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Stars Fall Circle #1
When Planets Fall
Breaker's home is cleaved by blood. The three tribes on the planet Scarlatti, whose only difference is their blood color, each want to exploit Breaker's valley for themselves. The feudal tension has already claimed red-blood Breaker's leg and his older brother. Now all this 18-year old wants is to maintain the tenuous peace in order to keep his little 'stroid of a brother alive. Malani, a red-blood raised blue, is a kidnapped POW and only wants to return to her adoptive home with her dangerous blue secrets. Luka, a red-blood stewing for trouble, wants to right wrongs done to his family and bathe his home in justice.
All three intersect when Breaker discovers a wrecked starship and is given seven days by the green-bloods to fix and hand it over as a weapon. Breaker must decide if aiding his enemies is worth the home he knows and his family's life. War is coming. And war respects no boundaries. And war leaves no survivors.
All three intersect when Breaker discovers a wrecked starship and is given seven days by the green-bloods to fix and hand it over as a weapon. Breaker must decide if aiding his enemies is worth the home he knows and his family's life. War is coming. And war respects no boundaries. And war leaves no survivors.
413 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2017
20 people are currently reading
946 people want to read
About the author
Abby J. Reed
16 books89 followersAbby J. Reed is the author of the STARS FALL CIRCLE series and the memoir THE COLOR OF PAIN. She has a degree in English Writing and is drawn to characters with physical limitations due to her own neurological disorder called Chronic Migraine. Abby lives in Colorado with her husband and two fluffy pups. If her hands aren’t on the keyboard, they are stained purple and blue with paint. Find her online at www.abbyjreed.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 31, 2017
Excellent world-building and realistic representation of disabilities make this a stand-out sci fi keeper. The alternating points of view and depth of characterization kept me enthralled and excited about the next installment of this compelling story. A must read for sci-fi fans of any age.
March 21, 2017
3.5 Stars
Full Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via YA Bound Book Tours. This has not influenced my review.*
One of the main reasons I was interested in this book was because it's a sci-fi book with disability rep, and I'm happy to say I was not disappointed in that regard. Breaker had lost his entire leg when he was younger, and even though he had a really good prosthetic that had a knee joint and everything, it wasn't so perfect that it was like a real leg. He still had struggles with it, like pain from the harness that kept it on, pain in his stub where the prosthetic rubbed, difficulty walking through mud, inability to walk on a downhill slope without help, a limp, having to clean and oil the prosthetic every time it got wet or dirty, etc. There was also other types of disability rep, like Luka's migraines, Breaker's panic attacks, and Malani's PTSD, that weren't featured as much but were still there. And then, at the end, when something else happened to one of the characters, the author could've so easily gone the magical assistance route but instead found a reason to explain why they couldn't do that so that the new disability stayed realistic too.
Unfortunately I did have a few issues with the book though. Mostly smaller things, possibly not a concern to others, but irritating to me nonetheless. One of those things was the words used. Instead of year, month, week, day, hour, minute, and second, they had cycle, monsa, septdia, dia, hora, min, and sec. Since they were on a different planet, I could see having different words if they had different length "days" and "years," but that didn't seem to be the case. Characters seemed the same ages, there were still 60 mins in an hora, etc. Also, why were two of the words in Spanish? If they were just going to use Spanish, why not also use Spanish for all the words? Whatever, ok, I'm being nitpicky, I know, but then they were also replacing the word "day" with "dia" even in words where it didn't make sense, like saying "maydia" instead of "mayday." "Mayday" is a word all of it's own that doesn't have anything to do with the word "day." What made even less sense was that *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* Curse words were also replaced by different words, which was fine, but then they were sometimes used in phrases that just didn't make sense with the new words. I had an ARC though, so there's always a chance some edits will be done in the final copy since these are just words, not plot points.
There was also a lot of knocking people out, a pet peeve of mine because it's not easy to actually knock someone out, and no one seemed concerned about or affected by any ill effects.
Then there were the characters. Breaker was a good guy, but I didn't feel much toward him for most of the book. But damn, what I will say about him is that he was freaking committed to his goal and his loved ones, and I ended up caring about him more as the story went on.
Malani, on the other hand, was a jerk. Breaker freed her (risking his own life and the lives of his entire compound to do so) and then saved her when she had a concussion and then offered to help her and even gave her his bed to sleep on and everything, but she just kept thinking nasty thoughts about what a jerk he was and didn't want to help him unless there was something in it for her. Then she felt all betrayed by him, which was believable for character, but it was still frustrating because, once again, he only did that because he risked the safety of his entire compound to save her and then she didn't want to help him willingly.
Luka was my favorite because he was the most interesting to me. He was a total sociopath, but still interesting. I would've liked more of his POV.
But, although I struggled to get invested in the beginning, I got more invested as the book went on and really liked how unpredictable and chaotic everything got near the end and how everything didn't work out perfectly the way things often do in books. Plus, it ended with an unlikely allies situation, and I love that trope. And the ending makes me think the next book might be more my kinda thing.
So overall, even though I had a few word issues and didn't like Malani, I think a lot of my issues were an "it's not the book, it's me" thing. This was a unique book with great disability rep, and I really liked how things got unpredictable and chaotic and intense near the end!
Recommended For:
YA dystopian readers who want something that's unique and set on another planet. Anyone who wants a sci-fi/fantasy book with great disability rep.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Full Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via YA Bound Book Tours. This has not influenced my review.*
One of the main reasons I was interested in this book was because it's a sci-fi book with disability rep, and I'm happy to say I was not disappointed in that regard. Breaker had lost his entire leg when he was younger, and even though he had a really good prosthetic that had a knee joint and everything, it wasn't so perfect that it was like a real leg. He still had struggles with it, like pain from the harness that kept it on, pain in his stub where the prosthetic rubbed, difficulty walking through mud, inability to walk on a downhill slope without help, a limp, having to clean and oil the prosthetic every time it got wet or dirty, etc. There was also other types of disability rep, like Luka's migraines, Breaker's panic attacks, and Malani's PTSD, that weren't featured as much but were still there. And then, at the end, when something else happened to one of the characters, the author could've so easily gone the magical assistance route but instead found a reason to explain why they couldn't do that so that the new disability stayed realistic too.
Unfortunately I did have a few issues with the book though. Mostly smaller things, possibly not a concern to others, but irritating to me nonetheless. One of those things was the words used. Instead of year, month, week, day, hour, minute, and second, they had cycle, monsa, septdia, dia, hora, min, and sec. Since they were on a different planet, I could see having different words if they had different length "days" and "years," but that didn't seem to be the case. Characters seemed the same ages, there were still 60 mins in an hora, etc. Also, why were two of the words in Spanish? If they were just going to use Spanish, why not also use Spanish for all the words? Whatever, ok, I'm being nitpicky, I know, but then they were also replacing the word "day" with "dia" even in words where it didn't make sense, like saying "maydia" instead of "mayday." "Mayday" is a word all of it's own that doesn't have anything to do with the word "day." What made even less sense was that *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* Curse words were also replaced by different words, which was fine, but then they were sometimes used in phrases that just didn't make sense with the new words. I had an ARC though, so there's always a chance some edits will be done in the final copy since these are just words, not plot points.
There was also a lot of knocking people out, a pet peeve of mine because it's not easy to actually knock someone out, and no one seemed concerned about or affected by any ill effects.
Then there were the characters. Breaker was a good guy, but I didn't feel much toward him for most of the book. But damn, what I will say about him is that he was freaking committed to his goal and his loved ones, and I ended up caring about him more as the story went on.
Malani, on the other hand, was a jerk. Breaker freed her (risking his own life and the lives of his entire compound to do so) and then saved her when she had a concussion and then offered to help her and even gave her his bed to sleep on and everything, but she just kept thinking nasty thoughts about what a jerk he was and didn't want to help him unless there was something in it for her. Then she felt all betrayed by him, which was believable for character, but it was still frustrating because, once again, he only did that because he risked the safety of his entire compound to save her and then she didn't want to help him willingly.
Luka was my favorite because he was the most interesting to me. He was a total sociopath, but still interesting. I would've liked more of his POV.
But, although I struggled to get invested in the beginning, I got more invested as the book went on and really liked how unpredictable and chaotic everything got near the end and how everything didn't work out perfectly the way things often do in books. Plus, it ended with an unlikely allies situation, and I love that trope. And the ending makes me think the next book might be more my kinda thing.
So overall, even though I had a few word issues and didn't like Malani, I think a lot of my issues were an "it's not the book, it's me" thing. This was a unique book with great disability rep, and I really liked how things got unpredictable and chaotic and intense near the end!
Recommended For:
YA dystopian readers who want something that's unique and set on another planet. Anyone who wants a sci-fi/fantasy book with great disability rep.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
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April 17, 20173.5 Stars
WHEN PLANETS FALL was a very unique SciFi story set on a planet where humans exist alongside two other races, all three possessing different colors of blood and some different characteristics. Strong world-building and interesting characters whose points of view are alternately told easily draw in the reader. An overall entertaining read for SciFi readers.
What I liked:
- I liked the blunt voice of Breaker and how his mind worked much of the time. He's interesting, quite talented, and has overcome much in losing his leg and figuring out how to survive in spite of it.
- I also really liked Malani. She has quite a tortured past, but it has formed her into what she is, both her vulnerability and her strength. She also quite an interesting character.
- Luka is a whole other breed from the other two main characters. I feel like his story will unfold quite a bit more in the next book. I'm hoping that he'll grow on me more.
- I liked the chemistry and kind of give and take of friction between Breaker and Malani.
- I really liked the world building. I thought it was interesting how the different peoples coexisted or maybe clashed is a better word.
- I really liked the plot and how it grows steadily through the story as the characters figure out different things that piece together what their past really is and the possibilities their futures hold.
What I didn't like:
- I didn't like the repeating of certain words in the dialogue. I'm sure it was a part of developing the language, but it was more distracting than anything especially as it was hard to figure out the pattern for it.
- It was also weird that some characters who you'd think wouldn't talk the same as other groups actually did, so there wasn't a clean difference between the different voices all the time.
- I can handle innuendo, but there were parts where it was way more descriptive and crude that I like it to be and that kind of grossed me out. Also some of it (like specifying a character wasn't wearing underwear) just felt unnecessary.
- There were a few places where the violence really bothered me, one instance involving a child specifically and then some torture that was fairly strong.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Yes and no. It was a decent story overall, but I also had some hangups. I will say the writing was fairly well done as were the characterizations and the plot. It also made sense to me, particularly in the behavior of most of the characters and people.
Content: Innuendo, crude comments, and violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Rockstar Book Tours, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
WHEN PLANETS FALL was a very unique SciFi story set on a planet where humans exist alongside two other races, all three possessing different colors of blood and some different characteristics. Strong world-building and interesting characters whose points of view are alternately told easily draw in the reader. An overall entertaining read for SciFi readers.
What I liked:
- I liked the blunt voice of Breaker and how his mind worked much of the time. He's interesting, quite talented, and has overcome much in losing his leg and figuring out how to survive in spite of it.
- I also really liked Malani. She has quite a tortured past, but it has formed her into what she is, both her vulnerability and her strength. She also quite an interesting character.
- Luka is a whole other breed from the other two main characters. I feel like his story will unfold quite a bit more in the next book. I'm hoping that he'll grow on me more.
- I liked the chemistry and kind of give and take of friction between Breaker and Malani.
- I really liked the world building. I thought it was interesting how the different peoples coexisted or maybe clashed is a better word.
- I really liked the plot and how it grows steadily through the story as the characters figure out different things that piece together what their past really is and the possibilities their futures hold.
What I didn't like:
- I didn't like the repeating of certain words in the dialogue. I'm sure it was a part of developing the language, but it was more distracting than anything especially as it was hard to figure out the pattern for it.
- It was also weird that some characters who you'd think wouldn't talk the same as other groups actually did, so there wasn't a clean difference between the different voices all the time.
- I can handle innuendo, but there were parts where it was way more descriptive and crude that I like it to be and that kind of grossed me out. Also some of it (like specifying a character wasn't wearing underwear) just felt unnecessary.
- There were a few places where the violence really bothered me, one instance involving a child specifically and then some torture that was fairly strong.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Yes and no. It was a decent story overall, but I also had some hangups. I will say the writing was fairly well done as were the characterizations and the plot. It also made sense to me, particularly in the behavior of most of the characters and people.
Content: Innuendo, crude comments, and violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Rockstar Book Tours, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
June 2, 2017
Sci-fi novels are tricky, especially when they take place on another planet. The author doesn’t just have to work out a plot and realistic characters. They have to create an entire universe within those pages, a whole world with rules on how it all works. And if the rules don’t make sense, the story will begin to unravel and a reader won’t be willing to believe.
Thankfully, Abby Reed has pulled it off. I was more than willing to follow her into this story, right from page one, and I am going to be going crazy over here, waiting for the sequel. I don’t want to jump through hoops trying to explain a world in a few short sentences that took a whole book to lay out. But at the same time, I will explain that the very nature of the book might be better suited for a more mature teen reader. It is listed as YA, but there is a certain level (not too graphic) of violence, considering it’s building towards a war. Death is a living, breathing part of their lives.
I love that Reed wasn’t shy about putting her characters through the wringer. They get banged up, thrown around, shot at; you name it! The main protagonist, Breaker, has a prosthetic leg, after losing a leg in one of those violent acts I mentioned earlier. While it causes some complications, it’s never seen as a weakness. Rather than lamenting the loss of his leg, Breaker has a unique bond with his prosthesis, even giving it a name. The other main MC is Malani. I don’t want to go into too much depth about what sets her apart from all the other red-bloods, but having been raised by blue-bloods, she feels set apart from the other red-bloods. She wants nothing more than to go home, but she knows too much about the blue-bloods’ technology, she’s too valuable. She suffers regularly with anxiety and PTSD, after being held prisoner by the green-bloods. There aren’t many chapters from Luka’s perspective, but I suspect that he will play a much larger role in the sequel. I can’t get a good read on him yet. I spent much of the book considering him a villain, and yet there are redeeming qualities about him that I feel could develop into something more.
Predictions for the sequel? I can’t even go there. When the book wrapped up, I was left on uneven ground. I was a little disappointed that the characters didn’t necessarily end up on the best footing with each other. Trust will need to be built up again, and I can’t even begin to guess where they’re headed. They will need to rely on each other, no doubt, but I feel like there are still too many loose threads left danging. I sincerely hope that we return to a lot of the issues still hanging.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thankfully, Abby Reed has pulled it off. I was more than willing to follow her into this story, right from page one, and I am going to be going crazy over here, waiting for the sequel. I don’t want to jump through hoops trying to explain a world in a few short sentences that took a whole book to lay out. But at the same time, I will explain that the very nature of the book might be better suited for a more mature teen reader. It is listed as YA, but there is a certain level (not too graphic) of violence, considering it’s building towards a war. Death is a living, breathing part of their lives.
I love that Reed wasn’t shy about putting her characters through the wringer. They get banged up, thrown around, shot at; you name it! The main protagonist, Breaker, has a prosthetic leg, after losing a leg in one of those violent acts I mentioned earlier. While it causes some complications, it’s never seen as a weakness. Rather than lamenting the loss of his leg, Breaker has a unique bond with his prosthesis, even giving it a name. The other main MC is Malani. I don’t want to go into too much depth about what sets her apart from all the other red-bloods, but having been raised by blue-bloods, she feels set apart from the other red-bloods. She wants nothing more than to go home, but she knows too much about the blue-bloods’ technology, she’s too valuable. She suffers regularly with anxiety and PTSD, after being held prisoner by the green-bloods. There aren’t many chapters from Luka’s perspective, but I suspect that he will play a much larger role in the sequel. I can’t get a good read on him yet. I spent much of the book considering him a villain, and yet there are redeeming qualities about him that I feel could develop into something more.
Predictions for the sequel? I can’t even go there. When the book wrapped up, I was left on uneven ground. I was a little disappointed that the characters didn’t necessarily end up on the best footing with each other. Trust will need to be built up again, and I can’t even begin to guess where they’re headed. They will need to rely on each other, no doubt, but I feel like there are still too many loose threads left danging. I sincerely hope that we return to a lot of the issues still hanging.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2017
Heads Up: Sci-Fi Racism, Rape, Torture, Warmongering, Scientific Experiments, Death, Dismemberment,
--LOVE the disablity rep! Luka has chronic migraines, Breaker is a leg Amputee with PTSD, and ----Malani has PTSD as well as extra appendages,
--The scenes dealing with panic attacks and flashbacks and nightmares were so fucking sweet!!
--The scenes between Breaker and Melani coping with and talking about their mental and physical issues were my favorite scenes.
--It takes about sex with a disability in a non-creepy voyeuristic way that doesn't make it a pity act, but a legitimate attraction, appreciation, and ultimately orgasmic.
--Breaker and his girlfriend's relationship is adorably bittersweet. Not perfect, not a fairy tale but real growth and understanding like the teens I know would be. This is not an adult relationship but neither is it immature or childish, if that makes senses. (Writing about teens is hard, okay?)
--The inclusion of characters with physical limitations brings not only diverse representation, but an extra of layer of realism and tension as characters in actions scenes are usually limitless.
--It's a dreamers escapism where you can actually see real people in it, not some action stars or Mary Sues or whatever, but you, your mother, your neighbors, etc.
--Includes: lovers to friends, hate to love, enemies to allies, daring escapes, rescues,
--Technically there's a love triangle, but it's not the annoying, pointless angst-y type. This one is due to the characters authentically progressing as people throughout the plot. It's not about being shady or backstab-y or fighting or extra drama.
--The warmongering dictator is terrifying to watch in action.
--While there are three settlements warring with each other, it never felt cluttered or overwhelming to keep track
--I get the unnerving feeling there is far more going on than we know about this planet and its inhabitants but given the ending, will we ever find out? Is it a convenient cop out or am I just overanalyzing?
--Some obvious plot points, events, and outcomes, but it wasn't a huge problem. So much else is going on, and it makes sense so I didn't really care until it got towards the end with Breaker's stubbornness about the truth staring him in the face.
--If the greenbloods and the bluebloods knew this whole time about the secrets Breaker and crew uncover, then why didn't they remind the redbloods of their place? Why let them live? And only 100 or so years?!?
--THAT ENDING!!! It's one of the most amazing, jaw-dropping and frustrating cliff-hangers I've ever read. I hate it and love it. It completes the whole "Survive this war and/or get off the planet" arc perfectly and opens up SO SO many possibilities of for the sequel. It's the perfect breaking point between books yet OMFGWTFHAPPENSNEXT?!? It does so authentically, like it's the natural progression of the story without the dreaded padding or shrinkage that plague book series.
--I don't know how I feel about the human compound letting civilians live the outskirts unaware of what's going on and without protection. Something just doesn't sit quite right with me about it, though there's an explanation given.
--There are no uses of savages or barbarians that I noted or remember, but I wanted to double-check. In the pdf file I have, no instances of savage(s) or barbarian(s) were found. If there are any other offensive or problematic material found by others, I will update my review to include it.
--Here's the major gripe and cause for unease: there's a problem with the message of what constitutes a home. Yes, Breaker wants to avoid death and a war, but he screams about homes instead of using his head. It has this nasty underlying feeling of "go back where you came from".
If you've lived somewhere for generations (simply fucking moved there, really there shouldn't a generational limitation), its' completely fucking normal for someone to consider it their home and fight for it. I was very frustrated with Breaker being obtuse on this point. You don't technically have to originate from somewhere to be home.
What kind of message does that send to immigrants, migrants, and refugees? The other side is of course it's normal to want to return to your people's roots and that's not betraying your family or ancestors if you go that route or immigrate somewhere else.
So Breaker's not wrong to want to move away, but he's not right with arguing to make other people abandon all that they know and love. I'm not saying this is intended, but it's certainly my impression and feel from what transpired.
Basically: Great sci-fi adventure with a dynamic cast, disablity rep, and the best-worst kind of ending. I really fucking enjoyed this novel and flew through it. Some plot points were obvious and I have some lingering doubts about the settlements. That pales in comparison though about my gut feelings regarding Breaker's message. Close, but not quite an unqualified recommendation.
--LOVE the disablity rep! Luka has chronic migraines, Breaker is a leg Amputee with PTSD, and ----Malani has PTSD as well as extra appendages,
--The scenes dealing with panic attacks and flashbacks and nightmares were so fucking sweet!!
--The scenes between Breaker and Melani coping with and talking about their mental and physical issues were my favorite scenes.
--It takes about sex with a disability in a non-creepy voyeuristic way that doesn't make it a pity act, but a legitimate attraction, appreciation, and ultimately orgasmic.
--Breaker and his girlfriend's relationship is adorably bittersweet. Not perfect, not a fairy tale but real growth and understanding like the teens I know would be. This is not an adult relationship but neither is it immature or childish, if that makes senses. (Writing about teens is hard, okay?)
--The inclusion of characters with physical limitations brings not only diverse representation, but an extra of layer of realism and tension as characters in actions scenes are usually limitless.
--It's a dreamers escapism where you can actually see real people in it, not some action stars or Mary Sues or whatever, but you, your mother, your neighbors, etc.
--Includes: lovers to friends, hate to love, enemies to allies, daring escapes, rescues,
--Technically there's a love triangle, but it's not the annoying, pointless angst-y type. This one is due to the characters authentically progressing as people throughout the plot. It's not about being shady or backstab-y or fighting or extra drama.
--The warmongering dictator is terrifying to watch in action.
--While there are three settlements warring with each other, it never felt cluttered or overwhelming to keep track
--I get the unnerving feeling there is far more going on than we know about this planet and its inhabitants but given the ending, will we ever find out? Is it a convenient cop out or am I just overanalyzing?
--Some obvious plot points, events, and outcomes, but it wasn't a huge problem. So much else is going on, and it makes sense so I didn't really care until it got towards the end with Breaker's stubbornness about the truth staring him in the face.
--If the greenbloods and the bluebloods knew this whole time about the secrets Breaker and crew uncover, then why didn't they remind the redbloods of their place? Why let them live? And only 100 or so years?!?
--THAT ENDING!!! It's one of the most amazing, jaw-dropping and frustrating cliff-hangers I've ever read. I hate it and love it. It completes the whole "Survive this war and/or get off the planet" arc perfectly and opens up SO SO many possibilities of for the sequel. It's the perfect breaking point between books yet OMFGWTFHAPPENSNEXT?!? It does so authentically, like it's the natural progression of the story without the dreaded padding or shrinkage that plague book series.
--I don't know how I feel about the human compound letting civilians live the outskirts unaware of what's going on and without protection. Something just doesn't sit quite right with me about it, though there's an explanation given.
--There are no uses of savages or barbarians that I noted or remember, but I wanted to double-check. In the pdf file I have, no instances of savage(s) or barbarian(s) were found. If there are any other offensive or problematic material found by others, I will update my review to include it.
--Here's the major gripe and cause for unease: there's a problem with the message of what constitutes a home. Yes, Breaker wants to avoid death and a war, but he screams about homes instead of using his head. It has this nasty underlying feeling of "go back where you came from".
If you've lived somewhere for generations (simply fucking moved there, really there shouldn't a generational limitation), its' completely fucking normal for someone to consider it their home and fight for it. I was very frustrated with Breaker being obtuse on this point. You don't technically have to originate from somewhere to be home.
What kind of message does that send to immigrants, migrants, and refugees? The other side is of course it's normal to want to return to your people's roots and that's not betraying your family or ancestors if you go that route or immigrate somewhere else.
So Breaker's not wrong to want to move away, but he's not right with arguing to make other people abandon all that they know and love. I'm not saying this is intended, but it's certainly my impression and feel from what transpired.
Basically: Great sci-fi adventure with a dynamic cast, disablity rep, and the best-worst kind of ending. I really fucking enjoyed this novel and flew through it. Some plot points were obvious and I have some lingering doubts about the settlements. That pales in comparison though about my gut feelings regarding Breaker's message. Close, but not quite an unqualified recommendation.
August 15, 2017
This one was hard for me to rate.
It was a slow start and took me a while to get into it, but by the end - I was loving where the story was going!
She had her own words for things - which was very distracting and highly annoying to me. (I felt like it took away from the story and distracted me - trying to figure out what she was calling a day or a month, etc.) Plus, the different words for curse words. I know this is popular for some of the Sci Fi shows I've loved in the past, but - eh - wasn't a banging fan of it.
I was disappointed when some of the people, in the end, decided not to join.....I AM curious as to where the journey will lead this story though!
It was a slow start and took me a while to get into it, but by the end - I was loving where the story was going!
She had her own words for things - which was very distracting and highly annoying to me. (I felt like it took away from the story and distracted me - trying to figure out what she was calling a day or a month, etc.) Plus, the different words for curse words. I know this is popular for some of the Sci Fi shows I've loved in the past, but - eh - wasn't a banging fan of it.
I was disappointed when some of the people, in the end, decided not to join.....I AM curious as to where the journey will lead this story though!
March 13, 2017
I received a free copy of When Plants Fall in exchange for an honest review. When Planets Fall by Abby Reed is based on three combative communities, one of which is human, that exist on the planet Scarlatti. Breaker, the hero, is a human amputee who had lost his leg in an earlier conflict with the warlike Huron. When the story commences, Breaker is an adolescent who is steadfast, persistent, and loyal to a fault. Melani, the heroine, is a conflicted character, strong, yet vulnerable at times. Although human, she doesn’t identify with the more primitive community of humans and feels as though the Elik are her people. We learn early on that, although not completely accepted by them, her allegiance is with the Elik, a technologically advanced population of humanlike species. She is disturbed and torn by her developing feelings toward Breaker, the human who helps her escape from her Huron captors and promises to help her return to the Elik. When a series of events causes tension to escalate between the three nations, can Breaker’s chance discovery, and Melani’s hidden secret, help them avoid total destruction that would surely accompany an all-out war?
When Planets Fall is character driven and told in perspectives of the main characters through their own chapters, effectively sharing their deepest feelings. The story was predictable enough to make the story coherent and engaging. You know, the way you get when you have that, “Aha, I knew it!” moment and you’re all proud of yourself? Yet, there were unexpected twists. It was a good balance and a solid, intriguing story. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, leaving me hopeful for a sequel. And, by the looks of the title, Stars Fall Circle #1, it looks as if a sequel may already be in the works. Can't wait!
When Planets Fall is character driven and told in perspectives of the main characters through their own chapters, effectively sharing their deepest feelings. The story was predictable enough to make the story coherent and engaging. You know, the way you get when you have that, “Aha, I knew it!” moment and you’re all proud of yourself? Yet, there were unexpected twists. It was a good balance and a solid, intriguing story. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, leaving me hopeful for a sequel. And, by the looks of the title, Stars Fall Circle #1, it looks as if a sequel may already be in the works. Can't wait!
June 22, 2019
I received a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Instead of a traditional review, I am going to break it down into an interview with myself as a reader.
Favourite quote:
“I could tell by the way he clenched his fists and grasped for his mini handles he needed some one-on-one time with an inert tree trunk.”
What age group would I recommend this to?
I would definitely class this as upper YA. Although there is no mature content and swear words have been replaced (see below), there is a lot of violence, blood and torture which might set off younger readers. I’ll also note that there are multiple encounters with dead bodies which are described in a way that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
How did I feel reading this book?
I’ll be honest, for me, the first part of the book was quite slow, up until Breaker was tasked with fixing the starship. However, in the author’s defence, there was a lot of worldbuilding to undertake in the first part of the book to allow the readers to understand the conflicts, the characters and the starting point for the plot, so it’s reasonable for it to be a little dry. Once things got more fast-paced, I got more excited reading this, always wanting to know what happens next.
How were the characters?
I was really impressed with the diverse cast of characters and how all of them have a disability/mental disorder. It’s clear from Malani’s actions that she suffers from PTSD and anxiety. Breaker has his leg, obviously, but I see him suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, and even a little OCD. Luka has chronic migraines and OCD in the sense that he always wants perfection. I like his forms of ‘stress relief’ (see favourite quote, lol).
In my personal opinion, I think out of the three main characters, Luka was my favourite. True, the first part of the book makes him look like a bad guy, a sociopath, but once you read more and start to understand his upbringing, his circumstances and his motives, you see him in a new light. I love the relationship he has with his sister and how they are open with each other; I felt the relationship with Breaker and Brody was kind of forced and one-sided with Breaker putting in all the effort and Brody not returning the favour.
What did I like?
Quite a few things; firstly, the language. It took a bit to get used to, but it was so creative how the author created a different name for words we use so often and never question. Like day, which is dia. The first time I saw this, I had to stop and make sure it wasn’t a spelling mistake. Once you start seeing them constantly in context, their meanings make more sense to the point where it becomes second nature. Also on the topic of language, although the characters swear and curse, the author has creatively invented a new set of curse words so as to not put them blatantly in the text. Again, as you progress in the story and come across the words more often, they make more sense and you start to decipher the ‘meaning’.
Secondly, the worldbuilding; the author has done a fantastic job creating this world and the inhabitants. They are divided into three groups based on the colour of their blood, and the way they interact with each other is so realistic, like typical countries in modern day conflict. (‘Red blood for a red planet’)
In my opinion, I like it when stories are told from different perspectives so it gives you an understanding of other characters and their thought processes. It makes it more interesting. I looked forward to Luka’s chapters; it let us take a break from Breaker and Malani and let us see what is going on behind the scenes.
The ending, it’s not a happily after but has enough closure to wrap up the first installment nicely and also incite enough creativity to read the sequel.
And that cover, so beautiful!
What didn’t I like?
Maybe I’m just weird, but I don’t like love triangles. I’m not a fan of romance in books. Thankfully, this book had just enough to keep from going overboard, but what I really didn’t like was how Breaker treated Tahnya and kept leading her on when he knew his feelings for her were not the same.
Overall rating:
3.75/5 (rounded up to the nearest full star)
Would I read this again?
Yes
Would I read the sequel or any future books in this series?
Yes
Overall:
Although the beginning was slow, once the story picked up, I was immersed and completely sucked in. This is a unique sci-fi story, and I say unique as a combination of all the above. Well worth the read, would greatly recommend this to any sci-fi lovers looking for a refreshing new story with relatable characters and a complex plot.
Instead of a traditional review, I am going to break it down into an interview with myself as a reader.
Favourite quote:
“I could tell by the way he clenched his fists and grasped for his mini handles he needed some one-on-one time with an inert tree trunk.”
What age group would I recommend this to?
I would definitely class this as upper YA. Although there is no mature content and swear words have been replaced (see below), there is a lot of violence, blood and torture which might set off younger readers. I’ll also note that there are multiple encounters with dead bodies which are described in a way that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
How did I feel reading this book?
I’ll be honest, for me, the first part of the book was quite slow, up until Breaker was tasked with fixing the starship. However, in the author’s defence, there was a lot of worldbuilding to undertake in the first part of the book to allow the readers to understand the conflicts, the characters and the starting point for the plot, so it’s reasonable for it to be a little dry. Once things got more fast-paced, I got more excited reading this, always wanting to know what happens next.
How were the characters?
I was really impressed with the diverse cast of characters and how all of them have a disability/mental disorder. It’s clear from Malani’s actions that she suffers from PTSD and anxiety. Breaker has his leg, obviously, but I see him suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, and even a little OCD. Luka has chronic migraines and OCD in the sense that he always wants perfection. I like his forms of ‘stress relief’ (see favourite quote, lol).
In my personal opinion, I think out of the three main characters, Luka was my favourite. True, the first part of the book makes him look like a bad guy, a sociopath, but once you read more and start to understand his upbringing, his circumstances and his motives, you see him in a new light. I love the relationship he has with his sister and how they are open with each other; I felt the relationship with Breaker and Brody was kind of forced and one-sided with Breaker putting in all the effort and Brody not returning the favour.
What did I like?
Quite a few things; firstly, the language. It took a bit to get used to, but it was so creative how the author created a different name for words we use so often and never question. Like day, which is dia. The first time I saw this, I had to stop and make sure it wasn’t a spelling mistake. Once you start seeing them constantly in context, their meanings make more sense to the point where it becomes second nature. Also on the topic of language, although the characters swear and curse, the author has creatively invented a new set of curse words so as to not put them blatantly in the text. Again, as you progress in the story and come across the words more often, they make more sense and you start to decipher the ‘meaning’.
Secondly, the worldbuilding; the author has done a fantastic job creating this world and the inhabitants. They are divided into three groups based on the colour of their blood, and the way they interact with each other is so realistic, like typical countries in modern day conflict. (‘Red blood for a red planet’)
In my opinion, I like it when stories are told from different perspectives so it gives you an understanding of other characters and their thought processes. It makes it more interesting. I looked forward to Luka’s chapters; it let us take a break from Breaker and Malani and let us see what is going on behind the scenes.
The ending, it’s not a happily after but has enough closure to wrap up the first installment nicely and also incite enough creativity to read the sequel.
And that cover, so beautiful!
What didn’t I like?
Maybe I’m just weird, but I don’t like love triangles. I’m not a fan of romance in books. Thankfully, this book had just enough to keep from going overboard, but what I really didn’t like was how Breaker treated Tahnya and kept leading her on when he knew his feelings for her were not the same.
Overall rating:
3.75/5 (rounded up to the nearest full star)
Would I read this again?
Yes
Would I read the sequel or any future books in this series?
Yes
Overall:
Although the beginning was slow, once the story picked up, I was immersed and completely sucked in. This is a unique sci-fi story, and I say unique as a combination of all the above. Well worth the read, would greatly recommend this to any sci-fi lovers looking for a refreshing new story with relatable characters and a complex plot.
August 9, 2017
I was initially drawn to When Planets Fall because the three characters from whose perspectives the story is told all have some sort of disability that sets them apart from others in the novel. Breaker has a prosthetic leg, named Circuit, which causes him back pain where the harness rests and pain where Circuit rubs against the remaining portion of his leg. The prosthetic impacts his mobility, but he does not feel comfortable without it, so he deals with the pain. Malani not only has metal wings that set her apart from everyone else physically, but also has PTSD from when she was kidnapped when she was younger. Luka has debilitating migraines, (and may also be a sociopath) but that only adds to his character. Rather than having characters who were the perfect hero or heroine, the author made Breaker, Malani, and Luka more real by not only ensuring that their disability was discussed and not glossed over, but also that they found ways to cope with these differences, something that I think all readers will.
Even with the storyline and well-developed characters, I did struggle to stay invested at points. Malani is not a sympathetic character; Breaker risked his life, as well as the people in his compound, to free her from the Heron, and she is really mean to him in return, both in her thoughts and actions. Also, some of the vocabulary was a little confusing. Instead of "year," "month," "week," "day," "hour," "minute," and "second," they said "cycle," "monsa," "septdia," "dia," "hora," "min," and "sec." Since they were on a different planet, I understand having different words if they represented different lengths of time, but that did not seem to be the case.
While I struggled initially to get invested in the novel, almost to the point of setting it aside entirely, I powered through and ended up really enjoying the storyline and character development. I really liked how unpredictable everything became near the end and how there was not a happy ending as one would have thought. With the novel ending how it did, I am really excited to see where the author takes the next two novels.
Even with the storyline and well-developed characters, I did struggle to stay invested at points. Malani is not a sympathetic character; Breaker risked his life, as well as the people in his compound, to free her from the Heron, and she is really mean to him in return, both in her thoughts and actions. Also, some of the vocabulary was a little confusing. Instead of "year," "month," "week," "day," "hour," "minute," and "second," they said "cycle," "monsa," "septdia," "dia," "hora," "min," and "sec." Since they were on a different planet, I understand having different words if they represented different lengths of time, but that did not seem to be the case.
While I struggled initially to get invested in the novel, almost to the point of setting it aside entirely, I powered through and ended up really enjoying the storyline and character development. I really liked how unpredictable everything became near the end and how there was not a happy ending as one would have thought. With the novel ending how it did, I am really excited to see where the author takes the next two novels.
January 19, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I'm going to start off by asking if you've read DARK EDEN by Chris Beckett. If so, and you liked it, then this would be a promising book for you to read. If you read that one and didn't like it, you may not like this one either.
SPOILERS AHEAD NOW!
Why am I starting with this comparison? Because this book reminded me of DARK EDEN in a lot of ways. You have humans on a planet they consider home (here, Scarlatti, also home to Green Bloods (Herons) and Blue Bloods (Elik) and yes, a tribal war is of course going on). We have hints that there is something else out there for our main characters (here: Breaker, Malani, Luka and Tahnya). When Breaker finds a broken starship, it seems as though we may finally get an answer. And we do, kind of, in the form of a video left from whenever the ship crashed onto Scarlatti. It turns out, humans came from somewhere else. Where? We don't know. But by the end Breaker has fixed the starship and the four main characters, plus his abducted little brother, Brody, are going to find out.
Told in alternating viewpoints of Breaker, Malani and Luka, we get to know about Scarlatti and the three tribes that live there. We are immediately thrown into the action and we don't get a lot of down time for history lessons along the way but as a reader, you are able to make do. Personally, I wish there had been more time devoted to the history of the tribes and why the didn't get along (was it always just about the color of their blood or was there more to it, beyond the mines and precious metals). How does everyone on this planet have such advanced technology? Who developed it first? Were there ever love affairs between the tribes? These are all questions I was left with at the conclusion of the book.
Now, that said, by the end I really wanted to find out what happened. And I feel like I have enough invested in the characters to be curious about the second book in the series. My only hope is that we get more answers along the way.
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I'm going to start off by asking if you've read DARK EDEN by Chris Beckett. If so, and you liked it, then this would be a promising book for you to read. If you read that one and didn't like it, you may not like this one either.
SPOILERS AHEAD NOW!
Why am I starting with this comparison? Because this book reminded me of DARK EDEN in a lot of ways. You have humans on a planet they consider home (here, Scarlatti, also home to Green Bloods (Herons) and Blue Bloods (Elik) and yes, a tribal war is of course going on). We have hints that there is something else out there for our main characters (here: Breaker, Malani, Luka and Tahnya). When Breaker finds a broken starship, it seems as though we may finally get an answer. And we do, kind of, in the form of a video left from whenever the ship crashed onto Scarlatti. It turns out, humans came from somewhere else. Where? We don't know. But by the end Breaker has fixed the starship and the four main characters, plus his abducted little brother, Brody, are going to find out.
Told in alternating viewpoints of Breaker, Malani and Luka, we get to know about Scarlatti and the three tribes that live there. We are immediately thrown into the action and we don't get a lot of down time for history lessons along the way but as a reader, you are able to make do. Personally, I wish there had been more time devoted to the history of the tribes and why the didn't get along (was it always just about the color of their blood or was there more to it, beyond the mines and precious metals). How does everyone on this planet have such advanced technology? Who developed it first? Were there ever love affairs between the tribes? These are all questions I was left with at the conclusion of the book.
Now, that said, by the end I really wanted to find out what happened. And I feel like I have enough invested in the characters to be curious about the second book in the series. My only hope is that we get more answers along the way.
March 1, 2018
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book -- all opinions are my own.
When I first picked up When Planets Fall, I did not expect to love it as much as I did when I turned the last page. I fell in love with this world, with these characters. I fell in love with the writing style, the words, the images they painted in my head, and the emotions they painted in my heart.
I fell in love with Breaker, and his prosthetic named Circuit, and his cleaning robot named Botty. I fell in love with his long-time girlfriend named Tahnya, his best friend named Cal, and the new girl named Malani. I fell in love with his straight hair and his thunking limp. I fell in love with the way he fell in love. I fell in love with the way he worked with tech, the way he admired the starship in the forest. I fell in love with how protective he was of those he loved, and the way he was willing to sacrifice everything for them. I fell in love with the way his mind worked, with the words he used and the things he thought about.
I fell in love with the idea of home. Throughout this entire book, each and every deep and complex character was searching within themselves for their definition of home, and searching outside of themselves for something that fit their definition. Each of them sought a sense of belonging, a sense of rightness, a sense of home. And I fell in love with that.
When Planets Fall was incredible story, and I loved every word of it. I thank the stars for the opportunity I had to read this book, and I recommend it to fans of science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, and honestly everything like guys seriously this book is amazing you all have to read it.
When I first picked up When Planets Fall, I did not expect to love it as much as I did when I turned the last page. I fell in love with this world, with these characters. I fell in love with the writing style, the words, the images they painted in my head, and the emotions they painted in my heart.
I fell in love with Breaker, and his prosthetic named Circuit, and his cleaning robot named Botty. I fell in love with his long-time girlfriend named Tahnya, his best friend named Cal, and the new girl named Malani. I fell in love with his straight hair and his thunking limp. I fell in love with the way he fell in love. I fell in love with the way he worked with tech, the way he admired the starship in the forest. I fell in love with how protective he was of those he loved, and the way he was willing to sacrifice everything for them. I fell in love with the way his mind worked, with the words he used and the things he thought about.
I fell in love with the idea of home. Throughout this entire book, each and every deep and complex character was searching within themselves for their definition of home, and searching outside of themselves for something that fit their definition. Each of them sought a sense of belonging, a sense of rightness, a sense of home. And I fell in love with that.
When Planets Fall was incredible story, and I loved every word of it. I thank the stars for the opportunity I had to read this book, and I recommend it to fans of science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, and honestly everything like guys seriously this book is amazing you all have to read it.
November 6, 2017
When Planets Fall is the first book in a space saga that starts on the planet of Scarlatti. There are three races that live here, and they all seem to be in constant conflict and live in communities that resemble war compounds or complexes. There's a really fun cast of characters, and they all have a bit of a surprise hidden around the corner of their personalities.
There are a lot of things going on in this book, and it sets up the series for some really interesting adventures. We have a three-way tribal war between humans and the two other species occupying the planet, a girl with metal wings, and several power-hungry leaders. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what this book was about. Several storylines seemed to be worked together and at times it lost its way a little.
The discovery of the starship should have been a major turning point in the story, but it was usurped by the actions of the Herons (one of the species living on the planet) and the subsequent rescue of Malani. The starship seemed to get lost in the background, and I really wanted to see more about it and how Breaker repaired and fixed it up.
Malani was a bit of an odd character, but as we learn more of her past, we see why she seems so damaged emotionally. Her story was my favorite. She was a great balance of strength and weakness and had some fun tricks hidden up her sleeve. The relationship between her and Breaker was confusing. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to see a romance between them and want them to be together or not.
Overall, this was a fun story. It lost it's way a couple times and meandered around before coming back, but maybe those wanderings will be important down the line. I'm anxious to see what happens to Breaker, Malani, and their spaceship next.
**I voluntarily received a review copy of this book**
There are a lot of things going on in this book, and it sets up the series for some really interesting adventures. We have a three-way tribal war between humans and the two other species occupying the planet, a girl with metal wings, and several power-hungry leaders. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what this book was about. Several storylines seemed to be worked together and at times it lost its way a little.
The discovery of the starship should have been a major turning point in the story, but it was usurped by the actions of the Herons (one of the species living on the planet) and the subsequent rescue of Malani. The starship seemed to get lost in the background, and I really wanted to see more about it and how Breaker repaired and fixed it up.
Malani was a bit of an odd character, but as we learn more of her past, we see why she seems so damaged emotionally. Her story was my favorite. She was a great balance of strength and weakness and had some fun tricks hidden up her sleeve. The relationship between her and Breaker was confusing. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to see a romance between them and want them to be together or not.
Overall, this was a fun story. It lost it's way a couple times and meandered around before coming back, but maybe those wanderings will be important down the line. I'm anxious to see what happens to Breaker, Malani, and their spaceship next.
**I voluntarily received a review copy of this book**
June 2, 2017
I loved When Planets Fall. It was amazing, fun, heart-wrenching and did I mention amazing?
When Planets Fall takes place on the planet Scarlatti where there are three different tribes with different blood colors; red, blue and green that are at war with each other. Breaker is a red-blood that gets caught in between when he discovers an abandoned starship.
It had a great well written plot filled with action, surprises, some romance and twist and turns even till the very last page!
There were some really great characters in this book! I really liked Breaker's character as he would do anything to keep his family safe, especially his little brother Brody while Malani was strong willed and stubborn. I also liked how the book was told from Breaker's, Malani's and Luka's P.O.V so we get a better feel of what they are thinking.
When Planets Fall was really enjoyable and I am really looking to see what happens next! I would definitely recommend this book for fans of fantasy, action and those looking for something fresh and new to read!
When Planets Fall takes place on the planet Scarlatti where there are three different tribes with different blood colors; red, blue and green that are at war with each other. Breaker is a red-blood that gets caught in between when he discovers an abandoned starship.
It had a great well written plot filled with action, surprises, some romance and twist and turns even till the very last page!
There were some really great characters in this book! I really liked Breaker's character as he would do anything to keep his family safe, especially his little brother Brody while Malani was strong willed and stubborn. I also liked how the book was told from Breaker's, Malani's and Luka's P.O.V so we get a better feel of what they are thinking.
When Planets Fall was really enjoyable and I am really looking to see what happens next! I would definitely recommend this book for fans of fantasy, action and those looking for something fresh and new to read!
November 4, 2018
Uncaged Review: A nicely written SciFi with originality and nice world building. I was drawn into the world easily enough, being a long time reader of SciFi. The plot is one of those slow burners, which slowly ramps up the tension. The characters are well meshed, although my one complaint on them is I couldn’t really picture them in my mind right away. Normally, for me to connect with a character, I need to have my own personal visualization – and even though they each had a pretty distinct voice, it took longer than normal to connect. I only got bits and pieces of what they looked like. I think my favorite relationship in the book is Breaker and Circuit.
I would definitely recommend this scifi – but caution the young adult rating, older teens would be fine but there is quite a bit of violence/torture and some of it may be too much for younger teens. Reviewed by Cyrene
I would definitely recommend this scifi – but caution the young adult rating, older teens would be fine but there is quite a bit of violence/torture and some of it may be too much for younger teens. Reviewed by Cyrene
July 30, 2019
I received an e-ARC in exchanged for honest review. thank you Hidden Gems Book :)
this book has a story about humans live on a planet named Scarletti which was divided by bloods. the humans or the Red Blood lives among the war between the Blue Blood called The Elik and The Green Blood or The Herons,but somehow the Red Bloods entered their war then. I think this book didn't disappointed me at all, it's fast paced and action packed, a heart-wrenching, there's a slow burn romance and also there's multiple POVs. each chapter has different points of view which was made me love this book more!
YA Sci-Fi always being one of my favorite genres and this book was so good. I'm so curious about what's going to happen next whether they're gonna find their habitable planet or not
this book has a story about humans live on a planet named Scarletti which was divided by bloods. the humans or the Red Blood lives among the war between the Blue Blood called The Elik and The Green Blood or The Herons,but somehow the Red Bloods entered their war then. I think this book didn't disappointed me at all, it's fast paced and action packed, a heart-wrenching, there's a slow burn romance and also there's multiple POVs. each chapter has different points of view which was made me love this book more!
YA Sci-Fi always being one of my favorite genres and this book was so good. I'm so curious about what's going to happen next whether they're gonna find their habitable planet or not
August 13, 2017
Excellent storytelling of an excellent story.
Although the introduction of new words (dia=day) and other such things are a bit distracting at first the story really draws you into the characters and keeps you there. I loved the characters and their flaws and how they lived with them while getting along with each other. The plot was rich with storylines that make you wonder what's next while some of them are expected others come as a pleasant shock and make for a good read.
I never review books as I haven't had any affect me like this one. I really hope there is a sequel!!
Although the introduction of new words (dia=day) and other such things are a bit distracting at first the story really draws you into the characters and keeps you there. I loved the characters and their flaws and how they lived with them while getting along with each other. The plot was rich with storylines that make you wonder what's next while some of them are expected others come as a pleasant shock and make for a good read.
I never review books as I haven't had any affect me like this one. I really hope there is a sequel!!
July 29, 2019
I just finished yet another YA sci-fi book! Apparently, I'm on a sci-fi kick right now. This book had so many twists and turns that I did not expect. I was sad that a certain someone did not end up with the main characters at the end *sniff* buuuuut, I am way excited to see what kind of trouble this crew gets into in the next book.
My favorite part about this book was the Elik's mystery "treasure." I don't want to give anything away, but when I learned more about this treasure and got to see it in action, I loved it!! Such a cool idea.
My favorite part about this book was the Elik's mystery "treasure." I don't want to give anything away, but when I learned more about this treasure and got to see it in action, I loved it!! Such a cool idea.
August 31, 2018
Would have given more stars. ..
It's a very well crafted, well thought out world in someone else's galaxy. You like the flawed characters, the setting, you have no idea where it's heading, and you don't stop reading. Really. I would love to have given it more stars, but it's in bad need of editing. Lots of grammatical errors and half-finished sentences. That being forewarned, and as it's on Unlimited, I wouldn't warn anyone away.
It's a very well crafted, well thought out world in someone else's galaxy. You like the flawed characters, the setting, you have no idea where it's heading, and you don't stop reading. Really. I would love to have given it more stars, but it's in bad need of editing. Lots of grammatical errors and half-finished sentences. That being forewarned, and as it's on Unlimited, I wouldn't warn anyone away.
September 11, 2018
Interesting premise in terms of the three races inhabiting the planet and how they interact. I liked the plot and liked the main characters very well. This is a good read for teens and adults who like science fiction with plenty of action and some distinctly evil characters. There's a hint of possibility for more about these characters at the end and I'd be happy if that were the case.
June 23, 2017
When Planets Fall has a cast of amazing characters! Each point-of-view is distinct and well-rounded. The world-building is absolutely outstanding, brimming with intricately woven details. A must read for any SciFi fan!
December 16, 2017
"When Planets Fall" is a fast-paced, well-crafted and intriguing narrative.
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 10, 2017
WHEN PLANETS FALL offers a great mix of sci-fi adventure and drama on a planet cloaked in red. Reed’s twisty plot lines, diverse characters, well-crafted world, and creativity make WPF a great read!
January 30, 2019
Not what I expected
I was really excited for this book but it fell short of expectations. It felt slow and I didnt connect with the characters. Just meh.
I was really excited for this book but it fell short of expectations. It felt slow and I didnt connect with the characters. Just meh.
March 4, 2019
Loved every part of this book!!!!! It was such a fun read I had trouble putting it down!❤❤
August 15, 2019
I struggle to finish this book. I feel like it’s a very slow burn. I did like the ending and the possibility of a prequel or sequel to further develop the characters
March 4, 2022
This book has great world building and believable characters. Great debut novel! I will have to say I felt this series got better with each book.
December 16, 2022
Abby Reed is incredible!! I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but I'm for sure gonna read all of her books. So clever and unique, with the most interesting characters!
May 7, 2017
4-1/2 stars. WHEN PLANETS FALL is unlike any other book I've read. Mixing equal parts science fiction, dystopian, and romantic elements, it weaves a tale of complex characters in an even more complex world. Told from three different first-person points-of-view, I initially thought it was one POV too many, but about halfway in, it becomes apparent that third POV is necessary for the story the author wants to tell. Breaker is a fix-it guy, able to make just about anything with the parts at hand. Malani is a red blood, raised by the blue bloods after the green bloods kidnapped and tortured her. To save her life, they infused her with living metal, which creates whatever the person needs most. In Malani's case, it's a set of metal wings. Luka is in the militia with dreams of advancement. When the war between the red, green, and blue bloods comes to a head, their three worlds collide in unexpected ways and no one is exactly as they seem. The author has a unique voice that I immediately fell in love with. This is her debut novel, so I'm looking forward to so much more from her. She paints a brilliant picture of her settings and characters. There were several twists I never saw coming, particularly one near the end.
Plot
Breaker stumbles upon a wrecked starship while out scouting, which triggers the green bloods to kidnap him. Their king holds the lives of his red-blooded community over his head unless he fixes starship. While in custody, he meets Malani and the two of them form an unlikely alliance in order to escape. With the safety of his home hanging in the balance, Breaker has no choice but to repair the ship for the green blood s. Between Melani, his family, and a very suspicious Luka, Breaker struggles with where his loyalties lie, but underneath it all, is a driving need to protect those he loves.
Characters
The three main characters were all extremely well developed, with sufficient growth through the first book in the series. Even secondary characters came across fairly well developed. I found Breaker's parents to be somewhat two-dimensional as well as the red-blooded leader, but overall, I think the character development was great.
What I Loved About WHEN PLANTES FALL
1. World building. This is among the best I've read in young adult fiction. The author has created a vibrant world with stunning technology that feels both exotic and familiar.Everything from the red trees to the way blue bloods reproduce is not only unique, but contributes to the plot. Even the language was great. It took a bit to pick up the lingo, but now I use "banging" as one of my favorite swear words.
2. Breaker. This tough teen with an artificial leg named Circuit is tough, independent, cunning, and charming. He has a solid moral compass, even if his means are questionable.
3. Malani. The girl who belongs nowhere with the metallic wings is a one-of-a-kind protagonist. Because she's human and not some paranormal being, everything she does is flawed and imperfect, but she's so easy to root for.
4. The cover. When I first saw the cover, I was drawn to it, but once I was deep into the story, I kept going back to the cover to look at it. It truly encapsulates the story within.
5. Luka. I'm still on the fence about him, but I cannot deny he's one of the most complex characters in the story. I can't wait to see where the journey takes him next.
Bottom Line
I loved this story and all of the characters. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Plot
Breaker stumbles upon a wrecked starship while out scouting, which triggers the green bloods to kidnap him. Their king holds the lives of his red-blooded community over his head unless he fixes starship. While in custody, he meets Malani and the two of them form an unlikely alliance in order to escape. With the safety of his home hanging in the balance, Breaker has no choice but to repair the ship for the green blood s. Between Melani, his family, and a very suspicious Luka, Breaker struggles with where his loyalties lie, but underneath it all, is a driving need to protect those he loves.
Characters
The three main characters were all extremely well developed, with sufficient growth through the first book in the series. Even secondary characters came across fairly well developed. I found Breaker's parents to be somewhat two-dimensional as well as the red-blooded leader, but overall, I think the character development was great.
What I Loved About WHEN PLANTES FALL
1. World building. This is among the best I've read in young adult fiction. The author has created a vibrant world with stunning technology that feels both exotic and familiar.Everything from the red trees to the way blue bloods reproduce is not only unique, but contributes to the plot. Even the language was great. It took a bit to pick up the lingo, but now I use "banging" as one of my favorite swear words.
2. Breaker. This tough teen with an artificial leg named Circuit is tough, independent, cunning, and charming. He has a solid moral compass, even if his means are questionable.
3. Malani. The girl who belongs nowhere with the metallic wings is a one-of-a-kind protagonist. Because she's human and not some paranormal being, everything she does is flawed and imperfect, but she's so easy to root for.
4. The cover. When I first saw the cover, I was drawn to it, but once I was deep into the story, I kept going back to the cover to look at it. It truly encapsulates the story within.
5. Luka. I'm still on the fence about him, but I cannot deny he's one of the most complex characters in the story. I can't wait to see where the journey takes him next.
Bottom Line
I loved this story and all of the characters. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2017
See this review and more at www.lilbooklovers.wordpress.com!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for a review. This will not affect it in any way.
Overall Thoughts: I was so excited when I was able to get an e-ARC of When Planets Fall. It definitely did not disappoint. The book is a great start to the author’s upcoming Stars Fall Circle trilogy. I’m now left wanting more! Honestly, this book is a 3.5, but because I’m so nice I’ll round it up to a 4. I definitely think this is a great start to the series!
Characters: I loved the three characters so much. Each of their POV’s was unique, and each character had his or her own set of disabilities and challenges. I loved how Breaker and Malani became united about the starship and their PTSD, and how their relationship went through various challenges. I really wanted more of Luka’s perspective. Even though he was an enemy of Breaker, I still wanted more of him and how he copes with chronic migraines. I even like Tahnya and Cal! I mean, you cannot hate these protagonists and deuteragonists. Each character was delicately crafted into a unique and different individual: Malani’s thirst for freedom, Breaker’s analytical mind, and Luka’s hard exterior yet soft heart. I’m so looking forward to Tahnya’s POV in the sequel!
World-Building: The author definitely has some amazing world-building skills. Everything, from the warring tribes to the vocabulary, is accounted for, and each blood tribe has such a different culture. You have the red-blooded humans with their fighting spirit to the blue-blooded Elik who have a sophisticated society to the green-blooded Heron who show no mercy. It’s very fascinating to think about, and I loved the stark differences between each tribe. I also love the vocabulary, too! I mean, I just want to say “‘Stroids” instead of “Shoot” or “Septdia” instead of “Week.” I loved seeing those terms.
Narrative-Driven Story: So here’s what got me about this book. Now, I know there’s people who love a story when there’s a lot of narration, and there’s people who love a lot of dialogue. I am a dialogue-driven person. I love to read stories that are very fast, which is why I love dialogue. It quickens the pace. Now there wasn’t as much verbal interaction between the characters as I wanted there to be. Nevertheless, the author does go deep into the thoughts and feelings of each character, which was great. I do advise to not rush through this book because I tried to do it at the beginning and it didn’t go well. Taking your time definitely makes this story savory and enjoyable.
Concluding Thoughts: Will I be on the lookout for more by this author? Yes! Definitely! She left me hanging so I got to know what happens! This is what I love about trilogies like this one: You can’t just have one book. I want to continue the story, which is a graat sign that I will recommend it! Sci-fi fans: Brace yourselves for this one!
Favorite Quote: “You need to be prepared to ask yourself what you’re willing to sacrifice for those pupal seeds. Because you may need to give up more than the rest of us if you’re going to succeed.”
All quotes are quoted from an ARC copy, so they could have changed during publication.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for a review. This will not affect it in any way.
Overall Thoughts: I was so excited when I was able to get an e-ARC of When Planets Fall. It definitely did not disappoint. The book is a great start to the author’s upcoming Stars Fall Circle trilogy. I’m now left wanting more! Honestly, this book is a 3.5, but because I’m so nice I’ll round it up to a 4. I definitely think this is a great start to the series!
Characters: I loved the three characters so much. Each of their POV’s was unique, and each character had his or her own set of disabilities and challenges. I loved how Breaker and Malani became united about the starship and their PTSD, and how their relationship went through various challenges. I really wanted more of Luka’s perspective. Even though he was an enemy of Breaker, I still wanted more of him and how he copes with chronic migraines. I even like Tahnya and Cal! I mean, you cannot hate these protagonists and deuteragonists. Each character was delicately crafted into a unique and different individual: Malani’s thirst for freedom, Breaker’s analytical mind, and Luka’s hard exterior yet soft heart. I’m so looking forward to Tahnya’s POV in the sequel!
World-Building: The author definitely has some amazing world-building skills. Everything, from the warring tribes to the vocabulary, is accounted for, and each blood tribe has such a different culture. You have the red-blooded humans with their fighting spirit to the blue-blooded Elik who have a sophisticated society to the green-blooded Heron who show no mercy. It’s very fascinating to think about, and I loved the stark differences between each tribe. I also love the vocabulary, too! I mean, I just want to say “‘Stroids” instead of “Shoot” or “Septdia” instead of “Week.” I loved seeing those terms.
Narrative-Driven Story: So here’s what got me about this book. Now, I know there’s people who love a story when there’s a lot of narration, and there’s people who love a lot of dialogue. I am a dialogue-driven person. I love to read stories that are very fast, which is why I love dialogue. It quickens the pace. Now there wasn’t as much verbal interaction between the characters as I wanted there to be. Nevertheless, the author does go deep into the thoughts and feelings of each character, which was great. I do advise to not rush through this book because I tried to do it at the beginning and it didn’t go well. Taking your time definitely makes this story savory and enjoyable.
Concluding Thoughts: Will I be on the lookout for more by this author? Yes! Definitely! She left me hanging so I got to know what happens! This is what I love about trilogies like this one: You can’t just have one book. I want to continue the story, which is a graat sign that I will recommend it! Sci-fi fans: Brace yourselves for this one!
Favorite Quote: “You need to be prepared to ask yourself what you’re willing to sacrifice for those pupal seeds. Because you may need to give up more than the rest of us if you’re going to succeed.”
All quotes are quoted from an ARC copy, so they could have changed during publication.
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August 17, 2020"In this richly imagined start to a new sci-fi series, Reed brings optimism to the goal of solving entrenched violence in a galaxy far, far away . . . A propulsive, sharply crafted tale about a planetary war." -Kirkus Reviews!
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