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Riven Worlds #1
Continuum (Riven Worlds #1)
Humanity has seized its destiny among the stars. But space remains vast and untamed, and nothing has prepared us to face the dangers rising from the deep shadows of the void.
Fourteen years after The Displacement flung humanity into a universe teeming with alien life, a tenuous alliance has taken root among humans, Anadens, and numerous other species. The wounds of war and revolution have begun to heal, peace and prosperity are within reach, and the architects of The Displacement, Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano, are enjoying an idyllic existence on the living planet of Akeso.
But growing troubles fester beneath the surface of this alliance. An upstart species offers allegiance with one hand but readies weapons of mass destruction with the other, while the Anadens, leaderless and adrift for years, increasingly refuse to play by humanity’s rules.
As tensions simmer, Nika Kirumase, leader of the Asterions—a splinter group of former Anadens thought aeons dead—arrives bearing a warning of a terrifying enemy advancing across the void. Known as the Rasu, the powerful race of shapeshifting metal has already killed tens of thousands of Asterions in its quest to control all of known space.
Nika’s people have struck a blow against the Rasu, and now they race against time to prepare for the coming reprisal. An alliance with humanity stands to give them a fighting chance against their enemy. But for humanity, such an alliance may cost them everything, pushing the fragile peace they fought so hard to achieve to the breaking point and beyond.
In Amaranthe, where exotic alien life, AIs, wormholes, indestructible starships and the promise of immortality rule the day, no feat seems out of reach for humanity. But when the worlds of AURORA RHAPSODY and ASTERION NOIR collide and the Rasu horde descends upon them both, more will be asked of heroes past and future. More will be given and more taken, and when the dust settles the very fabric of Amaranthe will be changed forever.
Fourteen years after The Displacement flung humanity into a universe teeming with alien life, a tenuous alliance has taken root among humans, Anadens, and numerous other species. The wounds of war and revolution have begun to heal, peace and prosperity are within reach, and the architects of The Displacement, Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano, are enjoying an idyllic existence on the living planet of Akeso.
But growing troubles fester beneath the surface of this alliance. An upstart species offers allegiance with one hand but readies weapons of mass destruction with the other, while the Anadens, leaderless and adrift for years, increasingly refuse to play by humanity’s rules.
As tensions simmer, Nika Kirumase, leader of the Asterions—a splinter group of former Anadens thought aeons dead—arrives bearing a warning of a terrifying enemy advancing across the void. Known as the Rasu, the powerful race of shapeshifting metal has already killed tens of thousands of Asterions in its quest to control all of known space.
Nika’s people have struck a blow against the Rasu, and now they race against time to prepare for the coming reprisal. An alliance with humanity stands to give them a fighting chance against their enemy. But for humanity, such an alliance may cost them everything, pushing the fragile peace they fought so hard to achieve to the breaking point and beyond.
In Amaranthe, where exotic alien life, AIs, wormholes, indestructible starships and the promise of immortality rule the day, no feat seems out of reach for humanity. But when the worlds of AURORA RHAPSODY and ASTERION NOIR collide and the Rasu horde descends upon them both, more will be asked of heroes past and future. More will be given and more taken, and when the dust settles the very fabric of Amaranthe will be changed forever.
499 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2020
55 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
G.S. Jennsen
52 books515 followersG. S. Jennsen is a speculative and science fiction author, as well as a futurist, geek, gamer, programmer and editor. She has become an internationally bestselling author since her first novel, Starshine, was published in March 2014. She has chosen to continue writing under an independent publishing model to ensure the integrity of her series and her ability to execute on the vision she’s had for it since its genesis.
While she has been a lawyer, a software engineer and an editor, she’s found the life of a full-time author preferable by several orders of magnitude.
When she isn’t writing, she’s gaming or working out or getting lost in the mountains that loom large outside the windows in her home. Or she’s dealing with a flooded basement, or standing in a line at Walmart reading the tabloid headlines and wondering who all of those people are. Or sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, looking up at the stars, trying to figure out what could be up there.
While she has been a lawyer, a software engineer and an editor, she’s found the life of a full-time author preferable by several orders of magnitude.
When she isn’t writing, she’s gaming or working out or getting lost in the mountains that loom large outside the windows in her home. Or she’s dealing with a flooded basement, or standing in a line at Walmart reading the tabloid headlines and wondering who all of those people are. Or sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, looking up at the stars, trying to figure out what could be up there.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 8, 2020
So you think you can write a science fiction saga.
Let’s be real. You can’t. Or at least not one like this.
If you’ve followed the Auror—I mean, the Amaranthe saga from the beginning, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. This story is huge, and it’s only getting bigger. The Aurora Rhapsody series of course consisted of nine full books, followed by the Asterion Noir trilogy...the end of which saw the collision of the two series.
That collision continues (*ba dum tss*) in full force here in Continuum, which is set fourteen years after the events of Aurora Rhapsody and mere weeks after the events of Asterion Noir. We get a glimpse of how the Humans have adapted to their new life in Amaranthe among the Anadens and all the other alien races we met in AR, and the events of ANR—particularly the imminent arrival of the sinister Rasu—are still fresh in our minds. The book does include an appendix with recaps of all the individual trilogies this series consists of, and I’d still recommend taking a peek at it to refresh your memory even if you’ve been a die-hard fan of these books from the beginning. There’s just a LOT going on, and I admittedly had to pause occasionally while reading and remind myself which galaxy I was in. But that by no means affected my enjoyment of the book overall.
Our old friends Alex, Caleb, and Nika of course reprise their roles as the protagonists in this book, but one can hardly call them the “main characters” simply because we have so many other people—including Dashiel and returning fan favorites like Miriam and space-boyfriend Eren—playing critical roles. With such a large cast and major events happening on so many fronts in the plot, some characters don’t always get much “screen time,” but in a way, that was actually what kept me glued to the book. Many chapters picked up from what had essentially been mini-cliffhangers the last time we saw certain characters, and I was always eager to find out what shenanigans they might get into next.
Shenanigans do abound in this book, some more…dire than others. There’s action, intrigue, espionage, and some epic space battles. And then of course there’s always going to be someone somewhere who would rather cause trouble for the good guys than focus on, you know, helping prepare for the looming threat of a virtually indestructible shape-shifting alien race hell-bent on wiping out all galactic life. Personal battles also abound; Caleb and Eren in particular are each dealing with some issues that are most definitely going to shape events to come, and I can’t wait to see how those issues do or don’t get resolved. And would it surprise anyone to know the Kats are once again up to something behind the scenes?
< insert obligatory closing statement about always being excited to see what comes next in this ever-growing series >
Also of note: reading this book over the holidays unfortunately meant I was dealing with a somewhat loud environment, so I made use of earbuds and ambient noise. Depending on what was going on in the book at any given moment, I’d switch back and forth between this space station ambience and this space battle ambience , and it made for a really fun immersive experience!
February 18, 2020
HYYYPE!!!
December 3, 2020
Once again, GS Jennsen has proven that she is a masterful storyteller capable of weaving together an incredibly complex story on an epic scale. Continuum brings all of her previous books together as the characters we’ve grown to know and love over the last *counts on fingers* 12(?) books face a new and even more formidable threat.
Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to taking on this new threat, however. Because what fun would that be? There are a few key players with their own self-serving agendas here, and that really throws a wrench into things towards the end of the book. I appreciated Jennsen’s exploration of the complexities involved in bringing so many unique societies together. It’s not a piece of cake, nor should it be. It was also fun to see where the characters from the Aurora Rhapsody series ended up 14 years later. Marley is all grown up and was an especially interesting character. While this particular book did oftentimes feel like just a setup for events to come, it was a welcome one and much needed given how many moving parts and characters there are here.
And I guess that was my one complaint about the story, and something that’s entirely a matter of personal preference. I’m generally not a huge epic series kind of reader. Honestly, the fact that I’m still reading this series 13 books in is a testament to how much I love the story and characters. But it’s also starting to really feel too big for me. There’s too much going on, too many people to keep track of, and I’m frankly a little exhausted. There were several times in Continuum where I thought certain characters’ stories were far more interesting than others, and we would cut away from them to move onto someone I didn’t care about as much and then wouldn’t get back to those characters I was more attached to for a long time. What can I say? I’m impatient and I like a little more immediate gratification, I guess. So this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, and I am a little worried that this is going to be something I continue to struggle with in books to come.
That being said, it’s still a great story and worth a read if you’ve been fans of Jennsen’s previous books. There are plenty of huge, universe-altering stakes here as well as smaller individual conflicts that feel more personal and got me more invested in certain characters. I’m curious to see how it all plays out and what lengths the characters will have to go to in order to resolve those conflicts. It’s sure to be an interesting ride.
Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to taking on this new threat, however. Because what fun would that be? There are a few key players with their own self-serving agendas here, and that really throws a wrench into things towards the end of the book. I appreciated Jennsen’s exploration of the complexities involved in bringing so many unique societies together. It’s not a piece of cake, nor should it be. It was also fun to see where the characters from the Aurora Rhapsody series ended up 14 years later. Marley is all grown up and was an especially interesting character. While this particular book did oftentimes feel like just a setup for events to come, it was a welcome one and much needed given how many moving parts and characters there are here.
And I guess that was my one complaint about the story, and something that’s entirely a matter of personal preference. I’m generally not a huge epic series kind of reader. Honestly, the fact that I’m still reading this series 13 books in is a testament to how much I love the story and characters. But it’s also starting to really feel too big for me. There’s too much going on, too many people to keep track of, and I’m frankly a little exhausted. There were several times in Continuum where I thought certain characters’ stories were far more interesting than others, and we would cut away from them to move onto someone I didn’t care about as much and then wouldn’t get back to those characters I was more attached to for a long time. What can I say? I’m impatient and I like a little more immediate gratification, I guess. So this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, and I am a little worried that this is going to be something I continue to struggle with in books to come.
That being said, it’s still a great story and worth a read if you’ve been fans of Jennsen’s previous books. There are plenty of huge, universe-altering stakes here as well as smaller individual conflicts that feel more personal and got me more invested in certain characters. I’m curious to see how it all plays out and what lengths the characters will have to go to in order to resolve those conflicts. It’s sure to be an interesting ride.
April 27, 2020
Well, she has gone and done it again. (Alex, what have you done?) GS Jennsen has written 13 books in two story lines about a future in which people can travel not just between the stars, but between galaxies. Humanity has learned its curious history and has found its place among the other leading species of the local galaxies.
A group that broke off from the local galactic civilizations hundreds of thousands of years ago has returned. To ask for a help against an enemy that threatens to easily destroy both civilizations.
GS Jennsen and protagonists, especially Alex, Caleb, Miriam, and now Nika, continue to create a mind-goggling (like mind-boggling but several degrees more intense) universe full of mysterious, and dangerous, unknowns. Please note that the creature that can actually EAT space-time has not yet arrived.
Highly recommended. Start the series and lose yourself for ... weeks ... months ... forever?
Thank you, GS Jennsen. PLEASE keep 'em comin'!
A group that broke off from the local galactic civilizations hundreds of thousands of years ago has returned. To ask for a help against an enemy that threatens to easily destroy both civilizations.
GS Jennsen and protagonists, especially Alex, Caleb, Miriam, and now Nika, continue to create a mind-goggling (like mind-boggling but several degrees more intense) universe full of mysterious, and dangerous, unknowns. Please note that the creature that can actually EAT space-time has not yet arrived.
Highly recommended. Start the series and lose yourself for ... weeks ... months ... forever?
Thank you, GS Jennsen. PLEASE keep 'em comin'!
January 28, 2020
How do you bring two universes together and keep their individuality? Exactly how it was done in this book. G. S. Jennsen’s worlds are complex, full of characters and places that make me want to live in them. I fell in love with Alex and Caleb and then with Nika and Dashiel. They live in different, separate worlds shaped by history but dragged into a future where they have to rely on each other. Bringing them together was a huge concept but G. S. Jennsen did not fail to deliver.
If you’ve read the previous books then once again we get to spend time with characters who are familiar, who’s lives we’ve followed through love and war. This book had me laughing, crying and hanging on to the edge of my seat. Like every other book by this author it dragged me in.
New threats arise, old hatreds simmer until they are no longer contained, lives hang in the balance with Alex, Caleb, Nika and Dashiel fighting to save them all. It’s space opera, romance, war, love and survival in a story that isn’t finished yet and I can’t wait for the next installment. If you enjoy action, adventure, mystery and stories about people fighting to survive, protect those they love then there’s a good chance you’ll love this book and all those that have come before and will come after just as I do.
If you’ve read the previous books then once again we get to spend time with characters who are familiar, who’s lives we’ve followed through love and war. This book had me laughing, crying and hanging on to the edge of my seat. Like every other book by this author it dragged me in.
New threats arise, old hatreds simmer until they are no longer contained, lives hang in the balance with Alex, Caleb, Nika and Dashiel fighting to save them all. It’s space opera, romance, war, love and survival in a story that isn’t finished yet and I can’t wait for the next installment. If you enjoy action, adventure, mystery and stories about people fighting to survive, protect those they love then there’s a good chance you’ll love this book and all those that have come before and will come after just as I do.
April 7, 2020
The Savrakaths had willfully violated the terms Concord had delivered, and she had a duty to protect trillions of innocent Concord citizens from their aggression. Some of us must be brutally ruthless if it’s required to protect those we love. Warfare never had been for the faint of heart.
I've read so many books ranging from "meh" to "that was awful" lately, that this book was such a breath of fresh air. Reading G.S. Jennsen's books is like sleeping in your own bed after a long vacation. She's honestly never disappointed me, and this book is no different. I quickly became engrossed, and finished this faster than I have any book in a while.
I loved Marlee and her need to save everyone, I loved Miriam's complete badassery, I loved Caleb's reflections on Akeso's effect on him, I loved Alex's constant flouting of the rules (for good reason). I love all of these characters! The Asterions kind of took a back seat while the humans took the spotlight, and honestly, I didn't mind one bit.
Honestly, my only complaint is that I couldn't keep track of all of the alien species, especially the ones originally introduced in the original Aurora and Amaranthe universes, because the last three books were all about the Asterions. I'm glad that Jennsen created a Wiki site though! That helped a lot, though I wish there were more physical descriptions of the species so I could remember what they look like.
One thing that was a bit different from her other books but I found really interesting was that she included the POVs of minor characters affected by the main characters' actions. It was interesting to see the Anadens' opinion of the human-run government, and This book actually explored the consequences of overthrowing a despotic government, something that is usually the end of a story. Knowing Jennsen, of course, this is just the beginning.
Oh, and there's an intergalactic war with the Rasu. The humans have fought so many wars before this and yet they are so wildly unprepared. Can't wait to see what they do next.
Had she tragically underestimated the powerful influence of genetics and cultural legacy? Humans had proved time and again that they could change; they were far from perfect, but when given persuasive reasons and an example to follow, they could adapt; they could become better. But perhaps it had been too much to ask for Anadens to change their core nature in a small handful of years. Perhaps the six hundred millennia of painstaking genetic tinkering of the Dynasties, reinforced in generation after generation by the integrals, were simply too powerful for more than the odd outlier to overcome. Perhaps it would take as many generations to undo as it had to construct.
March 19, 2020
The galaxy's of the Asterion's and Concord Alliance come together to defend against the hordes of the seemingly unstoppable and unmerciful Rasu. While at the same time dealing with enemies in their own backyard.
Ms. Jennsen has, yet again, delivered a storytelling masterpiece. This novel is a tapestry of multiple plots knitted with compelling characters, amazingly detailed settings and descriptions, heartbreak, humor, love, strength and courage in the face of more than overwhelming odds.
I'm definitely reading this one again while awaiting Book Two (Amaranthe 15).
Ms. Jennsen has, yet again, delivered a storytelling masterpiece. This novel is a tapestry of multiple plots knitted with compelling characters, amazingly detailed settings and descriptions, heartbreak, humor, love, strength and courage in the face of more than overwhelming odds.
I'm definitely reading this one again while awaiting Book Two (Amaranthe 15).
March 20, 2020
Another Amazing Title
In continuation of two series converging into one, Jennsen has continued to mesmerize. I love the characters and the amount of background each of them have. How she's so easily brought everyone together to fight the menacing threat that has come to destroy all their worlds. Can't wait for the next book!
In continuation of two series converging into one, Jennsen has continued to mesmerize. I love the characters and the amount of background each of them have. How she's so easily brought everyone together to fight the menacing threat that has come to destroy all their worlds. Can't wait for the next book!
June 2, 2020
One of the best series available.
July 13, 2020
A long series always flirts with the risk of being less good over time. I am very happy to see that this is not the case for Amaranthe.
I love this series, I reread all the books last year, except Asterion, which I only read once. I remember when I read the end of Asterion book 3, how I was happy to see .
The writing is excellent, the construction of the story too. Although there are several characters, we do not get lost in who's who. The progression of angst is great, and in the end, we only want one thing: read the next book!
So, my thoughts and questions during my reading:
So, a very, very good job, G.S. Jennsen, thank you so much for making me live fabulous adventures (and many emotions!) in this rich universe. I can't wait to read more!
p.s. The wiki is very useful!
I love this series, I reread all the books last year, except Asterion, which I only read once. I remember when I read the end of Asterion book 3, how I was happy to see .
The writing is excellent, the construction of the story too. Although there are several characters, we do not get lost in who's who. The progression of angst is great, and in the end, we only want one thing: read the next book!
So, my thoughts and questions during my reading:
So, a very, very good job, G.S. Jennsen, thank you so much for making me live fabulous adventures (and many emotions!) in this rich universe. I can't wait to read more!
p.s. The wiki is very useful!
February 13, 2020
I had just finished all 9 books in the aurora series and was panicking on what to read next when this appeared. Now I am waiting on the next book.
January 21, 2020
My first exposure to the Amaranthe universe was when I purchased this book called "Starshine" from some new author I had never heard of, named G.S Jennsen. I have read everything she has written ever since. The joy of reading works by new authors is discovering that diamond among all those "cubic zirconia". And now, that diamond shines as brightly as ever 6 years and many books later.
Ms. Jennsen has a remarkable ability to develop interesting and exciting storylines that intersect, then divide, then rejoin, throughout her books. Possibly, even more extraordinary than her ability to develop plots, is her ability to develop characters that the reader cannot help but relate to. Unlike many other authors who only spend time working on the main characters, Ms. Jennsen creates a plethora of characters that the reader knows intimately and cares about.
In this novel, Alex & Caleb meet Nika & Dashiel just as the Humans, Asterions, and a slew of other known races face the biggest threat of and to, their existence. I wouldn't suggest attempting to read this as a stand-alone novel. While the writing is great, there is too much of a backstory, too many characters, and way too much universe that developed during the first 13 books. What I would (strongly) suggest is to start at the beginning with "Starshine" and catch up with the rest of us who have to wait an interminable period (OK, months) between books.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because I don't like cliff-hangers, and this book is obviously the lead-in to a new series.
Can't wait for book#2 of this "Riven Worlds" series.
Ms. Jennsen has a remarkable ability to develop interesting and exciting storylines that intersect, then divide, then rejoin, throughout her books. Possibly, even more extraordinary than her ability to develop plots, is her ability to develop characters that the reader cannot help but relate to. Unlike many other authors who only spend time working on the main characters, Ms. Jennsen creates a plethora of characters that the reader knows intimately and cares about.
In this novel, Alex & Caleb meet Nika & Dashiel just as the Humans, Asterions, and a slew of other known races face the biggest threat of and to, their existence. I wouldn't suggest attempting to read this as a stand-alone novel. While the writing is great, there is too much of a backstory, too many characters, and way too much universe that developed during the first 13 books. What I would (strongly) suggest is to start at the beginning with "Starshine" and catch up with the rest of us who have to wait an interminable period (OK, months) between books.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because I don't like cliff-hangers, and this book is obviously the lead-in to a new series.
Can't wait for book#2 of this "Riven Worlds" series.
January 18, 2020
Excellent+
Well damn ! So now I have to wait for the next one? Oh well... I guess you'll left us know.... In the meantime I just need to say that aside from being the most engaging series I've ever read...I'm particularly impressed with the sensuality she gives us. Most books have a measure of sex and violence but none I've ever read have the delicious sensuality she puts in.... WOW!!!
Well damn ! So now I have to wait for the next one? Oh well... I guess you'll left us know.... In the meantime I just need to say that aside from being the most engaging series I've ever read...I'm particularly impressed with the sensuality she gives us. Most books have a measure of sex and violence but none I've ever read have the delicious sensuality she puts in.... WOW!!!
January 24, 2020
Riveting
A well constructed tale from start to finish. I could not put it down.
Can't wait for the next installment.
A well constructed tale from start to finish. I could not put it down.
Can't wait for the next installment.
January 24, 2020
A new beginning
Another great book, tying all the world's in together nicely.
A great addition to the series, I will continue to read them
Another great book, tying all the world's in together nicely.
A great addition to the series, I will continue to read them
January 8, 2020
It Just Keeps Getting Better
The galaxy's of the Asterion's and Concord Alliance come together to defend against the hordes of the seemingly unstoppable and unmerciful Rasu. While at the same time dealing with enemies in their own backyard.
Ms. Jennsen has, yet again, delivered a storytelling masterpiece. This novel is a tapestry of multiple plots knitted with compelling characters, amazingly detailed settings and descriptions, heartbreak, humor, love, strength and courage in the face of more than overwhelming odds.
I'm definitely reading this one again while awaiting Book Two (Amaranthe 15).
The galaxy's of the Asterion's and Concord Alliance come together to defend against the hordes of the seemingly unstoppable and unmerciful Rasu. While at the same time dealing with enemies in their own backyard.
Ms. Jennsen has, yet again, delivered a storytelling masterpiece. This novel is a tapestry of multiple plots knitted with compelling characters, amazingly detailed settings and descriptions, heartbreak, humor, love, strength and courage in the face of more than overwhelming odds.
I'm definitely reading this one again while awaiting Book Two (Amaranthe 15).
January 8, 2020
Worlds collide - and it’s awesome!
Riven Worlds One is an action-packed, exhilarating ride that finally pulls all the Amaranthine characters and universes firmly together. The story is full of Jennsen’s signature warmth, empathy, and wit, which always plays beautifully into the frequently tense and fraught narrative arc of the Amaranthine series. Riven Worlds sets the stage for its characters’ toughest challenge yet - as always, my only complaint is that I can’t have the next instalment right now 😁.
Riven Worlds One is an action-packed, exhilarating ride that finally pulls all the Amaranthine characters and universes firmly together. The story is full of Jennsen’s signature warmth, empathy, and wit, which always plays beautifully into the frequently tense and fraught narrative arc of the Amaranthine series. Riven Worlds sets the stage for its characters’ toughest challenge yet - as always, my only complaint is that I can’t have the next instalment right now 😁.
March 4, 2020
Nice story, too many characters.
To many characters, planets, aliens, weapons,
Ships, leaders, etc. Hard to have a good flow of a
Story line, kept getting lost as story leaped from
One place to another.I'm
To many characters, planets, aliens, weapons,
Ships, leaders, etc. Hard to have a good flow of a
Story line, kept getting lost as story leaped from
One place to another.I'm
July 29, 2020
Geez Louise! Can this book get any more complicated with any more characters and moving parts? I admit to lousy memory since I last read a book in this series (Asterion Noir last year and many other books ago...) and a lot if it is coming back. But tracking all these races and all of the super powers and technology they have is just too much like work. When I feel I'm getting a handle on the story, a new race pops up with another agenda or an existing prime character pops up with a new super power.
I really don't like giving crappy reviews and I have enjoyed many of Jennsen's books, but maybe I'm just burned out on the series. My simple brain prefers a more entertaining read. I hate to not finish a book but I may set this aside for awhile. What really irritates me is that I stupidly purchased Inversion, the next book in the series banking on previous enjoyable Jennsen reads like Asterion Noir. I'm really getting turned off by the 5-10-15 book mega series space operas. It appears to have become the indy authors mantra and God love 'em, a way to make a little dough.
I'm at 50% and if I decide to continue to slog through it and it gets better, I'll amend this review.
I just looked at Jennsen's website where she recommends reading the 3 book Aurora Rhapsody series before the Rivenworld series. (Now she tells me. I didn't think my memory was that bad. I'm missing half of the story!) These combine to make up a part of the Amaranthe universe which is currently a 15 book universe. That's three more books to slog through just to better understand Continuum. You getting my drift here? It appear one can no longer pick up a book by a favorite author and expect to enjoy the beginning of a cohesive story. I'll have to think about this. I have travel coming up and don't want to sit on a plane for 5 hours with a frustrating book.
All bitching aside, Jennsen's stories are incredibly complex. How she gets all the brain gush on paper is beyond me.
I really don't like giving crappy reviews and I have enjoyed many of Jennsen's books, but maybe I'm just burned out on the series. My simple brain prefers a more entertaining read. I hate to not finish a book but I may set this aside for awhile. What really irritates me is that I stupidly purchased Inversion, the next book in the series banking on previous enjoyable Jennsen reads like Asterion Noir. I'm really getting turned off by the 5-10-15 book mega series space operas. It appears to have become the indy authors mantra and God love 'em, a way to make a little dough.
I'm at 50% and if I decide to continue to slog through it and it gets better, I'll amend this review.
I just looked at Jennsen's website where she recommends reading the 3 book Aurora Rhapsody series before the Rivenworld series. (Now she tells me. I didn't think my memory was that bad. I'm missing half of the story!) These combine to make up a part of the Amaranthe universe which is currently a 15 book universe. That's three more books to slog through just to better understand Continuum. You getting my drift here? It appear one can no longer pick up a book by a favorite author and expect to enjoy the beginning of a cohesive story. I'll have to think about this. I have travel coming up and don't want to sit on a plane for 5 hours with a frustrating book.
All bitching aside, Jennsen's stories are incredibly complex. How she gets all the brain gush on paper is beyond me.
March 17, 2020
This new book in a new trilogy bringing all the characters together was very fun. It's 14 years since the Anaden Empire fell, and the Anaden seem to have been waiting for the right time to cause trouble.
My main annoyance with the book was Marlee, Caleb's younger niece. She seems like a younger duplicate of Alex, only even more naive and idealistic than Alex ever was, and that's saying a lot. She basically ignores any advice from anyone (gee, much like Alex), has all of the newest cybernetics, and always thinks she knows best. Two Alexes is more than any universe should contain. I'm unimpressed with this character.
Also Caleb has been turned into a whiny, stuffy loser. It seems it's basically a combo of having killed 8 billion people at the end of the 9 book series and him never approving of Marlee. Now I'm not a Marlee fan as I've said, but he's utterly stupid about her. Oh, it's also an effect of Caleb's connection to the living planet A-something. It's kind of emasculated him.
But hey, this book was utterly amazing, I just can't seem to stop talking about the few things that annoyed me. :)
My main annoyance with the book was Marlee, Caleb's younger niece. She seems like a younger duplicate of Alex, only even more naive and idealistic than Alex ever was, and that's saying a lot. She basically ignores any advice from anyone (gee, much like Alex), has all of the newest cybernetics, and always thinks she knows best. Two Alexes is more than any universe should contain. I'm unimpressed with this character.
Also Caleb has been turned into a whiny, stuffy loser. It seems it's basically a combo of having killed 8 billion people at the end of the 9 book series and him never approving of Marlee. Now I'm not a Marlee fan as I've said, but he's utterly stupid about her. Oh, it's also an effect of Caleb's connection to the living planet A-something. It's kind of emasculated him.
But hey, this book was utterly amazing, I just can't seem to stop talking about the few things that annoyed me. :)
May 17, 2021
I have read every single book on this series! 14 of them now. G S Jennsen has not let me down. The way she has weaved the characters from AR & Asterion Noir into Riven Worlds is nothing short of incredible. The cast of characters is second to none. This one was hard to put down, read it in 2 days. If you enjoy Sci Fi, this is a series worth your time and money! One of the best sci fi series I have read in a long time. It must be read in order. This series would make a great movie IMHO
February 26, 2022
Another great addition to Ms. Jennsen's complex sci-fi series. This book brings together the earlier stories with the Asterion Noir trilogy, and it was so fun to see Alex and Nika interact. But all of our heroes are truly tested in this installment, so thank goodness I could immediately download the next book lol. Excellent read!
June 25, 2022
I’d have preferred to see more of a real relationship between Concord and the Asterions rather than rely on Alex and Nika being instant BFFs.
October 1, 2020
An excellent continuation of the series with a real surprise at the end.
April 7, 2025
Fabulous new characters, lots of suspense from a brilliant Sci Fi author! Her books get glowing reviews here on Good Reads!
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