Secrets of Cuniculum

by C.T. Berry

In the robotic city of Cuniculum, notorious for its underground tunnels and violent crime, Laeli, a shy tech-genius and Javeer, an outgoing and ambitious mechanic, cross paths. Both broken and bruised from their past, they grow close and form a strong connection. However, when a mysterious friend from Laeli’s childhood suddenly returns, and Javeer begins to challenge Malin, a corrupt-gambler who runs Cuniculum’s largest casino, they both realize they are surrounded by enemies. As the city's gang life closes in around them, Laeli must figure out who she is, while Javeer must make the decisions necessary to protect both himself and the girl he loves. And so a race begins: a race that not only strives for power and control of Cuniculum’s streets, but also includes a need to discover the dark secret hovering over Laeli. Can she unveil the shadows of her confusing past in time or will she be too late?

Genres: Science Fiction

346 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2026

Reviews

[Addy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Secrets of Cuniculum by C.T. Berry is an android-filled, fast-paced, sci-fi thriller that anyone who loves dystopian worlds filled with robots may enjoy! Thank you for allowing me to ARC read, but I did end up rating the book 2.5 stars.

While I absolutely adore the concept of the storyline in premise, it wasn't as well executed as I had hoped. For whatever reason, I couldn't quite connect with the writing. In saying that, roughly the last 25% of the story picked up, and from there I was invested in how the story would continue. The characters were cute and each had my heart in different ways, but they did feel a little younger than they were supposed to be. One thing that I did enjoy was the love triangle aspect of things! Who doesn't love a good love triangle? However, at times, the romance between characters did feel a bit forced. I will say that Ren, Laeli's lovable android companion, was my favorite character out of them all! Hoping to see more of him in the future!

The world building that C.T. Berry created within the story was phenomenal. That was very well done! I'm honestly interested in seeing how the storyline and characters will grow and develop as the story continues with future books! 💜

Reminder!!!: Just because a story wasn't my favorite, doesn't mean that it doesn't have the potential to be your next 5-star read! Please look into it, check it out, and decide for yourself<3

[elixir.beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review (2.5★)

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an ARC—I'm honored to have been among the first readers.

This is one of those books where I truly loved the concept, but the execution didn’t fully work for me. The dystopian sci-fi setting, robots, and android takeover storyline were genuinely intriguing, and the world itself had a lot of promise. I especially enjoyed the bike racing elements and wish they had been explored more, as they were some of the most engaging scenes. The descriptive writing was also a strong point and helped bring the setting to life.

Where the story lost me was in its balance between romance and plot. The romance felt very overbearing and progressed extremely quickly, which made it difficult for me to connect to it emotionally. The “instant love” dynamic overshadowed much of the larger sci-fi narrative, and I often found myself wanting the story to slow down and let the characters—and their relationships—develop more naturally.

I also struggled with the characterization of the protagonist, Laeli. Although she is described as intelligent, her decision-making and behavior often felt much younger than her stated age, which created some disconnect for me as a reader. At times, she came across as easily influenced and lacking a strong sense of agency, which made it harder to understand why multiple characters were drawn to her so quickly. Several side characters, unfortunately, also felt underdeveloped, and some dialogue didn’t always read as natural.

Another aspect I personally wished had been handled with more depth was the representation of Black characters. While inclusion is present, I would have loved to see more variety in physical descriptions—especially hair and features—to give those characters more individuality and dimension.

That said, there were characters I enjoyed—Ren, in particular, stood out as a voice of reason and consistency. The android storyline and larger sci-fi elements had moments that felt surreal and intense, almost like a fever dream, and readers who enjoy romance-forward stories set within a sci-fi backdrop may connect with this more than I did.

Overall, this book didn’t quite align with my personal reading preferences, but readers who love fast-paced romance set in a futuristic world may find more to enjoy here.

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to start by saying this had some great plot points and aspects for a debut novel! However, it felt like it needed more development in the writing specifically. But, I would like to acknowledge that I did not read the most recent/polished version, so it’s possible some of these things were edited. I read the book in October when I received the ARC and didn’t have time to reread the final copy.

I enjoyed the plot and vibes of this story. I loved the robots and the bike racing and the sci-fi setting with the different cities. The world is well developed and all the action scenes are well written! I think there is so much potential here!!!

Unfortunately, I have some issues with the characterization and romance.
- Firstly, the characters don’t read like they’re in their 20s to me. The dialogue feels unnatural, and I can’t imagine real people saying some of these things. There’s no subtext or nuance, and it feels stilted.
- I also didn’t buy the romance. Javeer remembered a girl from 14 years later who he had a small interaction with, and fell in love almost immediately.
- Laeli says Kye is one of her closest friends, but she also hasn’t seen him in 14 years. Also, I feel that the plot twist with him is too heavy handed and the author doesn’t trust the reader to put some pieces together.
- I’m concerned about the portrayal of Javeer and other Black characters. I believe the author has said that their culture is not the same as African American culture. However, the dialogue and interactions between Black characters feel like an attempt at AAVE and I don’t think it’s a good look. I certainly don’t think this was intentional, but it seems a bit exploitative. I think she should have considered a sensitivity reader.

My last main issue is with the way the robot talks about Laeli’s mother’s pregnancy. The robot says “The fetus is viable. Neither you or the child have suffered any damage. You are fortunate. You have admirable strength of mind.” Again, maybe this isn’t intentional, but it sounds like she’s equating the fetus’ viability with the mother’s mental fortitude. This could be very hurtful to women with miscarriages, as it sounds like it’s blaming the mother for not being strong enough.

Overall, I enjoyed the setting and plot of this book, but I think the romance and dialogue could use some strengthening if the author does another pass or for her future books.

[ri]

thank you ct berry for giving an advanced arc copy.

while the premise held a lot of promise, the execution did not work for me. as an avid reader who is less familiar with sci-fi, the heavy info dumping made it hard for me to connect with the characters and the plot. I wanted to see how it affects the characters and their actions, and also the origin stories of the characters. but unfortunately they are barely mentioned and are merely brushed over. I finished it in a day, and mostly skimmed through the book (this is self-explanatory). I felt that many scenes deepen the world and the dynamics, but aren't that relevant to the whole plot.

update: this review has been updated to reflect my true reading experience as I believe in transparent feedback for readers

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, C. T. Berry, for a free ARC in exchange for a review. I really enjoyed this sci-fi romance. The characters and world were distinctive, and I liked all of the different variations of robots. The romance was sweet and fluffy as well.

However, I did notice that Laeli never kissed Javeer on the lips (unless I missed it). I also wish they had more chemistry. They had great chemistry as friends, but to me it didn’t translate as well when they were lovers.

I also was a little bit turned off by the fact that Laeli refers to her mother as “Mommy” even though she’s an adult. I don’t know, maybe some people do that in real life too. It just threw me off, but it’s an unimportant part that didn’t really affect my enjoyment of the story.

The ending was great and I love that we got to find out more about Laeli’s past and father. The last chapter is a big mystery of who Kye is talking to and leaves you wanting to read the next book. I even wish this book was longer so we got to spend more time with the characters.

Overall, I recommend this to sci-fi and romance fans who are looking for up-and-coming indie authors.

[okayyyjanicereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of Cuniculum by C.T. Berry
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Dystopian Sci-Fi
Morally Grey Men
Love Triangle
Hidden Identity
No Spice

Laeli was content living the sheltered life she was raised in. But her reality is cracked wide open when 2 strangers from her past emerge. She must piece together the secrets of her past that have been hidden from her and learn who to trust in the corrupt city of Cuniculum.

Even though the story is set in a robotic city, I never felt like I was trying to be over convinced of the character’s reality. The story is smooth & fast paced. C.T. Berry did a great job creating a world I could easily envision and emerge myself into.

The non-spicy romance makes it a great read for any reader who wants to read sci-fi without the extra mundane detail.
I can’t wait to see where this story leads 🩷

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of Cuniculum by C.T. Berry is a wildly fun ride that blends sci-fi, dystopian vibes, and a touch of semi-humorous, non-spicy romance—and honestly, those extra genres end up being the best parts. While the story is rooted in sci-fi, it’s the heart, humor, and relationships that really make it shine.

In the first book of the series, we meet Laeli, a robot mechanic who is equal parts brilliant and lovable. She’s kind, intuitive, and has that quiet strength that pulls you in from page one. I was immediately hooked by her warmth and inner voice. Then there’s Javeer, a motorcycle mechanic who is ridiculously charming; his ambition, humor, and overall vibe had me wanting so much more of him.

When Laeli’s past collides with her present through the reappearance of a childhood friend, the tension ramps up. The world of gangs, power-hungry villains, and dystopian unrest already exists but his unsettling demeanor and choices pour fuel on the fire, adding layers of chaos and unease to everything Laeli thought she understood.

Add in fantastic side characters like Ren, Mimi, and Heathel, who bring humor and heart in all the right moments, and you’ve got a cast you genuinely care about. This is the kind of world you don’t want to leave and I’m already counting down until I can dive into book two!

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy.

[Booktrovertt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, especially since scifi isn’t my go-to genre. From the very beginning, the author does an incredible job of bringing Cuniculum to life...a gritty, robotic dystopian city filled with underground tunnels, violent crime, and constant tension. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive which made it super easy to get lost in the setting.

The story itself is a great mix of scifi dystopian elements, mystery, and action. There’s always something unfolding which kept me engaged and hooked throughout.

Laeli and Javeer are compelling leads, each carrying emotional baggage... Their bond develops naturally, adding an emotional core to all the chaos happening around them.

I also really appreciated how much care was given to the side characters... Ren and Mimi stood out and quickly became my favourites they added depth and warmth to the story in moments when it was most needed.

The only thing I hated( jk) about this book is that it ended on a brutal cliffhanger, leaving so many questions unanswered....I seriously cannot wait for Book 2 😭🖤

[TheLiterary Mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to a world where securing power and control over Cuniculum's streets is merely a precursor to unraveling the ominous secret looming over Laeli. The curiosity I had as the story unfolded, had me hooked and the sci-fi elements were vivid and descriptive with the ramped up twists, gave me the tension, I enjoy reading in a novel.

So meet Laeli and Javeer, two misfits living in Cuniculum, a robotic city that's basically a hot mess of underground tunnels and crime. As their city descends into chaos, Laeli's searching for her identity meanwhile Javeer's taking precautions to keep them both alive. As they unravel secrets and battle the dangers of street life, Laeli is known as the shy tech whiz and Javeer's a charming mechanic - who both come from sorbed pasts but they click and find solace in each other.

As a high-stakes race against time unfolds, can they expose the skeletons in Laelis' closet before it's too late, or will they become the latest victims of their own bad timing? Dive into this sci-fi thriller with a romantic twist and find out!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was definitely a little different from my usual reads. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi or books without some spice, so that probably influenced my experience. There were moments that felt a bit too techy and information heavy, which made the story move slower for me.

That said, I’m really glad I gave it a chance. The world building was solid, and I enjoyed the character dynamics a lot. The main character struggles with trauma and anxiety, which I really appreciated being represented, especially their challenges with anxiety because that’s something I also struggle with.

I also loved the banter, the attraction, and the found-family vibes between the characters. Even though this one didn’t fully click for me, it made me curious about reading more sci-fi stories, and I’m glad I gave it a shot.

[Isabella K · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4/5 stars

I loved Laeli’s story in Secrets of Cuniculum — but reading her mom’s story gripped me even more than I expected. Catherine Berry weaves their stories together in a way that’s intense, emotional, and beautifully written.

This dystopian world feels dark and immersive, and I really enjoyed how the use of androids brought a fresh, unexpected element to the story. The pacing was so engaging that I finished it faster than I thought I would. By the time I hit the last page, I was desperate for book 2.

Thank you to C.T. Berry for the ARC — this was such a compelling and thought-provoking read and I cannot wait for Book 2!

[Tina Sevich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful for the arc copy!

C.T. Berry crafted a world of secrets, danger, and relatable characters. We have Laeli, a shy tech-girl on her way to self discovery. Javeer, who is determined to step out of the shadows. And a certain childhood friend who seems to be haunted by his past.

My favorite part of the book was the mischievously scheming Malin. His “mafia vibes” kept everyone—including me—on their toes.

If you enjoy scifi with a side of action, add this one to your tbr!

[Rebecca Veight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laeli, a shy robotics mechanic, crosses paths with outgoing Javeer, a mechanic in the dangerous robot-filled, gang and crime-heavy city of Cuniculum. They grow close. A childhood friend of Laeli's comes back into her life, but something is off. Meanwhile, Javeer's ambition puts him at odds with Malin, the corrupt casino owner. As enemies start to close in, will secrets from Laeli's past help or hinder them?

I fell in love with Laeli's kind & caring persona right from the beginning, from that nicely endearing prologue (at least at its start). Her POV has an intuitive feel that had me invested immediately. Javeer's POV shines with his jovial nature. I enjoyed Laeli's inner thoughts, especially when she is almost obsessive, going a mile a minute. There are also glimpses of other characters' perspectives that are more ominous.

So damn readable as the prose's flow is eloquently smooth, gifting us with breath-stealing moments that fire on all cylinders. The dialogue is so natural, often quick back and forth, educating us on the characters, their objectives, and the like. There is no apparent infodumping and yet we know all we need to know at the moment we are. Where we are. There are of course, little nudges of foreshadowing, signaling future reveals. I cannot get over those extraordinary reveals and how beautifully they were conveyed in unexpected fashion.

The world is just so fascinating. I must applaud the author for her ingenious vision and how she shares it with us. There is a melancholy that bleeds through, though a great sense of humor gives us chuckle-worthy, even laugh-out-loud moments. There is a twice-over meet-cute (you'll get it when you read it) that makes you feel gooey. Things to look forward to are: The secret and awesomeness of Ren, Mimi the loveable robot and Heathel giving you the warm & fuzzies.

The Bria thing is a bit of repetitive exaggeration and the character irritates me, like I guess she is supposed to, but not in a good way for the book. Also, Khar plays out as a spoiled jock-thug of a villain. The other nefarious players are more grounded, feel like a greater threat, and therefore are more intriguing. I needed, and in my opinion so did the book, significantly more of the one with the cryptic intentions.

This story is about finding your true purpose, your power. It deals with how the past can define us, sometimes without us realizing or knowing of it. About doing what is right. You will absolutely enjoy this sci-fi street-level thriller with the captivating story that will worm into your heart.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 to 4 stars 🌟

Found Family
Diverse characters (Minority MC and Disability representation)
Dystopian Sci-fi fantasy
Love Triangle
~
I would like to thank C.T. Berry for the ARC!

I was nervous to go into this book because I found C.T. Berry on Instagram promoting her book and talking about having a Black male character, so I was intrigued and reached out! However, I was still nervous about whether I would like this book, especially since sci-fi isn’t a genre I read all the time. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how well it came together! I gave this book 3.6 to 4 stars because there were some moments that were hard for me to follow, but they didn't stop my enjoyment, so I also gave 4 stars because I really enjoyed the journey the book took me on. I think this book, from the prologue, puts you right into the world and has a continuous, steady flow of action, thriller, and suspense. As a black reader, I am grateful for Black representation within this book. Definitely team Javeer!!! I loved his character’s traits and the connection he and Leali share when they meet up again. I could feel the connection, I will say I love Leali’s character but sometimes she did feel robotic and at first I thought it was just in the prologue, but I started to realize that it was just her personality and I liked that C.T Berry wrote where we don’t get all the information about Laeli in one go especially since we are just jumped into the book and by conversations and inner dialogue get to understand why she is so different and doesn't have full understanding of human emotion. I liked the side characters introduced, my favorite being Mimi and Haethel!!!

I believe this book is a great choice for those interested in Sci-fi, but who are afraid of the details and high levels of immersion some Sci-fi books bring. I think C.T. Berry gives just enough world-building while also making it easy to imagine the world as we follow along with our characters.

I am glad that I got to read this book! I am excited to see where this series goes!

[Wesley Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of Secrets of Cuniculum. Here are my thoughts!

Laeli and Javeer were friends when they were children, but life happened and they were destined to go their separate ways. Now Laeli is a techie and Javeer is a mechanic, and they are brought back into each other’s lives. Together they are pulled into the dark and violent secrets behind the robotic city of Cuniculum, filled with gambling, motorcycle races and crime syndicates bigger than either of them anticipates.

This novel had some hits and misses for me, but I’m going to focus on the hits first and just do a quick note on the misses. Gotta keep these reviews honest, but positive! I loved the world of Cuniculum. It gave me Dune meets Blade Runner vibes, and a little Star Wars with the incorporation of bots and droids. Loved those sci fi pieces that were woven together to create a unique environment for the reader. It was 100% fully realized.

The characters were middling for me. I really enjoyed reading about the side characters, and Laeli’s mother. But Laeli was a little underwhelming for me. I liked her in the beginning, but I found a lot of her focus and drive were simmered by a romance opportunity, which always makes me a little sad when reading about intelligent, strong female characters.

With the plot, I had the opposite experience. I liked the intro, then it got a little slow for me but then about 75% through it picked up again and I was very drawn in. I think one piece that separated me from the book a little was the writing in the past tense. I find that when I’m reading fiction, I prefer present tense as it keeps me in the action and more immersed in the book!

A little bit of an up and down read for me, but world building was on point and I think this author has some very creative ideas and can see this series really taking off with the vast opportunities still available to characters.

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this arc!

This story should be a great read for the younger audience who likes YA. It's got a great concept. A sci-fi thriller full of robots, a gritty city, gangs, action, and romance.

I very much enjoyed the setting. The author does a great job of always describing the scene for the reader and makes it easy to picture what's happening around the characters. What loses me is the dialogue that isn't conversational in its flow. It's rather unnatural for most of it. Especially when it comes to 20-somethings as the characters are meant to be, though they also seemed more like teenagers. Hearing everyone call the FMC 'girl' about a thousand times through the book was also making me a little insane. Ren is easily my favorite character and I have a feeling will be everyone else's.

The romance between the characters was instant which also was something I wish was drawn out more. Especially given they hadn't seen each other since they were kids and knew nothing about one another.

For me, the bread and butter of this book is the back end at around 75% or so. It feels like the story finally finds footing. It feels better written as well. Was fully hooked through to the end, finishing it in one sitting. Lots of action, mystery, suspense, and heartbreak. A big ole lore dump in the best way which fills in the gaps throughout the earlier part of the story.

I think the next books in the series should be even better given how the story progressed and was better written. It will be interesting to see what happens next with these characters.

[Emma Sambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, this genre is not my normal type that read but I really enjoyed this book, it really pulled me in. It also made me think that I need to read more sci-fi book because this book concept really drew me me. If you have not read any books from sci-fi genre before, I would truly recommend starting it of with this book.

In book, the characters has a lot of progress and all through the book you could see that the characters Laeli was becoming more out of her shell, which I really enjoyed because you can tell that she becoming to show more of her true personality. This is the same with Kye, at first you thought he was going to be all nice, like he was as a child but further into the book, you can tell that there is something off. This book involves three main characters called Kye, Javeer and Laeli and they all have some sort of secrets hidden but at the end, Javeer and Laeli, came to terms to trust each other with theirs secrets. This books is set in a world, which is made up of humans and robots, some people agree with the way the robots are being used but some Don't. I really love the concept of it and I would truly recommend this book, if you love romance, sci-fi, robots and another world. The Author has really shown this, through her work and I really love that for her.

I really can't wait to read book 2 and to see what happen next because the last pages of the book, we found more information about Laeli mum and why she was truly being hidden. I really can't wait to see what next in the next book.
Really, really enjoyed it.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 3 out of 5]

"𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘, 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞."

From the very beginning this fascinating and unique novel mesmerized me. A dystopian sci-fi thriller with horror elements, handsome robots and morally grey characters — who needs more?! And when I thought it can't possibly be better, one of my favorite tropes revelied itself. Love triangle! I loved Khar, Javeer and Jace so much, they were the absolute best! On the other hand, I hated Kye so much. He was such a suspicious and unlikable character in my opinion. And the main character Laeli, she was very naive and childish which made it so hard for me to connect with her. The way she talked often felt unnatural, and while I understand she mostly grew up with Ren, so her interactions were limited, it still felt off. She struggles with excessive fear, crippling anxiety and trauma, which I do relate more than I could explain and as always, I appreciate mental health representation in books... Unfortunately I still couldn't connect with her and I need that in books. That extra, special little spark between a character and myself.

I loved the motorcycle elements thought! The race was definitely my favorite scene of this entire book!

Other than those tiny details, I enjoyed my time with this book very much and I highly recommend checking out this action-packed tale!

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤
Handsome Robots
Morally Grey Characters
Friends to Enemies
Love Triangle
Mystery

Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of your novel in exchange for my honest review! ♡

[Alicia DiPaolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Secrets of Cuniculum
✨ by C. T. Berry
📖 Genre: Sci-fi
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to author, C. T. Berry, @creativecatwrites_25 for inviting me to be in the ARC group and sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 

📓 Summary: In the second picture

📝 Review:

This is a great up and coming sci-fi series and I am grateful to have received an ARC version. The world-building takes a minute to pull you in, but once you are in it you will not want to put this one down. The characters are fun and relatable - and be sure to check out the author's insta for the artwork as they are exactly as I imagined the characters. You get to know the characters of Laeli (who is just adorable and naive) and Javeer (who is charming) right when Kye steps in. Kye is mysterious and brings Laeli's past with him and keeps you wanting to know what his deal is. There is also a crime syndicate that Javeer is challenging with Laeli by his side and a secret friend of Laeli's that I don't want to say too much about to spoil anything! This story builds until you finally get answers along with more questions, and I am impatiently waiting for book 2 so I can continue this story. Pick this one up now on January 26, 2026! 

🤔 Why You Should Read It:
World-building. Character depth. Mystery.

[Dasia Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Laeli, a shy-tech genius, and Javeer, an outgoing machine, crosses paths again in the robotic city of Cuniculum where they are soon drawn into the dark secrets of gambling, motorcycle races, and a crime syndicate that lurks within the shadows.

From the moment I opened the book, C.T, Berry had me hooked. I genuinely enjoyed the plot, the detail and the world building that happened around the characters as we got to know them. Laeli is a soft-spoken young woman with secrets that she's left to keep and discover on her own. Javeer is shrouded in mystery of a past that left me wondering and guessing about his life.

These two initial attraction is obvious from the beginning. It isn't 'instant love', it is a knowing that they instantly likes each other and Javeer isn't shy about it. The build on their love, in my opinion, feels realistic because they both knew what they wanted and no one backed down from it.

Laeli's childhood friend that appears before her again after years, is a puzzle that I couldn't solve until the very end. C.T. Berry does an amazing job of describing him in a way that mystery yet, there is something not exactly right with him with ever appearance he had in the book.

This book is an absolute joy to read if you like a sci-fi, robotic dystopian world that feels like Arcane in novel form and reminds me of Cinder.

[Peighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually blew me away. I’ve never been the type to read dystopian literature until I read this book. I was only able to read a singular DRAFT of this book and it was actually phenomenal. I love Javeer’s humble character and I completely hate Dreadon and Kye. When an author writes a character so well that you end up hating them, that’s when you know it’s a well written book. Page after page after page I was able to guess a few things that happened in the book but not at all in the ways that I imagined like with Kye’s character who is he really or I suppose what is he really and why does he see or hear voices?? There’s so many Easter eggs in this book about book two and I can’t wait until it’s fully published so I can reread them and catch them all. This book is not at all a standalone and I NEED book two to fulfill my obsession with this new franchise. It was so good. I gasped so many times while reading this and it definitely sparked my love for reading once again and maybe even sparked a new love for dystopian reads. Not The Hunger Games tho bc that just seems like pure torture. But yes please read this book, it was a great first read for 2026 and I can’t wait until book two comes out!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🦾Laeli’s life has been a bit confusing as she is catapulted from her home town as a child, to Cuniculum. There, violent crime and robots is what it’s all about. Laeli and Javeer are the main characters in this dystopian thrill ride. Laeli’s android protector/companion is Ren. No spoilers here but Ren is more special than it seems throughout the book, until the end, when it really seals the deal why I like him so much.

🏍️Many more important characters enter, like Jace, Khar and Kye. Most of them are involved in the story fairly early, which I like. It takes me a while to get to know them when I read a book and the more I get of them, the better.

💗Chock-full of motorcycles, tech stuff, a love triangle and Laeli searching for the truth about her life and her mother, this story is fast moving and very creative. We do get answers about Laeli’s parents toward the end and then…an abrupt cliffhanger at the end! Book 2 needs to come out timely because I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the story.

Thank you to C.T.Berry for the ARC of this sci-fi gem.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing.
Would be one word I would use to describe this book. This book had me wanting to read more and more after each chapter. I found myself saying before bed "Just one more chapter." I ended up reading half the book before i went to sleep🤣.

The intense fighting scenes had me gripping the book like it was gonna fly out of my hands! 😭

The plot had/has me hooked, so many questions still left unanswered. I NEED book 2 now😭.

The only thing that felt off to me was the romance. While it was cute and fun, I found it a little cringey in some areas. I'm also used to reading more intense romance and slow-burn, so the romance in this book was just this fast paced kinda romance, which is something i'm not used too. The relationship is still adorable though.

I loved the characters so much though, especially Jace and Ren😏🤭. And Kye, oh my gosh so many secrets about him, his character is so enticing 👀.

The humor is spot on as well so overall I really loved this book and am really looking forward to book 2!!

[Reese Songbird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

First thing to say is I read this back when she originally sent the book to me and I don’t remember all of my original thoughts because even though I wrote some down I do not have them anymore for some reason. I also guessed the timeline for when I read the book. I think it was in November but I don’t remember exactly.

But I do remember enjoying it and liking it for the most part. I did like the characters I think they were well developed and dynamic, especially Javeer (I think I spelled his name right) and he was my favorite character. I did like the other characters as well except for one, he freaked me out. That was probably the intention but gosh he made me uncomfortable 😂

Plot was very fast paced and full of intense action and suspense, with twists and turns that left me surprised and intrigued! I think it’s a very complex and emotional story.

Content: no spice romance, kissing, mild to moderate cursing, heavy violence

[Jade Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the city of Cuniculum, this story follows Laeli, a quiet tech genius, and Javeer, a bold mechanic, as they try to survive a world full of danger, secrets and betrayal.

I loved how real these two felt — both broken in different ways but trying so hard to hold on to each other while everything around them falls apart. Enter Kye, a childhood friend who isn’t quite who he used to be, and brings more questions than he does answers.

The world-building is dark and vivid (you can practically feel the hum of the city) and the mystery around Laeli’s past had me turning pages way too late at night.

Add a touch of chaos, robots and motorbike racing, and you have a well-written sci-Fi dystopian thriller.

If you like stories with found family vibes, a touch of romance and a whole lot of chaos and heart, this one’s for you.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world-building in this book is fantastic, and the characters are magnetic. I loved how the author introduced the main characters at an early point, before they reconnect for the main story arc as young adults.

The stark contrasts between the cities, and the ways the characters feel about them, shine a light on societal shifts that seem relevant to our own time. The rapid technological advancements and widening socio-economic gaps we are experiencing are mirrored in the story.

I like the fact that the romance is closed door - but maintains a little edge that keeps it from being saccharine.

As a debut YA novel this is really strong. While it is a three star read for me, I think fans of science fiction crossed with romance are likely to really love it!

[Anna Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for Sci-Fi lovers who enjoy themes similar to alita battle angel, the eye of minds, and ready player one!!

This book provides an intriguing new world where the FMC is sucked into a mysterious setting of political danger in which she must discover the truth behind her heritage, as well as discoveries made about her caregiver/parent figure—Ren(my fav character/he’s so fine), and her childhood friend who appears to be hiding a dark past. She stumbles across a young man named Javeer and a series of events begin to unfold rapidly. Her life begins to spin in directions she never imagined it would and she must find a way to discover the real truth behind her parents and her past. With robots, plenty of characters to become immersed in, power struggles, and a lot more—you don’t want to miss out on this.

This book is going to suck you in and leave you entranced by the characters and world building. There is a lot of action and some romance sprinkled in for us girlies to enjoy. Overall, my favorite aspect of the book was Ren, I thought he was very well crafted and his character just felt so unique. I felt very drawn to him and intrigued by the way the author shaped his mannerisms and personality. Im a HUGEEE fan of alita battle angel and this book and setting reminded me a lot of that. It would be SUCHH a cool tv series or film!

For those of you who are visual readers and kind of imagine things like movies when you read them—this book is definitely setup in a way that makes it easy for you. Mentally mapping everything out, including the characters felt easy and I liked the detail put into the city.

Definitely give it a read!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel masterfully blends dystopian sci-fi, slight thriller elements, and a slow-burn, spice-free romance that feels organic, emotional, and deeply earned. The action is sharp, the flirtation is subtle but effective, and the characters are rich with depth and raw emotion. For a debut novel, Secrets of Cuniculum is well-written, immediately attention-grabbing, and so much more than a romantic sci-fi. It's a story about survival, truth, and holding onto those most important to us in a chaotic, revelatory world. I finished this book already anticipating book two. Highly recommend to anyone who loves android-immersed worlds, unwavering characters, and stories that linger long after the final page.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Secrets of Cuniculum" is a sci-fi thriller and the first book of the series. I really liked the world building, I thought it was very well done, and I found the plot interesting but a bit predictable at times. I liked how the author described the futuristic world and the action scenes, very vivid. The pacing was also really good.
The main characters were interesting but I had some trouble connecting with them and I thought that the dialogue wasn't always natural.
I'm intrigued to know what will happen next and the character I'm mostly interested in is Kye, I liked the mystery around him.

[Lyss.j.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had finished this previously but finally getting to my review!! I was lucky enough to get an arc! The first third or so of the book is building and explaining the world and as soon as you get through that rest packs a punch! I got super invested in the characters and the robots and world was such a cool vibe. I haven't read many sci-fi but this one really worked for me. I'm so excited there's more coming because the cliffhanger this ended on is too much... I must have answers asap!!! So well done and excited to continue!