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Between the Layers: Book 3 in The Data Collectors Trilogy
After more than 100 years of peace, Erde must prepare for war for the first time in over a century. The only problem is, they don’t know how. Because they are small in number, they are forced to learn and become experts on things they know nothing about—and fast! Under threat from the Royals, the Vitruvians, and the Null, TARA (and its Makerspace) has been converted to accommodate warcraft, combat training, psychological warfare, espionage, and interrogation.If that weren’t enough, to save Lucene from the demon, Jasper Set, Reverend Isabella was forced to open a portal, but not to other dimensions as intended. She managed to create a leak where beings from other shamanic realms can come and go, in and out of their everyday reality. She must now find a way to seal the leak between worlds.Everyone was worried about the end of Earth, but what about the end of Erde?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2025
Goodbyes, Ghosts, and Galactic Growing Pains
Oof. This one hit hard in the best possible way. Between the Layers isn’t just the final book it’s the emotional core of the trilogy, wrapped in an interplanetary bow. It’s messy, it’s hopeful, and it absolutely refuses to wrap things up without challenging you a little first.
The characters are more developed here not just older, but wiser, and more worn down by everything they’ve survived. We get back to Lucene and Cepheus and dig deeper into themes of identity, grief, belonging, and what it means to truly protect someone. There’s war, yes. But the most intense battles feel like the ones going on inside the characters.
Mallory’s semi return (IYKYK), the Makerspace reunion, Morphinae’s realization it all felt like coming full circle. I didn’t expect to get teary over some of the farewells, but I absolutely did. Especially “Goodbye, Not Christopher.” What a name. What a gut-punch.
This finale doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow it gives you closure, yes, but also space to think. And feel. And maybe call your weirdest, most empathic friend and say, “Hey, I love you, and I’d follow you through a wormhole.
Oof. This one hit hard in the best possible way. Between the Layers isn’t just the final book it’s the emotional core of the trilogy, wrapped in an interplanetary bow. It’s messy, it’s hopeful, and it absolutely refuses to wrap things up without challenging you a little first.
The characters are more developed here not just older, but wiser, and more worn down by everything they’ve survived. We get back to Lucene and Cepheus and dig deeper into themes of identity, grief, belonging, and what it means to truly protect someone. There’s war, yes. But the most intense battles feel like the ones going on inside the characters.
Mallory’s semi return (IYKYK), the Makerspace reunion, Morphinae’s realization it all felt like coming full circle. I didn’t expect to get teary over some of the farewells, but I absolutely did. Especially “Goodbye, Not Christopher.” What a name. What a gut-punch.
This finale doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow it gives you closure, yes, but also space to think. And feel. And maybe call your weirdest, most empathic friend and say, “Hey, I love you, and I’d follow you through a wormhole.
June 17, 2025
A Lyrical Farewell That Left Me Shaken
This is more than a conclusion it’s a transcendence. Palli doesn’t just tie up plotlines; she ascends them. Between the Layers isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about integration, balance, and identity. Lucene's evolution reaches a crescendo here, not with explosions or grand speeches, but in intimate moments of recognition and surrender.
What hit hardest was the idea that not all truths are meant to be understood in linear time. The nonlinear chapters, the echoing of earlier motifs (like the red door, the Beacon, the Seahorse) these aren’t just callbacks, they’re layers we peel as readers alongside the characters.
This is more than a conclusion it’s a transcendence. Palli doesn’t just tie up plotlines; she ascends them. Between the Layers isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about integration, balance, and identity. Lucene's evolution reaches a crescendo here, not with explosions or grand speeches, but in intimate moments of recognition and surrender.
What hit hardest was the idea that not all truths are meant to be understood in linear time. The nonlinear chapters, the echoing of earlier motifs (like the red door, the Beacon, the Seahorse) these aren’t just callbacks, they’re layers we peel as readers alongside the characters.
June 24, 2025
Cepheus and the Weight of Redemption
If The Data Collectors was about discovery and Breach of Contract about conflict, Between the Layers is about reconciliation especially for Cepheus. Long shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, he becomes this volume’s heart.
The final confrontation between his guilt and his guardianship over Lucene and the others is handled with pathos and grace. We see him not just as a scholar or alien, but as a flawed guardian seeking peace with himself.
If The Data Collectors was about discovery and Breach of Contract about conflict, Between the Layers is about reconciliation especially for Cepheus. Long shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, he becomes this volume’s heart.
The final confrontation between his guilt and his guardianship over Lucene and the others is handled with pathos and grace. We see him not just as a scholar or alien, but as a flawed guardian seeking peace with himself.
June 28, 2025
Loved it!!
Between the Layers is a brilliant continuation of The Data Collectors saga. Danielle Palli masterfully peels back even more layers (pun intended) of her wonderfully inventive universe, diving deeper into the characters’ hearts and minds while still delivering her signature mix of humour, insight, and charm.
It’s clever, thought-provoking, and deeply human exploring big questions in playful, unexpected ways. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m already hoping there’s more to come. Highly recommended for anyone who loves sci-fi with soul and wit!
Between the Layers is a brilliant continuation of The Data Collectors saga. Danielle Palli masterfully peels back even more layers (pun intended) of her wonderfully inventive universe, diving deeper into the characters’ hearts and minds while still delivering her signature mix of humour, insight, and charm.
It’s clever, thought-provoking, and deeply human exploring big questions in playful, unexpected ways. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m already hoping there’s more to come. Highly recommended for anyone who loves sci-fi with soul and wit!
June 19, 2025
The Heroine’s Descent into Self
This book abandons external resolution in favor of deep internal reconciliation. Jett isn’t saving the world she’s saving herself, and by extension, all selves.
The narrative becomes a map of the psyche. Instead of victory, we get integration. Instead of climax, we get coherence. It's a rare book that understands true liberation doesn’t arrive with a bang, but with a shift in perception.
This book abandons external resolution in favor of deep internal reconciliation. Jett isn’t saving the world she’s saving herself, and by extension, all selves.
The narrative becomes a map of the psyche. Instead of victory, we get integration. Instead of climax, we get coherence. It's a rare book that understands true liberation doesn’t arrive with a bang, but with a shift in perception.
June 24, 2025
War and the Inner Battles of Erde
The war scenes here are visceral but rarely gratuitous. The real battles, we realize, are emotional and philosophical. Characters question the cost of peace, the legitimacy of war, and the danger of losing oneself in purpose.
Erde's internal divisions mirror Earth's, and the metaphorical tension pulses beneath every firefight and diplomatic exchange.
The war scenes here are visceral but rarely gratuitous. The real battles, we realize, are emotional and philosophical. Characters question the cost of peace, the legitimacy of war, and the danger of losing oneself in purpose.
Erde's internal divisions mirror Earth's, and the metaphorical tension pulses beneath every firefight and diplomatic exchange.
July 13, 2025
A Wild and Emotional Finish
This book takes everything from the first two and just turns the volume up. There’s more action, more emotion, more weirdness. It moves fast, but never feels rushed. The character arcs really hit, especially Lucene, Cepheus, and Morphinae. Things get messy in a good way emotionally complicated and morally gray.
It’s a solid payoff after all the build up.
This book takes everything from the first two and just turns the volume up. There’s more action, more emotion, more weirdness. It moves fast, but never feels rushed. The character arcs really hit, especially Lucene, Cepheus, and Morphinae. Things get messy in a good way emotionally complicated and morally gray.
It’s a solid payoff after all the build up.
July 4, 2025
The Return of Not Christopher: Mystery and Identity
Not Christopher’s reappearance adds an eerie, dreamlike quality. He becomes a cipher for identity and loss. Is he a clone? A memory? A trauma? Palli doesn’t tie it up neatly, which is exactly what makes his presence effective.
He represents everything unfinished, every goodbye that was never properly spoken.
Not Christopher’s reappearance adds an eerie, dreamlike quality. He becomes a cipher for identity and loss. Is he a clone? A memory? A trauma? Palli doesn’t tie it up neatly, which is exactly what makes his presence effective.
He represents everything unfinished, every goodbye that was never properly spoken.
July 14, 2025
The End Game
The last book of both a trilogy and a journey. A hero’s journey that realizes that true liberation doesn't come with extravagance but rather in looking at life with a new perspective. shift in perception.
D. A. Wysong author of the Bestselling series “Monster Hunters Of America”
The last book of both a trilogy and a journey. A hero’s journey that realizes that true liberation doesn't come with extravagance but rather in looking at life with a new perspective. shift in perception.
D. A. Wysong author of the Bestselling series “Monster Hunters Of America”
July 31, 2025
The Perfect Ending, Bittersweet, Bold, and Beautifully Strange
This one felt like a hug and a heartbreak all at once. I didn’t know how much I cared about Erde, the Data Collectors, or even lizard shapeshifters until I was saying goodbye to them. Danielle Palli gave us a finale that’s soft, powerful, and just a little haunting and I loved it.
This one felt like a hug and a heartbreak all at once. I didn’t know how much I cared about Erde, the Data Collectors, or even lizard shapeshifters until I was saying goodbye to them. Danielle Palli gave us a finale that’s soft, powerful, and just a little haunting and I loved it.
July 5, 2025
A Bit of a Rollercoaster
Some parts pulled me in right away while others felt a little slow Still the message was strong and the author clearly poured heart and soul into every word
Some parts pulled me in right away while others felt a little slow Still the message was strong and the author clearly poured heart and soul into every word
November 7, 2025
great ending
After reading the first two I didn’t want to miss out on continuing the series. I hope the author continues the adventure.
After reading the first two I didn’t want to miss out on continuing the series. I hope the author continues the adventure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews