Sofie lives in the shadow of Felicitos–the tethered way station built to funnel Garmen’s mineral wealth to the top of the atmosphere to be traded. 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.What she really wants, though, is to … wants, though, is to get away from Garmen altogether, and leave the drudgery and violence behind her. But when she meets Leo Gaudier, a shadowy crime lord who she admires for his ability to cheat the companies that own Garmen, her goals become less clear–and when she stumbles on a terrible new direction the companies are taking, she struggles with whether she should stay and fight, or run 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 . . .
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She has been working in the shadows of the space station but she wants to destroy it. She has many secrets when she meets him, he suspects there is more to her than meets his eyes. He learns she wants the station destroyed as well. Will they join together? Will it be little attacks? Will it be one big attack? See if the station be destroyed
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another non stop science fiction action book that takes place on another planet. The people who occupy this planet are not allowed to leave. Most of them were brought there with promises that really weren’t kept.
Sofie’s sister has been murdered and all she wants to do is figure out a way off the planet until she meets Leo! Her father had built most of the structures on the planet but he kind of ignored his daughters–they were left destitute. Little did they know!
Only Sofie knows the secret passages and how to get in and then out of them–but even she does not realize that she is the key until near the very end–her father had left clues that only Sofie could decifer!
I read this book in one sitting–the characters were amazing and I almost forgot they were on a different planet–a lot reminded me somewhat of right here and right now.
I like Sofie from the start; she was adventurous, serious. Losing her sister broke something in her and she wants to understand why someone killed her. She has enemies so close can breathe on them, a man who’s fallen for her who would do anything for her and friends that has two faces. Book has so much action you can’t put it down.
This was a good story. Sofie is a very strong female lead and although I liked Leo, Sofie is clearly the heroine.
Good character and world building. It seemed like it could have several genre classifications, science fiction romance/opera with mystery/thriller/action adventure thrown in.
The romance is there but it isn’t the focus of the story. I believe that I will enjoy this new series as much as Michelle’s other SFR series.
Amazing Sci-Fi Adventure/Thriller!
A wonderful fast-paced adventure with a little romance thrown into the mix for Sofie and Leo. It’s heroine, Sofie, is courageous, brave, smart and very determined as she struggles to help the people on Garmen. Great well developed characters and intriguing storyline with plenty of drama, suspense, twists, fighting and worth reading. A fantastic start to the series. I look forward to reading her next book. Enjoy!
I received an arc copy and am happy to leave my honest review.
This story is set in the future and has a strong female lead. The author has done a wonderful job of describing and making this future world. Her characters jump of the page and have the full range of emotions that we have, this makes them very relatable. There is some drama and suspense to this plot and a really nice romance as well. I enjoyed this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an intriguing story that has so much going on. you have to peel back the story because their are so many facets going on within it. Leo and Sofie want some of the same things for their planet. Sophie knows a lot and has the information Leo needs. Will their coaction be enough to pull off what is needed to take back their home from the greedy conglomerate. This Sci Fi will have you on the edge and cheering for Sophie and Leo as they fight for the underdogs on the planet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main characters in this sci-fi action series are smart and brave, especially the heroine. Breakaway also has a great villain, a love interest, secret rooms, and much more. I can see this book – in fact, the whole series – as movies. I would love to see that happen!
Breakaway by Michelle Diener
5 stars
Spies and smugglers in a smart space opera. Yay!
I was quite please by this intelligent sci-fi novel. It is like a James Bond mixed with Han Solo! There are secret codes, secret rooms, rebels, smugglers, and a villainously greedy government on a futuristic planet! I love these cool plot elements as well as the intelligent and courageous pair of main characters, Sophie and Leo. They are both admirable and a little bit flawed. I also love how the author has thought out the details of the planetary society and the distinctive lingo. There is a romantic element to the story, but the wonderful sci-fi mystery thriller plot overshadows the little bit of romance.
This is the first full-length novel in this “Verdant String” series, but there have been two really cool novellas already written. You can read this novel as a standalone.
It starts with a bang and then slows down a bit before it ramps up again. Don’t give up; it is a totally absorbing space opera that is well worth the read. FYI, there are about 15 character names, so if you can’t keep track of 13 minor characters, then this book might not be for you. Also, I would say it is PG-13 because of the violence and the lack of sex scenes. Any love scenes are “behind closed doors”; in other words, you know that it occurs, but it switches to the next chapter without describing anything about it. I think that works well for this novel.
I really liked the smart mystery/thriller aspect in between awesome action scenes. There were some real nail-biting moments and cool revelations. I highly recommend this for all space opera fans and especially fans of Michelle Diener’s science fiction. It is fantastic!
I received a free advanced reading copy, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Fabulous start of a series with a wonderful heroine and an intriguing storyline. A fast-paced, page-turner that was difficult to put down. Read it in just a couple of days and it made me late to work once! Overall awesome story. Looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this first full length story in the Verdant String series, the focus is on a breakaway planet, one that is not part of the Verdant String Coalition. On Garmen, the citizens are at the mercy of the companies that are in control and the focus is on making as much money for the companies as possible. Sofie Erdo is hoping to leave Garmen until she becomes involved with Leo Gaudier. and saves his life more than once. She was a part of the resistance fighting against the corporations and still has ties to them and Leo has quietly been doing what he can to undermine the corporations as well. As things escalate, they will have to work together to prevent a catastrophe, and since Sofie is the daughter of the man who designed the way station that is the key to the corporation’s operations, she has an advantage no one else has. I’m really enjoying this world of the Verdant String and liked the smart and resourceful Sofie. I always love it when a strong female character saves the male love interest, and she does it not once, but several times. All he wants to do is protect her, but she proves she’s more than capable of taking care of herself – and him. I’m looking forward to reading more stories set in this world and meeting more strong female characters are like Sofie.