"Love Galaxy" by Sierra Branham is an excellent science fiction thriller and the first book in The Imperial Broadcasts series, following the underdog heroine of a reality TV show. Think The Selection or The Bachelor — but in space, with locked-room mystery vibes to boot.
The book follows Temmi, a young trash collector from X72, an impoverished planet on the edge of the Expanse Empire. Stuck in a dead-end job due to an ex’s betrayal, burdened with evacuation notices, an ill mother, and a disabled brother she would do anything for, her future looks bleak. A chance meeting with the twin siblings Nix and Spie, the prince and princess of the empire, lands her, unwillingly mind you, on an interstellar dating show full of potential political landmines.
Twenty-four young women, divided between the royal siblings, will compete for their hands. Only two can win, and the competition is fierce. Although Temmi is picked for the prince, she finds herself drawn to his lesbian sister instead. The plot thickens as contestants turn up dead, and the stakes rise quickly.
I was hooked from the very first line. There are plenty of twists and intrigue to keep the reader engaged. While colonizations and dating shows aren't a new concept, the execution feels fresh and gripping. The novel promises a thrilling blend of romance, mystery, and a vibrant cast of characters in a sci-fi setting, and it sure delivers.
The romantic tension simmers and shapes the plot rather than overpowering it. Beneath the dramatized dates and diplomatic challenges lie questions of empire, power, class, morality — and who gets sacrificed for power. The book also explores themes of love, loyalty, family relationships, betrayal, and staying true to one’s beliefs. There is a love triangle, and although I’m usually not fond of them, it plays out here naturally.
The world-building is impeccable, the writing smooth, and the characters distinct. Temmi is brash, brutally honest, brilliant and self-educated, with no filter and a deep love of science. She is fiercely loyal, relatable, and a breath of fresh air among the more polished contestants. She also curses a lot, likely to highlight her lower-class background, but at times it felt overdone. The witty banter between her and the other characters was a joy to read.
Sibling Nix and Spie couldn’t be more different. Spie is physical, charismatic, socially confident — the life of the party — and unapologetically explorative in her sexuality. She may appear narcissistic at first glance, but there is far more depth to her beneath the surface. Nix, in contrast, is cerebral, quiet, bookish, and uncomfortable in his own skin — a dark horse who constantly claims the moral high ground. And yes, I didn't like him. Of the two, I preferred the sister and completely understood Temmi’s attraction. Hell, I even prefer her myself — and I’m straight.
The book is written in third-person omniscient POV, and each chapter heading is drawn from a line within the chapter itself — a detail I especially enjoyed. Most threads are tied up, though a few are left open enough to make me eager for the sequel. I loved this book and highly recommend it to fans of reality TV drama, mystery, twisted plots, forbidden love, and political tension woven into a rich sci-fi world. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "Love Galaxy" by Sierra Branham
No comments:
Post a Comment