Crier's War: 1

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Unresolved Sexual Tension: Crier is obsessively fixated on Ayla after their very first meeting, and after spending time with her Ayla begins to find her own feelings for Crier growing as well. Crier believes that such feelings are the result of her Flawed Design, and Ayla is plotting Crier's death and the overthrow of the Automae, so neither can act on their feelings. They finally admit and act on their feelings towards the end of the second novel.

After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, designed to be the playthings of royals, usurped their owners’ estates and bent the human race to their will. To the queer readers… Some people will try to tell you your story doesn’t matter. That is the biggest lie you will ever hear. Reader, everything you feel and experience and create is vital to this world. Never sit down; never shut up. Nobody else wants to write about us, so: screw it. We’ll do it ourselves. We will write ourselves into every genre. We will make it impossible for anyone to pretend we don’t exist.” Saying Too Much: Rosi is a devout member of the Anti-Reliance Movement, and she gives Crier a lot of information about Kinok's plans in their casual conversations because she thinks that Crier must already be involved. Crier leans into this to pump her for as much info as she can. When Ayla learns that Storme is alive, she is furious to see him working as an advisor to Queen Junn. She doesn’t listen when he tries to explain that things are different in Varn, and that Automae aren’t universally oppressive.

Great Offscreen War: The War of Kinds, where the Automae overthrew humanity and took control of Zulla. Alchemy Is Magic: Alchemy is used for the creation of automa and Made objects which have very magic-like powers.

We can work on that.” At her look of surprise, Kinok shrugged one shoulder. “We are bound to be married, are we not? I am on your side, Lady Crier, as you are on mine. Right?” She shook her head. No. He knew better. He knew she couldn’t leave now, tonight. Not when she was this close to the inside of the palace. And Crier. But now Ayla stared out at the marketplace, at the crowd of sleek, beautiful Automae— leeches—and tried to keep the hatred and disgust off her face. Nobody bought flowers from a girl who looked like she’d rather be selling poison. Crier's War is a Young Adult Science Fiction duology written by Nina Varela, consisting of the books Crier's War (2019) and Iron Heart (2020). It took half a day’s ride to reach these woods, and so Crier had been here only once before, nearly five years ago. Her father enjoyed hunting deer like the humans did. She remembered eating a few bites of hot, spiced venison that night, filling her belly with food she did not require. More ritual than meal. The core of her father’s Traditionalism: adopting human habits and customs into daily life. He said it created meaning, structure. Under most circumstances, Crier understood the merits of Hesod’s beliefs. It was why she called him “father” even though she’d never had a mother and had never been birthed. She had been commissioned, Made.

Must reads

Undercover as Lovers: Ayla and Lady Crier pose as married when staying in an estate after fleeing from Rabu to Varn. Artificial Limbs: At the climax of the conflict, a cybernetic leg is made for Ayla after her leg was shattered. For the queer readers. You deserve every adventure.” (Two extra things I need to add: 1.) this is ownvoices for the queer rep + 2.) the author is ARMY = no choice but for me to stan forever. Okay, goodbye. I’m off to pray to all the higher powers for book two immediately. Also, jokes on all of you, because this is ghost Melanie reviewing this, because I died at the tide pool scene.) Two weeks have passed since the last chapter. Junn comes to the visit, and Ayla sees her brother Storme… who died. She thought he had after shoving her into an outhouse then listened to Automae kill her family. She comments that she had seen his body. So what?!? But Ayla didn’t describe him as an Automae and comments he’s human. Seven years older, but looks identical to her brother. And the two numerous times halt and look at each other… what happened? This is the most curious I have been the entire book so far.