Unbroken Light

The Star Hunters #2

by K.N. Salustro

WELCOME TO THE LIGHT

The attack at Ametria and the resurfacing of a Neo-Andromedan threat has shaken the Star Federation. The galactic military must now outmaneuver the Seventh Sun, a dangerous enemy that came blazing forth from the unknown. Betrayals from within have left the Star Federation vulnerable, and Captains Jason Stone and Erica Anderson fight to keep the galaxy safe from the biggest threat since the days of the Andromedan War. But Jason knows that there is far more to this new enemy than meets the eye, and he struggles to keep the Star Federation from making a fatal mistake.

With Jason's help, Lance Ashburn flees from the Star Federation and sets out to track down Lissa after her capture by the Seventh Sun. Deserting his rank and smearing his name, Lance has thrown all his faith into finding the Neo-Andromedan bounty hunter. He believes that she has the knowledge and the ability to help him destroy the Seventh Sun, but with Star Federation soldiers in pursuit, his freedom will not last.

Ensnared by the Seventh Sun, Lissa faces her worst fear at their hands. As the Seventh Sun tries to Awaken her, she fights for her life, and for her very self. To survive, she must embrace the part of herself that she has fled from for so long, but in so doing, risks losing everything else. If she is not careful, she could drown in the Light, but that is a chance she must take. The only alternative is death.

Genres: Science Fiction

Paperback

First published November 18, 2015

About the author

K.N. Salustro is a science fiction and fantasy writer who loves outer space, dragons, and stories that include at least one of those things. When not writing, she can often be found drawing or painting, designing and sewing plushies, or trying to play video games while her cat demands her attention. (She doesn't play a lot these days.)

Her science fiction trilogy The Star Hunters has been nominated for the Cygnus Awards, with each book in the trilogy receiving its own accolades. Most recently, Light Runner (the third book of the series) received an honorable mention in the Global eBook Awards.Chasing Shadows, the first book in the trilogy and K.N. Salustro's debut novel, was also a quarter-finalist in the 2018 Screencraft Cinematic Book Contest, and won a silver medal in the 2019 Readers Favorite book awards in addition to receiving a 5-star review from the same platform.

K.N. Salustro has also written a spinoff novella called The Arkin Races, and made her fantasy debut with Cause of Death: ???, a murder mystery starring and narrated by Death. She is now working on her Southern Echo pirate fantasy series.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lissa has been taken prisoner by the Seventh Sun and subjected to wild experimentation. Lance is on his way to the rescue.

It doesn't really seem possible, but Lissa proves herself even more awesome than in book one. She is resistant to the mind control they are trying to inflict on her, and she survives a procedure that no one thought possible. More and more this character manages to surprise me. She has grown and is even more fierce than before. I can't imagine how she'll end up when this series is concluded.

This installment gave more specifics on the Awakening process. It's an intriguing scifi/mad scientist sort of addition that really shines in this tale of intergalactic war. With vivid descriptions, I truly felt immersed in this universe. Some of the writing is downright beautiful, despite the dark times these characters are living in. There are also some very interesting looking aliens, which are always a nice touch in scifi.

I felt I got to know and like Lance more in this installment. He has more depth and is more interesting than in book 1. I also got to know Jason a little better, and I found his actions to be just as noble as our other heroes, even if he still seems to be a minor character. I also enjoyed that the author keeps the main characters on task, not allowing Lissa and Lance to fall for each other and go pawing at each other between star systems. It drives me crazy when the action is slowed for a (predictable) romantic subplot, and I'm grateful that doesn't happen here. It just goes to prove that a man and woman can work together without it becoming a lust festival. :)

The Seventh Sun and Star Federation haven't yet resolved their differences, so I'm expecting more from this series and am anxiously awaiting the outcome. Oh, and I love those arkins. :)

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ray Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbroken Light, the second book in the Star Hunters series by K N Salustro, continues the story of Lissa (the Shadow), a bounty assassin. Lissa is also a genetically modified Neo-Andromedan (“Nandro”) who has been captured by the Seventh Sun. By “awakening” Nandros, the Sun is creating a super-army to subjugate humanity. Lissa prefers to remain asleep, but she may not have a choice.

In Book One, Commander Lance Ashburn, of the Star Federation, was Lissa’s pursuer, captor, and captive (in that order). Together they were an effective team. In Book Two, Lissa is a captive of the Sun. Lance, stripped of rank and declared a criminal, is back in pursuit of Lissa. This time he must succeed without Star Fed support.

The chase/hunt is on again. Book Two continues a good, engaging sci-fi space opera in which the human race is imperiled, and trust is in short supply. Again, I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next installment.

[Akahayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my! This book was something. It had all the emotions, especially with the arkins (Ugh I wanna cry) but I'm not giving it a five star cause it felt a bit slow at some points.

However, this book added loads to the storyline and built some great character arcs so I still love it obviously.

Hoping to start the next (and final) book of this series. Pray for me guys cause I have a feeling that Light Runner is going to demolish me.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the series, Unbroken Light picks up immediately after where Chasing Shadows left off. While it's not necessary to read the previous book, I highly recommend it. There's a great deal of world-building and background which goes past otherwise.

Similarly, the relationships and characters develop along the same and strong lines — Lissa and Lance tempt each other sexually and socially. In this book, Lissa takes a strong advantage, and Lance admits he's starting to ‘think like a hunter’. Meanwhile, the backdrop of galactic war, fear and hatred commences apace.

Several side characters have chapters in the limelight here, including a rather touching relationship between two Neo-Andromedans which was teased brilliantly, and did not the way I expected.

I read this immediately after the first book, and am… not quite as enthused as I was about the first. While it may have been fatigue, I think the pacing is different. Here, the narrative moves more slowly, and with more weight. The stakes are higher, and the consequences more shattering. However, with no real need to beat the clock, both the characters and the story for most of the book feels more deliberate, with a few flash points. This is a bridge novel, for what I'm assuming will be a climactic third book. Your experience may vary.

[Brian Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbroken Light : Book Two of The Star Hunters. The continuing saga of Lance Ashburn of the Star Federation and Lissa the Bounty Hunter, had me laughing crying smiling surprised and even a few shocking moments in a roller coaster ride of emotions. Flowing seamlessly, Unbroken Light continues right where Chasing Shadows left off. As with Chasing Shadows, Unbroken Light was a very enjoyable read, I couldn't put the book down I was completely captivated. I'm completely in love with the arkins, Blade and Orion. I felt like I was sitting in the copilot seat riding along with Lance and Lissa through their journey in space. Just like I said after reading Chasing Shadows that I could not wait for Unbroken Light, I'm now excitingly and patiently waiting for book three, to continue on with the story which I have fallen in love with all of the characters and their journeys.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin that is narrated by Adam Verner, this is an honest review. This is an immersive, poignant and profound journey that faces former Star Federation officer Lance Ashburn and Lissa as they go up against the merciless Seventh Sun as they threaten peace throughout the galaxy. Both Lance and Lissa have undergone such deep trauma and only just beginning the road to recover; especially Lissa, whom was abused by the Seventh Sun and under went an "Awakening" that was meant to kill her upon an backwater outpost. Survived by sheer luck and rescued by Ashburn, they band together as they face a journey that will determine their fate but as well as the of entire galaxy... This takes a whole new depth narrated by Adam Verner that brings these characters to life and making the author's vivid imagination memorable and impactful. Highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this book as part of the series. I wasn't quite sure after reading the first book where the series was headed or if it would even be a series so when I stumbled across this second book I was quite excited and by the end, feel like its definitely a series I want to continue with. As for the book on its own, I would describe it as a lead up book. It's definitely a build up for something big to come (at least that's how I see it). It almost felt a little short and there wasn't near as much action. If this were a stand-alone, that would be disappointing. But as a lead-up to what I assume is a war on the horizon, I'm left eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win. It is a sci-fi book about Neo-Andromedan shaking up the Star Federation.

[Raven and Beez]

Just bought the book on Smashwords. Can't wait to read it!