Jo
Written on Oct 10, 2010
What can I say? This book is absolutely amazing! Continuing the story of Michael and Leesie at the end of Taken By Storm, Morrison's self-published Unbroken Connection follows Michael and Leesie as they struggle to follow their dreams yet try to have something together.
A lot of this novel is more of a thought/feeling novel. Until the end, not a huge amount happens in the great scheme of things. It covers Michael and Leesie's time together as they try to work a way to be together against the conflicts of their dreams and Leesie's faith. There are a lot of conversations, a lot of exclaiming of love, and a lot of arguments. Despite not a huge amount actually happening, it's still brilliant to see them try to work out a way to be together and still have everything they want. I'd say it's very much a bridge novel between the first book and the third, but it still needs to be read, because it really should not be missed.
As I said in my review of Taken By Sorm, I'm fascinated with the Mormon faith. However, as an athiest, Leesie annoyed me quite a bit in this book. She pretty much told Michael it wouldn't work unless he converted to Mormonism. It really bugged me, like "You're not good enough as you are." Yet, saying that, neither Taken By Storm or Unbroken Connection intend to convert or preach. Quite the opposite really; Morrison is a Mormon herself, but she can see the arguments against her faith and gives them a voice in her novel, through Michael and Kim, Leesie's mate. All views are shown in this novel - even Michael mentions that he would be happy if he and Leesie had kids for her to raise them with the Mormon faith even though he doesn't believe. I think it's just wonderful of Morrison to make sure everyone has a voice in her novels, even if the views differ with her own.
There are a fair few errors throughout the book, but you come to expect it when a book is self-published. I've seen several authors say before that sometimes they're just too close to a book to see the faults, so I don't hold this against Morrison. If her previous publisher had seen what an amazing book this is, there wouldn't be a problem. This book needed to be published, though, so I think anyone who supports authors will give this great book a chance despite it's errors.
The end of the book is just amazing, terribly sad with such a cliffhanger! Seriously, if you've read Taken By Storm, this is not a book to miss! Morrison is currently writing the third novel in the series, Cayman Summer, and sharing what she writes via her blog along the way, so her readers can see the story's development. I'd check it out if I were you.
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog