On a planet where the only difference between three tribes is their blood color, war is on the horizon. Breaker, an amputee, wants peace for his family and home. Malani, a kidnapped POW, wants to return home. Luka wants justice for his home. All three teens come together when Breaker is given seven days to fix a wrecked enemy starship or their home, and peace, is forfeit.
When Planets Fall is a character driven sci-fi told in perspectives of the main characters through their own chapters, effectively sharing their deepest feelings. The story is based on three combative nations, one of which is human, that exist on the planet Scarlatti. Breaker, the hero, is a human amputee who had lost his leg in an earlier conflict with the warlike Huron. When the story commences, Breaker is a steadfast adolescent, persistent and loyal to a fault. Melani, the heroine, is a conflicted character, strong, yet vulnerable at times. Although human, she doesn’t identify with the more primitive community of humans and feels as though the Elik are her people. We learn early on that, although not completely accepted by them, her allegiance is with the Elik, a technologically advanced population of human-like species to whom she feels indebted. She is disturbed and torn by her developing feelings toward Breaker, the human who helps her escape from her Huron captors and promises to help her return to the Elik. When a series of events causes tension to escalate between the three nations, can Breaker’s chance discovery, and Melani’s hidden secret, help them avoid total destruction that would surely accompany an all-out war?
4-1/2 Stars! WHEN PLANETS FALL is unlike any other book I’ve read. Mixing equal parts science fiction, dystopian, and romantic elements, it weaves a tale of complex characters in an even more complex world. Told from three different first-person points-of-view, I initially thought it was one POV too many, but about halfway in, it becomes apparent that third POV is necessary for the story the author wants to tell. Breaker is a fix-it guy, able to make just about anything with the parts at hand. Malani is a red blood, raised by the blue bloods after the green bloods kidnapped and tortured her. To save her life, they infused her with living metal, which creates whatever the person needs most. In Malani’s case, it’s a set of metal wings. Luka is in the militia with dreams of advancement. When the war between the red, green, and blue bloods comes to a head, their three worlds collide in unexpected ways and no one is exactly as they seem. The author has a unique voice that I immediately fell in love with. This is her debut novel, so I’m looking forward to so much more from her. She paints a brilliant picture of her settings and characters. There were several twists I never saw coming, particularly one near the end.
Plot
Breaker stumbles upon a wrecked starship while out scouting, which triggers the green bloods to kidnap him. Their king holds the lives of his red-blooded community over his head unless he fixes starship. While in custody, he meets Malani and the two of them form an unlikely alliance in order to escape. With the safety of his home hanging in the balance, Breaker has no choice but to repair the ship for the green blood s. Between Melani, his family, and a very suspicious Luka, Breaker struggles with where his loyalties lie, but underneath it all, is a driving need to protect those he loves.
Characters
The three main characters were all extremely well developed, with sufficient growth through the first book in the series. Even secondary characters came across fairly well developed. I found Breaker’s parents to be somewhat two-dimensional as well as the red-blooded leader, but overall, I think the character development was great.
What I Loved About WHEN PLANTES FALL
1. World building. This is among the best I’ve read in young adult fiction. The author has created a vibrant world with stunning technology that feels both exotic and familiar.Everything from the red trees to the way blue bloods reproduce is not only unique, but contributes to the plot. Even the language was great. It took a bit to pick up the lingo, but now I use “banging” as one of my favorite swear words.
2. Breaker. This tough teen with an artificial leg named Circuit is tough, independent, cunning, and charming. He has a solid moral compass, even if his means are questionable.
3. Malani. The girl who belongs nowhere with the metallic wings is a one-of-a-kind protagonist. Because she’s human and not some paranormal being, everything she does is flawed and imperfect, but she’s so easy to root for.
4. The cover. When I first saw the cover, I was drawn to it, but once I was deep into the story, I kept going back to the cover to look at it. It truly encapsulates the story within.
5. Luka. I’m still on the fence about him, but I cannot deny he’s one of the most complex characters in the story. I can’t wait to see where the journey takes him next.
Bottom Line
I loved this story and all of the characters. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When Planets Fall has a cast of amazing characters! Each point-of-view is distinct and well-rounded. The world-building is absolutely outstanding, brimming with intricately woven details. A must read for any SciFi fan!