lumarians to his planet, Nexarium.  What Kit doesn't know is that Task is also under orders to kidnap her.

With an underlying difference of political structure - Lumaria is basically a republic, while Nexarium is a dictatorship living with a caste system - how will the Lumarians and Nexarians survive months on a small transport ship together?!?

The tension between Kit and Task was fabulous!  Adding in the layer of science was perfection for me.  

Give me lines like “Two hours ago, he was so positive he was practically a proton" all day! I am here for it.  

I honestly did love that the science fiction part didn't take a huge backseat to the romance.  It wasn't just a romance on a spaceship and that's what made it sci-fi.  The vaccine research and testing layered with magical powers was such a joy to read! 

🌶️🌶️ It was pretty spicy. There aren't too many open door scenes, but they are spicy when they're there.

Who may like this book?

If you're a Romantasy reader and you want to try out science fiction, this could be the book for you! It's not deep sci-fi like Project Hail Mary is - it's a nice story-building use of science that enhances the plot.

Alternatively, if you're already a sci-fi reader and you want some romance in your reads, this may be for you, too! 

Triggers: Violence, Death, Murder

[Merlyn Fereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

DROP EVERYTHING YOU ARE READING! I repeat: DROP EVERYTHING YOU ARE READING!

This ARC was way over my expectations of what you can read in a sci-fi romance book. The writing style, the word building the characters and their backstories.... WOW!! LITERALLY WOW!!

Well, I am fcking ballistic right now as I'm reading the new chapters. The tension, the politics (this part is un-fcking-missable), the state of life and death and a deadly virus that isn't exactly a virus.... I can go on and on about how I've spent my time going feral over this book! This was my first time reading a sci-fi romance book and boyyyy the drama and the tension is so strong I was fcking glued to my phone!

Please! If you can buy the fcking book from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, do buy it. This book deserves all the love. I have even gone telling my friends on Wattpad and Inkitt to read it. I would have pre-ordered it right now, but where I live, the book is very expensive for pre-order. I will wait for a few weeks until it's released and buy it.

If you guys like Dune, Star Wars, Red Rising and Heartless Hunter mixed with a mysterious magical sickness, then this book is for you.

Also, I'm reading this book to increase my vocabulary. I'm really bad at writing stuff I'm bad at explaining, but c'mon!! A girl can try!!

The only thing I was confused about was the characters names: especially Alexander Caden and Caelinius. I thought they were the same person. But I felt that could be ignored because as the story went forward, I could figure out who was who.

[Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Am I allowed to drop the f-bomb here? Cause like- I need more, okay? Just hand me the second book and I'll be a happy camper. I need to know more, read more-- i definitely need to have more of Kit and Task, especially after that ending???

The storytelling is so well done. Sci-fi books are always a bit hard for me because they have new rules that you have to learn in order to exist in that world. C.L. Gordon did a fantastic job of leading us into the they this world works and it's tech- the tech is really cool. The way they explain it, it makes it very easy to imagine and understand.

The world itself is a fantastic blend of science and magic. Looking at the world from a Soldier's point and a Healer's point, both from very different classes and backgrounds, makes it more thrilling when you get to see them mix the two. Magic and Science are very difficult to blend together in a very that feel's natural, but I think Gordon did well. Especially with hospital gadgetry.

The characters are a lot of fun. They have moments that confuse you-- you'll be asking them "why are you making this harder?" and the answer is always for the plot of course. For a full character analysis, I'd like to read it through again with a physical copy and pen- that way I can track the changes in their demeanor as sometimes it came on very suddenly which snapped me out of it.

Overall- this was a fantastic read and I'd love to pick up again. I'm eagerly waiting for book #2!

[Megan Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

TAKE THIS AS YOUR SIGN TO READ THIS BOOK!!

As someone who strictly reads romantasy / fantasy novels, Saber of Truth EXCEEDED my expectations as a sci-fi romance. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book before publication! 😌

Diving into a sci-fi world was daunting until I read the first page of this beautiful novel. The writing style held my attention (and pulled me out of an INSANE reading slump!!), and the plot was so well executed that I couldn’t guess what would happen next. That alone made me fall in love with this story! I also LOVED the magical elements that were tied in throughout the book and every mention of unique world building or technology / weaponry was so so cool!! You could feel the love and dedication that the author poured into this story through those little details alone! (Your mind is amazing!)

AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE CHARACTERS!!!! 😭😭😭

THE SLOW BURN? THE TENSION? THEIR DEDICATION TO THEIR CRAFT AND THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT? Absolutely sickening. I loved every second of getting to know Task and Kit and genuinely could not wait to come home from work and watch their story unfold ❤️

Amazing debut!!!! You must read if you love all things romance, slow burn, and unique and compelling world-building! So excited to secure a hard copy of this masterpiece for my bookshelf and to read anything that this author publishes next!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me.

The Governor of Nexarium is dying,and his nephew Task Canmore commander of the Phantom Wing is trying to save him,even kidnap the healer.Meeting Kit is nothing like he expected,she's trying to find a cure against deadly virus and save everyone.Kit Hart just will find out she have some magic she didn't know about,and after a months of quarantine she think she knows Task.
Both risk their hearts,but will they get a chance to be together?

It was an enjoyable sci-fi read,I really liked the idea of combine sci-fi and magic together.Task as a tortured hero really tried to stay away from Kit,but it was not mean to be for him to have peace.Kit was a likable character,kind and really caring she and Task were a great combination,the banter and chemistry between them was explosive.It was interesting to read about Polaris and this virus that seem to take a lot of lives,but there was a quite a good part where the story drag a little bit,hence my 3.5 stars.That being said it's still a gripping story of duty,love and betrayal that end with the cliffhanger,and I hope to get second book because it will be a run for your life read.My first book by this author and hope to read more.

Thank you author for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️- why haven’t I read a sci/fi romance before?! This book is for the girlies who love romance and fantasy but with more sci/fi vibes!!

The story follows Kit and Task who are forced to spend months on the same ship after a pandemic hits Kit’s planet. Task and Kit are from opposing planets in the Consortium (8 planet system). Task is a member of the Nexarium force and Kit is a healer trying to find a a cure for the disease that is ravaging her planet. But what happens when Task falls in love with the healer who he’s sent to kidnap?!

Things I loved:
- The slow burn was so delicious. Spice doesn’t happen until about 70% into the story.
- I loved that the disease had magical elements and becomes alive at one point!! So cool
- a confident, sassy, nerdy FMC 💗
-The magic system was so unique and the sci fi setting was so well done!
- so many great and likeable side characters
- the story had a good mix of political intrigue, romance, and fighting scenes.

I highly recommend reading this one and can’t wait until book 2 in the series!!

Read if you like:
💉 slow burn romance
💉 tension, yearning, banter
💉 forced proximity
💉 hidden abilities/ unique magic system
💉 political intrigue
💉 🌶️🌶️
💉 morally grey MMC/ smart sassy FMC

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your sci-fi fantasy with sharp blades, messy morals, and a hero who’s one bad day away from a crisis of conscience, then buckle up. Saber of Truth delivers a gritty, action-packed ride through the dangerous world of Nexarium.

The story follows Task, an enforcer working for the intimidating Draven. Task’s job? Do what he’s told. Task’s problem? His conscience didn’t get the memo. As he navigates a world of power struggles, violent orders, and a past that refuses to stay buried, the line between loyalty and morality starts looking dangerously blurry.

Task isn’t your typical clean-cut hero. He’s conflicted, haunted, and constantly wrestling with the consequences of the things he’s done. That internal struggle gives the story real emotional weight and keeps you invested in every decision he makes.

Gordon builds a vivid universe filled with advanced tech, layered politics, and a history that feels bigger than the page. Nexarium feels alive and not always in a friendly way.

When the fighting starts, it starts. The combat scenes are intense, cinematic, and fast-paced enough to keep your heart rate slightly elevated.

[BackwardsBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I wasn’t sure about the third-person narration at first, but once I settled in, I tore through this book in just a couple of days.
Task’s iron control and loyalty to duty clash beautifully with Kit’s fierce determination to protect her people aboard the Polaris. Their dynamic is threaded with dangerous and magnetic tension that makes you want to read “just one more chapter.” I especially loved how Gordon uses dual POVs to show each of them wrestling with attraction, mistrust, and the weight of their choices. Kit’s growth as a protector adds emotional depth, while Task’s struggle between desire and loyalty keeps you hooked.
The combat scenes are vivid, fast paced, and pulse raising. I did lose track at one point of how Task was controlling the pain he felt with Kit, so a re-read might be in order. However, it didn’t take away my enjoyment of their relationship or the story’s momentum.
By the end, I was hooked. Gordon delivers a debut that’s both action packed and the ending sets the stage for bigger battles, both personal and political in the books to come.

Thank you to C.L Gordon for the fantastic read.

[Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to C.L. Gordon for this ARC!

I honestly don’t have enough good things to say about Saber of Truth. I was hooked from chapter one! Sci - fi is a fairly new genre to me and I think this book was an excellent entry point.

The story follows Major Task Canmore, an elite commander ordered to kidnap a healer, Kit Hart, to save his planet's dying Governor (who happens to be his uncle). However, when a deadly fever forces Kit’s people to evacuate, she and Task find themselves trapped together on the starship Polaris. As a fan of dual POV, the execution here was especially effective because it allows you to see both sides of the intergalactic conflict. Getting into both heads adds so much weight to the story, especially as Task’s rigid sense of duty begins to clash with Kit’s humanitarian mission.

Watching the way Kit made Task question everything he once held as absolute truth was heartbreaking at times. As I was reading, I could not help but admire Task’s strong sense of loyalty, I just hated he kept giving it to the wrong person! Honestly, the only con to this entire experience is the realization that this is only Book 1; that cliffhanger!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut! I’ve never read a book like this and loved the blend of sci-fi and fantasy. The story unfolds in the Consortium (eight planets in space), which I really enjoyed! I’m new to sci-fi and found the writing super engaging and accessible. The setting is vivid and carefully crafted — you can truly feel how much love Courtney poured into creating this world. I loved the unique magic abilities, especially time warping. I was very interested in the politics and look forward to learning more about the Revs.

The magical pandemic was fascinating! I loved following Kit’s healer journey to find a cure. The fever coming to life had me on EDGE. Kit is such a sweetheart, I can’t wait to see her step into her power. Task is everything I love in a morally grey character, PLUS he’s blonde. Task is a pain echo and can’t touch anyone without inflicting pain, until he meets a certain someone 🤭 I loved how he yearned and fell deeply for Kit. The fuck it moment was my favourite!! I also adored Voss and would love to see his POV in future.

My heart is still broken over the betrayal, but I know with time I’ll forgive [redacted]. The ending was INTENSE, leaving me stressed and excited for the next book. Godspeed to them!! Thank you so much Courtney for the eARC, I can’t wait for the world to read it.

"He wouldn't let go of her if the ship was on fire, if his entire world was burning down.” 🪐

[Bri Kemme]

ARC Review

•Oh my wow, this book was freaking intense in every way imaginable. It’s a sci-fi romance, which is not typically my genre, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Kit is a healer that is working in a hospital during a horrible pandemic, trying to do everything within her power to save these citizens lives. Then you have Task, who’s like an ultimate assassin badass, with a superiority complex. In unforeseen circumstances they end up working alongside each-other, and I’ll just say the yearning that is involved was next level. Escaping her home planet with hundreds of her fellow citizens, and being trapped on a space bus four months was not what either of them had in mind. Task’s Uncle had given him a mission prior to him arriving to her planet, and now he is unsure if he can follow through with his orders. There is betrayal, coercion, love, and loss all wrapped up within this story. I’m on the edge of my seat for the next book in this series to come out because, DAMN that cliff hanger…•

[ReviewsByNic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saber of Truth by C.L. Gordon
5 out of 5 stars
ARC

Thank you, Gordon, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚

I don’t read Sci-fi Fantasy as much as I would like and I am so glad this was one I was given the opportunity to read. Saber of Truth really immerses you into the world of health/science (in a way that all of us could relate), magic, and its political system. On top of that we get some action both with a rebellion and our main characters 😉 and this really adds to the plot.

When it came to health and science, not only could we understand because of us all going through a pandemic ourselves, but also because of the language used in the book. Gordon used accurate processes and terminology while also giving us readers enough details to understand. I really appreciated this as it was done smoothly and didn't take away from the story, rather, it added to it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to recommend it to my friends. While I do that, I will be impatiently waiting for book two after that ending 🥰

[_Belle_LovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal!

From the very beginning of the story, all the way to the end, this book had me sucked in. The scenes are well written, and the plot kept my attention the entire time. I loved the amount of spice that was written in. It wasn't overdone, and it was at the right time.

I loved the worldbuilding as well. It was so good, and I never felt like I couldn't understand what was happening. The planets and the descriptions of them were incredibly well written.

The last thing I want to hit on in this is the emotions in this story. The way they are written are incredible. The slow burn, the tension, the sadness, the joy. Each one was written so well, and at points I felt like I was feeling each one. The story as whole was so well done.

My only regret is that I am getting in on this way too early. As soon as I finished it was sad I couldn't read the next one!

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read exactly three sci-fi books thus far on my journey, and I can definitely say that the SABER OF TRUTH will stand bright in my memory for years. The plot was immensely intriguing and flowed freely in soft lulls of discussion, surges of discovery, and rushes of kindling love.

This felt like THE 100 to me. If you watched that show and remember how hated Bellamy Blake was for decisions he had to make, that in the end hurt people he loved and cared for, you'll understand Task Canmore. He's right Hand to the Governor and Major of the Phantom Wing to the Nexarium Force. Basically he's an ice-blonde bada** with major grumpy face and lots of crossed-arms/wall-leaning moments. In all his time as an enforcer, he's never been soft. He's done things that he never took a second to question - just followed orders. But once he meets his next mission, he feels it tilt his moral compass in ways he never expected - kidnapping Kit Hart.

Their story is stunning - it's loud when it needs chaos, soft when it needs reverence, spicy when it needs connection, and heartbreaking when it needs to answer questions of morality and action.

Altogether, it's an epically beautiful start to the Consortium series and I'm so locked in for the next one because that ending had me on the floor! The last 15% (maybe 20%) was like the harvesting season of The 100 and I'm never gonna be over it...and I have a feeling we're just scratching the surface of the chaos.

Thank you so so much to C.L. Gordon for the ARC. I'm truly in awe of you!

[RosewynReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for giving me an arc copy!

The banter in this book is so fluffing good. About halfway through I hit that reader dilemma of not wanting the story to end but also not wanting to stop reading.

The setting and themes reminded me a bit of the pandemic we all went through, which actually made it very easy to connect with the story and get pulled into the world.

Kit was such a fantastic character her replies and comebacks had me laughing out loud more than once. I normally don’t read a lot of sci-fi because it can be very hit or miss for me, but I’m so glad to say this one was absolutely the hit I needed.

I was rooting for Kit and Task the entire time and can’t wait to see where the rest of this series goes. A beautiful debut.

If you like Star wars mixed with a pandemic i think you will love this!

[halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you C.L. Gordon for providing this eARC in return for my honest review!

I absolutely loved this book! It was so well written and the blend between sci-fi/romance/fantasy had me hooked from the very beginning. I really resonated with Kit as an older sister, and could relate to the need she felt to protect her brother and take care of everyone else, even at the detriment to herself. Her relationship with Task felt very organic and never pushed or fake. I thought the dual POV was perfect and I enjoyed getting to see both of their thoughts and emotions. The magic system was also interesting and I loved that there is give and take within their abilities, rather than a free for all. Overall, Saber of Truth was a beautifully written story and that ending has me very impatiently waiting for book 2!!

[Rebecca Buddenbohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Saber of Truth had me invested from the very beginning. With so many elements I find irresistable…
💫 a morally gray man
💫 tension // banter galore
💫 forbidden love
💫 forced proximity
💫 slow-burn
This story was an absolute knock-out!!

Characters you can’t help but care about (side characters included). Perfect pacing. Political intrigue. Amazing twists & turns along the way.

Kit is a fabulous FMC who stays true to herself throughout, very identifiable + memorable.

Task has me in a CHOKEHOLD. Think Draco (Half-Blood Prince) x Four (Divergent) x Klaus (Vampire Diaries). I am always down for a platinum haired, tortured soul.

I can’t say enough amazing things about this debut novel.

[Jenn Shedd · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟

This book had me hooked from the beginning and kept me invested the entire time. It has been awhile since I had a 5 star read like this where I could not wait to keep reading. I got as an ARC and was NOT disappointed. Highly recommend people checking out this debut book.

The story was super unique, the world building was so well done, the writing engaging, and the characters 😍. Task and Kit, lemme just say the tension was tensioning and it was the best slow burn. I also really loved the side characters and their development.

As someone who LOVES Star Wars and romantasy books, this was the perfect merging for me in my first romance/sci-fi. I loved this book and I cannot wait for book two.