Review: Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

Book Blurb:

From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure.

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm

A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates

A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder

An alien warrior with anger management issues

A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Mystery, Romance, Scary, Space, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

When Tyler flies a quick trip before his draft opportunity, he never expects to be delayed by finding a girl 200 years out of her own time stuck in the fold- nobody is suppose to be able to live in the fold, period. His reward is to get saddled with the rejects of his class, the outcasts nobody wanted on their teams. His first mission with his new crew unsurprisingly goes sideways fast- but maybe this messed up crew are the people he needed most to fight a bigger battle...

I recommended this book to another person, someone who is not a big sci-fi reader that was a little bit hesitant to start the book. She ended up blowing through it and informed me that it was not like most science fiction/space adventures. And that is a 100% true statement. This was an action/mystery/drama that just happened to have most of the setting in a space ship and outer space. The best comparison I have would be like a more drama and angst filled Ocean's 11 in space, with a big ensemble cast that each has their role on a particular heist mission- that may just uncover some dark secrets and save the world.

There was honestly so much going on and I loved every minute of it. The book was narrated by all 6 crew members- and one Aurora, all with different personalities, skills and hopes and I feel like I got to know them all. Aurora Rising really had something for everyone in it- unrequited love, flirty and snarky banter, unexpected kisses, potential sociopaths, elaborate missions, conspiracy theories, death and destruction, awesome science fiction animals/tech and places, illness, unknown powers, alien species, planetary war, a girl completely out of place who uses current day references, an alien mate bond, scary flowers... See? There was a LOT going on in the book and I was so there for it.

Can I just say that the ending was awful (and I blame Jay for it because Amie's books in the past don't end with me broken) and I have no idea how I am suppose to recover from that and wait a year for the next book? That being said, I would not change anything about this story and world building and I will attempt to patiently await the next book.

I highly recommend the audiobook since it is a full cast and every character get's a voice, even some of the random messages have cool audio tones to go along with it. The only downside to the audio was sometimes it was unclear who the current narrator was (especially in the beginning before I could recognize each voice and the character attitude) which I feel would not be an issue in the physical book.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Immunity (Contagion #2) by Erin Bowman

Book Blurb:

Immunity (Contagion #2) by Erin Bowman

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 2nd 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Horror

Survivors of a deadly planetary outbreak take on a new, sinister adversary in the white-knuckle sequel to Contagion, which New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman called “gripping, thrilling and terrifying in equal measures.”

They thought their nightmare was over, but Thea, Coen, and Nova’s rescue was only the beginning. After being imprisoned on a ship they thought was their ticket to safety, it’s clear that the threat they left behind isn’t as distant as they’d hoped—and this time the entire galaxy is at risk.

Now that threat is about to be unleashed as an act of political warfare. To prevent an interstellar catastrophe, the survivors must harness the evil they faced on the planet Achlys and learn to wield the only weapon they have left: themselves.

The first installment in Erin Bowman’s duology earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called the plot “intricate and action-packed,” and fans of Jonathan Maberry, Rick Yancey, and Madeline Roux will relish in Bowman’s tense, high-stakes conclusion to the events of Contagion.

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My Review:

4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Scary, Space, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

I feel like Immunity was an entirely different kind of book than Contagion was. Contagion was this high stress, fast paced situation over just a few days where survival was not a given. Immunity took place over months, the with slow development of characters and motivations, making it a more internal book for me. Keep in mind that I love both kinds of stories, I was just a little thrown off when Immunity began because it felt so different. I feel like we really got to know Thea, Coen, Nova and the new character Amber really well, I fully understood them as people and rooted for them to break free of their current kind of danger. There was a question here as to what is worse- living a short time in a high stress situation being chased by basically monsters, or being kept in a cage with no free will or privacy and tested like a lab rat?

My favorite thing about Immunity was the romance. Erin really upped her romance game and I am 100% here for it. And this is every bit the slow burn romance, where there was no actual physical touch (I think one kiss was pretty much it) yet the tension and feelings were bleeding off the pages at me. And boy was it intense! If Thea wasn't in love with Coen by the end of the story I will admit that I might have been. And that octopus tattoo. Just saying. Most of my favorite parts and quotes in the book dealt with the romance between Thea and Coen and the intensity of their feelings- it was pretty freaking swoony. If the world may have to end in a virus/zombie filled mess, at least you can have a true partner along the way.

Overall this was a great conclusion to the series and the world Erin created. Not to say I wouldn't love to have another book dealing with the fallout from the outbreak in general, but I think Immunity wrapped up the loose ends pretty well and I feel content with most of the answers given. This was the first series I have read by Erin and I enjoy her writing style and can't wait to read more by her. I highly recommend the Contagion series for anyone who enjoys zombie horror, space adventures and dangerous missions.

Catch up with Contagion!

Book Blurb:

Contagion (Contagion #1) by Erin Bowman

It got in us

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

Most are dead.

But when the crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with rotten food, discarded weapons…and dead bodies.

Don't set foot here again.

As they try to piece together who—or what—could have decimated an entire operation, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken.

Author Bio:

Erin Bowman is the Edgar Award-nominated author of numerous books for teens, including the Taken Trilogy, Vengeance Road, Retribution Rails, and the Contagion duology. A web designer turned author, Erin has always been invested in telling stories—both visually and with words. When not writing, she can often be found hiking, commenting on good typography, and obsessing over all things Harry Potter. Erin lives in New Hampshire with her husband and children. You can visit her online at embowman.com, on twitter @erin_bowman, or on instagram @heyerin. 

Erin is represented by Sara Crowe of Pippin Properties.

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Blog Tour: The Chosen One (Alinthia #4) by Siobhan Davis

Siobhan Davis latest release The Chosen One is here! This is the fourth book in the Alinthia series, a paranormal romance reverse harem book. Read on for more information about this book or download your copy exclusively from Amazon, FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited.

The Chosen One (Alinthia #4)
by Siobhan Davis

Series: Alinthia #4
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Reverse Harem
Age Category: New Adult
Release Date: 30 June 2019

Book Description:
Is she strong enough to fulfill her legacy or will the dark side prevail?

After the gruesome battle on Xzanthar, General Arantu is on a mission to seek retribution, and he has Earth in his sights. Alinthia and her protectors ally with the government to shield innocent humans from attack, but that’s not their only concern.

As her eighteenth birthday approaches, Alinthia’s awakening draws closer, and no one knows what to expect.

Working from the secret society’s hidden base in the Valley of the Queens, Alinthia attempts to forge partnerships with alien allies in preparation for the ultimate battle. However, emotions are running high, distrust is rampant, and loyalty is hard-won.

Dane continues to push Alinthia away, causing additional friction and uncertainty when they can't afford to be divided. Determined to avoid confronting what happened on Xzanthar, he throws himself into his duties, butting heads with everyone as he struggles to deal with the aftermath.

Presenting a united front has never been more important, but will their bond be enough to save Alinthia from the dark, evil forces still lurking in the shadows? Or are they all doomed to fail?

Add The Chosen One to your to-read list on Goodreads

Buy your copy of The Chosen One on Amazon

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Reverse Harem, Romance, Royal-Court, Space, Supernatural, Suspense--

Tori just got her guys back, but it is not like she has a chance to just sit back and enjoy her free time. Instead, the universe is on the brink of war, her powers are still uncertain, her lineage and the prophecy are still in doubt, and she is experiencing issues in her own group. There is so much for a 17 year old girl to handle- even if she is the prophesied queen on a powerful alien species...

Keep in mind that this is book 4 in a continuous series that build on the actions of the previous book. I highly recommend reading them all in order so the story makes sense- otherwise you will be missing a lot of plot!

There was less action in this story than the last one, but I think that was made up for by tons of steamy sex! I have always been a fan of Coop and Maddox, but this installment has changed my mind about brainy, shy Beck- there can definitely be something said for the quiet ones who pay attention. So yep, any way, The Chosen One made up for the lost quality time in the last book where the group was split up and now that Tori is comfortable with herself and her feelings, she was not holding her body back from sexy time. Can I mention here that I appreciate the level of heat Siobhan uses in the book, making the scenes hot but not over the top descriptive or too long that I feel awkward reading it or like I need to skim over anything.

Ok, I know that I am probably not suppose to feel this way, but I really do not like Dane. I understand he has been through some awful things and I feel bad for him and know that he needs help to potentially overcome his trauma. Sure, all that is fine. BUT I still do not like him or how he treats Tori. There is no excuse for his actions at this point, and to be honest he treated Tori just the same way before he underwent the abuse so this is not really a new behavior and I am over him. He has been condescending, judgmental and irritable to Tori from the get go, making her doubt her place with the brothers and her skills and he has always rubbed me the wrong way. I agree with Coop and I will hold a grudge against Dane at least until the end of the series (aka one more book). Ok, tangent over.

I feel like the Chosen One was the perfect transition book in the series, giving the characters a few minutes to catch their breath while the underlying tensions for the battle are brewing. I love all the character growth that Tori has undergone over the last few books, turning from a naive uncertain girl to this capable, confident warrior. She is now the badass the world needs to save the day, the guys are just arm candy! I can't wait to see what the final book will bring, how the ultimate battle will play out- and I am also worried about the fate of the characters I have grown to love.

I reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.

Previous books in the series:

- The Lost Savior (Alinthia #1)
- The Secret Heir (Alinthia #2)
- The Warrior Princess (Alinthia #3)

About Siobhan Davis:

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.


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Review: The Warrior Princess (Alinthia #3) by Siobhan Davis

Book Blurb:

She’ll tear the galaxy apart to save them…

Captured by a special, secret government agency, Alinthia is now facing another new reality—one where she’s separated from the four guys who have come to mean so much to her. But she has faith in Dane, Coop, Maddox, and Beck, and she refuses to give up hope.

Until she discovers General Arantu and his despicable daughter have imprisoned her protectors and time is running out to save them.

Desperate to escape the government’s clutches and rescue her loved ones, Alinthia finds unlikely allies in the strangest of places. With their help, she finally understands what is required to assume full control of her powers and fulfil her legacy.

However, the more she uncovers about herself and her abilities, the more she understands how fragile the line is between good and evil, darkness and light, right and wrong.

Will she make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love, or are there some lines that can’t ever be crossed?

Find out more about The Warrior Princess on Goodreads and pick up a copy from Amazon

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Mystery, Reverse Harem, Romance, Royal-Court, Space, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

Wow there was an unexpected level of sexual assualt that took place in this book. Warning for those who need it, there was super uncomfortable forced sexual deeds that were basically rape (the person kinda agreed to it but only as a way to save others from the abuse). Yeah, be warned, it was awful.

I loved the level of action that Siobhan created in this installment, be it either Tori training and discovering new powers to actually battles to the death, it was one action packed moment to the next. Also, Tori turned into a badass warrior- the title could not be more appropriate. She was all of a sudden determined, dedicated and completely competent, issuing orders and keeping everyone in line. The Damsel just rocked everyone's world and became the Hero in this one.

Can I just mention how much I love Cooper? He is my favorite of all the brothers with his personality and charm. I hope to see more from Beck and Maddox in the next book because I feel a little as if they were overlooked in this story and they are both great characters. And that brings me to Dane. Ugh, Dane. I thought he had potential in the first book in the series as the strong silent jerk type with a heart of gold- but I was wrong. He does not have a heart of gold, he is just kind of messed up. I know he experienced some terrible things in this book and I 100% cut him slack for his behavior since- but I did not like him before the abuse, nothing has changed for me. He can be left out of the story for all I care... Ok rant over.

The story ended on such a crucial detail that I am dying to know what will happen next! I have enjoyed the series overall and while there were some parts in this book that I would have preferred be left out, the action, danger and twists kept me coming back for more. I will say that I hope Tori and her guys (most of her guys) get some quality alone time to come.

I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this book.

Audiobook Blog Tour & Giveaway: Trust and Treachery (Echoes of Sol #1) by Charissa Dufour

Author: Charissa Dufour

Narrator: Ian McEuen

Length: 3 hours 57 minutes

Series: Echoes of Sol Series, Book 1

Publisher: Charissa Dufour

Released: Nov. 28, 2018

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

When space freighter pilot Calen Macleef accidentally wins Larissa “Bit” Earnest in a lucky hand of poker, his main concern is what his gruff and uncompromising brother, Jack, will say about it. Jack Macleef is the captain of the ship in a world where space travel has only recently become the norm and space piracy abounds.

Painful memories of prior abuse surface for Bit as she finds herself on a freighter full of rowdy, ungentlemanly merchant marines. Jack works to find a safe place for frightened Bit among the ungentlemanly crew, but good looks and innocent ways continually charm the men.

With tension and danger running high, each begins to wonder: Will they survive the pirates...and each other?

My Review:

3.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Another-World, Romance, Space, Suspense--

After spending her life in indentured servitude for her father's debts, being gambled away during a card game is just another day for Bit. But what she did not expect, was that her new Master would be nothing like her previous ones and that her new life would give her the opportunity to be herself and gain skills that she could never dream of as part of the crew on a spaceship transport vessel.

Trust & Treachery is not listed as such, but this 100% feels like a slow burn science fiction reverse harem. We have this one very timid girl who spent her lifetime being abused and sold off by men, and then we have a space ship filled with potentially eligible bachelors who are vying for the spot of her love (or at least some quality sexy time). There was no sex in this book, it was pretty PG overall with the actions (backstory was not PG, but not detailed) and right near the end there was one brief kiss. But there are at least five guys who are romantically and sexually attracted to the man character- I guess I will just have to read the next book to see where the romance will go (if it even goes anywhere- keep in mind, this is just my speculation).

My one complaint with the overall audiobook experience was that it kept switching between character perspectives randomly in the narration, I was never really certain who was the current narrator. Maybe it would have been easier to tell if I had been reading the book instead of listening, but since the narrator used the same voice for almost all the characters I was really confused. There was at least five character points of view in the book so you can see my confusion when it was suddenly a new view point in the middle of a chapter/scene with no warning. At times it would switch after a couple of sentences, so I was always second guessing what I was reading.

The ending was very abrupt, with almost nothing resolved, more like this book set up the world and a later book would continue the journey/plot. So that means I need to snag the rest of the books in the series. The audiobook was roughly five hours making this more like a novella or maybe a serial to be read back to back, with all the individual pieces fitting together to create an entire story. This is my second read/audiobook written by Charissa, both from different series and her ability to craft complicated, detailed worlds is very impressive. I recommend for sure picking up one of her series to read.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Charissa Dufour. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

My journey to becoming a writer began in 8th grade when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and pulled from school to recover. During this time, I was left alone for hours on end and it was then that I discovered new friends within the pages of books. I also learned the blessing of creating my own friends by writing down the stories that plagued my lonely mind--as demented as that sounds. Therefore at the ripe age of fourteen, I wrote my first novel. It sucked! But I kept going and now I am an Indie Author with numerous books out. I never imagined that first horrible novel about a man who crashlanded on his long-lost homeworld would turn into a lifelong passion.

I now live in Chicago, IL with my amazing husband and two rambunctious cats, Groot and Rocket.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Off Planet (Aunare Chronicles #1) by Aileen Erin

Off Planet
Aileen Erin
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: March 19th 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

From USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin

Maite Martinez has always yearned for more than waitressing in a greasy diner on the polluted ruins of planet Earth. Hiding her special abilities is a full-time job on its own, even with the government distracted by the mysterious alien race – the Aunare.

When a SpaceTech officer gets handsy with her, she reacts without thinking. Breaking his nose might not have been her smartest move. Now she’s faced with a choice: serious jail time working in a chain gang on a volcano planet or join the corporate army to fight against the impending war with the Aunare. It’s really no choice at all.

As with everything in her life, Maite quickly realizes that the war with the Aurnare isn’t what it seems. And Lorne, the Aunare prince, keeps popping up everywhere she goes. Being seen with him could get her in even deeper trouble with her commanders, but he’s the first person who sees through the wall she’s built around herself and she can’t bring herself to send him away.

When the situation between SpaceTech and the Aunare escalates, Maite has a way to end the war before it even begins. There’s only one question: Can she stop the total annihilation of humanity without getting herself killed in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Dystopian, Heart-Wrenching, Space, Survival, Suspense--

Hiding out on Earth, waiting until the day where the authorities would discover that she is a halfer- half human half Aunare alien, Maite knows that it is only time until she will be arrested. When tensions are already high, Maite ends up attacking a handsy customer at the restaurant she waitresses at- a customer who just so happens to be someone in power. Maite ends up arrested and sent off planet to work her punishment off. But she may not survive her punishment, which could lead to war.

Aileen's Alpha Girl series captivated me from the first chapter and ever since I discovered them I have impatiently waited to get my hands on the next book. When I saw that she had a new series coming out about aliens and outer space I was so excited, I knew I was going to read it. Hands down, Off Planet is unlike anything Aileen has written before (and I can say this with confidence as a super fan) and it was unlike anything else I have read period. With elements of dystopian, science fiction, an underlying mystery and a mysterious guy lurking on the fringes, I can say that this is a must read.

Being saved by someone was nice, but being able to save myself, that was a rush.

Maite was such an awesome character, totally capable and skilled, able to take on any opponent and have the upper hand (without using her alien mojo). I love that she enjoyed fighting and training, but she also enjoyed being able to educate others to be able to protect themselves. Off Planet was in no way a romance, but there were a couple of tasty men added to the list, my favorite being Declan, the honorable human son of Maite's enemy. And then there was the mysterious Lorne who has a connection to Maite she doesn't understand. I am interested to see how all of this will play out next.

Let's just talk about the fact that this is very much an adult book. I went into it expecting this to be another cute YA sci-fy romance story, but Off Planet was not that even a little bit. Between language, sexual assault and overall content and interactions, I would classify this as adult science fiction. Not that that is a problem, just a disclaimer for new readers. There were a few times where Maite was basically being tortured and due to Aileen's descriptive writing it was so real that I felt her pain and wanted to intervene.

My biggest problem with Off Planet is that I am left wanting more and the next book is not coming out until 2020! Sniff sniff, I will try and work on my non-existent patience, but we all know that is a losing battle.

Author Bio:

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Review: Defy the Stars (Constellation #1) by Claudia Gray

Book Blurb:

Stars and Bloodline comes a thrilling sci-fi adventure that Kass Morgan, bestselling author of The 100 series, calls "startlingly original and achingly romantic...nothing short of masterful."

She's a soldier -- Noemi Vidal is willing to risk anything to protect her planet, Genesis, including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she's a rebel.

He's a machine -- Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel's advanced programming has begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator, and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he's an abomination.

Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they're not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they're forced to question everything they'd been taught was true.

An epic and romantic adventure, perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Illuminae.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads

-----

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Another-World, Space, Suspense, Teen--

In a distant time, war has been ongoing between Earth and other planets for freedom and survival among the stars. Soldier Noemi wants nothing more but to help her people of Genesis to be safe, even if that would costs her life. When she finds an abandoned ship while out on a mission, what is inside the ship may just be her answer. Abel has been trapped in the ship for the last 30 years, forgotten and alone, never did he expect his enemy to be his rescuer- or his new commander. What started as a scary accident may be just what the two regions need to stop the war.

I will admit that I had a very rough start with Defy the Stars, the beginning was somehow not engaging enough for me, including being incredibly emotional with characters I did not know in a world/setting I could not understand. To say the least, I was in over my head but I kept powering through. And I am ever so glad that I chose to keep reading (as if stopping is an option for me when I never give up on a book)! I was really surprised to see that Claudia was writing a sci-fy series when all her other books I would consider as fantasy (minus her Star Wars books), but she pulled this off spectacularly!

The story was dual narrated, alternating at chapters between Noemi and Abel. Noemi was a lost girl who just wanted to do the right thing, but was always struggling to know what was the right thing. She was a very good person, regardless of what she thought of herself. And then there was Abel, who was hands down my favorite part of the book, and not quite a person. He was a mech (aka android), an advanced prototype the only one of his kind. I loved watching him learn about his emotions and actions, and his random talk about sex and prostitution filled me with glee. He could be best described as an oddball, and I loved that about him.

Defy the Stars was the best example of an adventure filled, action packed science fiction story. Once the plot and the characters were set up, there was never a dull moment. There were all kinds of worlds, each with their own features, skills and populations and we got to visit so many of them in this story. And the cast of side characters the two main characters picked up along the way were the best bunch of quirky rebels a reader could ask for. Be it a violent terrorist, a doctor with a heart of gold to the super smart, very bored teenage hackers, I never knew what to expect next.

I really enjoyed this space adventure and I would love to see how the next book plays out! I just noticed that there will be at least three books in the series so I better get to reading. I can only imagine the trouble the crew will get into next.