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Exodus #5
Treason
The last thing Commander Neenja KahSandra wants is to be babysitting Zoem Malderyn, an orphan who can barely remember her past, and who has just regained consciousness after being used as a template for an army of changer clones. Despite herself, she comes to care for Zoem, whose courage and vulnerability is difficult to resist.
But as Zoem starts to remember more, a deadly countdown to destruction occurs inside her. She needs to discover why the malevolent changers programed her, and how to stop herself from carrying out their plan. Can the famous sisters, Caya and Briar Lindemay, help save Zoem and the Gemoconians, or will Zoem end up sacrificing herself―before she kills them all?
But as Zoem starts to remember more, a deadly countdown to destruction occurs inside her. She needs to discover why the malevolent changers programed her, and how to stop herself from carrying out their plan. Can the famous sisters, Caya and Briar Lindemay, help save Zoem and the Gemoconians, or will Zoem end up sacrificing herself―before she kills them all?
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2019
6 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Gun Brooke
40 books227 followersGun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full time, only rarely taking a break to create web sites for herself or others and to do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi. She is the recipient of the 2009 Alice B. Medal for "body of work."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 6, 2019
3.75 Stars. This was a satisfying ending to the series. This is the 5th and finale book in the Exodus series. As you may or may not be able to guess by the cover, this is a sci-fi series. While I would not consider this to be light sci-fi, I still think this series would work for people newer to the sci-fi genre. The books really are about people and their relationships. And because it is a large cast of characters, I highly recommend reading these books in order. I have read every single book and even then I had a little bit of trouble keeping all the characters straight in this book. It would be pretty impossible if you just jumped in here.
It’s a bit hard to discuss this book without giving spoilers away to what happened in previous books. I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone new to the series so I will keep things brief and vague. This book really was the culmination of all the previous books and the unanswered questions were finally answered. All the characters from the four previous books are back and we get to learn about two main characters Zoem and Neenja that were secondary characters in book 4.
I did think the romance took a bit of a backseat in this book. There is so much going on with Brooke making sure she ties up all the loose ends, that there wasn’t as much time for the romance. It is there, and I did like the two as a potential couple, I just didn’t quite connect to them as much as I was hoping. It’s actually a shame the series is ending since I think the character of Zoem could have really shined in future books.
What I enjoyed the most was more of the action of the story and being with all the previous characters. After five books I have grown pretty attached to some of them and will miss them now that the series is over. As I mentioned before this was a satisfying ending, but I still think book 3 was my favorite of the whole series.
I would recommend this book to fans of the series. I think most will be happy with the ending. If you are new to the series definitely start at book 1. Book 1 is the roughest of the whole series, but the books improve as they go on. Now that this adventure is over I’m excited to see what Brooke has instore for us next.
An ARC was given to me by BSB for a honest review.
It’s a bit hard to discuss this book without giving spoilers away to what happened in previous books. I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone new to the series so I will keep things brief and vague. This book really was the culmination of all the previous books and the unanswered questions were finally answered. All the characters from the four previous books are back and we get to learn about two main characters Zoem and Neenja that were secondary characters in book 4.
I did think the romance took a bit of a backseat in this book. There is so much going on with Brooke making sure she ties up all the loose ends, that there wasn’t as much time for the romance. It is there, and I did like the two as a potential couple, I just didn’t quite connect to them as much as I was hoping. It’s actually a shame the series is ending since I think the character of Zoem could have really shined in future books.
What I enjoyed the most was more of the action of the story and being with all the previous characters. After five books I have grown pretty attached to some of them and will miss them now that the series is over. As I mentioned before this was a satisfying ending, but I still think book 3 was my favorite of the whole series.
I would recommend this book to fans of the series. I think most will be happy with the ending. If you are new to the series definitely start at book 1. Book 1 is the roughest of the whole series, but the books improve as they go on. Now that this adventure is over I’m excited to see what Brooke has instore for us next.
An ARC was given to me by BSB for a honest review.
January 9, 2019
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the final book in the Exodus series, but suffers from the same issue as book 4, an unnecessary romance. With so many characters from the previous books already established as couples, simply continuing their stories would have done, without also having to pair up characters in these last two books. This meant that there was little time for the actual romances to develop and some other key areas felt under-explored (this is particularly the case in book 4 with Pamas and her reunion with her family).
While Zoem and Neenja are both interesting characters, there’s no real depth to the romance between them, and it all happens very quickly (just as in book 4), while in books 1-3 the romances are more drawn out. There’s also so many characters from the previous books that I couldn’t keep them all straight (and Brooke does not help here by continually switching between the past characters first and last names). Some of these characters provide nothing more than a cameo and without the romance could have possibly been used more, which I’d have enjoyed more.
The huge ‘threat’ also turned out to be a bit lame (and maybe it was just me, but I didn’t understand the motivation for it following them all this way or how no-one suspected this before). Given that Zoem kept going on and on about how it couldn’t be defeated, how this was accomplished seemed pretty anti-climactic.
Anyway, anyone who’s read the other books will want to read this to see how the series ends. I felt the first three books were the strongest, but this provides a serviceable, if uninspired, ending to the series.
This is the final book in the Exodus series, but suffers from the same issue as book 4, an unnecessary romance. With so many characters from the previous books already established as couples, simply continuing their stories would have done, without also having to pair up characters in these last two books. This meant that there was little time for the actual romances to develop and some other key areas felt under-explored (this is particularly the case in book 4 with Pamas and her reunion with her family).
While Zoem and Neenja are both interesting characters, there’s no real depth to the romance between them, and it all happens very quickly (just as in book 4), while in books 1-3 the romances are more drawn out. There’s also so many characters from the previous books that I couldn’t keep them all straight (and Brooke does not help here by continually switching between the past characters first and last names). Some of these characters provide nothing more than a cameo and without the romance could have possibly been used more, which I’d have enjoyed more.
The huge ‘threat’ also turned out to be a bit lame (and maybe it was just me, but I didn’t understand the motivation for it following them all this way or how no-one suspected this before). Given that Zoem kept going on and on about how it couldn’t be defeated, how this was accomplished seemed pretty anti-climactic.
Anyway, anyone who’s read the other books will want to read this to see how the series ends. I felt the first three books were the strongest, but this provides a serviceable, if uninspired, ending to the series.
January 24, 2019
This is the final volume in the Exodus series and draws together all the threads from the previous 4 books as well as giving us the romance between Chief Guard Neenja and Zoem a rescued clone template from the evil Nestrocalder.
My biggest praise for this is plot. I like the concept of the series as a whole its a nice Star Trek/X-Men style premise - we have a society suddenly manifesting 'changer' mutations - many changers being malevolent and so a mass exodus of non-changers head to the stars to find a new home. This volume is particularly plotty. I love the evil Nestrocalder and his Magneto like desire to create an army of evil and powerful changers - Also give a big thumbs up to his origins and eventual demise.
I also like the idea of Zoem being used as a template for clones and her super-power abilities are pretty cool, I just wish there had been more exploration into the Nestrocalder's cloning practices and what it meant exactly for Zoem to have black garnet in her system.
The romance side of things was sadly underdeveloped - I think largely due to the plot which was far more interesting. I found the romance unconvincing, emotionally lacking and far too easy. Come on Zoem has basically been a lab rat her whole life, she's had no contact with other people and is catatonic at the start of the book - yet she has no issues with falling for Neenja and their physical intimacy seems really unconvincing - a) its not hesitant or awkward and b) Zoem knows she's going to sacrifice herself in the morning. meh. Although, I did really like the levitation.
The other downside to this one is the sheer number of characters/pairings. There are 6 main lesbian couples: Dael/Spinner (book 1) Briar/Adina (book 2) Thea/Caya (book 3) Pamas/Darmiya (book 4) Neenja/Zoem (this book 5) and the supporting Heigel/Meija - all major players in this one and we confusingly switch back and forth between Christian and surnames. This makes it a real challenge to keep everybody straight - doubly so when you consider family relationships (Briar & Caya are sisters so both have the same family name) (Pamas and Spinner are mother/daughter so also have the same family name). Some characters have been so larger than life in the series, particularly the Lindemay sisters that it's easy to bring them to mind, others not quite so much.
When you're juggling this many characters and a competent, exciting space opera plot you can see why the romance is skimped on a bit and dare I say unnecessary.
Over all though I was quite impressed by this series. Being a huge SF addict its great to find a lesbian series that is proper SF space opera (like the shows I love) and not overly bogged down with gender and feminist issues or serious techno-babble - now I've got nothing against matriarchies and feminist politics and these books have their place, but honestly what I want is rip roaring space adventure but with strong female leads that aren't dressed in bikinis with daft ray-guns, that faint into the arms of the nearest manly space pirate. Gun Brooke with her Supreme Constellations and Exodus series delivers that in spades and I can only hope that other writers with take note and produce something in a similar vein in the future.
My biggest praise for this is plot. I like the concept of the series as a whole its a nice Star Trek/X-Men style premise - we have a society suddenly manifesting 'changer' mutations - many changers being malevolent and so a mass exodus of non-changers head to the stars to find a new home. This volume is particularly plotty. I love the evil Nestrocalder and his Magneto like desire to create an army of evil and powerful changers - Also give a big thumbs up to his origins and eventual demise.
I also like the idea of Zoem being used as a template for clones and her super-power abilities are pretty cool, I just wish there had been more exploration into the Nestrocalder's cloning practices and what it meant exactly for Zoem to have black garnet in her system.
The romance side of things was sadly underdeveloped - I think largely due to the plot which was far more interesting. I found the romance unconvincing, emotionally lacking and far too easy. Come on Zoem has basically been a lab rat her whole life, she's had no contact with other people and is catatonic at the start of the book - yet she has no issues with falling for Neenja and their physical intimacy seems really unconvincing - a) its not hesitant or awkward and b) Zoem knows she's going to sacrifice herself in the morning. meh. Although, I did really like the levitation.
The other downside to this one is the sheer number of characters/pairings. There are 6 main lesbian couples: Dael/Spinner (book 1) Briar/Adina (book 2) Thea/Caya (book 3) Pamas/Darmiya (book 4) Neenja/Zoem (this book 5) and the supporting Heigel/Meija - all major players in this one and we confusingly switch back and forth between Christian and surnames. This makes it a real challenge to keep everybody straight - doubly so when you consider family relationships (Briar & Caya are sisters so both have the same family name) (Pamas and Spinner are mother/daughter so also have the same family name). Some characters have been so larger than life in the series, particularly the Lindemay sisters that it's easy to bring them to mind, others not quite so much.
When you're juggling this many characters and a competent, exciting space opera plot you can see why the romance is skimped on a bit and dare I say unnecessary.
Over all though I was quite impressed by this series. Being a huge SF addict its great to find a lesbian series that is proper SF space opera (like the shows I love) and not overly bogged down with gender and feminist issues or serious techno-babble - now I've got nothing against matriarchies and feminist politics and these books have their place, but honestly what I want is rip roaring space adventure but with strong female leads that aren't dressed in bikinis with daft ray-guns, that faint into the arms of the nearest manly space pirate. Gun Brooke with her Supreme Constellations and Exodus series delivers that in spades and I can only hope that other writers with take note and produce something in a similar vein in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2019
This is the fifth and last of the books in the Exodus science fiction series. Although Ms. Brooke has indicated that this is the end of the series, I have enjoyed the characters and would like to learn more of their saga. She has done a good job of trying to tie up all the different storylines.
From the beginning of this tale about an exodus of people from their planet to another planet, I was immediately drawn into the legend. The story and the characters were very well developed. Each book highlighted new characters but also had the characters from previous books, so you felt a strong connection with their plight.
As with most science fiction series, it really helps to start with the first book. This series is no exception. Because there is a span of time that Ms. Brooke needs to create each book, it might take a few chapters to refresh one’s memory about the plot and the characters.
There is romance and suspense galore in this series! I don’t want to give anything away, so people reading this review will just have to know that both elements are present throughout the books. My only wish is that Ms. Brooke would write more with these characters.
I recommend this book and rate it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
From the beginning of this tale about an exodus of people from their planet to another planet, I was immediately drawn into the legend. The story and the characters were very well developed. Each book highlighted new characters but also had the characters from previous books, so you felt a strong connection with their plight.
As with most science fiction series, it really helps to start with the first book. This series is no exception. Because there is a span of time that Ms. Brooke needs to create each book, it might take a few chapters to refresh one’s memory about the plot and the characters.
There is romance and suspense galore in this series! I don’t want to give anything away, so people reading this review will just have to know that both elements are present throughout the books. My only wish is that Ms. Brooke would write more with these characters.
I recommend this book and rate it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
February 20, 2020
Great mix of sci fi and romance
This series has been great, loved the premise and the characters, it was at times too clever as a story and I went back and forward a few times to follow who was doing what but overall well worth a read, but read them in order, it’s definitely easier.
This series has been great, loved the premise and the characters, it was at times too clever as a story and I went back and forward a few times to follow who was doing what but overall well worth a read, but read them in order, it’s definitely easier.
February 15, 2019
I had such high expectations for this book, being the ending of a saga I very much enjoyed that I believe I'm to blame for finding it so bleh.
It's jam-packed with action, it felt packed of nothing and everything at once.
A must read if you enjoyed the Exodus Series, but to me it felt short for a last book.
It's jam-packed with action, it felt packed of nothing and everything at once.
A must read if you enjoyed the Exodus Series, but to me it felt short for a last book.
December 16, 2018
I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know this was a book series but I didn't need the other books to get into this one. I do want to get the other books so I can really get to know the other characters.
This had a fast pace and just the right amount of tension that keeps you in suspense until the end.
I like getting to know Commander Neenja KahSandra and even though she doesn't want to babysitting Zoem Malderyn, an orphan with no memory she comes to care for her.
As they set out to reach their new destination they realize the danger is with them can they save themselves and inhabitants before this new planet and their future is destroy.
I didn't know this was a book series but I didn't need the other books to get into this one. I do want to get the other books so I can really get to know the other characters.
This had a fast pace and just the right amount of tension that keeps you in suspense until the end.
I like getting to know Commander Neenja KahSandra and even though she doesn't want to babysitting Zoem Malderyn, an orphan with no memory she comes to care for her.
As they set out to reach their new destination they realize the danger is with them can they save themselves and inhabitants before this new planet and their future is destroy.
January 29, 2019
Treason is the fifth book in the sci-fi “Exodus” series. This is a favourite series, and it is less space opera than the Supreme Constellations series. As a follow-on I think this book is good, and I enjoyed reading it. What struck me as odd though was the sense that the enemy, the Nestrocalder, is more a fantasy evil creature than a science fiction villain. This story really needs background to tie the state-of-the-art engineering of the Pathfinder and the Exodus mission to the overpowered “magic” of Zoem and the Nestrocalder. I don’t want to have to try and reason it out myself.
Nevertheless, I liked reading this book and wrapping up the Exodus series. For the author: this series is calling for a 30-years hence novella, or a spin off “descendants” series in good science-fantasy style.
Nevertheless, I liked reading this book and wrapping up the Exodus series. For the author: this series is calling for a 30-years hence novella, or a spin off “descendants” series in good science-fantasy style.
March 11, 2019
Treason is the last in the Exodus series and she has done a great job. All of the loose ends are tied up and her writing is spot on as usual. I will miss the characters in this series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews