Between Burning Worlds Blog Tour: Review

Between Burning Worlds (System Divine #2)
Author: Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell Genre: YA Fantasy/Retellings/Science Fiction/Dystopia
Release Date: March 24, 2020
Publisher: Simon Pulse

 

Synopsis:

Les Misérables meets The Lunar Chronicles in the out-of-this-world sequel to Sky Without Stars that’s an “explosion of emotion, intrigue, romance, and revolution” (Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series).

A thief.

An officer.

A guardian.

All from different backgrounds, but sharing one same destiny…

The planet Laterre is in turmoil. A new militant revolutionary group has emerged calling themselves “The Red Scar” and claiming responsibility for a spate of recent bombings. The infamous rebels known as the Vangarde believe that in order to bring about a peaceful revolution, their charismatic leader, Citizen Rousseau must be freed from prison right away. Otherwise the bloodshed will only escalate.

Soon Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette all find themselves pulled into battle with extreme consequences.

Marcellus is determined to uncover his corrupt grandfather’s plan to seize Laterre—even if that means joining the Vangarde.

Aloutte, trying to unearth the truth about her past, becomes a captive of Marcellus’s grandfather, the general.

Chatine, who is serving time on Bastille, hopes to escape the brutal and horrifying reality of the prison moon.

But the failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison launches Aloutte, Chatine, and Marecellus into the middle of a dangerous war for control of Laterre. And in the midst of it all is the legend of a secret and dangerous weapon that could mean complete and absolute power to any that wields it.

I've been dying to read Between Burning Worlds ever since I finished reading the first book in the series. I have to admit that I went into it with pretty high hopes and expectations because I loved the first book so much and I wasn't let down in the least. I basically adored every single part of the novel - from the world building and setting to the characters and the wonderful science fiction plot mixed as a retelling of Les Miserables, it was everything I hoped for and more.

I loved the three main characters - Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette. They were each realistic with positive traits and flaws, which made each of them easy to identify with in their own way. I loved getting to know each of them separately, as their own character, as well as seeing how their relationships with the other characters began and grew throughout the novel. The plot was intense and the science fiction angle put it on a whole new level that definitely makes it stand out from anything else out there right now. It's wholly original and completely unique - which is hard to find anymore these days. I loved the world building and enjoyed getting to know the history of Laterre, the past including the Last Days, as well as the intricate details of this planet and its people. The authors used fantastic descriptions and vivid imagery to bring this world to life in front of our eyes and made it easy for me to imagine I was there among the main characters while everything was happening during the story. I'm really hoping this is going to be a series because I definitely want - no, need - more. I'm excited to see where the authors and plot will take us next. I very highly recommend this book to fans of YA fiction, science fiction, fantasy, retellings, and re-imaginings.

 

Jessica Brody

Jessica Brody knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. She started self “publishing” her own books when she was seven years old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples, and electrical tape.
After graduating from Smith College in 2001 where she double majored in Economics and French and minored in Japanese, Jessica later went on to work for MGM Studios as a Manager of Acquisitions and Business Development. In May of 2005, Jessica quit her job to follow her dream of becoming a published author.
Since then, Jessica has sold over twelve novels for teens, tweens, and adults including 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, The Karma Club, My Life Undecided, and the three books in the Unremembered trilogy, the first of which is currently in development as a major motion picture by the producers of The Vampire Academy, Zero Dark Thirty, Life of Pi, and Slumdog Millionaire. In 2016, she will release two new contemporary novels, A Week of Mondays (August) and Boys of Summer (April), and in 2017, her debut middle grade novel entitled, Addie Bell’s Shortcut to Growing Up, will hit bookstore shelves.
Jessica also writes books for the Descendants: “School of Secrets” series, based on the hit Disney Channel Original movie, Descendants!
Jessica’s books are published and translated in over twenty foreign countries. She currently splits her time between California and Colorado.

 

Joanne Rendell

Joanne Rendell is the author of four novels and holds a PhD in English Literature. She teaches fiction writing to teens and kids, as well as online writing classes at Udemy.com and Lynda.com. Joanne is a board member for the youth Shakespeare company, New Genesis Productions. With her husband and son, she divides her time between New York City and New Paltz, New York.