Review of Parallax (Sentient Stars #2) by Amber Toro
From the moment I finished Umbra, I felt that yearning for more—the kind of longing only a truly thrilling world can evoke. So when I heard Amber Toro was releasing Parallax, I was more than ready to dive back into the cosmos of the Sentient Stars series. The power of Toro’s storytelling just pulls you in, effortlessly blending the grand scale of space opera with deeply personal character journeys, and this sequel takes those elements to an entirely new level.
In Parallax, the action picks up six months after the devastating events of Umbra, throwing us straight into the emotional maelstrom with an opening chapter that had my heart racing. Toro wastes no time re-immersing us in the complexity of her universe, where stakes are high, and every moment is fraught with tension. By the end of the first page, I was reminded of why Toro has quickly become a favorite among readers who crave both heart-pounding adventure and rich character development.
Now, let’s talk characters. While Freyja stole my heart in Umbra, this time around, I found myself equally enchanted by the perspectives of Skyla and Hinata. Skyla’s adventure on a distant planet, with her loyal companion Fenrir, tugged at my heartstrings while she searched for answers about her father. Meanwhile, Hinata’s struggle to rally his people against a cunning enemy added layers of complexity to his character that I truly appreciated. Freyja’s quest to uncover the origins of a mysterious signal kept me on the edge of my seat, highlighting the unique strengths of each protagonist. Toro’s seamless transitions between these arcs kept the pacing swift, making the seductive “just one more chapter” feeling impossible to resist.
What struck me most was the phenomenal character growth. Each of our three heroines navigates not just external conflict but internal battles as well, and honestly, the supporting characters almost paled in comparison—except for the immensely intriguing Kylian and Tristan (seriously, where’s their spin-off?). The romance in Parallax is a slow burn filled with angst and tension—absolutely electric. Toro masterfully captures that tightrope between duty and desire, making you root for her characters even when they act frustratingly.
While I typically lean more towards character-driven narratives rather than intricate plots involving space politics, I have to commend Toro’s ability to balance both. The sciencey aspects may have nudged me from time to time, but the worldbuilding didn’t suffer for it; the lore of Earth That Was and the evolving dynamics between AI starship and captain simply infused richness into the story. I caught myself gasping at shocking revelations—an impressive feat—and I found myself fully invested in both the interpersonal conflicts and the sweeping cosmic battles.
There truly wasn’t a dull moment in Parallax. It stands as everything you could want from a sequel: thrilling, captivating, and emotionally charged. I devoured it in just two days, and the ominous, tantalizing ending left me desperate for the next installment.
Who might enjoy this book? If you love character-driven space operas with sharp dialogue, deep emotional conflicts, and stunning worldbuilding, then Parallax is undoubtedly for you. This series is quickly shaping up to be a personal favorite, and I can’t wait to see where Amber Toro takes us next.
Thank you to the author for providing an early copy for review; my opinions are my own. Mark your calendars for May 20th, 2025, because you won’t want to miss this release!
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