*Intersection* is a bold foray into the realms of sci-fi, exploring themes of power, identity, and the intricate dance of alliances within a galaxy governed by a rigid empire. With an eye-catching cover that exudes interstellar elegance, the novel beckons readers into a complex world where reality is shaped by the will of priests and the specter of chaos looms large.

At the heart of the story lies Ulanda, an apprentice priest thrust into a deadly initiation that could dictate the fate of the empire. Her journey intertwines with Garm, the empress's enigmatic companion, creating a partnership that is both unlikely and compelling. The dynamics between Ulanda and Garm drive the narrative, revealing layers of complexity and tension as they navigate a galaxy rife with shifting allegiances and hidden agendas.

The world-building in *Chaos Whispers* is ambitious, though it may present a challenge for readers less familiar with the genre. The intricate tapestry of the universe, while richly detailed, often requires readers to piece together information on their own. This can be a rewarding experience for those who relish deep exploration but may leave others feeling overwhelmed. The book invites comparisons to genre giants like *Dune*, and while it seeks to evoke a similarly intricate world, the execution can feel convoluted at times.

The writing style fluctuates between beautifully descriptive passages and moments of confusion, particularly in pacing. The plot unfolds slowly, which may test the patience of readers eager for action. At times, the narrative lags, prompting the reader to reread sections to grasp the intricacies of the plot, which can disrupt immersion.

The novel's themes are thought-provoking, delving into the nature of power and the delicate balance between order and chaos. It successfully raises questions about authority and rebellion, making it resonate with those who appreciate stories rich in political intrigue and moral ambiguity.

While the book may not be beginner-friendly for those new to sci-fi, it could prove to be a gem for dedicated fans who enjoy unraveling complex narratives. Readers who appreciate detailed world-building and are willing to invest the time to navigate its intricacies will likely find much to admire in "Intersection".

In conclusion, *Intersection* offers an engaging, albeit challenging, journey through a well-crafted galaxy. Despite its pacing issues and the need for more streamlined world-building, it captivates with its vivid imagery and complex character dynamics. For those stepping outside their comfort zone, this novel provides a rewarding exploration of sci-fi that is both immersive and intellectually stimulating. Fans of epic sci-fi and fantasy will undoubtedly appreciate the depth and ambition of this narrative.

A slow burn sci-fi? Count me in. I will admit that it doesn't seem to be a beginner friendly science fiction novel. It seems to be more for the individuals well into the genre - which I'm lucky enough to be in that group. Still, I think every could enjoy it.

i was lucky to be an arc reader, here is my honest review:

before i start my review, i just want to say that my genre is typically historical fiction and fantasy/ romance (mainly with elves and vampires, set in the 1800) so this book is a little out of my comfort zone. what made me want to step away and read some sci-fi you ask? well, the cover, its STUNNING. whoever designed the cover needs a good pat on the back because its absolutely beautiful, i got immediate interstellar vibes and i had to give it ago.

now i kind of shot myself in the foot with this one as its not really beginner friendly if you, like me are starting out in the genre, but damn that cover got me! (still cant get over how beautiful that is) the book itself was good, my main issue with this was the worldbuilding, i am someone who loves the lord of the rings series and im an absolute sucker for a detailed world, however this was alot to take in, mostly its things you have to figure out for yourself. the writing style to me was a little confusing, the plot was also a little slow pacing for me and often when i was reading id blank and have to re- read again.

overall thoughts:
i liked it, even though this isnt my comfort genre i still really enjoyed it and i would still absolutely recommend this to sci-fi lovers. if you are someone who loves to figure stuff out for yourselves and love a good world build, you would absolutely love this book. thank you for giving me this opportunity

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read the arc of Intersection. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get more than 10% of the way through. I found the writing style to be quite difficult to understand for me and the conversations between characters to be very blunt. I was quite bored throughout the pages that I read. I honestly had no idea what was going on and I just couldn’t follow the story and I didn’t want to carry on reading the words for the sake of reading the words. They just weren’t going in my brain. Perhaps it’s just a skill issue on my part haha but compared to a lot of other books I’ve read, it is quite difficult to comprehend. I’m sure it would be an amazing book, but it’s not for me unfortunately.

I tried so hard with this book, but I tapped out at 16% complete. I wanted to like it. I'm usually a sucker for the kind of deep world building this book has, that doesn't hold your hand but instead throws you deep into a culture full of things that you need to figure out for yourself. But it was too much. Despite advertising itself as character-driven, I couldn't form a necessary attachment to the main characters to keep me going through it. The perspective changed frequently. The plot was slow moving and depended too heavily on things that I just couldn't get through my thick skull to fully understand any of it.
Maybe this is the kind of book I need to try again at a better time (ie not the end of a school year that has absolutely fried me), but for now, it wasn't for me.

DNF. The toughest thing about this book was that there were, around the edges of it, some glimpses of a truly talented writer. There were phrases that hit exactly the right level of poetic without feeling forced ("the substance or the who" and "an older tongue still" stand out in my memory). And I do love a book that doesn't overexplain its worldbuilding. But unfortunately those strengths were interwoven with what I found to be some of the bigger weaknesses of the book. The writing style was inconsistent and often choppy, and it felt like new worldbuilding details were being introduced in nearly every sentence. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, especially in regards to how characters viewed each other. And there wasn't anyone whose head I was excited to live in or plot I was hooked into, which was disappointing.

I won't cross-post this review to goodreads, since I'm leery of leaving negative reviews if I didn't actually finish the book. But I won't be recommending it, either. Sorry, this one wasn't for me.