Shattered Stars

Zervana #2

by Brady Sanders

A year has passed since Prosper's crew defeated the GIBB corporation on the Mesito planet Bex.

Since then, they've done everything they can to hold the galaxy together. Portals are now free to all. Families once bound to a single world can now step anywhere they please. For some, it is liberation. For others, it is chaos. Therefore, when a stranger calls Prosper to a crowded mall, the crew goes—as they always do—to help.

But the meeting spirals into catastrophe. In the madness, twin brothers Stu and Steve are separated. Stu finds himself on Catleed in the care of an old friend, and Steve ends up on Ezdan, where an all-too-familiar darkness begins to stir.

Meanwhile, in the vacuum left by GIBB's collapse, new foes sharpen their blades. Chief among them is the mysterious Hal Ares, leader of the Band of Shadows. As the Band spreads like wildfire from planet to planet, the line between resistance and annihilation grows razor thin, and one thing becomes abundantly The galaxy's chains are broken. What comes next will tear the stars apart.

359 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Brady Sanders is the author of the ZERVANA series. You can connect with him on Instagram at @authorbradysanders

Reviews

[Reagan Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend anyone who likes a good sci fi, dystopia, thought-provoking, and imaginative novel to read the Zervana series.

Much like the first one, I loved this book. It’s really interesting, because even though the novel is a continuity of the first in many ways, includes the same characters and picks up where Zervana left off, it really is its own thing entirely. I honestly think this book is even better than the first of the series, Zervana, and it really surprised me. Going into it, I had no idea what to expect, but to leave it mulling over the consequences of freedom and eqaulity and how sometimes an even playing field can be detrimental to a society’s fabric, was absolutely not what I expected. As a matter of fact, I am disappointed with the consequences of Zervana and her crew dismantling the GIBB corporation, because it was not the solution that I previously thought it would be. Reading this makes you look at the first book and just think “wow all of this was essentially for nothing.” This book read a lot more mature than the last and I can tell that Brady’s writing style has improved a ton. I truly could see this being a book to film adaptation, it was so well written and well thought out. I have to admit I almost gave it four stars, thiugh, because I hate that this novel didn’t wrap anything up and instead I’m left with like five cliffhangers and a year to wait for the next one- but I decided, ultimately, that is not a reason to deduct a star and rather is a good thing that I am excited ti read another. So kudos, Brady.

Everyone go read and support, you won’t regret it!!

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for the Zervana sequel for two years at this point, already having read the first book three times. And, although I didn’t think this would be possible, I preferred the sequel to the first! I love the worlds of Leviathan, and the new planets introduced in this book feel like Brady is detailing places that have always existed in the universe. Ezdan in particular stands out as probably the most interesting planet in either book, and in-between places, such as the Cosmic Carousel, flesh out Leviathan with interesting, colorful strokes. And, just like the first book, there will be moments that have you near tears, especially those involving Milo, who cements himself here as the true heart of the series. I cannot wait for book 3!

[Prateek Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Stars is a fantastic continuation of the Zervana series that manages to balance high stakes action with deep character moments. The bond between the brothers is the heart of the story and it gives the massive space battles a lot more weight. I really enjoyed the world building and how the scale of the universe keeps expanding with every chapter. The writing is engaging and the pacing keeps you moving through the plot without ever feeling rushed. It is clear that a lot of care went into the character development because every choice they make feels earned. This is a great read for anyone who has been following the series and it leaves you very excited for the final conclusion.

[Pampy Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and emotionally charged continuation to the series, raising both the stakes and the intensity in all the right ways. By this point, the world of Zervana feels richly lived-in, and this installment leans fully into the consequences of everything that has come before. The plot itself is fast-paced and filled with tension, weaving together action, political intrigue, and moments of quiet reflection. There are twists that genuinely surprise, and the stakes feel higher than ever, especially as the larger conflict begins to take shape.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year after Prosper’s crew defeated the powerful GIBB corporation on the planet Bex, the galaxy is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The once-controlled portal network is now open to everyone, allowing people to travel freely between worlds. What begins as a symbol of liberation quickly reveals its complications—new opportunities, shifting alliances, and growing instability across planetary systems.

[Shaiju · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting continuation of the Zervana series. The story expands the universe with new conflicts, strong character moments, and some big moral questions about power and freedom. I liked how the author builds tension while exploring different worlds and perspectives. The ending leaves you curious about what will happen next. Definitely recommended for fans of thoughtful science fiction.

[Idainia Mentana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set a year after the fall of the powerful GIBB corporation on Bex, the story explores the consequences of a universe where interplanetary portals are finally open to everyone. What was meant to be liberation quickly reveals its darker side—unchecked movement, shifting alliances, and emerging power vacuums that threaten to destabilize entire systems.

[Brady Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just five days, return to the world of Zervana!

It's been two years since I released my last novel, and there hasn't been a single day since then when I haven't worked on this sequel. For a brief time, I considered leaving the first book as a standalone. After all, GIBB's empire fell. The rebellion is over. The good guys succeeded. But that all raised a bigger question:

What happens *after* the rebels win?
What does a galaxy look like when its borders vanish overnight?
Could freedom actually destabilize everything?

This sequel to ZERVANA seeks to answer all of those questions. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.