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Erinyes
The Outrider Saga takes flight! Once the ultimate warrior for the Sol Imperium, Aelec Xero is now nothing more than a cunning thief. After unforeseen circumstances capsized his life as a soldier, he left the galactic armada, pretending it didn't sting.
Knowing there must be more to the story, Aelec has made it his mission to accrue money, supplies, and a crew so that he can claim the ultimate closure. In order to obtain the answers he seeks, he and his squad must plan a daring heist in the lawless sectors of the galaxy.
Yet, heists rarely go according to plan. The team must adapt, connive, and unveil more secrets if they are to succeed.
There's always more to things than what's on the surface.
Knowing there must be more to the story, Aelec has made it his mission to accrue money, supplies, and a crew so that he can claim the ultimate closure. In order to obtain the answers he seeks, he and his squad must plan a daring heist in the lawless sectors of the galaxy.
Yet, heists rarely go according to plan. The team must adapt, connive, and unveil more secrets if they are to succeed.
There's always more to things than what's on the surface.
290 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Romeo
6 books41 followersMatthew Romeo is a warrior poet. He has a healthy obsession with Star Wars, the Stormlight Archive, Cobra Kai, and Halo. When it comes to his career as a writer, he's been inspired by the likes of Frank Herbert, Bandon Sanderson, and Pierce Brown. Pure chaos is the way of his writing style, often flitting between methodical outlining or just winging the story as he goes. Outside of being an author, he works for an international shipping company and is a dad of two cats named Korra and Toph. He spends much of his free time playing Dungeons&Dragons, learning swordsmanship, practicing martial arts, and going clay shooting.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 15, 2022
No spoilers in this review.
This story is one of the most entertaining sci-fi books I have ever read! It has a beautiful mix of heists and romance that remind me of Firefly with a heavy dose of Ocean's Eleven. The characters are unforgettable and endearing, and the world-building is superb.
Definitely worth a re-read and hard copy.
I received an advanced copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This story is one of the most entertaining sci-fi books I have ever read! It has a beautiful mix of heists and romance that remind me of Firefly with a heavy dose of Ocean's Eleven. The characters are unforgettable and endearing, and the world-building is superb.
Definitely worth a re-read and hard copy.
I received an advanced copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2023
The world building had me hooked and the author really gets you prepped! Variety of characters and large world, plus glossary for help in the back (def used). I just felt like any female character was way over sexualized.. talking about their looks way more than any other aspect of that character. It was a great read and I will read the next!
July 25, 2022
Do you miss Firefly? Yeah, me too. Want something with that same vibe? Well, you've found it! Erinyes is a spunky Sci-fi heist adventure with some serious Star Wars Outer Rim/Edge of the Empire vibes. Add some found family, meticulous world-build, relatable characters, a dash of romance with a killer plot twist and you're there.
Sci-fi is not my go to genre, but I had trouble putting this one down. Even with heavy sci-fi world-building at times flirting with info dump level of detail, it was still easy to follow and downright enjoyable to read. Matthew Romeo definitely has a way of creating some seriously believable characters, with flaws and agendas and personalities and Golath is my new BFF!
If you need me, I’ll be impatiently waiting for The Outriders Saga, #2!
Disclaimer: I received this book as an advanced reader copy (ARC). I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book though! Re-read value is HIGH!
Sci-fi is not my go to genre, but I had trouble putting this one down. Even with heavy sci-fi world-building at times flirting with info dump level of detail, it was still easy to follow and downright enjoyable to read. Matthew Romeo definitely has a way of creating some seriously believable characters, with flaws and agendas and personalities and Golath is my new BFF!
If you need me, I’ll be impatiently waiting for The Outriders Saga, #2!
Disclaimer: I received this book as an advanced reader copy (ARC). I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book though! Re-read value is HIGH!
April 5, 2023
Looooooove Myra. Super fun read!!! Got me to dump my social media time for a bit cuz it was good.
July 21, 2022
Erinyes has the vibe and attitude of a classic Science Fiction pulp story: a dashing space pirate, a couple of sexy women, and some swashbuckling sidekicks on the crew. It’s brimming with exciting world-building concepts, fleshing out several of the mechanics and technology that this world stands on. You don’t ever feel lost by the tech, and the author’s fine attention to detail in that regard is to be praised.
Your enjoyment of this story will largely depend on taste in whether you prefer worldbuilding or character building. Erinyes, despite its small page count, leans far more into the worldbuilding, focusing on society and how the world functions and operates, with some lore throughout. By the end of the story you have a perfect grip on what this world is all about, what the political structures are, etc.
And while the characters are given attention, and you do understand who they are, they seem to be second to the world at large. Aelec, the protagonist, is naturally given the lion’s share of development, while the rest of the cast, for the most part, are static, not growing over the course of the narrative but more so there to help progress Aelec on his journey and fill the roles you’d expect of a heist team: the getaway driver, the muscle, and the tech guy. Still, the author writes them so well and when they’re all together on screen there is a definite sense of natural camaraderie present
There are some areas of concern for the novel. There are more than a few moments where the drop-dead gorgeous women are described purely based on their looks, seeming to objectify them. It’s brought up enough to be frustrating and somewhat diminish them to little more than eye candy.
The novel contains quite a few moments of illusory tension, in that it seems like things are going to go poorly but the characters quite easily escape the situation rather unscathed. It doesn’t happen all the time, with one particularly drastic instance that works well and impacts the narrative, but it does reduce the impact and tension of several action scenes.
More than a few scenes read like “filler,” despite the novel having such a short page count. These could’ve been condensed or summarizes to give more page space for character development—which, sometimes, can also be frustrating. There are long paragraphs describing and telling backstories rather than allowing the characters to discuss, reflect, or act on their backstories to let the reader learn things naturally instead of having them spoon-fed directly.
The third act also contains a major plot twist that the novel does not properly set up and somewhat breaks the story, but for the sake of the narrative readers may be able to overlook it.
Erinyes is a fast read, a brief glimpse into the huge world created by the author. It does leave an impact and is an incredibly creative and diverse place to be explored, and fans of the genre can certainly look forward to more from it.
If you enjoy fast-paced pulp from your Sci-Fi, this is undoubtedly the story for you. It gives everything you’d expect from a story like this and adds in a ton of cool worldbuilding. Characters fill their role and that’s about it, and while the ending does stumble at the finish line, it doesn’t take too much away from what the author has created here. Worth a read.
Your enjoyment of this story will largely depend on taste in whether you prefer worldbuilding or character building. Erinyes, despite its small page count, leans far more into the worldbuilding, focusing on society and how the world functions and operates, with some lore throughout. By the end of the story you have a perfect grip on what this world is all about, what the political structures are, etc.
And while the characters are given attention, and you do understand who they are, they seem to be second to the world at large. Aelec, the protagonist, is naturally given the lion’s share of development, while the rest of the cast, for the most part, are static, not growing over the course of the narrative but more so there to help progress Aelec on his journey and fill the roles you’d expect of a heist team: the getaway driver, the muscle, and the tech guy. Still, the author writes them so well and when they’re all together on screen there is a definite sense of natural camaraderie present
There are some areas of concern for the novel. There are more than a few moments where the drop-dead gorgeous women are described purely based on their looks, seeming to objectify them. It’s brought up enough to be frustrating and somewhat diminish them to little more than eye candy.
The novel contains quite a few moments of illusory tension, in that it seems like things are going to go poorly but the characters quite easily escape the situation rather unscathed. It doesn’t happen all the time, with one particularly drastic instance that works well and impacts the narrative, but it does reduce the impact and tension of several action scenes.
More than a few scenes read like “filler,” despite the novel having such a short page count. These could’ve been condensed or summarizes to give more page space for character development—which, sometimes, can also be frustrating. There are long paragraphs describing and telling backstories rather than allowing the characters to discuss, reflect, or act on their backstories to let the reader learn things naturally instead of having them spoon-fed directly.
The third act also contains a major plot twist that the novel does not properly set up and somewhat breaks the story, but for the sake of the narrative readers may be able to overlook it.
Erinyes is a fast read, a brief glimpse into the huge world created by the author. It does leave an impact and is an incredibly creative and diverse place to be explored, and fans of the genre can certainly look forward to more from it.
If you enjoy fast-paced pulp from your Sci-Fi, this is undoubtedly the story for you. It gives everything you’d expect from a story like this and adds in a ton of cool worldbuilding. Characters fill their role and that’s about it, and while the ending does stumble at the finish line, it doesn’t take too much away from what the author has created here. Worth a read.
August 17, 2022
I could hear the heist music playing in my mind!
This novel hooked me from the first chapter. It begins exactly in the middle of the action and is written so well that I felt like I was watching a movie with the classic plan montage, nail-biting heist music, and snarky quips. I loved the main character Aelec from the start, and even more so once he reminded me of a Witcher. Space Geralt, if you will. One particular scene stands out for me, and again it played just like a Netflix series fight scene in my head.
I don’t typically read heavy sci-fi, but I’m so glad I branched out from my usual go-to genres and gave this book a chance. It’s not just blasters and techno-babble, though it does have some. Once again in Romeo’s books, the worldbuilding is absolutely phenomenal. Different than the magic of the Maven Knight, the author delves into science, going as far as using quantum matter as currency. My science knowledge is on the biological side, but Romeo writes with an easy flow that it didn’t feel like info-dumping and I didn’t get lost in the physics.
I’ve read some comments about this book being lacking with the characters, but I disagree! I enjoyed Riza as the young and innocent newbie who wants to apply her skills and see more of the universe. While she was trying to know more about Aelec and get him to open up, I wanted the same for her and read on to know. Dylis, the rough and tough comrade, made me laugh and melt, whereas Myra did not disappoint in being an awesome, bad-A female; they were great side characters.
Golath shocked me by becoming my favorite during his first POV. Who knew that this giant clicky bug-man would steal this cold Capricorn heart—and I hate bugs! He’s just a Kygi who loves cooking and respects his captain, liberator, and friend. He gave off Brandon Sanderson vibes with the clicking to his emotions. Romeo created a great “alien” who turns out to be a kind-hearted softie under his carapace.
That was the heart and theme of this story: don’t judge a book by its cover (though Erinyes has a fantastic one!) Many characters who seemed good and proper were actually scum bags, while others who might appear scary or cold were the warmest people. Romeo hit the nail on the head with the tagline: “There’s always more to things than what’s on the surface.”
This novel hooked me from the first chapter. It begins exactly in the middle of the action and is written so well that I felt like I was watching a movie with the classic plan montage, nail-biting heist music, and snarky quips. I loved the main character Aelec from the start, and even more so once he reminded me of a Witcher. Space Geralt, if you will. One particular scene stands out for me, and again it played just like a Netflix series fight scene in my head.
I don’t typically read heavy sci-fi, but I’m so glad I branched out from my usual go-to genres and gave this book a chance. It’s not just blasters and techno-babble, though it does have some. Once again in Romeo’s books, the worldbuilding is absolutely phenomenal. Different than the magic of the Maven Knight, the author delves into science, going as far as using quantum matter as currency. My science knowledge is on the biological side, but Romeo writes with an easy flow that it didn’t feel like info-dumping and I didn’t get lost in the physics.
I’ve read some comments about this book being lacking with the characters, but I disagree! I enjoyed Riza as the young and innocent newbie who wants to apply her skills and see more of the universe. While she was trying to know more about Aelec and get him to open up, I wanted the same for her and read on to know. Dylis, the rough and tough comrade, made me laugh and melt, whereas Myra did not disappoint in being an awesome, bad-A female; they were great side characters.
Golath shocked me by becoming my favorite during his first POV. Who knew that this giant clicky bug-man would steal this cold Capricorn heart—and I hate bugs! He’s just a Kygi who loves cooking and respects his captain, liberator, and friend. He gave off Brandon Sanderson vibes with the clicking to his emotions. Romeo created a great “alien” who turns out to be a kind-hearted softie under his carapace.
That was the heart and theme of this story: don’t judge a book by its cover (though Erinyes has a fantastic one!) Many characters who seemed good and proper were actually scum bags, while others who might appear scary or cold were the warmest people. Romeo hit the nail on the head with the tagline: “There’s always more to things than what’s on the surface.”
July 7, 2022
In his first novel series, the Maven Knight trilogy, Matthew Romeo captured the epic grandeur and wonder of the original Star Wars trilogy. In Erinyes, the first book of his new science fiction series, the Outriders Saga, he's created a fast-paced, high stakes adventure that will definitely appeal to fans of Mass Effect, Guardians of the Galaxy and Firefly...
"Seeking closure for a tragedy that turned his life upside down, Aelec Xero, formerly one of the Sol Imperium's elite soldiers, the Outriders, is now captain of the Erinyes, the starship home of a crew of thieves seeking to survive by robbing and humiliating the scum of the galaxy. Along with his crew- expert pilot Myra, former soldier Dylis, the insectoid alien warrior Golath and newbie hacker Riza- Aelec plots a devious heist to steal information that might give him answers to his tragic past, but as is often the case on a job as high-risk as this, nothing ever goes according to plan..."
This is a different sort of science fiction to the kind I usually read but this was a really good read; the crew of the Erinyes are well written and likeable (my favourites are probably Myra and Golath, who remind me a great deal of my favourite Mass Effect squadmates Liara and Garrus) but all of them were a thoroughly entertaining bunch. I was a little dubious of Riza, which might have been why I was less than warm to the initial efforts of seeming shipping between her and Aelec, but damn if the final reveal didn't make my jaw drop and have the pieces fall into place... All in all, this is a brilliant first start to a new sci-fi series from an indie author with a great talent for the genre, and I'm already eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
"Seeking closure for a tragedy that turned his life upside down, Aelec Xero, formerly one of the Sol Imperium's elite soldiers, the Outriders, is now captain of the Erinyes, the starship home of a crew of thieves seeking to survive by robbing and humiliating the scum of the galaxy. Along with his crew- expert pilot Myra, former soldier Dylis, the insectoid alien warrior Golath and newbie hacker Riza- Aelec plots a devious heist to steal information that might give him answers to his tragic past, but as is often the case on a job as high-risk as this, nothing ever goes according to plan..."
This is a different sort of science fiction to the kind I usually read but this was a really good read; the crew of the Erinyes are well written and likeable (my favourites are probably Myra and Golath, who remind me a great deal of my favourite Mass Effect squadmates Liara and Garrus) but all of them were a thoroughly entertaining bunch. I was a little dubious of Riza, which might have been why I was less than warm to the initial efforts of seeming shipping between her and Aelec, but damn if the final reveal didn't make my jaw drop and have the pieces fall into place... All in all, this is a brilliant first start to a new sci-fi series from an indie author with a great talent for the genre, and I'm already eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2022
I got Fifth Element vibes throughout this awesome sci-fi heist tale, which is a great thing. Sci-fi hasn’t been my favorite genre, but Matthew Romeo did a fantastic job helping me convert with his Maven Knight series, and Erinyes is helping further with an entirely different sort of tale.
The crew of the Erinyes are the story’s greatest strength, which speaks volumes considering how well done all the action sequences are. Golath, the massive insect-like non-human Kygi, is my personal favorite. How well one can connect to a character so different from human is a testament to Romeo’s writing.
I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes a bit at first with the romantic shipping of a couple characters, until there was a reveal that made a few things make more sense that I won’t get into because I’d prefer to keep this spoiler-free.
The appendices at the end are another nice touch, and have me even more excited for the sequel, Imperium.
Disclaimer: I was given a free advanced reading copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
I will still be purchasing a physical copy of this book upon release to share with friends/family, because it’s an exceptionally fun read that I think has broken my current slump.
The crew of the Erinyes are the story’s greatest strength, which speaks volumes considering how well done all the action sequences are. Golath, the massive insect-like non-human Kygi, is my personal favorite. How well one can connect to a character so different from human is a testament to Romeo’s writing.
I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes a bit at first with the romantic shipping of a couple characters, until there was a reveal that made a few things make more sense that I won’t get into because I’d prefer to keep this spoiler-free.
The appendices at the end are another nice touch, and have me even more excited for the sequel, Imperium.
Disclaimer: I was given a free advanced reading copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
I will still be purchasing a physical copy of this book upon release to share with friends/family, because it’s an exceptionally fun read that I think has broken my current slump.
January 30, 2023
This was the first book I ever read from this author, and WOW! What a refreshing new take on some of the best elements of the Sci-Fi genre!
Aelec keeps himself (and his crew) on his toes like the very best of once-gentlemen-now-scoundrels could. Almost like a Robin Hood of the space world, Aelec rides the fine, gray line between the corruption all around him and his desperate need to know the truth. He makes life difficult--to say the least--for many twisted people, but despite it all he's the unknown/unsung champion of what freedom could be.
When a new hire for his most important and highest-risk job brings personal feelings out in Aelec that he wasn't searching for, he finds himself tempted to possibly, after many years of guilt, let go of the secrets eating away at him.
But will he allow himself to move on?
Will finding out the truth behind his scarred past bring him the closure he needs? Or only add fuel to the fire?
Romeo brings together human and non-human characters in a heist/space opera setting that kept me on the edge of my seat. I have a particular fondness for the 'chef' of the group (spoilers, there, though, so you'll have to read it to see why).
The relationships between characters are deep and poignant. Losses run entrenched throughout the crew, though they cope in different ways. In the end, Romeo tackles the question of 'who the enemy really is' with a heaping side of adventure and reconciliation to oneself and one's past.
I can't wait to see where this series goes!
Aelec keeps himself (and his crew) on his toes like the very best of once-gentlemen-now-scoundrels could. Almost like a Robin Hood of the space world, Aelec rides the fine, gray line between the corruption all around him and his desperate need to know the truth. He makes life difficult--to say the least--for many twisted people, but despite it all he's the unknown/unsung champion of what freedom could be.
When a new hire for his most important and highest-risk job brings personal feelings out in Aelec that he wasn't searching for, he finds himself tempted to possibly, after many years of guilt, let go of the secrets eating away at him.
But will he allow himself to move on?
Will finding out the truth behind his scarred past bring him the closure he needs? Or only add fuel to the fire?
Romeo brings together human and non-human characters in a heist/space opera setting that kept me on the edge of my seat. I have a particular fondness for the 'chef' of the group (spoilers, there, though, so you'll have to read it to see why).
The relationships between characters are deep and poignant. Losses run entrenched throughout the crew, though they cope in different ways. In the end, Romeo tackles the question of 'who the enemy really is' with a heaping side of adventure and reconciliation to oneself and one's past.
I can't wait to see where this series goes!
July 18, 2022
I received a free ARC version of this book. This is my second time reading a book by Romeo and I'm enjoying the sci-fi worlds he's created. This book had a lot of Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Mass Effect, and some Firefly vibes. I always enjoy a good space heist. There was a lot to this world that didn't feel overwhelming and my favorite characters were Golath (giant bug monster who cooks and wears an apron is always welcome), Dylis, and Myra. Having good side characters in a story is always a plus for me. I enjoyed their POV chapters, but wished they had been introduced sooner into the story instead of toward the middle. The pacing of the story was good and kept me engaged. I was very excited for the plot twist (I guessed right) even though it seemed to be resolved a bit too quickly. Even the ship name is a good hint at what's to come in the story and the sequels.
The main thing that knocked my rating down was the budding romance between Aelec and Riza, and the descriptions of the two main female characters. Insta-love is never my favorite and at least on Aelec's part that seemed to happen a bit too quickly. There was a particular scene that didn't sit well with me in terms of describing Riza physically. There were a lot of descriptions of her body that were overly sexualized in my opinion, and I kept seeing it appear in the book when it was in the male characters' POV. There was also a point where it was mentioned that Myra had abilities but I was confused on what that was and didn't fully understand what they were (whether it was a genetic ability or a skill set). Another nit-picky thing was Dylis' wife who kept being mentioned by other characters but I don't recall seeing her name or him really bringing her up until he's injured (and considering she is tied to his backstory, I would have expected there to be more mention of her by him and the name I did see mentioned I wasn't sure if that was his wife's or not).
All that to say, I did enjoy this book and want to see more of what the Erinyes crew gets up to next.
The main thing that knocked my rating down was the budding romance between Aelec and Riza, and the descriptions of the two main female characters. Insta-love is never my favorite and at least on Aelec's part that seemed to happen a bit too quickly. There was a particular scene that didn't sit well with me in terms of describing Riza physically. There were a lot of descriptions of her body that were overly sexualized in my opinion, and I kept seeing it appear in the book when it was in the male characters' POV. There was also a point where it was mentioned that Myra had abilities but I was confused on what that was and didn't fully understand what they were (whether it was a genetic ability or a skill set). Another nit-picky thing was Dylis' wife who kept being mentioned by other characters but I don't recall seeing her name or him really bringing her up until he's injured (and considering she is tied to his backstory, I would have expected there to be more mention of her by him and the name I did see mentioned I wasn't sure if that was his wife's or not).
All that to say, I did enjoy this book and want to see more of what the Erinyes crew gets up to next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
I’d like to preface this review by stating that I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Erinyes is a fascinating story that blends elements of sci-fi, adventure and romance beautifully into a captivating tale that is sure to leave you wanting more.
Synopsis: Once the ultimate warrior for the Sol Imperium, Aelec Xero is now nothing more than a cunning thief. After unforeseen circumstances capsized his life as a soldier, he left the galactic armada, pretending it didn't sting. Knowing there must be more to the story, elec has made it his mission to accrue money, supplies, and a crew so that he can claim the ultimate prize: closure. In order to obtain the answers he seeks, he and his squad must plan a daring heist in the lawless sectors of the galaxy. Yet, heists rarely go according to plan. The team must adapt, connive, and unveil more secrets if they are to succeed. There's always more to things than what's on the surface.
This book was everything I could have asked for from a read that was pitched as a space heist akin to Ocean’s Eleven. The story is intriguing, the characters are captivating and the world building is superb. One issue I tend to have as a newer sci-fi reader is that I tend to get easily lost in over complicated explanations of the world but Romeo lays everything out in a palatable and engaging way that introduces readers to everything from the societal norms to the interesting “monetary” system without it being too overwhelming. The included indexes at the back of the book show thoughtful and intentional world building which I find incredibly impressive as well as useful in learning more about the world and becoming more immersed in the story. Another aspect of this story that I absolutely fell in love with was the side characters. Each one is vibrant and full of personality without overshadowing the main protagonist.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable adventure and I can’t wait to read more of the Outriders Saga. This book is set to be released on August 9th and I highly recommend grabbing a copy for yourself!!
Erinyes is a fascinating story that blends elements of sci-fi, adventure and romance beautifully into a captivating tale that is sure to leave you wanting more.
Synopsis: Once the ultimate warrior for the Sol Imperium, Aelec Xero is now nothing more than a cunning thief. After unforeseen circumstances capsized his life as a soldier, he left the galactic armada, pretending it didn't sting. Knowing there must be more to the story, elec has made it his mission to accrue money, supplies, and a crew so that he can claim the ultimate prize: closure. In order to obtain the answers he seeks, he and his squad must plan a daring heist in the lawless sectors of the galaxy. Yet, heists rarely go according to plan. The team must adapt, connive, and unveil more secrets if they are to succeed. There's always more to things than what's on the surface.
This book was everything I could have asked for from a read that was pitched as a space heist akin to Ocean’s Eleven. The story is intriguing, the characters are captivating and the world building is superb. One issue I tend to have as a newer sci-fi reader is that I tend to get easily lost in over complicated explanations of the world but Romeo lays everything out in a palatable and engaging way that introduces readers to everything from the societal norms to the interesting “monetary” system without it being too overwhelming. The included indexes at the back of the book show thoughtful and intentional world building which I find incredibly impressive as well as useful in learning more about the world and becoming more immersed in the story. Another aspect of this story that I absolutely fell in love with was the side characters. Each one is vibrant and full of personality without overshadowing the main protagonist.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable adventure and I can’t wait to read more of the Outriders Saga. This book is set to be released on August 9th and I highly recommend grabbing a copy for yourself!!
August 10, 2022
The first in The Outrider Saga, Erinyes follows the crew of the titular ship as they go on various heists across the galaxy, reminding me of Star Trek and Outlaw Star and space pirates in general. It took me a few chapters to get into it, mostly due to the action packed opening not fully clicking with me, but as soon as Riza was introduced, I was hooked. Each of the characters had their own past that was revealed over time as they planned the heist, and had a distinct personality. Riza, the newcomer, was my favorite, especially after a big reveal late in the story. The crew all felt like they were good friends, not just mercenaries for hire. I was impressed by the world building (or should I say universe building), with various planets and government that’s relevant and easy to understand, with plenty of depth. There is some harder sci-fi elements here, but they are presented in a way that’s not too hard too comprehend. Plus, there’s an index at the end of the book. The pacing and action was great for the most part, minus some moments of confusion. The ending wrapped up the main story, but there’s clearly more to go, and I await more of the series! While this is adult sci-fi and has occasional swearing and some violence, it’s suitable for teen readers looking for something that’s not bound to YA restrictions. Really enjoyed this one and especially recommend it to those that love heist books, pirates, a space crew that is much like a family and some sci-fi action!
*I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.*
*I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.*
July 28, 2022
This story grabbed my attention at the start! It’s like a twist of Cowboy Bebop and Star Wars with a dash of The Witcher thrown in making for one intriguing tale!
The worldbuilding was phenomenal, and the setting really drew me in. Romeo did a great job at showing us how the crew of Erinyes is family, giving us moments of conflict and love. My favorite character was Myra, with Aelec being a close second, but I loved how much Myra took pride in her ship and wasn’t scared to be true to herself. I really enjoyed learning her backstory and thought it could make for an interesting side series! (nudge nudge Romeo, can you put that on your to-do list?)
The twist in the story took me by complete surprise, leaving me a bit speechless, and wondering if I missed any subtle hints during the story. The way the story ends though definitely makes me wish book two was out right now. I really want to know what’s in store for the Erinyes crew!
If you enjoy SCI-FI adventures with more of a focus on worldbuilding I’d definitely give this book a go!
*I also like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
The worldbuilding was phenomenal, and the setting really drew me in. Romeo did a great job at showing us how the crew of Erinyes is family, giving us moments of conflict and love. My favorite character was Myra, with Aelec being a close second, but I loved how much Myra took pride in her ship and wasn’t scared to be true to herself. I really enjoyed learning her backstory and thought it could make for an interesting side series! (nudge nudge Romeo, can you put that on your to-do list?)
The twist in the story took me by complete surprise, leaving me a bit speechless, and wondering if I missed any subtle hints during the story. The way the story ends though definitely makes me wish book two was out right now. I really want to know what’s in store for the Erinyes crew!
If you enjoy SCI-FI adventures with more of a focus on worldbuilding I’d definitely give this book a go!
*I also like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
August 7, 2022
As usual, Romeo’s world-building is fantastic. I really enjoyed the heist aspect of this story, and the plot was engaging. Like many sci-fi books, this one was not lacking in description, which kept me excited about the world as I got to know it. It reminded me of Firefly in a lot of ways!
Personally, I would have liked more character development for characters other than our MC. Especially female characters (which I know I’m not the first reviewer to say, so I don’t want to sound like a broken record!) Many of the female characters felt more like objects than people. Even after finishing the book, I found I don’t really remember anything about them except that they were VERY good looking. That tends to bother me. I would have liked to get to know most the other characters more (especially since heists rely so much on a team). Maybe the next book will have more though!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. So big thanks to the author! I have read other of Romeo’s books where the is type of character description was not an issue, so I look forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Overall, it’s a good read for fans of series such as Firefly or Star Trek :)
Personally, I would have liked more character development for characters other than our MC. Especially female characters (which I know I’m not the first reviewer to say, so I don’t want to sound like a broken record!) Many of the female characters felt more like objects than people. Even after finishing the book, I found I don’t really remember anything about them except that they were VERY good looking. That tends to bother me. I would have liked to get to know most the other characters more (especially since heists rely so much on a team). Maybe the next book will have more though!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. So big thanks to the author! I have read other of Romeo’s books where the is type of character description was not an issue, so I look forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Overall, it’s a good read for fans of series such as Firefly or Star Trek :)
August 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The characters were all well presented and developed. The author did a wonderful job giving the characters likable banter and good backstories. My personal favorite character was either Aelec or Golath!
The world was also really fun to read about. I was impressed with how well developed it felt. Even after just a few pages I was immersed and able to imagine the foreign surroundings.
All in all I can't wait to read book 2!
The world was also really fun to read about. I was impressed with how well developed it felt. Even after just a few pages I was immersed and able to imagine the foreign surroundings.
All in all I can't wait to read book 2!
July 19, 2022
I loved this book! It has just the right amount of adventure, suspense, and even a little romance to fit anyone’s taste. I had the amazing opportunity to beta read this book as well and it has easily become one of my number one reads!
July 7, 2022
Space pirates at their finest. Star Wars meets guardians of the galaxy! This is a smooth space adventure of friendships, scars and trust. Truly enjoyed getting to know Aelec, Riza, Myra, Rant and Golath. What a fabulous movie this would make! Looking forward to the next book.
August 2, 2022
I received this book as an advanced reader copy (Arc).
I loved the world building in this story. It wasn't overbearing like some books can be. I found some of the scene breaks to happen quite frequent, which pulled me out of the pov.
This book gave me an Ultraviolet (2006) and Matrix (1999) vibe with the tech, weapons, culture, and setting with a dash of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). The banter between the crew felt real and was overall enjoyable.
As a reader, I would have liked to see more character struggle. I think had the team encountered more failures, the end of the book would have packed a greater "hurrah" for me and for the team. That being said, I loved the plot twist. Nicely done.
Overall an intriguing sci-fi book with all the elements needed to be everything a sci-fi lover would want.
I loved the world building in this story. It wasn't overbearing like some books can be. I found some of the scene breaks to happen quite frequent, which pulled me out of the pov.
This book gave me an Ultraviolet (2006) and Matrix (1999) vibe with the tech, weapons, culture, and setting with a dash of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). The banter between the crew felt real and was overall enjoyable.
As a reader, I would have liked to see more character struggle. I think had the team encountered more failures, the end of the book would have packed a greater "hurrah" for me and for the team. That being said, I loved the plot twist. Nicely done.
Overall an intriguing sci-fi book with all the elements needed to be everything a sci-fi lover would want.
August 5, 2022
This book has the sci-fi feel of a vast Star Wars galaxy and a Guardians of the Galaxy motley crew with the excitement of heists. I enjoyed reading it and found the underlying motives and stories really intriguing.
Positives
This book is well written. Romeo has a way of crafting stories so that you feel immersed in his detailed worlds. I could vividly imagine everything.
The characters are believable and well developed. They each had flaws, strengths, motives, backstories, and personalities you could enjoy. They challenged your thinking and challenged one another. I liked that the variety of personalities all felt genuine.
The theme of treating everyone with dignity was present in multiple ways, and I really appreciated it how it never felt like a lesson while showing that respecting others is the right choice.
Negative
I did feel a little let down by the final heist. The other missions carried a sense of greater stakes, and so in comparison the last big one didn't feel so big.
Note: The book contains cursing and some sexual references.
Positives
This book is well written. Romeo has a way of crafting stories so that you feel immersed in his detailed worlds. I could vividly imagine everything.
The characters are believable and well developed. They each had flaws, strengths, motives, backstories, and personalities you could enjoy. They challenged your thinking and challenged one another. I liked that the variety of personalities all felt genuine.
The theme of treating everyone with dignity was present in multiple ways, and I really appreciated it how it never felt like a lesson while showing that respecting others is the right choice.
Negative
I did feel a little let down by the final heist. The other missions carried a sense of greater stakes, and so in comparison the last big one didn't feel so big.
Note: The book contains cursing and some sexual references.
August 9, 2022
This is great book of you like Star Wars and Oceans 11 style heists. The world building and character development was amazing, I felt like the characters were real and authentic which made the book more immersive. My only complaint is that there were some sections of exposition that took me out of the story but it was easy to get back in because the writing style is very direct and the imagery is on point.
August 10, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ ——— If I had to sum up ERINYES, I’d say it’s a heist story a la Ocean’s 11 with a crew that reminded me of a mix of Guardians of the Galaxy and Firefly. This isn’t my go-to kind of read, and I still enjoyed it! It fit what I thought a sci-fi heist story would be like and surprised me with some fun twists and turns. I’ll be interested to see what’s next for this crew in book two!
I received an early copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
I received an early copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
September 15, 2022
Heist novels are difficult to pull off but it’s safe to say that Matthew Romeo has done just that.
As someone who grew up on Star Trek and Doctor Who, this book was a treat. Romeo has created a complex universe full of interesting and intricate customs and cultures. A lot of careful thought and effort has been put into the technology of this universe, things like voidstream travel and nano particles that can liquify and become weapons or a lighter with seemingly endless possibilities under the right user. I adore the idea of energy as currency and can see that being an outcome of our present. I never felt lost or overwhelmed by the advanced technology, which I think is a sign of a skilled writer.
I also adored the action-packed start, a fun heist to set the scene and introduce a cast of memorable characters. Each detail of the heist was planned to perfection and I loved reading it. Romeo has a talent for writing action scenes, especially those with fights or chases throughout the book. I could imagine each movement happening and the sci-fi technology only added to the greatness of these scenes.
There was a rather stereotypical approach to female characters (like the young nervous newbie girl who needs to be taught by the men; the one woman on the ship being super excited to have another woman on board so their female touch can start to balance out the masculinity; women being primarily described on their eye candy level), which I think sci-fi already has enough of.
To counter that though is the brilliant character of Golath, who is both warrior and proud chef, and in his culture being allowed to cook for others is a high honor. I liked the few times we get to see from his POV, his heightened sense of smell giving us a hilarious insight into the pheromones of two human attractions. I’ll also say that it’s obvious how much of a family this crew is and I love that.
Overall, a good sci-fi heist novel with excellent worldbuilding and tech, this is certainly worth a read. Check it out!
*I'd also like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*
As someone who grew up on Star Trek and Doctor Who, this book was a treat. Romeo has created a complex universe full of interesting and intricate customs and cultures. A lot of careful thought and effort has been put into the technology of this universe, things like voidstream travel and nano particles that can liquify and become weapons or a lighter with seemingly endless possibilities under the right user. I adore the idea of energy as currency and can see that being an outcome of our present. I never felt lost or overwhelmed by the advanced technology, which I think is a sign of a skilled writer.
I also adored the action-packed start, a fun heist to set the scene and introduce a cast of memorable characters. Each detail of the heist was planned to perfection and I loved reading it. Romeo has a talent for writing action scenes, especially those with fights or chases throughout the book. I could imagine each movement happening and the sci-fi technology only added to the greatness of these scenes.
There was a rather stereotypical approach to female characters (like the young nervous newbie girl who needs to be taught by the men; the one woman on the ship being super excited to have another woman on board so their female touch can start to balance out the masculinity; women being primarily described on their eye candy level), which I think sci-fi already has enough of.
To counter that though is the brilliant character of Golath, who is both warrior and proud chef, and in his culture being allowed to cook for others is a high honor. I liked the few times we get to see from his POV, his heightened sense of smell giving us a hilarious insight into the pheromones of two human attractions. I’ll also say that it’s obvious how much of a family this crew is and I love that.
Overall, a good sci-fi heist novel with excellent worldbuilding and tech, this is certainly worth a read. Check it out!
*I'd also like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*
January 18, 2023
A heist in the stars, Erinyes is an action-packed read that follows a group of con-artists readying to embark on their biggest job yet. With layered pasts, and new relationships blossoming, the crew of the Erinyes must find a way to work together before it’s too late.
Upfront I want to say, this book wasn’t for me, but let me tell you why.
Romeo does a great job with his extensive world-building. After reading the first two chapters, I was sucked in. The stakes were high, the characters were interesting (my favorite being Golath) the universe Romeo created–expansive. There were various different worlds, alien races, and Romeo includes an entire glossary in the back for all the different terminology.
However, after chapter two I found myself having a hard time reading on. The female characters were overly-sexualized and described mostly by their plunging necklines and bodacious breasts. The main character, Xero, fell flat for me, but perhaps it was just because of his interactions with aforementioned women. The big twist at the end was so abrupt and didn’t play out as well as I was thinking it would.
I could have maybe looked past all of this if it wasn’t for the writing. Between the passive voice and the info-dumps I had a hard time reading on.
I was given this book for free to leave an honest review, so here it is! I love that he’s a fellow indie author and hope all the best for him.
-A. Auler
Upfront I want to say, this book wasn’t for me, but let me tell you why.
Romeo does a great job with his extensive world-building. After reading the first two chapters, I was sucked in. The stakes were high, the characters were interesting (my favorite being Golath) the universe Romeo created–expansive. There were various different worlds, alien races, and Romeo includes an entire glossary in the back for all the different terminology.
However, after chapter two I found myself having a hard time reading on. The female characters were overly-sexualized and described mostly by their plunging necklines and bodacious breasts. The main character, Xero, fell flat for me, but perhaps it was just because of his interactions with aforementioned women. The big twist at the end was so abrupt and didn’t play out as well as I was thinking it would.
I could have maybe looked past all of this if it wasn’t for the writing. Between the passive voice and the info-dumps I had a hard time reading on.
I was given this book for free to leave an honest review, so here it is! I love that he’s a fellow indie author and hope all the best for him.
-A. Auler
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