Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Older Published by Tor on February 13, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction Fantasy
Pages: 224
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Mossa has returned to Valdegeld on a missing person’s case, for which she’ll once again need Pleiti’s insight.
Seventeen students and staff members have disappeared from Valdegeld University—yet no one has noticed. The answers to this case could be found in the outer reaches of the Jovian system—Mossa’s home—and the history of Jupiter’s original settlements. But Pleiti’s faith in her life’s work as scholar of the past has grown precarious, and this new case threatens to further destabilize her dreams for humanity’s future, as well as her own.
I enjoyed the first in the Mossa & Pleiti series and so I continued. The main characters are two women. Mossa is an investigator who is good at her work, but very uncertain in social circumstance. I’d almost say she is autistic but Pleiti also has the hesitation about things in their relationship. Pleiti is an academic studying how things might be reintroduced on Earth to revive an ecosystem there. The setting is another planet.
In The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles, there is a missing student. They discover there are actually many missing students. The strategy and working of the case is a bit vague. As an investigator, Mossa is allowed to be very independent.
The relationship is a key piece of the story. The women care about each other but seem afraid to express too much or commit. They did already have a break up of sorts previously. They are careful to honestly state what they want or mean to say. It was good to watch them get to know each other even better.
I really enjoyed the wording and style of the story. I appreciate when different layers make up the whole which is more realistic. Although, Pleiti did just leave her work and go off investigating with Mossa. But the work overall in this world seems more individually determined. I’ll look forward to more of these characters and their clever minds.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
Cool! A sci-fi mystery with romance element. I’ll have to mark this one.
Sophia I am totally loving these.
The cover captured my attention and the review sounds wow! What a great blend of genres!
I am really enjoying this series; this is #2. It hits many of my favorite things. One of the characters is likely neurodivergent in some way perhaps and I like that too.
This one sounds fun and looks like a good choice when I’m wanting something a little different from my usual reads.
It’s very original Katherine. It’s book 2 and I’ve really enjoyed both of them.
Sounds like a fun setting for a mystery/romance. Glad to see you enjoyed it, Anne!
Thanks Rachel. It’s really a blend which is for me. Scifi a mystery with a romance element. The characters are an academic and a police detective. It has a lot of things I love.
This looks good.
I really loved the blend of genre and the interesting characters.
I enjoyed the first book too. I wasn’t offered this for review so I sort of forgot it was coming out! I’m glad it worked out.
I tend to go looking for things, although I get offered other things. I really enjoyed it and have made sure to keep the series on my radar.
Love the cover on this one, glad you enjoyed it!
I like these scifi mysteries with the personal relationship supporting in the background.