Defy the Fates

Constellation #3

by Claudia Gray

Hunted and desperate.

Abel only has one mission left that matters: save the life of Noemi Vidal. To do that, he not only has to escape the Genesis authorities, he also must face the one person in the galaxy who still has the means to destroy him. Burton Mansfield's consciousness lives on, desperate for a home, and Abel's own body is his last bargaining chip.

Alone in the universe.

Brought back from the brink of death, Noemi Vidal finds Abel has not only saved her life, but he's made her into something else, something more. Not quite mech, yet not quite human any longer, Noemi must find her place in a universe where she is utterly unique, all while trying to create a world where anyone--even a mech--can be free.

The final battle between Earth and the colony planets is here, and there's no lengths to which Earth won't go to preserve its domination over all humanity. But together, the universe's most advanced mech and its first human-mech hybrid might have the power to change the galaxy for good.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Space, Fantasy, Audiobook, Dystopia

12 pages, Audiobook

First published April 2, 2019

About the author

Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.

I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to the trilogy!



Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Cindy Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I appreciate the romance between the two main characters and the series as a whole, I felt like this book was a repeat of the conflicts we’ve already seen in the first two books, like the two characters being separated (once again) or sacrificing their lives for the other (once again). As a result, this book felt redundant and unneeded. Some of the misunderstandings were also uncharacteristic considering all they’ve been through together, and I wish there was more time spent on romance and tender moments instead. This definitely should have been a duology instead of a trilogy.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My local Barnes and Noble placed this out on the shelves early - nice.

Now that the series is over, I feel kind of let down that the third book of the trilogy wasn't as engaging or enjoyable as the first two. I kind of suspected something (like being a tad left down) when I saw that it was thinner than the last two books. :/ (I like my prose, especially this book with its take on humanity and the future.)

What I didn't like would probably be a better way to frame this review.

- How easily everything gets wrapped up
- How lame Mansfield was in this one
- The lack of love/emotion (not like I was looking for sex, but you know, it would have been nice to have Abel explore more about love and or his feelings for Noemi instead of just statements and kisses)

While I enjoyed the series on a whole, and I understand it is YA (and that Claudia Gray is really one of the best SciFi writers for YA's out there), I still think it wasn't as strong as the other two books in the series. Maybe there will be a return to the world in the future? Maybe there won't be. All I know is that it's over and now I have to find another series that features a robot coming to terms with humanity and falling in love.

[Adah Udechukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defy the Fates was perfect, perfect, perfect.

[Cindy ✩☽♔]

8/29/18
Forever disliking the re-designed cover themes, but it's I'll just read it on my Kindle like for the second book lol
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8/4/18
Coming back to find that this now has a title, synopsis and release date is honestly such a great surprise =D
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I need more info on this now!

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

I thought was just a duology BUT THERE'S MORE????

[Melissasfandomworld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fell in love SO hard with Abel and Noemi in book 1 as well as all the awesome space opera settings and the buildup of the story-line. Book 2 was also a really fun and fast paced read but already not As good as the first one. My expectations were that book 3 would hopefully be a stellar and explosive conclusion to it all, but in the end I can’t say that book 3 was entirely what I had hoped for unfortunately and it ‘fell a bit short’ for me.

Like some other readers stated as well; I am of an opinion that a lot of the writing and happenings in this book felt repetitive and there were parts that were a but unnecessary even and therefore it sometimes felt like the plot was unstable and creaked on all sides. Things are being rushed towards the end and could’ve been better developed in my honest opinion.

I also really missed more connection and development with Abel/Noemi and felt like it was a shame they were apart from one another so much. That, in combination with the miscommunication that was present at times (I hate miscommunication, lol), wasn’t something I was hoping to see when it came to their relationship development. I was expecting more closeness I guess and feel like they deserved much more in regards to the writing about it.

I did like their character development separately a lot most of the times, especially Abel took it up a notch in this one. I really love how Claudia wrote Abel down, right from the beginning in Defy the Stars up until the end now in Defy the Fates. I think his development throughout all three books was truly magnificent.

There’s action and a lot of space travel so you won’t be disappointed about that I think. I like that there are some villainous characters present who make things personally, but that there’s also a story going down in which it’s about so much more than just the characters. It’s about all humans throughout the galaxy and that definitely made it more interesting!

Overall, I felt like this was still a fun read. I still love these characters so so much and there Are definitely some amazing things present in this book. It isn’t the strong conclusion I hoped it’d be but I would definitely recommend reading these books if you’re into YA Sci-Fi and aren’t opposed to there being a lot of focus on the characters and their development.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta say, I liked this final book in this series much more than book 2. Even with a couple of things that totally annoyed me (e.g., Abel's repeated offering of himself for destruction, instead of ever talking to Noemi to figure out a possible other course.) And all the connections Noemi and Abel made in book one were again vital in their dealing with the new troubles between Genesis and Earth, and dealing with the situation on Haven.
I knew going into this book that there would be elements that would irritate me (based on my feelings about the previous two in this series), and I decided to not care so much and just let the text flow past me. That said, I think I really prefer Claudia Gray's Star Wars stories.

[Ѽ tazannah Ѽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**

Love is Directive One
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MANN, WHAT. A. READ. I MEAN, SERIOUSLY, WHO'S CHOPPING ONIONS IN HERE, HMM???

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Defy the Fates by acclaimed author Claudia Gray was a poignant, evocative read, one written as beautifully as the stars laid in the sky. I applaud Claudia Gray for imlementing the moral of pragma love, duty, and undying fedelity so beautifully!
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Thoughts About the Book:
~ *squeals* OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH VIRGINIA REDBIRD IS A ✨QUEEN✨ I MEAN, WHAT A GIRLBOSS, AHH I LOVE HER SMMM <33333333
~ Abel... you really are the worst at comforting people XDD. Sweet, innocent Abel. As smart as he is, he really couldn't see the simplest things, such as Noemi's radiant love for him. *shakes head sympathetically*
- I. Hate. You. Burton. Nincompoop. Mansfield. With a passion that burns brighter than the sun and that core reactor combined. (:
~ The ending was amazingly executed; a war was fought, love was uncovered, families were shattered, secrets unveiled... I mean, what was there not to love? The last two pages made me a smile like a moron, because there they were, zooming to a new planet which they would name: together *sighs contently* Don't mind me being a little hopeless romantic over here :')
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Christian Perspective & CW's (Spoiler Free):
- Just like the first two books, there's fighting. Nothing gory or descriptive, though.
- About 3-5 suggestive comments
- Talk about gay relationships
- One lesbian couple
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Fan Art I Found Online:
**Note: this is NOT mine**

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Quotes I Saved:
p.20 • "‘Sometimes it’s easier to accept differences in someone else than it is to accept them in yourself.’"

p.21 • "Love is stronger than any programming."

p.115 • "‘I guess there’s no way to love without being a little bit selfish. You want to give everything to the other person, but there’s also something you want for yourself, more than you’ve ever wanted before."

p.143 • "He looks at her with such hope. Such simple, unguarded love. The beauty of it feels like it could crack her heart open. This must be the right choice after all."

p.195 • "Is this what it’s like inside Abel’s head? If so, his universe is so much more beautiful than she ever imagined."

p.224 • "Existence seems to have no meaning, if it must be endured without love."

p.224 • "No, he'll never see her again. Never get the chance to love her, or be loved by her. But he might have the opportunity to hear of her--what adventures she'll undertake, what future she might have. It would be enough just to glimpse that future. To know she was happy. No matter what she thinks of him, Abel will always want that for her. It’s reason enough to stay alive."

p.295 • "Grief doesn’t excuse her behavior… but perhaps it helps explain it."

p.299 • "‘Without love, I think immortality could only be very bitter.’"

p.328 • "‘Always, always, I was left alone with my own mind. No one should ever be so alone."

p.253 • "One’s own mayhem is always better than anyone else’s order."

p.254 • "‘You’re afraid of shadows and lies.’"

p.254 • "Desperate people are never good at hearing what they don’t want to hear."

p.254 • "The most important virtue is loyalty."

p.329 • "Spending time with an illusion who couldn’t truly love him would only drive him mad."

p.340 • "Noemi never claimed to love Abel. She wishes she had, because she knows now that she did. Abel never even got to hear her say those words. Regret consumes her, threatens to swallow her whole."

p.425 • "Noemi wants to believe him, he can tell, but she’s wary. “Prove you’re really Abel.”

He looks up at her. ‘I’m terrible at comforting people. The worst. I have it on good authority.’"

p.429 • "‘𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯— 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵—’

“Were!” Virgins calls… “𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 self-destruct systems in place. Not so much anymore.”

After a pause, Shearer says, in utter confusion, “𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?”

“The name’s Virginia Redbird. You may know me as ‘that intruder who’s been crawling around in your ductwork for a couple days now.’ The one you were never sure existed?’"

p.431 • "The Battle of Genesis had been one of the greatest conflicts in galactic history. The Battle of Earth may eclipse it. And the stakes are the death of a world."

p.432 • "Noemi sees the little girl within this grown woman, the one who’s lost so much and can’t bear to lose more."

p.438 • "They all found one another by chance. Regardless of how different they all are, they wound up at this place, in this moment, because each one is committed to preserving lives in liberty throughout the galaxy. As different as you they, every single one is a person worthy of
trust."

p.441 • "Noemi isn’t going to fight only to survive. She’s fighting to win. To change the galaxy forever."

p.442 • "You never know what small course of action will change the course of a war."

[h o l l i s · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this last night and was distracted enough to forget to review it immediately and now here we are less than twenty-four hours later and most of the enjoyment I got out of this has worn off.

Admittedly I did think this felt better than book two, which I had rounded up on back in 2018 due to a few elements and also my love for book one, but some of the big moments in this finale felt very unimpressive and resolved very quickly and that's definitely taking the shine off for me. The all-encompassing love/romance element felt a little forced in this one, too, though mostly on Noemi's side. I still thought Abel was the star of the show.

This was a fun and interesting concept for a series and I absolutely adore book one. I just didn't quite love the series all the way through. But I was happy for the space distraction (even if there was a pandemic/disease of sorts running through the plot.. which I had forgotten about, hahahah.. ha..).

I enjoy Gray's writing and, despite losing some of the love over this particular universe, I will continue to read her.

[Suzzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. I actually found this one moved at a great pace and the characters really developed even more so. I really enjoyed the first two a lot but this one really focused a lot on Mansfield’s God complex (pet peeve of mine) and it got a bit obnoxious more than with the previous books. Overall, good conclusion.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the last half of the book, I got super invested. I was like oh shit please don’t kill off the good characters – but especially my favorite ones. Considering how this had a literal 30-year galactic war, my anxiety was up thereeee.

Here are some of my thoughts:
• I love that the plot perfectly balances science and religion. This series is seriously coming through with those areas, as well as philosophy, morals/ethics, politics, mortality, etc. There are some serious deep thinking involved in the plot and the motivations of groups of people. It really makes me ponder the question of, “What would humans do for the sake of survival of their people? For their loved ones? For themselves? Heck, what would I do for it? And in this series, we certainly see characters go to extreme length to preserve their planet, to preserve their loved ones, and to preserve themselves. In those actions, ethics and morals really come into question. We also see characters genuinely believing their “bad” or violent actions are right and justified. We see the line of religion and zealotry. And we see the debates of whether or not a mech with a soul is truly a being who deserves rights. (The answer is yes, they do fyi! Fuck those asshole characters who were so cruel and obtuse to Abel.) However, besides the questionable things, we also see humans having compassion for one another (and mechs).
• In addition, this book in particular poses 2 interesting questions: “What/who are you fighting? And what/who are you fighting for?”
• The romance is super sweet. It’s pure and all-consuming and beautiful. Between a mech with a soul and a human who in this book becomes part mech. I love that they both give each other a reason to live. They are both so fucking loyal (him to his creator and her to her planet) and they are all too willing to sacrifice themselves. And he is also too willing to sacrifice himself for her. However, I’m glad they both have given each other hope for a life where they can actually be alive and happy, which is probably something both of them never imagined for themselves before. They have learned to be simultaneously more selfish and giving.
• Abel is fucking adorable. I really enjoy his narration with his odd robotic-ish thoughts but still so fucking human and genuine. I love how he is enthusiastic about learning new things and understanding humans and their emotions and his own emotions. Noemi is right in saying that he is the sweetest, purest, and best soul out there. He is more human than most humans, and isn’t that something?
• Noemi is badass. This girl is always moving, always willing to help and get things done, love it.
• I’m glad that both Abel and Noemi found people who can appreciate them. They are both outcasts – him being a mech and her being a lone wolf – and it warms my heart they found good friends who accept them no matter that they have been declared so many terrible things about by other people. Virginia is supportive and hilarious. Harriet and Zayan are adorable and helpful. Ephraim is a calming, kind soul. It’s nice to see this crew of such different, capable people come together and literally save humankind sometimes – no biggie.
• It was irritating at one point where Noemi went back to Genesis and she wasn’t really doing anything about finding Abel and being with him. I mean I know her world calls him a traitor but like…. She literally just called him her favorite person in the universe, and she’s gonna let him go like that? I mean I get why he didn’t try to be with her at that point – he misunderstood her about her feelings and he thought it was for her own good that he stayed away. I mean, maybe, she was too caught up in her planet stuff and she was too confused and mad at him to think about finding him yet – but it was irritating to see her think about finding him only when she got exiled. I mean I’m sure she would’ve tried to find him eventually but idk I wanted to see more clear intentions from the start.
• I find it interesting that while I was initially enchanted by the Firebird series – I mean that plot setup was just absolutely gorgeous and intriguing - this series, in my opinion, has played out more solidly in the long run. While the former might have the initially “shinier” setup, I have come to love this one more, in terms of the romance, characters, plot, and overall meaning. I was honestly so fucking scared going into this series b/c boy was the former an angst fest. While I was scared for the characters in this series at times, it was less straight-up angst IMO.

4 stars Cute romance, 2 likable, strong main characters, great, supportive friendship, a well thought-out plot that delves deeper into science, religion, philosophy, morals/ethics, politics, mortality, and what have you.

Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending? Yes. Details about deaths here: OK what the heck no good main characters died for this finale. What the heckkk. Shocking for a YA sci-fi series (esp. for a trilogy) and I’m so fucking glad. Booyah
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? No, no, medium
Tears-worthy? Did not cry but can get sad/emotional
Humor? Yes. Bits of funny bantering or narration here and there. Far from central point though.
Favorite scenes? The inside joke b/w Noemi and Abel about him being bad at comforting people. When Noemi helped Abel escaped after he saved her life by sacrificing his own. When Noemi explained to Abel that she just needs time to adjust to her new body – and that she’s angry because she’s scared but not angry at him – and he agreed to take in the emotional adjustments not just the physical adjustments of her becoming part mech. When Virginia went with Noemi after Noemi got exiled and Noemi was so grateful. When he came crashing in as a Smasher and Noemi realized she’s alive afterall. When she was so happy to see him and said she knew that Mansfield in his body wasn’t really him, and she called him the sweetest, purest, best soul she has ever met. When Noemi got Krall to help them out after telling the truth about Genesis’ plan and Zayan even teared up thinking about the people he still loved on Earth dying – and many Vagabonds agreed to help them save Abel – and then help them with their mission. When Abel beat Mansfield and still loved him but still didn’t give him the ability to live on again b/c he didn’t deserve it. When Abel freed the mother and Gillian finally let it go and surrendered. When Abel and Noemi said their “farewell” before the final fight and he said she has been the best part of his life and always will be – and she told him I love you for the first time. The last chapter where we see Ephraim and Delphine helping Haven and Virginia, Ludwig, and Fon are heroes on their planet, and Harriet and Zayan are happily settling in Genesis. And when we found out that the council agrees to let Genesis open up to other settles and they’ll keep with their values while also opening up to new people and ideas – and the whole crowd was cheering and Noemi was so proud of her people. When Noemi got sassy with the council and reasoned perfectly that they can’t put Abel on trial for murder – if they supposedly believe he’s not deserving of basic human rights and treat him as just a machine. And if they did treat him as a human, he still killed the councilman out of self-defense of him and defense for her, so their argument isn’t valid. And then she became sassy again and said “thanks but no thanks” to their offer of making her a citizen again b/c her fate is in the stars with Abel. Right at the end where Noemi and Abel are traveling and discovering planets together and going on adventures, with the help of Virginia.

[majo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so conflicted about this final book.

Is it what I wanted? No.
It is at the same level of the previous two books? Nope. (it hurts to write this 😭)
My love for the characters, Noemi and Abel, will diminish because of this book? also no. Thank God.

This author should've delivered more ship content, this is the final book and we had like... two precious moments and that was it. I needed more.

I think this book was okay, but could've been SO much better.

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disliked each book in this series more than the last. This final novel was better than the snorey Defy the Worlds - at least the MCs were mostly together, but I am way over Abel and Noemi taking every opportunity to sacrifice themself to save the other.

Getting yourself captured or nearly killed is a romantic gesture ONCE. Okay, maybe twice. After that, it's just a tactic to manipulate somebody's feelings.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the whole trilogy, the first book (DEFY THE STARS) was the best. Not that this was bad - this is one of the better sci-fi trilogies out there at the moment imo - but there’s been a slip.

DEFY THE FATES is not a bad ending; it ticks all the boxes needed for a conclusion. But this doesn’t change the fact the book seemed rushed, and many problems were solved conveniently within the same page. There were no true struggles to speak of, and everything just felt strangely artificial.

(However, there was good humour.)

Nevertheless, I’d recommend this series - at least for the first book. It’s just a pity the second and third books didn’t have quite the same level of sophistication and complexity as the first.

[mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series and I have a weird relationship. I love it, but still, it took me so long to finish reading the books. It was fun, although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first books. So many things happened, and it all that made the ending a bit anticlimactic.

It was understandable that Abel would try to help Naomi any way, even if that way included him giving himself up to Gillian. It’s also understandable that Naomi would try to get him back, which also happened. However, that happened too fast for me, that happens in the first couple of chapters in the beginning. It was too easy.

On the other hand, I’m super surprised with Naomi’s reaction to Abel deciding to make her a half mech. I expected some drama around it, and I was surprised when she was okay with it, and understood him; I loved that, and I guess I expected the opposite because that’s something other books would raise hell about

[solomiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a series! Claudia Gray's writing and characters just do it for me, definitely going on my auto-read list!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noemi is badly hurt and Abel has no choice but to engage in a dangerous bargain with the daughter of his creator, Abel's body for her father's consciousness in exchange for saving Noemi by turning her into a human/mech hybrid. The political situation between Earth and its colonies has never been more unstable though and none of their survival is guaranteed particularly with Genesis on the ascendancy and desperate to win the Liberty War by any means necessary.

I think this concludes this series fairly well with a decent action-packed finale. It would have been nicer to see anyone in power to have principles though and not all turn out to be such inhuman monsters, but again I probably need to remember that this is a particularly young YA novel.

Overall a good but not great YA series.

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved being back in this world but so sad that it is over!

FRTC

[Clare Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I finished this trilogy out, but this was definitely my least favorite of the three books. I'm definitely disappointed because the first book in this series is a book I really loved, and I really enjoyed the second one too! I just felt like this third book was kinda repetitive and oddly paced. I just found myself not really caring as much as I did in the first two books, because I felt like the characters were just doing the same things they'd already done over again. Honestly, I think this story would have worked better if it had resolved at the end of the second book instead and just been a duology.

This book wasn't by any means bad, but it was just kinda meh and unfortunately felt pretty unnecessary.

[Bookphenomena (Micky)]

I'm so very needy for this one. I want it come to an exciting, soaring end.

[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Space Face(s)
BFF Charms: Yay, Be Mine
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Science Friction
Bonus Factor: Cyborg
Anti-Bonus Factor: TEABS
Relationship Status: Forever Friends

Read the full book report here.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

edit 5/26/19 I've settled on a four star rating because, while I preferred other books in the series, the series still feels worth the read to me and I enjoyed it so much overall. Happy reading! :)

Post Reading This is a hard one to rate because I loved everything except for the last three chapters. The last three chapters are important.

Prereading When you want a book so badly you keep coming back to check the release date as if it will somehow change if you keep looking at it. Hint: it doesn't.

[Lulai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong ending for a great serie

[Geenah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I finished the last page I knew I was left with an Abel and Noemi-sized hole in my heart.

Defy the Fates is the conclusion of the Defy the Stars trilogy. This book had the tall order of resolving the multiple ongoing conflicts that were set up from Book 1.

Overall, I did like this book, but I wish there had been more attention to detail in its execution. I give this a high rating because Abel and Noemi are superb, as usual. The characterization remains consistent: Noemi, our Catholic hothead from Genesis, and Abel, our demisexual agnostic robot. I haven't shipped two characters this much since Act Your Age, Eve Brown. What's done well in this is amazing.

I think the very best part of the book happened when Burton Mansfield does manage to come back in Abel's body. Abel goes into a somewhat cheesy, but mostly awesome metaphysical journey and we get closure between mech and creator, father and son.

I also loved that there was no big redemption scene of Genesis. Genesis, for all their virtues, are close-minded and cruel. Noemi was trained as a child to be a soldier of Genesis, so she does feel a selfless loyalty to her home planet. But I'm glad that this loyalty does not blind her to her planet's shortcomings and, in the end, she chooses to part ways with a planet that has accepted her the most conditional of ways.

While some resolutions where handled more successfully than others, the book as a whole felt rushed, especially the last third. The conflict between Earth and Genesis was satisfyingly neatly resolved. To be fair, the reader cared more about Abel and Noemi than the actual struggle between Earth and Genesis, so when the conflict between the characters is resolved, you don't really care about these two planets with horrible leaders. In that respect, I understand glossing over the final conflict, but come on, it's an intergalactic battle (a Star War, if you will). I feel like it should be more of a challenge to bring down Earth's imperialist troops.

The first book had also set up a few logistical challenges when visiting other planets that were strangely absent in this book. No longer was visiting the planet Stronghold a bureaucratic nightmare.

Finally, the second book of the trilogy, Defy the Worlds, sets up an important plot point for Noemi. Abel chooses to take a dying Noemi to the main antagonist, Gillian Shearer, and make Noemi into a human-mech hybrid to save her life. Noemi has to consequently adapt to her new body. Overall, I don't have an issue with this, except that when Noemi is fully adapted to her body when a crucial update is installed, the book kind of forgets that she has mech capabilities and they don't become relevant for the final conflict.

While this third book is the weakest of the three, I had a lot of fun reading it and the whole series as a whole. I would definitely recommend this book series to anyone in the mood for easy-to-read YA sci-fi. The characters are phenomenal and the space exploration is pretty awesome. The reader, like the characters, feels more at home onboard the Persephone bouncing from planet to planet. The different planets themselves are distinctive enough to be compelling on their own. The only drawback is that you wish you spent more time in each of them.

[Jane ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this was slightly repetitive, I am quite satisfied with this series as a whole.

There's lots of adventure going on, space travel, a few predictable plot twists. All that aside, my fave part was all the friendships characters made on the way - so many delightful people found all over the galaxy. I actually found the friendships to be more meaningful and interesting that the romance. Sorry not sorry.

Why is that? Well, this book is just a copy/paste situation of the first two - Adam and Noemi trying to out-sacrifice each other and save each other's lives in the most selfless way. It got boring 😂 The rest of the characters were much more fun but that's okay. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. I really liked both Abel and Noemi with all their layers, but sometimes they bored me when they were together.

This doesn't lessen the story in any way, it's just my personal preference at this point. I still think this series can hold it's own among the more popular sci-fi series as it has a lot to offer. It's kinda sad to say goodbye to this world, but I can say that the ending made me happy and I was very satisfied ♥

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

I really enjoyed this conclusion to a thoroughly captivating, thought-provoking, and entertaining trilogy.

I only wished that the biggest change, Naomi being turned into the first-ever human/mech hybrid had been given more time to sink in, to be discussed, as I thought this was a truly fascinating idea, one that I would've loved to see explored much more.

But oh well.

When you still remember what happened in book 1 two years after you read it, you know it was a really good book :)

[Chrissie Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abel continues to fight for and save Noemi Vidal. After her life-threatening injuries forced him to make a hard decision, albeit a logical one, Noemi now has to contend with being more than human, testing her unwavering acceptance of Abel when faced with the questions and doubts now on her.
And, as Burton Mansfield's daughter continues to hunt for Abel, the final battle between Earth and colony planets comes to a head.

Such a great conclusion to this trilogy — with some surprising twists and turns along the way. It's a lovely, contemplative sci-fi fantasy adventure, and I'm so glad I listened to my gut and revisited this series to give it another go.

[Cait Jacobs (Caitsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Stats:
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 4/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3/5
Review in a Nutshell: Defy the Fates is an action-packed ending with all of the humor, romance, and philosophizing that the first two books made me fall in love with.


“The opposite of Faith isn’t doubt. The opposite of Faith is certainty.”

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Gun Violence, Suicide Mention, War Themes, Murder, Illness, Kidnapping/Abduction //


- Premise -

Defy The Fates takes place after the torturous ending of Defy the Worlds. I can't go into too much detail without spoiling the ending of that book, but really, if you read Defy the Worlds, then you probably don't care about the plot and just need to see how it ends, like me.


- Writing & Setting-

Claudia Gray’s writing style is always one I enjoy. A perfect balance of humor, romance, and depth. While this book doesn’t seem to grapple with as hard themes as the first two, it still tackles some great questions in between the action. Being the last book in the series, there also isn’t much new in the setting aspect, but that said, it’s still a fun and interesting world that I was so happy to jump back into.

- Plot -

This book flies by. The pace is really fast, with constant action and adventure. There were a few conflicts that I thought would be a little more drawn out, but instead, they breezed by. While it makes for a quick read, it does take away a little bit from the emotional side of the book. There was less tension when most conflicts got resolved a couple of chapters after they were introduced, and I found myself forgetting some of the plot points because they went by so quick.

- Characters -

I think I’ve made it very clear in my previous reviews that I absolutely adore these characters. This book is no exception. I love them so much. Abel and Noemi’s character development over this series never fails to amaze me, and I just loved that I got to spend three books with these fun and complex characters. My only complaint is that, due to the fast pace, I feel like we didn’t spend enough time with them, and really get into their minds and feelings like we did in previous books. Maybe it was just me, and I was in a bit of a reading slump, but I felt a little detached from these characters that I love so much.

- Conclusion -

Pros- The characters are as amazing as always, fast-paced, great ending
Cons- A little too fast, some of the emotional punches didn’t seem to land with me, but that could just be me
Overall- 4/5 stars.
Defy the Fates perfectly wraps up the story I fell in love with. While it wasn’t as memorable as the first, it was still a great read.

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[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defy the Fates is a worthy conclusion to an amazing underrated sci-fi trilogy.

“My future is in the stars.”

I enjoyed once egain visiting Noemi and Abel. Abel is such a soft cinnamon roll, also highly intelligent. Noemi is a tough independent soldier. Both of them are extremely loyal, strong individuals who respect each other's abilities 100%. Once again, I really liked their dynamic together.


“He’s never put expectations on how he feels for her, never acted like that required her to feel the exact same way.”


************************

“It will be a new experience for me, not having to explain so many things to you.”
She gives him the look that means 'What you just said isn’t what you should’ve said'.


It took me longer to read this instalment though. The plot wasn't quite as captivationg for me as the one in the first book, and the character and relationship work shined the brightest in book two.
I was really into the first part of the book and the last portion, invested in the plot, but somewhere around the middle part was a tad slower for me.


“Sorry, sorry. It’s just—even now that I’ve spent a while on Genesis, I forget that this isn’t really a capitalist society. If it were, you’d know that hell, yeah, Gillian Shearer would try to sell a product she hadn’t perfected yet. That’s how she’d get the money to perfect it. Assuming she could. If she couldn’t—well, she’d still have the investors’ money.”
Capitalism sounds like a huge, confusing mess, and Noemi’s glad she hasn’t had much to do with it.


The characters were as always amazing, although this time around I wished for a bit more when it came to Noemi's chapters, maybe getting more into her psychology and everything after the ending of book two. I also really liked the vey last lines of the books, which were very beatiful.


“This, she thinks, is what happens when a population has been lied to for too long. They lose the ability to trust.”


Overall, this is a trilogy you shouldn't miss out on if you you're interested in YA sci-fi with adventurous plot taking place all over multiple systems, great characters and sweet healthy romance of two people who are strong individuals both together and separately and respect each other greatly. Highly recommended.


“There’s an ancient Russian proverb,” Abel says. “It goes, ‘Never celebrate the death of the czar.’”
Noemi frowns. “You mean—don’t get excited about one power falling before you know what might replace it.”


Defy the Stars 5 stars
Defy the Worlds 5 stars
Defy the Fates 4 stars