The protagonist of Change of Heart, Maddy, is supposed to be a Hero, helping people. There’s a lot of pressure on them to live up to their dad’s legacy, and all they seem to get for it is sneering condescension from an awful boss and a slimy coworker, and disappointment from the trans community they want to represent. Compared to other Korps stories I’ve read, Change of Heart is much more of a personal drama than an action-packed one. That’s not to say it has no tension or action—the scenes with Neal are packed with tension, as is the first scene inside the building where Maddy is supposed to work as a double agent. When the action does happen, it’s made all the more satisfying because of the drama. Author Grace Reed does an amazing job of making us feel exactly what Maddy is feeling. A early scene with their mother absolutely tore at my heart. This is probably the earliest point in a Korps novel that I’ve shed tears. She also does a great job writing the traveling aspects of this story, with big landscapes and large underground spaces, written in a way I can easily picture. One point readers should be prepared for: The main story ends pretty abruptly, imo, BUT, I was not bothered by this. The short stories that accompany it were more than satisfying. They provided a more complete conclusion for Book 1, and left me eager to start Book 2! Absolutely recommended if you enjoy a mix of personal drama and dilemmas, travel and everyday life in a world with battling hero and villain organizations, and well-written, endearing characters that are absolutely brimming with memorable personalities.
- Stephen Goodman