Danya's spent her whole life living in a rebel colony, but the Greenjackets' militaristic mission to overthrow the Empire doesn't feel like it has much to do with her. Relegated to manual labor in food production, Danya spends her days up to her elbows in manure, only too happy to leave the more prestigious combat work to her twin, Nox. That is, until Nox starts getting into treasonous activity that literal twin telepathy brings to Danya's attention. Now she's in on the scheme despite a deep ambivalence towards such a dangerous and incendiary task. For a girl whose dreams only extend to the simple joys of a farm and wife on a planet with a real atmosphere and weather, this is not what she bargained for.

Meanwhile, Amy's a university student with a legacy to live up to. Her mom was a famous geneticist before she died and expected her daughter to step into her shoes. While Amy has the mind for the work, ADHD puts up barriers to her success, and more importantly, makes academia a misery. Running from the demands of her research and studies (same), she agrees to go off-planet on a dig that needs a specialist of her caliber. Unfortunately, the trip is the perfect opportunity for someone to swoop in and kidnap her-- not that Amy was aware she needed to worry about such an eventuality. Though Danya and Amy start on opposing sides of a conflict they don't strictly understand, that shifts as they find themselves in escalating perilous situations. Everything goes back to Amy's mom, her research, and the strange abilities both women hide. With powerful, greedy forces at work, Danya and Amy must grow into their true potential to keep each other safe.

I admire the way this series offers readers an approachable sci-fi universe. Plus dragons. Our story takes us to many locales with a variety of flavors -- from the totalitarian rebel base to a barren world wracked with wealth inequality and decimated resources to a utopia with no police force and strict rules around equity. Expect pirates, an underwater, abandoned lab, and xenoarchaeology to enhance the sense of adventure.

A particular source of joy for me in this book is a banter-y, attractive man who's coded as a potential love interest (his name is Prince, he has glowing tattoos and a dragon, etc.) who turns out to be aroace. Best news of my week, honestly. There's also casual trans representation in the main cast and other gay characters beyond our main sapphic couple (one lesbian and one bi MC from what I can tell).

There were a couple of minor things that did manage to dampen my enthusiasm. The fast pace keeps the main plot moving but also made me feel like the characters and their relationships deserved more time and space than they got. The romance in particular just sort of happens without a lot of development or a particular arc we get to experience and enjoy. The dialogue is also very casual, which wasn't to my taste though it's not objectively a problem.

This fun sci-file romp highlights an always timely reminder that quitting can be a good thing. It's not a common message and one I need to hear more often since we're likely to hear the opposite, even if it's to our detriment. I recommend this science fiction romance for anyone who wants an inviting, low-key introduction to the genre and to anyone who loves to celebrate queer relationships in their many forms. Thanks to City Owl Press for my copy to read and review!

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really enjoyed Adrift in Starlight by this author and was excited to read Petrichor Blooms, which is set in the same universe, but follows different characters. I really enjoyed Petrichor Blooms, it was another great science fiction story with a romantic sub plot. I liked both main characters and thought they both felt relatable and real.

The story was engaging and there was plenty going on. Amy joins a research team to another planet and I liked how it got her questioning her life path and whether she wanted to stay at the university or not. While Danya joins a team of Greenjacket rebels on behalf of her sister who want to kidnap Amy. When the two characters join forces they have to find out why the Greenjackets are after Amy and figure out more about the gen mods her mother gave her. Both characters have some interesting powers too, which were fun to read about. Amy gets impressions from objects she touches, while Danya has a telepathic connection with her sister. The plot kept my attention and there are some interesting reveals and twists throughout the book. The story has some bigger implications for the galaxy, humanity and what's going on, but I liked how the scope still felt focused on the characters itself and what's going on with them.

Danya and Amy are the two main characters and most chapters are from their point of view. I thought they were both likable characters and they felt real and relatable. They both have their own struggles and doubts about what to do with their life and I liked seeing them figure it out. There are also some interesting side characters with their own story. I immediately liked Prince and his friendship with Amy and later Danya was great to see, he also has his own past that he has to face. I didn't like Nox, Danya's sister at first and even though she gets better later on, I never fully warmed up to her and Petra. I do like how their actions made sense and I understand why they acted the way they did.

I liked the romance between Danya and Amy. Their connection is clear and I liked how Amy and Prince treat Danya right even though she stunned them and tried to kidnap them. Amy's special gift to get impressions from objects makes it easy for her to get a feel for Danya and realize she's not a bad person. I liked how it made sense why they trusted her quickly that way and it skipped that enemies to friends stage. I had hoped to see a bit more of them together as they do spend quite some time of the book apart, which made it a bit hard for the romance to develop. I liked how they both realized their feelings and the scenes at the end make for a great ending and show a glimpse of what their future will look like.

To summarize: Petrichor Blooms was a great science fiction romance book. The characters are likable and relatable and I enjoyed reading about them. I liked how both Danya and Amy had distinct personalities and how they both had to figure out some things about their future and life. The story kept my attention and it was interesting seeing it all unfold. There are some great reveals and twist throughout the book. The romance stays a bit on the backseat at first, but I liked seeing Amy and Danya together and the way they grew closer and realized their feelings for the other. The ending was great and I liked seeing a glimpse of what their future will hold.

Heat Factor: Literally they have sex in the very last scene
Character Chemistry: I am flustered because she’s so cute!
Plot: Danya kidnaps Amy. Amy kidnaps Danya. Danya’s twin kidnaps Amy. Danya rescues Amy. Plus intervening adventures. Also includes: a giant science mystery, a terrorist rebel organization, and pirates. And dragons.
Overall: Fun, rip-roaring space adventure with a dollop of romance.

On the cross-genre spectrum of sci-fi/romance, this one is more on the sci-fi side of things (though it’s not hard science sci-fi, but rather outer space with a side of mysticism). I say this primarily because there’s a lot of external plot happening. (See: above plot summary.) There’s the question of why people are so interested in kidnapping Amy. There’s the mystery of what was going on with Amy’s mom’s genetic research. There’s the adventure of Danya swapping places with her twin sister to go on an away mission and now she’s out in space and holy cow this is new and exciting.

That’s not to say that there’s no romance here. We’ve got dual POV storytelling, a solid indication that we’re centering not one, but two protagonists. Amy and Danya grow separately (as they figure themselves out in classic New Adult fashion) as well as together (as they move from reluctant antagonists to teammates in solving a mystery to mutual crushing). But the switch from friends to romance felt rather abrupt—and very conveniently happened for both characters right around the same moment. If I’m being honest, they barely have time to become friends, in between all the adventures and kidnapping that’s going on.

With all that said, this is a really fun adventure story. I thought the world-building was compelling, even if some of the naming was a bit on the twee side. (The pirates hang out on a planet called Tortuga.) I especially liked the idea of dragons as incorporeal aether beings who make space travel possible with their ability to bring people with them as they instantaneously go from one point to another. The mystery was interesting and the solution not immediately obvious. And the characters were nice to spend time with. Both Amy and Danya have interesting backstories, believable motivations for continuing to work together, and distinctive personalities. I also always appreciate it when authors imagine an inclusive future, and Briar does so here without beating the reader over the head with a message about the importance of open-mindedness.

This may not have been a heart-stopping romance, but it was a fun read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thank you, City Owl Press, for allowing me to read Petrichor Blooms early!

Mindi Briar graces us with another story in the Halcyon Universe, one which I appreciated much more than its predecessor.