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Uncharted Hearts #2
Fiasco
Equal parts steamy interstellar romance and sci-fi adventure, Constance Fay's FIASCO is a perfect wild romp amidst the stars.
Cynbelline Khaw is a woman of many names. She’s Generosity, a cultist who never quite fit in. She’s Bella, the daughter who failed to save her cousin’s life. And then there’s Cyn, the notorious bounty hunter who spaced a ship of slavers.
She’s exhausted, lonely, and on her very last legs―but then a new client offers her a job she can’t refuse: a bounty on the kidnapper who killed her cousin. All Cyn has to do is partner with the crew of the Calamity, a scouting vessel she encountered when she was living under a previous alias. One tiny little issue, she’s been given an additional deliver the oh-so-compelling medic, Micah Arora, to the treacherous Pierce Family or all her identities will be revealed, putting her estranged family in danger.
Hunting a kidnapper doesn’t usually mean accidentally taking your sexy new target to dinner at your parent’s house, a local mystic predicting you’ll have an increasingly large number of children, or being accompanied by a small flying lizard with a penchant for eating metal, but, as they field investigative hurdles both dangerous and preposterous, Cyn and Micah grow ever closer. When a violent confrontation reveals that everything Cyn thought about her past is wrong, she realizes that she has the power to change her future. The first part of that is making sure that Micah Arora is around to be a part of it.
Cynbelline Khaw is a woman of many names. She’s Generosity, a cultist who never quite fit in. She’s Bella, the daughter who failed to save her cousin’s life. And then there’s Cyn, the notorious bounty hunter who spaced a ship of slavers.
She’s exhausted, lonely, and on her very last legs―but then a new client offers her a job she can’t refuse: a bounty on the kidnapper who killed her cousin. All Cyn has to do is partner with the crew of the Calamity, a scouting vessel she encountered when she was living under a previous alias. One tiny little issue, she’s been given an additional deliver the oh-so-compelling medic, Micah Arora, to the treacherous Pierce Family or all her identities will be revealed, putting her estranged family in danger.
Hunting a kidnapper doesn’t usually mean accidentally taking your sexy new target to dinner at your parent’s house, a local mystic predicting you’ll have an increasingly large number of children, or being accompanied by a small flying lizard with a penchant for eating metal, but, as they field investigative hurdles both dangerous and preposterous, Cyn and Micah grow ever closer. When a violent confrontation reveals that everything Cyn thought about her past is wrong, she realizes that she has the power to change her future. The first part of that is making sure that Micah Arora is around to be a part of it.
343 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Constance Fay
5 books88 followersConstance Fay writes space romance novels and genre fiction short stories. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Catscast podcast, and other publications. She has a background in medical device R&D and lives in Colorado with a cat who edits all her work first.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 20, 2024
insert that meme going around Twitter “holding my breath around her because if I smell her imma moan”
May 4, 2024
This was just as fun as Calamity, the first book in the Uncharted Hearts series. Maybe more so.
The protagonist this time is Cyn Khaw, a down-on-her-luck bounty hunter with a brief cameo (under cover) in *Calamity* as the cultist Generosity. What she was up to in that book was the kind of side gig she has to take to pay the bills; her main focus has always been the pursuit of the serial kidnapper who abducted her younger cousin and murdered her when the family couldn’t raise the ransom. The action in this book kicks off when Estella Escajeda (sister of Arcadio from *Calamity*) shows up in her office, in true film noir femme fatale fashion. Her daughter has been kidnapped by the man Cyn has been hunting, and Estella wants Cyn to recover her daughter.
Cyn isn’t alone on this job. She’s joined on this job by the scout crew from *Calamity*. Temper and Arcadio are pretty minor players in this book; by far the most prominent member of the scout crew (from both the reader’s perspective and from Cyn’s perspective) (very much from Cyn’s perspective) is the medic Micah.
Complicating matters: in an earlier job Cyn committed the unforgivable sin of embarrassing a member of the prominent Pierce family (she really should have let him put pants on before she stunned him). Carmichael Pierce wants revenge on Cyn, but he’s willing to forego that … if she betrays Micah to him, as he’s a wanted outlaw in Pierce territory.
Further complicating matters: the job takes them to Cyn’s hometown, where she’s going to have to talk to her parents and won’t be able to keep the subject limited to her houseplants.
This story is just so much fun. The hunt for the kidnapper is exciting and unpredictable. The developing relationship between Cyn and Micah is fraught and tense and very entertaining to watch. And Cyn has a pet lizard that adopted her; a genetically engineered critter that eats metal (something to be carefully managed on a spaceship), breathes fire, will be able to fly when his wings come in, and is a completely useless coward.
This is pure entertainment. Highly recommended.
My blog
The protagonist this time is Cyn Khaw, a down-on-her-luck bounty hunter with a brief cameo (under cover) in *Calamity* as the cultist Generosity. What she was up to in that book was the kind of side gig she has to take to pay the bills; her main focus has always been the pursuit of the serial kidnapper who abducted her younger cousin and murdered her when the family couldn’t raise the ransom. The action in this book kicks off when Estella Escajeda (sister of Arcadio from *Calamity*) shows up in her office, in true film noir femme fatale fashion. Her daughter has been kidnapped by the man Cyn has been hunting, and Estella wants Cyn to recover her daughter.
Cyn isn’t alone on this job. She’s joined on this job by the scout crew from *Calamity*. Temper and Arcadio are pretty minor players in this book; by far the most prominent member of the scout crew (from both the reader’s perspective and from Cyn’s perspective) (very much from Cyn’s perspective) is the medic Micah.
Complicating matters: in an earlier job Cyn committed the unforgivable sin of embarrassing a member of the prominent Pierce family (she really should have let him put pants on before she stunned him). Carmichael Pierce wants revenge on Cyn, but he’s willing to forego that … if she betrays Micah to him, as he’s a wanted outlaw in Pierce territory.
Further complicating matters: the job takes them to Cyn’s hometown, where she’s going to have to talk to her parents and won’t be able to keep the subject limited to her houseplants.
This story is just so much fun. The hunt for the kidnapper is exciting and unpredictable. The developing relationship between Cyn and Micah is fraught and tense and very entertaining to watch. And Cyn has a pet lizard that adopted her; a genetically engineered critter that eats metal (something to be carefully managed on a spaceship), breathes fire, will be able to fly when his wings come in, and is a completely useless coward.
This is pure entertainment. Highly recommended.
My blog
June 4, 2024
I received and ARC copy of this through NetGalley though all thoughts are my own.
Constance Fay is back with another adventurous scifi opera. In this one, Cyn is a bounty hunter who has been hunting a man that took her cousin years ago. She finally has a good lead and needs the help of the Calamity team to track him down on her home planet. However, that pesky medic and his sexy arms is constantly keeping tabs on her. can they resist each other?
this one was another fun and adventurous read. I really like seeing the whole gang together and their dynamics. I think the beginning of this one was a little long winded in the the descriptions of things. The plot will be moving but then the author stops this momentum to describe a plot point and it kind of takes me out of story a bit. The whole book is a bit corny and cheesy but that's why i love her books. I still liked Calamity more but this was another fun read and i'll be continuing on in the series.
Constance Fay is back with another adventurous scifi opera. In this one, Cyn is a bounty hunter who has been hunting a man that took her cousin years ago. She finally has a good lead and needs the help of the Calamity team to track him down on her home planet. However, that pesky medic and his sexy arms is constantly keeping tabs on her. can they resist each other?
this one was another fun and adventurous read. I really like seeing the whole gang together and their dynamics. I think the beginning of this one was a little long winded in the the descriptions of things. The plot will be moving but then the author stops this momentum to describe a plot point and it kind of takes me out of story a bit. The whole book is a bit corny and cheesy but that's why i love her books. I still liked Calamity more but this was another fun read and i'll be continuing on in the series.
May 2, 2024
Fiasco follows lone wolf bounty hunter Cyn Khaw as she attempts to track down a serial killer known as the Abyssal Abductor. She's been investigating him for her entire career, but a hot new lead from a powerful Family has Cyn teaming up with the crew of the Calamity in order to track him down and save his most recent victim. Unfortunately for Cyn, the trail leads right back to her home planet, which she's been pointedly avoiding since her own cousin was kidnapped and killed by the Abductor years ago.
I enjoyed our protagonist Cyn quite a bit. Watching her confront her past trauma and grow to trust again was a great journey. The mystery was fun, even if a bit obvious, and the crew of the Calamity is always a joy to follow.
My main issue with Fiasco is, unfortunately, the romance. With everything else happening, it felt like our love interest Micah was firmly situated on the back-burner. As a result, there just wasn't much chemistry between him and Cyn. He spends the majority of this story just kinda hanging around and keeping an eye on her, and it's been long enough since I read the first installment in the series that the memory of them initially meeting has faded, so there's not much of foundation for their relationship to be found here. It all ends up feeling very insta-lovey, made even worse by the fact that Micah has no time to develop as his own character. I remember him having a bit of an amusing temper in Calamity, but in the book where he's meant to shine, his only notable characteristics seem to be his nice arms and being a protective medic. There's very little banter between him and Cyn in order for us to get to know him better, which is disappointing.
Overall, this was a fun and steamy sci-fi romp, which is always a good time, but I wish the romance had been able to develop more. The first book balanced the space shenanigans with the romance so well that this one just felt a bit lackluster in comparison. That said, the universe and cast of characters is still a lot of fun and I plan to continue to pick them up as Constance Fay puts them out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor/Bramble for the e-ARC!
I enjoyed our protagonist Cyn quite a bit. Watching her confront her past trauma and grow to trust again was a great journey. The mystery was fun, even if a bit obvious, and the crew of the Calamity is always a joy to follow.
My main issue with Fiasco is, unfortunately, the romance. With everything else happening, it felt like our love interest Micah was firmly situated on the back-burner. As a result, there just wasn't much chemistry between him and Cyn. He spends the majority of this story just kinda hanging around and keeping an eye on her, and it's been long enough since I read the first installment in the series that the memory of them initially meeting has faded, so there's not much of foundation for their relationship to be found here. It all ends up feeling very insta-lovey, made even worse by the fact that Micah has no time to develop as his own character. I remember him having a bit of an amusing temper in Calamity, but in the book where he's meant to shine, his only notable characteristics seem to be his nice arms and being a protective medic. There's very little banter between him and Cyn in order for us to get to know him better, which is disappointing.
Overall, this was a fun and steamy sci-fi romp, which is always a good time, but I wish the romance had been able to develop more. The first book balanced the space shenanigans with the romance so well that this one just felt a bit lackluster in comparison. That said, the universe and cast of characters is still a lot of fun and I plan to continue to pick them up as Constance Fay puts them out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor/Bramble for the e-ARC!
June 10, 2024
4.5*
Bottom Line: Loved the world and characters, and found the plot even more compelling than the first book.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
I quite enjoyed Calamity, and was looking forward to Fiasco- if a bit worriedly, as we were to be following a new main character this go around. I shan't have been worried; I daresay this installment was better than the first once I got back into it! This series is just so great. Yeah, it has tons of action and excitement, but it is also so freaking funny and full of heart, too. Sure, it has romance, but it also features all kinds of other relationships- family dynamics, friendships, personal growth, etc.
I adored Cyn as a character. She felt so authentic and flawed, and I just felt such a connection with her. She's also going to go through it during this book, but that makes her development that much more important. I loved meeting her family, too- they were so delightfully messed up, and who among us can't relate to that? I don't want to give too much away, because it is a space mystery, really. But I will say that this one was even better than its predecessor, which is saying something! I think having this book show a different point of view really gives us so much more information about the world, and even about the other characters from the first book, so bring on the next one! (I'll also add, if you are the impatient sort, these books end in a satisfying way, so you won't be stabby waiting for the next installment!)
Bottom Line: Loved the world and characters, and found the plot even more compelling than the first book.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
May 25, 2024
Narrated by Paige Reisenfeld
Genre: sci-fi romance
Cynbelline Khaw has gone by many names to keep her family safe while she tracks a serial kidnapper who stole and murdered her cousin many years ago. Estella Escajeda approaches her with a mission she would knowingly do for free: Estella’s illegitimate daughter has been kidnapped as well, and she wants to keep the story under wraps. Cyn is the woman for the job. This lands her back with the Calamity crew - who she worked with prior under a different identity - with Estella’s brother Arcadio, ship captain Temperance, and the achingly handsome and mysterious medic Micah Arora.
I enjoyed Calamity. I *really* enjoyed Fiasco. I knew a little more of what to expect, and listened to the audiobook of this one and it worked really well for me in first-person present tense on audio. Cyn has so many identities, it's almost hard to keep track, but being in her head kept her inner-self cohesive to the reader. Micah is an excellent foil for Cyn's highly anxious psyche: as the medic on the Calamity, and is the strong silent deadly handsome type. Fiasco has a couple of major plot threads, all of which coalesce nicely for both the romance and SF adventure plot. Plus, there's pirates.
If you read Calamity first, you’ll get a better sense of the broader universe, with the major houses and the lay of the land (outer space and planets). That said, I do think you could pick up with Fiasco as well, as there is enough basic background worldbuilding present here and the novel focuses on the romance between Cyn and Micah and the current plots rather than a continuation of the previous plot.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Bramble for an ALC and eARC for review. Fiasco is out 6/4/24.
Genre: sci-fi romance
Cynbelline Khaw has gone by many names to keep her family safe while she tracks a serial kidnapper who stole and murdered her cousin many years ago. Estella Escajeda approaches her with a mission she would knowingly do for free: Estella’s illegitimate daughter has been kidnapped as well, and she wants to keep the story under wraps. Cyn is the woman for the job. This lands her back with the Calamity crew - who she worked with prior under a different identity - with Estella’s brother Arcadio, ship captain Temperance, and the achingly handsome and mysterious medic Micah Arora.
I enjoyed Calamity. I *really* enjoyed Fiasco. I knew a little more of what to expect, and listened to the audiobook of this one and it worked really well for me in first-person present tense on audio. Cyn has so many identities, it's almost hard to keep track, but being in her head kept her inner-self cohesive to the reader. Micah is an excellent foil for Cyn's highly anxious psyche: as the medic on the Calamity, and is the strong silent deadly handsome type. Fiasco has a couple of major plot threads, all of which coalesce nicely for both the romance and SF adventure plot. Plus, there's pirates.
If you read Calamity first, you’ll get a better sense of the broader universe, with the major houses and the lay of the land (outer space and planets). That said, I do think you could pick up with Fiasco as well, as there is enough basic background worldbuilding present here and the novel focuses on the romance between Cyn and Micah and the current plots rather than a continuation of the previous plot.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Bramble for an ALC and eARC for review. Fiasco is out 6/4/24.
May 20, 2024
3.75 🌟 first of all, let’s give a moment for the BEAUTIFUL cover art.
A fun space chase :) I liked the familiarity of characters from the first book but wish the main two from the previous one were more involved. It took a while to get off the ground and build speed, but it surely took off after about 150 pages. I didn’t initially like the main character but she definitely grew on me by the end (lol probably because her trauma was healing) ◡̈ I’ll be interested to see where and how (if at all) these books connect to future ones.
A fun space chase :) I liked the familiarity of characters from the first book but wish the main two from the previous one were more involved. It took a while to get off the ground and build speed, but it surely took off after about 150 pages. I didn’t initially like the main character but she definitely grew on me by the end (lol probably because her trauma was healing) ◡̈ I’ll be interested to see where and how (if at all) these books connect to future ones.
March 22, 2024
Looking for your next steamy space romp? Welcome to FIASCO, where a crew of space misfits races to locate a kidnapper on an island swarmed by snakes! Famed bounty hunter Cyn and medic Micah are thrown together for a job, but can they keep their chemistry in check? CALAMITY’S crew is back, leading us to a new planet where corruption and mystery await. FIASCO is spacey, steamy, and scintillating—everything I’ve ever wanted from a sci-fi romance.
June 10, 2024
4.5 stars
The nitty-gritty: Snappy dialog and plenty of action (and yes, romance) make Fiasco an excellent sequel that's tons of fun.
“My mother has a blaster taped to her thigh under her skirt and a knife in her bra. I didn’t even give her the knife. She just carries one there. And because she has voluminous breasts that she selfishly did not pass down to me, the hilt of the blade is obscured. I have so much to learn.”
Don’t you love it when a sequel is just as good as the first book in the series? I sure do, and I’m happy to report that Fiasco is a perfect follow-up to last year’s Calamity. Constance Fay’s stories revolve around a survey ship called Calamity and its crew, and each book in the series focuses on a different romantic pairing. This book was so funny, and I cannot tell you how often I found myself laughing out loud. Fay’s dialog is hysterical, and I’ll talk more about some of my favorite characters below. It’s also an action-packed story with lots of fun twists, and of course there’s a romance element that worked really well for me. Throw in a fascinating world, lots of emotional moments, a cute winged lizard named Vuur and pitch perfect writing, and you have a well-rounded story that isn’t just for romance lovers (seriously, the romance is a very small part of the book).
We met Cyn Khaw in Calamity, but at the time she was posing as a woman named Generosity, under cover so she could infiltrate a dangerous cult. Now she’s back to her real name, except it isn’t exactly her real name, lol. Cyn is a bounty hunter with tragedy in her past, and she’s still trying to come to terms with it. Her cousin Aymbe was kidnapped when she was ten by the infamous Abyssal Abductor, so named because he snatches children from rich families and demands high ransoms for their return. If the family can’t pay, he drops them into the ocean to die. Aymbe died at the hands of the Abductor, and it shattered Cyn’s family. Since then, she’s secretly been hunting for him in order to avenge her cousin.
One day she gets a visit from Estella Escajeda, whose daughter Boreal has been taken by the Abyssal Abductor, and Estella wants Cyn to rescue her. Cyn agrees to help, even though she has to rejoin the crew of the Calamity in order to do so. Although she’s changed her name and appearance since she was Generosity, she’s nervous about going back, especially since Micah Arora will be there, the muscular and very hot ship’s medic. To make matters even more complicated, Cyn has found herself on the bad side of Carmichael Pierce, from one of the top powerful Families, and he’s blackmailed her into taking a bounty on, you guessed it, Micah Arora. Now she has to locate the Abductor, rescue Boreal, get over her complicated feelings for Micah and turn him in, and face her family, who she hasn’t seen in years. Cyn’s smart and talented, but even she has her limits.
Just like Calamity, Fiasco is a fast paced, upbeat sci-fi story, and all the elements are so well balanced. Constance Fay has a knack for creating interesting characters with plenty of depth, and a few stood out for me. I was intrigued by Cyn���s character in the last book, and it was nice to see her come into her own in this book. Cyn has distanced herself from her family after the fiasco with Aymbe’s death, which she feels responsible for, but she also misses them and wants to mend bridges. At first, her family—mother, father, aunt and grandparents—are simply awful to her, criticizing all her choices, blaming her outright for what happened to Aymbe. I couldn’t believe she would put up with their behavior. But later in the story, some of my favorite scenes revolved around them, as they begin to grudgingly appreciate Cyn’s skills and her fierce dedication to finding the Abyssal Abductor. The interactions among them were laugh-out-loud funny, and I made so many “LOL” notes in my book as I was reading. There’s a running joke with a fortune teller who is predicting how many babies Cyn will end up having, and the comedic timing was simply perfect!
The other character I loved was Madrigal, an older woman with a shady past who is stuck in a “home” across from Cyn’s apartment, and through proximity they’ve befriended each other over the years. Madrigal is hiding a bunch of stuff, including her association with a dangerous gang, and I absolutely loved her (and I secretly hope she appears in future books!). When Cyn leaves to join the Calamity and hunt for Boreal, she continues to communicate with Madrigal, who ends up helping them later in the story. Their friendship had some very sweet moments, despite the fact that both women have been hardened by life. Most of the characters in the story surprised me at one time or another—you think they are one thing and they turn out to be something else completely, and I enjoyed these twists immensely.
Fay also expands on her worldbuilding in this book. We get to visit Cyn’s home planet, which is known for it’s algae harvesting. Algae is needed for space travel (I won’t get into the details, but it’s fascinating), and here is where some of the political elements come into the story. I do love the way the worldbuilding is handled, since the author doesn’t spend too much time on it—there are just too many other elements to focus on—and yet I never felt confused. If anything, the details we do get only whetted my appetite for more.
And of course, I have to quickly mention the romance between Cyn and Micah. I loved that they didn’t play the usual games with each other and actually acted like adults, what a concept for a romance! Fay hits a lot of expected romance beats in her story, but the added humorous dialog between the characters made it feel fresh. Expect a couple of spicy scenes, but honestly, they were pretty tame, in my opinion, and didn’t overwhelm the other amazing elements in this story.
The last few chapters were bat-shit crazy, and I loved every single moment. I had a big smile on my face as I read the last page, and honestly, is there anything better than that? The next book has already been announced—Chaos—and focuses on the Calamity’s engineer Caro. To say I’m excited is an understatement! Readers looking for an extremely fun, smart series need look no further.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The nitty-gritty: Snappy dialog and plenty of action (and yes, romance) make Fiasco an excellent sequel that's tons of fun.
“My mother has a blaster taped to her thigh under her skirt and a knife in her bra. I didn’t even give her the knife. She just carries one there. And because she has voluminous breasts that she selfishly did not pass down to me, the hilt of the blade is obscured. I have so much to learn.”
Don’t you love it when a sequel is just as good as the first book in the series? I sure do, and I’m happy to report that Fiasco is a perfect follow-up to last year’s Calamity. Constance Fay’s stories revolve around a survey ship called Calamity and its crew, and each book in the series focuses on a different romantic pairing. This book was so funny, and I cannot tell you how often I found myself laughing out loud. Fay’s dialog is hysterical, and I’ll talk more about some of my favorite characters below. It’s also an action-packed story with lots of fun twists, and of course there’s a romance element that worked really well for me. Throw in a fascinating world, lots of emotional moments, a cute winged lizard named Vuur and pitch perfect writing, and you have a well-rounded story that isn’t just for romance lovers (seriously, the romance is a very small part of the book).
We met Cyn Khaw in Calamity, but at the time she was posing as a woman named Generosity, under cover so she could infiltrate a dangerous cult. Now she’s back to her real name, except it isn’t exactly her real name, lol. Cyn is a bounty hunter with tragedy in her past, and she’s still trying to come to terms with it. Her cousin Aymbe was kidnapped when she was ten by the infamous Abyssal Abductor, so named because he snatches children from rich families and demands high ransoms for their return. If the family can’t pay, he drops them into the ocean to die. Aymbe died at the hands of the Abductor, and it shattered Cyn’s family. Since then, she’s secretly been hunting for him in order to avenge her cousin.
One day she gets a visit from Estella Escajeda, whose daughter Boreal has been taken by the Abyssal Abductor, and Estella wants Cyn to rescue her. Cyn agrees to help, even though she has to rejoin the crew of the Calamity in order to do so. Although she’s changed her name and appearance since she was Generosity, she’s nervous about going back, especially since Micah Arora will be there, the muscular and very hot ship’s medic. To make matters even more complicated, Cyn has found herself on the bad side of Carmichael Pierce, from one of the top powerful Families, and he’s blackmailed her into taking a bounty on, you guessed it, Micah Arora. Now she has to locate the Abductor, rescue Boreal, get over her complicated feelings for Micah and turn him in, and face her family, who she hasn’t seen in years. Cyn’s smart and talented, but even she has her limits.
Just like Calamity, Fiasco is a fast paced, upbeat sci-fi story, and all the elements are so well balanced. Constance Fay has a knack for creating interesting characters with plenty of depth, and a few stood out for me. I was intrigued by Cyn���s character in the last book, and it was nice to see her come into her own in this book. Cyn has distanced herself from her family after the fiasco with Aymbe’s death, which she feels responsible for, but she also misses them and wants to mend bridges. At first, her family—mother, father, aunt and grandparents—are simply awful to her, criticizing all her choices, blaming her outright for what happened to Aymbe. I couldn’t believe she would put up with their behavior. But later in the story, some of my favorite scenes revolved around them, as they begin to grudgingly appreciate Cyn’s skills and her fierce dedication to finding the Abyssal Abductor. The interactions among them were laugh-out-loud funny, and I made so many “LOL” notes in my book as I was reading. There’s a running joke with a fortune teller who is predicting how many babies Cyn will end up having, and the comedic timing was simply perfect!
The other character I loved was Madrigal, an older woman with a shady past who is stuck in a “home” across from Cyn’s apartment, and through proximity they’ve befriended each other over the years. Madrigal is hiding a bunch of stuff, including her association with a dangerous gang, and I absolutely loved her (and I secretly hope she appears in future books!). When Cyn leaves to join the Calamity and hunt for Boreal, she continues to communicate with Madrigal, who ends up helping them later in the story. Their friendship had some very sweet moments, despite the fact that both women have been hardened by life. Most of the characters in the story surprised me at one time or another—you think they are one thing and they turn out to be something else completely, and I enjoyed these twists immensely.
Fay also expands on her worldbuilding in this book. We get to visit Cyn’s home planet, which is known for it’s algae harvesting. Algae is needed for space travel (I won’t get into the details, but it’s fascinating), and here is where some of the political elements come into the story. I do love the way the worldbuilding is handled, since the author doesn’t spend too much time on it—there are just too many other elements to focus on—and yet I never felt confused. If anything, the details we do get only whetted my appetite for more.
And of course, I have to quickly mention the romance between Cyn and Micah. I loved that they didn’t play the usual games with each other and actually acted like adults, what a concept for a romance! Fay hits a lot of expected romance beats in her story, but the added humorous dialog between the characters made it feel fresh. Expect a couple of spicy scenes, but honestly, they were pretty tame, in my opinion, and didn’t overwhelm the other amazing elements in this story.
The last few chapters were bat-shit crazy, and I loved every single moment. I had a big smile on my face as I read the last page, and honestly, is there anything better than that? The next book has already been announced—Chaos—and focuses on the Calamity’s engineer Caro. To say I’m excited is an understatement! Readers looking for an extremely fun, smart series need look no further.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
June 7, 2024
Bounty hunter Cynbelline Khaw has traveled aboard the Calamity before – back when it was the Quest and she was masquerading as the poor, brainwashed cultist Generosity as part of her bounty to rescue one of the real brainwashed cultists in the first book in the Uncharted Hearts series, Calamity.
A job that the crew of the Calamity kept getting in the way of – because they believed Cyn’s persona was the real thing.
A belief that Cyn now has to test from the other side, as her current bounty requires her to join the crew of the Calamity in her bounty hunter persona in order to rescue the abducted daughter of one of her ‘verse’s most powerful families from the kidnapper who broke her own.
Making this mission oh-so-personal for Cyn. But it’s also personal for at least one member of the Calamity’s crew, Arcadio Escajeda. He’s the captain’s partner (their story is told in the first book in the Uncharted Hearts series, Calamity) AND, more importantly for this particular mission, the victim is his niece.
But it turns out to be even more personal for Calamity’s medic, Micah Arora. He may not know the victim or the Abyssal Abductor who has taken her, but he certainly does know Cyn. And knows exactly who she is – and who she was the last time she was aboard.
Which means that he doesn’t trust her a bit this time around. And he shouldn’t. Because while she may be publicly chasing the bounty of the Abyssal Abductor, she’s also chasing the bounty on him – whether he deserves it or not.
Because her pursuit of the Abyssal Abductor has already cost her family enough, especially on top of the lost ransom they paid for the cousin they weren’t able to save. That her current pursuit has put her family in the crosshairs of the powerful mercantile family that owns the entire planet her family lives on and everything and everyone on it means that she can’t afford to do anything that risks their lives.
At least not anything more than she’s already done – even if it risks the heart she swears she no longer has.
Escape Rating A+: They still have me at Serenity. Seriously, the resemblance to Firefly, particularly the way this ‘verse is set up, is very apparent, very much fine, and still very, very shiny.
Now that we’re two books in, however, the resemblance to Nina Croft’s Dark Desires series is a whole lot stronger, as both series are science fiction romances (or space romances as that’s a term I’m seeing more frequently) where there’s a ship of misfits, a ragtag crew of antiheroes who each find their HEA with the most unlikely people in even more unlikely places, in a ‘verse where much too much is controlled by merchant empire families who have strangleholds on entirely too many critical planets and resources.
What makes this particular entry in the Uncharted Hearts series so damn good no matter what it might remind me of is the heel turn of this particular plot. Cyn is chasing the Abyssal Abductor, because said Abductor abducted her cousin early in their crime spree, didn’t receive the ransom because of seriously extenuating circumstances, and then killed young Aymbe because that’s the MO. If they receive the ransom the abductee goes free. If they don’t, the family gets coordinates to a deep ocean abyssal dump site.
Cyn has privately pursued the Abyssal Abductor ever since, and has cut off her family, in more ways than one, in order to continue that pursuit. It’s only as the crew of the Calamity closes in on the Abductor’s latest victim that Cyn learns about all the cracks in all of her deeply held beliefs about her cousin, her childhood, her family, and pretty much everything else she thought she knew.
Ultimately, this is a story about the truth setting one free – only to be caught up in a huge lie that makes one even freer. Not to mention more available for the romance that one tried to pretend one didn’t need or want or even have time for.
This is a story where I got into it for the plot I thought I was going to get – and found myself more deeply captivated by the one I actually got. I particularly felt for Cyn and her desperate need to get away from her family’s expectations and disappointment in her for not meeting them – even as I cheered for the way that they (mostly) rose to the terrible parts of this occasion and equation right along with her.
I’ve just learned that the title of the third book in the Uncharted Hearts series will be Chaos, coming out in February, 2025. As much as I’m wondering what could possibly make the third story any more chaotic than books 1 and 2, I can’t wait to see how the crew of the Calamity manages to get themselves out of it!
Originally published at Reading Reality
A job that the crew of the Calamity kept getting in the way of – because they believed Cyn’s persona was the real thing.
A belief that Cyn now has to test from the other side, as her current bounty requires her to join the crew of the Calamity in her bounty hunter persona in order to rescue the abducted daughter of one of her ‘verse’s most powerful families from the kidnapper who broke her own.
Making this mission oh-so-personal for Cyn. But it’s also personal for at least one member of the Calamity’s crew, Arcadio Escajeda. He’s the captain’s partner (their story is told in the first book in the Uncharted Hearts series, Calamity) AND, more importantly for this particular mission, the victim is his niece.
But it turns out to be even more personal for Calamity’s medic, Micah Arora. He may not know the victim or the Abyssal Abductor who has taken her, but he certainly does know Cyn. And knows exactly who she is – and who she was the last time she was aboard.
Which means that he doesn’t trust her a bit this time around. And he shouldn’t. Because while she may be publicly chasing the bounty of the Abyssal Abductor, she’s also chasing the bounty on him – whether he deserves it or not.
Because her pursuit of the Abyssal Abductor has already cost her family enough, especially on top of the lost ransom they paid for the cousin they weren’t able to save. That her current pursuit has put her family in the crosshairs of the powerful mercantile family that owns the entire planet her family lives on and everything and everyone on it means that she can’t afford to do anything that risks their lives.
At least not anything more than she’s already done – even if it risks the heart she swears she no longer has.
Escape Rating A+: They still have me at Serenity. Seriously, the resemblance to Firefly, particularly the way this ‘verse is set up, is very apparent, very much fine, and still very, very shiny.
Now that we’re two books in, however, the resemblance to Nina Croft’s Dark Desires series is a whole lot stronger, as both series are science fiction romances (or space romances as that’s a term I’m seeing more frequently) where there’s a ship of misfits, a ragtag crew of antiheroes who each find their HEA with the most unlikely people in even more unlikely places, in a ‘verse where much too much is controlled by merchant empire families who have strangleholds on entirely too many critical planets and resources.
What makes this particular entry in the Uncharted Hearts series so damn good no matter what it might remind me of is the heel turn of this particular plot. Cyn is chasing the Abyssal Abductor, because said Abductor abducted her cousin early in their crime spree, didn’t receive the ransom because of seriously extenuating circumstances, and then killed young Aymbe because that’s the MO. If they receive the ransom the abductee goes free. If they don’t, the family gets coordinates to a deep ocean abyssal dump site.
Cyn has privately pursued the Abyssal Abductor ever since, and has cut off her family, in more ways than one, in order to continue that pursuit. It’s only as the crew of the Calamity closes in on the Abductor’s latest victim that Cyn learns about all the cracks in all of her deeply held beliefs about her cousin, her childhood, her family, and pretty much everything else she thought she knew.
Ultimately, this is a story about the truth setting one free – only to be caught up in a huge lie that makes one even freer. Not to mention more available for the romance that one tried to pretend one didn’t need or want or even have time for.
This is a story where I got into it for the plot I thought I was going to get – and found myself more deeply captivated by the one I actually got. I particularly felt for Cyn and her desperate need to get away from her family’s expectations and disappointment in her for not meeting them – even as I cheered for the way that they (mostly) rose to the terrible parts of this occasion and equation right along with her.
I’ve just learned that the title of the third book in the Uncharted Hearts series will be Chaos, coming out in February, 2025. As much as I’m wondering what could possibly make the third story any more chaotic than books 1 and 2, I can’t wait to see how the crew of the Calamity manages to get themselves out of it!
Originally published at Reading Reality
May 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Bramble Books for providing me with an audio galley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
In this follow up to Calamity, we are reacquainted with Cyn Khaw: a bounty hunter who goes by many names disguising herself as a private investigator who has spent her life hunting her cousin's killer. When she gets a chance to hunt the killer down, she's paired with the crew of the Calamity. But she's given an ultimatum by one of the family's: save her family and herself by turning in Micah, the ship's medic, or lose everything.
If you have not read the first book in this series, stop and go read it. Not only was it fabulous, but you will not understand many of the relationships in this book if you do not read that one first. This is definitely not a stand alone.
This is the first book I have reviewed in the audio format. I will saw I was skeptical at first; worried the narrator would be computer generated and I would have a hard time getting into the story. I was pleasantly surprised to be hearing Paige Reisenfeld's voice. This is my first audio by this narrator and I thoroughly enjoyed her. Her tone was perfect and she helped me to love the female main character and all her quirks.
Cynbaelline Khaw, aka Bella, aka Cyn goes by all the names trying to keep her true identity a secret. I remember her being introduced to us in the first book, though I didn't know it was her at the time. And once this was revealed, the story of her and Michah began to make much more sense. She's sassy and smart and is no stranger to being alone. She has spent her life in her own bubble, keeping her family at arms length and not allowing herself to be involved with anyone more than is necessary to her job. Cyn, to me, doesn't know her worth. And her character certainly develops around this in the book. She doesn't think she deserves to be loved or to have friends. She had to make some truly tough decisions in this book. And, while you initially believe she will only do what is good for herself, you find that's really not who she truly is. She has a big heart and that shines through as the book progresses.
Michah Arora is a character I know well from the first book in this series. I loved his character. He's smart and has a great head on his shoulders. He cares a lot about his crew; they are his friends and his found family since his exile. He's super protective of those he loves. And he's got a sense of humor to him that shined for me in this book. He makes light of some more tense situations which helped to ease some of the more tense scenes in the book. I do wish I'd had more from him.
Speaking of romance, it's in the book, but it was not the main thing that drove the book. What drives this book is the off planet wonder of a different world, the challenge of finding people in such a large area of space, and the fight that ensues to ensure people are safe. The universe of this series is so large, reminding me of Star Trek or even Star Wars and all the planets and places that are visited in those worlds. The shining point of this book is the action and adventure it brings. Did I like the romance, sure, but it was definitely a very slow burn. And if you are looking for closed door, this is not that. The intimacy scenes are definitely a bit descriptive. But I enjoy that in my romances!
And the comedy aspect of this series is really what had me coming back and wanting to read this installment. Fay works it in so well to the story, just as she did with Calamity. Can I just say the ingenuity of creating a lizard that eats metal is genius! I absolutely adored that character and hope to see more of them in future books in this series.
Now, the ending has me a little worried as I would love to see more of Cyn and Micah in future books and the ending has me thinking that may not be possible. Though with Cyn's background, I think she could weasel her way into the next book (if there is one).
If you're looking for a sci-fi space chases with mystery, romance, fight scenes, and found family, pick up this series and watch is unfold. As my second foray into the space romance genre, I can see it as one of my new favorites. I hope Fay continues the series as I'd love to see more of these space relationships unfurl.
In this follow up to Calamity, we are reacquainted with Cyn Khaw: a bounty hunter who goes by many names disguising herself as a private investigator who has spent her life hunting her cousin's killer. When she gets a chance to hunt the killer down, she's paired with the crew of the Calamity. But she's given an ultimatum by one of the family's: save her family and herself by turning in Micah, the ship's medic, or lose everything.
If you have not read the first book in this series, stop and go read it. Not only was it fabulous, but you will not understand many of the relationships in this book if you do not read that one first. This is definitely not a stand alone.
This is the first book I have reviewed in the audio format. I will saw I was skeptical at first; worried the narrator would be computer generated and I would have a hard time getting into the story. I was pleasantly surprised to be hearing Paige Reisenfeld's voice. This is my first audio by this narrator and I thoroughly enjoyed her. Her tone was perfect and she helped me to love the female main character and all her quirks.
Cynbaelline Khaw, aka Bella, aka Cyn goes by all the names trying to keep her true identity a secret. I remember her being introduced to us in the first book, though I didn't know it was her at the time. And once this was revealed, the story of her and Michah began to make much more sense. She's sassy and smart and is no stranger to being alone. She has spent her life in her own bubble, keeping her family at arms length and not allowing herself to be involved with anyone more than is necessary to her job. Cyn, to me, doesn't know her worth. And her character certainly develops around this in the book. She doesn't think she deserves to be loved or to have friends. She had to make some truly tough decisions in this book. And, while you initially believe she will only do what is good for herself, you find that's really not who she truly is. She has a big heart and that shines through as the book progresses.
Michah Arora is a character I know well from the first book in this series. I loved his character. He's smart and has a great head on his shoulders. He cares a lot about his crew; they are his friends and his found family since his exile. He's super protective of those he loves. And he's got a sense of humor to him that shined for me in this book. He makes light of some more tense situations which helped to ease some of the more tense scenes in the book. I do wish I'd had more from him.
Speaking of romance, it's in the book, but it was not the main thing that drove the book. What drives this book is the off planet wonder of a different world, the challenge of finding people in such a large area of space, and the fight that ensues to ensure people are safe. The universe of this series is so large, reminding me of Star Trek or even Star Wars and all the planets and places that are visited in those worlds. The shining point of this book is the action and adventure it brings. Did I like the romance, sure, but it was definitely a very slow burn. And if you are looking for closed door, this is not that. The intimacy scenes are definitely a bit descriptive. But I enjoy that in my romances!
And the comedy aspect of this series is really what had me coming back and wanting to read this installment. Fay works it in so well to the story, just as she did with Calamity. Can I just say the ingenuity of creating a lizard that eats metal is genius! I absolutely adored that character and hope to see more of them in future books in this series.
Now, the ending has me a little worried as I would love to see more of Cyn and Micah in future books and the ending has me thinking that may not be possible. Though with Cyn's background, I think she could weasel her way into the next book (if there is one).
If you're looking for a sci-fi space chases with mystery, romance, fight scenes, and found family, pick up this series and watch is unfold. As my second foray into the space romance genre, I can see it as one of my new favorites. I hope Fay continues the series as I'd love to see more of these space relationships unfurl.
June 1, 2024
4 -⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Something you should know, Cyn. The only thing that's going to get me to stop is you saying no. Not scolding or timing. Not anything else you're coming up with in that devious mind of yours."
Fiasco is the second novel the the adult sci-fi romance series, Uncharted Hearts. Each novel follows a different couple but are set in the same universe and you will see characters from the previous book, as such I would say these are interconnected standalones. In this instalment we follow Cyn, a bounty hunter, who is on her last legs...until she is offered a bounty of the lifetime - a chance to catch the person who kidnapped and killed her cousin all those years ago. When she is forced to partner with the crew of the Calamity she is initially nervous not just because of her fake identity last time she was with them but also the connection she feels with their medic, Micah. A medic who also has a bounty of his head that higher ups are pressuring her to take out. And so hunting down this kidnapper will not just have Cyn dive into her pasts, unveil family wounds, and keep secrets but also to consider taking a risk. For she can seek out the future she never dreamed of but yearned for...if she can let things go and do the job.
Cyn is a mess and I loved it. She has a lot of trauma she has never fully addressed but when she finally is with people that truly care we get to see how unravel. She is so use to being alone and not relying on anyone when she has people that actually support her it shakes her...but she grows so much more because of it.
Micah is a guy that sees everything and I love seeing how navigate the minefield that is Cyn. He see her red flags and her walls but he can't deny the connection and he is so careful. He calls her out when he needs to but he's always there for her. He ensures she has choice but doesn't let Cyn steamroll him.
We also get to see our old cast and crew from the previous book which was fun. I adored the lizard companion Cyn had and I want more pet companions as the series continues. I enjoyed how much we got to dive into side characters, from Cyn's family to more of the villains, as it helped open up the world and plot.
In terms of spice I would place this at 2.5 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. This is a slow burn in spice (instant attraction, though) so don't expect anything until the second half. I feel like we needed more time with the romance as Cyn was very much still focused on guilt and hunting so the transition to romance was a harsh turn. That said I loved Cyn and Micah's dynamic, down to his nickname for her, and I felt the spice was romantic, passionate, and fitting. It was well written and fun!
"I'll be you oxygen if you'll be my atmosphere."
And together we'll be a whole world.
The story itself is fun with a race against the clock, family drama, and investigations. I felt it did take a bit of time for things to pick up but there are quite a few good twists to keep you on your toes. I also enjoyed exploring the backstory of characters (so much trauma that just worked so well with their journeys) and the moments we got to just hang with them (TOP NOTCH BANTER), despite the looming deadline. The story grows from the initial premise and that added a lot of depth for me. The ending rounds everything together to a nice happy moment for out two love birds.
Overall another wonderful instalment in this delightful sci-fi series!
Thank you Bramble for the arc!
"Something you should know, Cyn. The only thing that's going to get me to stop is you saying no. Not scolding or timing. Not anything else you're coming up with in that devious mind of yours."
Fiasco is the second novel the the adult sci-fi romance series, Uncharted Hearts. Each novel follows a different couple but are set in the same universe and you will see characters from the previous book, as such I would say these are interconnected standalones. In this instalment we follow Cyn, a bounty hunter, who is on her last legs...until she is offered a bounty of the lifetime - a chance to catch the person who kidnapped and killed her cousin all those years ago. When she is forced to partner with the crew of the Calamity she is initially nervous not just because of her fake identity last time she was with them but also the connection she feels with their medic, Micah. A medic who also has a bounty of his head that higher ups are pressuring her to take out. And so hunting down this kidnapper will not just have Cyn dive into her pasts, unveil family wounds, and keep secrets but also to consider taking a risk. For she can seek out the future she never dreamed of but yearned for...if she can let things go and do the job.
Cyn is a mess and I loved it. She has a lot of trauma she has never fully addressed but when she finally is with people that truly care we get to see how unravel. She is so use to being alone and not relying on anyone when she has people that actually support her it shakes her...but she grows so much more because of it.
Micah is a guy that sees everything and I love seeing how navigate the minefield that is Cyn. He see her red flags and her walls but he can't deny the connection and he is so careful. He calls her out when he needs to but he's always there for her. He ensures she has choice but doesn't let Cyn steamroll him.
We also get to see our old cast and crew from the previous book which was fun. I adored the lizard companion Cyn had and I want more pet companions as the series continues. I enjoyed how much we got to dive into side characters, from Cyn's family to more of the villains, as it helped open up the world and plot.
In terms of spice I would place this at 2.5 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. This is a slow burn in spice (instant attraction, though) so don't expect anything until the second half. I feel like we needed more time with the romance as Cyn was very much still focused on guilt and hunting so the transition to romance was a harsh turn. That said I loved Cyn and Micah's dynamic, down to his nickname for her, and I felt the spice was romantic, passionate, and fitting. It was well written and fun!
"I'll be you oxygen if you'll be my atmosphere."
And together we'll be a whole world.
The story itself is fun with a race against the clock, family drama, and investigations. I felt it did take a bit of time for things to pick up but there are quite a few good twists to keep you on your toes. I also enjoyed exploring the backstory of characters (so much trauma that just worked so well with their journeys) and the moments we got to just hang with them (TOP NOTCH BANTER), despite the looming deadline. The story grows from the initial premise and that added a lot of depth for me. The ending rounds everything together to a nice happy moment for out two love birds.
Overall another wonderful instalment in this delightful sci-fi series!
Thank you Bramble for the arc!
June 23, 2024
Bounty hunter Cyn Khaw is best known as the cold-blooded killer who spaced a ship full of slavers. Most recently, she pretended to be a woman named Generosity in order to infiltrate a cult and rescue her clients' daughter.
Inside, Cyn is an absolute mess. She practically lives on stims and barely sleeps, because, when she does, she has screaming nightmares about the incident with the slaver ship. Although her reputation is useful, she isn't nearly as cold-blooded as people think. She has one goal driving her: to find and destroy her cousin Aymbe's killer, the man known as the Abyssal Abductor.
When the Abductor kidnaps Estella Escajeda's secret daughter, Cyn agrees to help, even though it'll mean working with the crew of the Calamity - teamwork isn't Cyn's forte. This setup is even less appealing when Cyn learns that the Calamity used to be the Quest, which means she'll be in close quarters with Micah, the attractive medic who tried to help her when he thought she was trapped in a cult.
I liked the first book in this series well enough, but this one was even better. I found Cyn to be more appealing and interesting than Temper - she was believable both as a badass bounty hunter and a deeply screwed up woman whose biggest weakness was that she couldn't trust anyone around her even just enough to sleep around them. She was attracted to Micah, but not to the point where it got in the way of her ability to function. If anything was going to get in the way of her ability to function, it was going to be her lack of sleep and overuse of stims.
Overall, I really liked her extreme spikiness, as well as the fact that Micah was more intrigued than put off by it. Considering how deeply damaged she was, I wasn't sure the author would manage to create a satisfactory romance between her and Micah, but I ended up loving them as a couple (although I should mention that there's a bit of "magic cure-all sex" to their story - I was okay with it, but I could see how it might bother other readers). By the end of the book, I appreciated Cyn's family as well.
I'm really looking forward to Book 3, which, ugh, won't be out until March 2025. Crossing my fingers that Itzel eventually gets a book of her own too.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
Inside, Cyn is an absolute mess. She practically lives on stims and barely sleeps, because, when she does, she has screaming nightmares about the incident with the slaver ship. Although her reputation is useful, she isn't nearly as cold-blooded as people think. She has one goal driving her: to find and destroy her cousin Aymbe's killer, the man known as the Abyssal Abductor.
When the Abductor kidnaps Estella Escajeda's secret daughter, Cyn agrees to help, even though it'll mean working with the crew of the Calamity - teamwork isn't Cyn's forte. This setup is even less appealing when Cyn learns that the Calamity used to be the Quest, which means she'll be in close quarters with Micah, the attractive medic who tried to help her when he thought she was trapped in a cult.
I liked the first book in this series well enough, but this one was even better. I found Cyn to be more appealing and interesting than Temper - she was believable both as a badass bounty hunter and a deeply screwed up woman whose biggest weakness was that she couldn't trust anyone around her even just enough to sleep around them. She was attracted to Micah, but not to the point where it got in the way of her ability to function. If anything was going to get in the way of her ability to function, it was going to be her lack of sleep and overuse of stims.
Overall, I really liked her extreme spikiness, as well as the fact that Micah was more intrigued than put off by it. Considering how deeply damaged she was, I wasn't sure the author would manage to create a satisfactory romance between her and Micah, but I ended up loving them as a couple (although I should mention that there's a bit of "magic cure-all sex" to their story - I was okay with it, but I could see how it might bother other readers). By the end of the book, I appreciated Cyn's family as well.
I'm really looking forward to Book 3, which, ugh, won't be out until March 2025. Crossing my fingers that Itzel eventually gets a book of her own too.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
February 18, 2024
Constance Fay's Fiasco was anything but - it was an exciting read, complete with twists, betrayals, and surprises, not to mention a healthy amount of romance and humor layered atop the adventure.
Cynbelline Khaw is a young woman who has already lived more than most of us do in a lifetime, having become a space-faring bounty hunter to escape the pressures and expectations of a family broken by the abduction of her cousin. Best known for a bounty that went bad, resulting in a bunch of dead slavers, she's a legend to some and a monster to others. When she's offered a small fortune to accept a new bounty that may allow her to find justice for her cousin at the same time, she knows it's a mistake, but there's no way she can refuse.
Her mission reunites her with the crew of the Calamity, although she was pretending to be somebody else then, so nobody recognizes her now. Except, that is, for Micah Arora, the sexy medic who can literally smell trouble. It's a ragtag crew who neither trust her nor like her, and their mission will bring her right back home to the family she hasn't seen in years. It's hardly the ideal situation, but it's the conflicts beneath the surface that fuel the story.
Fiasco is a bit of an odd book because it shifts tone and content rather dramatically on more than one occasion. There's a mystery and an adventure to be explored; shockingly tragic reveals that leads into family drama; a slow-burn romance that doesn't really spark until the last 100 pages; a darkly comical heist thriller; and a heroic mashup of all of the above that carries through to the end. None of that is a complaint. I loved the surprises, loved not knowing where this was going, and loved how all the various threads ended up coming together.
While you certainly don't need to have read Calamity to enjoy this, I felt like the crew was painted a bit thin here, so having that background likely would have defined them a bit better. And, sure, I would have loved more time with Vuur, the tiny metal-eating would-be-dragon, but those are my only complaints. What matters is that Cyn was more than strong enough to carry the story, and the way the plot shifts around the Abyssal Abductor had me riveted to the end. Superb!
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/...
Cynbelline Khaw is a young woman who has already lived more than most of us do in a lifetime, having become a space-faring bounty hunter to escape the pressures and expectations of a family broken by the abduction of her cousin. Best known for a bounty that went bad, resulting in a bunch of dead slavers, she's a legend to some and a monster to others. When she's offered a small fortune to accept a new bounty that may allow her to find justice for her cousin at the same time, she knows it's a mistake, but there's no way she can refuse.
Her mission reunites her with the crew of the Calamity, although she was pretending to be somebody else then, so nobody recognizes her now. Except, that is, for Micah Arora, the sexy medic who can literally smell trouble. It's a ragtag crew who neither trust her nor like her, and their mission will bring her right back home to the family she hasn't seen in years. It's hardly the ideal situation, but it's the conflicts beneath the surface that fuel the story.
Fiasco is a bit of an odd book because it shifts tone and content rather dramatically on more than one occasion. There's a mystery and an adventure to be explored; shockingly tragic reveals that leads into family drama; a slow-burn romance that doesn't really spark until the last 100 pages; a darkly comical heist thriller; and a heroic mashup of all of the above that carries through to the end. None of that is a complaint. I loved the surprises, loved not knowing where this was going, and loved how all the various threads ended up coming together.
While you certainly don't need to have read Calamity to enjoy this, I felt like the crew was painted a bit thin here, so having that background likely would have defined them a bit better. And, sure, I would have loved more time with Vuur, the tiny metal-eating would-be-dragon, but those are my only complaints. What matters is that Cyn was more than strong enough to carry the story, and the way the plot shifts around the Abyssal Abductor had me riveted to the end. Superb!
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/...
June 2, 2024
Fiasco follows bounty hunter Cyn Khaw, who also happens to be Generosity from Calamity, the first book in this series. I was so excited for her story, and it did not disappoint. I loved her character and learning that there's much more to this unsuspecting cultist. Cyn, who actually has a deadly reputation, takes on a bounty with the crew of the Calamity to search for a notorious kidnapper which added a bit of mystery to this sci fi thriller. There's also a bit of spice that picks up between Cyn and Micah, the medic on the Calamity, that we started to see in book 1. Everything was so well done here - from the mystery to the character growth to the romance.
I had a lot of fun reading Calamity, and I loved Fiasco even more. This is such a fun space opera with great characters and just the right level of sci fi. Fiasco is one of those fast-paced reads that are so much fun, I tend to devour them in a couple of days. I love the characters, the unique planets, and different space stations so much, this series has quickly become one of my favorite space operas.
I don't think reading Calamity is a requirement, as Fiasco works well as a standalone, but I would recommend it for more background information on The Families and the crew of the Calamity. Plus, it's just a good read.
4.5 stars, I am so excited for book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a lot of fun reading Calamity, and I loved Fiasco even more. This is such a fun space opera with great characters and just the right level of sci fi. Fiasco is one of those fast-paced reads that are so much fun, I tend to devour them in a couple of days. I love the characters, the unique planets, and different space stations so much, this series has quickly become one of my favorite space operas.
I don't think reading Calamity is a requirement, as Fiasco works well as a standalone, but I would recommend it for more background information on The Families and the crew of the Calamity. Plus, it's just a good read.
4.5 stars, I am so excited for book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2024
A fast-paced, hard sci-fi space adventure with open door M/F romance.
A perfect follow-up to Calamity (book one of the Uncharted Hearts series), although I think you could read Fiasco as an interconnected standalone and be fine.
We met Cyn Khaw briefly in Calamity, when she was undercover trying to rescue a woman from a cult on a deserted planet. In this book, she is our strong, capable, bounty-hunter FMC and her newest bounty requires her to be back on the Calamity. And yes, the eyes of Micah, the ship's medic, are just as dreamy as she remembered.
This is a high-action, slow-burn romance with lots of angst. It was a joy to listen to and exactly what I wanted.
Romance tropes
- One (bunk)bed
- Forced proximity
- Road trip (but in a spaceship)
- He's only soft for her
- Her grandma loves him
- She doesn't have nightmares when she sleeps beside him
Paige Reisenfeld is back doing the narration for the audiobook and I was so glad to see it. She did a great job switching between the male and female cast, making it easy to identify the characters based on their voices. There are a lot of characters so she really had her work cut out for her here. I think I liked her voice for Micah better than if they had cast a man in the role!
I hope there is a book three in this series, because I will definitely read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
This book is best read before changing your name. But know that love will find you no matter what.
A perfect follow-up to Calamity (book one of the Uncharted Hearts series), although I think you could read Fiasco as an interconnected standalone and be fine.
We met Cyn Khaw briefly in Calamity, when she was undercover trying to rescue a woman from a cult on a deserted planet. In this book, she is our strong, capable, bounty-hunter FMC and her newest bounty requires her to be back on the Calamity. And yes, the eyes of Micah, the ship's medic, are just as dreamy as she remembered.
This is a high-action, slow-burn romance with lots of angst. It was a joy to listen to and exactly what I wanted.
Romance tropes
- One (bunk)bed
- Forced proximity
- Road trip (but in a spaceship)
- He's only soft for her
- Her grandma loves him
- She doesn't have nightmares when she sleeps beside him
Paige Reisenfeld is back doing the narration for the audiobook and I was so glad to see it. She did a great job switching between the male and female cast, making it easy to identify the characters based on their voices. There are a lot of characters so she really had her work cut out for her here. I think I liked her voice for Micah better than if they had cast a man in the role!
I hope there is a book three in this series, because I will definitely read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
This book is best read before changing your name. But know that love will find you no matter what.
June 25, 2024
Excellent romantic sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is dark; some of the Families are evil. But there are glimpses of light in this universe. Cyn is an amazing narrator, and Micah is a fitting partner. Bad stuff happens; some of the previous trauma is horrible. But banter, disgusting chips, and hilarity (Cyn's grandpa and grandma, Etolla, the houseplant) infuse the story. There is graphic violence and sex. I read a library book on release day and reread the book in KU. The second read was as fun as the first. I highly recommend Calamity and Fiasco.
The worldbuilding is dark; some of the Families are evil. But there are glimpses of light in this universe. Cyn is an amazing narrator, and Micah is a fitting partner. Bad stuff happens; some of the previous trauma is horrible. But banter, disgusting chips, and hilarity (Cyn's grandpa and grandma, Etolla, the houseplant) infuse the story. There is graphic violence and sex. I read a library book on release day and reread the book in KU. The second read was as fun as the first. I highly recommend Calamity and Fiasco.
February 19, 2024
I thought the first book was just okay, so I wasn't surprised to find out that I felt similarly about the second book. I think objectively this is a fun romance book with some action in it, but I don't typically read a lot of romance so I think that's why I didn't love it. If someone were to like romance, I think they'd like this book a lot more than I did. This just personally wasn't for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor for providing me with this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor for providing me with this ARC.
June 12, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd installment in the Uncharted Hearts series. It has drama, lasers, intrigue, betrayal, kidnapping, secret identities, romance and light (and not so light) maimings. All the makings of a great space opera. These characters are all unmitigated disasters, bless their morally gray hearts. They are doing the best they can in a hostile world with a deadly political caste system and you can’t help but root for these beautiful messes! Very excited to see where we go next with "Chaos".
July 1, 2024
This started out a little slow but once we got movin' and groovin, h'oh boy. I couldn't put this down. This was a noticeable improvement from Calamity, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Honestly, I wanted to knock a star off the rating because I so desperately wanted Micah's POV.
Where are all the other sci fi romance authors? I need more of this like I need oxygen and atmosphere (iykyk).
Where are all the other sci fi romance authors? I need more of this like I need oxygen and atmosphere (iykyk).
May 27, 2024
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I'm always here for a spicy space opera. This companion novel revolves around vulnerability and thinking we have to always be alone. Cyn is haunted and convinced she has to keep everyone away. So what happens when the lies, her mistakes, and her legends all catch up to her? Fiasco has to break down Cyn's walls, the ideas that she has to be alone, that the ones we love cannot be trusted to carry the weight of our fears and ghosts.
I'm always here for a spicy space opera. This companion novel revolves around vulnerability and thinking we have to always be alone. Cyn is haunted and convinced she has to keep everyone away. So what happens when the lies, her mistakes, and her legends all catch up to her? Fiasco has to break down Cyn's walls, the ideas that she has to be alone, that the ones we love cannot be trusted to carry the weight of our fears and ghosts.
May 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books/Bramble for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
4.25 stars
I will admit this didn't suck me in as much as the first but I think that is mostly due to how much the MC overthinks and it being a little too close to my own personality. But still, by the end, I didn't want to put it down and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to who we get to know better next!
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
4.25 stars
I will admit this didn't suck me in as much as the first but I think that is mostly due to how much the MC overthinks and it being a little too close to my own personality. But still, by the end, I didn't want to put it down and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to who we get to know better next!
June 3, 2024
3.75/5 stars. This was so fun! I personally enjoyed this second installment quite a bit more than the first, Calamity. Full RTC!
Thank you Bramble for an ARC.
Thank you Bramble for an ARC.
June 17, 2024
I liked this book and the first in the series quite a bit. They are filled with quirky characters, space, action, and romance.
June 21, 2024
So cute so fun! This is my new comfort series.
July 3, 2024
i really really did not want this book to be over
June 22, 2024
Solid, fun read that if I'm really honest with myself low key reads like a fanfic with the serial numbers filed off, but it's been developed into a world that stands on its own two feet, and has fun characters and good flirting besides. I'll keep picking these up from the library.
Read
November 26, 2023Literally can't wait for 2024 to come! This is my new favourite SFR author and I can't wait to immerse myself in this universe again!
June 5, 2024
Calamity was one of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given, so to say that Fiasco was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 is an understatement. And while it hasn't topped Calamity for me, by no means did this disappoint. I was so, so happy to see that the narrator (Paige Reisenfeld) hadn't changed between the two books and tbh she may have done an even better job on Fiasco. The audiobook is so, so good.
While this absolutely can be read as a standalone, I don't think it should be. I think there's a lot of backstory, specifically about Micah, that would help a readers understanding and enjoyment of this book if they had read Calamity first. Cyn is in that book as well, but she's a pretty minor side character whereas Micah was a more prominent side character so you learn more about him. You also see Cyn and Micah meet and interact in Calamity, which I personally think it really important for their story.
That being said... there were times I felt like the romance was a little more tell than show. Their physical attraction was totally shown, and I did see an emotional connection with them sometimes too, but overall I felt like I wanted to see more emotional development between them. I did like the romance, I think I just wanted a bit more from it. However the physical attraction - hot. Well described and hot.
Apparently I'm going to just keep bringing up Calamity. While I really think you should read Calamity first for the backstory, do not expect to see much of the main characters (Temper & Arcadio) in Fiasco. They are mentioned and shown a few times, but it was very minimal. Since I love Calamity, and loved both of the characters, I really wanted to see more of them. However, Caro and Itzel were very prominently in this book. I am assuming part of that was to set up the next book in this series, Chaos, which is about Caro (I'm already dreading having to wait until 2025 for it!). I think if someone started the series with this book, while I'd still recommend they read Calamity because I love it, I don't reading this book would have caused someone to think 'I need to read Temper & Arcadio's story now' because they were just kinda... there.
This review is already so long yet I haven't even said what is probably the most important part - I love Cyn. She is such a cool and interesting character to read about. The story was totally different than the one in Calamity, but in a complementary way. I loved Madrigal, and the little storyline with Etolla made me laugh out loud. Vuur was a cutie, I'm not entirely sure they added anything to the actual story but sometimes it's fun to just have something cute added in. I liked Micah a lot, his personality once it really comes out was a bit different than I expected but he was a good match for Cyn. His nickname for her was both adorable and hilarious, and I loved that he was protective but not overbearing.
I cannot wait for Chaos, because I just adore these characters and this world that Constance Fay has created. Based on the description of Chaos, and the way this story wrapped up, I think it's going to have even less to do with Calamity (the ship, and likely the characters) and feel a little bit more like a standalone. However, I'm intrigued by Caro and can't wait to read her story. Especially if Paige Reisenfeld remains the narrator.
Such a good read, definitely one I would recommend and I have no doubts that I will be rereading it in the not too distant future.
I'll be your oxygen if you'll be my atmosphere.
While this absolutely can be read as a standalone, I don't think it should be. I think there's a lot of backstory, specifically about Micah, that would help a readers understanding and enjoyment of this book if they had read Calamity first. Cyn is in that book as well, but she's a pretty minor side character whereas Micah was a more prominent side character so you learn more about him. You also see Cyn and Micah meet and interact in Calamity, which I personally think it really important for their story.
That being said... there were times I felt like the romance was a little more tell than show. Their physical attraction was totally shown, and I did see an emotional connection with them sometimes too, but overall I felt like I wanted to see more emotional development between them. I did like the romance, I think I just wanted a bit more from it. However the physical attraction - hot. Well described and hot.
Apparently I'm going to just keep bringing up Calamity. While I really think you should read Calamity first for the backstory, do not expect to see much of the main characters (Temper & Arcadio) in Fiasco. They are mentioned and shown a few times, but it was very minimal. Since I love Calamity, and loved both of the characters, I really wanted to see more of them. However, Caro and Itzel were very prominently in this book. I am assuming part of that was to set up the next book in this series, Chaos, which is about Caro (I'm already dreading having to wait until 2025 for it!). I think if someone started the series with this book, while I'd still recommend they read Calamity because I love it, I don't reading this book would have caused someone to think 'I need to read Temper & Arcadio's story now' because they were just kinda... there.
This review is already so long yet I haven't even said what is probably the most important part - I love Cyn. She is such a cool and interesting character to read about. The story was totally different than the one in Calamity, but in a complementary way. I loved Madrigal, and the little storyline with Etolla made me laugh out loud. Vuur was a cutie, I'm not entirely sure they added anything to the actual story but sometimes it's fun to just have something cute added in. I liked Micah a lot, his personality once it really comes out was a bit different than I expected but he was a good match for Cyn. His nickname for her was both adorable and hilarious, and I loved that he was protective but not overbearing.
I cannot wait for Chaos, because I just adore these characters and this world that Constance Fay has created. Based on the description of Chaos, and the way this story wrapped up, I think it's going to have even less to do with Calamity (the ship, and likely the characters) and feel a little bit more like a standalone. However, I'm intrigued by Caro and can't wait to read her story. Especially if Paige Reisenfeld remains the narrator.
Such a good read, definitely one I would recommend and I have no doubts that I will be rereading it in the not too distant future.
I'll be your oxygen if you'll be my atmosphere.
May 27, 2024
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of "Fiasco" by Constance Fay in exchange for an honest review.
This sequel to Fay's "Calamity" focuses on bounty hunter Cyn Khaw and medic Micah Arora, both introduced in the first book. However, when readers first met Cyn, she was deep undercover to retrieve someone from a dangerous cult. By the start of Fiasco, Cyn has parted ways with the crew of Calamity and shed her false identity. Her life's mission is to track down the Abyssal Abductor, the merciless kidnapper who murdered her cousin Aymbe years before.
When she's recruited to find the Abductor's latest victim, she's reunited with the Calamity crew, including the ship's medic Micah. Micah takes an immediate interest in her, though whether that's based on suspicion or lust, Cyn isn't sure. To make matters worse, a powerful Family member is blackmailing her into taking a secret bounty: unbeknownst to him, Micah is being set up as a political scapegoat and Cyn is the one who must bring him in.
The Abductor's trail leads right back to Cyn's home planet, forcing her to confront the fractured family she left behind, memories she'd really rather forget, and secrets she never saw coming.
Fiasco is a solid follow-up to Calamity. It's got many of the best sci-fi building blocks: an important, time-sensitive mission, quirky side characters, and a metal-eating, flying lizard. (Though, really, there could have been much more lizard. Vuur was one of the best characters and it never even speaks.) The world-building is excellent, particularly Cyn's home world Ginsidik. The big, political system is important in this plot, but not quite as central as it was previously.
The one thing to keep in mind is that if you're reading this for the romance, it's not as strong as it was in the first book. At it's core, this is the story of a family reeling from tragedy, and how it has affected them through the years. Cyn and her family have never really processed their trauma from Aymbe's death. Most of Cyn's emotional journey is related to that.
So while there is a romance with Micah, it's not ABOUT that romance. You can take that portion of the plot out, and the book doesn't lose much. Furthermore, in the best romances, the relationship brings positive emotional growth to both characters; here, Micah doesn't really grow much. He's a solid guy who wants to take care of her, but he doesn't really change from start to finish. He's still a handsome, grumpy yet nurturing dude with attractive muscles.
It's a good book. It's interesting and exciting. It's less Romanscifi, but rather more straight up sci-fi, so as long as you go in with that expectation, you won't be disappointed. Recommended for fans of space opera with a hint of romance.
This sequel to Fay's "Calamity" focuses on bounty hunter Cyn Khaw and medic Micah Arora, both introduced in the first book. However, when readers first met Cyn, she was deep undercover to retrieve someone from a dangerous cult. By the start of Fiasco, Cyn has parted ways with the crew of Calamity and shed her false identity. Her life's mission is to track down the Abyssal Abductor, the merciless kidnapper who murdered her cousin Aymbe years before.
When she's recruited to find the Abductor's latest victim, she's reunited with the Calamity crew, including the ship's medic Micah. Micah takes an immediate interest in her, though whether that's based on suspicion or lust, Cyn isn't sure. To make matters worse, a powerful Family member is blackmailing her into taking a secret bounty: unbeknownst to him, Micah is being set up as a political scapegoat and Cyn is the one who must bring him in.
The Abductor's trail leads right back to Cyn's home planet, forcing her to confront the fractured family she left behind, memories she'd really rather forget, and secrets she never saw coming.
Fiasco is a solid follow-up to Calamity. It's got many of the best sci-fi building blocks: an important, time-sensitive mission, quirky side characters, and a metal-eating, flying lizard. (Though, really, there could have been much more lizard. Vuur was one of the best characters and it never even speaks.) The world-building is excellent, particularly Cyn's home world Ginsidik. The big, political system is important in this plot, but not quite as central as it was previously.
The one thing to keep in mind is that if you're reading this for the romance, it's not as strong as it was in the first book. At it's core, this is the story of a family reeling from tragedy, and how it has affected them through the years. Cyn and her family have never really processed their trauma from Aymbe's death. Most of Cyn's emotional journey is related to that.
So while there is a romance with Micah, it's not ABOUT that romance. You can take that portion of the plot out, and the book doesn't lose much. Furthermore, in the best romances, the relationship brings positive emotional growth to both characters; here, Micah doesn't really grow much. He's a solid guy who wants to take care of her, but he doesn't really change from start to finish. He's still a handsome, grumpy yet nurturing dude with attractive muscles.
It's a good book. It's interesting and exciting. It's less Romanscifi, but rather more straight up sci-fi, so as long as you go in with that expectation, you won't be disappointed. Recommended for fans of space opera with a hint of romance.
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