Bookfever: Review: Interference & Insurgency by Michelle Diener

Title: Interference & Insurgency
Author: Michelle Diener
Series: Verdant String
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication: January 14th 2018 by Eclipse
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Rating: 4.5/5★

The Verdant String Series

The seven planets of the Verdant String, the green, fecund sources of life spanning five solar systems, comprise the Verdant String Coalition. This is the setting for a new science fiction romance series from award-winning science fiction romance novelist Michelle Diener. While the people of the Verdant String know they have a common ancestor, a group of explorers who colonised the planets at the same time a thousand or more years ago, the mysteries of who they were, and where they came from, persist.

Interference (A 25,000 word novella introducing the world of the Verdant String)

Interference can go either way . . .

The tiny moon of Cepi is on a countdown to destruction, and while Nyha Bartali has been persuaded to take her four wards for a final look at the archaeological wonder, now she's eager to leave. The only problem is, someone has other plans--plans to exploit Nyha and her girls' status as the betrayed orphans of the Verdant String in order to give them time to steal Cepi's secrets.

Nyha and her wards' value as survivors of the destruction of Halatia means it would be political suicide for any leader of the Verdant String to endanger them again--something the hostage-takers know very well. What the hostage-takers don't know is that Nyha and her girls have more help than they realize.

Mak Carep knows his team's presence on Cepi is the last flex of Arkhor's muscle before the moon is blown to bits. Arkhor has interfered on Cepi since it discovered the ruins four hundred years ago, but sometimes, interference can have unexpected consequences. When Nyha and her girls are taken hostage, Mak and the rest of his special forces team are the only ones who have any hope of rescuing them, and they're ready and willing to do what Arkhor does best . . . Interfere.

Interference was first published in the Orphans in the Black Anthology in July 2017.

Insurgency (Insurgency is a 45,000 word short novel set in the Verdant String series)

The Parnian city of Var is under siege. Buildings are being targeted by insurgents whose only aim seems to be destruction. Nick Bartega is part of the Protection Unit team investigating the explosions, but with no discernible pattern, and no one taking responsibility, he and his colleagues have hit a blank wall.

That is until his neighbor, Tila, is caught up in the first real mistake the insurgents have made. Cornered, forced to take Tila's whole office hostage, the insurgents are surrounded and out of options, until they use Tila as their shield.

Tila sees herself as Parnian first, Halatian second, but her dark blue hair, and the strong emotions her very existence provokes in others means the insurgents see her as the perfect hostage. No one on Par wants to give the order that might catch her in the crossfire. They'd rather let the insurgents get away.

But Nick, and his commander, Drake, see the first glimpse of a pattern in the insurgents behavior. Not that long ago, Halatians were used as hostages in another incident on the tiny moon of Cepi, and the parallels are hard to ignore. So is this attack on Var an isolated incident, or is there a bigger conspiracy at play?

Whatever the truth, Nick isn't prepared to leave Tila in the insurgents hands. And he's prepared to break any rule, and disregard any order to do it.

Interference: 4/5★
Insurgency: 4.5/5★

Interference:

Interference was a really great introduction to the world of the Verdant String. I'm always looking forward to Michelle Diener's next science fiction book because it always has a great cast of characters, especially her main characters. It obviously was no different with this novella. I adored Nyha and Mak and loved their chemistry together. I also have got to say that even though it was only a 25,000 word novella I still thought the story has really great world building. It was very well-written and also action packed, with a little bit of romance that definitely makes the reader want more. Nyha even ended up being one of my favorite characters that I've read about from this author. I just loved how although she knew Mak could help her in the bad situation she ended up in, she also was determined to save herself and the ones she loves. "He was a lifeline, the only one she had, but she needed to work on a way out of this without him, too. She couldn't depend on being saved."
It was just a really good story and a huge page-turner!

Insurgency:

Insurgency was in one word: unputdownable! I loved it even more than Interference and I already thought that story was really amazing.

Insurgency features two new characters named Tila and her new neighbour Nick, whom she connects right away. Nick is part of the Protection Unit team investigating explosions that have been going around in the city of Var. Tila is a Halatian (I already knew a lot about the Halantians from Interference so I was really glad this book was also about one). Unfortunately being Halatian causes her to be abducted by insurgents. Of course Nick doesn't hesitate to go after her along with his commander Drake.

Needless to say this story was pretty action-packed, which I loved. There was never ever a dull moment and I just kept wanting to read the next page and the next and the next until I had finished the book. I adored the two main characters. I loved the "tension" that surrounded them and their blossoming actraction towards on another. This book isn't heavy on the romance but I love the subtlety that the author created between these two.

Overall, Interference as well as Insurgency were two really good stories and a fantastic introduction to the Verdant String series. The worldbuilding was really incredible so I can't wait to read more of this world and the people in it.

Author bio:
Michelle Diener writes historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction. Having worked in publishing and IT, she’s now very happy crafting new worlds and interesting characters and wondering which part of the world she can travel to next.
Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

When she’s not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her blogging at Magical Musings, or online at Twitter, at Google+ and Facebook.