Thank you to Tordotcom for sending me a copy of Navigational Entanglements in exchange for an honest review.
About Navigational Entanglements by Aliette de Bodard
Việt Nhi struggles with people and politics. This becomes a problem when the Rooster clan sends her out on a mission. She must work with a group of mismatched teammates from rival clans. Hạc Cúc of the Snake clan is one of these teammates, and she’s better at poisoning and stabbing than making friends.
Despite their differences, however, Nhi and Hạc Cúc are drawn to each other. When their leader is poisoned, the team must quickly learn to work together to prevent a creature known as the Tangler from causing chaos in a civilian city. Nhi and Hạc Cúc must overcome their misconceptions and learn to trust their growing feelings for each other.
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Intricate World-Building
Aliette de Bodard is no stranger to an epic space opera. While Navigational Entanglements is a novella, it does a lot in a short time. De Bodard’s work accomplishes everything a full book should in a limited page count.
Readers are thrown head-first into this world, and it’s a little jarring at the start. De Bodard doesn’t hold the readers’ hand, and there’s a lot of specific terminology and world-building elements that take some time to adjust to. It almost feels like a companion story to a larger world. However, getting used to this shouldn’t be difficult if you read a lot of science fiction.
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Because of this slight confusion, I loved every chance the protagonists had to shine. Việt Nhi was particularly interesting. She likes secrets and rules and deeply desires to get to the root of people and problems. When you understand why someone is doing something, it’s easier to understand the shifting rules of conversation and interaction.
Fascinating, Entertaining Interactions
Hạc Cúc, on the other hand, struggles much more with internal issues. She feels inadequate and far less capable than her mentor. She’s also struggling with the fear that she’ll hurt those around her. Putting these two characters together made for fascinating and entertaining interactions. Despite their differences, each understands the other on a deeper level almost instantly, teaming up to do big things.
With a unique and interesting plot and found family vibes, Navigational Entanglements should entertain most science fiction fans. Check it out if you like interstellar navigation, imperial drama and a dash of sapphic romance.
Navigational Entanglements comes out on July 30 and is available for preorder from your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org.
TW: ableism, blood, classism, death, injury/injury detail, mental illness, murder, panic attacks/disorders, toxic relationships, violence
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