#Review - Supernova by Kass Morgan #YA #SyFy

Series: Light Years #2
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

Tensions are rising between the Quatrans and the Specters, and the Quatra Fleet is gearing up for an epic fight. With a galaxy on the brink of war and loyalties divided, the friendship of four cadets will be tested.

Orelia has been arrested for espionage, and her future is looking bleak . . . until the Quatrans make her a surprising offer that could save her life--and the lives of everyone in the galaxy.

Reeling from his breakup, Arran finds comfort in a sympathetic boy from Loos, someone who understands how hard it can be to fit in. But is it enough for Arran to forget his heartbreak?

Cormak's position at the Academy is finally secure. But when someone discovers his treasonous secret, it jeopardizes everything he's fought for, including his relationship with the person he cares about most.

And Vesper is ready to become a superstar officer . . . until she uncovers a conspiracy that shakes her faith in the Quatra Fleet to its core.

As secret machinations come to light, these cadets will be forced to overcome their differences and band together to restore peace to their worlds.
 

Supernova is the second and final installment in author Kass Morgan's Light Years duology. The story picks up right where the first installment left off and once again features (4) main characters; Orelia, Arran, Vesper, and Cormak. This story moves away from the classroom setting to the real world with real world implications. So, to summarize, Orelia has been arrested for espionage for being a Specter spy and transmitting the location for the secretive Quatra Fleet Academy. Days ago, Cormak's squad foiled a Specter attack on the Academy thanks to Orelia. 

The squad included Vesper, and Arran. They are being heralded as heroes, but things quickly change. Vesper, who devoted 5 years of her life to enter the Academy, now must face another challenge. She and Arran are assigned a new ship without Cormak and Orelia where they nearly meet the harsh darkness and cold of space after their ship is attacked. Or was it? Cormak, who is not really Cormak, is worried that someone now knows his secret and his time at the Academy could come to a quick ending. His relationship with Vesper which was on solid ground, is now sinking rapidly thanks to Cormak being threatened with blackmail and holding back on telling Vesper who he really is.

Even though Orelia is on thin ice, she is still tasked by Admiral Haze to open peace negotiations along with Lieutenant Zafir Prateek with the Sylvan aka Specters. Even though her role is mostly symbolic, when all is said and done, it could be the most important role of a lifetime which could lead to a long sought peace. Arran, awarded the Medallion of Valor, now finds himself assigned to a new division where he is supposed to help analyze what happened to his ship when it was attack, and whether or not it was really an attack, or sabotage. Arran's heart is torn after what happened in the first book, but encounters another who is more like him, than his ex.

This book quickly moves between characters. I dare say that the two most important characters are Orelia and Arran while Vesper and Cormak have to deal with a possible traitor and a threat to what promised to be a great moment in history for both races. Can the former teammates rally together once again and not only save the galaxy, but the relationships that have developed along the way? When Cormak's secret comes out, will Vesper accept him, or will she run back to her old flame  Can Arran finally find happiness, or will it be just out of reach due to bigotry and intolerane? And, will Orelia be forgiven for her secrets by her friends, or will she face even more difficulties when she returns to her people?

In the end, the first book was by far the strongest. The villain in this book was identified by me almost from the start. One of my favorite characters in this book is Vesper's mother Admiral Haze. She's a remarkable and insightful character who risks her career for a shot at lasting peace. She knows that a majority of her peers absolutely believe the story about who attacked whom 15 year ago that bred bitter hostilities. She gives Orelia a chance to prove herself, instead of ordering her execution. And, yes, it was pretty predictable that the four would somehow manage to once again step up and deliver.

 

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