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No Ordinary Star #2
No Plain Rebel
A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix a the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do.
A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive.
A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack.
The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty.
The year is 2525.
Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.
Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time.
Immerse yourself into the icy cold world of this scorching hot new novel.
In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth.
Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head.
Because she’s no longer there.
The Stadium is looming in the distance.
It’s ten heartbeats to midnight.
A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive.
A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack.
The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty.
The year is 2525.
Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.
Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time.
Immerse yourself into the icy cold world of this scorching hot new novel.
In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth.
Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head.
Because she’s no longer there.
The Stadium is looming in the distance.
It’s ten heartbeats to midnight.
212 pages, Unknown Binding
First published July 16, 2016
12 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Frank
38 books550 followers Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 8, 2016
Hello everyone! Just wanted to let you know that No Plain Rebel now officially has a pub day: July 16th.
I can't wait to share the second part of the No Ordinary Star series with you, and I hope you will follow Felix and Astra in their struggles and adventures towards finding themselves... and other things.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support, you all rock.
I can't wait to share the second part of the No Ordinary Star series with you, and I hope you will follow Felix and Astra in their struggles and adventures towards finding themselves... and other things.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support, you all rock.
August 6, 2017
*** Note: I received review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I’m really grateful to be part of NOS street team ***
This whole series is going to be in my cover love list. Those colors used in the cover are so beautiful. ❤ And so is this book. The book started where the first one ended.
Beauty of this series is that in each installment it gives new questions and those are answered in the next one. I had a questions in the first part of No Ordinary Star- How Felix was in the box while his grandfather was alive and how he saved him? What are the colonies? What was the crime of Astra’s father? The history of these characters I wanted to learn and that this second installment of the book gave.
Characters and what I liked– Felix! I so loved him in this part of the book. In the first one Astra was all smart, with survival instinct and made me stick to book with her sarcastic remarks while in this installment most of the narration was from Felix’s point of view with all sweetness, and got all the sympathy from me. Uncovering secrets, finding himself alive with his first actual heartbeat, all innocence, and his feelings… Damn! He was so sweet! I won’t say him stupid like Astra did just because he wasn’t unaware of the truths. In fact, he was much smarter than Astra gave a credit to him.
I so loved these two characters Felix and Astra. And that first feeling of love in them.. Wow! That was the sweetest moment of the book. I was smiling like fool while reading the growing love between them, characters who don’t understand its meaning, made it even more meaningful. I understood why Astra was hesitant and what she gone through in the box was horrible. As for why Astra left Felix at first place and running away from him, hopefully I will get answer in the next installment. So basically this book was focused on Felix and the history of characters.
All secondary characters were nicely described. Ah, that one line by Karim, “The first moment I saw you, I said to myself, this idiot will be the death of me.”, he won my heart. Oh like that dude that very moment. The development in Felix and Karim was most noticeable and I liked how they both grew by the end of this installment.
Story of tin man and match girl was mesmerizing. I didn’t know Tin man story but it reminded me again of Little Match Girl story from Hans Christian Andersen collection. The library was so cool and I like that bunker under shack. You seeing that library on the cover that’s Library of Truth in the book. The books and music that were banned by new world, will rebel this new world. I loved the importance of book portrayed in such unique way in the book and how it helped to bring back humanity that this dystopian world lost. The painting Astra made and its description was amazing. Colorful and enchanting!
In last few chapters, when Felix reached stadium, the questions he realized about the world and chairman was brilliant, it didn’t cross my mind ever throughout the book. The climax was just perfect. I knew what was coming but was not that much sure. I loved that ‘just Man’ theory and other ideas taken from Greek books. And that final explanation of why Felix’s grandfather called him his hope. Awesome!
End – It was just like the first one ended. Another broken point of the book.
Overall, this installment bring out all curiosity present in the world into me. I loved this series and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
YA, Science Fiction, dystopian world lovers would love to read this.
This whole series is going to be in my cover love list. Those colors used in the cover are so beautiful. ❤ And so is this book. The book started where the first one ended.
Beauty of this series is that in each installment it gives new questions and those are answered in the next one. I had a questions in the first part of No Ordinary Star- How Felix was in the box while his grandfather was alive and how he saved him? What are the colonies? What was the crime of Astra’s father? The history of these characters I wanted to learn and that this second installment of the book gave.
Characters and what I liked– Felix! I so loved him in this part of the book. In the first one Astra was all smart, with survival instinct and made me stick to book with her sarcastic remarks while in this installment most of the narration was from Felix’s point of view with all sweetness, and got all the sympathy from me. Uncovering secrets, finding himself alive with his first actual heartbeat, all innocence, and his feelings… Damn! He was so sweet! I won’t say him stupid like Astra did just because he wasn’t unaware of the truths. In fact, he was much smarter than Astra gave a credit to him.
I so loved these two characters Felix and Astra. And that first feeling of love in them.. Wow! That was the sweetest moment of the book. I was smiling like fool while reading the growing love between them, characters who don’t understand its meaning, made it even more meaningful. I understood why Astra was hesitant and what she gone through in the box was horrible. As for why Astra left Felix at first place and running away from him, hopefully I will get answer in the next installment. So basically this book was focused on Felix and the history of characters.
All secondary characters were nicely described. Ah, that one line by Karim, “The first moment I saw you, I said to myself, this idiot will be the death of me.”, he won my heart. Oh like that dude that very moment. The development in Felix and Karim was most noticeable and I liked how they both grew by the end of this installment.
Story of tin man and match girl was mesmerizing. I didn’t know Tin man story but it reminded me again of Little Match Girl story from Hans Christian Andersen collection. The library was so cool and I like that bunker under shack. You seeing that library on the cover that’s Library of Truth in the book. The books and music that were banned by new world, will rebel this new world. I loved the importance of book portrayed in such unique way in the book and how it helped to bring back humanity that this dystopian world lost. The painting Astra made and its description was amazing. Colorful and enchanting!
In last few chapters, when Felix reached stadium, the questions he realized about the world and chairman was brilliant, it didn’t cross my mind ever throughout the book. The climax was just perfect. I knew what was coming but was not that much sure. I loved that ‘just Man’ theory and other ideas taken from Greek books. And that final explanation of why Felix’s grandfather called him his hope. Awesome!
End – It was just like the first one ended. Another broken point of the book.
Overall, this installment bring out all curiosity present in the world into me. I loved this series and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
YA, Science Fiction, dystopian world lovers would love to read this.
January 6, 2017
"It's ten heartbeats until midnight", and oh, how this book had my heart beating!
No Plain Rebel is the incredible second installment in M.C. Frank's No Ordinary Star series. We rejoin Felix and Astra on their journey to discovering themselves, and eachother, in the dystopian One World.
- Spoilers ahead -
One reason why No Plain Rebel is so readable is the growing love between Felix and Astra. It's confusing, delicate and realistic, and only now do they begin to realise that their desire to be around eachother is not survival instinct, but something far more complex.
Because I enjoy Felix's character the most, I really did enjoy the narrative more in this second novel, as the story-telling was largely from his perspective. His journey is more interesting as he uncovers secrets that not only involve members of his family, but also reveal the heinous plans of the government that rule One World.
Regarding Astra, I found I lost a little sympathy for her as some of her actions I couldnt justify, namely her leaving for the Rebels. However, this may be a deliberate move on the author's part, and I'll only know once I read the third and final book of the series!
I mentioned in my review of NOS that there were elements that reminded me of His Dark Material's, but I'd like to make a correction; in NPR I kept thinking back to The Hunger Games, as the drive and passion of Katniss to overthrow Snow is very much apparent in that of Felix and Chairman Kun. Any writer that can capture that of an international bestseller is so very worthy of praise! So congrats M.C.
My favourite of M.C. Frank's works, so far! No Plain Rebel is a page-turner, that I devoured much too quickly, and now have to wait miserably until the final book.
- My Book And I
In lieu of writing this review, the author has kindly sent me a copy of No Plain Rebel.
No Plain Rebel is the incredible second installment in M.C. Frank's No Ordinary Star series. We rejoin Felix and Astra on their journey to discovering themselves, and eachother, in the dystopian One World.
- Spoilers ahead -
One reason why No Plain Rebel is so readable is the growing love between Felix and Astra. It's confusing, delicate and realistic, and only now do they begin to realise that their desire to be around eachother is not survival instinct, but something far more complex.
Because I enjoy Felix's character the most, I really did enjoy the narrative more in this second novel, as the story-telling was largely from his perspective. His journey is more interesting as he uncovers secrets that not only involve members of his family, but also reveal the heinous plans of the government that rule One World.
Regarding Astra, I found I lost a little sympathy for her as some of her actions I couldnt justify, namely her leaving for the Rebels. However, this may be a deliberate move on the author's part, and I'll only know once I read the third and final book of the series!
I mentioned in my review of NOS that there were elements that reminded me of His Dark Material's, but I'd like to make a correction; in NPR I kept thinking back to The Hunger Games, as the drive and passion of Katniss to overthrow Snow is very much apparent in that of Felix and Chairman Kun. Any writer that can capture that of an international bestseller is so very worthy of praise! So congrats M.C.
My favourite of M.C. Frank's works, so far! No Plain Rebel is a page-turner, that I devoured much too quickly, and now have to wait miserably until the final book.
- My Book And I
In lieu of writing this review, the author has kindly sent me a copy of No Plain Rebel.
Want to read
October 11, 2017*Review for book 1 in series: No Ordinary Star
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
January 31, 2018
Title: No Plain Rebel (No Ordinary Star #2)
Author: M.C. Frank
Publisher: M.C. Frank, 2016 (July 16)
Genre: YA Dystopian, Science Fiction
**I received a free copy for review in exchange for an honest opinion**
My Review:
I have been reading M.C. Frank books for awhile now, and though I enjoyed Lose Me, I am partial to her science fiction books. Not only are her covers gorgeous, but the characters are real and flawed and beautiful. Though I’m not a contemporary reader, I read her book Lose Me and loved it. Returning to her NOS series was a welcome relief, like coming home. I’m attached to my Match girl and Tin soldier from her first book.
I always find sequels so hard to write reviews for. I tend to keep them off my blog because most people don’t know the first book or aren’t familiar with the series, and then I’m here writing a review of a book that bridges a story that you haven’t read. If you’ve read the first book, then my review for book two might be relevant...but if you have read it, whether you liked it or not, would my review of book two ever change your mind? Prob not.
I find I write reviews for sequels more for me. Now if a book is a four part series, and you’ve read the first book and you’re iffy on continuing, then maybe I could see some need to read my review for book two. But if you have read No Ordinary Star, then I would be surprised if you even considered to read my review. You obviously know if you like it or not...
And I liked it.
No Plain Rebel just picks up where we left off - Astra and Felix are still trying to work out their situation and their discoveries in the workshop. I think most of the real development happens at the end, where we start to see a direction and a heading. NPR is more exposition and more development of character than anything else.
If you’ve stuck with this series so far, I encourage you to continue. Something big is in the air, the book is really gearing up...and we are once again left on a precipice waiting for explanation and, well,
I guess a happy ending.
I gave the book ★★★★☆ instead of five because I tend to find sequels that bridge the gap to be dependent on their counterpart. So by me giving this book four stars, I’m really saying that book one is five and I have a feeling that the entire series will be a spectacular read.
I’m eager to read the next book - I am also eager to read more M.C. Frank in general.
If you like a good space book with some romance, this book is perfect.
Now go read it.
Author: M.C. Frank
Publisher: M.C. Frank, 2016 (July 16)
Genre: YA Dystopian, Science Fiction
**I received a free copy for review in exchange for an honest opinion**
My Review:
I have been reading M.C. Frank books for awhile now, and though I enjoyed Lose Me, I am partial to her science fiction books. Not only are her covers gorgeous, but the characters are real and flawed and beautiful. Though I’m not a contemporary reader, I read her book Lose Me and loved it. Returning to her NOS series was a welcome relief, like coming home. I’m attached to my Match girl and Tin soldier from her first book.
I always find sequels so hard to write reviews for. I tend to keep them off my blog because most people don’t know the first book or aren’t familiar with the series, and then I’m here writing a review of a book that bridges a story that you haven’t read. If you’ve read the first book, then my review for book two might be relevant...but if you have read it, whether you liked it or not, would my review of book two ever change your mind? Prob not.
I find I write reviews for sequels more for me. Now if a book is a four part series, and you’ve read the first book and you’re iffy on continuing, then maybe I could see some need to read my review for book two. But if you have read No Ordinary Star, then I would be surprised if you even considered to read my review. You obviously know if you like it or not...
And I liked it.
No Plain Rebel just picks up where we left off - Astra and Felix are still trying to work out their situation and their discoveries in the workshop. I think most of the real development happens at the end, where we start to see a direction and a heading. NPR is more exposition and more development of character than anything else.
If you’ve stuck with this series so far, I encourage you to continue. Something big is in the air, the book is really gearing up...and we are once again left on a precipice waiting for explanation and, well,
I guess a happy ending.
I gave the book ★★★★☆ instead of five because I tend to find sequels that bridge the gap to be dependent on their counterpart. So by me giving this book four stars, I’m really saying that book one is five and I have a feeling that the entire series will be a spectacular read.
I’m eager to read the next book - I am also eager to read more M.C. Frank in general.
If you like a good space book with some romance, this book is perfect.
Now go read it.
August 23, 2017
No Plain Rebel immerses you further in to the dream world of No Ordinary Star. It is deeply emotional, elegantly thought provoking, and will have your heart pumping! This stunning installment in the series will have you re-evaluating what you know of futuristic science fiction and fantasies of utopia.
The Plot: Picking up where No Ordinary Star left off, Felix and Astra begin to uncover the deepest secrets held in the Clockmaster's hidden library. In turn, they begin to uncover more secrets about themselves, and what it truly means to be human. It is a race against time for Felix to finish the great clock for the celebration, but can he do the right thing, knowing what the clock is truly meant for?
M.C. Frank continues to impress me with her beautiful writing! I love this one more than the first one! No Plain Rebel delves deeper in to the minds, and histories, of Astra and Felix. It reveals more about the history of the One World, and allows us to learn more about the Clockmaster and his family. There is more of a human connection in this one, along with a revelation of sadness and terror. It is in this book that we truly begin to see what Astra and Felix have missed in their lives, and we learn the terrifying truth of the past, present, and potential future of earth and the One World.
No Plain Rebel symbolizes the importance of waking up from a life of lies. We see Felix become more human and start to realize everything he missed as a drone. This one shows us how disconnected the world is from simple human pleasures, such as real food, music, and books. I find that Felix figuring out how to put the clock together is beautifully symbolic of he and Astra figuring each other out and learning how to be human again.
I am very proud to be a part of the street team for this trilogy! So far, both books have captivated my mind and my heart. The story is rich, bold, and beautiful. No Plain Rebel adds so much depth to the first book and the past and present of our main characters. It adds much needed backstory to the world Frank has created, and makes us see how so many things can go wrong with the creation of a Utopian society in a futuristic setting.
The Plot: Picking up where No Ordinary Star left off, Felix and Astra begin to uncover the deepest secrets held in the Clockmaster's hidden library. In turn, they begin to uncover more secrets about themselves, and what it truly means to be human. It is a race against time for Felix to finish the great clock for the celebration, but can he do the right thing, knowing what the clock is truly meant for?
M.C. Frank continues to impress me with her beautiful writing! I love this one more than the first one! No Plain Rebel delves deeper in to the minds, and histories, of Astra and Felix. It reveals more about the history of the One World, and allows us to learn more about the Clockmaster and his family. There is more of a human connection in this one, along with a revelation of sadness and terror. It is in this book that we truly begin to see what Astra and Felix have missed in their lives, and we learn the terrifying truth of the past, present, and potential future of earth and the One World.
No Plain Rebel symbolizes the importance of waking up from a life of lies. We see Felix become more human and start to realize everything he missed as a drone. This one shows us how disconnected the world is from simple human pleasures, such as real food, music, and books. I find that Felix figuring out how to put the clock together is beautifully symbolic of he and Astra figuring each other out and learning how to be human again.
I am very proud to be a part of the street team for this trilogy! So far, both books have captivated my mind and my heart. The story is rich, bold, and beautiful. No Plain Rebel adds so much depth to the first book and the past and present of our main characters. It adds much needed backstory to the world Frank has created, and makes us see how so many things can go wrong with the creation of a Utopian society in a futuristic setting.
June 23, 2017
I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Another stunning cover, another exciting read, they just keep getting better and better. I am so excited to see how this story ends, and I love that it is written in installments. The hype that it builds is fascinating, and definitely draws you in! I love these characters! I can't say much as it's part two of the series, and I do not want to spoil it for anyone, but this book has definitely gotten its hold on me! You guys need to check out these books. They are very short, both so far under 200 pages, and they read like a breeze!
Another stunning cover, another exciting read, they just keep getting better and better. I am so excited to see how this story ends, and I love that it is written in installments. The hype that it builds is fascinating, and definitely draws you in! I love these characters! I can't say much as it's part two of the series, and I do not want to spoil it for anyone, but this book has definitely gotten its hold on me! You guys need to check out these books. They are very short, both so far under 200 pages, and they read like a breeze!
August 12, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Dystopian
I was sent a copy by the wonderful M.c Frank herself for an honest review.
No Plain Rebel is the second installment in the No Ordinary Star series so this review might contain a couple of spoilers for the first book.
The story picks up where the last book left off, with Felix reading the story of the tin soldier to Astra. This book was definitely a great read and quite informative in the sense that it provided a better explanation of the world and the reasons behind people's actions. We get to discover along with the characters new information about their backgrounds and the truth about the real world.
The developing relationship between Felix and Astra was heart-warming and so wonderful to read. They are two completely different characters who complement each other perfectly and the multiple povs provides us with a window to peak through their minds and see for ourselves how much they developed since the first book. I am not a fan of insta-love and this book does not disappoint because it focuses on a slowly-developing relationship and I really appreciate that.
The writing was as beautiful and engaging as the first book, conjuring up wonderful imagery of the surrounding nature, the colors of the sky and the blanketing whiteness of the snow. The way it is written makes you feel like you're actually one of the characters, experiencing their torment, hope, frustrations and love. You connect with them on such a personal level that you constantly worry about them and what their future might bring.
I loved how the story focused on Christmas and how we see it through the eyes of two people who have no concept of religion. It raised a lot of questions with regards to traditions, and how a world without religion could ever understand it. I enjoyed the fact that both Felix and Astra discussed the story of Betlehem and tried to glean some sort of message from it without really taking any sides on the matter.
I don't know when the next book will be released but I hope it is soon because I honestly cannot survive from that cliffhanger! I do hope that there will be a lot more focus on the Rebels because I really want to find out more about the people who raised Astra and their importance in the story along with Felix.
"Silence is not peace"
I was sent a copy by the wonderful M.c Frank herself for an honest review.
No Plain Rebel is the second installment in the No Ordinary Star series so this review might contain a couple of spoilers for the first book.
The story picks up where the last book left off, with Felix reading the story of the tin soldier to Astra. This book was definitely a great read and quite informative in the sense that it provided a better explanation of the world and the reasons behind people's actions. We get to discover along with the characters new information about their backgrounds and the truth about the real world.
The developing relationship between Felix and Astra was heart-warming and so wonderful to read. They are two completely different characters who complement each other perfectly and the multiple povs provides us with a window to peak through their minds and see for ourselves how much they developed since the first book. I am not a fan of insta-love and this book does not disappoint because it focuses on a slowly-developing relationship and I really appreciate that.
The writing was as beautiful and engaging as the first book, conjuring up wonderful imagery of the surrounding nature, the colors of the sky and the blanketing whiteness of the snow. The way it is written makes you feel like you're actually one of the characters, experiencing their torment, hope, frustrations and love. You connect with them on such a personal level that you constantly worry about them and what their future might bring.
I loved how the story focused on Christmas and how we see it through the eyes of two people who have no concept of religion. It raised a lot of questions with regards to traditions, and how a world without religion could ever understand it. I enjoyed the fact that both Felix and Astra discussed the story of Betlehem and tried to glean some sort of message from it without really taking any sides on the matter.
I don't know when the next book will be released but I hope it is soon because I honestly cannot survive from that cliffhanger! I do hope that there will be a lot more focus on the Rebels because I really want to find out more about the people who raised Astra and their importance in the story along with Felix.
"Silence is not peace"
May 30, 2017
In the world where no one sleeps, the tin soldier has finally woken up.
The match girl disappears, but not from tin soldier's head.
The Library reveals the truth he's not ready for.
But what choice does he have?
The year 2525 is coming, and no one is ready for what it's gonna bring.
"No Plain Rebel" is the second book of the "No Ordinary Star" trilogy. While the first one felt more like an introduction and left the reader with a lot of questions, much more happens in this one and many questions get answered.
We get to know more about Felix and Astra's background, and we follow them as they discover new things about themselves and the world they live in. I loved their interactions, dialogues between them, and how natural it became for them to spend time together, even though in the world created by M.C. Frank woman and man can't even stand next to each other. But what I loved even more were their thoughts and feelings (which we're able to read about thanks to the changing POV) - they show a deep character development, let us see how Astra and Felix change, how their upbringing results in completely different views of the things they discover together. (And of course - I ship them pretty hard!)
The writing blew me away one more time, some scenes were just brilliant and left me in awe. The story is even more engrossing than in the first book, and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. Also when you finish, you immediately want to start the next book!
It's not a strictly Christian book, but Christians will surely appreciate some aspects of the story. Which doesn't mean that non-christians won't like it! It's a great book for everyone who likes dystopian/sci-fi/ya literature, and I recommend it with all my heart!
The match girl disappears, but not from tin soldier's head.
The Library reveals the truth he's not ready for.
But what choice does he have?
The year 2525 is coming, and no one is ready for what it's gonna bring.
"No Plain Rebel" is the second book of the "No Ordinary Star" trilogy. While the first one felt more like an introduction and left the reader with a lot of questions, much more happens in this one and many questions get answered.
We get to know more about Felix and Astra's background, and we follow them as they discover new things about themselves and the world they live in. I loved their interactions, dialogues between them, and how natural it became for them to spend time together, even though in the world created by M.C. Frank woman and man can't even stand next to each other. But what I loved even more were their thoughts and feelings (which we're able to read about thanks to the changing POV) - they show a deep character development, let us see how Astra and Felix change, how their upbringing results in completely different views of the things they discover together. (And of course - I ship them pretty hard!)
The writing blew me away one more time, some scenes were just brilliant and left me in awe. The story is even more engrossing than in the first book, and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. Also when you finish, you immediately want to start the next book!
It's not a strictly Christian book, but Christians will surely appreciate some aspects of the story. Which doesn't mean that non-christians won't like it! It's a great book for everyone who likes dystopian/sci-fi/ya literature, and I recommend it with all my heart!
July 29, 2017
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Dystopian/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (very mature and depressing scenes. Some triggering scenes.)
Favorite Quote: “Power will always pollute things.”
BOOK 2 in the NO ORDINARY STAR series A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix a the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do. A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive. A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack. The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty. The year is 2524. Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic young adult novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time. In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth. Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head. Because she’s no longer there. The Stadium is looming in the distance. It’s ten heartbeats to midnight.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for promotion and for my honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.
I have been itching this whole month to read the next book in the trilogy and I was NOT disappointed when I read it. This book picks up where we left off in the first book and it definitely explains the back story and the overall plot of the series. While there is a lot of information that comes at the reader, it isn’t heavy nor is it overwhelming. And while I thought the story would continue to circle around Astra and Felix, this book starts encompassing more and more characters and for the most part they are all very well developed. I also want to brag about the writing. The writing is so well done. You don’t just read these characters talking, you hear them. Each character has a distinctive voice. M.C. Frank also did something that I thought was very different. The tale is told from Felix’s POV and Astra’s POV and usually the emotional turmoil is told from the female’s viewpoint… but M.C. Frank wrote mostly from the emotional turmoil of Felix for a variety of reasons… that would be spoilery… but it was so well done! I always feel that guys get the short end of the stick in the majority of books I read and I liked that Felix had a wider array of emotions than the majority of guys I read in other books.
While I loved, loved, loved this book I did have some things I wanted to see (and that I’m hoping to see in the next book!). I want to see more of Astra and the Rebel’s story and I want to see their part in this book explained more. I want to know how it is on their side of the conflict and what it would be like to be one of them. While I think that all of the characters are very well developed, I do want to see more about this cast of characters if just for curiosities’ sake! Hopefully I’ll see more of that in the 3rd book, but if not I’d be happy with how the story is. I love this universe and I love how the story is mainly from Felix’s view and I’m rooting for him all the way!
Give this series a read-through! M.C. Frank is one of the most underappreciated authors out there. She writes amazing books and this series is one of my favorite dystopian series already. I can’t wait for the next book and I can’t wait to see how this will end!
Genre: YA Dystopian/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (very mature and depressing scenes. Some triggering scenes.)
Favorite Quote: “Power will always pollute things.”
BOOK 2 in the NO ORDINARY STAR series A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix a the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do. A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive. A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack. The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty. The year is 2524. Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic young adult novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time. In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth. Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head. Because she’s no longer there. The Stadium is looming in the distance. It’s ten heartbeats to midnight.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for promotion and for my honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.
I have been itching this whole month to read the next book in the trilogy and I was NOT disappointed when I read it. This book picks up where we left off in the first book and it definitely explains the back story and the overall plot of the series. While there is a lot of information that comes at the reader, it isn’t heavy nor is it overwhelming. And while I thought the story would continue to circle around Astra and Felix, this book starts encompassing more and more characters and for the most part they are all very well developed. I also want to brag about the writing. The writing is so well done. You don’t just read these characters talking, you hear them. Each character has a distinctive voice. M.C. Frank also did something that I thought was very different. The tale is told from Felix’s POV and Astra’s POV and usually the emotional turmoil is told from the female’s viewpoint… but M.C. Frank wrote mostly from the emotional turmoil of Felix for a variety of reasons… that would be spoilery… but it was so well done! I always feel that guys get the short end of the stick in the majority of books I read and I liked that Felix had a wider array of emotions than the majority of guys I read in other books.
While I loved, loved, loved this book I did have some things I wanted to see (and that I’m hoping to see in the next book!). I want to see more of Astra and the Rebel’s story and I want to see their part in this book explained more. I want to know how it is on their side of the conflict and what it would be like to be one of them. While I think that all of the characters are very well developed, I do want to see more about this cast of characters if just for curiosities’ sake! Hopefully I’ll see more of that in the 3rd book, but if not I’d be happy with how the story is. I love this universe and I love how the story is mainly from Felix’s view and I’m rooting for him all the way!
Give this series a read-through! M.C. Frank is one of the most underappreciated authors out there. She writes amazing books and this series is one of my favorite dystopian series already. I can’t wait for the next book and I can’t wait to see how this will end!
September 25, 2017
“Silence is not peace.”
No Plain Rebel is part two, the sequel, to the book No Ordinary Star by M.C. Frank (if you need a refresher on that book go here). NPR picks up right where NOS left off, which is good since we were left on a considerable cliff hanger, and dives right back into the somewhat terrifying world that Felix and Astra live in. Inspired by Rad Bradbury tales, M.C. has written a saga that will make you think, it will make you have fear for what the future can hold and make you question your very beliefs. In this part two, we are given some more back story, have mysteries unravel and have some surprising plot twists that basically make your eyes pop out of your head.
I was really excited when I started reading No Plain Rebel, for one I absolutely HAD to know what it was that Felix and Astra found, and two, I knew there was a good chance that we were going to meet some new characters, and that’s always fun. Quite a few new characters do make an appearance in this book, but I can’t say much about who they are or where we see them without giving up some major spoilers, but rest assured that some of them have the potential to be pretty cool. I do wish we had a little more time getting to know some of them, but I suspect that will be coming in the third book. As far as characters though, Felix and Astra are becoming quite the team. I absolutely love that these two are growing together and helping each other to become stronger, better people, and to unravel the cryptic messages that the clock master left for Felix. There also is a bit of a romance sizzling between Felix and Astra, but both of them are more focused on the tasks ahead, and there’s no love triangle whatsoever, which is really refreshing. Astra alone is completely badass, willing to do whatever she can to make the world better, and because of this I think she’ll make a great role model for other teenage girls.
“Felix, my hope.”
In NPR we get a more in-depth look into the world that Felix and Astra inhabit, realizing how truly horrible it is, and also discover why this world is the way it is. While it’s an extremely unusual world, you can also see where inspiration has been drawn from Bradbury’s tales and other classics that have been a big part of many readers lives. The characters themselves, Felix and Astra in particular, are drawn to many of the old Christmas stories, which they end up drawing strength and faith from in the dark times they are facing. I absolutely love this aspect of the book, because what else can give you more powerful ideas besides stories.
There were some moments where I felt like the pacing was a little awkward or that not a lot was happening, but in all fairness I was trying to read and chase a baby around the house at the same time so it could have something to do with that. This also wasn’t as much of an emotional read for me as the first one was, but I really think a lot of this book is set up for the explosion that is going to be the third one. BUT, overall I really enjoyed the second part of this trilogy! There were lots of changes, mysteries solved, some exciting action and of course, another cliff hanger, which naturally has me dying for book three. If you haven’t checked out these books yet then I highly suggest you do so!
*A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
No Plain Rebel is part two, the sequel, to the book No Ordinary Star by M.C. Frank (if you need a refresher on that book go here). NPR picks up right where NOS left off, which is good since we were left on a considerable cliff hanger, and dives right back into the somewhat terrifying world that Felix and Astra live in. Inspired by Rad Bradbury tales, M.C. has written a saga that will make you think, it will make you have fear for what the future can hold and make you question your very beliefs. In this part two, we are given some more back story, have mysteries unravel and have some surprising plot twists that basically make your eyes pop out of your head.
I was really excited when I started reading No Plain Rebel, for one I absolutely HAD to know what it was that Felix and Astra found, and two, I knew there was a good chance that we were going to meet some new characters, and that’s always fun. Quite a few new characters do make an appearance in this book, but I can’t say much about who they are or where we see them without giving up some major spoilers, but rest assured that some of them have the potential to be pretty cool. I do wish we had a little more time getting to know some of them, but I suspect that will be coming in the third book. As far as characters though, Felix and Astra are becoming quite the team. I absolutely love that these two are growing together and helping each other to become stronger, better people, and to unravel the cryptic messages that the clock master left for Felix. There also is a bit of a romance sizzling between Felix and Astra, but both of them are more focused on the tasks ahead, and there’s no love triangle whatsoever, which is really refreshing. Astra alone is completely badass, willing to do whatever she can to make the world better, and because of this I think she’ll make a great role model for other teenage girls.
“Felix, my hope.”
In NPR we get a more in-depth look into the world that Felix and Astra inhabit, realizing how truly horrible it is, and also discover why this world is the way it is. While it’s an extremely unusual world, you can also see where inspiration has been drawn from Bradbury’s tales and other classics that have been a big part of many readers lives. The characters themselves, Felix and Astra in particular, are drawn to many of the old Christmas stories, which they end up drawing strength and faith from in the dark times they are facing. I absolutely love this aspect of the book, because what else can give you more powerful ideas besides stories.
There were some moments where I felt like the pacing was a little awkward or that not a lot was happening, but in all fairness I was trying to read and chase a baby around the house at the same time so it could have something to do with that. This also wasn’t as much of an emotional read for me as the first one was, but I really think a lot of this book is set up for the explosion that is going to be the third one. BUT, overall I really enjoyed the second part of this trilogy! There were lots of changes, mysteries solved, some exciting action and of course, another cliff hanger, which naturally has me dying for book three. If you haven’t checked out these books yet then I highly suggest you do so!
*A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2017
Second book syndrome? Not in this case! No Plain Rebel picks up right when No Ordinary Star left us and it's truly engaging and action-packed. In this part of the series, we learn a lot more about the dystopian world created by M.C. Frank and the conflict gets more and more twisted. I also loved that it had even a bigger Christmas feel :) The last few chapters especially kept me at the edge of my seat and I can't wait to pick up No Vain Loss!
July 15, 2016
In the world where no one sleeps, the tin soldier has finally woken up.
The match girl disappears, but not from tin soldier's head.
The Library reveals the truth he's not ready for.
But what choice does he have?
The year 2525 is coming, and no one is ready for what it's gonna bring.
"No Plain Rebel" is the second book of the "No Ordinary Star" trilogy. While the first one felt more like an introduction and left the reader with a lot of questions, much more happens in this one and many questions get answered.
We get to know more about Felix and Astra's background, and we follow them as they discover new things about themselves and the world they live in. I loved their interactions, dialogues between them, and how natural it became for them to spend time together, even though in the world created by M.C. Frank woman and man can't even stand next to each other. But what I loved even more were their thoughts and feelings (which we're able to read about thanks to the changing POV) - they show a deep character development, let us see how Astra and Felix change, how their upbringing results in completely different views of the things they discover together. (And of course - I ship them pretty hard!)
The writing blew me away one more time, some scenes were just brilliant and left me in awe. The story is even more engrossing than in the first book, and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. Also when you finish, you immediately want to start the next book!
It's not a strictly Christian book, but Christians will surely appreciate some aspects of the story. Which doesn't mean that non-christians won't like it! It's a great book for everyone who likes dystopian/sci-fi/ya literature, and I recommend it with all my heart!
The match girl disappears, but not from tin soldier's head.
The Library reveals the truth he's not ready for.
But what choice does he have?
The year 2525 is coming, and no one is ready for what it's gonna bring.
"No Plain Rebel" is the second book of the "No Ordinary Star" trilogy. While the first one felt more like an introduction and left the reader with a lot of questions, much more happens in this one and many questions get answered.
We get to know more about Felix and Astra's background, and we follow them as they discover new things about themselves and the world they live in. I loved their interactions, dialogues between them, and how natural it became for them to spend time together, even though in the world created by M.C. Frank woman and man can't even stand next to each other. But what I loved even more were their thoughts and feelings (which we're able to read about thanks to the changing POV) - they show a deep character development, let us see how Astra and Felix change, how their upbringing results in completely different views of the things they discover together. (And of course - I ship them pretty hard!)
The writing blew me away one more time, some scenes were just brilliant and left me in awe. The story is even more engrossing than in the first book, and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. Also when you finish, you immediately want to start the next book!
It's not a strictly Christian book, but Christians will surely appreciate some aspects of the story. Which doesn't mean that non-christians won't like it! It's a great book for everyone who likes dystopian/sci-fi/ya literature, and I recommend it with all my heart!
August 16, 2019
* Received an ARC from the author in exchange for honest review.
I have to admit it, this book made everything went so great that made it more better than the first book!
Everything is going on great series of events, and I see Frank's writing been developed perfectly. Her writing isn't that great top of perfection but she is so good, she makes you attached to the story and makes you hungry for more. I honestly think each book of this series deserve to be bigger and not short because there are so many things could happen! Also, it must be known, this series deserves attention.
The characters are shown on their true picture now and I'm so glad, because I've been worrying about Felix!
The only thing that I had problem with is that there were a very few chapters are too slow which made me feel a little annoyed because the story is amazing and I want it to keep its amazingness.
I have to admit it, this book made everything went so great that made it more better than the first book!
Everything is going on great series of events, and I see Frank's writing been developed perfectly. Her writing isn't that great top of perfection but she is so good, she makes you attached to the story and makes you hungry for more. I honestly think each book of this series deserve to be bigger and not short because there are so many things could happen! Also, it must be known, this series deserves attention.
The characters are shown on their true picture now and I'm so glad, because I've been worrying about Felix!
The only thing that I had problem with is that there were a very few chapters are too slow which made me feel a little annoyed because the story is amazing and I want it to keep its amazingness.
August 25, 2017
Original post is in my blog -> my link text
Warning: This review might contain some spoilers...
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Warning: This review might contain some spoilers...
I received and ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Before we go on to my review. I might change a little bit in the way I format my reviews. Still trying to improve my style in my blog so please bare with me.
So let's get on to it.
He doesn’t miss the lies, the blind obedience.
He doesn’t miss being a Drone.
He doesn’t miss the Box.
For a Sci-Fi book there wasn't much of action in the beginning but in a way I still like it. I am the type of person who likes to know the story behind the story.
The researcher in ey is just curious. So here in the beginning of this book, from where we left off from No Ordinary Star, Felix and Astra are discovering more and more about their connection in the past and their connection with the Clockmaster.
I like how the author build the futuristic world of this book. Yes there are somethings in this world would still be considered immoral in the present day. Like babies born out from an artificial womb, DNA and genetics getting tampered with. Even society has become backwards now as well. Women and girls are not allowed to read, real food is not allowed? unless you're rich enough to smuggle them. It's like they're treating real food like contraband. I would definitely not want to live a future like this FOOD IS LIFE!
Anyways, the author did good in writting the world building. Giving out information and giving you the idea of the world of the One World without making you bored. I have encountered some boring writing of world building but this style in this book is one I like.
I like how dynamic the characters, Felix and Astra, are to each other. Every time I read a scene of the two of them together, which is a lot, I keep imagining a Manga version of them when I read. This book would be perfect to be adopted as a graphic novel if it got to that point .
I can picture out chibi versions of these two with the antics they're having.
I didn't get bored in the start since it's just the to of them discovering whatever they found in the Clockmaster's shack and figuring out old timer stuff. It's kinda cute actually, especially Felix where he a bit naive in his attraction to Astra *evil smirk*
There’s no one in the entire One World like you...
The attraction and tension between these two got pretty intense as the story progresses. Usually I have to double think if this was necessary in the story but somehow I think it is. It's not that the romance was necessary but think about it, their world is pretty much a controlled environment and it's a futuristic word but the society is so backwards and they're discovering these things and new emotions.
I usually empathize in the characters of the books I read. Makes me understand their character more especially if the writting is good and I can easily fall in love with a character.
It’s almost like everyone woke up one day and decided that it’s ok never to feel pleasure again
Oh the pleasures of food. Yep! I won't survive the One World.
And that twist about Chariman Kun. I am shooked
Well anyhow, overall No Plain Rebel is an awesome sequel for no ordinary star. The pace of the story is just right and the world building is just as amazing.
M.C. Frank did a great job in her work, this book has inspired me to draw and I already wrote down the scenes and pages that I want to draw as fanart. I can't wait for the next book
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September 27, 2017
“I only recently discovered that what we have here is no more peace than death. Silence is not peace.”
No Plain Rebel picks up right where No Ordinary Star left off. Felix and Astra in the cabin at the North Pole, trying to unravel the mystery the Clockmaster left in their hands.
We get more information in the second installment, answering questions of both Felix and Astra’s past. They uncover diaries and letters left to Felix from the Clockmaster, that he prepared in the event of his death. These letters help guide Felix and he learns the real purpose of the Clock leading up to the year 2525. Let’s just say, it isn’t good.
“People get dangerous ideas from books, ideas about how to fight and how to be cleverer than their enemies.”
We also get more information about the years leading up to the present. What happened to cause this society to diverge so far from the utopia it was trying to be? Finally getting some answers felt enormously satisfying and rather than feeling satiated by the knowledge, you simply want to know more of what happens next. As with any good dystopian, the more you know, the worse things seem to get.
“Chaos haste ceased to exist. It still existed all this time, he was just isolated from it. And along with the chaos, he was kept away from life.”
I am also happy to start seeing more of the world outside of the shack. While I adore the shack, (and the gorgeous library in the basement), we need to start seeing some action in the outside world. We don’t see as much action in this installment, but the plot is set at the end for an explosive ending filled with action. Or so I hope.
This book is definitely focused more on Felix than Astra. She is really only heard in her voice in a handful of chapters. I understand that Felix is the one who is tasked with fixing the Clock and the one who the letters are directed to, but I do feel like Frank could have balanced between the two a bit more. In a society where women are brushed away as second class (or worse) citizens, it felt symbolic to want Astra more involved in her own story, using her own voice.
I also think it’s important, as Astra is the one who can really give us the sense of what is hanging in the balance. Women like her being propped in laboratories against their will, being powerless and voiceless. Even as a solider, Felix never lived a life like that, so to diminish her voice diminishes that harsh reality as well. This book is focused more an bigger picture world, but we need to remember the details. It’s Astra that gives the book heart, so I wish there had been more of her.
Christmas again is a heavy theme in this book, and it does turn a bit slanted towards the religious. Some may argue that Christmas is religious, but in my opinion, that’s debatable. Here it becomes less about the holiday and more about the religious undertones, and the religious history of the holiday.
Book two does have an info-dump feel to it, even though the author attempts to break up the monologues with thoughts and ideas as they read. But, still, there is a lot of the Clockmaster talking and only snippets of actionable plot happening. I’m hoping that now that we have that out of the way, the third book is action packed. I would have loved to have gotten to know several characters introduced in this book much better, and hope we get the chance in the next installment.
There is quite a lot to enjoy from a political standpoint in the book. Philosophy and how good ideas can turn bad are presented towards the end. We have already seen the results of these ideas, so it was interesting to read how they came about.
“Power will always pollute things. The world’s entropy will always increase and man carries the source of the pollution within himself. He carries the seed of redemption as well, but it’s not as simple as you’f think to find it. It’s certainly not as simple to redeem as it seems to be be to destroy.”
The Greek philosophers are mentioned quite a bit by the Clockmaster. It would have been a bit well-rounded to have included other philosophies, especially given how he had three hundred years and isolation to build his education, it feels a bit narrow to only focus on one set of philosophy.
Again, this is a short book, leaning towards a novella, so it’s a fast read. The third book comes out at the end of the year.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to read and review.
No Plain Rebel picks up right where No Ordinary Star left off. Felix and Astra in the cabin at the North Pole, trying to unravel the mystery the Clockmaster left in their hands.
We get more information in the second installment, answering questions of both Felix and Astra’s past. They uncover diaries and letters left to Felix from the Clockmaster, that he prepared in the event of his death. These letters help guide Felix and he learns the real purpose of the Clock leading up to the year 2525. Let’s just say, it isn’t good.
“People get dangerous ideas from books, ideas about how to fight and how to be cleverer than their enemies.”
We also get more information about the years leading up to the present. What happened to cause this society to diverge so far from the utopia it was trying to be? Finally getting some answers felt enormously satisfying and rather than feeling satiated by the knowledge, you simply want to know more of what happens next. As with any good dystopian, the more you know, the worse things seem to get.
“Chaos haste ceased to exist. It still existed all this time, he was just isolated from it. And along with the chaos, he was kept away from life.”
I am also happy to start seeing more of the world outside of the shack. While I adore the shack, (and the gorgeous library in the basement), we need to start seeing some action in the outside world. We don’t see as much action in this installment, but the plot is set at the end for an explosive ending filled with action. Or so I hope.
This book is definitely focused more on Felix than Astra. She is really only heard in her voice in a handful of chapters. I understand that Felix is the one who is tasked with fixing the Clock and the one who the letters are directed to, but I do feel like Frank could have balanced between the two a bit more. In a society where women are brushed away as second class (or worse) citizens, it felt symbolic to want Astra more involved in her own story, using her own voice.
I also think it’s important, as Astra is the one who can really give us the sense of what is hanging in the balance. Women like her being propped in laboratories against their will, being powerless and voiceless. Even as a solider, Felix never lived a life like that, so to diminish her voice diminishes that harsh reality as well. This book is focused more an bigger picture world, but we need to remember the details. It’s Astra that gives the book heart, so I wish there had been more of her.
Christmas again is a heavy theme in this book, and it does turn a bit slanted towards the religious. Some may argue that Christmas is religious, but in my opinion, that’s debatable. Here it becomes less about the holiday and more about the religious undertones, and the religious history of the holiday.
Book two does have an info-dump feel to it, even though the author attempts to break up the monologues with thoughts and ideas as they read. But, still, there is a lot of the Clockmaster talking and only snippets of actionable plot happening. I’m hoping that now that we have that out of the way, the third book is action packed. I would have loved to have gotten to know several characters introduced in this book much better, and hope we get the chance in the next installment.
There is quite a lot to enjoy from a political standpoint in the book. Philosophy and how good ideas can turn bad are presented towards the end. We have already seen the results of these ideas, so it was interesting to read how they came about.
“Power will always pollute things. The world’s entropy will always increase and man carries the source of the pollution within himself. He carries the seed of redemption as well, but it’s not as simple as you’f think to find it. It’s certainly not as simple to redeem as it seems to be be to destroy.”
The Greek philosophers are mentioned quite a bit by the Clockmaster. It would have been a bit well-rounded to have included other philosophies, especially given how he had three hundred years and isolation to build his education, it feels a bit narrow to only focus on one set of philosophy.
Again, this is a short book, leaning towards a novella, so it’s a fast read. The third book comes out at the end of the year.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to read and review.
September 10, 2017
Read the full review @ https://ecstaticyetchaotic.wordpress....
Astra and Felix, two amazing characters, both equally strong (one mentally and the other, physically) and smart. Dreamers and survivors, both are a part of a plan- a grand celebration. No plain Rebel is the sequel to the dystopian novel No Ordinary Star. The journey continues as Astra and Felix find a hidden treasure in the basement of the clock master’s house. And by treasure I mean Books, Games, Music, Frozen food etc., practicing any of which is considered a Felony in “One World”.
The story begins with Felix and Astra learning about their father and the history their parents shared, both with them and Ulysses (The Clockmaster). Felix also learns the reason why Ulysses considers him as his only hope thereby leaving the job of building the clock into his trusted hands.
There’s another thing that Felix feels for the first time- Love. And how beautifully!
The plot has been strategically written, giving away details slowly and systematically. The reader is kept curious about secrets that are buried and events that will destroy mankind. Felix is planning a rebellion and he needs all the help he can get. He also needs a group of people called “The Rebels” and only Astra can help him find them. Astra- HIS match girl. The plot is fast paced and it only gets better. This is a journey of self-realizations and the not-so-simple choice between right and wrong. Felix finally learns what it is to be born a human and live like one. He feels his heart beat not only for himself but also for Astra.
The plot is fast paced and it only gets better. This is a journey of self-realizations and the not-so-simple choice between right and wrong. Felix finally learns what it is to be born a human and live like one. He feels his heart beat not only for himself but also for Astra.
I was, however, a bit disappointed with the ending. I expected a little more drama and a little more plot twist. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to how Felix faces his destiny. I also want to see more of Fe-stra! I think they have an awesome chemistry and they can achieve a lot together.
Astra and Felix, two amazing characters, both equally strong (one mentally and the other, physically) and smart. Dreamers and survivors, both are a part of a plan- a grand celebration. No plain Rebel is the sequel to the dystopian novel No Ordinary Star. The journey continues as Astra and Felix find a hidden treasure in the basement of the clock master’s house. And by treasure I mean Books, Games, Music, Frozen food etc., practicing any of which is considered a Felony in “One World”.
The story begins with Felix and Astra learning about their father and the history their parents shared, both with them and Ulysses (The Clockmaster). Felix also learns the reason why Ulysses considers him as his only hope thereby leaving the job of building the clock into his trusted hands.
There’s another thing that Felix feels for the first time- Love. And how beautifully!
The plot has been strategically written, giving away details slowly and systematically. The reader is kept curious about secrets that are buried and events that will destroy mankind. Felix is planning a rebellion and he needs all the help he can get. He also needs a group of people called “The Rebels” and only Astra can help him find them. Astra- HIS match girl. The plot is fast paced and it only gets better. This is a journey of self-realizations and the not-so-simple choice between right and wrong. Felix finally learns what it is to be born a human and live like one. He feels his heart beat not only for himself but also for Astra.
The plot is fast paced and it only gets better. This is a journey of self-realizations and the not-so-simple choice between right and wrong. Felix finally learns what it is to be born a human and live like one. He feels his heart beat not only for himself but also for Astra.
I was, however, a bit disappointed with the ending. I expected a little more drama and a little more plot twist. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to how Felix faces his destiny. I also want to see more of Fe-stra! I think they have an awesome chemistry and they can achieve a lot together.
September 7, 2017
I was lucky enough to be provided with a copy if No Plain Rebel by the amazing author!! Thank you so much M.C. Frank!!
No Plain Rebel was an amazing continuation to the first novel. It is so full of adventure, romance and twist and turns in every single moment you don’t want to put it down!! In the first book we saw how the whole world worked and the how our two main characters came to be in the same place at the same time in order for their adventure to begin!! Now Felix and Astra (have I told you how much I LOVE the name!!!!) have accepted that they have to continue the work of Felix’s grandfather but they have to figure out how to do that!
I loved how both of them have finally started to find their place in their new world as well as the part they will have to play in order not only to save the world but maybe make it a better place. I was sad to see them take separate roads but I understood how necessary it was for both of them and especially Felix!! They needed to make their own choices and be sure about themselves!!! One of my favourite moments in the book was the they read the story of the Tin Soldier and the Ballerina!!! I love this story because I used to read it when I was young and reading it again here and seeing how it affected the characters was something unique!!! Thank you M.C. Frank for that trip to my childhood!!!! ❤
Now about the amazing cliffhangers we were presented with in the end of the book I have to say I didn’t expect it AT ALL!!! After reading it I was thinking maybe I should have seen it coming but the author is that good and doesn’t let your mind wonder that far. The book is so fast paced and packed with adventure that you don’t really have the time to sit and think…you just want to keep reading and reading until you reach the end where you can’t help but think…I should have seen it!!! But you didn’t because Frank is THAT good!!!
Now I definitely want to know what is going to happen in the next book!! The whole world is at risk and there are but a few people who know and are willing to do something about it!! Amazing book, definitely recommend it to everyone!!!
No Plain Rebel was an amazing continuation to the first novel. It is so full of adventure, romance and twist and turns in every single moment you don’t want to put it down!! In the first book we saw how the whole world worked and the how our two main characters came to be in the same place at the same time in order for their adventure to begin!! Now Felix and Astra (have I told you how much I LOVE the name!!!!) have accepted that they have to continue the work of Felix’s grandfather but they have to figure out how to do that!
I loved how both of them have finally started to find their place in their new world as well as the part they will have to play in order not only to save the world but maybe make it a better place. I was sad to see them take separate roads but I understood how necessary it was for both of them and especially Felix!! They needed to make their own choices and be sure about themselves!!! One of my favourite moments in the book was the they read the story of the Tin Soldier and the Ballerina!!! I love this story because I used to read it when I was young and reading it again here and seeing how it affected the characters was something unique!!! Thank you M.C. Frank for that trip to my childhood!!!! ❤
Now about the amazing cliffhangers we were presented with in the end of the book I have to say I didn’t expect it AT ALL!!! After reading it I was thinking maybe I should have seen it coming but the author is that good and doesn’t let your mind wonder that far. The book is so fast paced and packed with adventure that you don’t really have the time to sit and think…you just want to keep reading and reading until you reach the end where you can’t help but think…I should have seen it!!! But you didn’t because Frank is THAT good!!!
Now I definitely want to know what is going to happen in the next book!! The whole world is at risk and there are but a few people who know and are willing to do something about it!! Amazing book, definitely recommend it to everyone!!!
July 14, 2017
It's ten heartbeats to midnight - my favorite line of so many fantastic lines in this gem of a novel. It's incredibly short: I started it as my plane taxied out of Tampa airport, and finished it before we began our descent into Baltimore. But I definitely needed that time before landing to reflect on what I just read.
While the first book read more like a love letter to humanity, the second feels like it has more like a manifesto. It has gusto, ambition, and drive: just like its main characters, Felix and Astra. The two of them, secluded in the North Pole, are slowly discovering what mankind has lost to the past, as well as discovering what it's like to be close to another person. But they're also seeing what they're about to lose to the future, if no one steps up to take charge and change things.
Frank carefully weaves in mystery through the plot, leaving the reader wondering why things are the way they are. New discoveries answer questions but new ones arise just as quickly: while the world Felix lives in becomes clearer (both to us as well, as well as to him, now completely off the pills) confusion about their current predicament takes over. Twists and turns arrive at an increasingly rapid pace, until at the end they're staggering and putting the reader in shock.
There's so much character growth, too! While I do miss Ursa (where's my big bear when I need her?) the focus is drawn on Felix and Astra completely - as well as their lineage. The way Frank writes complex characters is astounding: Astra dealing with the trauma from the Box and the tests that went on there, panic attacks as she tries to cope with simple things like showers. Or the way she writes Felix wrestling with the betrayal he's feeling from the people he's been trained to protect. Or the way they're feeling towards each other - feeling they don't have words for.
One thing is clear: everything hinges on this crazy clock. And it's ten heartbeats to midnight. And ten heartbeats until my heart explodes.
I need the finale NOW!
While the first book read more like a love letter to humanity, the second feels like it has more like a manifesto. It has gusto, ambition, and drive: just like its main characters, Felix and Astra. The two of them, secluded in the North Pole, are slowly discovering what mankind has lost to the past, as well as discovering what it's like to be close to another person. But they're also seeing what they're about to lose to the future, if no one steps up to take charge and change things.
Frank carefully weaves in mystery through the plot, leaving the reader wondering why things are the way they are. New discoveries answer questions but new ones arise just as quickly: while the world Felix lives in becomes clearer (both to us as well, as well as to him, now completely off the pills) confusion about their current predicament takes over. Twists and turns arrive at an increasingly rapid pace, until at the end they're staggering and putting the reader in shock.
There's so much character growth, too! While I do miss Ursa (where's my big bear when I need her?) the focus is drawn on Felix and Astra completely - as well as their lineage. The way Frank writes complex characters is astounding: Astra dealing with the trauma from the Box and the tests that went on there, panic attacks as she tries to cope with simple things like showers. Or the way she writes Felix wrestling with the betrayal he's feeling from the people he's been trained to protect. Or the way they're feeling towards each other - feeling they don't have words for.
One thing is clear: everything hinges on this crazy clock. And it's ten heartbeats to midnight. And ten heartbeats until my heart explodes.
I need the finale NOW!
December 5, 2017
I was really hoping the story would go somewhere after a ‘meh’ feeling from reading ‘No Ordinary Star.’ There is no doubt that M.C. Frank has a talent for writing, but why she released this trilogy in tiny instalments that aren’t resolved sections is beyond me. It tainted the whole experience.
Jumping around with perspectives of Felix and Astra, in different parts of the timeline, made it difficult to connect with the characters. I loved the descriptions of first time experiences. The alien-ness of customs and objects we use today through the eyes of someone in a dystopian future. It was sheer brilliance. But again, as with the first novel it was too brief, felt out of context, and was difficult at times to figure out where this is all going.
All of this aura of confusion and disjointedness overrides the beautiful writing. And with the addition of a number of grammatical errors, I was left yet again with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I can see from Franks writing the potential, and why many readers love this series; but for me, it's not polished enough, not planned out enough for each instalment to stand on their own and make sense. I kept putting down this short novella and spread it out over a couple of days, when it is something that I could read in hours because I was frustrated and disinterested.
I really hope things start to make sense in the final book of the trilogy ‘No Vain Loss.’
Concept is intriguing, writing style is fantastic, pacing is a bit sporadic, but overall the story was not engaging for me. I did not connect with the characters and kept getting lost in time jumps and flash backs.
Though I will preserve and read the final instalment and hopefully it will redeem my opinion.
Jumping around with perspectives of Felix and Astra, in different parts of the timeline, made it difficult to connect with the characters. I loved the descriptions of first time experiences. The alien-ness of customs and objects we use today through the eyes of someone in a dystopian future. It was sheer brilliance. But again, as with the first novel it was too brief, felt out of context, and was difficult at times to figure out where this is all going.
All of this aura of confusion and disjointedness overrides the beautiful writing. And with the addition of a number of grammatical errors, I was left yet again with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I can see from Franks writing the potential, and why many readers love this series; but for me, it's not polished enough, not planned out enough for each instalment to stand on their own and make sense. I kept putting down this short novella and spread it out over a couple of days, when it is something that I could read in hours because I was frustrated and disinterested.
I really hope things start to make sense in the final book of the trilogy ‘No Vain Loss.’
Concept is intriguing, writing style is fantastic, pacing is a bit sporadic, but overall the story was not engaging for me. I did not connect with the characters and kept getting lost in time jumps and flash backs.
Though I will preserve and read the final instalment and hopefully it will redeem my opinion.
August 26, 2017
What to say about this book? Well, one thing is for sure: I absolutely love the writing of M.C. Frank. It captivates me and keeps me wanting to read more and more. And this book was no exception! I was thoroughly enjoying it and got hit with some plot twists and then just couldn't put the book down! I love how there are many small childhood fairytales intertwined within this story, like The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Little Match Girl, which tend to describe characteristics of the two main characters themselves. It's all amazingly put together and thought out and I honestly cannot wait til the third book comes out!!
If you are a fan of dystopian books, I definitely encourage you to pick up this book! Has a hint of some sci-fi thrown in there too for good measure, and it's just pure magic! For me, it was a no brainer starting this series because of my love for dystopian books, and I'm so glad it did not disappoint. Just can't wait to see what will happen next!!!
If you are a fan of dystopian books, I definitely encourage you to pick up this book! Has a hint of some sci-fi thrown in there too for good measure, and it's just pure magic! For me, it was a no brainer starting this series because of my love for dystopian books, and I'm so glad it did not disappoint. Just can't wait to see what will happen next!!!
September 22, 2017
I received this book for an honest review.
OMG I need so more of this story, it's just so cool and it keeps you on the edge trying to tie all the dots to see the larger picture.
Felix is growing so much and in this book he made me so proud, at last he is sort of fighting back and he is in love how cute.
Astra too looks like she is growing more closer to him, however she seems to have still this will to fight for justice no matter what, a thrilling book with an excelent plot.
OMG I need so more of this story, it's just so cool and it keeps you on the edge trying to tie all the dots to see the larger picture.
Felix is growing so much and in this book he made me so proud, at last he is sort of fighting back and he is in love how cute.
Astra too looks like she is growing more closer to him, however she seems to have still this will to fight for justice no matter what, a thrilling book with an excelent plot.
January 3, 2019
**2.5 stars**
"Power will always pollute things. The word's entropy will always increase- and man carries the source of pollution within himself. He carries the seed of redemption as well, but it's not as simple as you'd think to find it. It's certainly not as simple to redeem as it seems to be to destroy."
No Plain Rebel is the second installment in the No Ordinary Star teen sci-fi series about love, loss, and morality. The stakes are higher in NPR than in the first, because Felix now understands that if he doesn't finish the Clockmaster's work, millions of people will suffer.
There's a certain maturity lying buried in the pages of this series that I think makes it stand out from its peers. The themes are not easy to grasp unless the reader is paying attention to every little detail- every. That means no tiny piece of information is insignificant, because it's part of a world-building scheme so complex that I wish I could have a history book about this universe featured in NOS.
That being said, this book is too short. I need to know more... So much more about this universe. Like I said in my review of Part One, these books feel like thirds of one big book, when I think that really the author should have combined them into one book like it seems, then write two more full volumes so that the reader feels satisfied.
Since these books are so short and feel like just fragments of a bigger story, not much happens in them.
Felix is the soul of Part Two. While I love Astra, her voice felt rarely heard. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but Felix has more "page time." This is his primary development stage, where he does a lot of learning and role-taking, so it's pretty great. He's also such a good soul... His compassion reminds me of Harry Potter. Fiction seems to be lacking in compassionate characters these days. It all feels like war and redemption rather than loving kindness. (Which sounds dumb, but have you seen Wonder Woman (2017) yet? Turns out compassion is heroic. Ha.)
Like with No Ordinary Star, the Eurocentricity of No Plain Rebel irked me in a few places. I've gotten over the Christmas thing because I love Christmas and I'd be a nihilist killjoy if I kept complaining about it, but take this, for example: (This is Ulysses speaking to Felix.)
"Have you read the Classics? Frankenstein? Oedipus Rex? The Greeks, again. I'm talking ancient Greeks here, boy, you won't even have heard of them."
(Later Ulysses refers to Plato's philosophy. A few times, actually.)
So there's nothing wrong with Greek philosophy and Greek literature, it's just that combined with the Christmas/ Christian Faith theme, it all just seems a little to European-y. For non-European readers, for even some American readers like me, the exclusion of all forms of philosophy, thinking, and religion feels a little isolating. Maybe I'm being too picky, but Walter Jon Williams, acclaimed science fiction writer, says, "Even if you only want to write science fiction, you should also read mysteries, poetry, mainstream literature, history, biography, philosophy, and science." Like Frank Herbert did, I think Walter Jon Williams understands what few science fiction writers do, and that's the value of knowledge in a variety of thought, from Laozi to Nietzsche. For a story battling the evils of the destruction of the individual and identical thinking, it focuses a lot on one way of thinking. I think that if the books are going to allude to any philosophy or religion, the focus can't just be on Europe, especially since this is a series that involves the lives of millions of people all over the galaxy.
"Power will always pollute things. The word's entropy will always increase- and man carries the source of pollution within himself. He carries the seed of redemption as well, but it's not as simple as you'd think to find it. It's certainly not as simple to redeem as it seems to be to destroy."
No Plain Rebel is the second installment in the No Ordinary Star teen sci-fi series about love, loss, and morality. The stakes are higher in NPR than in the first, because Felix now understands that if he doesn't finish the Clockmaster's work, millions of people will suffer.
There's a certain maturity lying buried in the pages of this series that I think makes it stand out from its peers. The themes are not easy to grasp unless the reader is paying attention to every little detail- every. That means no tiny piece of information is insignificant, because it's part of a world-building scheme so complex that I wish I could have a history book about this universe featured in NOS.
That being said, this book is too short. I need to know more... So much more about this universe. Like I said in my review of Part One, these books feel like thirds of one big book, when I think that really the author should have combined them into one book like it seems, then write two more full volumes so that the reader feels satisfied.
Since these books are so short and feel like just fragments of a bigger story, not much happens in them.
Felix is the soul of Part Two. While I love Astra, her voice felt rarely heard. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but Felix has more "page time." This is his primary development stage, where he does a lot of learning and role-taking, so it's pretty great. He's also such a good soul... His compassion reminds me of Harry Potter. Fiction seems to be lacking in compassionate characters these days. It all feels like war and redemption rather than loving kindness. (Which sounds dumb, but have you seen Wonder Woman (2017) yet? Turns out compassion is heroic. Ha.)
Like with No Ordinary Star, the Eurocentricity of No Plain Rebel irked me in a few places. I've gotten over the Christmas thing because I love Christmas and I'd be a nihilist killjoy if I kept complaining about it, but take this, for example: (This is Ulysses speaking to Felix.)
"Have you read the Classics? Frankenstein? Oedipus Rex? The Greeks, again. I'm talking ancient Greeks here, boy, you won't even have heard of them."
(Later Ulysses refers to Plato's philosophy. A few times, actually.)
So there's nothing wrong with Greek philosophy and Greek literature, it's just that combined with the Christmas/ Christian Faith theme, it all just seems a little to European-y. For non-European readers, for even some American readers like me, the exclusion of all forms of philosophy, thinking, and religion feels a little isolating. Maybe I'm being too picky, but Walter Jon Williams, acclaimed science fiction writer, says, "Even if you only want to write science fiction, you should also read mysteries, poetry, mainstream literature, history, biography, philosophy, and science." Like Frank Herbert did, I think Walter Jon Williams understands what few science fiction writers do, and that's the value of knowledge in a variety of thought, from Laozi to Nietzsche. For a story battling the evils of the destruction of the individual and identical thinking, it focuses a lot on one way of thinking. I think that if the books are going to allude to any philosophy or religion, the focus can't just be on Europe, especially since this is a series that involves the lives of millions of people all over the galaxy.
September 15, 2017
When I came to the Amazon page for No Plain Rebel, A Court of Wings and Ruin gets recommended, and for good reason! I was a huge fan of the ACOTAR series, and I think the No Ordinary Star series may be my next favorite. No Plain Rebel continues the story of Felix and Astra, and was one of the best sequels I think I’ve ever read. Frank builds on the first book in a great way, and the continuity is perfect.
World building is something that I have trouble with as a writer myself, and I think Frank has inspired me with the way she immerses the reader in her own world right from the get go.
The world isn’t the only captivating thing that Frank has created in this series. Her characters, especially Astra and Felix, are fascinating to read about throughout the first two books of this series. They feel real, as in I could really imagine them in this world that’s so different from my own, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.
You will be left wanting more by the end of this book, trust me!
I was given a copy of No Plain Rebel in exchange for my review!
World building is something that I have trouble with as a writer myself, and I think Frank has inspired me with the way she immerses the reader in her own world right from the get go.
The world isn’t the only captivating thing that Frank has created in this series. Her characters, especially Astra and Felix, are fascinating to read about throughout the first two books of this series. They feel real, as in I could really imagine them in this world that’s so different from my own, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.
You will be left wanting more by the end of this book, trust me!
I was given a copy of No Plain Rebel in exchange for my review!
July 18, 2016
4.5/5 stars.
No Plain Rebel is the second book in the sci-fi/dystopian 'No Ordinary Star' series; and it picks up where the first book finishes. I found that the first book- No Ordinary Star was more of an introductory book, and it left me with lots of questions. However, in No Ordinary Rebel, most of my questions were answered; and I loved seeing more of Felix's and Astra's back stories.
I found this book very very gripping, and definitely struggled to put it down. I will be eagerly waiting for the third installment of this series, as I am desperate to know how this story will develop!
I would highly recommend this series, and would like to thank M.C.Frank for sending me it for review :)
No Plain Rebel is the second book in the sci-fi/dystopian 'No Ordinary Star' series; and it picks up where the first book finishes. I found that the first book- No Ordinary Star was more of an introductory book, and it left me with lots of questions. However, in No Ordinary Rebel, most of my questions were answered; and I loved seeing more of Felix's and Astra's back stories.
I found this book very very gripping, and definitely struggled to put it down. I will be eagerly waiting for the third installment of this series, as I am desperate to know how this story will develop!
I would highly recommend this series, and would like to thank M.C.Frank for sending me it for review :)
July 20, 2017
I personally don't like this book as well as the first. I felt like it was missing something.
I was going through a reading slump so that's one reason why it took me so long to read it but also I couldn't seem to get into the story.
I did like the old clockmaker's house tho! :D and Astra's personality is really fun and I like how she's really passionate about the things she loves.
Overall kinda disappointing BUT the adventure is really good and I really like how Felix grows as a person. So I'd give this book 2.5 stars ✨
I was going through a reading slump so that's one reason why it took me so long to read it but also I couldn't seem to get into the story.
I did like the old clockmaker's house tho! :D and Astra's personality is really fun and I like how she's really passionate about the things she loves.
Overall kinda disappointing BUT the adventure is really good and I really like how Felix grows as a person. So I'd give this book 2.5 stars ✨
November 7, 2017
Thank you to M. C. Frank for sending an e-copy of No Plain Rebel for me to read and review! All thoughts and opinions are my own :) Also, this is the second instalment in this trilogy, so if you haven’t already, you should read No Ordinary Star first (check out my review here).
I forgot how amazing M. C. Frank’s writing is, but when I started reading this novel, I remembered how much I adored her writing and her plot. The prologue was immediately captivating, and I was ready to devour the story because the author’s writing is just so beautiful and lyrical. And I couldn’t wait to see Astra’s and Felix’s relationship grow and develop.
Astra and Felix were mainly the main protagonists of Nor Ordinary Star, and I feel that In No Plain Rebel, they were further developed and we were able to learn a lot more about them individually. But I definitely ship them together, because THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE!! We were able to discover more about both Felix’s and Astra’s family history and how they came to be who they were and where they were. Felix’s past is especially sad and my heart breaks for my favourite tin soldier. I love Astra’s stubbornness and how that has helped her to survive and not let anyone trample over her – in my eyes, despite the harsh world she is living in, she’s a strong and independent woman. I also adore how sweet and caring Felix is, how he’s once cold heart has warmed and he doesn’t push anyone to do whatever he wants. Seriously, I’m just obsessed with these characters, especially together, BUT a specific scene made my heart break (hehe, you’ve gotta read it to find out what). I was actually hoping to see another appearance of Ursa, the polar bear because I love her, hehe.
In this instalment, we also get to revisit characters that were mentioned in No Ordinary Star, and I already love Karim, who I guess would be considered Felix’s best friend. When I first met him, I wasn’t sure what to think about him, mostly because M. C. Frank has built up a lot of suspense in her novel and you practically cannot trust him. But Karim grew on me and he’s fiercely protective and loyal, in a way. I hope we get to see more of him in the last novel. We also get to meet other soldiers and it saddens me that they are influenced to be so cold and heartless because majority of them seem to be only teenagers.
I loved how the Clockmaster seemed to still have a voice in No Plain Rebel, the author was clever to weave a deceased character’s voice into it. He’s basically helping guide Astra and Felix to understanding the world as we know it, the world where Christmas and love and natural births existed. He’s voice was heard through the journal entries and recordings he left behind for Felix and through Felix’s recollections of all the things the Clockmaster has told him in the duration of the time spent in the cabin. It definitely was a good way to know the Clockmaster’s thoughts and hopes and dreams and feelings before he passed away.
I found that the world-building was developed very well, and I was able to understand more of how the world came to be in that particular time period and how the world works. The plot kept thickening and every page had me wanting more, whether because I wanted more of the character’s appearances of because of suspense. I also found myself laughing and smiling through most of the novel, because the writing was weaved with humour that kept me entertained. The cover is also GORGEOUS!! I love how all the covers in this series match and look pretty next to each other. Why can’t all series do this?
The ending is killing me, because I NEED to know what happens next. There are so many questions, so many theories and thoughts I want answered. Hopefully, I get my hands on No Vain Loss soon! It comes out December 5th so keep an eye out!
I forgot how amazing M. C. Frank’s writing is, but when I started reading this novel, I remembered how much I adored her writing and her plot. The prologue was immediately captivating, and I was ready to devour the story because the author’s writing is just so beautiful and lyrical. And I couldn’t wait to see Astra’s and Felix’s relationship grow and develop.
Astra and Felix were mainly the main protagonists of Nor Ordinary Star, and I feel that In No Plain Rebel, they were further developed and we were able to learn a lot more about them individually. But I definitely ship them together, because THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE!! We were able to discover more about both Felix’s and Astra’s family history and how they came to be who they were and where they were. Felix’s past is especially sad and my heart breaks for my favourite tin soldier. I love Astra’s stubbornness and how that has helped her to survive and not let anyone trample over her – in my eyes, despite the harsh world she is living in, she’s a strong and independent woman. I also adore how sweet and caring Felix is, how he’s once cold heart has warmed and he doesn’t push anyone to do whatever he wants. Seriously, I’m just obsessed with these characters, especially together, BUT a specific scene made my heart break (hehe, you’ve gotta read it to find out what). I was actually hoping to see another appearance of Ursa, the polar bear because I love her, hehe.
In this instalment, we also get to revisit characters that were mentioned in No Ordinary Star, and I already love Karim, who I guess would be considered Felix’s best friend. When I first met him, I wasn’t sure what to think about him, mostly because M. C. Frank has built up a lot of suspense in her novel and you practically cannot trust him. But Karim grew on me and he’s fiercely protective and loyal, in a way. I hope we get to see more of him in the last novel. We also get to meet other soldiers and it saddens me that they are influenced to be so cold and heartless because majority of them seem to be only teenagers.
I loved how the Clockmaster seemed to still have a voice in No Plain Rebel, the author was clever to weave a deceased character’s voice into it. He’s basically helping guide Astra and Felix to understanding the world as we know it, the world where Christmas and love and natural births existed. He’s voice was heard through the journal entries and recordings he left behind for Felix and through Felix’s recollections of all the things the Clockmaster has told him in the duration of the time spent in the cabin. It definitely was a good way to know the Clockmaster’s thoughts and hopes and dreams and feelings before he passed away.
I found that the world-building was developed very well, and I was able to understand more of how the world came to be in that particular time period and how the world works. The plot kept thickening and every page had me wanting more, whether because I wanted more of the character’s appearances of because of suspense. I also found myself laughing and smiling through most of the novel, because the writing was weaved with humour that kept me entertained. The cover is also GORGEOUS!! I love how all the covers in this series match and look pretty next to each other. Why can’t all series do this?
The ending is killing me, because I NEED to know what happens next. There are so many questions, so many theories and thoughts I want answered. Hopefully, I get my hands on No Vain Loss soon! It comes out December 5th so keep an eye out!
July 2, 2017
in the first book, Felix( tin soldier ) finds himself in a library with a girl ( match girl); on a mission to build a clock, he knows nothing about, that will save the world; with so little time left, so little knowledge about this clock and about how will it even save the world. He didn't even know that the world needs to be saved!
in this ( marvelous/amazing/mind blowing) book, Felix begins to discover the truth about his cold world, and the lies he has been fed and didn't even think twice before believing them. And just when he started getting used to interacting with Astra, as he never dealt with a woman; she disappeared, after saving and helping him, she turned into Ashes.... But no time to cry about that! the whole world needs to be saved by him, he did what he was told, with an overwhelming feeling, he walked into the stadium.....
Okay, guys lemme just tell you how fun it was to read this squeal. M. C. Frank has a way with words, that can do wonders to you, she can describe a normal little thing in a way that overwhelms you!
I mean just look at that! Only M. C. Frank can write about someone playing with a skateboard like this!
I really loved how Astra and Felix started acting normal and sometimes stupid around each other, it was really fun to read about their daily struggle to understand the clock and even understand the basic things that were banned from their world.
And how they started feeling things they can't even process!
It was marvelous indeed!
I was feeling mixed emotions between all that and the twist of events when Astra disappeared. I felt as though I was just there sitting with them in the Arctic, God it was intense!
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those who love the out-of-the-box kind of books, it was definitely a new adventure for me, and I loved every second of it!
in this ( marvelous/amazing/mind blowing) book, Felix begins to discover the truth about his cold world, and the lies he has been fed and didn't even think twice before believing them. And just when he started getting used to interacting with Astra, as he never dealt with a woman; she disappeared, after saving and helping him, she turned into Ashes.... But no time to cry about that! the whole world needs to be saved by him, he did what he was told, with an overwhelming feeling, he walked into the stadium.....
Okay, guys lemme just tell you how fun it was to read this squeal. M. C. Frank has a way with words, that can do wonders to you, she can describe a normal little thing in a way that overwhelms you!
This feeling of running without moving, it’s intoxicating. Her heart beats like crazy, her pulse throbs at her temples, and she lets out a ‘whoop’ every time she passes ten arches in a row without falling.
I mean just look at that! Only M. C. Frank can write about someone playing with a skateboard like this!
I really loved how Astra and Felix started acting normal and sometimes stupid around each other, it was really fun to read about their daily struggle to understand the clock and even understand the basic things that were banned from their world.
He feels her heart race madly against his own and for a second he thinks it’s finally happened, he’s come alive. He’s human again -her kind of human. The warmth of her skin penetrates the damp cotton of his tunic and his nostrils fill with her scent
And how they started feeling things they can't even process!
It was marvelous indeed!
I was feeling mixed emotions between all that and the twist of events when Astra disappeared. I felt as though I was just there sitting with them in the Arctic, God it was intense!
She’ll miss him. Oh. Maybe that’s why, in the tin soldier story, the ballerina decided that she’d rather be thrown into the furnace with the tin soldier rather than live without him. Ugh. It sounds so stupid when you put it like this. Stupid, but also not stupid
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those who love the out-of-the-box kind of books, it was definitely a new adventure for me, and I loved every second of it!
October 1, 2017
Thank you to M.C. Frank who is the author of this series and is lovely enough to present me this ebook for an honest review.
What can I say? This book was amazing!!! No Plain Rebel(NPR) just made me love Felix even more. The story just got better after the first instalment. Readers are able to see a more human side of Felix and learn more about this futuristic world. Though I did wish Astra was more in this book but she wasn't really. NPR was mostly in Felix's POV which wasn't boring because he had a lot of stuff to do like fix a clock, rethink his whole life, convince a few people that he's not crazy and save the world.
This book continued on from the ending of No Ordinary Star. I liked that it did because I hate it when there's a cliffhanger and usually sequels just brushes over them. Luckily this wasn't the case and the pace in this book was perfect. It wasn't slow like No Ordinary Star because all the intros have been done. The way Frank wrote was so beautiful and magical and she wrote emotions so well. It's so easy to understand the pain, love, happiness and sadness of Felix, Astra and Ulysses.
This book was so thoughtful and the build up to the ending was so fun and exciting. The journeys Felix and Astra have to go through is so interesting. It's also really cool to see how their pasts look like. Not only that, Ulysses shows up and honestly he's awesome. He's barely in the books but I love him and he played or still plays a huge role here.
Oh I can't wait to read No Vain Loss, the third and last instalment of this series. It's going to be so epic and by the title, I am really hoping no one dies. I'll cry. In my review, I'll let you know if I cried.
What I liked about this book as well is that it shows that love is what makes us human and is what can make the world better. Better, not perfect. What is a perfect world? A world where there's no hunger, no poverty and no war? It isn't if it is at the cost of losing our humanity. I found it funny that this futuristic world was so sexist. For example, women are sent to this island and they can't learn to read. I always though equality would be more real in the future but I guess not here. Frank showed us what a world will be like if we keep looking for perfection and not consider our emotions and happiness.
All in all, loved it. It's sweet, it's short, the plot is interesting. I love the direction it's going, the characters are so loveable and the writing is truly magical. I totally recommend this to readers who would want to read a sci-fi or a wonderfully written book.
What can I say? This book was amazing!!! No Plain Rebel(NPR) just made me love Felix even more. The story just got better after the first instalment. Readers are able to see a more human side of Felix and learn more about this futuristic world. Though I did wish Astra was more in this book but she wasn't really. NPR was mostly in Felix's POV which wasn't boring because he had a lot of stuff to do like fix a clock, rethink his whole life, convince a few people that he's not crazy and save the world.
This book continued on from the ending of No Ordinary Star. I liked that it did because I hate it when there's a cliffhanger and usually sequels just brushes over them. Luckily this wasn't the case and the pace in this book was perfect. It wasn't slow like No Ordinary Star because all the intros have been done. The way Frank wrote was so beautiful and magical and she wrote emotions so well. It's so easy to understand the pain, love, happiness and sadness of Felix, Astra and Ulysses.
This book was so thoughtful and the build up to the ending was so fun and exciting. The journeys Felix and Astra have to go through is so interesting. It's also really cool to see how their pasts look like. Not only that, Ulysses shows up and honestly he's awesome. He's barely in the books but I love him and he played or still plays a huge role here.
Oh I can't wait to read No Vain Loss, the third and last instalment of this series. It's going to be so epic and by the title, I am really hoping no one dies. I'll cry. In my review, I'll let you know if I cried.
What I liked about this book as well is that it shows that love is what makes us human and is what can make the world better. Better, not perfect. What is a perfect world? A world where there's no hunger, no poverty and no war? It isn't if it is at the cost of losing our humanity. I found it funny that this futuristic world was so sexist. For example, women are sent to this island and they can't learn to read. I always though equality would be more real in the future but I guess not here. Frank showed us what a world will be like if we keep looking for perfection and not consider our emotions and happiness.
All in all, loved it. It's sweet, it's short, the plot is interesting. I love the direction it's going, the characters are so loveable and the writing is truly magical. I totally recommend this to readers who would want to read a sci-fi or a wonderfully written book.
November 30, 2016
Rating: 5/5
This book is magic.
“I hate you back, he tries to say, only his lungs can’t draw in enough air.”
Things I liked about this book:
Everything. I repeat, EVERYTHING.
Writing reviews is sometimes really frustrating. I just can’t explain how sincere I am about my feelings for this book. It’s so easy not to trust a review. And so difficult to make people believe I mean every word from the bottom of my heart.
M.C. Frank is amazingly talented. I have read her book Ruined before this (https://thelonelybooklover.wordpress....), it’s a historical romance which I LOVED. I can’t believe the same person can write a dystopian fiction with such ease and make it COMPLETELY different and unique. As I mentioned in my review of book 1 of this series (https://thelonelybooklover.wordpress....), I am in awe.
When M.C. Frank describes the freezing cold breeze of the North Pole, you literally shiver. No joke. When she writes of Astra describing Felix holding her, I kid you not, it felt like someone lit a warm cosy fire near my soul.
I stayed up till 2.00 a.m. last night, reading No Plain Rebel and came to the conclusion that it is one of my favorite dystopian novels. I have read many books of this genre, in fact I started finding them quite boring and similar. But ohmygod this series is so good I can literally cry.
I am so emotionally vested in Astra and Felix’s lives, that my heart is in the author’s hands now. I don’t have any idea what can happen in the third book of the series but I am waiting with bated breath to find out.
Things I didn’t like about the book:
This probably makes me a bad reviewer, but I couldn’t find a single flaw in this book.If you don’t believe me, read the book and show me ONE flaw.
Also:
This is not a sad book per se. And I don’t usually cry after reading books (I did not cry after TFIOS or Nicholas Sparks books). Then why did I tear up while reading No Plain Rebel?
I guess you never know WHAT could be a trigger for someone. You could find something cute, while I could cry buckets over the same story.
Also (this is the last one):
Please read this book. I am not asking as a reviewer. I am asking as a fellow book lover. If you want to read a solid good book which teaches you things and yet want to enjoy it, read this book.
~Sripurna
This book is magic.
“I hate you back, he tries to say, only his lungs can’t draw in enough air.”
Things I liked about this book:
Everything. I repeat, EVERYTHING.
Writing reviews is sometimes really frustrating. I just can’t explain how sincere I am about my feelings for this book. It’s so easy not to trust a review. And so difficult to make people believe I mean every word from the bottom of my heart.
M.C. Frank is amazingly talented. I have read her book Ruined before this (https://thelonelybooklover.wordpress....), it’s a historical romance which I LOVED. I can’t believe the same person can write a dystopian fiction with such ease and make it COMPLETELY different and unique. As I mentioned in my review of book 1 of this series (https://thelonelybooklover.wordpress....), I am in awe.
When M.C. Frank describes the freezing cold breeze of the North Pole, you literally shiver. No joke. When she writes of Astra describing Felix holding her, I kid you not, it felt like someone lit a warm cosy fire near my soul.
I stayed up till 2.00 a.m. last night, reading No Plain Rebel and came to the conclusion that it is one of my favorite dystopian novels. I have read many books of this genre, in fact I started finding them quite boring and similar. But ohmygod this series is so good I can literally cry.
I am so emotionally vested in Astra and Felix’s lives, that my heart is in the author’s hands now. I don’t have any idea what can happen in the third book of the series but I am waiting with bated breath to find out.
Things I didn’t like about the book:
This probably makes me a bad reviewer, but I couldn’t find a single flaw in this book.If you don’t believe me, read the book and show me ONE flaw.
Also:
This is not a sad book per se. And I don’t usually cry after reading books (I did not cry after TFIOS or Nicholas Sparks books). Then why did I tear up while reading No Plain Rebel?
I guess you never know WHAT could be a trigger for someone. You could find something cute, while I could cry buckets over the same story.
Also (this is the last one):
Please read this book. I am not asking as a reviewer. I am asking as a fellow book lover. If you want to read a solid good book which teaches you things and yet want to enjoy it, read this book.
~Sripurna
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