Fiasco (Uncharted Hearts 2) by Constance Fay (book review).
For most, the term ‘Romantasy’ will probably conjure up images of sexy vampires or werewolves in an urban fantasy setting seductively courting humans, usually of the opposite sex, and turning them. There is romance and consensual sex, often explicitly described. It is a popular genre. It is less common for this type of book to be set in the far future. Constance Fay has done that with this, her ‘Uncharted Hearts’ series.
Some aspects of these novels require trust, such as the existence of a rapid means of star travel, the long-standing human settlement of distant planets, and the occurrence of coincidences. The wealth and power are in the hands of the five ruling families, including the Pierces, with the ten next in line vying to replace those at the top, should they fall. Upset then, and the result is likely to be exile from the sphere of the civilised worlds. Exiles are identified by a tattoo under the eye.
Cyn Khaw is a bounty hunter. She has the reputation as the one who spaced a shipload of human traffickers, an event that haunts her. As a preamble to the main plot, we meet her as she is in the process of detaining Geni Etienne, who stole a spaceship from her ex-wife. She does not expect to find Carmichael Pierce, heir to the Pierce dynasty, on board. Despite Cyn’s remuneration, her actions earn Pierce’s enmity.
The main thrust of the plot begins with Cyn’s next commission. The Abyssal Abductor is a notorious kidnapper who takes young girls and, if the ransom is not paid by the deadline, drowns them. Cyn’s cousin was snatched ten years before and died because they couldn’t get the ransom to them in time. She has been searching for him ever since. Now she has another opportunity to catch him. Estella Escajeda, whose daughter has become the latest victim of the Abyssal Abductor, hires her. That’s when the complications start.
The place where the abductor has taken his hostage is Cyn’s homeworld, a place that is mostly water and where the communities live on vast rafts. Cyn hasn’t been back for ten years, and her family are unaware of the nature of her job. Normally, she works alone, but this time she is forced to take passage on Calamity. Anyone who has read volume one, ‘Calamity’, in this series will know that Estella’s brother, Arcadio, is the security officer on the ship and is in a romantic liaison with Temper, the vessel’s owner. To complicate matters further, Cyn has encountered Calamity’s crew before. She was working undercover on the planet where most of the action of the first novel was set. Her hope that she will not be recognised is scuppered by Micah Arora, the ship’s medic. Micah’s lack of trust in her leads to an immediate conflict between them. He is right not to, as Carmichael Pierce has threatened her parents if she doesn’t betray Micah to him, and they are working against a deadline.
The story is a good space opera adventure with plenty of action, interesting settings and characters who change and grow. There are explanations, twists and unexpected developments, but it is important to remind readers that this is a fully-fledged romance. For some readers, the hormonal episodes will not be a welcome addition, especially as the sex gets explicit at times. Be aware that the novel is told from Cyn’s point of view and in the first person, so it is always the female perspective. If this is the kind of book you enjoy, you will not only be enchanted by the setting, the politics and the crew of the Calamity but also Cyn’s acquired bioengineered pet flying lizard that enjoys a good meal of metal pieces.
Pauline Morgan
June 2025
(pub: Bramble/TOR, 2024. 339 page paperback. Price: $18.99 (US), $24.99 (CAN), £14.50 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-250-33045-1)
check out website: https://torpublishinggroup.com/fiasco/?isbn=9781250330451&format=trade