Monday, January 5, 2015

#Review - Polaris by Mindee Arnett (Young Adult, Science Fiction) #Archives

Series: Avalon # 2
Format: E-Galley, 432 pages
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

*Synopsis*

Following the events of Avalon, Jeth Seagrave and his crew are on the run. Jeth is desperate to find the resources and funding he needs to rescue his mother from an ITA’s research lab and leave this whole galaxy behind for a new life somewhere else. But the ITA is just as desperate, and soon Jeth finds himself pursued by a mysterious figure hell-bent on capturing Jeth and his crew—dead or alive. In a last-ditch effort to save everyone he holds dear, Jeth enters into a bargain with the last person he ever thought he'd see again: Dax Shepherd, the galaxy’s newest and most fearsome crime lord. And he’s not the only one: upon arriving back at Peltraz spaceport for the first time since he witnessed the death of his old employer, Jeth discovers Dax has a new partner: Jeth’s mother, Marian.

This shocking turn of events is only the first in another breathless, action-packed sci-fi adventure rife with danger, love, and betrayal, as Jeth has to once again ask himself how much he’s willing to invest in a morally bankrupt galaxy in the hopes of saving those he cares for.
 



Polaris is the apparent final installment of the Avalon duology. The story is told in the first person narrative by Jethro "Jeth" Seagrave. Jeth and his crew of teenaged thieves have been on the run for the past 8 months, but they haven't forgotten about Jeth's plan to rescue his mother (Marian Seagrave) from the Interstellar Transport Authority (ITA). With Jeth holding someone that the ITA wants back badly, Cora, finding the necessary funds needed to rescue Marian isn't as easy as it seems, especially when Jeth also has a huge bounty on his head. Outrunning a badass hero of the ITA known for smiting a rebellion and allowing for no survivors, makes this even more challenging.

After a shocking turn of events, Jeth finds himself back in the hands of the one person who he never thought he'd see again; Daxton Price. What's even more surprising is that Marian has been freed by Dax and is now driven to ending the ITA's monopoly on using the Pyreans for their metatech. All Jeth has to do is work with one of the best thieves around, Aileen "Trouble" Stock, and wear an implant that gives Dax control over him.

If you haven't read Avalon, I suggest that you go back and read it first. You can also now read the prequel to Avalon called Proxy. The Avalon duology is the teenaged version of the former TV series Firefly. The only real difference between the two is that the Avalon series is aimed more towards the Young Adult market. Jeth's crew consists of his uncle Milton, former ITA agents Sienna & Vince, Celeste, Flynn, Jeth's sisters Lizzie and Cora.

Polaris is a surprising ride filled with emotional moments, hard choices, devastating losses, romance, adventures, and an ending that pretty much wraps up everything in a nice little bow. I found myself loving Lizzie, Cora, and especially Sierra, while having all sorts of emotions over Jeth, the struggles he faces thanks to the implant, and the hard choices he has to make.

In the end, I would say that science fiction fans will most likely eat this up like chocolate cake. If you watched Firefly, you will definitely notice the comparisons.

**I received this book for free from (Balzer & Bray) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**




1 comment:

  1. It's so sad that I can't get into books like this. My brain numbs over the sci-fi parts :/

    ReplyDelete