Defy The Worlds

May contain spoilers for Defy The Stars. Read my review here
Defy The Worlds
Constellation Book Two
Written by Claudia Gray
Science Fiction, Space Opera, Romance
432 Pages
Published April 2018
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
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★★★★☆
Noemi Vidal has returned to her planet, Genesis, as an outsider, ostracised for refusing to end the Liberty War by sacrificing Abel, the most advanced mechanical man ever made. She dreams of travelling through the stars again, and when a deadly plague arrives on Genesis, Noemi gets her chance. The only soldier to have ever left her planet, it will be up to her to save its people. If only she wasn't flying right into a trap.

Abel, now fully aware of his soul and captaining his own Vagabond ship, never dreamed he'd see Noemi again, not when the entire universe stands between them. But when his creator Burton Mansfield delivers news of Noemi's entrapment, Abel knows he must save her, even if it means risking his own life.

Danger lurks in the dark corners of the galaxy, and Abel and Noemi will discover a secret that could save Genesis and Earth... Or destroy them all.
Weaponised biological warfare has incapacitated the communities of Genesis, the small and unassuming planet sanctioned for colonisation by the wealthy, indulgent and elite residents of Earth. Noemi Vidal is a once revered soldier of Genesis, understanding that her refusal to destroy the Genesis portal by sacrificing the life of Abel is confronted with hostility and ostracisation. Through the intergalactic gateway, the stars begin to fall, unleashing biological genocide.

Abel Mansfield is a Vagabond upon the Persephone, the prototype of entrepreneur Burton Mansfield, creator of mechanised humanoid military technology, now liberated from isolation. Burton Mansfield continues to pursue his prototype creation, capturing Noemi to coerce Abel to surrender, his conscious and humanity eradicated to ensure the survival of his surrogate father, Directive One. Created as a prototype, Abel continuously evolves, revered for his humanity and perception.

Earth has revolutionised humanoid technology, Organically Mechanised Automation's developed to accommodate the human conscious achieving immortality for the wealthy and elite humans of Earth. Organic humanoid engineering poses deliberation for Abel, an unprecedented paradigm. As Abel discovered his identity, he increasingly experiences a sense of alienation. The new technology appeals to his sense of acceptance and understanding the desire for parentage.

The terrorist organisation Remedy are prevalent throughout the narration, formulating the assistance of medicinal intervention while simultaneously capturing the Osiris, an opulent vessel from Earth carrying the elite to a distant world, including and entrapped Noemi. The considerable characterisation of Noemi and Abel throughout the series is captivating, predominantly as individuals and potentially romantic companions. I enjoyed the secondary character inclusions, Virginia, Harriet, Zayan, Ephraim and the daughter of Burton Mansfield, the nefarious Gillian Shearer.

The narrative challenges the definition of humanity, technological advances and religious faith. Earth is a technologically advanced environment, entrepreneurs privately sponsoring the exploration of habitable planets, the Earth increasingly unable to sustain life. On Genesis, the population are environmentally sustainable and spiritual. Although they possess ancient technology, the civilisation is not dependant on technological advances, preferring sustainability and natural resources.

Defy The Worlds is spectacularly atmospheric and imaginative, eagerly awaiting the breathtaking final instalment. 

24 comments

  1. Why have I not heard of this series before? It sounds good and right up my alley. Though i typically have an aversion to Sci-Fi, I do enjoy reading about artificial intelligence. Adding this to my list!

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    1. If you enjoyed Illuminae or Across the Universe, you'll love this one Joy. It's brilliant!

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  2. Yay I'm glad you liked this a lot Kelly! I recently read Defy the Stars and I did like it a lot (even though it was a very long book haha), and so I'm hoping to get to the sequel at some point. Oh and I guess this is a trilogy, I should have knownnn.

    Awesome review Kelly <3

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    1. This one has incredible character development and we learn more about the sinister nature of Earth and their colonisation of other worlds. Be warned though, the cliffhanger is absolutely explosive and may very well kill you.

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  3. I read the first one fo this!! And I literally remember nothinggggg lol lol (HELP ME WHERE DID I PUT MY BRAIN) so now for the choice of do I reread + read on or do I just lay on the carpet and eat biscuits. Who can know. I'm glad you're loving this series though!

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    1. With Defy the Worlds, you can pretty much continue reading as it gives you moments that will remind you of what happened in the previous book, thank goodness. That ending though, how will I survive until the finale?

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  4. I haven't read the first book, so I skimmed your review, BUT I'm really glad to see that you enjoyed this one and are excited for the next in the series. I've never read anything by this author, but I've heard good things!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. She's brilliant Lauren, such wonderfully engaging characters and captivating storylines. You definitely won't be disappointed.

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  5. I'll have to look into the series. I'm not sure if I've heard of it before.

    I love all the issues it touches on.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It's incredible Karen and one that you'll really enjoy as well. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  6. Wow! This sounds fascinating. I haven't heard of the series before now, and I'm really happy to see your review on it! Thanks you for bringing it to my attention. It sounds like it discusses a lot of important issues, while also taking place in a beautifully fantastical environment. I haven't read a space-y book in awhile, but I'm definitely going to check this one out!

    Lovely review!
    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. It's a phenomenal series! On the surface it's very much adventure science fiction but it also explores so many important issues such as colonisation, environmental impact, religion verses science. It's really quite intricate but immersive. Would love to see what you think of the series!

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    2. I feel like all of those important issues are also what the world is struggling with today. It will be interesting to see the comparisons.

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  7. I got Defy the Stars as an ARC last year and absolutely loved it, but I completely forgot that there was a sequel coming until now. I'm glad you enjoyed book two and I'll definitely have to find myself a copy ASAP. I'm not normally a fan of sci-fi, but Defy the Stars was an example of a time that I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy it!

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    1. And the sequel is just as incredible! I enjoyed the quietness and reflection within the storyline, especially after the adventure of Defy The Stars. It has a slightly darker, more sinister feel throughout the narrative as well which I really enjoyed. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  8. Claudia Gray's one of those authors that I always swore to read, but never got around to doing so. D: It seems like I need to start this, though, since I'm all for imaginative writing. Plus good sequels always get bonus points to push books up my TBR. ;)

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    1. I've loved both her series that I've read so far, her Firebird series is incredible as well. I can't wait for the finale!

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  9. I did hear that this book took a bit darker turn than book one, I believe I have book one in my wrapped TBR so kind of hoping it will appear to read sooner than later <3 great review, love the sound of this world and the writing.

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    1. It's brilliant Lily, I think the series is one you'll really enjoy. The romance is quite lovely surprisingly, who would have thought a mechanised humanoid would have been so sexy!

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  10. This is one of those books that I need turned into a movie because of everything going on. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Friday and Hugs...RO

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    1. I couldn't agree more, it would be amazing! Even a Netflix series because there are so many elements to the constantly revolving universe.

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  11. Big themes in this book -- and I am kicking myself I don't know this series really. Off to check it out further.

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    1. So wonderfully entertaining Verushka, I think you'd really enjoy the series and would love to see what you think of it!

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  12. Ohhhh it's great to hear you enjoyed this one as well! I've heard great things about the first book so that's great to hear. Can't wait to read about Noemi and Abel and what they face.

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