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I Am Just Junco #2
Fledge
When given the choice to kill or die,
It’s a no-fucking-brainer.
When given the choice to obey or not,
Things get gray.
But given the choice,
To kill or save the one who saved you?
Now you’ve got my attention.
And killers don’t work well
With a conscious around to fuck things up.
So, you know…
Hope for the best, but expect the worst.
Because I’m still fucking Junco.
And I’m still at war with everyone.
Well-trained soldier or genetically engineered monster?
Junco Coot can’t even remember her trip off Earth; she was too busy being morphed into her new avian body. But reality hits her hard when she wakes up to find her new life is not what she expected. Not even close.
Tier is on trial for treason, the avian president wants her dead, her new military team is hostile, her body is being taken over by an illicit AI, and her only friend is a ten-year old throwaway boy.
In most places the avian Fledge ritual would be nothing more than mass murder, but here in the capital city of Amelia, it’s called growing up. Junco has two choices: fight to the death to prove her worth, or get sent back to Earth in the hands of her enemies.
In a foreign culture and surrounded by people she can’t trust or count on, Junco must find a way to save herself and Tier without losing her immortal soul in the process.
It’s a no-fucking-brainer.
When given the choice to obey or not,
Things get gray.
But given the choice,
To kill or save the one who saved you?
Now you’ve got my attention.
And killers don’t work well
With a conscious around to fuck things up.
So, you know…
Hope for the best, but expect the worst.
Because I’m still fucking Junco.
And I’m still at war with everyone.
Well-trained soldier or genetically engineered monster?
Junco Coot can’t even remember her trip off Earth; she was too busy being morphed into her new avian body. But reality hits her hard when she wakes up to find her new life is not what she expected. Not even close.
Tier is on trial for treason, the avian president wants her dead, her new military team is hostile, her body is being taken over by an illicit AI, and her only friend is a ten-year old throwaway boy.
In most places the avian Fledge ritual would be nothing more than mass murder, but here in the capital city of Amelia, it’s called growing up. Junco has two choices: fight to the death to prove her worth, or get sent back to Earth in the hands of her enemies.
In a foreign culture and surrounded by people she can’t trust or count on, Junco must find a way to save herself and Tier without losing her immortal soul in the process.
388 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2012
20 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Huss
136 books9,046 followersJ.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 13, 2014
This book just made me mad. I tried really hard to get on board and like it but no. It's not for me. It's not you, book, it's me. Except it's not.
The story is so goddamn contradictory and annoying that I have thirteen pages worth of highlights. Thirteen. Not to illustrate anything other than why this books fails me.
Sigh.
Junco has to go through a "fledge" that is really just a hunger games for avians. Without the extra oomph that the capital made Katniss go through, and all for shock value. There was a little boy that Junco decided to take under wing and everything. And then .
Junco even points out the absurdity in having a fledge fight to the president (who happened to have all kinds of time to just give her randomly) and he's like, "oh well blah blah it's necessary because genes" and I'm just sitting there like, dafuq? There are so fucking many examples like that.
How about when Junco all of a sudden decides she's actually in love with Tier, only to turn around and And if you know me even a little bit you know I'm all for women and their libidos and it being all good, but that was total bullshit. No guilt either. Nothing. And that's not touching the intimacy she exhibited with Ashur either: sleeping together (literally), cuddling in his wings, a make-out session, knowing he had feelings for her and doing nothing to dissuade him. So much garbage.
It's like how in the synopsis for the first book we're told straight up that there are no answers, but there comes a point in time where that plot device becomes much more detrimental to my enjoyment than it being clever or effective. There's more, but there's not much point to keeping this going because it's pretty obvious I hated it, lol.
July 26, 2019
Fledge is a fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi in which Junco has to make a lot of choices - all of them between not very good options.
She's strong, and she's a fighter. However, there are so many things she doesn't know. She's willfully kept in the dark by the people she should be able to trust. Therefore, she tries to trust no one.
There is a lot of heart-ache in Fledge, and I felt like I almost couldn't take anymore - but Junco kept powering on - most of the time, at least.
She's strong, and she's a fighter. However, there are so many things she doesn't know. She's willfully kept in the dark by the people she should be able to trust. Therefore, she tries to trust no one.
There is a lot of heart-ache in Fledge, and I felt like I almost couldn't take anymore - but Junco kept powering on - most of the time, at least.
June 23, 2013
This story was utterly suffocating: too many new characters, too many men utterly adoring the rather hostile and not so lovable main female, too much blood and gore, too much going on without really showing, in a believable way, how the character got there. It is one of those stories where the entire plot hangs on the fact that the main character is just SO SPECIAL, like Twilight, and yet nothing you read explains why the character is the least bit special. I actually, after two books, don't care for her at all.
I find such plot devices tiresome.
I find such plot devices tiresome.
March 2, 2018
This book is more action and I like it better. I really want to give it 5 stars but damn, Junco sounded like a slut. And Tier, ohmygod, took forever to finally come up in the story. And the fact that he's okay with Junco sleeping around and messing around with Kush and Ashur. Wow, one of my fave character just turned me off. I know it's not the usual romance scenario but hell, kissing around three guys in, idk a day? Junco's filthy mouth just worsens in this book.
July 14, 2018
I loved this book. It broke my heart over and over but also had me feeling hopeful in the end. Junco is a larger than life heroine that makes this thriller soar and has more than earned my rating of 5 stars.
March 6, 2016
Even better than Clutch! I absolutely love Junco!
November 12, 2017
A huge improvement for me from book 1. I was much less lost and really got into the story more this time. The brutality that you definitely saw in Clutch comes out super strong in Fledge and I love books that go there. The characters are still a little confusing for me, in that I get confused about who is who because there are so many! But a vast improvement there, too.
I continue to love Junco. I was sad that Teir was mostly missing from this book, but his absence was made up for with tons of new, compelling characters. They were great, but also confusing for me to keep most of them straight.
Some pretty exciting moments and the end leaves you going, wait, I need more! Thankfully I'm able to jump right into book 3.
The narration is really good - I have a feeling that narrator switch has something to do with my improved rating. The last narrator was good, but now that I've heard Lisa Angelini, I realize the other one was missing that Je ne sais pas. I do miss her narration of Tier's voice though, as that was REALLY good and Angelini does it well, but yeah not as well. Overall, I'm happy with the narrator switch though.
I continue to love Junco. I was sad that Teir was mostly missing from this book, but his absence was made up for with tons of new, compelling characters. They were great, but also confusing for me to keep most of them straight.
Some pretty exciting moments and the end leaves you going, wait, I need more! Thankfully I'm able to jump right into book 3.
The narration is really good - I have a feeling that narrator switch has something to do with my improved rating. The last narrator was good, but now that I've heard Lisa Angelini, I realize the other one was missing that Je ne sais pas. I do miss her narration of Tier's voice though, as that was REALLY good and Angelini does it well, but yeah not as well. Overall, I'm happy with the narrator switch though.
June 20, 2019
I reviewed Clutch, Fledge, and Flight for the I Am Just Junco blog tour by Bewitching Blog Tours so this review pretty much covers all three books.
This science fiction series by author J.A. Huss totally took me by surprise. "Just Junco" turns out to be a foul-mouthed super badass heroine and the series totally kicks ass.
In the first pages of book one we are introduced right away to Junco, our heroine who is by no means a girly-girl. She's the type who knows all her weapons and firearms, would probably go nuts over a motorcycle helmet sale, and could care less about fashion and anything frilly. All she knows are secret military ops and assassinations. She's been trained to be a ruthless killer since birth and she's pretty good at what she does, but we learn that there's so much more to her and everybody wants her for themselves. Everybody here means the aliens or Avians as they are called, and the humans, all the different factions and republics. They all have an agenda and Junco is right smack in the middle of it all.
Clutch, Fledge, and Flight are pretty much made of the same stuff--they are all exciting, action-packed, and emotional in different ways. In each succeeding book, the excitement and emotional factor rise and you can't help but be swept along with it. It's hard to talk about specific events without giving anything away.
What I really like about this series is the main character, Junco, who is truly a badass killing machine, but we also see a vulnerable side to her. We see how her life has been like since she was young and we see how things affect her. We see her being constantly barraged with things that could bring any person down, but we see her cry, get hurt, and bring herself back up. She is one character that you would truly feel and root for to the end.
Another thing I like about the series is that it's very fast-paced and the story is very original. I like the author's unique writing style. I like that there's always something happening and each twist to the story is revealed at the perfect moment. Sometimes you'd think there are too many twists, but they all add to the story and come together nicely. I also like the play with mythology and religion mixed in with the science.
This series is a fun sci fi piece with a dash of dystopian and a little bit of fantasy. It really is pretty exciting and I can't wait to read what happens next.
I received review copies of the books at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Blog post here.
This science fiction series by author J.A. Huss totally took me by surprise. "Just Junco" turns out to be a foul-mouthed super badass heroine and the series totally kicks ass.
In the first pages of book one we are introduced right away to Junco, our heroine who is by no means a girly-girl. She's the type who knows all her weapons and firearms, would probably go nuts over a motorcycle helmet sale, and could care less about fashion and anything frilly. All she knows are secret military ops and assassinations. She's been trained to be a ruthless killer since birth and she's pretty good at what she does, but we learn that there's so much more to her and everybody wants her for themselves. Everybody here means the aliens or Avians as they are called, and the humans, all the different factions and republics. They all have an agenda and Junco is right smack in the middle of it all.
Clutch, Fledge, and Flight are pretty much made of the same stuff--they are all exciting, action-packed, and emotional in different ways. In each succeeding book, the excitement and emotional factor rise and you can't help but be swept along with it. It's hard to talk about specific events without giving anything away.
What I really like about this series is the main character, Junco, who is truly a badass killing machine, but we also see a vulnerable side to her. We see how her life has been like since she was young and we see how things affect her. We see her being constantly barraged with things that could bring any person down, but we see her cry, get hurt, and bring herself back up. She is one character that you would truly feel and root for to the end.
Another thing I like about the series is that it's very fast-paced and the story is very original. I like the author's unique writing style. I like that there's always something happening and each twist to the story is revealed at the perfect moment. Sometimes you'd think there are too many twists, but they all add to the story and come together nicely. I also like the play with mythology and religion mixed in with the science.
This series is a fun sci fi piece with a dash of dystopian and a little bit of fantasy. It really is pretty exciting and I can't wait to read what happens next.
I received review copies of the books at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Blog post here.
March 30, 2013
Original reviewed on: www.futuresuns.blogspot.co.uk
AMAZING!
ABSOLUTELY ASS-WHOOPING AMAZING!
I received this book as a gift from Alexia Purdy (author of Reign of Blood, she is awesome!) and read it in 3 hours. I could not put it down and could not go away for two seconds without reading another word. It was absolutely ... AMAZING! I am speechless.
In book 2 of I Am Just Junco series, the story goes on exactly where it left off in book 1. Now Tier (OMG hot Tier) is on a trial for treason because he did not follow his orders to kill Junco, and Junco has to try and survive through the Fledge.
We get to meet some new characters (I'm not going to reveal names) and I loved all of them. I can tell you that they are mostly all boys (swoon). The boys were so loveable even though they were such assholes sometimes, but that's what sealed the deal, right?
Junco was brave and strong and bad-ass like normal, and I love that about her. She's not those girls who would try and be brave in front of people but actually is a fraud, she is real and she is herself, and that's all that matters. She is not perfect, and sometimes I want to kill her and hate her but I can't, because ... I just can't. I can relate to her in some ways, but not all. Like, she's not afraid to tell the truth, and I love that. Junco is cocky and I really wish she was real and she would be me. LOL.
The storyline was just amazing. J.A. Huss did such a great job making the whole story realistic and I feel like I'm actually living in her world. It was ... so exciting, amazing, awesome, running-out-of-words and speechless.
I love the way J.A. Huss uses swear words, it doesn't seem over-the-top, it was just ... fitting. I love that and I just love the way she created such an imaginable world that I wish I was living in. Sometimes, I could actually feel the anger, exhaustion, sadness (emotions) that J.A. Huss described of all the characters. She is such an amazing author and I will definitely read the rest of the series.
AMAZING!! (I cannot think of any other words to describe this).
I LOVE YOU J.A. HUSS (and Alexia Purdy for sending this to me as a gift in the first place!!)
AMAZING!
ABSOLUTELY ASS-WHOOPING AMAZING!
I received this book as a gift from Alexia Purdy (author of Reign of Blood, she is awesome!) and read it in 3 hours. I could not put it down and could not go away for two seconds without reading another word. It was absolutely ... AMAZING! I am speechless.
In book 2 of I Am Just Junco series, the story goes on exactly where it left off in book 1. Now Tier (OMG hot Tier) is on a trial for treason because he did not follow his orders to kill Junco, and Junco has to try and survive through the Fledge.
We get to meet some new characters (I'm not going to reveal names) and I loved all of them. I can tell you that they are mostly all boys (swoon). The boys were so loveable even though they were such assholes sometimes, but that's what sealed the deal, right?
Junco was brave and strong and bad-ass like normal, and I love that about her. She's not those girls who would try and be brave in front of people but actually is a fraud, she is real and she is herself, and that's all that matters. She is not perfect, and sometimes I want to kill her and hate her but I can't, because ... I just can't. I can relate to her in some ways, but not all. Like, she's not afraid to tell the truth, and I love that. Junco is cocky and I really wish she was real and she would be me. LOL.
The storyline was just amazing. J.A. Huss did such a great job making the whole story realistic and I feel like I'm actually living in her world. It was ... so exciting, amazing, awesome, running-out-of-words and speechless.
I love the way J.A. Huss uses swear words, it doesn't seem over-the-top, it was just ... fitting. I love that and I just love the way she created such an imaginable world that I wish I was living in. Sometimes, I could actually feel the anger, exhaustion, sadness (emotions) that J.A. Huss described of all the characters. She is such an amazing author and I will definitely read the rest of the series.
AMAZING!! (I cannot think of any other words to describe this).
I LOVE YOU J.A. HUSS (and Alexia Purdy for sending this to me as a gift in the first place!!)
September 22, 2013
this book was even better than the first book because the confusing memories of Junco were sorted out. but ... this series is really heavy and very disturbing sometimes ... I get the feeling that I really live in the story with Junco and have to confess although it is good, I need some space so that I can relax again
but here some of my opinions on this book
the story was good, altough it is very bloodthirsty and dark and if you don't like to read about too much action and killing people maybe you should skip it
but in some twisted way the story (even the killing made sense) and the plot is really fantastic. You never know what comes next and it is really well written
I think Junco was a great character in this one and learned a lot since her leaving earth. I don't agree with all her decisions but in the end I think she showed everyone what kind of person she is ...
regarding the side characters: I really missed Tier in the story
I loved all the side characters - even Lucan. Ashur was also a great addition but I was a bit disappointed with his behaviour towards Junco at the end and thought that I would have liked him more without some of his actions
as I said above: this series is great and I will definitely read the next one ... so if you like dark, good stories with strong characters and a plot which is absolutely not predictable than this is your series to read!
but here some of my opinions on this book
the story was good, altough it is very bloodthirsty and dark and if you don't like to read about too much action and killing people maybe you should skip it
but in some twisted way the story (even the killing made sense) and the plot is really fantastic. You never know what comes next and it is really well written
I think Junco was a great character in this one and learned a lot since her leaving earth. I don't agree with all her decisions but in the end I think she showed everyone what kind of person she is ...
regarding the side characters: I really missed Tier in the story
I loved all the side characters - even Lucan. Ashur was also a great addition but I was a bit disappointed with his behaviour towards Junco at the end and thought that I would have liked him more without some of his actions
as I said above: this series is great and I will definitely read the next one ... so if you like dark, good stories with strong characters and a plot which is absolutely not predictable than this is your series to read!
April 22, 2014
5 KICK ASS STARS!!
"Trust no one, Junco. Show no weakness"
I CAN'T STOP. I CAN NOT STOP READING!
My eyes feel like their bleeding. I'm sucked into a rabbit hole of amazing-ness!
This part of Junco's story takes place on the planet of the Avians. She is ordered to trust no one, how is that even possible? Everyone around her seems to genuinely want to help her. I was damned confused, I felt like I was in Junco's shoes. I was screaming: No don't tell him that, no keep it a secret. But just Junco learns to trust, so do I. Who do you trust though?
OMG! I'M ON TO THE NEXT!
"Trust no one, Junco. Show no weakness"
I CAN'T STOP. I CAN NOT STOP READING!
My eyes feel like their bleeding. I'm sucked into a rabbit hole of amazing-ness!
This part of Junco's story takes place on the planet of the Avians. She is ordered to trust no one, how is that even possible? Everyone around her seems to genuinely want to help her. I was damned confused, I felt like I was in Junco's shoes. I was screaming: No don't tell him that, no keep it a secret. But just Junco learns to trust, so do I. Who do you trust though?
OMG! I'M ON TO THE NEXT!
December 29, 2015
Holy crap on a cracker was all that fighting intense. I would dub this book:save yo ass. This book was action packed. I can't believe Junco is still walking around upright after 7 levels of fights. After reading all of it, I'm exhausted. She's truly a badass mofo. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and there are a couple of sad parts, but there's always a reason. Plot twists, plot twists, that's one of the many awesome things why JA does it for me.
July 28, 2016
Wow this series keeps getting more involved, more interesting...sucks you right in. It's a good mix of dystopia, Sci Fi, fantasy...lots of great world building and good characters. There's lots of blunt talk, blood and gore so if that's not your cup of tea- steer clear, otherwise dive right in (book one of course).
February 23, 2016
Amazing! I'm only the second book into this series and I have a feeling my reviews are going to be repetitive, cause so far, this series is completely enthralling! I seriously want to see this turned into a movie.
April 30, 2019
Similarities With The Hunger Games, But Not As Good As The First Book In This Series
Junco arrives in her new home in Amelia after a two month flight from earth. She has transitioned into an Avian, but her fate there is still not certain. Tier is in custody; being charged with treason was more punishment than he had anticipated, but a death sentence seems all but inevitable now. Before Junco awakens from her transition, she is asleep but in the alternate reality world she had created with Charlie, her first love who died at her father's orders. She receives a message from Tier while in this alternate world telling her to trust no one and to not show fear.
After undergoing some testing, Junco is informed that she is one third each human, Avian, and machine. Lucan, the Archer for Tier's unit (the 039), agrees to allow Junco to pledge into Tier's old unit, and Tier's men quickly become attached to her. She undergoes the General Pledge, which consists of seven battles. It begins with over a thousand vying for one of ten spots to be awarded. Similar to the Hunger Games, those spots are earned by killing other pledges and remaining alive through the end.
Braun, one of Tier's men, is a big time flirt and fun to be around. He shares an idea with Junco early on about how they might save Tier, but he soon disappears on a special assignment. Junco cannot help but believe he is avoiding her. His plan had involved an annual Deliverance fight in which the winner gets to ask for a wish. Oddly, Junco seems to forget this plan and toys with ideas that do not involve saving Tier.
Junco develops personal relationships with men in the 039 as well as fellow pledges. She is tired of killing and tired of having her choices taken from her, and though she does not encourage most of the attention, she certainly allows several men to believe they have a chance with her at various points. Only Braun believes Tier can be saved from certain death, so she is not generally considered off limits, despite how highly Tier's men think of him. Junco has a very rocky relationship with Asher, Tier's XO and acting Captain of the 039. He becomes more and more possessive of her. A reporter hounds her. Lucan values her and gives her attention that surprises most people. Kush, who is pledging with Junco and one of the first to be on a team that she forms, seems to have an interest in her as well.
In the meantime, Junco has been stuck in this new world all alone and unable to see Tier. She has agreed to testify against him, believing she can still save him, and after being whisked away to do so, she finds herself strapped to a gurnee and drugged, but gets to see Tier on the gurnee and exchange a sentence or so. Other than that Tier is mostly absent from the book until near the end.
I loved the first book in this series, and while I happily read this based on the strength of the first book, I was disappointed. First, some of the battles were a little difficult to imagine, and more time might have been spent explaining and describing them. Next, it was shocking to see Junco go from determined to save Tier to relying on several men for emotional support. They loved her and respected her and would have supported her without her allowing things to get uncomfortable. She allows Asher, whose best friend is Tier, to become attached, and even after she knows she has to push him away, she doesn't. Assuming her plan to save Tier works, she must know it cannot be smart or kind to either man to allow anything with Asher if Tier is to be freed. Finally, she spends a night with someone she doesn't care deeply about, right after exchanging proclamations of love with Tier, and telling this man all the reasons she loves Tier. That felt really cold, given she believed Tier would be freed the next night and especially when she did such a great job of abstaining with Tier and every other guy that showed interest. It felt out of place. There might have been some weak justification for it in her mind, but I don't believe that extreme was necessary.
I plan to continue with the series and hope to be less disappointed next time around.
Junco arrives in her new home in Amelia after a two month flight from earth. She has transitioned into an Avian, but her fate there is still not certain. Tier is in custody; being charged with treason was more punishment than he had anticipated, but a death sentence seems all but inevitable now. Before Junco awakens from her transition, she is asleep but in the alternate reality world she had created with Charlie, her first love who died at her father's orders. She receives a message from Tier while in this alternate world telling her to trust no one and to not show fear.
After undergoing some testing, Junco is informed that she is one third each human, Avian, and machine. Lucan, the Archer for Tier's unit (the 039), agrees to allow Junco to pledge into Tier's old unit, and Tier's men quickly become attached to her. She undergoes the General Pledge, which consists of seven battles. It begins with over a thousand vying for one of ten spots to be awarded. Similar to the Hunger Games, those spots are earned by killing other pledges and remaining alive through the end.
Braun, one of Tier's men, is a big time flirt and fun to be around. He shares an idea with Junco early on about how they might save Tier, but he soon disappears on a special assignment. Junco cannot help but believe he is avoiding her. His plan had involved an annual Deliverance fight in which the winner gets to ask for a wish. Oddly, Junco seems to forget this plan and toys with ideas that do not involve saving Tier.
Junco develops personal relationships with men in the 039 as well as fellow pledges. She is tired of killing and tired of having her choices taken from her, and though she does not encourage most of the attention, she certainly allows several men to believe they have a chance with her at various points. Only Braun believes Tier can be saved from certain death, so she is not generally considered off limits, despite how highly Tier's men think of him. Junco has a very rocky relationship with Asher, Tier's XO and acting Captain of the 039. He becomes more and more possessive of her. A reporter hounds her. Lucan values her and gives her attention that surprises most people. Kush, who is pledging with Junco and one of the first to be on a team that she forms, seems to have an interest in her as well.
In the meantime, Junco has been stuck in this new world all alone and unable to see Tier. She has agreed to testify against him, believing she can still save him, and after being whisked away to do so, she finds herself strapped to a gurnee and drugged, but gets to see Tier on the gurnee and exchange a sentence or so. Other than that Tier is mostly absent from the book until near the end.
I loved the first book in this series, and while I happily read this based on the strength of the first book, I was disappointed. First, some of the battles were a little difficult to imagine, and more time might have been spent explaining and describing them. Next, it was shocking to see Junco go from determined to save Tier to relying on several men for emotional support. They loved her and respected her and would have supported her without her allowing things to get uncomfortable. She allows Asher, whose best friend is Tier, to become attached, and even after she knows she has to push him away, she doesn't. Assuming her plan to save Tier works, she must know it cannot be smart or kind to either man to allow anything with Asher if Tier is to be freed. Finally, she spends a night with someone she doesn't care deeply about, right after exchanging proclamations of love with Tier, and telling this man all the reasons she loves Tier. That felt really cold, given she believed Tier would be freed the next night and especially when she did such a great job of abstaining with Tier and every other guy that showed interest. It felt out of place. There might have been some weak justification for it in her mind, but I don't believe that extreme was necessary.
I plan to continue with the series and hope to be less disappointed next time around.
November 28, 2012
Wow, Fledge is 100% Emotional turmoil! I am so hooked on this series. I was up until 4 am this time reading this, I just had to finish, had to know what happened. It was such an emotional ride, I had tears in my eyes. Wow, just so good.
Junco is now an avian, which is a winged "alien" and she's living on a habitat out in the Band -somewhere off earth, I am not sure much on this, its not really explained. Junco in her new avian body meets Lucan, her new commander. Lucan has decided that Junco is now his soldier. But in order for her to stay, she has to prove herself worthy.
She ends up in Fledge, Each cluster has its own fledge- clusters are of different professions, one for Politics, one for Psychology, one for war, etc. Not all children make it out of their Clutch, (clutch is like a breeding place for each cluster) The Fledge Junco finds herself in, is the fight to the death matches. 7 of them. Not all fledges are about death matches, some are worse than you can even think up. This death fight matches did reminded me a bit of the Hunger Games, but only in part, its much more violent, and emotional.
I have only one negative, and that is the cussing is just too much, the word that stars with a F and sounds a lot like luck is used way too much, just makes me cringe every time I read that, and it's in there A LOT, (317 times that word is used in one form or another, way too much!) like every other paragraph is that word. And it's unnecessary. It's really the only thing that makes this book (series) unsuitable for teens, otherwise, there is just the war type violence, but no sex at all, skips right over anything at all that happens. Which is fine, as I am not one to want to read erotic type stuff, I do not need that. In a way, the cussing in excess cheapens the story. But this is just my opinion, and I like the story so much, that I will look past it. I really have found myself connecting with Junco, I finally have her figured out, some, lol. I love the connection her and Tier have, and really root for her in trying to save his life, even though it looks really grim that she will be able to accomplish this.
For most this book, we do not have anything of Tier, which was a pity, as he is on trial for treason, for not killing Junco. He did get her off Earth and to morph. (if you don't know what I mean, then you had not read book one did you?lol) He is sentenced to death, and of course Junco is not ready to accept this.
We find many surprises about Junco's genetic makup, and what is found it pretty cool. I won't say what, as you can find out yourself.
I liked the introduction of the new characters, and really loved the protective love the whole Aves 039 team has for Junco, especially Asher. He did come off as a bit of a jerk at first though, but that was more because he didn't have the whole story on what got Tier in trouble, and he blamed Junco, it changes pretty quickly. I was not sure of Lucan, still am not, he did grow on me, some. We will see on him. Kush was such a sweetheart.
I thought this little part was funny, its Lucan and Junco in this part:
"I thought you wanted to yell at me for killing people?"
"It happened as you say, so it is excused this time."
"Then why come all the way over here in the middle of the night?"
"I am checking to see if you're OK, Junco. Is that so unusual? I would have called Ashur, but..."
I wait. "But?"
"I was in the neighborhood."
I laugh. "Oh, right."
He takes a seat on the bench next to me, his head eases into his hands and he pushes against his temples. I know the look, it means I'm giving someone a headache. Tier used it frequently.
I was appalled at the Fights they have to go through, of course its pretty easy for the most part for Junco, but man, so much killing. She ends up `collecting' some other kids and protects them. But one is young and weak, and was so heartbroken for Junco for what she had to do. Ahhh, I still am reeling emotionally from this book. I had to make myself not pick up Flight, the 3rd book yet. I had to get over this turmoil first.
I honestly can't believe I love a book that has so much death in it, but the connection I felt with Junco and the others is rooted so deep, I can't help but care at what happens.
Can't help but love Junco's funny, yet severe attitude, this is a cute part, with a Avian that she doesn't know:
"This went better than expected."
"Really?" I say calmly. "You thought I'd, what? Kill you with my SEAR because you want to ask me questions?"
He sniffs and straightens his back. "Junco, you have an unprecedented wild side. We cannot be too careful."
"Huh." I stare at his blue eyes. "Well, good luck if Moju comes back. If you think I'm wild, I can't wait to see how you treat my brother."
I just will say, this book is amazing, even more exciting than the first book. I have a feeling it's just going to get even more intense with the 3rd. I won't say much more. I need to leave the surprises for you and the intense suspense too.
If you read Clutch, the first book, You need to get to reading this one. If you had NOT read Clutch, well, what are you waiting for, go get it, then read this!
Warning, INESNSE over use of bad language, Junco needs a good soapy mouth washing, lol, and a few others too. Plenty of killing, war type violence. This series is not for the weak or faint of heart. No sexual interactions to worry about. But this is still for mature readers only.
5 out of 5 stars for me.
I was provided a copy of this book for the book tour with Innovative Online Blog Tours, for my honest review.
Love Tier: (click banner to go to authors site for a funny character interview.)
Stop by the book tour at my blog, click banner to go directly to the post. Michelle’s Paranormal Vault of Books
first and third in series
June 29, 2022
Unpopular oinion in 3...2...1... I am not a fan of this book.
So i went into Fledge quite excited actually, thinking we were going to enter the new 'world' of avians. To say i was disappointed would be an understatement. There was absolutely nothing alien about the aliens/non aliens apparantly.
The story had no depth to it. Whenever something important happend the author would speedrun the situation so freaking fast. It was like she just wanted to get it done and over with as fast as possible so she could move on to the next part. So even if something that should have been sad and horrible happened i wasn't able to care because...well, there was nothing to care about. The characters felt like puppets on strings rather than actual people.
1½ stars.
So i went into Fledge quite excited actually, thinking we were going to enter the new 'world' of avians. To say i was disappointed would be an understatement. There was absolutely nothing alien about the aliens/non aliens apparantly.
The story had no depth to it. Whenever something important happend the author would speedrun the situation so freaking fast. It was like she just wanted to get it done and over with as fast as possible so she could move on to the next part. So even if something that should have been sad and horrible happened i wasn't able to care because...well, there was nothing to care about. The characters felt like puppets on strings rather than actual people.
1½ stars.
November 4, 2022
Once again, JA Huss did not disappoint… I loved book 2! It was another rollercoaster of emotions story with Junco sticking to what she believes is right. I loved her strong character even more in this book and her attitude just made me want a best friend just like her.
Same with the previous book (and any other really!) it will make your mind explode with questions desperately wanting them answered. Each chapter was an edge of your seat experience again, only making me want to read faster just to find out what happens next.
After the ending to this book, I can’t wait to dive right into book 3.
Same with the previous book (and any other really!) it will make your mind explode with questions desperately wanting them answered. Each chapter was an edge of your seat experience again, only making me want to read faster just to find out what happens next.
After the ending to this book, I can’t wait to dive right into book 3.
October 14, 2019
Way too much like Hunger Games. After the first book, I got my romantic thoughts on Junco and Tier's relationship and then... no Tier. He's way way in the background in jail and the whole book is on Junco's fighting these games. I had my thoughts on rating this book as a one up until the very ending. I liked how it ended... so it went up to two. I probably should rate the book higher since Huss is an excellent writer, but alas, my ratings are based more on how a book makes me feel and I was disappointed.
January 30, 2018
Also very engaging and fun to read, but frustrating as a reader because of what seems to be unnecessary drama going on. Trust nobody! But then she trusts people - and it's all ok? And she wants answers now! But then when people try to tell her answers, she's not interested in talking about it. And then she's betrayed that they didn't tell her. Overall, it was still enjoyable, but had a lot of unnecessary complications and overly dramatic stuff going on.
February 4, 2023
More horny unrequited teenage angst serves a cautionary tale, reminding us why it’s never a good idea to give hormonal teenagers sharp implements. I have no doubt that YA fans of the hunger games (of which this happily plagiarises plot) and Twilight (interspecies love) will find much that is admirable so I feel I have to give it four stars as a temporary explorer in these strange lands. However, like many such adventurers I suspect I’ll enjoy the return home more.
December 6, 2012
originally posted on The Book Tart at http://thebooktart.com/book-review/th...
Fledge is the second book in the I Am Just Junco series science fiction series. I suspected when I read Clutch that these books could become some of my favs and they have. I am completely hooked on this series. I love the world building and the characters. I especially love Junco. These books are told in her voice. And what a voice it is. She’s a smart ass with a dirty mouth and more heart and determination than one body should be able to hold.
Flight picks up right where Clutch left off…. I’m going to try NOT to be spoilery and some of these plot points are in the synopsis anyway…
Junco has been conditioned, trained, abused and used since she was a child. Her training was in killing, following orders and surviving. She discovered that she is part Avian, part of an alien race of winged beings. In Fledge, Junco learns what that entails and even more mysteries of her past and purpose are revealed.
Junco leaves earth with Tier, the avian she made friends with in the first adventure. On the space ship her Avian side is triggered and she goes through morph and wakes up changed. She has wings now and Tier is in prison for not killing her! Junco rolls with the punches and puts on her game face determined to save Tier.
Fledge refers to the survival of the strongest type series of battles that takes place every year for the Avian race. They fight in battles to the death to eliminate the weak from their population. Junco has to learn how to be an Avian, who she can trust and how to survive the plots and threats of those who don’t want her around. She is a survivor. The brutal kill or be killed attitude and viciousness involved in the battles made me flinch and I think it’s supposed to. This novel is a story of survival but also of love and sacrifice and what you would give up for someone you loved.
I loved watching her thought process. I like how she faces challenges and can temporarily wall off emotions. She is feisty and fierce. She is a fierce fighter, fiercely loyal and brave, funny and full of heart. I continued to root for her through the Fledge process and the incredible action sequences. I cringed at the damage that people can do to themselves and against their own race in their fight for perfection. The things she has to do to survive broke my heart, and it breaks hers too… But Junco keeps her eyes on her goal. She is focused on her mission, to survive to save Tier.
The secondary characters are so well drawn and individual. The military unit, the 039, that Junco was assigned to before Tier’s imprisonment, are an amazing crew of guys. I loved how unique and different they were. I got a kick out of seeing the different ways they reacted to Junco and she to them. Lucan, the Avian leader, is a fascinating being and his relationship with Junco is complicated. And then there are the people Junco has to fight with and against… But through it all Junco shines bright in her determination to do what she sees as right.
Some of my fav lines…ummm honestly? I highlighted 147 passages. I frackin’ LOVE this book.
♦ He smiles again. I don’t. My face will crack if I have to keep up this fake shit much longer
♦ “…And if you know so much about me, then you know that death carries very little meaning at the moment. You can try and kill me if you want – I don’t give a shit. I have nothing to lose. You’re no different than the assholes I left back on Earth and if you really want to know what I’m doing on your habitat, you better ask yourself. We both know I’m here because you want me for something.”
♦ I feel alone. My team is confused and hurt, my captain is selling me out, and I’ve told them all to pretty much fuck off. I am just Junco. Again.
♦ “I don’t mean to make comparisons like this, Lucan, and normally I never would because you’re entitled to your own culture, but on Earth we love the defective just as much as the average. More, sometimes.”
♦ Flying is not all that fun when you’re learning. For one thing, you fall an awful lot. And I’m not talking about some pansy-ass baby fall. Even in the grass that hurts.
♦”You’re not OK, Junco.” I look at him, first the one green eye, then the other. “I know. What time is it?”
♦ I let out a huge sigh and shake my head. “It would be a lot easier if they were already dead.” I look up at him, meet his eyes. “Because I’d have that shit locked down already, and be on the other side of death. That’s the best place to be, ya know? On the other side of death.” “So, that’s it? You can just turn it on and off like that? Forget about stuff and move on?” I shrug. “That’s pretty impressive, Junco, really, I envy you. But it also makes you a little bit insane.”
I have a mad, crazy passion for this series and especially for Junco. I’m Team Junco, whatever comes, whoever she’s with… I’m on her side cheering for her to make it through these challenges and be more than satisfied with her journey. If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, action, intrigue, passion, epic world building and a main protagonist that is foul mouthed, tough, vulnerable and fierce, pick up the Junco series and get addicted like me.
(((hugs))) Kat
The Queen of Tarts
Fledge is the second book in the I Am Just Junco series science fiction series. I suspected when I read Clutch that these books could become some of my favs and they have. I am completely hooked on this series. I love the world building and the characters. I especially love Junco. These books are told in her voice. And what a voice it is. She’s a smart ass with a dirty mouth and more heart and determination than one body should be able to hold.
Flight picks up right where Clutch left off…. I’m going to try NOT to be spoilery and some of these plot points are in the synopsis anyway…
Junco has been conditioned, trained, abused and used since she was a child. Her training was in killing, following orders and surviving. She discovered that she is part Avian, part of an alien race of winged beings. In Fledge, Junco learns what that entails and even more mysteries of her past and purpose are revealed.
Junco leaves earth with Tier, the avian she made friends with in the first adventure. On the space ship her Avian side is triggered and she goes through morph and wakes up changed. She has wings now and Tier is in prison for not killing her! Junco rolls with the punches and puts on her game face determined to save Tier.
Fledge refers to the survival of the strongest type series of battles that takes place every year for the Avian race. They fight in battles to the death to eliminate the weak from their population. Junco has to learn how to be an Avian, who she can trust and how to survive the plots and threats of those who don’t want her around. She is a survivor. The brutal kill or be killed attitude and viciousness involved in the battles made me flinch and I think it’s supposed to. This novel is a story of survival but also of love and sacrifice and what you would give up for someone you loved.
I loved watching her thought process. I like how she faces challenges and can temporarily wall off emotions. She is feisty and fierce. She is a fierce fighter, fiercely loyal and brave, funny and full of heart. I continued to root for her through the Fledge process and the incredible action sequences. I cringed at the damage that people can do to themselves and against their own race in their fight for perfection. The things she has to do to survive broke my heart, and it breaks hers too… But Junco keeps her eyes on her goal. She is focused on her mission, to survive to save Tier.
The secondary characters are so well drawn and individual. The military unit, the 039, that Junco was assigned to before Tier’s imprisonment, are an amazing crew of guys. I loved how unique and different they were. I got a kick out of seeing the different ways they reacted to Junco and she to them. Lucan, the Avian leader, is a fascinating being and his relationship with Junco is complicated. And then there are the people Junco has to fight with and against… But through it all Junco shines bright in her determination to do what she sees as right.
Some of my fav lines…ummm honestly? I highlighted 147 passages. I frackin’ LOVE this book.
♦ He smiles again. I don’t. My face will crack if I have to keep up this fake shit much longer
♦ “…And if you know so much about me, then you know that death carries very little meaning at the moment. You can try and kill me if you want – I don’t give a shit. I have nothing to lose. You’re no different than the assholes I left back on Earth and if you really want to know what I’m doing on your habitat, you better ask yourself. We both know I’m here because you want me for something.”
♦ I feel alone. My team is confused and hurt, my captain is selling me out, and I’ve told them all to pretty much fuck off. I am just Junco. Again.
♦ “I don’t mean to make comparisons like this, Lucan, and normally I never would because you’re entitled to your own culture, but on Earth we love the defective just as much as the average. More, sometimes.”
♦ Flying is not all that fun when you’re learning. For one thing, you fall an awful lot. And I’m not talking about some pansy-ass baby fall. Even in the grass that hurts.
♦”You’re not OK, Junco.” I look at him, first the one green eye, then the other. “I know. What time is it?”
♦ I let out a huge sigh and shake my head. “It would be a lot easier if they were already dead.” I look up at him, meet his eyes. “Because I’d have that shit locked down already, and be on the other side of death. That’s the best place to be, ya know? On the other side of death.” “So, that’s it? You can just turn it on and off like that? Forget about stuff and move on?” I shrug. “That’s pretty impressive, Junco, really, I envy you. But it also makes you a little bit insane.”
I have a mad, crazy passion for this series and especially for Junco. I’m Team Junco, whatever comes, whoever she’s with… I’m on her side cheering for her to make it through these challenges and be more than satisfied with her journey. If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, action, intrigue, passion, epic world building and a main protagonist that is foul mouthed, tough, vulnerable and fierce, pick up the Junco series and get addicted like me.
(((hugs))) Kat
The Queen of Tarts
August 27, 2019
This story just keeps building and building. More characters are added with twists and turns. I had to step away a couple times because my mind was reeling with how much info I had to take in with this story. My heart just ached for Junco. I wanted to reach though the pages and snatch her up and just protect the poor girl. Looking forward to the next book.
August 16, 2022
Hunger games 2.0 but more violent. I felt like this book was written by two authors - one was a YA with bad writing, the other a little better. The very violent challenges just got old really fast and so did the complete adoration or fixation everyone had toward Junco.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
Wow! Fabulous book! And goodness me, so many deaths in Fledge, where this book is mainly set. And what a twist! I am still curious about certain things, and I'm looking forward to seeing what direction this story will head in the next book.
March 18, 2017
Another great book from Huss. Violent and terrible, but terrific story. Onto #3.
August 1, 2018
this book messed me upppppp
June 23, 2020
Still loving this world & Junco & all the boys...
March 12, 2023
🎧📚
Narrated by Kristen Sieh
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Liked some parts, but disliked others.
Narrated by Kristen Sieh
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Liked some parts, but disliked others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews