The concept behind Nyxia was what initially attracted me – a substance found in space that has “quietly” become the most valuable material in existence? And Reintgen even included danger, fortunes, and secrets?! Yes, please!
I love that not everything in Nyxia is as straightforward as it initially seems. Sometimes the recruits make me want to scream at them, but that just makes their characters seem so much more realistic. Babel Communications is cold, heartless and sometimes bloodthirsty – which embodies what we often imagine huge corporations to be like.
Favorite Characters:
My favorite characters were Kaya and Morning, ironically enough. (Read Nyxia to discover what the irony actually is!) Morning was the strong, capable leader makes you want to be just like her, and Kaya was sweet and kind, someone you could easily be friends with. I found them similar in many ways, which is probably why they both made my favorite character list. Oh, and I loved Vandeemer. He was insightful, caring – he needs to make a reappearance if there is another book! Vandeemer would go beyond his required responsibilities, and it always felt like he actually cared about his charges, not just the money. As an example, when Emmett does something he shouldn’t (no spoilers here!) instead of yelling:
“Vandeemer doesn’t come down too hard on me. Instead, he makes me do yoga. I inhale, stretch, roll shoulders, and find the anger fading to the distant corners of my brain.”
pg. 242
That quote just displays Vandeemer’s personality so well, I think.
Minor Aggravations
What was especially aggravating, though, is the lack of answers at the end of the book. Of course Babel has secrets, and although we find a few along the way we never really learn what they mean. I would definitely appreciate more answers.
The ending was an unexpected twist, and I haven’t decided how I feel about it yet. Overall, I’d give this book four stars. It was an enjoyable read that I recommend to anyone who loves sci-fi.
Did you read and enjoy Nyxia? If it’s the unexpected twist that caught your attention, try The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Although a different kind of tale than the one Reintgen crafted, with expanding horizons you’ll find a refreshing suspense novel that is hard to separate your reality from.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
[…] Looking for another unique young adult novel? Nyxia by Scott Reintgen (another name I cannot pronounce) is a creatively spun tale of a mysterious substance that has quietly become more valuable than any other. Check out my review here. […]