📖 Overview
Emily Skrutskie is an American author known for writing young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. Her works frequently explore themes of identity, technology, and power dynamics within speculative settings.
Skrutskie's debut novel The Abyss Surrounds Us (2016) introduced readers to her signature style of combining action-driven plots with LGBTQ+ representation. The book and its sequel, The Edge of the Abyss (2017), follow a trainer of genetically engineered sea monsters who becomes entangled with pirates in a futuristic Pacific Ocean.
Her subsequent works include Hullmetal Girls (2018), a science fiction story about cybernetically enhanced female soldiers, and Bonds of Brass (2020), which began The Bloodright Trilogy. The trilogy concluded in 2022 with Oaths of Legacy and Strategies of Rebellion.
Skrutskie holds a degree in Creative Writing from Cornell University and currently resides in Massachusetts. Her writing has earned recognition for its detailed worldbuilding and integration of diverse characters within science fiction narratives.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Skrutskie's action-packed pacing and LGBTQ+ representation in science fiction settings. Reviews frequently mention the fresh take on familiar tropes and complex character relationships.
What readers liked:
- Fast-paced, engaging plots that maintain momentum
- Natural inclusion of queer characters and relationships
- Detailed world-building, especially in The Abyss Surrounds Us
- Strong female protagonists and character dynamics
What readers disliked:
- Some found the romantic subplots predictable
- Character development occasionally sacrificed for plot speed
- Worldbuilding can overshadow character depth in later books
Ratings across platforms:
- The Abyss Surrounds Us: 3.9/5 on Goodreads (9,000+ ratings)
- Bonds of Brass: 3.8/5 on Goodreads (3,500+ ratings)
- Hullmetal Girls: 3.6/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings)
- Amazon ratings average 4.2/5 across all titles
Top reader comment from Goodreads: "Finally, sci-fi that doesn't treat queer characters as an afterthought. The action scenes are breathtaking."
📚 Books by Emily Skrutskie
The Abyss Surrounds Us (2016)
A trainer of genetically engineered sea monsters becomes entangled with pirates in a futuristic Pacific Ocean.
The Edge of the Abyss (2017) The sequel continues the story of sea monster training and piracy in a near-future world where the Pacific is dominated by these creatures.
Hullmetal Girls (2018) Two young women volunteer to become cybernetically enhanced soldiers called Scela to serve aboard a fleet of generation ships.
Bonds of Brass (2020) A military academy student discovers his best friend and love interest is the heir to the empire they both serve.
Oaths of Legacy (2021) The second installment of the Bloodright Trilogy follows the continuing conflict between former friends now on opposing sides of an interstellar war.
Strategies of Rebellion (2022) The final book in the Bloodright Trilogy concludes the story of galactic politics, loyalty, and betrayal.
The Edge of the Abyss (2017) The sequel continues the story of sea monster training and piracy in a near-future world where the Pacific is dominated by these creatures.
Hullmetal Girls (2018) Two young women volunteer to become cybernetically enhanced soldiers called Scela to serve aboard a fleet of generation ships.
Bonds of Brass (2020) A military academy student discovers his best friend and love interest is the heir to the empire they both serve.
Oaths of Legacy (2021) The second installment of the Bloodright Trilogy follows the continuing conflict between former friends now on opposing sides of an interstellar war.
Strategies of Rebellion (2022) The final book in the Bloodright Trilogy concludes the story of galactic politics, loyalty, and betrayal.
👥 Similar authors
Pierce Brown writes science fiction with complex power dynamics and rebellion narratives across space-based societies. His Red Rising series features detailed tactical elements and political intrigue similar to Skrutskie's Bloodright Trilogy.
Tamsyn Muir combines space opera with militaristic elements and LGBTQ+ characters in her Locked Tomb series. Her work features power dynamics and technological elements that mirror themes in Skrutskie's Hullmetal Girls.
Alex London creates science fiction featuring queer protagonists in military and combat situations. His Proxy series explores similar themes of power imbalance and technological advancement that appear in Skrutskie's works.
Karen M. McManus writes narratives focused on complex character relationships and power struggles within structured systems. Her plotting style and character dynamics parallel Skrutskie's approach to relationship development.
V.E. Schwab builds intricate worlds with power-based systems and characters who challenge established hierarchies. Her work includes similar elements of identity exploration and systemic resistance found in Skrutskie's novels.
Tamsyn Muir combines space opera with militaristic elements and LGBTQ+ characters in her Locked Tomb series. Her work features power dynamics and technological elements that mirror themes in Skrutskie's Hullmetal Girls.
Alex London creates science fiction featuring queer protagonists in military and combat situations. His Proxy series explores similar themes of power imbalance and technological advancement that appear in Skrutskie's works.
Karen M. McManus writes narratives focused on complex character relationships and power struggles within structured systems. Her plotting style and character dynamics parallel Skrutskie's approach to relationship development.
V.E. Schwab builds intricate worlds with power-based systems and characters who challenge established hierarchies. Her work includes similar elements of identity exploration and systemic resistance found in Skrutskie's novels.