Defy the Worlds (Constellation, #2)

by Claudia Gray

A stunning blend of action-packed science fiction and love against the odds. Perfect for fans of the DIVERGENT series.

Noemi Vidal dreams of travelling through the stars one more time - but she is now an outcast from her home planet of Genesis after a forbidden trip through the galaxy with Abel, the most advanced cybernetic man ever created. But when a deadly plague arrives on Genesis, Noemi gets her chance. As the only soldier to have ever left the planet, it will be up to her to save its people...if only she wasn't flying straight into a trap.

On the run to avoid his depraved creator's clutches, Abel believes he's said goodbye to Noemi for the last time. After all, the entire universe stands between them...or so he thinks. When word reaches him of Noemi's capture by the very person he's trying to escape, Abel knows he must go to her, no matter the cost.

But capturing Noemi was only part of Burton Mansfield's master plan. In a race against time, Abel and Noemi will come together once more to discover a secret that could save the known worlds, or destroy them all.

• ISBN10: 0316394076
• ISBN13: 9780316394079
• Publish Date: 5 March 2019 (first published 3 April 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[leahrosereads]

I really liked this sequel. I think the story is coming together, and I really liked the growth of Abel especially here. It still felt like disaster after disaster here, but that made for a fast, wild ride. Looking forward to reading the conclusion soon!

[Ashley]

Hot damn. No second book syndrome here!

[Joséphine]

Initial thoughts: Even though I had enjoyed Defy the Stars, I didn't really have this sequel on my radar. I only listened to the audiobook because it happened to be available on Overdrive. I didn't exactly love this one either but it did surprise me. I found it to be a satisfying continuation to the Constellation series. It continued to explore the dichotomy between artificial intelligence and humanity.

Noemi was as stubborn as ever, preferring to act on her own initiatives rather than on orders from her superiors. That injecting some excitement into the plot and made things a little more unpredictable compared to the first book. I thought Able was more interesting as he straddled his existence between that of a machine and that of a human being. His internal dialogues led to some poignant philosophical dilemmas.

Overall, Defy the Worlds was a good book about biological warfare, interplanetary relations, the pursuit for immortality, sacrifice and loyalty. I'm a bit more curious about how the third book in the series will continue the story but again, I won't be sitting on hot coals waiting for it.

[alisoninbookland]

Thankfully this book only suffered a touch of middle book syndrome. I wasn’t sure where to series was going when the characters parted ways at the end of Defy the Stars. They’re brought back together in a way that feels natural. The stakes are elevated in this book and it was fascinating to see how things fell into place and how we ended up where we are. Book 3 is sure to be a wild ride!

[Kelly]

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.

[littleread1]

No book 2 slumps here!