Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the ARC of this book!

The Blighted Stars is one of my favorite books I've read this year, and The Fractured Dark is a great follow-up. The second book in the Devoured Worlds trilogy starts of pretty close to where the first book ends. This time we aren't stuck on a dying planet, but the characters are still stuck with canus trying to take control of humanity. When Acaelus Mercator disappears with his family and all the relkatite stores, it sends MERIT into a panic. We soon discover that the Tarquin on the ship with his father is not the real Tarquin, and he's quickly thrown into a leadership position at Mercator to keep things stable. Now it's a race against time to track down Acaelus, figure out his plans, and stop the shroud. Along with my favorites, Naira and Tarquin, we get introduced to other heads of Mercator, the world inside and outside of MERIT's highest ranks, and people from Naira's past. There's a lot more moving parts in the sequel and it gave the book very little breathing room at times. We did get a very important scene to breathe (or scream) between Naira and Tarquin. The relationships and character development are still very strong in this book. I can't wait for the finale, because that cliffhanger was a doozy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This series combines so many fantastic sci-fi tropes and story archetypes - space opera, a romance sub-plot that is enemies-to-lovers but also bodyguard romance, sentient AI, evolutionary crisis - with some additional hidden identity plots, lots of body swapping and mind mapping, and a well-developed and compelling cast of characters. And while book two didn't have sentient ship POV like book one (RIP), it did bring all of the right notes of horror as humanity devolves further into total chaos.

The central conflict (which I won't outline to avoid spoilers) is balanced by the earnest and genuinely tender romance between Naira Sharp and Tarquin Mercator, our two main characters. The development of this relationship in The Fractured Dark is one of the most nuanced on-page depictions of two people navigating significant power imbalance in a relationship that I've read in any genre. The vulnerability in their communication with each other, their insistence to heal from past trauma to be better partners to each other, their faith in each other in all circumstances and in the face of terrible odds - it's so affirming. Please note, though, this romance is entirely fade-to-black/closed door, so consider this a "sci fi with romance sub-plot" vs. a "sci fi romance."

My only significant content warning here (aside from the genre-typical notes of death/murder/body horror/medical trauma/etc. etc.): extended on-page attention to a deeply abusive (both emotionally and physically) relationship between one of the main characters and a side character.

I highly recommend this series to sci-fi fans, particularly those who love a good romance sub-plot!

Space opera with a heavy dash of romance is not a new obsession for me. It's basically been my book genre of choice since devouring a diet heavy in Anne McCaffrey, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Ursula K. Le Guin during my formative years. Happily, the genre is still going strong, with recent entries by Arkady Martine, Everina Maxwell, and Megan E. O'Keefe.⁠
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The Fractured Dark is the second entry in O'Keefe's Devoured Worlds trilogy. At the end of the last book, the romance between Tarquin and Naira was left on an ambiguous note. Because of the way body "printing" works, Naira couldn't remember their relationship. As this book opens, Tarquin has been with her renegade team for 6 months. He's still faithfully pining, and she's still trying to figure out if there's any way she could have fallen for her enemy's son. ⁠
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Oh, and besides that very micro vision of the book (the romance between two characters), at the macro level, the human race is still basically doomed. Tarquin, Naira, and their allies are fighting a nearly-impossible fight against a fungus that can influence human actions. ⁠(Think Toxoplasmosis but on a much scarier scale. Also, look that up if you don't understand it, because it's WILD!)
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So, we've got a real treat of an SF plot, and an angsty uneasy-allies-to-lovers romance. If you think O'Keefe set up the amnesia to make us wait out a slow burn, think again. One of the things I absolutely loved about this one is that the conflict of the book is based in the space opera plot. The romance provides a steady pace for the emotional beats. You'd better believe that I got real worried around 70% of the way through when it seemend like things were going perfectly for my bbs Naiquin!

Don't miss out on this series! I'm already panting for the concluding book. Thanks to my intrepid buddy readers who had to put up with enormous block quotes and the written equivalent of squealing for 3 days.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Orbit Books for the ARC of The Fractured Dark.

The Devoured World's series is a combination of The Expanse by James S.A. Corey (think protomolecule, threats to humanity, Earth becoming inhospitable due to the actions of the few with power) + Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan (downloading consciousness to different bodies, being beholden to companies/wealth to have your body moved). It also has a bit of J.S. Dewes The Divide series with the first book being isolated to one section of space and the second widening the scope to see its effects on the rest of the universe -led only by a ragtag group who are seeking societal change with limited power. On its own it stands as a solid new series of space opera in the overall genre - something I am always looking for.

I read The Blighted Stars the same day I got through most of The Fractured Dark, so I got to look into the transition between the two pretty closely over a shorter period of time. I do think I preferred the setting/plot development of The Blighted Stars over The Fractured Dark - I felt we got to see more of Tarquin utilizing his geological skills to show confidence in himself as opposed to just being a Mercator - and I felt like the focus was more on canus and its evolution than the larger sections of The Fractured Dark which seemed more intently focused on Tarquin and Naira's romantic relationship and missteps than the larger threats to the universe.

In this second book we join the conservators, Tarquin, and Naira after Acaelus has disappeared with the vast bulk of the universe's relk. Tarquin must step in to lead his family in the political minefield of MERIT, while Naira searches for Acaelus's ship in the hopes of preventing a collapse in Cradle 7 or 8 and a victory to canus over the universe. Through both their journeys we are exposed to more betrayal, conspiracy, and mysteries within the wider universe and within the technology to fight canus and double printing that seems a focus of the next book.

I was only a bit confused by the "big bad" character in the universe once Acaelus had made off with the relk. In The Blighted Stars we are continuously shown how submission to MERIT families is non-negotiable, yet for a large section of the book a finalizer has significant say in the plot with the backing of a whole station. I may have missed something here - but I was just a bit taken out of the story trying to figure out how canus had gotten to this character, and allowed them to influence the world in a way that seemed much more limited to MERIT leaders, and the group from Cradle 6, This same character also briefly seemed to focus on a myth around Naira that wasn't explored after one scene - and which I'd be interested to learn more about given the ending.

Nonetheless, the story is action packed and flows from scene-to-scene as it develops the larger conspiracy - and the reveals at the end were surprising with larger implications on how humanity continues to survive. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The Fractured Dark is the perfect continuation of The Blighted Stars. Whereas the first book felt already quite fast-paced and high-stakes to me, looking back at it now, it was merely an introduction to the shit show that was about to happen. So, if you're in for our galaxy going crazy, do buckle up because The Fractured Dark really levels it up when it comes to urgent matters and the degree of threat 'that thing' poses to humanity. The first 40% of the book is like going for a swim and the following 60% is just you being dragged by the current toward a waterfall that will certainly kill you. I loved it. I need more of it. And I need it now.

Exquisite writing!

The Fractured Dark is the second book in Megan E O’Keefe’s newest trilogy. In this we pick up roughly 5 months after th ending of The Blighted Star. With the two ships destroyed and Naria reprinted and gettin familiar with Tarquin again we begin the next part of this sci-fi adventure with misprints, and an interesting ruling/political system that is just trying to survive.

I really enjoyed this and it definitely doesn’t have second book syndrome when it comes to a trilogy or longer series. I enjoyed seeing the continuation of Megan O’Keefe’s plot line building and even seeing if Tarquin’s father will still pick his obession with us cracking his wife and if it overpowers the love he has for his son.
It did have a small twist that I was surprised to see happen, this does not happen very often when i read, and i really can’t wait to see what happens next in the final installment of “The Devoured Worlds” trilogy

naira and tarquin are back with a mind-bending sequel. i can't say if i enjoyed this one more than i enjoyed the first one, but i didn't enjoy it less. the plot of this one was more complex with the addition of the unionists and the other MERIT families. i had the same issue getting into it as i did with the first one, and it took me almost half of the book before to feel like the ball was really starting to roll. however, i had a fun time with naira, tarquin, kav, kuma, and even jessel. i look forward to what's next.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Orbit Books for an advanced copy of this book that is a space opera, that mixes elements of body horror, soap opera, and way out ideas for a fascinating science fiction story.

If humanity ever lives long enough to get off of Earth and voyage amidst the stars, the future sounds kind of fun. Well except for the family run corporations that will keep the population in thrall to them, allowing them to live grand lives, while others toil in uncertainty. Death might not be a permanent state, as people could be reprinted with complete memories up the moment of death if possible. However without death a good tool can be used over and over dying constantly while constantly being reprinted for the good of the corporation, until the mind just snaps. New worlds will be discovered, but this new worlds become blighted wastelands leaving humanity in a constant state of hunger, and lost resources. A blight that seems to have some sentience, and is planning for more than taking unclaimed planets. There is always love, but in a couple where one person has had the reasons why they should care for the other person lost during the reprinting process, leaving an awkwardness that might effect their plans to fight. Maybe the future isn't what it's cracked up to be. Thought it does make a great story. The Fractured Dark book two in The Devoured Worlds trilogy, by Megan E. O'Keefe is a look at the future where death can be held off, but other threats, along with human greed are making the future look rather dim for our character and their world.

Naira is a revolutionary who wants to bring down the power of the families that run her world, a price she is willing to die for, and has in fact done so quite a few times. Tarquin is the heir to the Mercator family, one of the most powerful familes, who control everything, but Tarquin has seen the light and knows his family must be stopped. And the power that is controlling things from behind the scenes must also be destroyed. Something is destroying planets, and taking over people, with the end goal of ruling the universe. Tarquin's father has framed Naira and her friends with wanton destruction killing innocents while destroing ships, leaving Mercator in a position of power, a power that is not being handled well by the other familes. As tension rise, and more clues to the conspiracy become clear Naira and Tarquin, once in love, but being reprinted Naira has forgotten why, must fight for not only their freedom, but the freedom of all of humanity.

A nice second book in the series. O'Keefe picks up the story and runs with it, expanded both the universe, the cast and the threats for a different kind of story than the last book, which was set mainly on one planet. The characters are interesting and well developed, though I must say aft a while I was a little tired of the emotions both were feeling for each other. Naira has no idea that she and Tarquin were once close, being reprinted without those memories., thought somehow she has a feeling of two for Tarquin. The world is very well developed, and the story can go from science fiction to body horror, to a bit of romance quite quickly without losing readers. A lot goes on being the second book in a trilogy, but nothing that would make the reader confused, or need explanation. Definitely can't wait for the next book.

Recommended for space opera fans, well modern space opera. Great story, good characters and a very large plot with a lot going on. A book to lose oneself in.

While this sequel maintained many of the things I enjoyed from the first novel in the series, other elements of the storytelling became stale. I enjoyed the pace and the central ecothriller/mystery plotline, but found myself turned off by the overly sappy romance and the quippy dialogue that bordered on cringe. The most positive thing I can say about this book is that I zoomed through it: regardless of my personal feelings about over-tropification and predictability it is a quick, easy read.

This book a great and gut turning book. The adventure and story is overall fantastic. I had to read the first book before this, but so excited to see what come-on the series.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I thought this was even BETTER than Blighted Stars! I'm fairly new to space operas, and found these two books extremely easy to get into, and stay invested in. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

I enjoyed this sequel a little less than its predecessor, The Blighted Stars, but everything that I loved about book one is still very much present here: notably, Megan E. O'Keefe's writing. More than anything, I find her books to be incredibly readable. I feel like that word sometimes comes across as generic or lukewarm, but I mean it as a real compliment here. These books are 500+ pages, and yet they read so impressively smoothly, allowing you to be fully immersed in this world and its characters. As with The Blighted Stars, I loved following our main duo, Tarquin and Naira, in this instalment. They are, for me, the heart of these books; together, their individual journeys and their relationship ground the story of this series, giving it an emotional resonance that I always find myself drawn to and moved by. As a sequel, The Fractured Dark also gives us more opportunities to learn about these characters: their backstories (especially Naira's), as well the ways in which they navigate both internal and external obstacles in their relationship.

Of course, The Fractured Dark also ups the stakes of the plot that was laid out for us in book one. There is plenty of action to be found here; lots of ups and downs, lots of twists and turns. I found the pacing a little uneven compared to the first book, which worked better for me just because the plot was mostly limited to one location and its trajectory was more defined than it is here. That said, though, I personally didn't mind this as much because O'Keefe's smooth, propulsive writing carries the plot really well and that emotional core of the characters, which is what drew me to this series to begin with, was still at the forefront of the story.

I just love this series. It's fun and immersive and I can't wait to read more of Megan E. O'Keefe's writing.

If you're a sci fi or space opera fan you've got to try this series. The Fractured Dark is just as good if not better than The Blighted Stars. This is so buy-worthy.

I took a day to think about this review because it's rare when I read a book that is just this good. Yes, there are some tropes that I'm a little eye-rolly towards (found family trope, the gender-flipped damsel in distress, villain that won't freaking die), BUT the characters and plot are fun, and the real antagonist is interesting because of its alien nature. I'm glad to see that the author dropped the Mary Sue action hero as well. I also am interested to see where the final book goes as each book has zigged where others may zag.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys space operas, particularly The Expanse, and can't wait for the third and final book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read both books of this series as an ARC, and I'm extremely glad I did.

This addition to the series wasn't as memorable as the first book in the series but will still stick with me for a bit. I won't be counting this series as this book didn't quite meet my expectations with adventure and pacing.