Release Date: November 19th 2014
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Australia
Source: Review copy via publisher
Genre: Sci-fi
My rating:
Synopsis:
"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.
The stunning second novel in the Starbound trilogy is an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness in a world torn apart by war."
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.
The stunning second novel in the Starbound trilogy is an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness in a world torn apart by war."
---
“A chance without wars and blood feuds and madness everywhere on this shattered world…”
I think Kaufman and Spooner have somehow worked out the formula for the perfect book because This Shattered World was the perfect companion continuation to the Starbound trilogy.
Move over Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen, Lee (Jubilee) Chase and Flynn Cormac are the new It couple! (JOKES I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU LILAC AND TARVER PLZ4GIB.) Lee is Stone-faced Chase, the famous take-no-shit Captain that’s posted on Avon to help try smother the local rebel movement known as the Fianna. A le Flynn the rebel who has the guts to sneak into the military base to try find out why his home planet is not terraforming as it should. And he chooses Stone-faced Chase to kidnap and question or hold hostage. Either or. You know, just casually.
BUT NAH UH. Stone-faced Chase ain’t having none o’ dat! Dis qurrlll so kick-butt she stabs him in da thigh wit dat plastic cocktail skewer thingy. No but seriously Jubilee Chase is a fighter. She doesn’t go down without a fight in any sort of situation and I just admired her resilience! Her character and mindset is written fantastically. She sees everything as an opportunity to escape, maim, kill or some way to exploit. I could clearly see her military training coming through first and foremost. She’s been hardened by her past and I loved the flashbacks into her past that gave even more substance to her persona. I liked that she was realistic, didn’t romanticise things and accepted that life on Avon and their universe is the way it is.
“Captain Chase is never afraid.”
Flynn on the other hand I found to be a bit more naïve. He’s the perfect balance to Lee’s pessimism ahem I mean realism. He’s got this fiery passion within him and I found him to be such a hopeful person. He yearns for peace and for more. More for his people, more for himself, more for the planet that he knows could flourish. Flynn is constantly conflicted, a bit of a sweetheart and a bit of a romantic. He makes me smile c:
“You know, most people find me charming.”
There was this moment early on in the book where my eyes bulged because for one heart shattering second I thought there was going to be insta-love. And then Jubilee Chase happens and I’m like LOL GO AMIE AND MEAGAN. It wasn’t a funny moment but I was just so relieved and I was chastising myself going “come on as if they would do insta-love”, so it was funny okay? Don’t judge me. The romance is another slow build-up which is perfect for me. To be honest it’s not so much romance as this… Tension between the two. Attraction and tension and too many things coming between Lee and Flynn for it to really be romance for the most part. Ah but there’s a spark. A flame if you must. But does it ignite? Well…
“Maybe we wouldn’t even like each other if we weren’t fighting for our lives every second of every day.”
“Maybe someday we’ll get the chance to find out.”
The plot of This Shattered Word is unique from These Broken Stars and yet it shares this integrity of the universe that manages to hold and shape the series, revealing more of the Starbound world that Kaufman and Spooner have created. As tensions between the military and Fianna rise, Flynn and a reluctant Lee realise there’s more to be worried about. There’s fighting and skirmishes and lots of sneaking around. But! There is so much more going on in Avon and everything is linked together and ARGH I just loved all the secrets and conspiracies! You guys there is SO MUCH you don’t know so you should just really read this. Serious business. Also cameos. I love cameos. Cameos are life.
“We thought that… well, we thought the story ended there.”
Prior to starting TSW I was genuinely worried. I thought I’d constantly be comparing Lee and Flynn to Lilac and Tarver. I didn’t want the two couples to be competing. Thankfully, there is no competition! Each couple is unique and they have different dynamics that make them shippable and equally lovable so it’s all good!
Overall, This Shattered World was all kinds of perfect. With their witty and charming writing, Kaufman and Spooner have filled these pages with two fantastic characters that bring an integral storyline into the Starbound universe. And they do it with a flair that only they possess.
“Clear skies.”
I think Kaufman and Spooner have somehow worked out the formula for the perfect book because This Shattered World was the perfect companion continuation to the Starbound trilogy.
Move over Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen, Lee (Jubilee) Chase and Flynn Cormac are the new It couple! (JOKES I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU LILAC AND TARVER PLZ4GIB.) Lee is Stone-faced Chase, the famous take-no-shit Captain that’s posted on Avon to help try smother the local rebel movement known as the Fianna. A le Flynn the rebel who has the guts to sneak into the military base to try find out why his home planet is not terraforming as it should. And he chooses Stone-faced Chase to kidnap and question or hold hostage. Either or. You know, just casually.
BUT NAH UH. Stone-faced Chase ain’t having none o’ dat! Dis qurrlll so kick-butt she stabs him in da thigh wit dat plastic cocktail skewer thingy. No but seriously Jubilee Chase is a fighter. She doesn’t go down without a fight in any sort of situation and I just admired her resilience! Her character and mindset is written fantastically. She sees everything as an opportunity to escape, maim, kill or some way to exploit. I could clearly see her military training coming through first and foremost. She’s been hardened by her past and I loved the flashbacks into her past that gave even more substance to her persona. I liked that she was realistic, didn’t romanticise things and accepted that life on Avon and their universe is the way it is.
“Captain Chase is never afraid.”
Flynn on the other hand I found to be a bit more naïve. He’s the perfect balance to Lee’s pessimism ahem I mean realism. He’s got this fiery passion within him and I found him to be such a hopeful person. He yearns for peace and for more. More for his people, more for himself, more for the planet that he knows could flourish. Flynn is constantly conflicted, a bit of a sweetheart and a bit of a romantic. He makes me smile c:
“You know, most people find me charming.”
There was this moment early on in the book where my eyes bulged because for one heart shattering second I thought there was going to be insta-love. And then Jubilee Chase happens and I’m like LOL GO AMIE AND MEAGAN. It wasn’t a funny moment but I was just so relieved and I was chastising myself going “come on as if they would do insta-love”, so it was funny okay? Don’t judge me. The romance is another slow build-up which is perfect for me. To be honest it’s not so much romance as this… Tension between the two. Attraction and tension and too many things coming between Lee and Flynn for it to really be romance for the most part. Ah but there’s a spark. A flame if you must. But does it ignite? Well…
“Maybe we wouldn’t even like each other if we weren’t fighting for our lives every second of every day.”
“Maybe someday we’ll get the chance to find out.”
The plot of This Shattered Word is unique from These Broken Stars and yet it shares this integrity of the universe that manages to hold and shape the series, revealing more of the Starbound world that Kaufman and Spooner have created. As tensions between the military and Fianna rise, Flynn and a reluctant Lee realise there’s more to be worried about. There’s fighting and skirmishes and lots of sneaking around. But! There is so much more going on in Avon and everything is linked together and ARGH I just loved all the secrets and conspiracies! You guys there is SO MUCH you don’t know so you should just really read this. Serious business. Also cameos. I love cameos. Cameos are life.
“We thought that… well, we thought the story ended there.”
Prior to starting TSW I was genuinely worried. I thought I’d constantly be comparing Lee and Flynn to Lilac and Tarver. I didn’t want the two couples to be competing. Thankfully, there is no competition! Each couple is unique and they have different dynamics that make them shippable and equally lovable so it’s all good!
Overall, This Shattered World was all kinds of perfect. With their witty and charming writing, Kaufman and Spooner have filled these pages with two fantastic characters that bring an integral storyline into the Starbound universe. And they do it with a flair that only they possess.
“Clear skies.”
---
Ahem. My review of These Broken Stars was blurbed in the Australian edition of This Shattered World! I AM SO HAPPY. Blogging achievement unlocked. Sorry I had to!
Oh my gosh, laughing so freaking hard at this review. Even when you're being sophisticated you're hilarious :P I'm so glad you loved it!! Even though I didn't like this one as much as These Broken Stars, I can't wait for the third installment :)
ReplyDeleteI am to please :D it ended up being funnier than I ended lol! I can't wait for book 3 either :D
DeleteI'll admit I was definitely scared to read this because I wasn't sure if it would live up to the awesomeness of These Broken Stars. (Plus I missed Tarver + Lilac and the Titanic move vibe of the plot). But this definitely is an amazing sequel. I completely agree with everything you've said - Lee & Flynn have such an amazing and swoon-worthy romance, and it's hard to resist shipping them. ;) Hilarious and well-written review Jaz! <3
ReplyDelete~Zoe @ Stories on Stage
I loved the Titanic vibe of TBS too Zoe! And yes such an amazing sequel, I loved how it was different to TBS yet part of the world!
DeleteYou already know I wasn't a huge fan of TBS, but TSW. Ommmmmgggg, I'm SO gla I gave it a chance because it's so bloody good. I adore Lee. She's super badass and omg I ship her and Flynn so much. SO MUCH. <3 <3
ReplyDeleteYes haha I know very well you were like meh about TBS but so happy you enjoyed TSW :D
DeleteAww, hahaha - you're so funny, Jaz! :D And I mean that in the best possible way. WHY HAVE I NOT READ THIS BOOK BEFORE? I got it the day after it came out, and all of the reviews have been fab...perhaps I'll start it tonight. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG EBONY YES GOT IN THIS SERIES ASAP (I hope you've read it by now).
DeleteHope you enjoy :DDD and glad I made you laff c:
It's so cool that your review was blurbed! I just read This Shattered World recently, and I loved it too. It's definitely different from These Broken Stars, but also manages to have keep them tied together with the world and the conflict. Plus, like you said - AWESOME CAMEOS ARE AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteOmg Alexa I was so excited because it's like for one of my fav books ever. THE CAMEOS HEHEHE <3
DeleteTHIS SHATTERED WOLRD does not give you time to think about it, you just dive into it and stop breathing until you reach the last page. But trust me, you will feel like you've reached that one way too soon.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, could never have enough of this story.
Mica
Bowers and Wilkins P5 Review
The ending was satisfying and just made me want to jump into the next book. Once again, there was the sweet relief that there wasn’t a cliff hanger. Overall, I loved this book.
ReplyDeletePenelope
Click here for Top Towing in Georgetown TX service