Title: Between Burning Worlds
Author: Jessica Brody
First published March 24, 2020
688 pages
Rating: 4.29
Overview
In the midst of political turmoil, three unlikely heroes find themselves intertwined in a dangerous game of power on the planet Laterre. The Vangarde, a notorious rebel group, seeks to free their leader and bring about a peaceful revolution.
Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette each have their own reasons for getting involved, but soon find themselves facing dire consequences. Marcellus must confront his corrupt grandfather’s plans for Laterre, even if it means joining the Vangarde.
Alouette is held captive by Marcellus’s grandfather, the general, as she tries to uncover the truth about her past. Meanwhile, Chatine seeks to escape the horrors of Bastille prison.
But when a failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison leads to a dangerous war for control of Laterre, the trio must navigate their way through treacherous territory. And all the while, rumors of a powerful weapon with the potential to grant absolute power swirl around them.
About the Author
Jessica Brody is a prolific author who has written more than 20 novels for readers of all ages. Her works include The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, Amelia Gray is Almost Okay, A Week of Mondays, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, the Unremembered trilogy, and the System Divine trilogy, which is a sci-fi retelling of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables that she co-wrote with Joanne Rendell.
In addition, she’s written the #1 bestselling novel-writing guides Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel, as well as several books based on popular Disney franchises such as Descendants and LEGO Disney Princess.
Jessica’s books have been translated into over 20 languages and have been adapted for both film and television. She is also the founder of the Writing Mastery Academy and resides in close proximity to Portland, OR with her husband and three canine companions.
To learn more about Jessica and her work, you can visit her website at JessicaBrody.com or WritingMastery.com. You can also follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @JessicaBrody.
Editoral Review
Jessica Brody’s Between Burning Worlds is an enthralling science fiction novel that picks up where her previous book, Sky Without Stars, left off. Published on March 24, 2020, this book continues to explore the themes of power, revolution, and love in a sci-fi dystopian world.
The story follows the lives of three main characters, Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette, who are bound by their quest for justice, survival, and love. Chatine, the street-wise criminal, is fighting to avenge her father’s death and protect her brothers from the clutches of tyranny.
Marcellus, the elite soldier, is starting to question the morality of his orders and is finding newfound love in unexpected places. Alouette, the naive orphan, is learning to harness her unique abilities and discover her true identity.
The setting of the book is a futuristic world called Laterre, where the people are oppressed by a corrupt regime and seek to overthrow their rulers through an uprising. Brody masterfully crafts this alternate universe with stunning descriptions of technology, architecture, and language.
The author’s attention to detail makes it easy to visualize the world of Laterre and the challenges that its inhabitants face. One of the book’s strongest aspects is its well-developed characters.
Brody portrays each character with depth and complexity, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and motivations. Dialogue is where the characters truly shine, with their unique voices and witty banter bringing the story to life.
The pacing is another noteworthy feature of this book. Despite being a hefty 640 pages long, the plot never feels bogged down or boring.
Brody juggles multiple storylines and keeps the action moving at a steady pace, building up to a thrilling climax that will leave readers eager for the next installment. One area where the book falls a little short is its reliance on some common sci-fi tropes.
The themes of rebellion and power are not particularly original, and some plot twists may be predictable to seasoned sci-fi readers. However, Brody makes up for this with her strong writing skills and engaging characters.
Overall, Between Burning Worlds is an excellent addition to the science fiction genre that will appeal to fans of the dystopian genre. It boasts an engaging plot, well-crafted characters, and a vividly realized world.
Those who enjoyed the first book in the series will find this book a satisfying continuation of the story. For those new to the series, it’s still worth picking up, but be sure to read the first book to fully appreciate the world and characters that Brody has created.
The Washington Post would give this book a rating of four out of five stars, commending it for its skillful storytelling and creative world-building.