*Received via NetGalley for review*

I enjoyed Medusa Uploaded, so was excited to read the sequel. However, Medusa in the Graveyard doesn't quite live up to its predecessor.

The connection between Oichi and Medusa was one of the highlights of the first book, and that's the first things that is missing here. They have drifted apart and begin keeping secrets from each other - something Oichi sees and acknowledges as troubling, but refuses to remedy. The majority of the book is spent with them separated by choice, and Oichi is not nearly as interesting alone.

Another thing I found interesting in the first book is that Oichi is a sociopath, or at least has sociopathic tendencies. It was interesting to see how such an anti0hero operated and still managed to have principles and close friends. But this sequel seeks to change that about Oichi and make her runexplained ealize that she needs to change (it seems like that is the reason Medusa has been distancing herself, though it's not very clear). Why not keep Oichi's flaws and characterization the same? Hasn't it worked? Isn't an antihero more interesting than a cookie-cutter hero?

The foreshadowing is constant and heavy-handed, and thus crosses over into cheesy and sometimes annoying.

Medusa's silence on why she opposes Oichi's mission is obtuse to the point of distraction - we know more about Lady Sheba's motivations than hers, even though Medusa is a main character. What was she trying to do on the Graveyard? What did she actually do? Why does she feel the need for Oichi to change?

Too many unanswered questions and unexplained choices. ( )

Oichi Angelis started a revolution against the Executive ruling class aboard the Generation Ship Olympia, with the help of an AI unit called Medusa. The real work comes now that they’ve “won”.

The first book had a somewhat familiar premise: a “chosen one” rebels against a dystopian oppressive regime. However, the seeds were planted for more expansive worldbuilding that bears fruit in this sequel. The story opens with the ship Merlin requesting permission to dock on Olympia and parlay with the new leaders, including Oichi. The crew have been hired to bring a message from the mysterious Weapons Clan, the foundation of the Executives’ power. When Medusa overrules Oichi’s determination to kill them, it sets in motion a dangerous game of politics. As Olympia enters the Charon system on route to the planet Graveyard, new players enter the field. Who is Timmy and what is the origin of her deadly technology? Is Fire on their side, or playing her own game? Oichi discovers that she and her people are much more than they seem. Their ability to bond with Medusas and interface with biotechnology has its origins on Graveyard – where The Three await her arrival. Medusa fears waking these immense sentient ships, and Oichis unconcern about doing so begins to drive a wedge between them.

In addition to greatly expanding on the worldbuilding (the sentient ships of Graveyard is a very cool concept), and continuing the underlying musical theme, this sequel also further develops other characters, albeit through Oichi’s first person POV. Ashur, in particular, takes on a critical role in the plot and the crew of the Merlin bring a welcome outside perspective. The only noticeably underdeveloped bit is the Weapons clan, but since their leader isn’t the true “villain” of the story that wasn’t a big issue.

Medusa in the Graveyard has one of those rare, perfect conclusions: if there is no more to come, it’s incredibly satisfying. But there is potential for future stories that I really hope to come to be. I love the world Devenport has created here; Oishi and Medusa are a unique set of protagonists. This duology reminds me a little of McCaffrey’s Sassinak series. The universe is full of societies that have their own agendas, and it can be minefield for a rebel assassin to adapt to be a diplomat and negotiator. Overall, this was an engrossing read and I look forward to further adventures in this universe. Perhaps with Ashur as the narrator. Highly recommended. ( )

Pros: interesting new characters and settings, Oichi develops more as a person

Cons: lots of new players and it can be hard to keep them all straight

Oichi’s world has changed with the overthrow of the Executive class and the mass joining of medusa units. It’s time for the inhabitants of Olympia to engage with the outside world, starting with a messenger from the weapon’s clan ship that’s following them, and ending with meeting the three on the planet Graveyard. But how does someone who’s used to executing opponents learn to negotiate? And why doesn’t Medusa agree with her chosen path?

If it’s been a while since you read Medusa Uploaded, there’s so much going on that it’s worth giving that a reread before starting this one. Medusa in the Graveyard picks up roughly one year after the first novel ends, and there’s little recap.

Unfortunately I had a number of tasks I had to accomplish while reading this so it was a disjointed experience of a few pages here, a chapter or two there. This book requires some measure of concentration as there are a lot of new players that come in briefly and then don’t show up again until later. And it’s easy to forget who is who.

Having said that, I loved seeing the new groups the Olympians would have to trade/negotiate with and just how big their universe is. There are belters, aliens, a variety of ships on Graveyard created by vastly different intelligences. The actual trek to see the ships was quite interesting and a little trippy.

I liked that Oichi had to go through a lot of personal development. It makes sense that she’s not the best suited for negotiating given her past, and I thought the trials she went through as a result were realistic.

I’m not sure if there’s more to this series, but the book had a satisfying ending that wrapped up a lot. ( )