Each time I read another book in this series, I think the latest one is the best book. Broken is no exception. Mary Brock Jones eco-scifi series about colonization brings fascinating characters, exotic worlds and real-world issues together.
In Broken, Anna and Cumchdach are married with a new baby. But prior the events in this book, it was discovered that Anna’s father and his company defrauded Cumchdach’s family company Den Coille. Also at play is a conspiracy to ignore the Alliance’s directive to change how they treat the planet Arcadia. Money and power seem to be the only motivations, so Federal Marshals ask Cumchdach to infiltrate the conspirators.
These complications serve to drive a wedge between Anna and Cumchdach and they end up separated. Cumchdach continues to work with the Marshals while botanist Anna studes the planet’s ecology to look for solutions to save the world.
The complex plot takes 618 pages to unravel. Through all this, Anna and Cumchdach struggle to be together and struggle to be apart. The reader knows they belong together, but complications threaten to tear them apart. Enemies hound both Anna and Cumchdach, and the Marshalls are just as much a thorn in their side as they are protectors.
Broken is best read as part of the 4-book series. All the main characters from books 1-3 appear in in this one with hints of future main characters to come. I am a big fan of this series and will plan to keep cheering for the good people of Aracadia!
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.