This Brutal Moon is the third and final instalment in the science fantasy series The Kindom Trilogy, written by Bethany Jacobs, published by Orbit Books. A conclusion that feels like the cherry on top of what was already an excellent series, a political space opera not afraid to put in the focus themes such as genocide and the implicit complicity that is silence, delivering a really satisfying ending.

An instalment that could be clearly divided into two parts: a first half that is used as the set-up, slowly cobbling together the rest of the pieces that will be necessary to make the second half an unstoppable rollercoaster, tying all the loose characters and situations to deliver the conclusion the readers deserved. 

While dealing with themes such as genocide, and how the peace is almost impossible to reach as long as everybody is trying to achieve their own goals, the characters and the complex relationships between help ease it a bit, especially as we have already developed a bond with characters such as Jun and Six. It's their own struggle to seek justice that makes the reader reflect on our own world and how silence is a necessary accomplice for genocide.

The Kindom Trilogy is more than the sum of its parts, and I can not recommend it enough; if you like thought-provoking reads and space operas with a heavy focus on political themes, The Kindom should be on your to-read list. This Brutal Moon rounds up it, cementing Bethany Jacobs as an author that I hope to continue reading in the future.