ARC Review: Breakaway by Michelle Diener

Title: Breakaway
Author: Michelle Diener
Series: Verdant String #1
Publication: June 11th 2018
Genre: Science Fiction
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Rating: 4/5★

 

Sofie lives in the shadow of Felicitos--the tethered way station built to funnel Garmen's mineral wealth up to the top of the atmosphere, where it's loaded onto space ships. Because Garmen is a breakaway planet, not part of the Verdant String Coalition, the companies that control it are free to run things as they see fit, and Sofie is part of the resistance that wants to end their rule.

Her main goal, though, is to get away from Garmen altogether, and leave the drudgery and violence behind her. That goal is complicated by her involvement with Leo Gaudier, a shadowy crime lord whose ability to cheat the companies that own Garmen is something she admires. And when she stumbles on a terrible new direction the companies are taking, a secret alliance that will endanger everyone she cares about, she sees her chances of escape slipping away.

Leo is all too aware he doesn't know enough about Sofie, something his own security detail is not slow to point out, but he can't keep away. When Sofie reveals her links to the resistance, and shows him those in control of Garmen have begun swimming in dangerous waters, he realizes his plan to overthrown them in a careful operation of a thousand cuts is no longer workable.

The time has come for a single, lethal strike--and that will not be without consequences . . .

Breakaway is the first full novel in the Verdant String series. But I would highly recommend readers to read Interference/Insurgency. These are two novellas that are really great introductions to the Verdant String world and I loved both of those stories as well.

The story introduced us to the first main character, Sofie Erdo. She lives on Garmen, which is a breakaway planet and not part of the Verdant String Coalition (or VSC), meaning that companies owned by sketchy people basically control all of Garmen so the people living there don't have the best existence to say the least. And although Sofie is part of the resistance fighting it all, she just wants to leave Garmen as soon as she can. Enter Leo Gaudier, the second main character, a crime lord working in the shadows who, just like the resistance, wants to overthrow those in control of Garmen. Oh and he's the guy Sofie recently started dating...

Let's just say right away that Sofie was a badass. She saved Leo's life several times and isn't that just a nice change of pace compared to how it's usually the hero doing the saving. Don't get me wrong, I did love Leo, he was a really great character to read about but Sofie was one heroine I could definitely get behind. 

The world building was amazing as well. It's a pretty complex world that the author created but oh that's just how I like it. And I gotta say, the author has written many books in different genres but her scifi worlds are some of my all time favorites. 

Overall Breakaway was an amazing book that I couldn't put down. Well-written, excellent world building and Michelle Diener does romance like no other. There's no unneccesary drama, the heroine is not a helpless damsel in distress and the hero isn't overly protective. I loved 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.

Check out my reviews of Michelle's other books:

{Science Fiction)

Sky Raiders (Sky Raiders #1) — 3/5★ 

Calling the Chance (Sky Raiders #2) — 4/5★ 

Shadow Warrior (Sky Raiders #3) — 4/5★

{Science Fiction}

Dark Horse (Class 5 #1) — 5/5★ 

Dark Deeds (Class 5 #2) — 5/5★ 

Dark Minds (Class 5 #3) — 4/5★ 

{Science Fiction}

Interference/Insurgency (Verdant String #0.5) — 4/5★ & 4.5/5★

(THIS ONE) Breakaway (Verdant String #1) — 4/5★

{Paranormal}

Breaking Out Part I (part of Entranced Halloween Box Set — 4/5★ 

Breaking Out Part II — 4/5★ 

{Fantasy}

The Golden Apple (The Dark Forest #1) — 4/5★ 

The Silver Pear (The Dark Forest #2) — 5/5★ 

{Fantasy}

Mistress of the Wind — 3/5★

{Historical Fiction}

The Emperor's Conspiracy (Regency London #1) —5/5★

Banquet of Lies (Regency London #2) —5/5★ 

A Dangerous Madness (Regency London #3) —5/5★ 

 {Historical Fiction}

Daughter of the Sky —5/5★

 {Historical Fiction}

In a Treacherous Court (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1) —5/5★

Dangerous Sanctuary (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1.5) —5/5★

Keeper of the King's Secrets (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #2) —5/5★

In Defense of the Queen (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker) —5/5★