This was such an interesting read… and then it just ended.
The concept really pulls you in, a stark, unsettling look at a future shaped by climate disaster and fear. The atmosphere is heavy in that quiet, creeping way that keeps you on edge the whole time. It’s less about big action and more about the psychological weight of living under constant pressure.
One thing that really stood out was the contradiction in how society functions. They emphasize the need for “breeders” to keep the population going, but at the same time, they’re incredibly quick to cast people out if they make a mistake. It creates this harsh, almost disposable view of human life that makes the whole system feel even more fragile and unsettling.
I just wish there had been more of it. More depth, more time, more something before the finish line suddenly appeared.
Still, definitely worth the read if you like dystopian stories that lean more thoughtful than action heavy.
I’m kind of on the fence with this one.
I really liked the first book. It set things up in a way that made me excited to see where the story would go… and then this one took a hard left turn that just didn’t work for me.
Rhya and Pendefyre have a fight, she takes off through the gateways on her own, and ends up at the water court. From there, it felt like everything shifted too fast. She moves on from Pendefyre pretty quickly, and her relationship with Soren is… not exactly innocent. It just didn’t feel honest, and it pulled me out of the story a bit.
Also, everyone seems to know Rhya is a cheater, including Pen… and yet he still trusts her completely. That felt like such an odd character choice, and it made their dynamic harder to believe.
That said, I will give credit where it’s due, the amphibious sea spiders? Absolutely horrifying. Truly unsettling. Those will be living rent free in my brain for a while.
Overall, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love the direction it took either.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I really liked the first book. It set things up in a way that made me excited to see where the story would go… and then this one took a hard left turn that just didn’t work for me.
Rhya and Pendefyre have a fight, she takes off through the gateways on her own, and ends up at the water court. From there, it felt like everything shifted too fast. She moves on from Pendefyre pretty quickly, and her relationship with Soren is… not exactly innocent. It just didn’t feel honest, and it pulled me out of the story a bit.
Also, everyone seems to know Rhya is a cheater, including Pen… and yet he still trusts her completely. That felt like such an odd character choice, and it made their dynamic harder to believe.
That said, I will give credit where it’s due, the amphibious sea spiders? Absolutely horrifying. Truly unsettling. Those will be living rent free in my brain for a while.
Overall, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love the direction it took either.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I had to sit with this one for a bit.
On one hand, the premise is genuinely interesting and pretty in depth. There’s a lot going on with the world and concepts, and I appreciated the ambition.
On the other hand… the main character. She thinks she’s making smart choices, but then turns around and does something so wildly questionable it pulled me right out of the story.
At one point, she’s ready to forgive and build a relationship with someone who has literally been trying to kill her. Repeatedly.
I’m sorry… what??
It’s not a bad book, but the character decisions made it hard to stay fully invested.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
This isn’t exactly a “throw it in your beach bag” kind of read. It’s heavier than that, both in subject and tone.
Not a bad read, just not an easy one.
Shroud leans into that familiar spacefaring cycle: humans leave Earth, make a mess somewhere new, and then double down on the bad decisions. Crash landing, abandonment, rediscovery, attempted exploitation… it’s all here. And yes, humanity once again gets thoroughly humbled, which honestly feels fitting at this point.
What keeps it from feeling stale is how Tchaikovsky plays with perspective. The sections from the aliens’ point of view are easily the highlight. Seeing humanity from the outside adds a layer of irony that works really well, especially when you realize just how predictable (and destructive) we come across.
There’s also a clear moral thread running through it, mostly carried by the one character who seems to have any sense of restraint. Their choice to pursue peace instead of domination gives the story some needed balance against all the chaos.
It’s not a groundbreaking premise, but it’s executed with enough intelligence and perspective shifts to keep it engaging. Classic setup, elevated by thoughtful worldbuilding and that alien POV.
I fell in love with this book. It’s a true slow burn, but the kind that sneaks up on you until you’re completely invested. The characters feel warm and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them.
The pacing gives everything room to breathe, which made the emotional moments land even harder. Nothing feels rushed, and that patience really pays off.
Also, I did not expect to be sitting here chuckling over someone named Farty Walsh, but here we are.
A beautiful, character driven story that lingers in the best way.
