SCIFIMONTH 2023 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer

  

Title: Supernova

Series: Renegades #3
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: November 5, 2019
Pages: 549
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Source: Audiobook

Goodreads | Amazon
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All's fair in love and anarchy...

The epic conclusion to Marissa Meyer's thrilling Renegades Trilogy finds Nova and Adrian fighting to keep their identities secret. While the battle rages on between their alter egos and their allies, there is a darker threat shrouding Gatlon City.

The Renegades' worst enemy is back among them, threatening to reclaim Gatlon City. Nova and Adrian must brave lies and betrayal to protect those they love. Their greatest fears are about to come to life, and unless they can bridge the divide between heroes and villains, they stand to lose everything. Including each other.

Intrigue and action will leave readers on edge until the final, shocking secrets are revealed.

Holy freaking wow! I mean, I just don't even know what to say right now. That ending really got to me. It puts so much into perspective and opens up so many possibilities. This series is such a work of art!

Marissa Meyer's storytelling is absolutely flawless. I am so enamored by her dazzling writing style. And not necessarily in a flashy way but in a polished and attention-grabbing way. Her writing just really stands out. Her witty dialogue and exciting action scenes bring the reader into the story with minimal effort on the reader's part. Meyer's clever plot-weaving abilities are to be commended. There are twists and turns you won't see coming and the way that everything falls into place is superb and entirely perfect. 

I am a comic book reader so I already have a soft spot for superheroes and supervillains. I loved how Meyer was able to harness the idea of superheroes, which is so saturated in media, and create her own individual and unique characters. I mean, that is hard. Pretty much every superpower that you could think of has already been used over and over again. Sure, some of her characters have some of those well-known powers that are fairly quintessential, but Meyer is also able to come up with some wholly unique superpowers. I was very impressed. 

I fell so hard for these characters. This series has a large ensemble cast of characters and they are all fantastic. When I read the first book, it took me a moment to get all the characters separated in my mind but once I did it wasn't hard to see their individuality. Each character has a distinct personality and physical description and each character's part in the story is as unique as they are. This is definitely a found family story worth reading. I love the themes of friendship and camaraderie. 

Nova had a heck of a lot of character growth in this book. Nova has to finally decide what side she is really on and commit to that allegiance. Nova has always been a character that I was able to connect with throughout the series. She has always been a morally gray character and I love that! It's easy to see her reasons for villainy and heroism so it's a thin line to walk. Adrian's character has also always been very relatable. His backstory grabs you and it is easy to walk in his shoes with all the different elements of his life pulling at him. 

The main romance in this book is very heartwarming. It is definitely not the main focus of the book though it does get a decent amount of attention. The romance is a slow burn that drops hints here and there. There is also a secondary romance between side characters that is just as heartwarming and it develops in the background as the story progresses. It is easy to see the interest of each love interest through their banter and outward gestures. As for Nova and Adrian, their romance blossoms organically in a forced proximity setting. The more time they spend together the more they start to admire each other and feelings of attraction heighten to the point of true feelings for each other. Since they are enemies it makes for a really interesting and emotional romance. I will ship Nova and Adrian all day long. 

That ending really got me in the feels. I can't even pinpoint the feeling it gave me. I had guessed the identity of the POV in the epilogue earlier in the story but hearing things from their perspective had a sombering effect. Hearing their POV about the conclusion of the story and their perspective about heroes and villains was chilling. Especially when it is clear that this person gravitates towards villainy and feels that it can't be helped. Add to that the fact of this person's identity and it's just wild. I can picture an entire spin-off series in my mind revolving around this character and it blows my mind. I can only hope that one day Meyer will decide to write it. I would be ecstatic!

Overall, this was an outstanding finale to an incredible series! I am so floored by this series. I just can hardly put into words the overarching joy that I feel for all of these characters that have touched my heart and for this brilliant series as a whole. If you are a fan of superheroes or supervillains or if you simply love tons of action in your books then this series should be on your radar. Meyer weaves a creative tale of what it means to be a hero and that perhaps there are both heroes and villains in all of us. 

What are some of your favorite sci-fi books with great finales or intense plots? I love a good ending. 

SCIFIMONTH 2023 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa Meyer

 

Title: Archenemies

Series: Renegades #2
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: November 6, 2018
Pages: 560
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Source: Audiobook

Goodreads | Amazon
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The Renegades Trilogy continues, in this fiercely awaited second installment after the New York Times-bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles.

Time is running out.

Together, they can save the world.

But they each other's worst nightmare.

In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory.

The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one that Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City - and the world - as they know it.

Holy moly! This book was nonstop action with a bit of suspense and a whole lot of wow! 

Marissa Meyer has a beautiful writing style. Her writing is so polished and engaging. I am always pulled into her stories effortlessly. She is clever when it comes to building the plot of her books. The world-building in this series is well-structured. The world is atmospheric and vivid in your mind. 

I love the complexity of the main characters. Adrian and Nova have some excellent character development in this book. They both have a lot of depth between their tragic pasts, their current allegiances, their secret identities that they are both trying to hide from everyone and even their interests and hobbies. I love how relatable both main characters are. It is easy to slip into their shoes and connect with them. In the first book, I felt that the large amount of side characters was a little overwhelming but once I got everyone straight in my head I found that I really enjoyed them. While it may not seem that way at first, each character is distinct. All of the various side characters add a lot of depth to the story and they aren't just fodder. Each side character has their purpose in the story. 

Even though the romance in this series is an extreme slow-burn, I still find it really compelling. I love the whole enemies and rivals and good vs. evil vibe. I also love that Adrian genuinely admires Nova and is falling for her when he obviously wouldn't let himself if he knew who she was and Nova is admiring things about Adrian and falling for him even though she knows what side he is on. For Nova, it's like she can't help herself and she feels very conflicted. I can only imagine what Adrian's reaction would be if or when he finds out Nova's true identity and I wonder if it would have any effect on his feelings for her. All that aside, Adrian and Nova have great chemistry and are very naturally comfortable with each other. And it's obvious that they are attracted to each other. 

 

I love how this series emphasizes the idea that heroes and villains are subjective. It depends on the person's perspective. A hero can do bad things for good reasons just as easily as a villain and vice versa. It brings to mind the saying, "each villain is the hero of their own story", which I think really resonates in this series. The Renegades and the Anarchists were both doing not-so-good things but they both thought that they were doing what was right for humanity.

Overall, this is a fast-paced story with lots of action and adventure. If you enjoy superhero movies or stories with good vs. evil as a main plot device then you should try this series. This book has a riveting plot, memorable characters, and expert storytelling. I can't wait to read the finale and find out what happens!

I don't know about many books about superheroes and supervillains apart from comics. If you know of any please share! Are you a comics fan or do you prefer to get your fill of superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

SCIFIMONTH 2023 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Blighted Stars (The Devoured Worlds #1) by Megan E. O'Keefe

Title: The Blighted Stars

Series: The Devoured Worlds #1
Author: Megan E. O'Keefe
Publisher: Orbit
Published: May 23, 2023
Pages: 544
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Audiobook

Goodreads | Amazon
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When a spy is stranded on a dead planet with her mortal enemy, she must first figure out how to survive before she can uncover the conspiracy that landed them both there in the first place.

She’s a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they’re found and Naira Sharp knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity’s expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.

He’s the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin’s father has tasked him with monitoring the mining of a new planet, and he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.

Disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy his ship before it lands. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she’s sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that’s bigger than both of them.

I was so drawn to this book from the moment I discovered it! The title, the cover, the synopsis - they were all my kryptonite. 

The start of this book was a little abrupt for me. There were a lot of science-y things to download into my brain and I was a little put off at first. Even though the book starts out in the heat of the moment, it still felt like a slow start to me. After finishing the book I can strongly say that it was worth it. Any confusion I might have had at first was well worth it. 

I was on the fence about my thoughts regarding O'Keefe's writing style at first because of all the things I said above. As the story progressed I slipped more and more into the story and I started to really enjoy O'Keefe's storytelling. All of the elements of the story were so clever and crafted so masterfully. There were some things in the story that I didn't fully comprehend until later in the story but once they fell into place a lightbulb went off in my head and I was ecstatic. When all of the little pieces in the story come together it is magnificent. All the interesting plot twists and paths that the story took were so compelling. The world-building was enormous and well-described. It was so atmospheric that I could feel the environments around me and live in the characters' shoes. 

If there is one thing that I can say about the characters in this story it is that they are quite memorable. I loved how distinct all of the characters were, even the ones that were inhabiting bodies that were not their own. It definitely made things interesting. Each character had a distinct personality that made them stand out. I liked how relatable the main characters were. I could truly place myself in their shoes. Tarquin was a nerdy cinnamon roll with a good heart and Naira was a badass conservator fighting injustice in the universe. Gah! I loved them both. I just want to squeeze them!

The romance portion of the story is pretty much in its infancy at the moment but it is coming along nicely. I adored it when Tarquin and Naira talked about books together. The banter is to die for. I love the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe going on. The journey from enemies to allies to feelings is slow but satisfying. The couple only share a few brief kisses but they are very telling for these characters. I loved the organic evolution of their relationship and how their feelings for each other gradually started to change and shift to a romantic intention. And with how things are at the end I am very excited to see where things go with Tarquin and Naira.

On a side note, I loved the casual LGBTQIA+ representation in the story and how accepted and normal it was in this world. It brought me so much joy. One of the main characters is trans and the other is bisexual and I loved O'Keefe's genuine and honest representation. It didn't feel forced or just added to the story flippantly. 

Overall, this was a delightfully morally gray sci-fi story that is brimming with originality and really makes an impression. Even though this one started out a little slow and abrupt for me, it absolutely made up for it because by the end I was floored. If you like a sci-fi book with lots of interesting concepts, compelling characters, and an addictive plot then this book should be the next stop on your TBR. This book greatly impressed me and I am so jazzed to pick up the next book in this series! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have read this one. How is SciFiMonth going for you? Any sci-fi recommendations? 

SCIFIMONTH 2023 | NOVEMBER (& SCIFIMONTH) TBR

 

SCIFIMONTH & NOVEMBER TBR

I am not so quick on the draw this month. I meant to post my SciFiMonth TBR several days ago but time got away from me. I am a chronic mood reader so what I read may change drastically. I will split my monthly TBR into SciFiMonth-specific books and then all the rest for November that I'd also like to get to. All right then, friends, here we go!

* Book covers link to Goodreads.

SCIFIMONTH TBR

AND ALL THE REST FOR NOVEMBER TBR

What books are you looking forward to this month? Are you reading anything for SciFiMonth? There are a bunch of books on my TBR that are spooky month leftovers that I didn't get to. Since I am a mood reader my TBR tends to be all over the place. Do you tend to stick to your TBRs each month or are you a mood reader like me? Feel free to share a link to your November TBR post!

SCIFIMONTH 2023 | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: RENEGADES (RENEGADES #1) BY MARISSA MEYER

Title: Renegades

Series: Renegades #1
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: November 7, 2017
Pages: 552
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Source: Audiobook, Hardcover
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Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Goodreads | Amazon

My review on Goodreads!

This book, ya'll! I loved this book. I am a huge comic book nerd but I don't often read many novels where the characters have superpowers.

This series has such an intriguing premise. A good vs. evil, hero vs. villain trope that is so juicy and compelling. Each side has its own creed or beliefs and a lot of things are truly in shades of gray. I loved the plot of the book and thought that it was executed beautifully. I loved the plot twists and the choreography of the story. Meyer has a relatable and endearing storytelling style that I always gravitate toward. I loved the detailed and vivid world-building in this. It was truly atmospheric.

These characters were just great. I loved Nova and Adrian and I loved their character development. It took me a bit at first to get all of the characters down in my mind when I first started reading this because they all have names, nicknames, and superpowers to memorize. Once I got them though I truly loved all of the possibilities they brought to the story. This was a pretty intense cast of characters. Each one of them had a purpose in the story and had his or her own personality. I loved the dynamics shared between different characters and their relationships with one another.

The romance in the story is a slow burn that really builds over time. Adrian and Nova are enemies, unbeknownst to Adrian, but they both grow closer as the story progresses. There isn't much actual romance but it is obvious that Adrian has a thing for Nova. And the reader sees that by the end she may have some lingering feelings for him as well. I did find Adrian's affections for Nova swoon-worthy at times.

Overall, this is an exciting story that is mapped out so well and is so memorable. The story will keep you entertained, the action will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the characters will linger in your mind long after you've stopped reading. I recommend this story tenfold, or maybe a hundredfold, and I can't wait to read the second book in this series!

I admit that most of the science fiction books that I read are set in space but I love all kinds of science fiction. This book deals with superpowers and a dystopian society. What kind of science fiction if your favorite? If you don't fancy SciFi then what genre do you gravitate towards?