Thala Coeur—Blackheart—is dead.Willem Jaantzen has been waiting to hear those words for almost twenty years. But he was also hoping they’d hold more satisfaction. Because it turns out his arch enemy has died as she lived—sowing chaos and destruction—and when a mysterious package arrives on his doorstep, he realizes she’s sent him one last puzzle from beyond the grave. As Jaantzen and his crew are … are plunged back into a game he thought they’d left far behind, one thing becomes painfully clear: Solving Coeur’s puzzle could be key to preventing the city from crumbling back into another civil war—or it could be the thing that destroys them all. Because this secret isn’t just worth killing for. It’s worth coming back from the dead for.The Bulari Saga series is part of Jessie Kwak’s Durga System universe, a fast-paced series of gangster sci-fi stories set in a far-future world where humans may have left their home planet to populate the stars, but they haven’t managed to leave behind their vices. And that’s very good for business.
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This book is an excellent example of how a master storyteller can elevate characters and story elements that at first glace appear ordinary and trite into a complex, richly imagined, fast paced story you can’t put down. Characters with complex motivations and some very peculiar alliances of necessity. Plot twists you thought you predicted only for everything to go sideways.
This is book one in a series, and can be read as a standalone, but you will want to dive into the rest of the series! It contains a full story arc, no cliff hangers but there are some huge questions left open for subsequent books. It follows the Durga System books, which provide some further character development and world building that adds richness to this book but are not needed to understand and enjoy this book.
Fantastic world building and writing that just flies off the page. The author has created a fully-formed world full of fantastic characters in high-stakes situations. This book promises the mafia in space and absolutely 100% delivers. While this is a complete story, it is the lead-in to a deeper conspiracy which I assume will be addressed in future books. I’ve already begun book #2.
Having read the Durga System books, the new Bulari Saga series features the same characters in more adventures, and I’m happy to follow. Willem Jaantzen has risen from nothing and is well respected by his fellow gangsters, he loves his goddaughter Starla Dusai and counts on her assistance, while problem solver Manu Juric and several other key employees make a great team that will get whatever needs doing done. This is an exciting, fast paced story with gangster families, mysterious packages, intrigue, religious zealots, and the chaos caused by the death of Willem’s enemy, Thala Coeur. With well developed characters, a fascinating world, and lots of action, I loved this story and look forward to the next in the Bulari Saga series.
Picture the Sopranos, only in space. And then add some kickass women, lots of diversity, a FREAKING MOTORCYCLE CHASE, and big action-packed stakes. That is what it’s like to read Double Edged.
Holy wow. So here’s my favorite stuff:
-The characters. They’re funny and tough, capable and morally ehhh I mean there are blurred lines, you know? But they stick together, they’re a team. I can’t pick my favorite—maybe it’s smooth, trustworthy, trickstery Manu; or smart, quick, Starla, always looking toward the home she lost; or maybe it’s Jaantzen, whose past haunts him, whose future will always be tarnished by who he was.
-The world building. Every scene, I felt like I was there—rich details, layered according to character, each person seeing what illuminates their journey. It’s gorgeously written and all story-centric.
-The TWISTS. mwahaha.
-The pace. I couldn’t put it down. But really—that’s because of the characters. They’re just that good.
If you like sci fi like the Expanse or Becky Chambers Wayfarers series, you’ll like Double Edged. I really want all my sci-fi loving friends to pick up Jessie Kwak’s books, and Double Edged is my favorite so far.
Ms. Kwak has written a riveting and twisty tale that will keep you guessing what’s going to happen next till the end. I’m glad to see a mature Starla.
It will be really fascinating to see what happens in the following volumes.
Full Disclosure: I was given an ARC by the author to read and review honestly.
Cheers
Wayne