This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne

Two exes walk into a doomed submersible—a sergeant and a royal. The sergeant is there only for the pay, and the royal is there to prove her theories correct. But what happens when they find more than they bargained for—possibilities of death and love?

This Gilded Abyss is a perfect blend of romance in a steampunk world, perfect for fans of Arcane and Titanic. Written by Rebecca Thorne, the author brings her tried-and-true talent for crafting unique plots and lovable relationships without shirking the weight of death. 

Four years ago, Sergeant Nix Marr left her heart at the bottom of the ocean. She went on a quest that went wrong, deep in the undersea mines with her best friend and her love at the time, Kessandra (also referred to as “Kess”). But when Kess and Nix resurfaced, only Nix and Kess returned, Nix’s best friend dying during the trip. Since then, Nix has drowned her sorrows deep in the military, working her way up to sergeant to rebuild her life. Yet, when Kess returns  after four years of absence, she offers Nix a proposal: in exchange for providing for Nix’s parents, Nix will accompany Kess onboard a luxury submersible as her personal guard. 

Though reluctant, Nix will do anything to help her parents, as their savings are rapidly depleting. Without money, they cannot afford the sole medication that allows her father to live. Made with ichoron, a rare substance mined in the ocean, only the richest can afford to pay for medication as well as upgrades. In fact, Kess has installed such an upgrade herself, replacing one of her eyes with an ichoron-based prosthetic. But when the two of them board the submersible, an ordinary, if boring, trip turns into something much more dangerous. 

There are people on board wanting to kill Kess, and they’re willing to hurt anyone who gets  in the way of their mission; it just so happens that Nix’s job is to do exactly that—protect Kess. Onboard, the two of them start to notice something horrifying: ichoron exposure is starting to turn people mad. From killing sprees to locking others in rooms, to desperate acts the healthy go to protect themselves, no one is safe. The ship quickly goes into lockdown. Just as Nix and Kess grow closer, ready to put aside the pain of losing their friend, the world seems determined to drive them apart—to death. 

Reading This Gilded Abyss was one of the most fun reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. This adult, steampunk fantasy thrusts readers into a story that explores real-world themes in a fantastical way, such as class systems and drug use. The relationship between Kess and Nix is highly enjoyable to read, as it is both realistic and features the trope of second-chance romance, which I rarely have seen in fantasy today. 

What I find most remarkable about this story is the way Rebecca Thorne utilizes a close-quarter setting to create a thrilling plot. As a writer, I foster a deep admiration for authors who are able to develop tight plots in limited space. This novel doesn’t span a vast setting, as the majority takes place inside the submersible. The main characters cut winding paths aboard, making the reader feel almost claustrophobic with adrenaline, as danger lurks at every turn.

This Gilded Abyss leaves readers unsettled in the best way, prompting the audience to reflect on class consciousness and the effects of greed and paranoia until the very end of the story. 

This novel is perfect for fans of a fantasy world with its own vices. The plot surrounding the dangers of ichoron leaves the reader feeling haunted by its presence, as it does not discriminate against those whom it affects. There are ample elements setting-wise that compare to Arcane, yet this novel is also stunningly unique and thrilling in its twists and characters. I finished reading this with the realization that this was one of my favorite books of 2025. I’m eager to read everything Rebecca Thorne has written and will write.

This Gilded Abyss was originally published on June 6, 2023, but re-released on November 11, 2025, by Tor Books.

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