Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1)

by Claudia Gray

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

Noemi is a young and fearless soldier of Genesis, a colony planet of a dying Earth. But the citizens of Genesis are rising up - they know that Earth's settlers will only destroy this planet the way they destroyed their own. And so a terrible war has begun.

When Noemi meets Abel, one of Earth's robotic mech warriors, she realizes that Abel himself may provide the key to Genesis' salvation. Abel is bound by his programming to obey her - even though her plan could result in his destruction. But Abel is no ordinary mech. He's a unique prototype, one with greater intelligence, skill and strength than any other. More than that, he has begun to develop emotions, a personality and even dreams. Noemi begins to realise that if Abel is less than human, he is more than a machine. If she destroys him, is it murder? And can a cold-blooded murder be redeemed by the protection of a world?

Stranded together in space, they go on a whirlwind adventure through Earth's various colony worlds, alongside the countless Vagabonds who have given up planetary life altogether and sail forever between the stars. Each step brings them closer - both to each other and to the terrible decision Noemi will have to make about her world's fate, and Abel's.

Reviewed by shannonmiz on

5 of 5 stars

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You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight



Is it appropriate to just use gushy gifs and let that be my review? No? Sad. 

First off, the book starts out with a bang:


"In three weeks, Noemi Vidal will die- here, in this very place."


THAT is how you start a book. My attention was captured from page one. And quite literally, never let go. But while the epic stakes and the level of plot awesome were huge, the biggest draw for me was the characters.adored Noemi and Abel so much. A lot of the novel takes place with them, you know, doing space shenanigans (which is the scientific word for it, of course). Their banter is off the charts phenomenal, and I lived for it. And I would have probably been sad when other characters were introduced, except they were also amazing.

The world building is just as well done. It can be hard, often, for me as a reader to fully wrap my head around a world in space, but the author just did an absolutely masterful job of weaving a world that is both complex yet comprehensible. And Noemi and Abel have chances to make big changes in this world. There is so much happening in the universe around them, and they both have loyalties that lie beyond just themselves. I won't say anything else for fear of spoiling, but just know that I am basically counting down the minutes until the sequel.
Bottom Line: New favorite book alert.

*Copy provided for review
**Quote taken from uncorrected proof, subject to change.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 5 March, 2017: Finished reading
  • 5 March, 2017: Reviewed