Ayana Gray writes action like no one else and that alone is reason enough to read her books. She wields words like a battlefield surgeon- adept and precise, but moving at such a breathless pace that each impact is felt acutely. It's a brilliant talent to have fostered and it leaves you salivating for more.

While this book is more of a 4.5 stars, I rounded to a 4.25 star rating because there is so much action, important moments aren't left to simmer and build the suspense they're hoping for. This also took up space that could have been left to flesh out other characters that needed space, like the other darajas and The Enterprise. A small quibble with pacing but for a sophomore novel this large, one can hardly call that a stumble.