The people living on an ice-bound planet in the city of Novayarkha are surviving, but life is precarious. The outside is extremely hostile, they are constantly exposed to radiation, and people die much too young. But they seem to have a spirit of unity and common purpose, because they evacuated years ago from a dying Earth.

So when a starship from Earth appears, ideas and culture are questioned.

This story is told from the perspectives of Anya - a peacekeeper in Novayarkha, and Maddie, the captain of the starship Hypatia. Many of the problems they faced were so subtle, and I loved how things about the past and the present were uncovered little by little. I

I really loved this book and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I'll be thinking and talking about it for awhile. Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy!

A colony of humans are living on a planet permanently covered in ice, where they face the risk of death from the freezing cold and radiation that is always threatening them. The colony believe they're the last of humanity due to the history they have been taught about the circumstances that forced their ancestors to flee Earth in search of a new world. But then the unexpected happens, a spaceship from the Earth they believed had perished generations ago appears in orbit above their icy and inhospitable planet.

The story is told from point-of-views of two characters, Anya, who is the Chief Peace Officer of the colony and Maddie, who is the captain of the ship that unexpectedly arrived and shocked the colony’s beliefs & way of life. Anya’s life is barely her own, with the constant stress of keeping the colony alive encompassing almost every waking thought. She's expected to become the next Governor of the colony, which is essentially the powerful position in their government, but does she really want the position when it’s clear they’re hiding things from the general population? Maddie’s life revolves around her crew and her position as captain. With the ship having sustained major damage that could bring about the deaths of everyone on board, Maddie is desperate to find the right hardware to fix her ship and secure the safety of her people. Both the colony, and the crew of the ship are shocked at discovering the existence of each other, leading to distrust and wariness from both groups.

The book is part dystopian, part sci-fi, and part murder mystery, with a smattering of romance thrown in. I loved that both Maddie and Anya are older protagonists, it is so rare to see anyone over the age of 20-25 in these kinds of stories, but it definitely would have been weird having younger protagonists in such prestigious positions. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from showing mental health issues, and how people can truly believe they’re making the right decisions based on their own personal experiences and willingness to do anything to keep people alive, despite the decisions being incredibly grey in terms of morality & ethics. Both people’s situations were dire throughout the novel, which drew Anya and Maddie together to try and help each other and their respective people, I enjoyed their interactions, even when oftentimes it was quite awkward, I felt it gave the situations that bit more authenticity that they didn’t mesh perfectly right away. I liked the focus on justice & holding people accountable for their mistakes/misdeeds and uncovering the truth of the past to try and help them survive in the future. The biggest takeaway from this story (for me anyway) was the human experience against constant struggle, even in the more dire of circumstances; and our ability to always see some light at the end of the tunnel, always keeping at least a tiny flame of hope for better days burning in our hearts. I feel like there is enough of a foundation with this book to have at least a sequel to it, and I would have loved to have learnt more about the circumstances that caused the colony’s ancestors to flee Earth in search of a new world and why they chose to bury much of the past instead of teaching the history to future generations. All in all, an enjoyable read and I could see myself reading it again. I was given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley. 3 ½ stars rounded down to three (since GRs don’t do half stars) for Goodreads just because I felt it needed a little more backstory on Earth and some of the circumstances that happened throughout the book.

It's an engrossing book with several twists and turns. A mythical starship has landed on a far flung ice world. Hundreds of Earth years later another Earth ship surveyor ship shows up.

Different as the story unfolds you get to see a world in trouble and a world left behind. This is one persons journey that effects everyone. Intricate plot development. Tension on every page. Several surprises as things develop. A satisfying ending as well.

I liked this even more than I anticipated. Both the ice-planet setting and the slower-paced futuristic setting make this a reasonable readalike for fans of Mickey7.

In addition to the two narrators, there are a number of reports and logs from other historical characters; I struggled a bit with placing these in time, especially as they aren't in order nor are the characters discussed or present anywhere else in the story.

The narrative happens over the course of several months, but the passage of time didn't feel quite right-- it felt like it happened faster, and only the narration reminding the reader that it had been so many weeks since the previous scene kept it from bunching up.

There were several elements in the backstory of both groups that aren't fully explored. Maybe making room for a sequel? although the narrative felt pretty wrapped up otherwise. The more action-y sequences didn't always make complete sense in retrospect, as this author's strength seems to be world- and society-building.

Recommended for public libraries were various types of futuristic fiction circulate well. Both groups are from Russian-speaking cultures and no one speaks English. The two main narrators are LGBT+ and there are occasional references to the society's relaxed opinions about monogamy and gender in relationships.

OMG! This book! It made me smile. It made me cry. It played my emotions like a out of tune harmonica.

And this is before you get swept up in the very cool sci-fi elements that the author is playing with

The details that the author goes into with what happens even before the ships leave earth is amazing, though you slowly learn these details as the story goes on. A story that has so many twists and turns that I had no idea what was happening and what was going to happen next. And when it gets to the ending, I was totally shocked and loved it.

This is a must read for all Sci-fi fans!

If Arkhangelsk sounds like sci-fi’s answer to Fargo, that’s because it sort of is. Anya is our DCI: burdened by her own ghosts (quite literally), in love with her hometown, and then finding herself uncomfortably poised against it. Her growing relationship with Maddie is rewarding to follow, but elements of it — and of the story’s big reveal — leave a few loose ends floating that could bring the story to a perfectly satisfying conclusion if they were followed up. As it stands, though, it’s clever, intriguing, and surprisingly hopeful.

(Scored B in Sci Fi Magazine's summer 2022 book review column)

As I reflected in my recent review of Children of Time, I’m not really in the mood for grimdark science fiction these days. I get that humanity is facing yet another existential crisis, this time thanks to climate change, and that this makes authors eager to write about us evacuating the planet and whatnot. But I just find it so bleak, and I yearn for hope. So when I first heard about Arkhangelsk by Elizabeth H. Bonesteel, I was very apprehensive. Nevertheless, I received an eARC from House Panther Publishing and NetGalley, and I gave it a shot. I’m really glad I kept an open mind, because Arkhangelsk pleasantly surprised me. This is not a book about bleakness. Much like Tchaikovsky’s novel, this is a book about hope.

An isolated outpost of humanity subsists, barely, on an icy world. The survivors of the great ship Arkhangelsk, these people have largely forgotten their past, clinging only to the knowledge that they fled an Earth ravaged by war and conflicting politics. Life is hardscrabble, but it is a life. Nevertheless, Anya is the Chief Peace Officer, and she is determined to get to the bottom of the latest in a long string of disappearances of women from the town. Then her world is torn asunder when another ship from Earth arrives in orbit. Suddenly, they are no longer alone.

This book starts as a murder mystery before taking a hard left turn and then slowly wending back into mystery territory and I am here for it. Bonesteel’s writing style honestly doesn’t do a lot for me, but her plotting is so careful and compelling that it was easy for me to read this book in big gulps.

The relationship between Anya and Maddie, the captain of the starship that arrives, is probably the most significant aspect of the book for me. The ups and downs feel very realistic considering the stresses that occur throughout the story, and I appreciate how Bonesteel plays the attraction between these characters as ambiguous. One can read it as romantic if one wants, but of course, your resident aromantic book reviewer always prefers to headcanon that it is platonic or queerplatonic instead. Anya and Maddie nevertheless have some kind of bond, yet the friction between them becomes an interesting and useful part of the story.

Some aspects of the plot, and the characters behind them, are fairly despicable. I like that Bonesteel is able to make these characters’ motivations very clear and understandable to us—they aren’t moustache-twirling villains even if that is how I feel about what they are up to. But the main enemy, in almost all senses, is time. The antagonists are working against the depredations of time on their genomes and bodies, and the arrival of new people from Earth heralds a new race against the clock, as it is only a matter of time before more ships arrive.

I also appreciate how the book highlights the irreplaceable importance of community and interdependence. This outpost cannot ultimately survive on its own, as much as many of its members would like to think so. Neither can the exiles. Nor can Maddie’s ship. The reconnection with Earth is terrifying in a cultural sense, for these people are rightly worried about what might happen to their fragile society as more and more people with strange ideas arrive. Yet the message is clear: we are stronger together. I, for one, find that heartening.

Arkhangelsk is what I might call a medley of a novel. It has several plots tightly curled together, mysteries and friendships and betrayals and a wistful admission that space travel is ultimately lonely yet perhaps … necessary. Bonesteel surpasses my expectations in a subgenre that often disappoints me with its unimaginative nihilistic view on humanity’s prospects. Instead, she elevates the challenges of this setting into a story that persuades me of its worthiness, and I don’t mind that one bit.

Arkhangelsk by Elizabeth H. Bonesteel is an amazing tale, full of suspense. Great story and original concept.

My thanks to House Panther Publishing, Elizabeth H. Bonesteel and Netgalley.
This was a moderately good story. I was expecting more. Don't expect aliens. Don't expect much, actually!
Between me starting this book, and the ending, I was bored enough that I managed to read 2 1/2 other books. So, there you go!

*** Received a reader copy through NetGalley ***
*** I will do my best to avoid spoilers ***

Real rating: 4.5*

I wasn't sure that I would like Arkhangelsk. While the topic seemed interesting the book started off, in my mind, a little slow and it took me time to get through the opening few paragraphs. But once the stage was set and the characters introduced? I enjoyed the book very much.

While many of the books I read are for escapist reasons, Arkhangelsk brought me in because of the situation in which the characters find themselves. I do have to admit that, after reading the book, I'm not sure that the book description does the book justice. It almost seems as if the description is based on an early version of the book (or a version that was never published) and while it "sort of" describes the book it doesn't bring the full depth of the book into play.

There are two societies interacting in the book: people who thought they were the last remnants of humanity and those who represent the current state of humanity. Each has had to undergo hardships and each has pushed themselves in different directions to accommodate those hardships. But the key to the book is how far each society is willing to go to survive. The interplay between people, the tension inherent in the situation and the resulting conclusion are what made me continue reading.

I could envision the society on Arkhangelsk as feasible, and I could almost feel their pain and struggles.

Is the book perfect? No. I struggled a bit with the beginning, not sure why, but once I had some continuous time to read it felt much better. The book is a well-written and well-told story. Was I surprised at some of the events that occurred? Not really. The events that led up to the conclusion were what I expected. The conclusion itself was a twist that I didn't expect, but perhaps should have based on the clues that were laid out in the book.

I would recommend this to others that have some time to invest in the book because I think it is an investment that pays off.

This was better than I thought it was going to be and I enjoyed it. This book is a mix of science fiction, dystopian thriller, horror, and mystery; something for everyone. The premise and cover alone made me request this, and it did not disappoint. The characterization of Anya and Tamara were strong and believable and I daresay that the way it ends leads me to believe there could be a follow-up or sequel. Hmmm.

Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Elizabeth Bonesteel and House Panther Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available!

This was a dnf for me. I think it just wasn't what I expected it to be, from the synopsis. It wasn't a bad book, just not the one for me.

The characters. They were really well developed, and I absolutely felt for Anya from the start. I mean, her whole world is turned upside down more than once, and you can tell that she is battling some demons of her own. I liked that we got to meet so many of the newcomers as well, as they had their own great story to tell.

There are a lot of unknowns presented, and perhaps some mistruths, and when one mystery was solved, it often brought up several more, and I was here for every single one. I didn't see the twists coming, and I really enjoyed peeling back the world(s) layer by layer.


My overall feel for this book was it was interesting. The premise was certainly a curious one. People who escaped Earth thinking they are the last of humanity, living on a hostel planet suddenly finds they they aren’t the only ones from that planet. Equally surprised is the starship crew discovering long ago forgotten colonists. Both hesitant but needing each other assistance. All very interesting to me. This book has a little bit of everything. A dystopian society, a mystery to solve, intrigue to discovery, characters to enjoy, all wrapped up in this entertaining Sci-Fi story.

Good cover. Cool title. It was interesting enough to read once. Not sure I will read it again.

This was a very unique read for me, i have never read any book like it before, and i enjoyed the crap of of it. I love the narration and how it changed depending on whose pov it was. The story was fantastic.

I received a digital copy of Arkhangelsk through Net Galley in return for an honest review.
Many years ago a spaceship carrying colonists fled an earth racked by incessant war reached the frozen, desolate planet they called Arkhangelsk.. As far as is known, Earthside communication has ended with Earth.
Arkhangelsk is a forbidding refuge that is written to resemble the frozen Siberian north , only more so. Everyone lives in enclosed habitats.Tavel outside the habitats is possible but dangerous ; decontamination areas must be used to renter living space. But people do venture outside to escape for a while, the restrictions of wall. Some go out and never return.
Tamara,a police officer, is tasked by an influential friend to find a missing daughter. Tamara reluctantly agrees, but there are other concerns: a mysterious object has been glimpsed in the skies. A meteor, comet, asteroid?? Should it impact the frozen planet, damage might kill everyone.
As Tamara investigates, the reader learns more about this world the abhor has created and the bleak life of the colonists. The story in , in my opinion quite complex and requires attention from the reader. It is definitely not of the “space opera “ genre, but more thoughtful . Character driven and , one might say, planet driven, the book surprises when that distant object in the sky becomes a spaceship from a Earth, Hypatia. From this point we get differing points of view intersecting stories and some surprises.
Summary: for sci- fi fans who enjoy a deeper immersion into hard sci-fi, Arkhangelsk is a rewarding trip.

Bonesteel has written another well-rounded space odyssey, combining an interesting cast of characters, a remote space colony, and the arrival of another group of scientists from earth who upset the balance while introducing new ideas and technology. The themes of government, creativity, questioning authority, betrayal, and loyalty intensify the suspense of how the colonists will all be able to survive their hundreds of years of hardship and distance from earth while dealing with their differences..

Bonesteel has done a great job of crafting a narrative in the vein of classic Russian authors, exploring the identity of the self in relation one’s role in the community and The Other. I appreciated the way she was able to frame her moral arguments through the actions and thoughts of Officer Savelova and her interpersonal relationships in a closed community experiencing unexpected challenges. A long set up for a swift resolution, but I enjoyed the ride.

There is so much in this astonishing character-driven story that I have been thinking about it for days, even weeks, after I finished reading it. Having truly enjoyed Ms. Bonesteel’s Central Corp books, I think Archangelsk is even better. This story had all the signs of a possible disaster in the making. Instead, little disasters lead to knowledge, self-realizations and optimism for anyone who cares to grow and move forward.

Anya, the main character, whose viewpoint is represented for about half of the pages, is a peace officer. Charged with keeping order, she is immediately thrown into the plot of Arkhanglesk when a young woman goes missing – on a frozen iceberg of a planet where the population lives underground in a closed system. The unfortunate history of the community is that people do go missing. Theories float, but Anya means to find the truth.

A bit about the colony. The people of Novaryakha are thought to be the last of the escapees from a dying Earth. They made their way across the galaxy in a 200-year journey and used the pieces of their spacecraft, Arkhangelsk, to create their home. Their settlement is odd combination of ancient technology and the innovation the colonists needed to survive.

Soon, they find out that Earth has survived when another ship, Hypatia, arrives in their system to set up a communications relay to facilitate future space travel. Captained by Madeline (Maddie – who’s viewpoint alternates with Anya), their 40-year journey has been fraught with the hazards of space.

The Hypatia crew and the residents of Novarykha look at each other with both distrust and a healthy dose of curiosity. When the two groups decide to cooperate, their actions tend to feed distrust and curiosity equally. Novarykaha is not sure they want more people in their corner of the galaxy. Hypatia is suspicious of the settlement.

There is one more force to consider on Novarykha. A group of exiles who left the main settlement is a constant thorn in the side of the those they left behind.

It is impossible to highlight all the important plot points – so complex is this story. As Anya’s investigation continues, the interactions between the crew of Hypatia and the colonists uncover vulnerabilities and strengths on all sides, leading to attacks, cooperation and the terrible revelations. Throughout the story, Anya and Maddie remain determined and hopeful.

Scattered, throughout the story are bits of historical documents. These give the reader a satisfying bit of backstory for both the colonists and Hypatia’s mission.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Arkhangelsk is such a unique story. Part mystery, part new-world sci-fi, it has a little something for everyone. Anya and her people are trying to survive on an icy planet far from Earth. They assume themselves to be the last outpost of humanity, as their ancestors fled a dying planet hundreds of years ago. Only... here comes another ship and they aren't as alone as they'd assumed!

I don't want to give too much of the story away, because at its heart, it really is quite a mystery. Sure, the sci-fi elements are great, but I also wouldn't want to spoil anything. So I am going to just give you a brief overview of what I enjoyed about the story, and you can just... read it yourself!

►Loved (and loved to hate, in some cases) the characters. They were really well developed, and I absolutely felt for Anya from the start. I mean, her whole world is turned upside down more than once, and you can tell that she is battling some demons of her own. I liked that we got to meet so many of the newcomers as well, as they had their own great story to tell.

►Incredibly atmospheric. I mean, this planet isn't fun. It's a constant fight for survival, with the elements, sickness, lack of resources, and fellow man. And it sure felt it! It was totally understandable why everyone was so... ill at ease here. The planet is just... it's not a good one, okay? But they're alive, and trying to stay that way, and you can definitely feel the desperation, the isolation, and the secrecy.

►There is a great mix of emotions. A lot of stuff that happens is a bit depressing, but the author does a great job of balancing that out with romance and friendship and humor. And yeah, a bit of hopefulness, too.

►The mysteries kept me flying through the pages. There are a lot of unknowns presented, and perhaps some mistruths, and when one mystery was solved, it often brought up several more, and I was here for every single one. I didn't see the twists coming, and I really enjoyed peeling back the world(s) layer by layer.

Bottom Line: A very exciting and unique story with a lot of mysteries to unfurl, complete with characters I really cared for.