In the robotic city of Cuniculum, notorious for its underground tunnels and violent crime, Laeli, a shy tech-genius and Javeer, an outgoing and ambitious mechanic, cross paths. Both broken and bruised by their past, they grow close and form a strong connection.
However, when a mysterious friend from Laeli's childhood suddenly returns, and Javeer begins to challenge Malin, a corrupt-gambler who runs Cuniculum's largest casino, they both realize they are surrounded by enemies.
As the city's gang life closes in around them, Laeli must figure out who she is, while Javeer must make the decisions necessary to protect both himself and the girl he loves. And so a race begins: a race that not only strives for power and control of Cuniculum's streets, but also includes a need to discover the dark secret hovering over Laeli. Can she unveil the shadows of her confusing past in time or will she be too late?
Review :
"This dystopian story filled with robots, political intrigue, devastating secrets, deadly gangs, a motorcycle race, and a love that shines like a bright light in the middle of darkness, kept me on the edge of my seat.
Laeli wishes she knew why her mother brought her to live in the depths of Cuniculum - a city known for its gangs, dirty streets, and its warlord ruler, Malin, who runs the most notorious gambling house in Cuniculum. When Laeli, who works as a robotics engineer meets a motorcycle mechanic and rider, Javeer, little does she know that her life is about to change. In whirlwind of events, a childhood friend mysteriously appears, a motorcycle race takes an unprecedented turn, and the ruling gang sets their sights on destroying Javeer and Laeli, to keep themselves in power. Soon Javeer and Laeli realize that a more viciously dangerous enemy is out to get them, and this enemy has numerous veins of control over those living in Cuniculum.
This story kept me on edge of my seat! It's gritty, dark, heartbreaking, and devastating, but the love simmering between Javeer and Laeli is a bright light set against the darkest night. The joy and hope that they bring to each other is so powerful to experience. Javeer does his best to be a truly good man in the midst of a world that says you can't rise unless you do abhorrent things. And Laeli is a curious, brilliant, kind person who just wants to keep those she loves safe, and to help those lost in dark find the light. I cannot wait to continue this series!"
Romantic Content: ❌ No Spice
TW: Gang Violence, Murder (Semi Descriptive), Manipulation, Explicit Swearing Scattered Throughout, Abuse, Secrets
"This sci-fi absolutely hooked me! The world building is immersive, the characters feel real and emotionally grounded, and the story balances big, thought-provoking ideas with genuine heart. I was invested from start to finish and couldn't put it down ��������
A must-read for fans of character-driven sci-fi - I can't wait to see what this author does next ✨"
"4.5 Stars!
Laeli, a shy-tech genius, and Javeer, an outgoing machine, crosses paths again in the robotic city of Cuniculum where they are soon drawn into the dark secrets of gambling, motorcycle races, and a crime syndicate that lurks within the shadows.
From the moment I opened the book, C.T, Berry had me hooked. I genuinely enjoyed the plot, the detail and the world building that happened around the characters as we got to know them. Laeli is a soft-spoken young woman with secrets that she's left to keep and discover on her own. Javeer is shrouded in mystery of a past that left me wondering and guessing about his life.
These two initial attraction is obvious from the beginning. It isn't 'instant love', it is a knowing that they instantly likes each other and Javeer isn't shy about it. The build on their love, in my opinion, feels realistic because they both knew what they wanted and no one backed down from it.
Laeli's childhood friend that appears before her again after years, is a puzzle that I couldn't solve until the very end. C.T. Berry does an amazing job of describing him in a way that mystery yet, there is something not exactly right with him with ever appearance he had in the book.
This book is an absolute joy to read if you like a sci-fi, robotic dystopian world that feels like Arcane in novel form and reminds me of Cinder."
