Gurgu’s smart, pulpy followup to Green Corrosion continues the Corrosion series by plunging readers deeper into a complex and vividly imagined future wasteland of Black Rain, hard choices, literal nightmares, and a lack of liquid water so desperate that some humans have resorted to drinking a gel instead and becoming chunks of “corroded flesh” called “Corrosives.” This entry ratchets up the tension and expands the scope of the conflict while still offering a gripping tale of power, politics, and survival. Having defeated Prince Boris in a brutal confrontation, Geo Woodman must now lead the Silke, even as, “prone to melancholy,” he wonders whether it’s worth so much effort to save the “sad” and “deceiving” world again—a world readers will recognize from tantalizing links to our own. But peace, Gurgu reminds readers, is not something lightly gained.

Gurgu skillfully portrays the challenges of Geo's new position, including the threat of armies of Nightmares, while exploring the intricacies of gaining trust and wielding authority in a broken world and fractious society. The loving dynamic between Geo and his partner Bree adds depth to the narrative, giving Geo a reason to fight. Gurgu's world-building continues to impress, with the author painting a richly detailed picture of the Caves and the various factions and forces at play (“Yeah, well, we adapted democracy to the needs of our times,” one politico admits), plus coll innovations like fossil ships and the returning Night Hunter. The introduction of Han the Great as a looming threat adds another layer of complexity to an already complex plot, setting up future volumes.

The prose is taut and engaging, driving the story forward with a mix of political intrigue, bloody visions, weird science tinged with fantasy, and engaging character development. Gurgu balances multiple threads and mysteries, keeping readers invested in both the immediate challenges facing Geo and Bree and the larger conflicts shaping their world. Newcomers to the series are advised to start with the first book.

Takeaway: Inventive post-apocalyptic sequel blending weird science, politics, and pulp thrills.

Comparable Titles: Kameron Hurley's Nyx series; K.R. Griffiths's Adrift Trilogy.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-