Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: The Use of Heavy Water

SERIES: The Valence Chronicles #2

AUTHOR: D’Arcy Arden

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 321 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2022

BLURB:

Décor don’t usually go on vacation, but after their adventure in the Iota Cloud, Pet is looking forward to a week of relaxation on the planet Syzygy, an ideal vacation spot for aliens from all corners of the galaxy.

The fancy resort they’ve chosen isn’t welcoming to ship-dwellers, but defying societal expectations has always been a favorite pastime for Desmodian, Brog, and Xavis.  However, a divide is sparked in the trio when shadows from Brog’s past make an unexpected appearance. Distracted by their conflict, the three are left vulnerable to an enemy who knows their weaknesses.

The trio can’t save Pet this time. It’s up to him to rescue the ones he loves and return them all to their true home among the stars. If he fails, their freedom and maybe even their lives will be forfeit.

REVIEW:

I loved this book, it was a pleasure to revisit the trio and Pet and find out more about the trio’s past.

A vacation is supposed to be a lot of fun and a time to relax but as soon as they all arrive things fall apart.  Brog’s past comes back and upsets the balance between the Trio and past hurts come roaring back.  It is a cautionary tale about tackling issues instead of papering over the cracks and pretending that they are settled.

The author again flips from present to past and back again.  I appreciated the way this was done as it never gave away the outcome, starting in the present and flipping into the past really highlighted the story and as the past was only a few weeks ago it wasn’t hard to keep track of what was going on.

The world building is fantastic and built upon the first book.  The technology of the super-duper mechanical chairs with neural interfaces.  The weird life forms, like the pillars which appear to be solid rock but are sentient and many more different life forms.  It was really enjoyable to see the creation of such a vast universe with so many different species.

Pet continues to grow and develop, his struggles to understand social cues and when the Trio’s relationships break down he is left to try and pick up the pieces and trying to understand all the nuances of the conflict.  It was delightful when Pet made a friend in Bug and the shopping scene was wonderful.

I really appreciated the backstory of the Trio and how their relationship developed, I always wondered why they weren’t compatible without Pet and how Pet fit in so seamlessly.

Once again, this book was full of intrigue, suspense and action, the betrayal left me guessing was it real, was it artifice to save everyone,  you don’t find out until the end.  I had faith in them all but there was always a bit of a niggle of doubt.

Pet really comes into his own, his bravery in facing his fears, and going to save his Trio was brilliant.  He has led such a sheltered existence, since leaving being décor behind, but he is fearless and steadfast with unshakable belief that his Trio need him to save them.

The twist that comes at the end of the book, which isn’t a cliff hanger but more an over arching plot line.  Was totally unexpected but I am excited to get the next book in the series to see what happens next.

RATING:

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