Bonds of Brass

The Bloodright Trilogy, Book 1

By: Emily Skrutskie

Narrated by: James Fouhey

A young pilot risks everything to save his best friend—the man he trusts most and might even love—only to learn that his friend is secretly the heir to a brutal galactic empire.

“An exciting space opera full of action and adventure that explores the bonds of loyalty and love, and what happens when they are stretched to their limits.”—Rebecca Roanhorse, Nebula and Hugo award-winning author of Trail of Lightning

Ettian’s life was shattered when the merciless Umber Empire invaded his world. He’s spent seven years putting himself back together under its rule, joining an Umber military academy and becoming the best pilot in his class. Even better, he’s met Gal—his exasperating and infuriatingly enticing roommate who’s made the academy feel like a new home.

But when dozens of classmates spring an assassination plot on Gal, a devastating secret comes to light: Gal is the heir to the Umber Empire. Ettian barely manages to save his best friend and flee the compromised academy unscathed, rattled that Gal stands to inherit the empire that broke him, and that there are still people willing to fight back against Umber rule.

As they piece together a way to deliver Gal safely to his throne, Ettian finds himself torn in half by an impossible choice. Does he save the man who’s won his heart and trust that Gal’s goodness could transform the empire? Or does he throw his lot in with the brewing rebellion and fight to take back what’s rightfully theirs?

Praise for Bonds of Brass

“Skrutskie’s Bonds of Brass is a high-octane galactic adventure replete with heart, drama, and a keen edge of pain.”—Caitlin Starling, author of The Luminous Dead

“Full of breathless action and dazzling characters, Bonds of Brass is space opera at its most exciting.”—Adam Christopher, author of Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town

©2020 Emily Skrutskie (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A fast-paced space opera with heart and style, Bonds of Brass had me screaming KISS ALREADY on every page.”—Delilah S. Dawson, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma

“Fast ships, quick decisions, a new friend who likes to blow stuff up, and a love story with empires at stake: This story’s got it all.”—Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of A Plague of Giants and the Iron Druid Chronicles

“Thrilling and unpredictable, this book kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to an end that I did not see coming. All I can say now is . . . wait for it . . . wait for it.”—Mindee Arnett, author of Onyx & Ivory

Bonds of Brass

After reading a review for this book by one of my blogger friends I knew I had to read this one. It sounded exactly like the type of book I would enjoy. After listening to the sample I decided to get the audio format and I am so glad I did as this book was a joy to listen to. And one of the first male narrators I listened to that really worked for me.

Bonds of Brass jumps right into the action, after a short introduction scene you get thrown right into an explosive action scene and I was immediately pulled into the story. The rest of the story continues in a similar feel, some calmer scenes and plenty of action. The story captivated me and the role of these two boys who would do anything for each other in the middle of a galaxy wide conflict. The ending was awesome, while I shortly before predicted the twist I did enjoy the direction the story took, but at the same time I have no idea where this series will go next and I can't wait to see how the author handles it.

I love how this series mingles the romance storyline with the action and the more political tinted storyline in this galaxy with different empires. And ofcourse the two main characters are at the center of it all. Add in a totally reckless and adorable female side character. And this was one awesome listen. There are plenty of twists and reveals, a lot of action and great characters.

I really liked main character Ettian, in the first chapter you already get a good feel for him. how loyal he is to his friend Gal and how much he cares about him. But that is only the start. Throughout the book you really get to know him and how conflicted he feels over the whole situation. He loves Gal, but when something he never dared wish for is in his path he struggles deciding what to do. I really liked his character and enjoyed following his story. The flight scenes were amazing, you could really feel his love for flying and see how capable he was at it as well.

I love a good sci-fi romance book and this book handled the romance really well, especially amidst the whole big galaxy spanning political plot line. I really liked Gal and Ettian together. They started out as friends and the author did a good job giving that vibe that they were good friends already and that slowly turns into more. It was clear how much they cared for one another. But they also have some struggles to go through. Gal is a prince and Ettian a nobody and they could never make this work, but at the same time trying to stay apart is hurting them. And I liked how early on it becomes clear they both feel the same about the other. It's not a question of whether their feelings are reciprocated, but more of whether they are willing to go that way if they know it can't last. And when they finally do grow closer it's amazing and also sad at the same time as you know what is waiting for them. And that ending was beautiful and so heartbreaking. I can't wait to see what happens to their romance in book 2. I hope we get to see more of them together as there wasn't nearly enough of that in this book.

One thing that did bother me is how much Ettian gives up for Gal and while I loved seeing how deep his feeling were and how much he was willing to do for him. I also would've loved to see some of that dedication from Gal's side as well. I wanted Gal to show Ettian how much he meant to him as well. I would've liked to get a bit more insight into Gal's personality. I liked the glimpses we got, but I would've liked to know more, maybe that will come in the future books.

I liked the world building in this book. You get a good feel for the 3 mayor factions/ empires in this part of the galaxy. There is enough about the political situation and how Umber gained power to get an insight in how things work. I liked how this was worked out and throughout the book you learn more. The story takes place in space and two different planets so you also get to see a bit of the galaxy. I liked the sci-fi spacy feel mixed in with the political plotlines of the Umber empire and the rebellion

I am really glad I picked up the audio version of this one. The narrator did a great job with the narration. I liked his voice for Ettian and it was pleasant to listen to. He did the other voices and even the female ones pretty well too. I especially liked his voice for Gal and Wen. I also liked how you could hear the emotion in his voice in some scenes, like when Ettian was happy or angry. It really came across in the narration, which was really well done. I definitely plan on listening to the rest of the series as well.

To summarize: I really enjoyed this action packed sci-fi book with a great romance. There is plenty of action, twists and turns. The plot gripped me from the start and I liked seeing where the story went. Ettian made for a great main character and I liked getting to know him. He was so loyal to his friends and I liked how deep his feeling for Gal went and how much he was willing to do for him. But it was also clear how conflicted he was later during the story. I liked their romance and how much they care for one another. Although I would've liked to get to know Gal a bit better and see how much he was willing to do for Ettian as now it felt like Ettian sacrificed so much more for Gal. The scifi world was well done with how we get a good feel for the political situation and how it impacts the galaxy. There are some great space and flying scenes as well. The narrator did a great job with this one. His voice was pleasant to listen to and I liked how he did the different voices. All in all I would definitely recommend this one to those who like action packed scifi stories with a MM romance.

Talk about a plot twist!

Wow! This book has it all, dogfights in space, shenanigans galore, a hidden prince, a galactic war, and two young men fighting their feelings for each other. Loved this book! I need Book 2 yesterday!

Great narrator

I loved the story and the little twist they threw in there at the end was surprising.

Amazing story, but the relationship feels... Toxic

The story is pretty amazing, and draws you in pretty quickly. This is the first book I've had the privilege of reading where the two main characters are LGBT and it does a fantastic job of not making it a ridiculous coming out story like so many books do. It's not forbidden, or looked down on, or taboo in anyway. It just is what it is. I love stories like that.

Also, Wen is absolutely amazing. Best character in the book by far.

Amazing

This book was AMAZING. Every twist and turn. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out.

a good sci-fi romance

I loved it. A good twist at the end. Although even with it the story appears to be a little bit too predictable. I can't wait to read the next book.

aaaHHHHH

Oh my god this is the queer sci fi book I've been waiting my entire life for. I can't even put into words how excited I am for the rest of the series. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.

A+

It's so rare to find LGBTQ2 sci-fi with an actual story worth listening to I appreciate the detail to world building and focus on story.

An Awesome Space Opera.

where to begin? The story. Great development of both characters and world. I love that it's no big deal that men love each other. it isn't thrown in your face, making it the main thing. it just is. it happens in the background, the two men deal with the tension and attraction just like everyone else would. they deal with the angst of not being able to actually be a couple because of politics. and the street urchin joining the team! (hand to chest) was amazing. She does her literary and story based jobs fabulously. But that last chapter. you kinda think that maybe that velvet bag is important but wow! way to go! can't wait for the next one!

the voice acting is great. they are emotive and easy to understand what they are saying even in timber. I am going to look up more books read by this one.

Could there be a more sunken, disappointing ending?

The performance is great, the narrator makes it an easy listen no matter what is happening.

Great characters. The great bane of many a sci-fi story is cardboard cutouts as characters, no life, no allure, no shits to give over whether they live or die. All 3 characters are excellent. They carry the story, which is as it should be.

But the entire last quarter of the book left me disappointed. Just finished it and all I could say is “What the fuck was that?”