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Sky Full of Stars #2
Angle of Truth
When Jelena Marchenko learns that her parents have incurred a huge debt due to her previous actions, she’s determined to find a way to pay it off. But running cargo doesn’t pay anything off quickly. She comes up with a scheme to turn herself and her eclectic crewmates into mercenaries, at least for long enough to make some money. Unfortunately, Jelena has no interest in maiming, killing, or otherwise tormenting people, the typical things mercenaries are hired to do. She’s relieved when, with Prince Thorian’s help, she finds a mission that seems perfectly suited to her rescuing prisoners of war. But what was supposed to be a quick way to earn money soon turns into something devastating and deadly. Caught between two sides in a war fueled by centuries of resentment, Jelena must choose between her needs and the needs of a planet. No matter which choice she makes, she risks her ship and the lives of her team. Does she truly have what it takes to be a mercenary?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
193 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
197 books6,236 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 19, 2017
Turns out that when you kinda sorta accidentally destroy part of an Alliance space station, the Alliance might take exception to that and come after you for reparations. After Jelena's first adventure got a little out of hand, her parents now got stuck with the bill - and unsurprisingly enough, they expect Jelena to do her part to pay it off. In order to make some extra cash, she therefore talks the crew of the Snapper into taking on a mercenary mission: Rescuing a group of POWs on a border planet in the middle of a devastating war. Of course, like most things, that sounds a lot easier than it is, and Jelena and her companions soon find themselves confronted by the harsh realities of ending up in a warzone, with deadly chaos, bombs falling all around them, suffering civilians and the question emerging of whether they've signed up with the right side, if there even is such a thing.
Picking up from the promising series starter, the second Sky Full of Stars book delivers another rollicking adventure pageturner that easily outshines its already awesome predecessor. The crew of the Snapper, now also including Erick's younger brother Austin, is beginning to properly function as a team - one that by the end of the book has gained an additional member and will hopefully continue to grow, as it is with her big, quirky ensemble casts that Lindsay Buroker truly shines. With perfect pace, spot on action and appropriate amounts of levity interspersing the darker moments on the battlefied, this was another highly entertaining read leaving me eagerly anticipating the next book.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Picking up from the promising series starter, the second Sky Full of Stars book delivers another rollicking adventure pageturner that easily outshines its already awesome predecessor. The crew of the Snapper, now also including Erick's younger brother Austin, is beginning to properly function as a team - one that by the end of the book has gained an additional member and will hopefully continue to grow, as it is with her big, quirky ensemble casts that Lindsay Buroker truly shines. With perfect pace, spot on action and appropriate amounts of levity interspersing the darker moments on the battlefied, this was another highly entertaining read leaving me eagerly anticipating the next book.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
I finished this ages ago but loved it so much that I've gone back to reread the prequel series Fallen Empire. In the middle of book 7 now. I guess the only criticism you could have of this author is that her characters and relationship dynamics are similar but it's such a winning formula for I hope she writes like this for years to come.
April 19, 2017
After having read the first two books, I feel confident in predicting that this series is going to become another hit. Lindsay Buroker has a unique talent to weave together action, adventure, excitement, mystery, interesting worlds far away, supernatural abilities, believable conflicts into these amazing sci-fi/space opera tales that you can’t put down. Actually this series contains quite a few elements I was sure (up till now) I did not like: a story set in a galaxy far, far away somewhere in the future (I did not read sci-fi before I discovered Lindsay B.), an ensemble cast (always a tricky proposition to pull off), a young, somewhat sheltered heroine who is also the „main“ protagonist, (I used to steer clear of YA), a complicated, driven hero with unclear motives and scary powers (ok, I admit I am actually a sucker for those) and a romance that is barely there (they haven’t even kissed yet and moreover they might never kiss, especially if it’s left up to Thorian). But despite all these negative triggers (at least for me) I am drawn into the story and already deeply invested in the characters, brimming with excitement to see where the story is going to go next.
Synopsis: Jelena has just finished her second freight run when a pre-recorded transmission from her parents reaches her: they, or as it were their company, has been served with an astronomical invoice for the damage Jelena caused to an Alliance space station during her first adventure. Her parents feel that Jelena should at least shoulder part of the responsibility and help them pay off the loan they had to take out to cover the bill. After ruminating on the problem some, Jelena comes up with the brilliant idea to hire out her crew as mercenaries and with the help of Thorian, or actually it‘s all his doing, they succeed in securing a job that does not involve outright murder. Freeing a couple of hostages doesn’t seem beyond the capabilites of an outfit like theirs. But after initially promising negotiations with their would-be employers things once again don’t go as expected. Jelena and her crew realize that much more is at stake than a simple extraction and that they are in fact in the middle of two warring continents. Also, Jelena can’t help but think that they are on the wrong side of the conflict, but she needs the money. As leader of their group the responsibility of the decision of what to do rests on her shoulders…
So, in a way this is also a coming-of-age tale, where the heroine not only has to decide on her own course, but the fate of a whole planet depends on her.
Aside from that, as a subtext it also reads as a critique of contemporary society and culture: it questions the use of religion as a pretext of war, hiding economic interests both individual and corporate. It’s also an attack against the contemporary neo-imperialist world order, especially the corporate culture of exploitation and harvesting of resources without any consideration of the people affected (especially on the periphery/outer worlds) and the damage to the environment it causes.
My verdict: Sci-Fi action adventure of the highest order with (unexpected) philosophical depth. An emphatic 5+ stars rating.
Synopsis: Jelena has just finished her second freight run when a pre-recorded transmission from her parents reaches her: they, or as it were their company, has been served with an astronomical invoice for the damage Jelena caused to an Alliance space station during her first adventure. Her parents feel that Jelena should at least shoulder part of the responsibility and help them pay off the loan they had to take out to cover the bill. After ruminating on the problem some, Jelena comes up with the brilliant idea to hire out her crew as mercenaries and with the help of Thorian, or actually it‘s all his doing, they succeed in securing a job that does not involve outright murder. Freeing a couple of hostages doesn’t seem beyond the capabilites of an outfit like theirs. But after initially promising negotiations with their would-be employers things once again don’t go as expected. Jelena and her crew realize that much more is at stake than a simple extraction and that they are in fact in the middle of two warring continents. Also, Jelena can’t help but think that they are on the wrong side of the conflict, but she needs the money. As leader of their group the responsibility of the decision of what to do rests on her shoulders…
So, in a way this is also a coming-of-age tale, where the heroine not only has to decide on her own course, but the fate of a whole planet depends on her.
Aside from that, as a subtext it also reads as a critique of contemporary society and culture: it questions the use of religion as a pretext of war, hiding economic interests both individual and corporate. It’s also an attack against the contemporary neo-imperialist world order, especially the corporate culture of exploitation and harvesting of resources without any consideration of the people affected (especially on the periphery/outer worlds) and the damage to the environment it causes.
My verdict: Sci-Fi action adventure of the highest order with (unexpected) philosophical depth. An emphatic 5+ stars rating.
April 26, 2017
"Scoobydoo, Where Are You?" Starseer/Teens-Themed
"Angle of Truth (Sky Full of Stars, Book 2)," continues the new youth market series, based on the "Fallen Empire" series. Authored by the able author, Miss Lindsay Buroker, it brings to mind the cartoon series, "Scoobydoo, Where are You?" watched as a youth. The sublimation of the "Fallen Empire" series, into "Sky Full of Stars," is that level of juvenile, sappy, cartoonish, unicorn obsessed storytelling. It is well written structurally, but sugary goofy.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Angle of Truth (Sky Full of Stars, Book 2)," continues the new youth market series, based on the "Fallen Empire" series. Authored by the able author, Miss Lindsay Buroker, it brings to mind the cartoon series, "Scoobydoo, Where are You?" watched as a youth. The sublimation of the "Fallen Empire" series, into "Sky Full of Stars," is that level of juvenile, sappy, cartoonish, unicorn obsessed storytelling. It is well written structurally, but sugary goofy.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
June 1, 2017
Angle of Truth is a better book in the series than the first one. The plot is coherent and the characters better defined. We get to see more of the impact of the Alliance - Empire war. Unfortunately, the story is still generic. Thorian is Kylo Ren.
April 22, 2017
Another fast paced and fun installment to this series now with the addition of new characters and a new adventure.
There is a distinct coming of age theme developing alongside the suggestions of slow burning romance in the air(as hoped for) as the reader continues to get to know the characters, which of course includes enjoyable banter. If you like a straightforward sci-fi adventure with fun, snarky, and interesting characters, moral dilemmas, and action involving sword slashing, psychic powers, and a touch of romance (of course!) you will enjoy this book. It hits all the space opera hallmarks! *thumbs up*
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There is a distinct coming of age theme developing alongside the suggestions of slow burning romance in the air(as hoped for) as the reader continues to get to know the characters, which of course includes enjoyable banter. If you like a straightforward sci-fi adventure with fun, snarky, and interesting characters, moral dilemmas, and action involving sword slashing, psychic powers, and a touch of romance (of course!) you will enjoy this book. It hits all the space opera hallmarks! *thumbs up*
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2017
I really loved this book straight from the start so A+ on that re.: the last one.
Jelena and her crew are still amazing characters, even if Thor still mopes around acting like an edgelord. At least he's becoming somewhat more likeable.
I really loved the whole war conflict and the moral decisions the characters had to make.
For such a prolific author Buroker never fails to fully flesh all the characters she writes, I don't know how she does it, but it's amazing.
Jelena and her crew are still amazing characters, even if Thor still mopes around acting like an edgelord. At least he's becoming somewhat more likeable.
I really loved the whole war conflict and the moral decisions the characters had to make.
For such a prolific author Buroker never fails to fully flesh all the characters she writes, I don't know how she does it, but it's amazing.
April 20, 2017
*I received an ARC for my honest review.*
Seriously enjoying this new series so much! And really glad that I only have to wait a month for the next installment! Jelena drags everyone into more trouble, this time in an effort to begin helping to pay down the debt she incurred in the last novel. The story was satisfying all the way around for me - plenty of action, plenty of sarcastic comments, and a satisfying ending with plenty to look forward to in future books!
Honesty if I hadn't been offered an advanced copy I would have purchased this one myself because I enjoyed the first book in the series so much and I'll be waiting with my money in hand when the 3rd one comes out because this one was just as good!
Seriously enjoying this new series so much! And really glad that I only have to wait a month for the next installment! Jelena drags everyone into more trouble, this time in an effort to begin helping to pay down the debt she incurred in the last novel. The story was satisfying all the way around for me - plenty of action, plenty of sarcastic comments, and a satisfying ending with plenty to look forward to in future books!
Honesty if I hadn't been offered an advanced copy I would have purchased this one myself because I enjoyed the first book in the series so much and I'll be waiting with my money in hand when the 3rd one comes out because this one was just as good!
April 8, 2024
I definitely enjoyed this more than the first book. A good action/adventure with some interesting characters and story.
September 4, 2018
it was maybe 2 1/2 stars. i liked more of this book, but still only ok overall. maybe if i had never read any of Lindsay Buroker's books i would like it more. i know her potential as a writer that is why i am constantly disappointed by this series.
Lindsay is not that original in the basic plot points and characters of her series. there is
a spunky heroine
a very skilled killer who is her enemy
that the heroine turns into a good guy
magic
war
(usually an orphan) prince without a throne
a quirky cast of characters that make up the "team"
missions to fulfill
governments in disarray due to war/rebellion
trouble with the governments that they are trying to help
humor
and they all remind you of the bestest tv shows
(a-team, buck rogers, star trek NG, stargate sg-1, BSG, macgyver & also star wars).
kinda formulaic but, so what! they are great fun adventures which i love. so this series is disappointing.
same formula but just not clicking. :-(
granted book 2 in this series is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better than book 1. why?
Thorian.
(i love his kylo ren, anakin walker, loki, siciarius vibe.)
also less stupid decisions by jelena. but only cuz thorian (and sometimes erik) give her lots of ideas/solutions to problems. so she actually chooses ones that are smarter since they are not really her schemes.
but there are still lots of annoyances. jelena is young and dumb cuz she is only 18 yrs old. never been to university and well... 18. teens are selfish and rarely think about consequences until too late. i get that. i don't get all these 20+men and the almost 30 year old woman following her dumb decisions. they don't even try that hard to convince her to do something else. now in lindsay's other series, the folks were military (former) or had a background/culture that made them follow chains of command instinctively. these folks are young, none of them have been in the military, and they don't have a respect your elders culture.
thorian is 2 years older than jelena
has been on the run from folks trying
to kill him since he was 10
was raised to be an emperor (as loki would say - kneel!)
is currently an assassin
is a more powerful starseer than jelena cuz his training was more focused.
yet he just goes along with jelena. umm, ok. not buying it.
erik is 6 years older
like a big brother
has lived some place other than the ship
has graduated from a 4yr university
constantly thinks jelena is making decisions her parents would not approve of
is looking for another job that is not working on a shipping freighter
yet he too goes along with her decisions. umm, ok. not buying it.
mariska
yet she too just goes along with jelena's decisions.
also there is not enough of her and erik in these books. or thorian for that matter. maybe that is what is wrong with this series compared to the others. hmmm
the war
and the epilogue
BTW, the epilogues in this series are not true epilogues since they happen right after the last chapter and are as long as a regular chapter. but whateves. that is the least of the troubles with the series.
again i am still reading it cuz i bought it and i want to see what happens to the characters, esp the ones from the preceding series. not because i am in love with the books or the characters in them.
Lindsay is not that original in the basic plot points and characters of her series. there is
a spunky heroine
a very skilled killer who is her enemy
that the heroine turns into a good guy
magic
war
(usually an orphan) prince without a throne
a quirky cast of characters that make up the "team"
missions to fulfill
governments in disarray due to war/rebellion
trouble with the governments that they are trying to help
humor
and they all remind you of the bestest tv shows
(a-team, buck rogers, star trek NG, stargate sg-1, BSG, macgyver & also star wars).
kinda formulaic but, so what! they are great fun adventures which i love. so this series is disappointing.
same formula but just not clicking. :-(
granted book 2 in this series is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better than book 1. why?
Thorian.
(i love his kylo ren, anakin walker, loki, siciarius vibe.)
also less stupid decisions by jelena. but only cuz thorian (and sometimes erik) give her lots of ideas/solutions to problems. so she actually chooses ones that are smarter since they are not really her schemes.
but there are still lots of annoyances. jelena is young and dumb cuz she is only 18 yrs old. never been to university and well... 18. teens are selfish and rarely think about consequences until too late. i get that. i don't get all these 20+men and the almost 30 year old woman following her dumb decisions. they don't even try that hard to convince her to do something else. now in lindsay's other series, the folks were military (former) or had a background/culture that made them follow chains of command instinctively. these folks are young, none of them have been in the military, and they don't have a respect your elders culture.
thorian is 2 years older than jelena
has been on the run from folks trying
to kill him since he was 10
was raised to be an emperor (as loki would say - kneel!)
is currently an assassin
is a more powerful starseer than jelena cuz his training was more focused.
yet he just goes along with jelena. umm, ok. not buying it.
erik is 6 years older
like a big brother
has lived some place other than the ship
has graduated from a 4yr university
constantly thinks jelena is making decisions her parents would not approve of
is looking for another job that is not working on a shipping freighter
yet he too goes along with her decisions. umm, ok. not buying it.
mariska
yet she too just goes along with jelena's decisions.
also there is not enough of her and erik in these books. or thorian for that matter. maybe that is what is wrong with this series compared to the others. hmmm
the war
and the epilogue
BTW, the epilogues in this series are not true epilogues since they happen right after the last chapter and are as long as a regular chapter. but whateves. that is the least of the troubles with the series.
again i am still reading it cuz i bought it and i want to see what happens to the characters, esp the ones from the preceding series. not because i am in love with the books or the characters in them.
April 20, 2017
Cant get enough
I really can't get enough of these books the humor valences perfectly with the action..I'd love a little more romance but really I love a slow burn.
I really can't get enough of these books the humor valences perfectly with the action..I'd love a little more romance but really I love a slow burn.
April 28, 2017
This book had more of a serious undertone than its predecessor. It starts off a few weeks from where the first one left off. Jelena finds out that she has acquired her family's business a huge loan after destructing Alliance government's airbase. Leonidas and Alisa feel that she should take responsibility for the loan and help her parents pay it off. This ends up with Jelena and co. brainstorming ideas to earn extra cash on the side while freighting cargo on the outer edge planets. Lemonade stand seems to be in the running unsurprisingly but as one can guess, that doesn't quite cover even a portion of the loan she owes the Alliance. Erick's idea of accounting classes fail to bring Jelena any relief and she turns to Thor for a quicker and more effective solution. Thor suggests becoming temp mercenaries and Jelena takes it as a challenge upon herself to be the "good" mercenaries, contradictory to what Thor had in mind. Little did she know that her side job would land her in a planet undergoing war and that being the good guy was never easy.
Throughout the book, we see Jelena's compassion shine amidst all the action. I really liked reading how she struggled to stay strong in a war-affected country (continent?). She wanted to be the leader but it was nice to see her try and learn to become one. There were moments when she wanted to be selfish, but her empathy towards people and animals made challenging decisions easier for her to follow through. Her group goes through under water attacks, airborne attacks, countless bombings and shootings and encounters a mysterious new enemy that seems to be after Thor. Between all of this, there is still room for the author's humor and witty banter among the characters.
I would admit though that I didn't find this book as fast paced as the first one. The second half seemed to be more intense and action packed. Although, there is an awesome dolphin scene in the first half that I really enjoyed reading! Also, I think I was hoping for some more plot development in terms of Thor's plans to overthrow the Alliance. Overall though, this book didn't fail to deliver. It was another light, entertaining read and I would definitely stick around for more of Jelena's adventures.
Throughout the book, we see Jelena's compassion shine amidst all the action. I really liked reading how she struggled to stay strong in a war-affected country (continent?). She wanted to be the leader but it was nice to see her try and learn to become one. There were moments when she wanted to be selfish, but her empathy towards people and animals made challenging decisions easier for her to follow through. Her group goes through under water attacks, airborne attacks, countless bombings and shootings and encounters a mysterious new enemy that seems to be after Thor. Between all of this, there is still room for the author's humor and witty banter among the characters.
I would admit though that I didn't find this book as fast paced as the first one. The second half seemed to be more intense and action packed. Although, there is an awesome dolphin scene in the first half that I really enjoyed reading! Also, I think I was hoping for some more plot development in terms of Thor's plans to overthrow the Alliance. Overall though, this book didn't fail to deliver. It was another light, entertaining read and I would definitely stick around for more of Jelena's adventures.
April 30, 2017
Back to something that is close to a return to form for Buroker. Tightly plotted, good problem for the team to solve and few distractions.
Probably enough for me to read more, but I still can't help but dislike the lead character intensely. And this can be summed up by two exchanges. The first, in the first chapter, was where Jelena is told her parents are in massive, crippling debt due to her. And then she is upset for about TEN SECONDS and then just decides to become a mercenary and make jokes about horses and unicorns ('cos, LOLs right).
And then, right at the end, when she has risked everything (without a thought of the ramifications of failure) and paid her mother a massive chunk of cash back she has the gall to think that it would probably have been fine anyway, because her parents probably had the cash to cover the debt anyway.
Two passages of text that transform a teenager from a fool to a narcissist.
Probably enough for me to read more, but I still can't help but dislike the lead character intensely. And this can be summed up by two exchanges. The first, in the first chapter, was where Jelena is told her parents are in massive, crippling debt due to her. And then she is upset for about TEN SECONDS and then just decides to become a mercenary and make jokes about horses and unicorns ('cos, LOLs right).
And then, right at the end, when she has risked everything (without a thought of the ramifications of failure) and paid her mother a massive chunk of cash back she has the gall to think that it would probably have been fine anyway, because her parents probably had the cash to cover the debt anyway.
Two passages of text that transform a teenager from a fool to a narcissist.
September 14, 2017
Not bad. Good story.
I really enjoy Lindsay Buroker's writing style. She has realistic characters, exciting adventures, humor, and a bit of romance. However, this feels just like the Fallen Empire series. There's a cyborg/ enhanced human security officer in each, a brooding & dangerous possible love interest, a close friend who banters back & forth with the captain, and a captain who has an uncanny knack for finding trouble as she tries to do good. The characters from each series could almost switch places and the story would still make sense. Even with all that, I'll still read the series. I'm invested and I'd like to see where the characters end up.
I really enjoy Lindsay Buroker's writing style. She has realistic characters, exciting adventures, humor, and a bit of romance. However, this feels just like the Fallen Empire series. There's a cyborg/ enhanced human security officer in each, a brooding & dangerous possible love interest, a close friend who banters back & forth with the captain, and a captain who has an uncanny knack for finding trouble as she tries to do good. The characters from each series could almost switch places and the story would still make sense. Even with all that, I'll still read the series. I'm invested and I'd like to see where the characters end up.
January 27, 2018
I really liked this book, more than the first one. One thing I really liked was the insight on border worlds and the mentioning of old Earth. I thought it fascinating how the planet had a continent full of people who followed old Earth religions. I wonder how warped they got over time?
It was jarring to see them going from space ships to submarines, that’s for sure. I liked that little bit of “fish out of water” thing they had going on when having to deal with that planet’s technology.
Thor’s brooding prince persona wasn’t as bad as in the first book. I still want it to go away … What about that gold space ship? I want to learn more about it and who is behind it.
It was jarring to see them going from space ships to submarines, that’s for sure. I liked that little bit of “fish out of water” thing they had going on when having to deal with that planet’s technology.
Thor’s brooding prince persona wasn’t as bad as in the first book. I still want it to go away … What about that gold space ship? I want to learn more about it and who is behind it.
May 27, 2017
Jelena seems more responsible, not that much, but at least takes it into consideration. The team is getting closer, and are more connected with each other. There's lots of hair raising moments, with lots of humour, fun and adventures.
January 31, 2018
What does it says about a book if two days after finishing three in the series you cannot remember what it was about reading the title?
I just strongly remember how much I dislike the heroine.
I just strongly remember how much I dislike the heroine.
August 17, 2017
Jelena Marchenko, freighter pilot, starseer, communicator-with-animals, and determined "good guy", has a debt. It turns out blowing up a loading dock (and several other possibly crucial support structures...) in the previous book had expensive consequences. And her parents have decided that she needs to take responsibility for them.
So, in typical Jelena fashion, she comes up with a scheme to pose as mercenaries, run in & rescue some prisoners of war, and get paid for the trouble (never mind being praised as heroes while she's at it). Because really, what can go wrong, right? ...Right??
Of course things go wrong. This is our hare-brained 18yo probationary pilot after all.
I'm not going to lie, the setup here really made me groan a bit. But then I remembered the stupid things I thought were "brilliant ideas" when I was 18. So maybe Lindsay Buroker isn't actually all that far off the mark with this character.
This was an enjoyable side quest, and helped to establish the characters and introduce some new ones, but in all it felt a bit light-weight. As mentioned in my previous review, Jelena is young and still has some growing to do, and this can be applied to other characters on her team as well. I feel like this series is perhaps more firmly aimed at the Young Adult audience - teenagers will really enjoy it - while adults might start to get a bit frustrated at the occasional ill-judged decisions.
But I do love that Lindsay Buroker gives her young female lead agency. Jelena is forced to make decisions, and those decisions both impact the plot, and who she is developing into as a character. Poor choices have consequences, you never get the sense that Jelena is simply being dragged from one moment to the next.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Good Reads because I like the series as a whole.
Absolutely no idea why the book is called "Angle of Truth" though.
So, in typical Jelena fashion, she comes up with a scheme to pose as mercenaries, run in & rescue some prisoners of war, and get paid for the trouble (never mind being praised as heroes while she's at it). Because really, what can go wrong, right? ...Right??
Of course things go wrong. This is our hare-brained 18yo probationary pilot after all.
I'm not going to lie, the setup here really made me groan a bit. But then I remembered the stupid things I thought were "brilliant ideas" when I was 18. So maybe Lindsay Buroker isn't actually all that far off the mark with this character.
This was an enjoyable side quest, and helped to establish the characters and introduce some new ones, but in all it felt a bit light-weight. As mentioned in my previous review, Jelena is young and still has some growing to do, and this can be applied to other characters on her team as well. I feel like this series is perhaps more firmly aimed at the Young Adult audience - teenagers will really enjoy it - while adults might start to get a bit frustrated at the occasional ill-judged decisions.
But I do love that Lindsay Buroker gives her young female lead agency. Jelena is forced to make decisions, and those decisions both impact the plot, and who she is developing into as a character. Poor choices have consequences, you never get the sense that Jelena is simply being dragged from one moment to the next.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Good Reads because I like the series as a whole.
Absolutely no idea why the book is called "Angle of Truth" though.
April 21, 2018
Okay, you guys, I'm completely hooked. I can stop reading this series. Book 2 is even better than Book 1. Now that I know Jelena, Thor, Erick and the cast of other characters, I just want more of their adventures.
I rarely, if ever, read a second book in a series immediately after the first. And typically when I do so, I tire of the series and put it on a back burner until Book 3 is either released or I get around to reading it. Not the case here. Sky Full of Stars is my new favourite. It has everything I love: adventure, humour, romance, friendship, angst, strong characters and, can it get better than this, it takes place in SPACE!!! Yes, it is the complete package, people.
And to up date any of you wondering where my loyalties lie on the romance front after Book 2. Well, Thor is actually starting to grow on me. He still has his dark side but he is also incredibly protective of Jelena. And her parents aren't in favour of her having a relationship with him (not that she HAS a relationship with him ... yet). Erick is more in the friend zone now. We'll have to keep an eye on this fun side story as Jelena and her crew head off on their next adventure!
I would write more ... but I've gotta go read Book 3!
I rarely, if ever, read a second book in a series immediately after the first. And typically when I do so, I tire of the series and put it on a back burner until Book 3 is either released or I get around to reading it. Not the case here. Sky Full of Stars is my new favourite. It has everything I love: adventure, humour, romance, friendship, angst, strong characters and, can it get better than this, it takes place in SPACE!!! Yes, it is the complete package, people.
And to up date any of you wondering where my loyalties lie on the romance front after Book 2. Well, Thor is actually starting to grow on me. He still has his dark side but he is also incredibly protective of Jelena. And her parents aren't in favour of her having a relationship with him (not that she HAS a relationship with him ... yet). Erick is more in the friend zone now. We'll have to keep an eye on this fun side story as Jelena and her crew head off on their next adventure!
I would write more ... but I've gotta go read Book 3!
May 13, 2017
Angle of Truth was better than The Rogue Prince. There have been consequences to Jelena not thinking before she leaps. She still follows her heart, but she is at least weighing consequences and listening to her interesting crew of compatriots.
One of those consequences is a debt and Jelena searches out a means to make her monthly payment. But, like her mom, she ends up in the middle of an even bigger, messier, mixup that somehow comes out ok in the end. But, wll mom and our favorite cyborg stepdad catch up with her and find out exactly how much of a mess Jelena is in first?
In many ways this series Sky Full of Stars reminds me of David Weber's Star Kingdom series. His Honorverse for young adults was the the treecats origin planet. Lindsay's Fallen Empire young adult companion is Sky Full of Stars. Buy it for your favorite young adult reader or for yourself.
One of those consequences is a debt and Jelena searches out a means to make her monthly payment. But, like her mom, she ends up in the middle of an even bigger, messier, mixup that somehow comes out ok in the end. But, wll mom and our favorite cyborg stepdad catch up with her and find out exactly how much of a mess Jelena is in first?
In many ways this series Sky Full of Stars reminds me of David Weber's Star Kingdom series. His Honorverse for young adults was the the treecats origin planet. Lindsay's Fallen Empire young adult companion is Sky Full of Stars. Buy it for your favorite young adult reader or for yourself.
June 1, 2017
This second installment hits the ground running with Buroker's fast paced action. We quickly get to see the development of Jelena's priorities as a new Captain along with the broadening of her character development. Most of the story takes place on a border world which could easily be the product of some of the Bobiverse colonists (I've been recently introduced to the We are Bob series) and gives a bit more of an idea of the history of human colonization of the outer planets. The small crew of the Snapper is starting to gel and figure out how to work together through the challenges they face. There's definitely a bit of influence from Buroker's adopted home in the Southwest and her signature humor makes the characters ever more appealing. The end hints at more integration with the original series crew, hopefully more than just in cameo.
October 23, 2021
I love this series. Action packed with excellent characters.
Lindsay Broker continues to excel in the continued series of the adventures of her young star travelers in the second book of the Sky Full of Stars collection. She does a great job keeping me coming back for more as she did in the original series that spawned this continuation. It even brings some of the original characters from the first series along to follow the adventures of the young growing heroine and other younger characters introduced in the first series, now off on their own creating new adventures with the same fun, action packed thrill that was in the escapades of their parents adventures before them. I anxiously await each new book and hopefully look forward to many more to come! Great work Lindsay Broker! Keep 'em coming!
Lindsay Broker continues to excel in the continued series of the adventures of her young star travelers in the second book of the Sky Full of Stars collection. She does a great job keeping me coming back for more as she did in the original series that spawned this continuation. It even brings some of the original characters from the first series along to follow the adventures of the young growing heroine and other younger characters introduced in the first series, now off on their own creating new adventures with the same fun, action packed thrill that was in the escapades of their parents adventures before them. I anxiously await each new book and hopefully look forward to many more to come! Great work Lindsay Broker! Keep 'em coming!
November 23, 2024
Second cargo run … second inadvertent shenanigans, this time aide and abetted by Prince Thorian who’s taking to heart advice to become known as a deadly mercenary in order to gain validity when he makes his move to become leader of a new empire.
This time, the crazy adventure comes about as Jelena realizes exactly how much her parents have gone into debt for her ship and chooses a job as a mercenary, in addition to her cargo run. Turns out that the humanitarian reason for which she chooses to fight - is not really as it appears. Of course.
Still, she does manage to pick up a ship’s doctor, so it’s all good, yea? I’m sure the inhabitants of our freighter our hoping for a chef at their next stop. Ration bars are beloved only by the dog, after all.
This time, the crazy adventure comes about as Jelena realizes exactly how much her parents have gone into debt for her ship and chooses a job as a mercenary, in addition to her cargo run. Turns out that the humanitarian reason for which she chooses to fight - is not really as it appears. Of course.
Still, she does manage to pick up a ship’s doctor, so it’s all good, yea? I’m sure the inhabitants of our freighter our hoping for a chef at their next stop. Ration bars are beloved only by the dog, after all.
November 5, 2020
Starting to get more interesting
I am giving this series a chance because I really enjoyed Fallen Empire. This series is so slow and it took me a while to get through this story but I am so glad that Jelena and Thor are having more meaningful conversations, rather than just making banter. Jelena was making all the wrong decisions, but it looks like some are turning out well and she and her crew are expanding. I am looking forward to seeing the new dynamic with the new characters and potentially seeing more of the family (please, more Leonidas!) for business meetings/making sure Jelena doesn't get into more trouble (but that would be boring!).
I am giving this series a chance because I really enjoyed Fallen Empire. This series is so slow and it took me a while to get through this story but I am so glad that Jelena and Thor are having more meaningful conversations, rather than just making banter. Jelena was making all the wrong decisions, but it looks like some are turning out well and she and her crew are expanding. I am looking forward to seeing the new dynamic with the new characters and potentially seeing more of the family (please, more Leonidas!) for business meetings/making sure Jelena doesn't get into more trouble (but that would be boring!).
May 20, 2017
Jelena has a second chance to prove to her parents that she is responsible enough to captain her own airship. Her first chance did not go well.
Her current crew includes Erick and Thron from the first book as well as Erick's brother Austin and Masika who they rescued in book 1. They decide running cargo doesn't make money fast enough so Jelena goes off on another scheme--being mercenaries!
Rescuing prisoners, saving war victims, meeting a potential Starseer, and edible cactus will keep you reading.
I will continue to read this series!
Her current crew includes Erick and Thron from the first book as well as Erick's brother Austin and Masika who they rescued in book 1. They decide running cargo doesn't make money fast enough so Jelena goes off on another scheme--being mercenaries!
Rescuing prisoners, saving war victims, meeting a potential Starseer, and edible cactus will keep you reading.
I will continue to read this series!
June 18, 2017
Just Like Her Mother
If you like action, adventure and a young woman "heroically" ending a war between two nations, you know why this got 5 stars. Another excellent read from one of my favorite authors. I love the humor and the quick, funny repartee between the characters. Jelena gets in and out of as much trouble as her mother did. Lots going on under the surface. Can't wait for the next one, the one ready to be opened in about a minute.
If you like action, adventure and a young woman "heroically" ending a war between two nations, you know why this got 5 stars. Another excellent read from one of my favorite authors. I love the humor and the quick, funny repartee between the characters. Jelena gets in and out of as much trouble as her mother did. Lots going on under the surface. Can't wait for the next one, the one ready to be opened in about a minute.
July 24, 2017
Thanks to the events in book one, Jelena's parents have had to pay a huge fine to rebuild infrastructure that Jelena destroyed. She is now looking for ways to make money and with the help of Thor tries to become a mercenary. Their mission is to save diplomats kidnapped by the other side in an outer planets war. Of course, things aren't that easy, and she finds herself trapped in the middle of the battle. A little slow to start, but very enjoyable read.
May 18, 2017
An enjoyable book, lots of action, things blowing up (my favourite!) and racing against time to get out of tight places. I also liked how the characters related to each other in funny comebacks, it encourages the reader to bond with the characters and care whether they live or die. Always a good thing!
January 30, 2018
Great, like the innocence of chars wjth slight hi nt of sexuality, lovely scrape well worked out and nice family entertainment lok forward to next book
I liked simple language with some scientific outlook love the sheer goodness mixed with badness of having to learn to kill to defend themselves
I liked simple language with some scientific outlook love the sheer goodness mixed with badness of having to learn to kill to defend themselves
October 16, 2018
Better than the first
I enjoyed the first book in this spin off series, but it took a little while to get used to Alisa and Leonidis being very background characters. In this one, you get more of a feel for the two leading characters, and the plot is also more gripping. I'm happily moving into book 3 now.
I enjoyed the first book in this spin off series, but it took a little while to get used to Alisa and Leonidis being very background characters. In this one, you get more of a feel for the two leading characters, and the plot is also more gripping. I'm happily moving into book 3 now.
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