Under a New and Brilliant Sky was an interesting sci-fi novel that takes place over several settings throughout the galaxy, focusing on (and from the perspective of) Elys, a programmer who works on large-scale systems that help run societies. Escaped from a Republic prison on Mars, she's rescued by a squad from an independent nation of Alyansa, on the planet Mayari, who need help finding an error in their system.

The story itself is well thought out and developed, and it held my interest all the way through. There's an interesting juxtaposition here between the fascist Republic and the Alyansans, whose society records virtually everything and makes those recordings available publicly, neither of which sound idyllic to me. Elys quickly develops a connection and attraction to Taia, one of her rescuers, and although the story as a whole is more about solving the problem within the City, the romance undercurrent is great and the two of them have wonderful chemistry throughout.

I received a free ARC from BookSirens, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.