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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Deception Returns by S.K. Johnston is the explosive conclusion to the Deception Chronicles, a sci-fi saga where high-stakes battles, emotional complexity, and a touch of queer romance all collide. Dr. Kate Sinclair and Dr. Samantha Mitchell are still reeling from the fallout of their last conflict, but must now confront a deeper conspiracy that spans both human and alien forces. With Sam’s mysterious connection to a powerful ancient energy growing stronger and more dangerous, trust is crucial as the lines between friend and foe blur. Sam and Kate must rally their allies and make impossible choices to stop a threat that could engulf not just Earth but the galaxy itself. Johnston masterfully blends slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and vivid worldbuilding in this sweeping finale where love and survival depend on navigating a battlefield of lies.
Author S.K. Johnston has a fantastic sense of drama, both in the way the cinematic scenes are delivered to evoke the imagination and in the pacing of the many twists and revelations that make this a heart-pounding finale that rewards loyal readers with thrills and tenderness. Fans of the series so far are sure to feel for our dual heroines as they’re put through another emotional wringer. Plenty of hard sci-fi detail and worldbuilding offer a story with action, intrigue, and heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation that is never gimmicky. The stakes feel high throughout the plot. Close personal narration lets you in on every emotionally agonising decision, making for a standout conclusion that proves Johnston knows how to balance epic scale with personal intimacy. Overall, Deception Returns is a highly recommended read for fans of character-driven space opera who also want high emotional stakes and a richly woven plot.
