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h3dakota's review
3.0
3.5 stars, really. I quite liked this one & I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Sure, some elements I didn't like as much, but overall, kept me hooked.
intorilex's review
4.0
Find this and other Reviews at InToriLex
Actual Rating 3.5 Stars
I expected something very different, but this is a solid read for sci-fi and alien lovers alike. The sci-fi elements were interesting, but seem tacked on instead of weaved in the story. Mostly this book describes how Broken and Micheal come to terms with who they are, and how to move forward after heart break. I wanted to know more about this world ruled by a misguided government after a war destroyed North America. However the world building took a back seat to a sparse prophecy about a baby who will change the future.
Despite the glaring similarities this has to X-men, the Extra-humans are used and abused at every turn by the government. They are stripped of their identity and manipulated into completing other people's dirty work. We also see some variation of powers such as being Lucky, Bringing peace and being able to see future possibilities rather than a set future. Racism, xenophobia, and sex are all things that are spoken of freely and make the story more real despite the futuristic setting. There were some great action sequences where futuristic weapons were met by Extrahuman force. Although some of the action was gory violence, it definitely kept me engaged and was believable.
There is a alien race that has made contact with humans, but does not enjoy a peaceful existence on earth. I wish the author went into more depth with some of the awesome and interesting ideas she introduces. I know that this will be a series, however there were too many unexplained elements, first in series books should still be able to stand on their own merits. Overall this story had a lot of cool ideas and was engaging, I just wished it was a bit more developed. Definitely a great read for sc-fi lovers, who enjoy character development rather than a solid sci-fi narrative.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Actual Rating 3.5 Stars
I expected something very different, but this is a solid read for sci-fi and alien lovers alike. The sci-fi elements were interesting, but seem tacked on instead of weaved in the story. Mostly this book describes how Broken and Micheal come to terms with who they are, and how to move forward after heart break. I wanted to know more about this world ruled by a misguided government after a war destroyed North America. However the world building took a back seat to a sparse prophecy about a baby who will change the future.
Despite the glaring similarities this has to X-men, the Extra-humans are used and abused at every turn by the government. They are stripped of their identity and manipulated into completing other people's dirty work. We also see some variation of powers such as being Lucky, Bringing peace and being able to see future possibilities rather than a set future. Racism, xenophobia, and sex are all things that are spoken of freely and make the story more real despite the futuristic setting. There were some great action sequences where futuristic weapons were met by Extrahuman force. Although some of the action was gory violence, it definitely kept me engaged and was believable.
"Like we're something extra. Not Really human. Just something else that the rest of them don't need."
There is a alien race that has made contact with humans, but does not enjoy a peaceful existence on earth. I wish the author went into more depth with some of the awesome and interesting ideas she introduces. I know that this will be a series, however there were too many unexplained elements, first in series books should still be able to stand on their own merits. Overall this story had a lot of cool ideas and was engaging, I just wished it was a bit more developed. Definitely a great read for sc-fi lovers, who enjoy character development rather than a solid sci-fi narrative.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
wolfewillread89's review
1.0
DNF: 10%
This may possibly be the worst written book I have ever "tried" to read. It felt like I was chewing on glass when I was reading this book. The sentences didn't flow at all, the writing was choppy at best and the story felt thrown together. It was physically painful for me to read only 10% of this book.
This may possibly be the worst written book I have ever "tried" to read. It felt like I was chewing on glass when I was reading this book. The sentences didn't flow at all, the writing was choppy at best and the story felt thrown together. It was physically painful for me to read only 10% of this book.
coolcurrybooks's review
3.0
Broken is a fast paced story that crosses dystopia with superheros.
Decades in the future, earth’s been united under a single government and other planets have been colonized. Michael Forward is an extrahuman – someone with supernatural abilities. He was born with the ability to see possibilities of the future whenever he looks at someone’s face. And the possibilities show that the course of history depends on one mission. A baby boy can grow up to bring either great good or great evil to earth, depending on whether or not Michael succeeds in getting him off planet. And he sees that all possibilities of success depend on the presence of Broken, a homeless ex-superheroine. So this is a story about a teenage boy, a former superheroine, and a baby seeking an escape and hope for the future as the world falls apart around them.
Broken wasn’t especially great, but it was enjoyable. I liked the oddness of the central group and the form Michael’s psychic powers took, and the pacing and action were enough to keep me happily flipping the pages. It’s solid entertainment without any flaws or issues large enough to put me off.
It did sort of feel like two genres had been slammed together (superheros + dystopian), but the combination at least felt different from the hoards of YA dystopians out there. There’s never any explanation for why people have superpowers or how they work, but I just accepted it as a genre device and moved on. It’s like FTL drives in science fiction. Are you really going to question it?
Michael and Broken were the two protagonists, and I liked that they felt different enough to avoid falling into clear stock types. Broken in particular is allowed to be messier than most female protagonists you see. However, it was Michael who ended up being my favorite character of the book. He knows all of the grim futures that could lie in wait for him, and he demonstrates incredible bravery by continuing to do what he believes is right.
While Broken is the first in a series, it stands well enough on it’s own that I don’t feel the need to read the sequel to get a complete story. If the sequel followed the same cast, I might be willing to read it anyway. While Broken isn’t a novel I’ll be vigorously recommending, it’s not something I’d discourage anyone from reading.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Decades in the future, earth’s been united under a single government and other planets have been colonized. Michael Forward is an extrahuman – someone with supernatural abilities. He was born with the ability to see possibilities of the future whenever he looks at someone’s face. And the possibilities show that the course of history depends on one mission. A baby boy can grow up to bring either great good or great evil to earth, depending on whether or not Michael succeeds in getting him off planet. And he sees that all possibilities of success depend on the presence of Broken, a homeless ex-superheroine. So this is a story about a teenage boy, a former superheroine, and a baby seeking an escape and hope for the future as the world falls apart around them.
Broken wasn’t especially great, but it was enjoyable. I liked the oddness of the central group and the form Michael’s psychic powers took, and the pacing and action were enough to keep me happily flipping the pages. It’s solid entertainment without any flaws or issues large enough to put me off.
It did sort of feel like two genres had been slammed together (superheros + dystopian), but the combination at least felt different from the hoards of YA dystopians out there. There’s never any explanation for why people have superpowers or how they work, but I just accepted it as a genre device and moved on. It’s like FTL drives in science fiction. Are you really going to question it?
Michael and Broken were the two protagonists, and I liked that they felt different enough to avoid falling into clear stock types. Broken in particular is allowed to be messier than most female protagonists you see. However, it was Michael who ended up being my favorite character of the book. He knows all of the grim futures that could lie in wait for him, and he demonstrates incredible bravery by continuing to do what he believes is right.
While Broken is the first in a series, it stands well enough on it’s own that I don’t feel the need to read the sequel to get a complete story. If the sequel followed the same cast, I might be willing to read it anyway. While Broken isn’t a novel I’ll be vigorously recommending, it’s not something I’d discourage anyone from reading.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
miraeli's review
4.0
I’d been wanting to read this ever since I first heard about it over a year ago, and when Netgalley put it up for review, I decided now was the time. I’m glad I read it.
Broken grabs you from the start, introducing us to the two main players in the novel, the title character Broken (formerly Silverwyng before she lost her ability to fly) and Michael Forward, who can see the possible futures of others by looking at them. Michael knows he’s going to be left with a baby that will one day either destroy the world or save it, and that it’s his responsibility to get the baby to a place where he can be raised to be a good and kind leader. Michael also knows, however, that he himself is likely going to die in the process.
Michael’s a good main character, though he isn’t the only narrator. I felt for him a lot, as he’s only fourteen and having to literally save the world. He was admirable and strong, deciding to go through with things even if it meant he was killed. Likewise, Broken was an equally good character, and she has the better development of the two. (Sadly, Michael doesn’t really get a whole lot of development. While he’s layered, he doesn’t move very far past what he was in the beginning of the novel.) She’s literally broken, a homeless drunk who still tries to protect and defend things that can’t defend themselves, and has lost pretty much all hope for herself and the future. Her transformation from going to a drunk who barely talks to people to someone willing to do anything to get the baby to safety was believable and well done.
There’s another character that joins the group early on in the novel, but although she had a distinct personality, she felt a little extraneous at times. I hope she’ll get better development in the next books, although what we had here was satisfying enough.
The world building, what we see of it here, is intriguing but very sparsely explained. I’m not usually pleased when novels spoon-feed us information on a world through their characters, but Broken could have benefited from explaining it a little more than it did. Why are the Ratons, an alien race that helped humanity in the Last War, so hated now? To the point where a government bent on killing them or getting them away from Earth is able to come to power and the majority of society’s fine with it? I can see the makings of some good, solid world building here, but I was frustrated at times that we weren’t told more of it here. I’m hoping that’s fixed in the other books.
Likewise, in the middle the pace begins to drag a little. They go from place to place and there’s a lot of walking, and that can get a bit tedious after a while. Thankfully that didn’t last long, and the tremendous last act more than made up for the wonky pacing. Some readers are likely not going to enjoy the way the narrative switches POVs constantly, a lot of the time even in mid-chapter for a line or two before going back to someone else. It personally didn’t bother me, but it might someone else.
An interesting premise, solid characters but some writing that probably won’t be for everyone, a bit of dragging pace in the middle and some almost-but-not-quite there world building, Broken will be a mixed bag. I happened to enjoy it, and the last act made up for a lot of the issues I had. If you like character driven stories and superheroes, it probably won’t be as much of a drag for you and I suggest you check it out. I know I’m going to be back for more.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand!
Broken grabs you from the start, introducing us to the two main players in the novel, the title character Broken (formerly Silverwyng before she lost her ability to fly) and Michael Forward, who can see the possible futures of others by looking at them. Michael knows he’s going to be left with a baby that will one day either destroy the world or save it, and that it’s his responsibility to get the baby to a place where he can be raised to be a good and kind leader. Michael also knows, however, that he himself is likely going to die in the process.
Michael’s a good main character, though he isn’t the only narrator. I felt for him a lot, as he’s only fourteen and having to literally save the world. He was admirable and strong, deciding to go through with things even if it meant he was killed. Likewise, Broken was an equally good character, and she has the better development of the two. (Sadly, Michael doesn’t really get a whole lot of development. While he’s layered, he doesn’t move very far past what he was in the beginning of the novel.) She’s literally broken, a homeless drunk who still tries to protect and defend things that can’t defend themselves, and has lost pretty much all hope for herself and the future. Her transformation from going to a drunk who barely talks to people to someone willing to do anything to get the baby to safety was believable and well done.
There’s another character that joins the group early on in the novel, but although she had a distinct personality, she felt a little extraneous at times. I hope she’ll get better development in the next books, although what we had here was satisfying enough.
The world building, what we see of it here, is intriguing but very sparsely explained. I’m not usually pleased when novels spoon-feed us information on a world through their characters, but Broken could have benefited from explaining it a little more than it did. Why are the Ratons, an alien race that helped humanity in the Last War, so hated now? To the point where a government bent on killing them or getting them away from Earth is able to come to power and the majority of society’s fine with it? I can see the makings of some good, solid world building here, but I was frustrated at times that we weren’t told more of it here. I’m hoping that’s fixed in the other books.
Likewise, in the middle the pace begins to drag a little. They go from place to place and there’s a lot of walking, and that can get a bit tedious after a while. Thankfully that didn’t last long, and the tremendous last act more than made up for the wonky pacing. Some readers are likely not going to enjoy the way the narrative switches POVs constantly, a lot of the time even in mid-chapter for a line or two before going back to someone else. It personally didn’t bother me, but it might someone else.
An interesting premise, solid characters but some writing that probably won’t be for everyone, a bit of dragging pace in the middle and some almost-but-not-quite there world building, Broken will be a mixed bag. I happened to enjoy it, and the last act made up for a lot of the issues I had. If you like character driven stories and superheroes, it probably won’t be as much of a drag for you and I suggest you check it out. I know I’m going to be back for more.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand!
triplzer0's review
2.0
Started out strong, but then completely lost steam for me. I found Michael extremely flat as a character. I kinda wish we'd spent more time in Broken's head. The setting--while interesting in a "every sort of sci-fi story happening at once" kind of way--felt underdeveloped. Superheroes, dystopia, space colonization, post first-contact. It's an everything all at once approach that worked in the beginning, but then doesn't really go places.
errantdreams's review
4.0
Michael is a wonderful character. His ability has forced him to grow up quickly. Much like Cassandra of legend, people rarely believe that he can see the future. It doesn’t help that any time he looks someone in the face he sees dozens of possibilities spiraling off of them, most of them fragmented and confusing. He does his best to pick the options that work out the best, but sometimes he just has to hold on and hope that something or someone will have an impact he didn’t foresee. Despite his youth he takes on this enormous responsibility. He has no idea how to care for a baby, and Broken would rather drown in alcohol than help. The characters in general in this book are quite good. The Black Bands come across as uniformly evil, but they aren’t the focus of the book. Broken has a lot of depth to her, and a fascinating backstory. Even Monica, who comes along with Michael and Broken when her house is torched by rioters, turns out to be more interesting than she seems at first.
The extrahuman abilities are fascinating, although we only see a sampling of them in this book. My favorite is prescience. It apparently comes in a near-term fine-grained variety that Michael has, as well as a broad, long-term version that takes the greater picture into effect. When these two types of future perception square off, the results are unexpected and intriguing. I particularly liked it when Michael’s visions would change on the fly as particularly dangerous moments arrived.
I do want to know more about a mysterious character named Janeane who helped our characters in some mysterious ways. Since we know so little of her, some of her help came across as a small deus ex machina.
I loved this book, and shed a few tears over it. I would like to read more stories in this setting.
Original review at my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/05/review-broken-susan-jane-bigelow/
The extrahuman abilities are fascinating, although we only see a sampling of them in this book. My favorite is prescience. It apparently comes in a near-term fine-grained variety that Michael has, as well as a broad, long-term version that takes the greater picture into effect. When these two types of future perception square off, the results are unexpected and intriguing. I particularly liked it when Michael’s visions would change on the fly as particularly dangerous moments arrived.
I do want to know more about a mysterious character named Janeane who helped our characters in some mysterious ways. Since we know so little of her, some of her help came across as a small deus ex machina.
I loved this book, and shed a few tears over it. I would like to read more stories in this setting.
Original review at my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/05/review-broken-susan-jane-bigelow/
malkav11's review
2.0
I only got about halfway through this one, but I'm pretty sure I'm done with it. I enjoy superhero stories, especially outside of the 50+ years worth of increasingly tangled and mostly poorly written continuity that most superhero comics are saddled with. And I've been pleasantly surprised by some past encounters with self-published Kindle novels, like Wool, Ex-Heroes, The Academy, and Zero Sight. But unfortunately Broken just isn't one of them. It's not really got anything original to say narratively or settingwise, and while I don't insist on originality when the prose is good enough, here it's awkward, clumsy, and overly expository. Bigelow frequently tells when she should show. I finally dropped the book when one of the (apparent) primary villains of the tale reads a report full of made up military acronyms that the author then painstakingly spells out immediately thereafter. It's not a cardinal sin by itself, but it's typical of the generally unpolished level of writing displayed here and I just couldn't take any more of it.
celiaedf12's review
2.0
I was rather disappointed with this book, after reading some really positive reviews of it. I found the world not terribly engaging, the writing clunky and unappealing, and the narrative skipping about all over the place did not appeal. I really thought I'd enjoy some superhero-esque dystopian fiction, but this wasn't for me at all.