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Altered Earth #2
Of Abrasion
Altered supremacists. Humanity on the brink of annihilation. Two lives entangled.
Miriam Tanner is in shock. After finding the severed arm of the woman she rejected despite her growing feelings, the Special Operations Group combat medic spirals while genetically engineered Altered refugees flood her human city. As tensions between the two groups escalate, her world shifts again with the nightmare news that the Apostates, Altered terrorists, have overthrown their government.
In attempts to ensure humankind’s survival, Miriam and her team embark on missions to turn the tide of a looming war. But as the stakes rise higher, she’s in danger of not only losing herself, but the fight for victory.
Can Miriam and Echo change the course of the war?
Of Abrasion is the thrilling second book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like complex characters, fast-paced twists and turns, and human dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s descent into chaos.
Miriam Tanner is in shock. After finding the severed arm of the woman she rejected despite her growing feelings, the Special Operations Group combat medic spirals while genetically engineered Altered refugees flood her human city. As tensions between the two groups escalate, her world shifts again with the nightmare news that the Apostates, Altered terrorists, have overthrown their government.
In attempts to ensure humankind’s survival, Miriam and her team embark on missions to turn the tide of a looming war. But as the stakes rise higher, she’s in danger of not only losing herself, but the fight for victory.
Can Miriam and Echo change the course of the war?
Of Abrasion is the thrilling second book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like complex characters, fast-paced twists and turns, and human dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s descent into chaos.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
530 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Lee
3 books30 followersS.J. Lee is an award-winning author of speculative fiction. She has worked and lived in Iraq, Mexico, Chile, India, Brazil, and Guyana, and currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with her spouse and rescued street-dog. Of Friction is her debut novel and the first of the Altered Earth series. You can follow @sjleewriter on Instagram for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 24, 2025
I am deceased, rip me. Review to come once I stop crying.
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Updated Review:
Of Abrasion by S.J. Lee is phenomenal. I don’t just recommend this book—I want to grab everyone by the collar and shove it into their hands while screaming, “READ THIS!” So just picture me doing that to you right now. It’s that good.
From the very first chapter, I knew this was going to be a masterpiece. The first book was already an easy five stars for me, but this? This blew it out of the water. The action is relentless, the tension is razor-sharp, and the emotional stakes are suffocating in the best possible way. It’s fast-paced and high-stakes, but what really makes this book sing is the characters. These people are flawed, raw, so real it hurts, and their dynamics—especially the found family within the military squad—are some of the best I’ve ever read. They fight, they break, they make impossible choices, and when they suffer, you feel it. And you will love every second of the pain.
I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours, and I’m still reeling. I know it’s going to live in my soul forever. It has the perfect balance of heart-pounding action, gut-wrenching emotion, and deeply satisfying character arcs. If you love sci-fi, if you love incredible storytelling, if you love books that own you—you need to read this. I don’t just want this as a TV series, I want it as a multi-season, big-budget, award-winning epic. S.J. Lee, you are cruel, and I love you for it. I will never recover from this book, and I thank you for the tears.
And what makes it even better? By the end, the entire squad is just as shattered as they are as individuals. They start off damaged by the events of the previous, but by the time the final pages hit, they are utterly wrecked (and so are you)—and I loved it. It makes everything feel earned, every moment of triumph hard-won, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own. I'm going to go stare at the wall for a while now.
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Updated Review:
Of Abrasion by S.J. Lee is phenomenal. I don’t just recommend this book—I want to grab everyone by the collar and shove it into their hands while screaming, “READ THIS!” So just picture me doing that to you right now. It’s that good.
From the very first chapter, I knew this was going to be a masterpiece. The first book was already an easy five stars for me, but this? This blew it out of the water. The action is relentless, the tension is razor-sharp, and the emotional stakes are suffocating in the best possible way. It’s fast-paced and high-stakes, but what really makes this book sing is the characters. These people are flawed, raw, so real it hurts, and their dynamics—especially the found family within the military squad—are some of the best I’ve ever read. They fight, they break, they make impossible choices, and when they suffer, you feel it. And you will love every second of the pain.
I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours, and I’m still reeling. I know it’s going to live in my soul forever. It has the perfect balance of heart-pounding action, gut-wrenching emotion, and deeply satisfying character arcs. If you love sci-fi, if you love incredible storytelling, if you love books that own you—you need to read this. I don’t just want this as a TV series, I want it as a multi-season, big-budget, award-winning epic. S.J. Lee, you are cruel, and I love you for it. I will never recover from this book, and I thank you for the tears.
And what makes it even better? By the end, the entire squad is just as shattered as they are as individuals. They start off damaged by the events of the previous, but by the time the final pages hit, they are utterly wrecked (and so are you)—and I loved it. It makes everything feel earned, every moment of triumph hard-won, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own. I'm going to go stare at the wall for a while now.
March 23, 2025
Having finished OF FRICTION, the first book in the Altered Earth series by S.J. Lee, I was privileged enough to receive an advanced review copy of OF ABRASION.
Once again Ms. Lee has flexed her writing muscles and shown her talent for immersive storytelling, in depth characterization, and impeccable prose. OF ABRASION outshines her debut and that one is no slouch.
This book does not care for your feelings. It does not care about following trope standards. Ms. Lee does as she wants and plays with your heart strings like a harp from the depths of hell.
This is the kind of book you have to put down because your emotions run too high. This is the kind of book you think about days after you finish. This is the kind of book you pick right up again and reread.
OF ABRASION is what military science fiction should be. Powerful, gripping, and devastating.
Now we wait for book three.
Once again Ms. Lee has flexed her writing muscles and shown her talent for immersive storytelling, in depth characterization, and impeccable prose. OF ABRASION outshines her debut and that one is no slouch.
This book does not care for your feelings. It does not care about following trope standards. Ms. Lee does as she wants and plays with your heart strings like a harp from the depths of hell.
This is the kind of book you have to put down because your emotions run too high. This is the kind of book you think about days after you finish. This is the kind of book you pick right up again and reread.
OF ABRASION is what military science fiction should be. Powerful, gripping, and devastating.
Now we wait for book three.
March 10, 2025
Thankfully this picks up pretty much right where Of Friction left off with a major cliffhanger. SJ Lee's writing has improved since the first book and the story flows quite nicely. Or maybe I just understood the world better on my second visit. You get more action, more character development and a greater picture of the Altered Earth world. I blew through this pretty quickly, given the length of it, because the story really sucked me in. I kept thinking, just one more chapter then I'll stop. But I usually didn't.
SJ Lee really writes great action and battle sequences that pull you in and make you feel like you're right there.
I stand by my Aliens, Starship Troopers, Forever War comparisons from book one.
SJ Lee really writes great action and battle sequences that pull you in and make you feel like you're right there.
I stand by my Aliens, Starship Troopers, Forever War comparisons from book one.
March 23, 2025
Wow. Just wow. This book is as good if not better than the first one. This series is one of the best sci-fi/military series I've ever read. The fact that it is LGBTQ+ positive is just like the icing on the cake.
It is still very much a character driven story despite it being quite action packed. Lee takes you and puts you through the emotional wringer. I have serious whiplash from everything she did to me. I loved it so much. Lee does not shy away from anything. She writes about the experiences of PTSD, various unhealthy coping mechanisms and their drawbacks, grief...happiness, love...anger. The emotional damage from this book should not be underestimated.
Lee does an amazing job of highlighting the macro level stuff while being entirely focused on the micro level interactions. You get all the scope of what is going on in the wider world, and all of the emotional nuance of seeing it through the eyes of different individuals. She keeps their reactions and emotions as true to real life as I've seen anyone do, so it feels so authentic.
Sam and Miriam...our POV characters are so nuanced and lifelike. And that only makes everything so much worse and better at the same time. I won't spoil what happens with them, but I am no longer sure about how I feel about them as a them. Lee swears there will be redemption, but I don't know how she'll pull it off in book three...but I will definitely be there to find out.
It is still very much a character driven story despite it being quite action packed. Lee takes you and puts you through the emotional wringer. I have serious whiplash from everything she did to me. I loved it so much. Lee does not shy away from anything. She writes about the experiences of PTSD, various unhealthy coping mechanisms and their drawbacks, grief...happiness, love...anger. The emotional damage from this book should not be underestimated.
Lee does an amazing job of highlighting the macro level stuff while being entirely focused on the micro level interactions. You get all the scope of what is going on in the wider world, and all of the emotional nuance of seeing it through the eyes of different individuals. She keeps their reactions and emotions as true to real life as I've seen anyone do, so it feels so authentic.
Sam and Miriam...our POV characters are so nuanced and lifelike. And that only makes everything so much worse and better at the same time. I won't spoil what happens with them, but I am no longer sure about how I feel about them as a them. Lee swears there will be redemption, but I don't know how she'll pull it off in book three...but I will definitely be there to find out.
June 7, 2025
I read the first book of The Altered Earth Series, Of Friction, for the 2024/25 Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC). I enjoyed it enough to buy and read this, the second book in the series.
I’m not a big fan of military science fiction. I am a pacifist and a vegetarian so reading about killing is not my go to topic. S. J. Lee’s books are full of fighting and killing and all of the gore that goes along with it so that I chose to read the second in the series tells you how great she writes.
This dystopian series takes place in a world decimated by human arrogance. Nearly all plant and animal life has been eradicated and much of the land is full of left over radiation. To survive, genetic scientists bred the Altered, a race of humans that could thrive despite the devastation. Of course, the altered view the remaining humans as inferior and obsolete so a new “us verses them” world emerged.
The books center around Sam Ryan, call sign Valkyrie, a career soldier who serves along with her older brother Scott. Through her we meet a gang of other notable characters in her squad including her main squeeze, Miriam, call sign Tanner.
Picking up where the first book left off, Of Abrasion is full of action, intrigue, and plots twists and turns. Also there is enough sex, lust, love, conflict, alcohol abuse, loyalty, betrayal, friendship, loss, death, and heartache to grab the reader and pull you in. Lee’s writing is excellent and you quickly feel like you are living the story along with the characters. In fact, I enjoyed Lee’s second book even more that the first.
As with the first book, Of Abrasion ends with the storyline opening onto a new adventure. Fortunately, the third book in the series, Of Imperfection, is due out next year.
I’m not a big fan of military science fiction. I am a pacifist and a vegetarian so reading about killing is not my go to topic. S. J. Lee’s books are full of fighting and killing and all of the gore that goes along with it so that I chose to read the second in the series tells you how great she writes.
This dystopian series takes place in a world decimated by human arrogance. Nearly all plant and animal life has been eradicated and much of the land is full of left over radiation. To survive, genetic scientists bred the Altered, a race of humans that could thrive despite the devastation. Of course, the altered view the remaining humans as inferior and obsolete so a new “us verses them” world emerged.
The books center around Sam Ryan, call sign Valkyrie, a career soldier who serves along with her older brother Scott. Through her we meet a gang of other notable characters in her squad including her main squeeze, Miriam, call sign Tanner.
Picking up where the first book left off, Of Abrasion is full of action, intrigue, and plots twists and turns. Also there is enough sex, lust, love, conflict, alcohol abuse, loyalty, betrayal, friendship, loss, death, and heartache to grab the reader and pull you in. Lee’s writing is excellent and you quickly feel like you are living the story along with the characters. In fact, I enjoyed Lee’s second book even more that the first.
As with the first book, Of Abrasion ends with the storyline opening onto a new adventure. Fortunately, the third book in the series, Of Imperfection, is due out next year.
August 6, 2025
I was promised emotional pain and I was delivered it boxed, wrapped, and with a bow. I will be impatiently waiting for February now!
June 24, 2025
S.J. Lee truly outdid herself with this book! She managed to pack so much into it, and it still feels real and believable. But, if you cared about any of the characters in the first book, prepare to be heartbroken! I’m still feeling the pain, but I’m still rooting for Sam and Miriam. On top of everything S.J. Lee introduced in Of Friction, she added even more in this book, and she really deepened the characters from the first one too. I had to stop reading a few times because my mind was so overstimulated. But, despite all of that, it was so action-packed that I finished this book faster than the first one! I can’t wait for book 3, and I’m already crying just thinking about how long that wait will be! It’s not a cliffhanger ending, but it sure felt like it when I couldn’t just pick up the next one!
June 17, 2025
This is military sci-fi done well. Instead of just focusing on bravery and brotherhood, it's focused on the character's experiences. The lingering trauma, the fledgling romances and friendships born into a life that could be cut short at any moment. The inhuman brutality of conflict sets the backdrop for the regular mundanities of lives that progress in it's shadow. It will make you laugh, it will make you cringe, and it will absolutely tear your heart out.
And when the violence takes center stage, as it inevitably must, be ready for it. There's clearly a lot of research and first-hand experience that's gone into this series. It has the verisimilitude of a story told by someone who knows the shapes of a conflict, what military action looks like, and how it affects people.
There's also a curious seed of a thought planted in Of Abrasion that I hope Lee continues to explore. In a conflict between humans and the other, what does it mean when you have to take on parts of the other to fight them? What does that make you in doing so? If your humanity is lost in a conflict to preserve humanity, what is gained?
I love the world S.J. is building and I am absolutely ready for the finale, and then maybe some more after that.
And when the violence takes center stage, as it inevitably must, be ready for it. There's clearly a lot of research and first-hand experience that's gone into this series. It has the verisimilitude of a story told by someone who knows the shapes of a conflict, what military action looks like, and how it affects people.
There's also a curious seed of a thought planted in Of Abrasion that I hope Lee continues to explore. In a conflict between humans and the other, what does it mean when you have to take on parts of the other to fight them? What does that make you in doing so? If your humanity is lost in a conflict to preserve humanity, what is gained?
I love the world S.J. is building and I am absolutely ready for the finale, and then maybe some more after that.
March 17, 2025
In the first segment of the ‘Altered Earth’ series, we met our main characters - the Echo Special Operations Group - through their assigned mission of ensuring a peaceful ‘Altered’-human peace agreement summit. After some “trials and tribulations” (🥴) we now sit with the team being assigned a new mission - working with the Altered refugees to fight against both human and Altered terrorists in an attempt to reclaim their overthrown human government.
This book surpassed whatever a 5 star rating ever was and ever could be. I genuinely do not have the words to explain how much I enjoyed this book and how much this series has come to mean for me, but I’ll try nonetheless.
This series is, in essence, a character study in the military sci-fi genre and less of a “let’s go fight & win a war” action type of book. We focus on the characters as they get to know each other, as they work in this military regime, and as they experience the literal worst of humanity (and “Altered-ity”??) you could ever encounter. This series isn’t one-sided either - the author isn’t shy of introducing characters from what you believe to be “the other side” and, at times, you come to care about them to the same extent as the main characters. Aka this book HURTS - the author really knows how to play with your feelings and how to twist the knife that’s already been twisted.
The level of realism (although not nearly required for fantasy and sci-fi) was truly some of the best aspects the author included. Not only do we see these characters at their best, finding those hidden moments of joy in war, but we see their range of coping mechanisms, be it alcoholism, active avoidance, hyper focus, revenge seeking behavior, or a “help others because I can’t help myself” mindset. Their development in this aspect alone from book 1 to 2 was really well depicted and thought out. It is truly impossible to dislike any of these characters and I, for multiple reasons, regard these as some of my favorite fictional characters to date.
Despite the above, the plot was most definitely not neglected and it was really unpredictable in the best of ways. I had no idea where it was going and most definitely did NOT expect that ending (👀). The author expertly wove the canvas that is the backdrop to the main action and it still surprises me when little details throughout the story end up either being nothing (…yet…) or one of the biggest hidden spoilers. The plot really pulls you into the story and the characters make you stay.
All in all, trust me when I say that this series is drastically underhyped and it deserves so much more attention. Read. This. Book.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
This book surpassed whatever a 5 star rating ever was and ever could be. I genuinely do not have the words to explain how much I enjoyed this book and how much this series has come to mean for me, but I’ll try nonetheless.
This series is, in essence, a character study in the military sci-fi genre and less of a “let’s go fight & win a war” action type of book. We focus on the characters as they get to know each other, as they work in this military regime, and as they experience the literal worst of humanity (and “Altered-ity”??) you could ever encounter. This series isn’t one-sided either - the author isn’t shy of introducing characters from what you believe to be “the other side” and, at times, you come to care about them to the same extent as the main characters. Aka this book HURTS - the author really knows how to play with your feelings and how to twist the knife that’s already been twisted.
The level of realism (although not nearly required for fantasy and sci-fi) was truly some of the best aspects the author included. Not only do we see these characters at their best, finding those hidden moments of joy in war, but we see their range of coping mechanisms, be it alcoholism, active avoidance, hyper focus, revenge seeking behavior, or a “help others because I can’t help myself” mindset. Their development in this aspect alone from book 1 to 2 was really well depicted and thought out. It is truly impossible to dislike any of these characters and I, for multiple reasons, regard these as some of my favorite fictional characters to date.
Despite the above, the plot was most definitely not neglected and it was really unpredictable in the best of ways. I had no idea where it was going and most definitely did NOT expect that ending (👀). The author expertly wove the canvas that is the backdrop to the main action and it still surprises me when little details throughout the story end up either being nothing (…yet…) or one of the biggest hidden spoilers. The plot really pulls you into the story and the characters make you stay.
All in all, trust me when I say that this series is drastically underhyped and it deserves so much more attention. Read. This. Book.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2025
This is the second book of Altered Earth. Miriam is in shock as she thinks Sam is dead, but she has no time to grieve. The conflict between the wunbies aka the promised and the normal altered escalates even as altered refugees flood the human city. Echo gets a super secret mission, and Sam is having an experimental surgery to get a new arm.
Sam has to navigate an acquaintance with an altered royal, conflict with her squad commander, and delays on the part of medical that refuses to allow her to return to SOG, and a new relationship with Miriam. Scott’s return to Station City and yet another Echo Mission that excludes her has Sam feeling depressed.
But when the wunbies overthrow the altered royalty and attack Station City, Sam has to make some hard decisions about how far she’s willing to go to push back.
This was a chonk of a book, but it didn’t feel that way at all, with how the author managed to maintain the tension throughout. The characterisation is extremely good, and I really wanted to shake Sam and Miriam at times. Neither of them know how to communicate, and naturally, misunderstandings arise.
This one too ends in a cliff hanger type of place, but alas! Book 3 isn’t on then horizon yet. I once again threatened the author with various fates, but don’t let that put you off! This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and sci fi.
Sam has to navigate an acquaintance with an altered royal, conflict with her squad commander, and delays on the part of medical that refuses to allow her to return to SOG, and a new relationship with Miriam. Scott’s return to Station City and yet another Echo Mission that excludes her has Sam feeling depressed.
But when the wunbies overthrow the altered royalty and attack Station City, Sam has to make some hard decisions about how far she’s willing to go to push back.
This was a chonk of a book, but it didn’t feel that way at all, with how the author managed to maintain the tension throughout. The characterisation is extremely good, and I really wanted to shake Sam and Miriam at times. Neither of them know how to communicate, and naturally, misunderstandings arise.
This one too ends in a cliff hanger type of place, but alas! Book 3 isn’t on then horizon yet. I once again threatened the author with various fates, but don’t let that put you off! This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and sci fi.
April 23, 2025
I can’t stop thinking about this book!!!
I loved book 1 which left off with a huge cliff hanger, so I couldn’t wait to read this book!
My favorite things about it:
1: The character development dives even deeper in book 2. The author does an amazing job with dialogue and there are so many interactions between characters that really made me smile or cry or just feel all the emotions! I really could relate to the characters and feel invested in them like they are real!
2: There is a lot of action, suspense, and surprise with this plot and it keeps building and building until it explodes!! I had several moments of shouting “WHAT?!” at my book.
3: The military jargon and tactical parts are spot on!
4: Well done dystopian worlds are my favorite and this one is awesome!
5: I really appreciated all the chapter titles too!!
It is incredibly well written and the characters are so believable and lovable. Absolutely must read this series!!!
I loved book 1 which left off with a huge cliff hanger, so I couldn’t wait to read this book!
My favorite things about it:
1: The character development dives even deeper in book 2. The author does an amazing job with dialogue and there are so many interactions between characters that really made me smile or cry or just feel all the emotions! I really could relate to the characters and feel invested in them like they are real!
2: There is a lot of action, suspense, and surprise with this plot and it keeps building and building until it explodes!! I had several moments of shouting “WHAT?!” at my book.
3: The military jargon and tactical parts are spot on!
4: Well done dystopian worlds are my favorite and this one is awesome!
5: I really appreciated all the chapter titles too!!
It is incredibly well written and the characters are so believable and lovable. Absolutely must read this series!!!
March 21, 2025
S. J. Lee excels at writing painful memories and truths in this second installment of the Altered Earth series.
The dialogue, the hurt, the authenticity of the characters remains unwaivering in Lee's ability to draw you in. That feeling of not wanting to know the gory details but you find yourself reading on.
Astounding addition to add to Lee's accomplishments. Fantastic series; I felt like I was getting beat up but I wanted more- bring the pain, give me more.
The dialogue, the hurt, the authenticity of the characters remains unwaivering in Lee's ability to draw you in. That feeling of not wanting to know the gory details but you find yourself reading on.
Astounding addition to add to Lee's accomplishments. Fantastic series; I felt like I was getting beat up but I wanted more- bring the pain, give me more.
December 12, 2025
War, chaos, technological miracles, bureaucratic delays, and the gut-wrenching descent of a favorite character into darkness. Set against a backdrop of a world whose politics and duties demand so much from these characters. Lesbians are self-sabotaging left and right, but the human drama is written as excellently as the action scenes.
December 7, 2025
Raced right from the first book to the second and didn’t stop until I had finished! Seriously good storytelling! Can’t wait for the third!
June 20, 2025
This is far and away the best sapphic military sci-fi I’ve read. And it’s not really all that sapphic, so let’s just say, you could put this up against most other military sci-fi in general. Not spaceships like Honor Harrington, but ground assaults: dark and gritty and full of things going horribly wrong.
I thought there were some things that could have been improved in the first installment, and those are all taken care of here. I could wish Sam didn’t have quite such a hair trigger when it comes to jumping to conclusions about her friends… it seems to have clearly led her astray once and likely twice… but all the same, it seems pretty in character given everything that’s happened. Not to mention the lead-in to book three wouldn’t have happened without it! So while she could use a friend to talk some sense into her… I’m there for the ride.
All in all, I’m really impressed. Great action, great character relationships (for better or for worse but always believable), great sci-fi tech, and the overall storyline has become much clearer over the course of this book. I’m actually pretty frustrated that I might have to wait a whole year for the next installment! :)
Discussion with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLINW0Fugi9/
I thought there were some things that could have been improved in the first installment, and those are all taken care of here. I could wish Sam didn’t have quite such a hair trigger when it comes to jumping to conclusions about her friends… it seems to have clearly led her astray once and likely twice… but all the same, it seems pretty in character given everything that’s happened. Not to mention the lead-in to book three wouldn’t have happened without it! So while she could use a friend to talk some sense into her… I’m there for the ride.
All in all, I’m really impressed. Great action, great character relationships (for better or for worse but always believable), great sci-fi tech, and the overall storyline has become much clearer over the course of this book. I’m actually pretty frustrated that I might have to wait a whole year for the next installment! :)
Discussion with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLINW0Fugi9/
December 18, 2025
Audiobook Review
The moment I finished first installment (Of Friction) from the Altered Earth Series by S.J.Lee, I was ready to jump into book 2 and it didn’t disappoint. Of Abrasion started right back where we left off in the first book. No time to take a breather.
Lee’s writing got even better in Book 2. She does a phenomenal job of creating a fictional world that feels easy to get lost in with characters that will keep you entertained and grow on you more and more with each book and chapter.
Her storytelling is amazing, while there are a lot of action filled scenes that will keep you on the edge a long the way, we also get some moments to get to know the the characters on a deeper level, including some family drama and a sapphic love story.
This book comes with a lot oft twist and turns. And while you constantly have a sense of something’s going to happen, it still comes out of nowhere and doesn’t feel predictable.
Towards the end of the book I wasn‘t sure who had to catch their breaths more often, me or the characters. I literally started counting with the MC at some point and mumbled „same“ into the void, while catching my breath.
And this leaves me with three questions at the End of Book 2:
1. How many times can you hurt your readers before YOU as an Author, feel bad about it?
2. How do I heal from the emotional damage that the book has left me with?
3. Where is book 3?
This book wasn’t just great, it was was outstanding and easily deserves a 5-star rating. I am now left with all sorts of feelings and excitement for book 3 that can‘t come soon enough.
Since I listened to the Audio Book, I would also like to leave some praises for Savannah Gilmore as well. She did a phenomenal job narrating all of these amazing characters, made them each stand out and bring it all to life for the reader. I really had to remind myself a few times, that all of these characters are narrated by just one person. This is a whole group of people in a very fast paced and action filled story and you never lose track of who is talking.
The moment I finished first installment (Of Friction) from the Altered Earth Series by S.J.Lee, I was ready to jump into book 2 and it didn’t disappoint. Of Abrasion started right back where we left off in the first book. No time to take a breather.
Lee’s writing got even better in Book 2. She does a phenomenal job of creating a fictional world that feels easy to get lost in with characters that will keep you entertained and grow on you more and more with each book and chapter.
Her storytelling is amazing, while there are a lot of action filled scenes that will keep you on the edge a long the way, we also get some moments to get to know the the characters on a deeper level, including some family drama and a sapphic love story.
This book comes with a lot oft twist and turns. And while you constantly have a sense of something’s going to happen, it still comes out of nowhere and doesn’t feel predictable.
Towards the end of the book I wasn‘t sure who had to catch their breaths more often, me or the characters. I literally started counting with the MC at some point and mumbled „same“ into the void, while catching my breath.
And this leaves me with three questions at the End of Book 2:
1. How many times can you hurt your readers before YOU as an Author, feel bad about it?
2. How do I heal from the emotional damage that the book has left me with?
3. Where is book 3?
This book wasn’t just great, it was was outstanding and easily deserves a 5-star rating. I am now left with all sorts of feelings and excitement for book 3 that can‘t come soon enough.
Since I listened to the Audio Book, I would also like to leave some praises for Savannah Gilmore as well. She did a phenomenal job narrating all of these amazing characters, made them each stand out and bring it all to life for the reader. I really had to remind myself a few times, that all of these characters are narrated by just one person. This is a whole group of people in a very fast paced and action filled story and you never lose track of who is talking.
December 18, 2025
This is book 2 in a dystopian military sci-fi trilogy and the sad wait until book 3 begins. The character development and their dynamic relationships really hooked me. It was such an emotional read - I screamed, I cried, I wanted to throw my kindle off the cruise ship at one point. My soul was crushed. 100% would absolutely recommend.
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