Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman [Joint Review!]

4 out of 5 Stars!

Their Fractured Light By Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Series: Starbound Novel #3

Genre: Young Adult SciFi

Release: December 1, 2015

Paperback:  425 Pages

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

My Copy: Library

Reviewer: Julia & Shannon

Book Summary:
Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.
When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Julia & Shannon - Joint Review! 

1. In a couple of sentences, how would you describe Their Fractured Light?

Shannon: Their Fractured Light was fast paced and intense.  We are introduced to a new set of characters who are pulled into the wider machinations of LaRoux Industries and everything comes to a head.  

Julia: Their Fractured Light is captivating from start to finish! I love the characters, their relationship and witty dialogue. There is romance, action and a quickly paced plot!

2. What did you like? What did you dislike?

Shannon: I loved how fast paced it was!  I literally could not put it done and finished the whole thing in one sitting.  And I love that our new characters meet up with some of the previous characters and finding out how they are all connected.  I honestly didn't dislike anything!  Oh wait.  The only thing I had trouble was when the aliens were narrating.  I couldn't remember who they were referencing!

Julia: I loved that the romance didn't get in the way of the plot and that the story just kept rolling! Couldn't put it down. There isn't much I didn't like. LOVEEEED that all of the characters from previous books make a big appearance and the lives of them all are soooo intertwined it is brilliant. The only part that is a little silly are when we read the thoughts of the whispers. Didn't add much to the story and it was like a riddle every time trying to remember who they were talking about. Didn't mind it, just... could've done without. 

3. How was the plot? Romance between Gideon & Sofia?

Shannon:  The plot was good.  No complaints.  I liked Gideon and Sofia together.  I thought they kind of made sense in a way.  I liked that the romance didn't get in the way of the plot, but it was still charming.

Julia: Enjoyed the plot. Enjoyed the romance. Gideon and Sofia had great dialogue and their romance is sweet. It is easy to see where their feelings come from, as their relationship is built on throughout the story. 

4. This is the end of the Starbound trilogy- what did you think about the end?

Shannon:  Loved it.  The gang's back together!  It was very intense, but ultimately a satisfying ending.  Even if I wanted a little more retribution for the people.

Julia: They tied up all lose ends so well! I have no questions and I'm totally satisfied with each and every character's ending. Still loving how Gideon ended up knowing the other characters- didn't see that coming.

5. How does Their Fractured Light compare to its companion novels, These Broken Stars & This Shattered World?

Shannon: Ok, I ADORED These Broken Stars, especially the romance between Lilac and Tarver.  Like, wow.  So that is my favorite out of the three.  Then I think I like Their Fractured Light second.  I liked how fast paced and exciting it was.  I like Gideon and Sofia, separately and apart.  I liked how everyone comes together.  This Shattered World brings up the rear only because I wasn't feeling the romance as much on that.  But, that being said, the whole series is awesome and everyone should read it.

Julia: This whole series is so romantic, it just makes me *siiiigh* in a good way. I think I liked Their Fractured Light the best because there is just so much action AND romance. I loved Gideon/Sofia. They're badass on their own, let alone together. These Broken Stars comes in second for my deep love of Tarver, my favorite character in the whole series. So Their Fractured Light is right on par with the previous two!

6. What is your rating and who would you recommend this to?

Shannon:  5 Stars and I recommend it to everyone!

Julia: 4.5 Stars. Anyone that loves a little scifi with their romance, pick this up. Or even if you don't ;)

Other books in this series:

1. These Broken Stars - Our Review

2. This Shattered World - Our Review

3. Their Fractured Light

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner [Joint Review!]

3 out of 5 Robots!

  

This Shattered World 
Authors: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound Novel, #2
Genre: Young Adult Rom SciFi
Release: December 23, 2014
Hardcover:  390 Pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
My Copy: Library
Reviewer: Shannon & Julia

Book Summary:

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met. Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

Julia & Shannon: Joint Review!

1. In a couple sentences, what did you think of This Shattered World?
Julia: This Shattered World is a satisfying read, but I didn't feel much emotion toward either of our main characters. The plot is exciting and there is a good deal of action, that and the dialogue itself kept me flipping the pages. 

Shannon: This book definitely cemented my belief in this series.  Kaufman and Spooner manage to make an interesting and well written "space opera".  
 

2. What did you like?  What did you dislike?

Julia: I loved that Tarver and Lilac make an appearance. It is by far the highlight of the novel for me. And I really disliked that Lee and Flynn's relationship didn't show any real development throughout the story. Lilac and Tarver had an adventure and obstacles to overcome together and you get to watch them grow together.... I didn't get that here and it is disappointing.

Shannon: Totally agree that Tarver's cameo really gave the plot a jolt.  I liked how fast paced the plot was.  There is a ton of action!  I liked both of the main characters fairly well.  Each were compelling in their own ways.  I liked that I felt like I knew them and understood their motivations.  There wasn't really anything I didn't like, except for the few places that the story stalled.

3. What did you think of the romance between Lee and Flynn?

Julia: Well, I kind of said it before... I didn't feel like they really worked for a relationship. It was a lot of running around figuring things out. I don't even think they spent that much time together. There is chemistry, but not enough. It's missing something. I'm not satisfied, haha.

Shannon: Yeah, this felt much more like the dreaded insta-love.  I didn't really feel the chemistry between them.  I think I would have preferred if they were just friends.  But you know, it's a YA novel, so there must be romance.  I was more interested in all the other parts though.

4. How does This Shattered World compare to its companion novel, These Broken Stars?

Julia: In my opinion, it doesn't really compare. I enjoyed These Broken Stars SO much more than This Shattered World. The plot is just as good, it just didn't have as much "oomph."

Shannon: I will have to be honest and say that I liked These Broken Stars better for several reasons.  One, I liked the storyline better and two, I liked the romance waaayyy better.  This Shattered World was lacking that sweeping romantic feel that These Broken Stars had.  I loved the slow burning romance between Lilac and Tarver in the first one.  And in all honesty, I enjoyed them more as characters.  This isn't to say Lee and Flynn aren't good characters, but just that I liked Lilac and Tarver better.  

5. How do you feel about the overall arc this series is starting to take?

Julia: I'm interested in seeing what happens in the next novel. This one explained a lot about the whispers and it is intriguing to see one connect with Lee. Really all I care about is Tarver and will he show up in book three? ;)

Shannon: I do like how overarching the series is starting to be and how far reaching the Big Bad is.  I think it is really interesting.  I would not mind our characters all converging together in the third book though!  I will definitely be back to meet new characters (or at least I'm assuming there will be) and see how it all comes together.

6. What is your rating?  Who would you recommend this book to?

Julia: I gave it three stars because I was only super into it in the middle. At the end I began skipping straight to dialogue between characters. It didn't keep me as interested as book one. Regardless, those who loved book one or love young adult science fiction should give this one a go. There isn't as much romance as in the previous novel, but there are some super cheesy lines you may enjoy. hah.

Shannon: I will give it 4.5 because I do think this was an excellent book.  And I think the only reason why I am feeling any disappointment is because the bar was raised so high for me with the first book.  I recommend this series to sci-fi fans and those that like epic, sweeping stories.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner [Joint Review!]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound #1
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Release: December 10, 2013
Hardcover: 374 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Julia and Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Julia and Shannon's Thoughts (Very minor spoilers):
For Valentine's Day, we give you one of the best and sweetest romances we have had the pleasure of reading.  Enjoy!

1. This is undeniably a sweet romance - What did you think of the chemistry between Lilac and Tarver?  

Shannon: Loved it. I really go for all those "unlikely romances". I loved that they were initially attracted to each other, but things got in the way. They didn't really stop being attracted to each other, but they certainly didn't like each other for awhile. I loved the slow burn, the slow melt, the slow lowering of defense. It made the payoff so, so worth it. 

Julia: There is so much chemistry between Lilac and Tarver and it is glorious. They're obviously immediately attracted to each other, which is perfect- but there is none of that love at first sight stuff. And then there are obstacles and adventure and they don't communicate then learn how. It's really wonderful watching them fall in love. It is totally endearing and I'd read this one again. *sigh* 

2. Ok, romance aside, what did you think of the plot? 
Shannon: Oh, there was something else happening in the book? Sorry, I was very focused on Lilac and Tarver. Just kidding. Sort of. Another favorite genre of mine is survival stories. I love the clomping through uncharted territory with dangers untold lurking in every corner. So I was quite happy with that. There was some other stuff, but if I am being completely honest...the chemistry between Lilac and Tarver was enough to keep me going. 

Julia: I liked the plot. It isn't very fast paced and honestly if the romance wasn't so charming I'm not sure I would have kept going. There is one part of their journey that really lagged. Regardless, I couldn't put this book down because I had to see how it ended. 

3. Was there anything that shocked you about the book? Or is there anything that sets it aside from other books in this genre? 
Shannon: Oh man. There were a couple scene where I just went "aljdflajdflajdlkf" because I couldn't believe the authors actually WENT there. But you know what? Kudos to them because there were times when I truly believed the outcome might not be happy after all. 

Julia: The only thing that really sets These Broken Stars aside from other romance novels is probably how perfectly the authors rolled out the love between Lilac and Tarver. I mean, it was just right. Just enough. I believed every minute of it. The only shocking part for me was maybe the ending... I knew something unusual was going on, just wasn't prepared for it to be what it was. Don't really want to say much more. 

4. Did you think the ending was appropriate? 
Shannon:  I was quite satisfied with the ending, even though I felt like it was maybe a teensy tiny bit too easy. But I felt there was definitely resolution. No cliff hangers. Which surprised me at the time, but now that I know the next installment is focused on a different set of characters, it makes more sense. I think readers will be satisfied. 

Julia: I wish I got to see a little of their life after, but the ending is true to the novel. Maybe we will in the next books, even if they're based on another couple. Loved that there isn't any cliff hanger and it is all resolution! Good ending. 

5. Anything you wished had or hadn't happened? 
Shannon: Noooo...not that I can think of. I mean, it probably could have been a little shorter...a little less clomping around. But overall, I really, truly have no complaints. 

Julia: Honestly, the whole thing with Lilac's dad put a bad taste in my mouth. I get that he has seen loss- but to kill someone else because Lilac innocently loved him? What? There is overprotective and then there is that. Creepy. Anyway, Lilac finally stands up to him about all this in the end and that is nice and all but I could have done without. 

6. Any parting thoughts on the book? 
Shannon: If you like romances...go read this book! One of the best and most compelling romances I've read. 

Julia: Tarver is a dreamboat that knows how to survive in the wilderness. He is a knight in shining armor (or a military uniform) but he isn't so masculine that his girl can't save the day too. This is a great story about romance and two people partnering up to survive in an unknown place. READ IT. If you like romance ;) 

7. Are you excited about the next installment and will you be reading more of these authors' work? 
Shannon: Oh heck yes! I'm sad it isn't about Lilac and Tarver, but I'm willing to fall in love with some new characters too. I am also looking forward to looking into the authors' back catalogs. 

Julia: I have read other work by Meagan Spooner and I enjoyed it- but this is so different and I'm SO glad I read it! I'm really pumped on the next installment, especially because it is a different couple. I'm hoping that Tarver and Lilac drop in or at least know the other couple. Can't wait to see what the authors do.