Breaking the Surface

Outsider Project #2

by Rebecca Langham

Alessia is an Outsider—a member of the not-quite-human community that has recently been released from their underground prison. Shortly after their liberation, Alessia is given an ultimatum: obey all the United Earth Alliance’s demands, or her mother will forever remain a hostage—a mother she’d believed dead for fifteen years. Reluctantly, she agrees, though she has no idea what those demands may be, or how she will balance her obligations to the UEA with her responsibilities to her people and her family.

As the UEA tightens its grip on humans and Outsiders alike, it becomes clear that meaningful social change will not be possible without a revolution. Alessia and her peers embark on a mission to discover just how far the government is willing to go to maintain their monopoly on power.

What Alessia and her comrades discover, however, goes much deeper than they’d ever anticipated. Who are the Outsiders, really? What secrets of their destiny lay hidden within a top-secret space station? And why are the Outsiders linked to an emerging disease the UEA seems desperate to keep secret? As they delve deeper, it isn’t only Alessia’s identity that will be called into question, but the fate of the entire planet.

Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT

ebook

First published January 13, 2020

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50 Stars. This is the second book in Langham’s futuristic/sci-fi series Outsider Project. I thought this was a solid sequel. While I did like the actual storyline of the first book Beneath the Surface more, I thought this book was better written. If I remember correctly, book one was Langham’s debut so it was nice to see a steady improvement in her writing.

One of my complaints about book one was that it slowed down and dragged at times. In this book the beginning was a little slow, but the overall pace felt much better to me. Once I got into the flow I wanted to continue reading. And since I like a little more action in my sci-fi in general, I appreciate that this book felt like there was more.

My biggest issue with this sequel was not remembering all of what happened in book one. It has been two years and at least 550 books in-between me reading these two installments. My memory is just not that good. And while I did remember the major storyline, and Langham reiterated a few things, there were too many mini plotlines and characters that I just never remembered. People had even died and I didn’t remember. I honestly wonder if I had read these two books back to back, maybe my rating for this book would be higher. And just to be clear, I would 100% recommend reading these books in order. I would not read this book without reading book one first, preferably reading book one not too long before book two. I really think it would be too hard on people to jump into the series here.

While I enjoyed the action and how the main storyline played out, I’m not sure if I loved the ending. My guess is Langham is leaving it open for a book three because if she’s not, the ending is not really satisfying enough. And like I mentioned I like how the major storylines wrapped up so I don’t even see a need for a book three, so I’m a little surprised this ending was picked. The issue is Langham did something similar in the first book so it felt unneeded and repetitive here.

While these books have a romance, they are much more sci-fi than romance. The romance is very PG and absolutely takes a backseat. So I would recommend this series to futuristic/sci-fi fans and not really romance fans looking to try sci-fi. I didn’t like some of the story choices as much as book one, but this book was better written and more of a gripping read.

A copy was given to me for a honest review.

[Emily Wrayburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally published on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 23 November 2020:

This book is stronger than its predecessor. It’s good to see a writer build on their debut and improve their skills! And even though it had been nearly a year since I read the first book, there were enough small reminders of the events in that book for me to not have too much trouble getting my head back into this world.

I loved finding out more about where the Outsiders came from – there’s one big bombshell in particular that changes everything. But as well as that, learning how this origin story affects the nature of the Outsiders (or Celestials, as they come to be called in this book) was also a really interesting bit of world building.

I also really enjoyed the political side of the story this time around. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and that was definitely the case for MC Lydia’s father, Damon. I really enjoyed his arc, and also the fact that even once he is ostensibly on Lydia’s side, there’s still a long way to go before she forgives him.

The story ends in a good place with a satisfying conclusion – the characters still have a lot of work to do, but we know things have worked out for the most part.

This review is part of my 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge. Click here for more information.

[Clara Ridler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read an ARC.

Was quite interesting to see where the ideas from the first book finally led. The ending is not what I expected but I found it satisfying. Langham's writing has become stronger -- lots more suspence this time.

[Samantha]

A solid follow-up to Beneath the Surface. Rebecca has a way of creating a world that sucks you in and doesn't let go.

[Kathryn O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting conclusion to the duology. The writing is more refined and the pace of the story more captivating than Beneath the Surface. Let's hope Langham has more sci-fi to come!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking the Surface is the second in Rebecca Langham’s Outsider Project series. One thing I would recommend is reading this series close together. If you don’t, you may find yourself a little lost with everything happening in this book.

With that said, this was a great sequel. Not only was I glad to find out what was in store for Alessia and Lydia, but we were allowed to see all the characters that I fell in love with in the first novel. Each character grew and adapted to the life they had been thrust into.

The romance between Alessia and Lydia took a back seat to the main plot. I liked the moments between Lydia and Alessia, but we got to see them develop as characters distanced from each other.
I zipped through the last 40% of this book. I was completely engulfed in learning the history of the Celestials. It was startling, but it was very much possible in this universe. Hell, I could even say something like be possible in our world.

If you are a sci-fi fan, then this series is a definite must read.

[Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The future

God! What a terrifying, amazing book! The story made too much sense like all the explanations, the why and how can all to easily happen to our own world. There wasn't even an apocalypse, only a disease that is just terrifying to think we are that close to such a future.

Alessia and Lydia are a ray of hope through all of it (Outsiders/Celestial also, of course). They are so cute and adorable. I have to say the concept of identities and sexualities in the Outsiders culture is just fantastic and such a beautiful dream.

Totally recommend "The Outsiders Project" series, which is incredibly !

[Matt Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When review book one in the series, Beneath The Surface, I said that Rebecca had ‘created a debut novel that didn’t feel like a debut novel, but rather something more refined’. Here, the second book actually shows improvement in this area. It maintains the same feel as the first book, of course, but the writing feels tighter, and the conversations more natural. That’s not to say that those in the first book felt unnatural at all, mind you, more that they take a step forward here.

The story is an excellent follow-up to that of Beneath The Surface too. All those elements that made the original book so fun – the mix of intrigue, a lovable cast, and some gentle romance that doesn’t overshadow the sci-fi elements – are all still here in force. At the same time though, Rebecca broadens the tools being sued to tell the story a little. For one, there’s a little more action this time. It still fits within the world, and bar a super exciting climactic run, it doesn’t take the full focus for long, but it’s a welcome addition.

Tech talk too is taken up a little, with the neural implant concept explored a little more. What I liked about this is that it still avoided dropping into hard sci-fi territory. Don’t get wrong, I like some hard sci-fi. But a complete shift here, even for one scene, would have felt ‘off’ when placed next to the first book. Instead, Rebecca gives us a little detail on how the implants are placed within the body and then focuses on the sometimes disorienting effects of having the equivalent of a near-constant internet stream in front of you. By sticking with the character’s emotions, Rebecca maintains a series consistency that is very welcome.

And when it comes to the characters, I cannot understate how fun they are. It felt great to be back with Alessia and Lydia as they explored their relationship and dealt with the twists and turns they uncovered in terms of the general world. And the supporting cast is equally as enjoyable to see them interact with, in particular Fermi, who I felt really shone throughout his appearances. I think what makes them all feel so lovable though is the little human moments that pop up from time to time. Whether it be Alessia liking cat vlogs, or Lydia wanting to ‘bolt through the door, sprint down the corridor, and launch into Alessia’s arms like a twentieth-century Hollywood cliché’, it all adds a little relatable layer to the cast. The conversation between Lydia and Jezebel was another fine example of this; I really enjoyed that whole scene.

The intrigue built up steadily as things progressed, and we got to learn a lot more about Alessia’s people here. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that it was interesting seeing the way it all played out, and how different people reacted. The result though was that, while most characters maintained the primarily good or simply morally grey roles of the first book, we did get someone that was more of an actual villain at the end here.

In terms of stumbling blocks, though Rebecca showed that she is more than capable of some flash, this still won’t be a series for those that want a more military feel to their sci-fi. While I really liked the way everything came together too, the bittersweet tinge to the ending may also be an issue for some. The story is tied up nicely, and it’s not an unhappy ending. If anything, it feels like a realistic conclusion. But, it may not quite be what some expected going into the book. Honestly though, I hope it doesn’t put people off because, for me, it felt right.

Breaking The Surface is an easy title to recommend. The story offers some variance from the first book while still feeling clearly part of the same story, Rebecca’s writing is even smoother, and the cast is certain to raise a warm smile as they face their problems. I give this one the full 5 out of 5.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst this novel's setting is in the future, the narrative of profit-driven corporates with unfettered power and no accountability manipulating law and media to control/hide illegal activities past and present, is one many of us will recognize. Credit to the author for weaving this well into an involved plot.

The story starts slow, but the pacing improves quickly.