I'll give it to the authors, they've created one heck of an intricate and captivating world. While I enjoyed the wildness and mystery of the setting in These Broken Stars, it was interesting to learn more about this new planet, Avon, and what exactly was so special about it. The way the authors wove this story in with the previous book was excellent and after yet another explosive ending, I can only imagine how intense the next book will be. I think because it takes so much time to describe the setting and background for each book, they both tended to drag, this one more so than the first. Because of that, I wasn't as invested in the story as I had hoped, but again, I still enjoyed it overall. It takes a good while, about halfway through the book, before things really get going and the secrets come out. If you can make it to that point, you'll easily fly through the rest of the book like I did. 
 It seems like the authors are sticking to the "slow burning" kind of love for each of their main characters and they do it well. I both love and hate that kind of romantic writing. One the one hand, it fits with these characters and this world. It makes me believe in each of them as a strong couple and helps me to appreciate the characters as individuals, too. While I didn't care for Flynn and Lee as much as I did Tarver and Lilac, I still enjoyed their budding romance. It's kind of hard to pinpoint when exactly these two started falling for each other, Flynn more so than Lee, but by the end, the depth of their romance is very evident. Their romance is more hesitant, more weighted, and more forbidden than their predecessors. Flynn is definitely the pacifist, while Lee is a natural born soldier and watching their dynamics play itself out was good, but it wasn't great. I guess I was just expecting more. 
 By the way, that little bit we get to see of Tarver and Lilac has me craving for so much more! I really missed that couple and I loved seeing how they are after everything that happened to them in their story. 
 The overall plot is delved into deeper in this book and you see just how far the villain has gone to further his plans. There is definitely a lot to take in with this book, which I think made it a slower and somewhat less captivating read. The writing is still brilliant and the characters are what keeps the story moving. I didn't love it, but I really liked it. There's more science fiction, politics, and mystery in this book, not so much romance, so if that sounds like your kind of read, then you'll love this one. Even if it isn't, like me, you'll still enjoy the story and appreciate it for what it is.