I’m mildly in love with this book’s cover.
This Shattered World is book 2 in the Starbound trilogy (co-authored by Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman) and you know how much I raved about the first one. Didn’t I have a mental breakdown from the awesome!?*
This Shattered World was amazing! Although, to be honest (you know me, I always am) I liked These Broken Stars better.
* Sounds like me.
It’s okay! I won’t spend the whole post comparing them. (Just this teeny tiny paragraph, okay?)
I think TBS put up an extremely high bar to surpass. And impressing me like TBS did (with that Lilac plot twist?! Oh gosh!) is next to impossible. This Shattered World had a strong military vibe and it dug more into conspiracy theories and politics. All very interesting and wonderful…but you know what it didn’t have a lot of? Humour. TBS was hilarious. I laughed my brains out with Tarver and Lilac’s sharp acidy comments. But while Jubilee is like serrated iron, Flynn is just nice. He is just oh-so-nice it’s adorable. That’s fine! I loved them. But I missed the laugh-out-loud moments.
There’s so much diversity! I’m so happy!
I’m always impressed when fantastical books are diverse. Jubilee is half Chinese. Flynn is Irish. Of course, with the will o’ wisps flitting about and Flynn in all his Irish wonder…I couldn’t help but think…
Remember the darstadly whispers from the first book that were sending everyone nuts? WELL. Here they are again! They’re explained a bit further. And there’s also a madness called the “Fury” which confused me no end because I was thinking of Nick Fury from Avengers and….well….let’s just say, a lot of things in this book lead me off to think of other fandoms.
(Fury sickness = Nick Fury Avengers)
(Wisps = Merida from Brave with Will o’ Wisps)
(Irish people = Merida again)
(Flynn = Flynn Rider from Tangled)
(Fury = MY NEW BLOG NAME!!)
I…I have a problem. Just ignore me if you like.
Tarver appears!
I was freakishly excited about this! OH TARVER, MY OLD FRIEND. He used to serve with Jubilee in the military (although Tarver is retired now). When we meet him, though, he and Lilac are like a comfortable old married couple. I had a little tiny problem with this because….Lilac is like 16. Possibly 17. That’s very young for them to be acting so old. Which leads me to….
Everyone acted a lot older than teenagers.
I totally appreciate all the kick-butt attitudes and the awesome action and danger and excitement! BUT. It just didn’t feel so YA. Everyone was neck deep in the army and had been since they were 16. There wasn’t a shred of childhood around at all. I don’t have a problem with that, per se, but I did feel like I was reading about 30 year olds not 18 year olds.
Jubilee and Flynn had an fabulous relationship.
While Tarver and Lilac had a I-hate-you-but-I-kinda-love-you-but-we-need-each-other-to-survive…Jubilee and Flynn were more like “WE HATE EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE ARE ENEMIES. HUZZAH.” Guns fire. All that glory. (By the way, why is this not a movie? I needs to be a movie, like, now.) Jubilee and Flynn accepted each other a lot faster than Tarver/Lilac did. They didn’t have half the snappy banter. “Apparently” Jubilee was supposed to be really tough and heartless and cold…but that didn’t really come through. She and Flynn just sort of smushed together to work on not murdering each other/armies/anyone after 100 or so pages. (Not insta-love, though. Don’t panic.) I ship the wee lambs, though, I do.
I like this book and I honestly want to reread it right NOW.
It was so rich in detail and so heavy with conspiracy and broken lives. I loved the characters (although I didn’t connect to Flynn too well…Jubilee, though, was kick-butt and fabulous) and I was engrossed with the ending. There are some serious twists that will left me gasping. It didn’t let me down, but it just didn’t live quite up to the fabulous amazingness that was it’s older sibling.
Thank you Allen & Unwin AUS for the review-copy! This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is published in December, 2014.
The second installment in the epic Starbound trilogy introduces a new pair of star-crossed lovers on two sides of a bloody war.
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.
[goodreads] [bookworld] [book depository] [amazon] [allen and unwin]
Cait is still stroking her shiny new blog. She quite enjoys all the freedom she has behind the scenes. But instead of blogging or reading (like usual) she spends 89% of her time being bitten by her adorable new puppy. Ah but she loves him. (Post coming!) Currently she’s reading The Golden Compass.
Okay, I have two confessions to make…
1) I still haven’t read These Broken Stars (even though I have read so many reviews that have raves about it).
And 2) Due to 1, I may have skipped half of your review. I read enough to know that you enjoyed it and it’s worth reading, but I was afraid of spoilers. And I hated that I did that because I love reading your reviews…
I am going to read These Broken Stars though, and as usual great review! (At least the part I read was great)
Oh that’s fair enough! I barely ever read sequel reviews if I haven’t read the book (there can be possible spoilers, right?!) But you like my reviews?! OH MY GOSH I AM SO PLEASED. Reviews can be kind of boring so I try hard to make them interesting. xD
Great review! Gosh, I so agree about the covers. They. Are. Amazing. I just want to hug and stoke them but I don’t want to look like a creep while doing so. And plus, I love the whole world these books have been set in–so I’m sure I’m going to enjoy this one. (Though I don’t think it’s possible to surpass the first’s awesomeness.)
Pfft, I probably look like a creep. THEY ARE SO PRETTY. And they look the nicest of ever standing next to each other. *strokes books*
I’m sorry but all I got from that was THE GOLDEN COMPASS.
Also, your new blog is so lovely to read and I love how you put all the book information at the bottom and I just…I JUST LOVE IT OKAY???
Next year…next year I will definitely get my own proper website 🙂
I didn’t like this one as much as TBS either…although the cover was still pretty awesome.
I’M READING THAT BECAUSE OF YOU. I HOPE YOU’RE PLEASED. 😉 Ahhhhh!! I’m so glad you like it. I wondered if it was weird not to put the book info at the top, but I usually don’t read it. 0.0 I only care about the book, when reading a book review, when I’ve see what the blogger/reviewer thinks. I am so, so weird. >_<
Still need to read These Broken Stars, but it’s on my list…I promise! I believe these are ones that I have to buy. MUST HAVE PRETTY BOOKS ON SHELVES!!
IT IS SO PRETTY. JUST READ IT FOR THE PRETTINESS FACTOR. Hehe, I’m kidding. 😉 The insides rock too.
Wooooo. I just read These Broken Stars last month, and I really liked it. I might have to give this one a go, too! I mean, there’s an Irish guy called Flynn? How could I pass that up?
Also: those are my favorite covers. I could hardly read the first book, because all I wanted to do was stare at the cover.
It’s impossible to pass up. Especially if you (quietly, because, you know, I’m totally not confessing to this) envision Flynn Rider as you read.
I only last week got my copy of These Broken Stars. At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, but everyone kept telling me how awesome it was and eventually I decided to give it a go and those covers are so pretty! I am happy to hear book 2 was good as well, although I am usually not a fan of heavy focus on the military, so I wondering if that will impact how much I will enjoy this book. And it’s always a bit disapointing when a second book doesn’t live up to the first book. Great review!
I don’t feel like this had second book blues or anything, I just think, yeah, the military wasn’t as interesting as the survival stuff from the first book. (I LOVE survival stuff.)
The covers are fantabulous, and the fact that people also loves the story makes it even better. Of course, I’m just reading TBS because of the tour! XD I hope I enjoy it!
I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT TOO. Ahhh, I could just hug the covers forever. *coughs* But yes the insides are good too, definitely.
Aww Cait, you no do ratings anymore? *sad face* I’ll cope, I just loved getting a star rating to put into my list of whether to get onto it all. I haven’t tried These Broken Stars, I’m scared too really, but funny, shippy and interesting with wars? It could be good for me.. That cover though, is beautiful, and intimidating.. I shall get there, one day.
OOPS. I meant to. >_< Gah. I totally just didn't think of it (usually I put it at the end above the links). I will fix that. It got 4-stars from me. 😉 These Broken Stars is HILARIOUS. Seriously. Try it! GO ON. You got me onto Skulduggery, so fair's fair. XD
Oooohhh shiny! With stars!!!
Pretty!
I’ve heard that this one wasn’t that great and I’ve heard that it’s amazing. Guess there’s only one way to find out!
Also, the HEADer is amazing on this new sire. Do you see what I did there? 🙂
I LOVE SHINY STARRY THINGS. Seriously, I wouldn’t even have cared if I don’t like the insides because it’s just so nice to look at BUT I STILL DO LOVE THE INSIDES.
HARR HAR HAR. I see what you did there. 😉 I had a real HEAD ON MY SHOULDERS when I drew it. *erupts into lamest giggles of the world*
I still have yet to read These Broken Stars, but it’s on my to-read list! 🙂
YAY YAY YAY I WAS HOPING YOU’D WRITE A POST ABOUT YOUR PUPPY PETS ARE WONDERFUL AND YAYYYYY
PUPPY POST TODAY! HUZZAH. Basically it’s just pictures and me swooning. XD
Oooh what a beautiful book cover! How gorgeous! Oh now I really want to read the series (again, those covers though…Cait I think love for those covers is contagious!) I look forward to getting my hands on These Broken Stars!
I want to read These Broken Stars again! I kind of forgot the ending. >.> I just need a spare moment… hehe.
Lol your reviews always make me laugh! I haven’t read TBS yet so thank you for not spoiling anything. With all the gushing you do about Lilac and Tarver, I can’t wait to meet them! Hopefully I can get TSW as soon as it comes out and read the two back to back~
I’M SO GLAD THEY MAKE YOU LAUGH THOUGH. AHHH! YAY! Reading them back to back would be awesome. *nods* I kind of need to reread book 1 because I’ve forgotten details.
I don’t know why but I couldn’t get through the first book in this series. But I do really love the covers. Maybe I’ll give them another try…
P.S. Congrats on the new blog. I’m always contemplating the switch to WP so I’ll be very interested to know what you think after you’ve been here awhile 😀
At least they’re nice to look at, right?! 😉
P.S. Aww, thank you! I LOVE WordPress! It’s the best thing of ever. I really like the freedom it gives you. (I’m on self-hosted though.)
This sounds like an awesome read! I’m going to have to read the first one to get to this one. Especially if the first on is funny. If it’s funny, it’s got to be great, right? 🙂
Funny = awesome. That’s all there is to it, right?! 😉
THAT’S IT, THAT’S WHAT IT WAS MISSING– THE HUMOUR. I’ve been racking my brain because I just couldn’t place what the missing element was but you’re so right! It was missing that little bit of snark and banter and that’s what I missed the most. But the amazing detail blew me away in this one. PLUS THAT TARVER CAMEO!!
PS. I’m desperate for this puppy post. You’re a tease.
It took me a while to put my finger on it too!! I just…I loved it but I was sitting there going, eh, I feel something is missing. IT’S SO TOTALLY THE FUNNY. Tarveeeeeer.
*dying* CAIT YOU MAKE ME WANT TO READ THIS EVEN MORE STAHP IT!!! I’m so ready to see Tarver and Lilac again, but I’m even more excited for Jubilee and Flynn. I do love me the Irish men 😛 I had the same issue with TBS about the people feeling old, but I just pretend in my head that they’re all between 19 and 24 and then it’s better 😉
There is NOTHING to compare to the awesomeness that is an Irish Accent. *swoons slightly* Ahhhem. It totally should be like New Adult or something, right? I feel like it’s impossible to do all they do and still be 16. Maybe they’re vampires. #plottwist.
I’M READING THIS NEXT I’M READING THIS NEXTTTTT. Sadly I’m part of a blog tour and I don’t have a physical copy like you do, but I think I’m going to buy both of them if I enjoy TSW!!! I actually didn’t love love These Broken Stars, but I love space Sci-Fi, soooooo, meep.
YAAAAAY. Ohh you’re part of the tour?! That’s exciting though! It’s definitely worth owning just cause it’s so darn pretty, right?! xD
Not surprisingly, my thoughts echo yours here! 😉 I completely agree that These Broken Stars was just a smudge better than This Shattered World. I know for me at least I just missed the Titanic vibe it gave off (because face it, that movie is AMAZING); but I did like how this one dove deeper into the world Spooner & Kaufman created.
And OMG…I shipped Lee & Flynn so much! <3 And I thought it was so clever how Tarver was Lee's old commander! What an awesome way to get a cameo in!
Fabulous review Cait! <3
BOOKISH TWINS AS ALWAYS. Heh. (I haven’t seen the Titanic movie. 0.0 I just…I don’t even know why. I don’t watch a lot of movies, I guess? TV shows tho, totally other story.) I was wondering where TSW would go, to be honest, and I’m glad it expanded more on the whispers. It feels like it’s getting more paranormally though, maybe?
I wonder what it must be like to co-author a book…I think that would be really difficult. I’m curious. Did you see any differences in style as you were reading, as if you distinguish between the two different authors?
Ugh. I hate when book characters don’t act their age because it always completely throws me off. I still might read these books, though, if only for their gorgeous covers, because let’s face it: galaxy covers are the best!
Also, I noticed that you don’t put ratings on your reviews anymore. Is that a new thing for your blog?
I did kind of. I don’t know who writes which character in This Shattered World, but I KNOW Amie Kaufman wrote Tarver and Meagan Spooner wrote Lilac…and if I had to pick, I’d say Aime wrote Jubilee. She seems to have a fiercer voice. But I don’t actually know. I’m going to research. xD
*whispers* No I just forgot about the rating! I’ll add one. hehe. It’s 4-stars. XD
The Golden Compass is so amazing. I gave the entire series to my brother and he got bored. 🙁
I really liked your reveiw. does This Shattered World have the same lyrical writing as These Broken Stars?
AWWW. That sucks. 🙁 I hate giving books I love to people and then they don’t like it. >.> I want to see the Golden Compass movie now. Is it any good, do you know?
The writing is pretty similar!
I don’t know which one I’ll prefer out of the two, all I know is I NEED TO READ THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. I’ve owned a copy for two weeks now, and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t picked it up yet…I WILL THOUGH. Maybe when I’ve finished reading Blue Lily? I don’t know…at the moment, Blue Lily is priority. Overall, I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Cait – I loved reading your thoughts. 🙂
Heh, I owned my copy for like AGES before I read it too. XD But going away just makes you super behind on stuff, right?! I have excuses at least. XD Oohh, I want to start Blue Lily SO BADLY. But I’m like halfway into 3 other books and I figure I need to finish them off. I’m crying. I neeeeed Blue Lily. xD
Great to see that you loved this one too Cait! I love how it followed on from These Broken Stars with some really diverse characters and had amazing kick-but action. The covers are really pretty too, which also helps 🙂 Thanks for sharing this fabulous review!
I loved how it was actually diverse! I get frustrated when everyone seems to shout for diverse books but they don’t really come in….BUT THIS WAS AWESOME.
HOORAY for new site yippity skippity!
And I’m reading This Shattered World right now so only skimmed your review – did notice you said Tarver and Lilac appear – and I agree with you on the age / behavior front – but I think if you’re thrown into adversity at a much younger age you DO age quicker in mentality and behavior so in a way its fitting. Personally though I think they should have upped the ages to 17 and 18 and done away with any younger ages. I thought LIlac was 17….
I can agree with that….I mean, in the military how could you NOT age faster?! I’m not 100% sure about Lilac’s age in These Broken Stars, but I thought it was only 16. I COULD TOTALly BE WRONG. It’s been ages since i’ve read it. I know Tarver was at least 18.
I loved this one, even more than the first. But you know me with revolutions, we’re tight. Word.
It was Jubilee, she’s just kick as and I luuuurve her. Flynn to be honest, I could take him or leave him. He’s a bit too lovely and gentle. I missed the humour too, but they were both so serious and it wasn’t the same type of journey that allowed for that snarky banter. That cover though, gosh they look incredible together!
I want some little stars <3
You totally are a revolution maker. We\’re going to make you a flag that says \”viva la kelly\”. <– it\'s happening.
Love the covers on these as well, and glad to hear that there was diversity in these
Diversity ROCKS. I\’m glad with the epic books get onboard with it. x)
I think I’m starting this one TODAY!! Squee! I figured that nothing could beat the sheer amazingness that is These Broken Stars but it looks like This Shattered World is a super close second!
Thank GOD the whispers are further explained, they made my head hurt in TBS.
And I happily await Tarver’s return!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
OH LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GO WITH IT. I hope you like it just as much as These Broken Stars. *nods* The covers are gorgeous though. I may just eat them now.
I need to read These Broken Stars. Nay, I need to OWN These Broken Stars, because it is so pretty. I must say, at first I wasn’t a fan of This Shattered World’s cover, BUT in your picture it looks way nicer than just the little cover picture, and it is quite lovely in its own right (though of course, not as pretty as its predecessor). They should have you take the pictures!
I have no idea what either book is about though. Not a clue. I have TBS on my Christmas wishlist, so maybe someone will purchase it and I will find out.
YOU DO NEED TO OWN IT JUST BASED ON COVER LOVE. #notashamedofcoverloveobession I do actually adore TSW but TBS will always be my favourite. Lilac\’s dress….*swoons*
I’ve got These Broken Stars on my to-read list, and I’ve been hearing some awesome things about it, so of course I’m pleased to hear that you loved it and This Shattered World, too! But I totally get the whole Flynn = Tangled, Wisps = Brave thing. Often I’ll be watching a movie like Lord of the Rings and make Harry Potter references during it, or some other such mix. When you have lots of fandoms, they end up sort of smooshing together. 😉
Anyway, though–great post! And I love that even though book two has new characters, they bring back old ones for cameos. That’s always SO FUN. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it! 🙂
It is the life of a nerd right? We just have to make these sacrifices when we insist on nerding out on everything. x) (NERDING OUT is totally a thing, I say.)
The covers to these books are amazing <3 And the content sounds pretty amazing too <3
I should really get my hands on book one. Soon. Now, please :3
I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THE COVERS I COULD EAT THEM.
I feel mostly the same way. TBS was just a precious piece of writing, and TSW just didn’t quite live up to it.
I totally agree with you about it not feeling YA at all. Which is fine because I don’t think YA should be dumbed down or anything, but there weren’t any real teenager/young adult related issues in here, which is a bit weird.
I LOVED SEEING MY BB TARVER AGAIN. I heart him and Lilac together and those Skype (it wasn’t ACTUALLY Skype but whatever) sessions were adorable. ME WANTS MORE.
I cannot wait until the third book is released. I also am intrigued about what colour scheme they will use. I mean space is always green/blue or pink/orange or black. I am hoping it will be black because that would be so freaking badass and I would love it.
Oh I don\’t think YA should ever be dumbed down either! But I feel like maybe authors noticed how many adults (*coughmetoonowcough*) read YA and are trying to make it \”older\” for them?? Which I kiiiinda think defeats the purpose. This is supposed to be teenager-ish! So teens can relate! Kind of! I mean. It is in space…okay I\’m just rambling now. 😉
OH IT WAS TOTALLY LIKE SKYPE AND YUSSSS SO ADORABLE.
Omg. I want black too. I want black and yellow/gold very badly.
Yay! Happy to hear you enjoyed this!
I just started it (even though I should be studying for final exams, oops, too late now!) and I was so happy to see the diversity too! I’m loving that Lee is part Chinese and that already the two of them can speak different languages beside English!
Sad to hear there isn’t as many LOL moments, but oh well!
Oh and I feel like every YA sci-fi/fantasy/dystopia novel, every teenager always acts waaaaaay older. Pretty sure at 17 I was never that serious/responsible (heck me at 26 is barely serious).
Anyway, thanks for for the lovely review!
Pfft, exams? BOOKS. .>
YES! Someone else who liked TBS more than this one! Don’t get me wrong, I still loved it, but like you said, you can’t top the whole Lilac-whisper thing aka. reducing me to cry all over my book. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, I’m so excited it’s unbelievable. Ohh, and I can’t wait for the new cover and it’s prettiness! Brilliant review lovely! P.S. I LOVE your new blog 😀
Great review. I just scheduled mine the other day and kind of felt the same way. I felt the same about the book as I did about the cover, it’s very good but the first one was better 😉
This definitely makes me even more excited for this book. I started it a few weeks ago, but kinda stopped for a while because the “beautiful” and “he looked like he was created by an artist” descriptions of the love interest turned me off a wee bit. But seeing this praising review from you makes me want to drop everything and read it right now (this is my problem, sadly… I read too many books at the same time, finishing nothing LOLOLOL). As long as it’s not isnta-love, I guess the romance wouldn’t be too bad 😛
I’m not even going to read this review because I REALLY want to go into this series blind (so unlike me, I know!), but I have to say that I LOVE that cover!!!!
The cover is just so gorgeous I could eat it up. <– Because I'm not weird at all.
I didn’t even realise that all the characters were that young. :O Now that I think about it, I really is amazing how old everyone seemed. It’s one of the stories that definitely crosses the YA line. Although I feel like when you classify something as NA, it’s immediately associated with sex. But the series isn’t really an adult series either. Well, whatever it is, I love it! Even though I’ve been reading this forever, I actually really like it. I just haven’t been reading much. ><