Rebels Suck

Earth Sucks #1

by Heather Chambers

After a harrowing escape, Feng and his family are on the run. A rebellion hideout formed by an unlikely human and alien alliance may be their only chance to survive, but they’re not likely to be welcomed with open arms. Long-buried secrets are catching up to them, and a monster from Feng’s past is stalking his every move. All he wants is to be a normal teen again, maybe fight off the world’s most inconvenient crush on the best guy that ever happened to him and the alien embodiment of sunshine while he’s at it. When a rescue mission goes awry, any hope of returning to normalcy crumbles. Dissension in the resistance ranks and a traitor in their midst throw Feng, Cheske and Diem into a desperate race against the clock to protect their people. But the power to end the world — or save it — may already be in their hands… A must-read for upper young adult dystopian fans of Praise for the "Readers may appreciate the many twists and betrayals..." — Kirkus Reviews "Action-packed, fast-paced sci-fi story bursting with psychological games and manipulations..." — Readers' Favorite

Genres: Queer

427 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2023

About the author

Heather Chambers is a martial artist, comic-con enthusiast, and slasher film lover. She writes dystopian survivals she wouldn’t dare live through, morally-grey romances that make you question your life choices, and thrillers, all run by LGBTQ2+ characters. Armed with search histories that’d catch the FBI’s attention (for writing purposes, she swears) Heather crafts stories for Gen Z readers and millennials whose voices are swept under the rug.

Reviews

[Ana-Maria Derzsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦

⮞ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⮜
All the characters this time in the book they felt a bit more grown. I liked that they were more in tune with their character. Diem as usual is very true to her character, but I loved the changed on her being more brave and more of a fighter than running away.
There are also lots of new characters, and while it may have been a bit tricky to keep track of everyone they were a nice addition to the family of rebels.

⮞ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⮜
I've enjoyed even more the world-building. It definitely gave the story that doomsday feeling, darker, crazier, and more danger lurking at every step. It was definitely an interesting change into the feeling of the book and you could feel that dystopian vibe even more intense this time.

⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜

I've enjoyed the change in the characters, and also the fact they still had that humor even tho the world was crumbling around them. The world-building this time was a bit more detailed, and you could see how destroyed their world was, that doomsday feeling was pretty intense in a lot of the scenes in the story.

I enjoyed the confusion between Feng, Diem and Cheske when came to feelings, however, I felt there's a lack of chemistry between him and Cheske, I felt he's more compatible with Diem (I don't have any issues with him being with Cheske but they didn't really felt compatible or having any chemistry, their moments just felt a bit flat) . However, there's still plenty of time for Feng to make a decision, perhaps in the end he's not going to be with anyone - which is also fine, I think the story is great as it is without a big focus on the romance side.

I've enjoyed how important the alien funeral rituals were, they were definitely emotional and also pretty detailed on the steps they had to do and why, which I found it to be very creative and beautiful.

What felt a bit flat for me again were the more intense scenes with fighting, I felt they weren't flowing too smoothly, they were a bit too short sentences and sometimes they felt like they are read robotic instead of a natural flow. Overall I did enjoy the story and is definitely intriguing to see what's yet to come.

⮞ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞/TW ⮜
There is no spice in the story, there's a bit of romance but is pretty clean. There is bisexuality confusion between Feng, Diem & Cheske and some kisses but nothing too detailed. However, there are scenes that involve blood, broken bones, fighting, killing and so on, since it's a dystopian world it got a lot of those subjects, however the book didn't trigger me.

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Review Policy

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The apocalypse continues in the Rebels Suck and this is a great sequel that has you hooked from the first page to the last page... And that mysterious "confession" at the end had my eyebrows nearly flying off my forehead.... What does it mean? Is there another book?

Rebels Suck is written so well, it's easy to read and follow. It's dystopian sci-fi makes an interesting read... It's just so good. I love the action and the twists, the fights and the outcomes. The characters are more built upon in this book, which I loved as Rebels Suck is book 2 I still like character development.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend this series to all.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feng, Cheske, and Diem’s apocalypse continues with hellfire and chapter titles that are as sharp as they are satiating - icing on the Rebel cake. Rebels Suck is an audacious, slow burn exploration into what it means to be human, and perhaps more importantly, what we mean to each other. 

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and interesting sequel. I definitely suggest these books if you enjoy dystopian reads! I liked that we learned more about the characters in this one, building on what we already knew about them. The twists really got me, too! Which is awesome.

[Brittany ( BookWyvernLovesTea ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Earth Sucks series, and I can't say much about the plot without spoiling the first book, but what I can say is that Feng just doesn't get a break. Poor thing.
.
And okay look, this is a dystopian sci-fi and it's very intense and I read it kind of slowly because *gestures at state of the world* , but I really think it's an excellent dystopian rebels against the alien invasion where some of the aliens are helping the rebels story.
.
And I also loved that despite this being a dark and difficult situation of a book, Chambers also did such a good job of making me love the characters and weaving in these little bright spots of joy ( even bits of comedy)and hope and just really beautiful little moments that just give this story that little something extra.
.
Crazy family dynamics, found family, and friends (that could maybe be more) that you'll go absolutely feral for. And seeing Feng go berserker for said friends? *chef's kiss*

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book has us follow Feng again and his new found family which includes Mierra, a sleeper agent who is taking them to a rebel camp. Feng pretended to be their commander when he was captured causing many deaths of rebels. Now he needs to see if they’ll accept him and his family and help them stop the headmistress from destroying earth.

Oh goodness this book filled me with such trepidation, hope, terror, and even happiness! The angst and anxiety I suffered through in this book was frustrating and worth it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was soooo mad when I had to put my book down because of work. I just wanted to know what will happen to my favorite people 😭 there is so much that happens in here and twists that start from the beginning of this book. Loyalties are tested and you begin to learn who you can and just cannot trust, and it’s sad as you read it.

The characters in this book make this story. They’re so amazing! With the world they live in and what they do to survive but even amongst the terrors they still show love, and loyalty even to those aliens who are on their side. I mean it makes you want to read this book so fast just to see what will happen to them because you want to know they’ll be okay. We also meet even more new ones!

Feng I liked in the first book, but I feel like in this sequel, we really get to learn more about him and what he’s thinking and feeling. He’s so bottled up and yet blows up when it comes to protecting his family and friends. Like where can I get a friend like him who will literally jump in front of you to save you from dying? I mean he is one of the most morally grey characters I’ve ever read, but he’s lovable too, you can’t help but love him. I think with Feng he needs that loyalty from his family and friends to help keep him going because he gives and gives and gives, but not many have given back, except for some and that’s what keeps him sane and not completely berserk. I cannot help but love Feng. Yes he’s done horrid things, but he does it out of loyalty and love and it’s admiring the lengths he’ll go for those he loves even if maybe they don’t love him fully back or even have betrayed him. Oh and I still don’t like Lena 😅 so that makes Feng a better person than me!

Then there’s Cheske. My beloved, adorable, loyal Cheske! He is the comedic relief and also the one who seems to understand Feng the most and helps keep him sane. I don’t feel like I got to learn as much about Cheske in this book, but I’m hoping the next book will fix that! You do learn more about how much he cares about Feng, and how he would do anything for his best friend. The lengths these two go for each other is both terrifying and endearing.

Then there’s sweet, naive and yet fierce Diem. Our little alien who took a chance on this ragtag bunch and especially on Feng and joined their odd little found family. I love how innocent Diem is. She still doesn’t full grasp the way humans talk to each other and so she had me laughing out loud at some of her comments. Such as: when they asked how she was doing after a particular revelation, she said she’s fine. But then Feng tells her they’re asking about your emotions. And she gets super perky and says ohhh I am doing terrible and it is terrible! Thank you for asking! She’s too cute! For having a red light, she’s more like sunshine ☀️ and Feng needs more sunshine in his life with Cheske and Diem!

Octavia, Feng’s sister, once again proves what an AWESOME AND AMAZING sister she is! She is also so loyal to Feng and never once blamed him for what happened to them, unlike someone else whom I’d like to slap a few times or maybe punch, she just once again proves how much she loves her family no matter the mistakes they may make. There’s a scene in here that made me yell “yasss kween!” She is amazing!

I could probably go on and on about the others in here. These few are my favorites. However, I learned Enzo is like super smart and yet has a rather “don’t care” attitude, but I like him and want to know more. And Lloyd is just a great lumbering teddy bear of a lumberjack, he’s like the almost dad of this group, or at least for Feng, he’s always watching out for Feng. Then Feng’s brothers Killian and Jett, ah those boys, I can’t really say much without spoiling anything, so I’ll just leave it at that 😂

Oh and the romance. Omg the angsty frustrating slow burn romance with Feng trying to figure out what he wants. Gahhh he is still a teenager and I have to remember that, and I appreciate he figured himself out and his feelings first before acting on them. Let’s just say I was VERY happy with the outcome 😏 Heather did a great job of making me wait to find out how that played since there’s obviously much more important things to focus on in this book! 😂

Like I said, the characters make this series! There’s more betrayals and hurt in this book, there’s thankfully no “on screen” torture(I had a hard time with that in the last book) but that doesn’t mean there are not some terrifying and violent scenes in here, and kids dealing with trauma. This book is intense, dark and yet has hope and happiness in here.

I’m excited once again for the next book because the way this one ended left me reeling with anger and happiness, not a fun combo! And I want to know how this series continue!

This is probably the longest review I’ve ever written. Hopefully everyone made it through! Thank you Heather for the gifted e-copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amelia Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Normal sunsets painted the sky a mixture of oranges, purples, blues, and pinks. Never green. And they definitely did not swirl like a cosmic toilet."
I've missed this world, fun and violent and never a boring bit.
I've missed Diem, my alien healer, and Cheske, Feng too, little bit.
I read first book a year ago and fell in love with the action packed post-apocalyptic world with alien invasion like no other. Aliens think we don't care for our planet properly and are trying to re-populate and do it the right themselves instead. But there's no good or bad with aliens or woth humans, there's lots of greys and everyone wants to survive. Some just want to torture others using different creative ways, but that's not the main plot.
This book continues right where the first one ended and we get more answers about why and how and when everything started, my favourite part was purple glow mystery, I don't know what I expected but it wasn't this for sure.
“Never get kidnapped again.” - “I did not have much choice.”
The humor in these books, and the chapter titles are perfection!
"Something about this rotten land was worth it."
Queer alien dystopia with lots of representation and constant struggle between life and death. Read it if you want to be personally attacked and destroyed by these kind of stories.
And that ending! I have to wait a whole year for the next book? Unforgivable!
Apparently you'll enjoy this series if you like last of us and the 100 and I guess I have to read and watch those to confirm.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 Rebels Suck ARC Review 🖤

Thank you so much to Heather Chambers for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Rebels Suck is a sci-fi dystopian adventure and book two in the Earth Sucks series. As always, this is a spoiler free review, so if this seems a little vague, that’s intentional. Rebels Suck picks up immediately after the events at the end of Earth Sucks. Feng and his friends have escaped from the evil compound and are on the run. When they find refuge among the rebels, are they truly safe? Or did they trade one evil for another?

This was a fun read and a good follow up to the first book in the series! I love how we learned a little more about the character’s pasts - but I did find myself feeling like some of the characters are acting way out of their teenage age ranges, but that’s a “me” issue and not a book issue. Other than that, I enjoyed revisiting this world and learning more about its history

Overall this was a 4 star read for me. Fun world building and interesting twists on the dystopian lore. The main MC does have a few potential love interests and it feels like he’s bouncing around a little bit, but there is a romance subplot, so overall one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of dystopian apocalyptic books with fun characters, unique world building and found family vibes, then definitely pick this series up!!

[Belinda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! So many emotions, so much adventure, so much action. All the angst with the slow burn romance and all the Will they? Won’t they? had me yelling at my phone so much. But it was so worth the wait at the end!!

A dystopian Post-Apocalyptic tale with Alien Invasion starting right after the first book had me engaged from the beginning. I enjoyed watching Feng interact with the new characters and slowly get used to the hideout.

This was an intriguing slow burn exploration of what it means to be human. An emotional roller coaster till the end. I got to see Diem grow as a character and an integral part of the plot, which was inspiring.​ I loved how they persevered through everything.

There were so many touching moments and so much action that had me engaged and at the edge of my seat throughout the book. Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC to review!

[Moonljte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! The pace was delightful. The slow burn was actually insane. The relationships in this book are baffling. Looking forward to the next one