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Arcadia was supposed to be Earth 2.0—a haven for humanity while they fought desperately to save their dying homeworld.But nothing has turned out like Cassiopeia Foster had thought.

Another race, the Alku, already occupies the planet in a parallel dimension called Paxon. They are willing to help Earth, but a powerful contingent plans to strip-mine the strangely powerful Starfire from the planet, which will collapse the Paxon side and kill all the Alku.

A war has begun, and Cassi is caught in the middle.

Will she have to choose between the Alku boy she loves and Earth who needs her?

Buy Dark Matter and continue with a love story that spans the universe.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2018

244 people are currently reading
156 people want to read

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Jenetta Penner

62 books359 followers

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5 stars
142 (47%)
4 stars
102 (33%)
3 stars
49 (16%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
2,513 reviews83 followers
May 13, 2020
Another win for this fabulously written sci-fi book!!
I listened to the audiobook and like the first one I very much enjoyed it!! I love Arcadia and the world. Loved learning more about Starfire and all of its aspects.
I very much enjoy the connection that Cassi and Javen have. I felt like in the second book in this series that Cassi has grown as a character and I’m looking forward to see what happens in the next installment.
Profile Image for Dee/ bookworm.
1,400 reviews4 followers
October 30, 2018
Dark Matter was awesome! It covered a variety of emotions and built a web of interlocking stories between characters. I didn't see a lot of the outcomes beforehand. Penner kept me guessing until the very end. It was a wonderful display of imagination, complex thought and the ability to put pen to paper and translate it into a great work of fiction!! I can't wait for the next installment of this series!!! I'm Soooo Excited!!



"I reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
1,065 reviews11 followers
October 11, 2020
Title: Dark Matter
Author: Jenetta Penner, Narrated by Rebecca Johnson
Publisher: Torment Publishing
ISBN: B07G6BXM3H
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Starfire Wars 2
Arcadia was supposed to be Earth 2.0—a haven for humanity while they fought desperately to save their dying homeworld.
But nothing has turned out like Cassiopeia Foster had thought.
Another race, the Alku, already occupies the planet in a parallel dimension called Paxon. They are willing to help Earth, but a powerful contingent plans to strip-mine the strangely powerful Starfire from the planet, which will collapse the Paxon side and kill all the Alku.
A war has begun, and Cassi is caught in the middle.
Will she have to choose between the Alku boy she loves and Earth who needs her?

Total Score: 5/5

Summary:
Arcadia was supposed to be Earth’s new home and hope for the future, but things have not quite worked out as planned. Cassi finds herself in the middle of a struggle between the Alku race who already lived on a parallel dimension Paxon and the a faction from Earth who are determined to take the Starfire at any cost to hopefully save Earth. Cassi is forced choose who to support, Javen a young man from Paxon, and the keeper of her heart and her own people. Cassi’s father was one of the scientists who studied Arcadia, but is missing after an explosion that nearly took her life.

This was a fast paced intricate story about love, honor, and finding your place in a new world. It was wonderful how Cassi and Javen looked beyond their differences to who they truly were. The conflicts between the Alku and the people from Earth was sad as many chose conflict instead of working together to find a mutual solution to their problems.

The audio-book to the story to the next level bringing the characters to life as the story unfolded.

I for one can’t wait to see what happens in next book in The Starfire Wars series.
Profile Image for Audrey.
104 reviews
November 11, 2018
This is the second book in the Starfire Wars series by Jenetta Penner. And it hits the ground running right from the start!

Following Cassi from the cliff-hanger ending of the first one, makes you want to gobble the book up in one sitting. For being kinda short, a lot happens in this book. I do wish there was more in the book because so much happens in such a short amount of time, and Hammond is barely seen for being the villain but I get that we are building up to book 3 and have to be patient.

I was really glad to see that Cassi was taking a step back from Javen and actually considering that her feelings were all from the starfire rather than blindly go with her heart. Also she brings up the point that so much is going on that she doesn't really have the time to worry about her love life. Beda and her start to get friendly with each other and we start to see Beda soften her attitude towards human (a little bit at least). Seeing that the Starfire does have some downsides was nice to, especially with who we see it affecting negatively.

Towards the end of the book we meet up with some characters (who I won't name for spoiler reasons) that we were not sure if we could trust and learned some information that could change our view towards them.

Overall if you enjoyed the first one or are looking for a new scifi adventure pick this up! It's a quick little read but it will leave you wanting for the last book!

I received this book as a ACR from the author for my honest review/opinion.
635 reviews4 followers
November 16, 2018
You know it’s a good book, when you turn the last page and just about scream, “Noooo; this can’t be the end”. Dark Matter continues the story begun in Starfire. Cassi, a human, and Javen, her bonded Alku mate, are trying to find her father, and save the planet from the humans who are harvesting the Starfire, in order to save Earth by regenerating the planet. The Alku don’t realize that the Intersection is more than just a crossover point between the two dimensions; it’s yet another dimension itself. It’s the source of the ‘mother’ Starfire; more powerful than that in either dimension. WIrrin, an Alku leader, tells Cassi of a legend that it can corrupt the Alku, and that in the past The One Pure Soul took all the mother Starfire and hid it. But could it be used to end the war? Cassi faces danger on all fronts – from humans who want to harvest the Starfire, no matter if it destroys the Alku; from Alku who don’t accept her … You will NOT see this ending coming! I can’t wait for the next book! I received a free copy of the book, with no obligation.
Profile Image for Mellissa Monteforte Jimenez.
456 reviews23 followers
October 23, 2018
Dark Matter is continuously filled with so much emotion I am not sure where to begin. As with the first book you are drawn back into the world of Arcadia with Cassi at the helm. Revelations, betrayal, confusion and heartbreak kept me captivated. Mrs Penner has built an amazing storyline along with characters who you build a strong emotion with. After each story I am always left with thoughts of excitement how the story is coming together but anxious to see where the journey will go. I have received this book in exchange for a honest review but already pre-order as well. For those who have never read the Configure trilogy nor Stafford War series, you are missing out on a great reading adventures.
Profile Image for Elda.
1,203 reviews6 followers
November 2, 2018
This second book in this Starfire Wars series has so much action, romance, angst, heartbreak, secrecy, etc., it never lets you breathe for one moment. Through Cassi’s POV we experience it all. Through her eyes we see a truly amazing planet with special crystals that have mysterious powers only Cassie can tap into. But using those powers leaves her weak requiring time for her to rejuvenate. However, with the threat of war between the humans and Alku’s Cassi doesn’t have much time. She does everything she can to save people on both sides to try and avert a catastrophe. Then we get to the ending! Wow, what a surprise! I can’t recommend this book enough. You definitely have to read this as you won’t want to miss out.
Profile Image for L.J. Bus.
198 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2021
However beautiful Arcadia is, it has nothing on Paxon. After Cassie was saved by Javen, they became bonded somehow. Their connection is strong but is it love or are they magically forced to love?

The salvation for the humans was already occupied. And those people, the Alku were even trying to help Earth but that is not enough for president Hammond. That was why Hammond and her father were fighting over. Her father was against mining the Starfire and even had an alternative but Hammond clearly didn’t like those changes. She doesn’t trust the Alku, nor cares for their survival.
She plans to strip-mine the strange but powerful crystals of this planet, the Starfire, to plant on Earth so it can either heal Earth or create another dimension on Earth for the people there to live. So she keeps the knowledge about the existence of the Alku hidden from the humans, leaving Cassie to try and undermine the president’s plans and to try and save the Alku from dying (due to their dimension collapsing if the Starfire is mined).
Luckily she is not alone but it might take more than her few friends to save the Alku
18 reviews
February 19, 2019
Fun teen scifi read

This was the second book in the series and I am ready for the third. This book has a lot of action and intrigue. It does have a little romance but to be honest I don't really feel the connection Javen and Cassi are supposed to have. I would love to see more depth other than the occasional passionate kiss. Then the author added a new romantic interest which to be honest I did not like at all and made me feel the character was unfaithful.
The story line is very interesting and more information has been revealed about Cassi's parents. Look forward to finding out if there is a way for these two peoples to live together in peace.
Profile Image for Sara Gray.
73 reviews4 followers
August 23, 2019
Love this series

So many Fantasy/Scifi stories and series are talking about Earth and ideas about the future and are good book journeys. This Starfire series is head and shoulders above the crowd. The pace is fast but not frenetic. The characters, both human and "alien" are relatable. It's fun and intriguing and pulls you in. When I feel like I'm actually in the world with the people and benign it I know that the author has risen to the challenge!
Bravo to Janetta Penner for a great world, marvelous story and believable characters. I'm a proud new fan and I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Kristen.
80 reviews
May 27, 2021
Chills at the end!

I was going to give this book three stars at the beginning because there were just so many “conveniences” in the plot to make the story work the way the author wanted. I also wish there was a bit more world building or at least explanation of the starfire crystals. I know they were talked about in the first book but I still haven’t got the description and explanation I was hoping for. However, as the book progressed, I got more into the story despite my frustrations with the earlier plot and by the end, I was super hooked! I can’t wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
201 reviews5 followers
April 18, 2019
Very strong second book in the series. I like that Cassie tries to find a balance between the way she is led by various forces and her own common sense. Her uncertainty could become frustrating after awhile, but it's not difficult to comprehend. Cassie is pretty young, after all.

The end of the book came at a good stopping point and left me eager to move on to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
50 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2020
A fun read.

I like book 2 better than book one, but i didn't like the romance tug of war between Cassi, Max, and Javen. I can do without love triangles.

I did however enjoy seeing more of this new world and that there were people like Cassi who genuinely wanted to help the aliens. That tug of war so to speak about doing what's right and what your told to do was interesting.

The ending was cool and I can't wait for book 3.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lil'n  Dunski.
1,522 reviews15 followers
November 8, 2018
Another exciting read by Jenetta!!!!

I was so excited to read this book that once I started reading it, I was so enthralled with the story I became lost in the pages! The world building is unbelievable and the storyline is fantastic! And I can't put into words how much the characters have grown and flourished! I'm looking forward to reading the next book!!!
Profile Image for Elsa Munoz.
162 reviews9 followers
November 9, 2018
I'm caught between a 3.5 and a 4. It was good, I love the action the vibes of "Avatar" that it has. I'm not really a fan of the Starfire bond between Javen and Cassi. I like that after a while Cassi begins to question whether her feelings for him are real or not. Also completely in love with the epic plot twist the author threw in at the end!
12.7k reviews189 followers
November 27, 2018
Another superb story by this amazing writer. Arcadia was supposed to be the haven for earth until things changed. This might not be. Had me completely hooked and never wanted the story to end. Ready for the next one.
Profile Image for Melissa Gresko.
Author 2 books5 followers
February 16, 2021
These are very quick reads which I like, but the plot is kind of hard to follow in terms of the Starfire - it’s a very convenient answer to every problem in the book, and the characters sometimes seem one note. But it’s still fun and a good distraction during my lunch break at work.
78 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2021
2nd book is even better than the first book

The saga continues with great adventure, spying,and teenage romance drama.
Civil War, species war, divided leaders. And mysterious crystals!
I have already ordered the 3rd book!
Profile Image for Amanda  Lee.
1,258 reviews43 followers
August 3, 2021
I really like the world building, it's quite intriguing. The story keeps me engaged and, for the most part, I like the characters. Cassi bothers me at times with her selfishness.

Overall, its a good story and i'm looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Michelle Jenkins.
901 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2018
Interesting

Interesting book with writing that keeps you guessing with who you can trust or not. Interesting concept and am looking forward to next.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
419 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2019
Intense! Fast moving, hard hitting action with an amazing number of twists! Not to mention the great characters and fascinating world(s). Can’t wait to read how it all wraps up!
5 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2019
Awesome story

Loved every intense minute of it! Take a chance at this awesome book. Janette has outdone herself this time. Enjoy!
100 reviews
August 7, 2019
Wow!

This is a great saga...I've now read the first two books in the series, i think i need to read the others...now!
Profile Image for Tera Comer.
2,136 reviews48 followers
May 29, 2020
OMG the action and suspense in this book had me forgetting to eat or anything else. I need book three like yesterday
Profile Image for Audrey  Stars in Her Eye.
1,264 reviews11 followers
June 8, 2020
I received an Audiobook copy for review; all opinions are my own.
I frequently enjoy Jennetta Penner and her works. I always like that she puts girls as the lead. These girls always seem normal to me. Not overly special but see that they can be as strong as they need to be. This theme continues in the Stare Fire Wars. Cassi realizes this new paradise isn't what it was lead to be and she can't sit back and let her people clash with those who already inhabit Arcadia.
The narration is lovely and works well for the character and truly brings her to life. I like that the voice sounds like someone I would speak t in real life; it amps the idea that Cassi is a normal girl but can do amazing things.
This book brings the first with the third but unlike many; there is a real story here that stands on its own merit. I really enjoyed Dark Matter.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,191 reviews11 followers
January 31, 2022
The action really picks up in book 2 of the Starfire Wars. Some questions from the first book are answered, but many more issues arise. Alliances are formed and broken. It’s unclear who can really be trusted. And the war between the humans and the Alku is only getting started.
Profile Image for Ohana.
3 reviews
January 17, 2019
omg i love this book series, the characters are soo amazing
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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