Tia's Reviews > Between the Devil and the Sea

2.5? Hard to rate this one. On the one hand, it’s a claustrophobic romance that is (mostly) fast paced, sexy, unapologetically dark without being gratuitous, and in a fun sci-fi setting. Thematically, it is right up my alley. On the other, the writing is extremely patchy. Basic errors are common (eg “as” instead of ass, “accept” instead of except), which I find jarring. But more than that - it reads like a draft. Lots and lots of repetition. Weirdly this includes the exteeennsive internal monologues, with the MC recounting swathes of backstory to himself - apparently in the middle of speaking to someone. One can only assume he’s blanked for minutes out mid conversation - but then his interlocutors continue without acknowledging it - so it all seems very improbable. I’m already suspending my disbelief at all the dry sex, it’s too much for me to not be jarred by the unlikely conversational dynamics. Alas, while fun, the search for truly great new dark MM continues.