Secrets of Cuniculum is as intriguing as it sounds

Have you ever read sci-fi that is a street-level thriller with gangs, crime, robots and jaw-dropping secrets & technology amidst great characters and relationships that make you smile and gasp? This one-of-a-kind book by C.T. Berry is out on January 26th.

Read my 4-star review:

Laeli, a shy robotics mechanic, crosses paths with outgoing Javeer, a mechanic in the dangerous robot-filled, gang and crime-heavy city of Cuniculum. They grow close. A childhood friend of Laeli's comes back into her life, but something is off. Meanwhile, Javeer's ambition puts him at odds with Malin, the corrupt casino owner. As enemies start to close in, will secrets from Laeli's past help or hinder them?

I fell in love with Laeli's kind & caring persona right from the beginning, from that nicely endearing prologue (at least at its start). Her POV has an intuitive feel that had me invested immediately. Javeer's POV shines with his jovial nature. I enjoyed Laeli's inner thoughts, especially when she is almost obsessive, going a mile a minute. There are also glimpses of other characters' perspectives that are more ominous.

So damn readable, as the prose's flow is eloquently smooth, gifting us with breath-stealing moments that fire on all cylinders. The dialogue is so natural, often quick back and forth, educating us on the characters, their objectives, and the like. There is no apparent infodumping and yet we know all we need to know at the moment we are. Where we are. There are of course, little nudges of foreshadowing, signaling future reveals. I cannot get over those extraordinary reveals and how beautifully they were conveyed in unexpected fashion.

The world is just so fascinating. I must applaud the author for her ingenious vision and how she shares it with us. There is a melancholy that bleeds through, though a great sense of humor gives us chuckle-worthy, even laugh-out-loud moments. There is a twice-over meet-cute (you'll get it when you read it) that makes you feel gooey. Things to look forward to are: The secret and awesomeness of Ren, Mimi the loveable robot and Heathel giving you the warm & fuzzies.

The Bria thing is a bit of repetitive exaggeration and the character irritates me, like I guess she is supposed to, but not in a good way for the book. Also, Khar plays out as a spoiled jock-thug of a villain. The other nefarious players are more grounded, feel like a greater threat, and therefore are more intriguing. I needed, and in my opinion so did the book, significantly more of the one with the cryptic intentions.

This story is about finding your true purpose, your power. It deals with how the past can define us, sometimes without us realizing or knowing of it. About doing what is right. You will absolutely enjoy this sci-fi street-level thriller with the captivating story that will worm into your heart.