I’ve been seeing this one around and hearing lots of good things about it, so when it became available on Netgalley, I immediately requested it and was delighted when I was approved to read it.
Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family. Forever.
Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden—a planet that Babel has kept hidden—where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe. But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.
I have seen various references to Red Rising and The Hunger Games series in relation to this one and they are both apt. There is an ongoing contest where those who lose will never get to land on Eden and as you’d expect from a competition with such high stakes, there are some savage tactics employed. I really liked Emmett’s reluctance to adopt the most ruthless, violent route to try to achieve a place on Eden – and the fact that though he is very poor, he is also from a tight-knit, loving family. The cultural diversity of the youngsters taking part worked well and Reintgen managed to keep up the pace and tension throughout, despite the relatively large number of characters he was handling.
There is a steady progression of unpleasant discoveries about the project and the substance nyxia as the youngsters are mercilessly drilled and pitted against each other in order to hone their skills in mining and controlling nyxia, while coping with the environment. Eden doesn’t sound remotely like paradise if these exercises are any indication of the conditions prevailing on the alien planet. I like the fact that Emmett isn’t one of those who is right at the top – instead he is bumping along at the bottom and in constant danger of being flushed out of the project.
It was a shock when a couple of likeable, major characters died along the way, which raised the stakes and made it harder to put the book down. The ending is well handled, bringing the book to a climactic conclusion with another nasty surprise that genuinely made my jaw drop – I love it when that happens…
Any niggles? I could have done without the romance. It felt rather tacked on and certainly added nothing to the storyline. However, it’s not a dealbreaker and I am keen to read the next book in this trilogy, Nyxia Unleashed. While I obtained an arc of Nyxia from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
I’m glad to see you enjoyed this, I’ve read some rave reviews and I’ve been wondering about it😁
I don’t have a problem with books that take their cue from others so long as they are well written and bring something new to the table – which this one certainly does.
I liked this book but didn’t love it as much as others seem to have. Like you I don’t mind if books borrow a little from others (or should we say are inspired by 😁), my issue with Nyxia was that I felt the competition was dragged out too long. I am curious about book 2 though.
Yes – I’m looking forward to getting hold of Book 2, given the tantilising snippets about the planet Eden that we had been given…
I keep seeing great reviews for this book so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it. The Red Rising/Hunger Games comparison definitely have me curious.
Yes – the competition is the main theme running through the book, so if this aspect appeals to you then I recommend it. I found it an enjoyable, page-turning read.
I have this on my wish list and encouraged to see you enjoyed it, Sarah!
Yes – I know you enjoy space opera adventure, Laura – I think you’d like this one:).
Well, this sounds like a fun one! I’m very about that ending. 😀 And I’ve not had luck with romance in YA stories lately, so I definitely empathize!
Fortunately, I was able to tune out the romance as it didn’t really impact much on the storyline or character development – but that ending has certainly encouraged me to want to track down the next book.
The Red Rising comparison has me intrigued. Anytime someone offers you a deal that sounds to good to be true you should probably decline..lol
Yes… the sneaky bit is that all those youngsters came from poverty-stricken backgrounds and had a pressing need for the money. Emmett’s mother is suffering from cancer, for instance… It certainly snagged my sympathy for him at the beginning of the book and I loved that his family were supportive and caring.
I’m glad you enjoyed this! I didn’t like it quite as much as I hoped, but I’m curious to see where the author will take the series.
Yes – and I know what you mean, Mogsy. But I’m very keen to see what happens next:)
I’m not sure this one would be for me – or, more to the point, I think I have too much on my plate already at the moment, but glad you enjoyed it and were able to block out that ‘tacked on’ romance.
Lynn 😀
No… I’m guessing you’re up to your eyes right now, Lynn!
I have this one on my Kindle! I was going to read it next actually and then I saw a Bella Forest book I had been meaning to check out. Lol. Shiny!
I hope you enjoy BOTH reads, SJ:))
Any mention of Red Rising is enough to pique my interest 😉 and this story seems to possess many of the elements I might enjoy in a story. There is however that dreaded mention of the unnecessary romance that cools my enthusiasm a little… 😀
Yes… that said, because it is rather an afterthought and doesn’t surface until well through the story, it isn’t too annoying.
Gah, the romance! What is wrong with just having an adventure, people?! I know, I know–I’m writing one right now, but I do NOT want to shove a romance into every story. No thank you.
It did actually feel as if someone took the author on one side and said that as it was YA, he had to have a romance in it, so go away and write one.
I wouldn’t be surprised. What’s wrong with developing a relationship of family, or friendship, instead of romance? Gah!
*sigh* I know…
This sounds right up your alley, Hon. Fine review!
Thank you, Rae:). Yes – I enjoyed this one and look forward to getting hold of the next book.
Interesting premise, but for some reason it didn’t grab me. I guess I should be grateful since my TBR is already swelling with recommendations from your reviews. 🙂
No, I don’t think this one would be one for you, either:))