Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Books for Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
400 Pages
Synopsis: Getting to Eden brought Emmett and his crewmates one step closer to their promised fortune. But surviving Eden may be the biggest reward of all. Discover book two in the trilogy Marjorie Lu called, “a high octane thriller.”
Emmett Atwater thought Babel’s game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn’t take long for him to learn that Babel’s competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.
Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population.
But Emmett and the others quickly realize that they are caught between two powerful forces—Babel and the Adamites—with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it’s too late?
Nyxia Unleashed picks right up after Nyxia’s cliffhanger ending. In the previous book, sixteen-year-old Emmett Atwater, an African American from Detroit, spent the last year with nineteen other disadvantaged teens from all over the world on Genesis, the Babel Communications spaceship. Promised wealth beyond their imagination in exchange for traveling to Eden to mine nyxia, the teens are promised that after a year or so they can return home. But they quickly discovered that Babel care only for their own wealth and power. While they embark on the year long journey to Eden on the spaceship Genesis, the teens are forced into a deadly competition for a coveted spot on the final team that would land on Eden. While the sequel shifts away from the life and death competition that was prevalent in the first book, for me it was even more exciting, as the Genesis teen survivors are now caught between the sinister plans of Babel and those of this new Adamite, or as they call themselves, Imago population.
The teens, caught between the dueling interests of Babel Communications and the Imago, also have to learn to trust one another if they’re to survive on this alien planet. I loved Emmett, the main character and narrator in Nyxia and my feelings remain the same here. While he justifiably harbors hatred and vengeful thoughts toward Babel, he also strives to remain the good person his family raised him to be. Although I wasn’t thrilled with the insta-love between Emmett and Morning, they truly are a perfect match. She’s so powerful yet is kind and compassionate. I don’t usually ship couples, but I’m making an exception in this case. The secondary characters are diverse in terms of race, religion and sexuality. In Nyxia I thought the diversity faded into the background at times, but here it’s front and center. While this is a work of fiction, seeing these young people from different backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities gave me hope. They’re well-rounded and add quite a bit to the storyline.
The planet Eden/Magnia and its inhabitants have some creative qualities to them, but I wish they were a little more alien. The Imago are very similar to humans as are their society and culture. Additionally, they’re also able to communicate with each other thanks to nyxia, and even breathe the same air and eat the same food. This is a very minor complaint though.
Underlying the fictional story are the realistic issues of colonization and oppression. It also explores social classes with some fortunate to be born into the right families and with what is seen as physical perfection, and others who are seen as unequal.
Nyxia Unleashed is even more fast-paced as its predecessor and ends with an exciting cliffhanger, which has me anxiously anticipating the final book, Nyxia Uprising, which sadly doesn’t come out until April 19, 2019. In my opinion these books are for ages 16 and up due to its complex and dark themes. In addition to the previously mentioned ones, there’s also: PTSD, torture, genocide, animal death, loss of friends and loved ones. There’s also plenty of blood and gore. But balancing the darkness are themes of support, trust, loyalty, and love. Fans of Nyxia will not be disappointed by this phenomenal sequel, and if you haven’t read these books but you’re a fan of science fiction with wonderfully written, diverse characters and nonstop action, then I HIGHLY recommend you give these a try!
beetleypete said:
Pretty obvious this is not one for me, but I am pleased that you enjoyed it, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Pete!🤗
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
It sounds like a wonderfully diverse book! Hopefully life will imitate fiction (at least in some ways)!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
That would be lovely. I think you’d really enjoy these Nicole.☺️
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(Danielle) Books, Vertigo and Tea said:
Reading and loving this right now! Have to try to remember to circle back to all of these reviews but so stoked it was a 4.5 for you! 💜
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it Danielle. I can’t wait to read your review.🤗
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jennifertarheelreader said:
Wonderful review, Kim! This does sound like an entertaining read!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jennifer! I love it when a sequel is even better than the first book.☺️
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raistlin0903 said:
Goodreads: Kim recommends Nyxia Unleashed to you
Me: Let’s check out the review
Goodreads: Are you sure? You know you are going to add this after reading her review and your to read list is already way too long
Me: I just can’t help myself…I must read her reviews they are just too good to pass up on.
Goodread: It’s your funeral
Me after having read this review: Sigh…I should have listened to you Goodreads.
Goodreads: ….no comment.
(Oh…in case you were wondering Kim: loved your post..and of course I totally added this one 😊😊)
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
BWAHAHA!😁😂🤣 Sorry Michel.😏😉
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robbiesinspiration said:
I am not a big sci-fi fan, Kim, but your review is great.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Robbie!🤗
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Captain's Quarters said:
I very much enjoyed this one and feel like yer review be spot on. I am sad the next book is so far away. But I have plenty to read in the meantime. Me link to me review be below if interested. No pressure. Arrr!
x The Captain
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Captain. The wait for the final book is especially frustrating because Scott let it slip on Goodreads that it’s already finished.😡 Amd thanks for the link. I’ll be over ASAP.☺️
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
I haven’t started this series yet but I’ve heard great things about it. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying it so far. Hope you enjoy your next read! Happy reading! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Raven. I think you’d like these.
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fragglerocking said:
You make them sound worth reading Kim, 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know YA isn’t something you normally read Fraggle, but if you like science fiction, I definitely recommend them.🤗
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fragglerocking said:
I’ll bear them in mind!
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spicejac said:
Absolutely adored the first book, so very pleased to read that the second one lives up to the first ones impressive start. I read both Sci Fi and YA and it combines both of these genres with ease…..great review.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks! I had a couple of issues with the first one (still gave it 4stars), and I thought this was even better.I hope you get to read this soon.☺️
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spicejac said:
Got it ordered from the Library….
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Awesome! I can’t wait to hear what you think!☺️
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spicejac said:
Finally got hold of it and read it…..gosh I am conflicted. At times it was a good as the first book, but I did feel it was kind of rushed at the end…..
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can see where the ending was a bit rushed, but for some reason that didn’t bother me too much.
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spicejac said:
I am looking forward to the third instalment though
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Same here.☺️
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Carrie said:
Great review Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie.
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Carrie said:
You’re welcome! 🙂
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
I just bought the first one since it was only $1 or $2!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Fantastic! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it Adrienne. I had a couple of small issues, but I still gave it 4 stars.
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Aislynn d'Merricksson said:
Brilliant review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Aislynn!
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lostartofreadingblog said:
I need to get to this series soon. I am hoping to get to it after I finish up the Binti series, one book left. Awesome review 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! I’d love to know what you think.☺️
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Jen said:
AWWWWW I love when a second book in a series is fabulous!!!!! I have the first book on my tbr and here’s hoping that the final book is just as fabulous as the rest of this series. I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen!🤗
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mlbradford said:
Nice Review, Kim!
Yes, more aliens, pls! 🙂
Sure beats a “low” octane thriller, right? 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Brad! For some reason I’ve been reading a lot of books about aliens and sisters lately.🤷🏻♀️
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