Core

I’ll be honest: I went into *Core* skeptical. Sequels often soften the edges of what made the first book electric, but Sullivan doesn’t just maintain the spark—she throws gasoline on it. The narration is a masterclass in restraint; the performer (whose name, frustratingly, isn’t credited) resists the urge to over-dramatize, letting the story’s inherent tension do the work. Emeline’s voice is particularly compelling—there’s a weariness there, a woman who’s been burned too many times but still reaches for the flame. That said, the male leads sometimes blur together in tone, especially in heated dialogue scenes where a bit more vocal distinction would’ve helped. The plot? It’s a knife fight in a phone booth. Sullivan excels at making the rebellion feel *personal*—this isn’t some faceless uprising, but a web of relationships where every choice has a cost. The sci-fi elements (think neural hacks and rogue AIs) never overshadow the emotional core, and the romance… oh, the romance. It’s not insta-love; it’s two people circling each other like rivals in a game where the rules keep changing. My only real critique? The middle act drags slightly with political maneuvering that, while necessary, could’ve been tightened. But the payoff—a third-act reveal that had me actually gasping—makes up for it. If you love your sci-fi with teeth and your romance with scars, this is your next obsession. Just clear your schedule; you’ll want to binge it in one go.