The difference between sci-fi and fantasy is that one discusses physics and the other discusses magic. How do you know the difference? Magic doesn’t need to be plausible or constrained. Physics requires plausibility and constraints. The difference then is in how hand-wavy the author is – do they make an effort to explain the complexity they’re hinting at?

This book is my new favourite example of “having technology doesn’t make it sci-fi”

None of the magical technology in this book is plausibly explained. It was stolen from other alien civilisations, that’s it. The list of magical powers bestowed by these alien artefacts read like a child’s superpower wishlist. Invisibility, teleportation, “shockwave”, big space sword, robot swarm army..

This is cheap fantasy masquerading as sci-fi. Low effort, primary school level storytelling. Would have been better if it were witches and wizards in space.

This is the 109th book I have read this year, and so far, the worst.