Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 20/12/2024
Published by: Audible Studios
ISBN: B0BFJLFW4C
Though I found the start painfully boring, ‘Only Bad Options’ soon morphed into a fun, action-packed adventure that I struggled to put down.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
This book cover looks great, but as someone who gravitates towards fantasy over science fiction, it did little to attract me. Instead, my desire for an exciting adventure and trust in Jennifer Estep’s storytelling prowess led me to this series. That trust wavered enormously as I trudged through the slow start filled with information dumps. I simply did not care about all the details meant to establish the world and the main characters, Vesper and Kieran.
Just when I was on the verge of abandoning this book, the narrative hit its stride, launching into a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that was highly addictive. Even after reading the last word, I felt an overwhelming urge to dive right into the next book to see what was in store for the main characters.
desperation was a powerful motivator.
Vesper stood out as a fierce, nerdy underdog. Her struggles with feelings of abandonment and being used by others made her character even more relatable and easy to root for. In contrast, Kieran’s arrogance and condescending nature were grating. However, as his backstory and motives were revealed, I found myself warming up to his character. It helped that he had the skills to back up his massive ego and experienced some growth through his interactions with Vesper. Other secondary contributed to the storyline, but they generally seemed one-dimensional and stereotypical.
The dynamic between Vesper and Kieran evolves smoothly from fierce enemies to mutual respect and attraction, even with the fated bond trope. They share genuine and cute moments that offer a glimpse into the slow-burn romance that will unfold as the series progresses.
Sometimes in life, you have only bad options.
In addition to the subtle romance, I fully enjoyed the mix of technology, magic, space travel and ruthless politics in this story. While none of these elements felt groundbreaking on their own, and the world-building was relatively light, they all blend together well to create an engaging, entertaining tale. Lauren Fortgang and James Fouhey further enhanced the listening experience with their vocal variety and slight character voices, although Lauren’s delivery occasionally seemed overly dramatic. The vivid descriptions and accessible writing style also made it easy to lose myself in this story. However, there were annoying repetitions of information, and some foreshadowing felt a bit heavy-handed.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Which aspect of the story did you enjoy the most?
I really enjoyed the corporate espionage element. The tension and high-stakes action this brought were what finally pulled me into this story and made it hard to put down.
Q: What are your thoughts on the fated bond trope?
I’m actually not the biggest fan of the fated bond trope. It often leads to a romance that feels forced or rushed, with no other compelling reason for the characters to be together. However, I have to credit Jennifer Estep for her execution of this trope in this book. Vesper and Kieran developed a genuine connection that would have made me root for them even if the fated bond element had been absent.
Q: Have you ever had a relationship with someone you work with? If you have, how did it turn out?
While the idea of a workplace romance sounds cute, I have not had one and have no intention of having one in the future. The thought of facing an awkward and painful work dynamic, if the relationship ended, scares me. It would also make moving on more challenging, especially when escaping each other in the workplace is nearly impossible.
Q: Can you recommend similar reads for those who enjoyed this book?
Finding a similar read among books I’ve read has proven challenging. However, The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson seems like a good fit as it features a similar blend of fast-paced action and slow-burn romance. While I haven’t read it, Rules of Redemption by T.A. White appears to be a similar science fiction read.
See my other review for Jennifer Estep:
Crown of Shards Series:
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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