Review: The Bound Worlds

The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the final book in the Devoured Worlds trilogy, and unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed in it. Not because of the worldbuilding and characters. Those two aspects are still there and good, especially the latter. No, my dissatisfaction with this book is due to a somewhat out of left field plot twist that amped up the stakes and raised the suspense.

I suppose this would be a good thing normally, and it's obvious that the author thought it through. This plot turn is based on the worldbuilding and events in the previous two books, so it makes sense in that respect--although as written, it is more than a bit handwavey to me, and stretched my suspension of disbelief nearly to its breaking point. But what bugs me most about the turn this story took is that, as far as I am concerned, it was unnecessary. Yes, the stakes were raised, to the point that not only are humans threatened by the sentient fungus canus, but the entire universe is threatened as well (and not entirely by canus, but also the previously established technologies of neural maps and reprinting). (Trying to write it out just makes me see how clumsy and absurd it really is.) I just felt that the conflicts and threats established in the first two books, namely canus, the five ruling families oppressing the masses, and the general system that needs to be torn down, were more than enough to carry the way to the end of the trilogy. The books did not need this additional tacked-on threat.

Having said all this, the characters salvaged what could be salvaged. The author's touch with characterization came through in this story, as Naira and Tarquin are put through the wringer, even more so than the previous book. Fletcher Demarco, a right bastard up to this point, is not quite redeemed--he's done far too much for that--but we understand him better, and he steps up to save both Tarquin and Naira at the end. And Tarquin and Naira's refreshingly mature romantic relationship proves you do not need excessive long-drawn-out sex scenes (looking at you, Rebecca Yarros) to create an emotional bond with the reader.

I liked the first two books enough that I'll give a grudging pass to this one, and it does tie up all the plot threads. But I really wish the author had not taken this final sudden turn. This trilogy could have been an SF/space opera classic, and unfortunately now it's just...not.

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