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Encoded Orbits #1
Fractured Orbits
She is a mutation. She is an abomination. She is a power that could change the universe – or end it. And she is only seven years old.
It’s been 250 years since we discovered the vast web of wormholes, created by an alien race, linking a series of planets. Worlds where, with a little genetic tinkering, humans could thrive. No one thought about side effects until it was too late. Now laws prevent further tampering—but not everyone follows the law. The Protectorate used their military might to enforce these laws.
For Veena, a military cipher decoder, these wars are more than her job – they’re the centre of her existence. She knows a secret: the alien race that created the wormholes may not be gone, and pose a threat.
And even worse, she knows that her own daughter is one of “the enemy”. Born with telekinetic powers, seven-year-old Molly is a mutant who must hide her true nature, or face extermination.
But when an accident reveals her child’s powers, Veena’s worst nightmare comes true. The military snatches Molly—to turn her into a weapon, and use her power to change the face of the galaxy… or destroy it.
Now, Veena is on the run, trying to save her child. Nowhere to hide, no one to trust. She can’t give up. The universe is on the brink of destruction, and it is up to her to stop it all from escalating and falling into the madness of a Fractured Orbit.
It’s been 250 years since we discovered the vast web of wormholes, created by an alien race, linking a series of planets. Worlds where, with a little genetic tinkering, humans could thrive. No one thought about side effects until it was too late. Now laws prevent further tampering—but not everyone follows the law. The Protectorate used their military might to enforce these laws.
For Veena, a military cipher decoder, these wars are more than her job – they’re the centre of her existence. She knows a secret: the alien race that created the wormholes may not be gone, and pose a threat.
And even worse, she knows that her own daughter is one of “the enemy”. Born with telekinetic powers, seven-year-old Molly is a mutant who must hide her true nature, or face extermination.
But when an accident reveals her child’s powers, Veena’s worst nightmare comes true. The military snatches Molly—to turn her into a weapon, and use her power to change the face of the galaxy… or destroy it.
Now, Veena is on the run, trying to save her child. Nowhere to hide, no one to trust. She can’t give up. The universe is on the brink of destruction, and it is up to her to stop it all from escalating and falling into the madness of a Fractured Orbit.
- GenresScience Fiction
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2022
26 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jeannette Bedard
13 books27 followersAlways writing, Jeannette has filled hard drives with ones and zeros that occasionally coalesce into books. Her non-linear career path has included both working as both a soldier and a scientist (but not at the same time). Currently, she lives on a non-tropical island in the Pacific with her husband and daughter and she really likes math jokes, especially if there is pi involved.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 18, 2022
Fractured Orbits (Encoded Orbits Book 1) seemed to be a simple story to begin with, but as I continued reading, it became deeper, darker, and much more interesting. A family is separated during a colonial war, but there is much more going on behind the scenes. The story becomes much more complex as it goes on, but I didn’t find the end as satisfying as I hoped. More on that later.
The key elements of the story are the three family members, a father who is off at war, a mother who works at a secret government facility, and a daughter who could potentially have gifts that the government is keen to exploit. The action mostly continues across two threads, the father trying to return from the war, and the mother and daughter. Both parties are beholden to the machinations of their possibly dystopian government. The focus alternates between the activities of these two sets, building up allies and enemies.
I liked the characters in the story. They are all interesting in quirky ways, but I do question their motivations. The protagonists are also interesting, although they tend to make a few poor decisions. But what would a story be without a couple of mistakes. These characters have some histories which are only mentioned in passing. I would have like to learn more, and maybe more about the characters at the same time. I think it could have helped explain some of their motivations a little better.
However, now it is time to discuss my biggest disappointment, the ending of the story. It is part of a series, but the characters are left in jeopardy, making the ending more of a cliffhanger, rather than a traditional ending. The second book in the series has just come out, and it will pick up (I presume) where Fractured Orbits left off, but I question leaving all the characters ands situations as loose ends. I would have thought there should be some closure, or at least a pause in a safe place, for the main characters.
Overall, I found this story grew on me as I was reading. I like Jeannette Bedard’s writing style and storytelling. I was disappointed where this first book in the series left off. It felt unfinished and was not what I was expecting. I give it a weak four of five stars on Goodreads.
The key elements of the story are the three family members, a father who is off at war, a mother who works at a secret government facility, and a daughter who could potentially have gifts that the government is keen to exploit. The action mostly continues across two threads, the father trying to return from the war, and the mother and daughter. Both parties are beholden to the machinations of their possibly dystopian government. The focus alternates between the activities of these two sets, building up allies and enemies.
I liked the characters in the story. They are all interesting in quirky ways, but I do question their motivations. The protagonists are also interesting, although they tend to make a few poor decisions. But what would a story be without a couple of mistakes. These characters have some histories which are only mentioned in passing. I would have like to learn more, and maybe more about the characters at the same time. I think it could have helped explain some of their motivations a little better.
However, now it is time to discuss my biggest disappointment, the ending of the story. It is part of a series, but the characters are left in jeopardy, making the ending more of a cliffhanger, rather than a traditional ending. The second book in the series has just come out, and it will pick up (I presume) where Fractured Orbits left off, but I question leaving all the characters ands situations as loose ends. I would have thought there should be some closure, or at least a pause in a safe place, for the main characters.
Overall, I found this story grew on me as I was reading. I like Jeannette Bedard’s writing style and storytelling. I was disappointed where this first book in the series left off. It felt unfinished and was not what I was expecting. I give it a weak four of five stars on Goodreads.
January 8, 2023
💚🌌 🪐 Very nice discovery.
Planet Rock 13-A5:
Little Molly listened quietly to the teacher's lesson while chewing on her pencil.
She noticed a peculiarity on the map of "wormholes" stretching out in front of her...
-----------------
A surprising science fiction story that takes the reader on a very mysterious and action-packed adventure.
The background plot is captivating, we do not see the pages scrolling.
It depicts a family separated despite themselves and trying to face the danger.
The main characters are very successful, surprising and endearing.
The secondary characters aren't bad either. I personally liked the ex-military Baker.
This is a very nice discovery for me and I can't wait to read volume 2.
I recommend this great science fiction adventure to discover.
💚🌌🪐
Planet Rock 13-A5:
Little Molly listened quietly to the teacher's lesson while chewing on her pencil.
She noticed a peculiarity on the map of "wormholes" stretching out in front of her...
-----------------
A surprising science fiction story that takes the reader on a very mysterious and action-packed adventure.
The background plot is captivating, we do not see the pages scrolling.
It depicts a family separated despite themselves and trying to face the danger.
The main characters are very successful, surprising and endearing.
The secondary characters aren't bad either. I personally liked the ex-military Baker.
This is a very nice discovery for me and I can't wait to read volume 2.
I recommend this great science fiction adventure to discover.
💚🌌🪐
June 2, 2022
Veena's a code-breaker tasked with unlocking the secrets of an ancient text. Hwicce's a soldier who's no longer entirely sure he believes in the war he's fighting. Their daughter, Molly, has powers she shouldn't and some people would do anything to get their hands on her.
The Expanse meets Embers of War in this engrossing space opera with intricate and expansive world-building and captivating characters.
My one complaint is that the story cuts off with no resolution – and the second book in the series isn't out yet. I've already pre-ordered it.
The Expanse meets Embers of War in this engrossing space opera with intricate and expansive world-building and captivating characters.
My one complaint is that the story cuts off with no resolution – and the second book in the series isn't out yet. I've already pre-ordered it.
August 13, 2025
A seven year old girl with an unusual ability her parents have kept hidden as much as possible is kidnapped by the military both parents work for. The father a 'grunt' and her mother a cryptographer. Both are on separate paths to rescue their daughter while an evil 'doctor' tries to discover why the little girl has special abilities so he can make super soldiers. This is an exciting introduction to what should be an exciting series and possibly oblique references to today's world.
November 5, 2023
Fractured orbits -cld
It was one of those books that was really difficult to put down when one needed to work or sleep.
It was one of those books that was really difficult to put down when one needed to work or sleep.
February 17, 2024
I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews