TOOT TOOT. ALL ABOARD THIS (SPACE) SHIP FOREVER AND EVER. THE END. Okay, but seriously now…Their Fractured Light was such an epic finale to the galaxically amazing Starbound trilogy. I still stand by These Broken Stars (book #1) being my ultimate favourite. But Their Fractured Light (book #3) definitely wins for second-favourite with the middle book, This Shattered World, being the one I’m a bit “meh” about. But I’m really pleased with how the trilogy wrapped up. SO SATISFYING.
“So why didn’t it get the full 5-stars, then, Cait?” you are asking skeptically. Well. Around the midway mark I yawned once or twice. And then, when the previous protagonists (Tarver & Lilac, and Jubliee & Flynn) enter the scene, the current narrators (Gideon & Sofia) really took a back seat. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED having everyone together! I just felt I didn’t get to know Sofia/Gideon as well. Plus add in all the concoting of plans, sci-fi jargon, and detailing the depths of LaRoux’s evil over the past book made my brain feel like a meteor puddle. (Don’t question this phrase. It’s legit, I promise.)
A bit overwhelmed with all the info? That would be I, good sir.
Each of the books introduces us to a new dynamic duo. This time we get…Gideon (hacker) and Sofia (grifter) who are adorable and a bit sassy and so untrustworthy. Little darling criminals. Lots of trust issues and much snark. Also Chinese food, which was delicious to read about and gave me mild cravings. There is a dancing scene and — AHHH I LAUGHED OUT LOUD. That is what I love about this series. One minute you’re freaking out that the alien evil is gonna eat everyone???! And then the next minute you get a cute dance scene that makes you giggle. The balance is epic.
And of course I greatly appreciated the return of my favourite darlings = Tarver and Lilac. Oh oh oh, things GO DOWN that you wouldn’t believe. I nearly shrieked. (Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t…Vulcan me is ashamed to admit to too many feelings.) And I was scared for the characters. TERRIFIED.
(I also take a small teeny tiny moment here to confess I care about 2% about Flynn and Lee. Sorry? But. Nope.)
Buuut…can we take a minute to shriek at the finale?! I have them wrapped in spoiler tags. So obviously don’t open unless you want EVERYTHING TO BE RUINED!!
So. IT’S DONE. THE TRILOGY IS OVER. I couldn’t put the book down towards the end!! This is definitely my favourite sci-fi series of ever. It’s funny and exciting and complex. AND DID I MENTION AWESOME EPIC HACKER DUDE NAMED GIDEON!??! Because he and his sass are the highlights of this book, basically. I love how all the characters are epic, capable and yet flawed and often venerable. I won’t deny it bits of the story were lost to me, but basically I love it a galactic amount.
AND PAUSE A MINUTE FOR COVER LOOOOOOVE. I would fly my space ship across the galaxy to admire these gorgeous covers.
THANK YOU TO ALLEN & UNWIN FOR THE REVIEW-COPY! Their Fractured World (Starbound #3) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is published December, 2015.
A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.
Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. 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.
\\ click covers to read my reviews! //
Dat cover! Gosh it looks so pretty. 😀
I KNOW RIGHT?! I THINK I’M IN LOVE.
<3
Oooh now I want to read these books! They sound like tons of fun, and holy pineapple, those covers! <3 I should first finish some other series, though… (I NEED WINTER)
Anne @ Books Baking and Blogging recently posted…Monthly Recap – November
tHEY ARE FUN AND AMAZING AND INTENSE. And so intricately detailed. Like that plot…omg. The way it ties together after three books is just AMAZING.
Your favourite sci-fi series of ever? Well, I think this is reason enough for me to read it. And it is completed so I have no excuse but to dive into it in the near future 🙂 I don’t read much sci-fi, but here and there, when I come across sci.fi book I usually love it so I hope I will end up loving this series as well!
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing recently posted…What I Read and Blogged About in November
This looks so good! I really want to read it now. Also, they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover but the covers of these are just so pretty! x
http://www.zoecoco.com
My favourite cover is absolutely This Shattered World- the orange and the people. But they are all so gorgeous (just like your photos for this post!) I do like scifi books. Two of my favourite are Across the Universe by Beth Revis and Origin by Jessica Khoury. I really liked both the first two books so I”m excited to dig my claws into this one.
Shanti recently posted…Stacking the Shelves(3) boooks
These books are just downright EPIC. The sort of things I’d LOVE to see on screen — because I feel like it would just translate so, so well. And those covers …
Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…NaNoWriMo Update: Week Three & Music Inspiration
Those covers are so pretty, omg!! I loved These Broken Stars but poor broke me hasn’t read the other two yet. 🙁
Bieke @ Istyria book blog recently posted…{Bieke Reviews} This Raging Light by Estelle Laure
I sort of skimmed this review because I still haven’t read the first book but it has been in my tbr for such a loooong time! But seriously, the price was too much but now it’s affordable, so I plan to buy it asap! Now imma gonna go and read your review of the 1st book. Okay? Okay.
And I think it’s like $1 on kindle at the moment WHICH IS PRETTY AMAZING. *pets covers* And it’s so totally worth it. HEHE. Aww, thanks for reading my first review too!! (Omg, my style has changed a lot in 2 years, hasn’t it?!?!)
I want to pet that gorgeous cover too! Why do you think I haven’t bought the ebook yet. Because. I want the freaking PAPERBAAAACK!! 😛
Oh yeah it definitely has but still you were EPIC back then and you still are now!
BAHAH, aww, you are so nice. XDDD I really need to go and clean up the formatting in my older reviews, but omg. I need 39830 more hours in my day as is. *dies a little* XD
I soooo want to read this trilogy! The covers are GORGEOUS!! And I LOVE sci-fi!! So much!!!!!!!!!!!
YESSS IT CALLS TO YOU ALYSSA. IT CALLS!!
Hmmm. I read TBS and … I liked it but didn’t love it. (Too much tramping around in the wilderness and then there was that very unexpected occurrence…) Then you make a good point about companion books (like Cinder etc also) that keep adding new couples. You don’t get to know the newer couples as well and then sometimes you don’t ship one of them (why is my beloved Thorne with Cress? Whhhhhyyyy??)
So … not sure. I’m kind of curious so will probably pick this up. If I haven’t read the middle book, is that a problem?
Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
Jen @ YA Romantics recently posted…Just Finished Reading … Thicker Than Water
The unexpected occurrence was my fAVOURITE. hehe But I definitely get this isn’t for everyone! Omg you don’t ship Thorne and Cress either?! ME TOO. OMG STAND WITH ME JEN! I’m to afraid to confess that most of the time. xD I ship Thorne with Iko tbh…oops. XD (Tbh, I’m going to be horrible and say you probably could skip the middle? Because I loved it despite remember ZLICH about the middle book…but here is ONE big occurrence at the end of the middle one. Maybe you could find a review with spoilers that’ll tell all?)
I am so glad we have discussed this Thorne problem. He is my favorite character and I was so disappointed by that pairing. I did not feel a shred of chemistry between them and I guess it’s too much to hope that he got re-paired in book 4. Iko would work for me – she has personality!’
Jen @ YA Romantics recently posted…Hot Off the Presses: New YA Releasing Dec 1-7
SAAAAME! I never shipped him with Cinder, but they had the BEST dialogue and snappy banter. <3 I really wish he'd had that with Cress! But I feel like he's CHANGING to be a "better guy" for Cress...and maybe I'm just a horrible person, but I preferred him how he was. *heavy sigh* I do like Cress, just not her and Thorne together. >_>
I’m just about to start this one too Smushy and sooooo excited! I love how each book has introduced us to new characters and I actually really liked book two, but missed that banter that Tarver and Lilac had sadly, but thrilled to hear this is such a worthy finale. Anything that makes you emotional must be pretty epic, I hope I enjoy it as much as you have. Fabulous review! <3
Kelly recently posted…The White Rose… I love this series!
I’m totally sure you’re going to love it, Kelly! And if you don’t, I might come after you in my space ship and throw galactic flavoured cupcakes at you. (Idek if that’s a downside or not right now.) Tarver and Lilac still win for the BEST banter though. :’)
I can’t even with those wonderful covers, every single one is so beautiful, I’d hang them up on my wall as posters. Sadly I haven’t read any of the books in the series YET, but I’m on it. It’s exactly in the category of books that I absolutely love, everything space is exactly up my alley. I really, really want to start the series now.
Jen @ The Bookavid recently posted…How to Find A Literary Agent!
SAAAAME. I think book covers would make gorgeous prints most of the time. *happy sigh* I haven’t read many space books, so that’s kind of on my tentative 2016 to-read list. xD I NEED MORE SPACE AWESOME.
ERMAGERSH this sounds like such a good trilogy! I’ve never actually heard of it before O.o Also, THOSE COVERS ARE SO GORGEOUS!!!
Grace @ a concerto of paint and print recently posted…this month || november
WHAT?!?!? NEVER HEARD OF IT?!?! OMG GRACE. Your life is infinitely bette now that you have heard of them. *nods* Because cover love. If nothing else…COVER LOVE. (But the story is actually excellent too. hhehe.)
I was just about to buy the first book in the series…. but then of course I decided not to *facepalm* I’m not really into sci-fi. However SO many people have said great things about these books, and the covers are to DIEEEE for (yes with multiple e’s of course) So this is probably another one of the many books to go on my Christmas list.
Maya @ The Fandom Fox recently posted…5 Books With Stab Worthy Endings
The covers ARE to die for because omg, I have literally never seen anything so pretty. *falls in love with covers* AHEM. It’s like $1 on Amazon kindle at the moment…if that helps. 😉
These Broken Stars arrived in my birthday parcel today and reading your review of book three (minus the spoilers) has made me so excited to read it!
After reading Illuminae I wanted to read the authors other books so I have high hopes for this!
Heather @ Random Redheaded Ramblings recently posted…THE IT’S MY BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY and it is INTERNATIONAL!!!! – THE WINNER!!!!
YAYYY!! (And omg good on you for not clicking the spoilers. XD) And yes, Illuminae just made me even more excited for this one….and also for just Amie Kafuman’s sci-fi abilities in general. SHE IS AMAZING.
I neeeevvveeerrrr read sci-fi books, usually end up sticking to my fantasy but these covers are sooo pretty. I’ll have to take a look. Because covers mean a lot to me. Also, if you think it’s 4 stars worthy then I should at least take a look
Liselle @ Lunch-Time Librarian recently posted…You’re done your novel, now what? – “Nuts for NaNo”
I don’t really read much sci-fi either! BUT I WANT TO KNOW. Next year, *nods* next year I shall make a better sci-fi attempt. heheehe.
i love sci-fi but for some darn reason I have not read this yet, i will have to go dust off book 1 because it just sounds so freaken amazing
Lily B recently posted…Review: Strange Girl by Christopher Pike
It iiiiis and I stand by book 1 being the absolute best. They’re pretty intense too which is AMAAAZING.
these sound interesting, definitely going to check them out!
http://www.avecdanielle.com
I hope you like them if you do! THEY ARE GORGEOUS TO BEHOLD ALSO.
These covers are beautiful!! Adding to my TBR list!
~Sara
Sara Strauss recently posted…Watch | Read | Listen {December 2015}
AHHHHHFJDKSFDJ I KNOW RIGHT?!? I just want to stroke them. :’)
I was pretty meh about the second book too, so I’M EXCITED FOR THIS ONE. I forgot to request it but all my family wants ideas for Christmas so I suppose I’ll put it on the list 😀
Emily @ Loony Literate recently posted…I’m Back From My Hiatus To Tell You About These 2016 Debuts That I Need Right Now
Omg, really!? PHEW. NOT JUST ME. XD I just thought the characters lacked that sassy/quippy spark?! Tarver + Lilac = perfection. And Gideon + Sofia = epically awesome.
Oh my goodness! These books are so gorgeous! I really need to read them.. I am completely obsessed with sci-fi and fantasy books. I’m reading Heir of Fire right now and AHHH! It’s so good! Thanks for the beautiful pictures and review, Cait!
I LOVE FANTASY SO SO MUCH. I actually have NOT read enough sci-fi, so I really need to fix that and read more. *nods*
CAIIIT. I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS. OMG. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S COMING OUT TOMORROW. #flails And the fact that you liked it so much makes me so, so excited! I kind of had a feeling when I started the series that TBS was always going to be the best one of the series (I might be biased though because I absolutely love the movie Titanic that TBS was based on), but I was so impressed with TSW as well. Amie and Meagan just work so well together and they compliment each other wonderfully. So excited to meet Sofia & Gideon! ♥ Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous review! xx
Oh oh I totally agree. Nothing can compete with TBS and the twist with Lilac is still one of the BEST plot twists I’ve ever read….just…didn’t expect that. *gulps* And I think these authors are going to co-write something else?! I think I saw a hint of it in an interview somewhere. AND I AM SO ONBOARD FOR THAT.
OMG how does this come on now tomorrow?? I pre-ordered the audio book do this will be a great surprise for me in the morning!
YAYYYYYY. And omg I would love to reread the whole series but on audio. <3
Cait, your flailing has convinced me to read this series, so I just bought the first one on Kindle (only $ .99)! You should give yourself a pat on the back. =)
Emily Seals recently posted…The Night Circus // Book Review
Omg, it’s only 99 cents?! THE BOOKISH UNIVERSE SMILES UPON US. And my flails are very convincing aren’t they? 😉 MWHAHAH. Hehe. I hope you like it!!
OMG I am so jealous that you’ve already read this!!! My copy should be here tomorrow and I’m dying because I can hardly wait! Thanks for sharing your review! 😀
AFJDKLSA I HOPE IT COMES SUPER FAST FOR YOU AND YOU CAN DEVOUR IT IMMEDIATELY. *flails in anticipation*
THIS SERIES LOOKS SO GOOD. -And like you said, those covers? “BEAUTIFUL.”
I NEED more sci-fi books in my life, and this one seems so satisfying.
How clean are the books? 🙂
Izel @ A Bookish Flower recently posted…November 2015 Monthly Recap // What have I been up to besides freezing my nose off?
YES THEY ARE SO GORGEOUS I JUST WANT TO STROKE THEM BASICALLY.
Do you mean “clean” as in violence? They do get violent! Shooting and action and stuff *nods*
Omg yes the COVERS ARE GORGEOUS. I have yet to read this series *sobs* but I want to very much. Ooooh and I love sass. I absolutely love it! Sass is just great, and makes a character ten times better 😌 I’m thinking of my Bae, Leo Valdez here 💓
Josephine recently posted…Month In Review | November
yES YOU NEED IT IN YOUR LIFE. Because pretty!! Um, wait, I mean…because the stories are super good.
*whispers* But also prettttty.
I literally just finished this book! Wasn’t it fun!!
I agree with you that These Broken Stars was the best book of the three, and Lilac and Tarver the best ship, but I think Gideon and Sofia were my favourite characters. We didn’t get to know them too well but all that banter and sarcasm and sass! I loved them haha. It was also really cool how all the characters connected to each other
Bec recently posted…November 2015 Wrap Up
yES it was glorious fun! 😀 I loved how Sofia and Gideon were more on the evil/hackery/griftery side. Like the other character seemed to be fighting always GOODLY. If you know what I mean? But Sofia and Gideon were more grey area? I’M MAKING NOT MUCH SENSE. BUT BAH. I LOVE THEM. XD Sass = my favourite.
You know, I’d been seeing these books around and never picked ’em up. I didn’t even know they were sci-fi. *hides face*
Nikki recently posted…Review – A Wizard of Earthsea
BUT LOOK AT THE COVERS, NIKKI. THEY ARE ALL STARS AND STUFF. XD VERY SCI-FI. hehe.
These books look good! I’m reading Illuminae right now, so that makes me excited to read these xD The first book’s cover looks amazing! Also, I don’t read a heck of a whole lot of sci-fy books (not because I don’t like them! just…haven’t picked much up!) , but every time i do i get in the mood to watch the 100 or Firefly OR STAR WARS!
SJ Bouquet recently posted…Why do we freeze and suddenly find ourselves uninterested in or unable to read highly anticipated novels?
SAME THOUGH. I barely ever read sci-fi…and not intentionally. I just don’t see a lot of them around?!?! Which is sad because it is an epic genre and I LURVE IT. *hugs all the starry books*
I ADORED These Broken Stars when I read it a few years ago, but I am ashamed to admit that I STILL haven’t picked up the sequel! This is just a reminder that I NEED to do that ASAP. And those COVERS–so pretty and shiny and ooh did I mention sparkles???Anyway, FABULOUS review, Cait! 💖
SPARKLY COVERS ARE EVERYTHING. I admit to being a proud book dragon and very attracted to sparkly shiny books. NO REGRETS. XD
Yesssss I am so glad that you loved this one as much as I did Cait (even though I gave it a full 5 stars). It was definitely a satisfying conclusion to an amazing series, (although I LOVED Flynn and Jubilee) and gosh, my heart stopped during that same scene as well as you didn’t know whether they’d make it out alive!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty Review: Hurry, the Reds are here!
You’ve done it again… This trilogy will go on my shelf soon! Sci-fi + outer space + aliens = YES, PLEASE!!!
I have been a huge Science Fiction fan since I read A Wrinkle in Time when I was nine years old! I have had These Broken Stars on my Kindle for ages. I guess maybe I should add it to one of my tbr challenges. My favorite newer SF books would hands down be the Tin Star duology by Cecil Casteluccui. My favorite older SF would be the first six Dune series books. 🙂
La La in the Library recently posted…COYER CHALLENGE 2015-16
YAY!!! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this one. I wasn’t a fan of the second book either. I felt very meh about it. So I am pleased that this one seemed to be better and wrap the series up well. I can’t wait to get to it. I feel I definitely need to hurry the hell up and reread the other two so that I can get to it. I have forgotten A LOT. A reread is definitely in order.
I want to reread them all too!! Because I’ve seriously forgotten aaaall the details now. 😂