Book Shelf: Broken Skies (Broken Skies #1) by Theresa Kay

Thirty years ago, civilization collapsed. Few survived.
Ten years ago, the aliens arrived…and stayed.
One year ago, I killed two men and went a little crazy.
Today, the aliens took my brother and I will do anything to get him back.

In seventeen-year-old Jax Mitchell's world, humans are nearly extinct and alien settlers have arrived.

Until recently, the E’rikon have remained segregated in their city and ignored the few humans who have tried to engage them… but now they have taken Jax’s brother. To rescue him, she forms an uneasy alliance with a teenage E’rikon left stranded in the woods. She agrees to guide him to the city if he sneaks her past the human-proof barrier. Too bad it’s not that simple.

Jax, who cannot stand to be touched, finds that she’s drawn to the alien boy with bright green hair and jewel-like scales on his back. And he’s equally affected by her, the courageous redhead with haunted eyes. But she doesn’t know the alien’s true motives and he has no idea that she is much more than she seems.

With the aliens and the humans at odds, the connection forming between the two teens has consequences. What started off as a rescue mission sets a chain of events in motion which threatens not only the remaining humans and the growing alien society, but Earth itself.

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Review:

Broken Skies by Theresa Kay is a sensationally written and addictive adventure that is the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout meets the War of the Worlds. Fast paced, romantic and filled with delectable tension, Broken Skies is near impossible to put down!

Heading into Broken Skies I really unprepared by the intensity in which I would find myself absolutely entranced by this story. The passion, drive and fire within our main character wove together with a tension filled romance that built and built and a fast paced storyline that had me desperate to keep reading. As someone always reading a paperback book and an ebook at the same time, I found myself spurning my other [pretty awesome] in favour of Broken Skies because it was simply that good.

Broken Skies introduces readers to a dystopian style world where decades before civilization was left a shell of its former self during a collapse of society. Shortly after, Earth was invaded by aliens known as E’rikon who took over the major cities and forced the surviving humans to flee. Now, thirty years later Broken Skies follows seventeen year old Jax, a traumatised and guarded young woman whose brother is taken prisoner by the E’rikon. With the help of a beguiling and often annoying E’rikon named Lir, Jax sets out to rescue him whatever the cost and manages to discover along the way that sometimes the enemy isn’t who you expect and discovering the truth may be harder than she ever thought……

The world Theresa Kay has created within Broken Skies is very War of the World meets Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout, an extremely popular book in its own right, however Broken Skies has its very own unique feel and storyline. Kay’s writing is solid and her characterisation was wonderful. The lead was strong and the storyline entertaining. It made you want to keep reading, because you had to know how Jax was going to save her brother. Not to mention the developing relationship between Jax and Lir that was incredibly addictive.

Our main character and protagonist Jax is a bit of a fragile young thing but boy does she have fire! She’s tenacious and willing to fight for those she loves, even if she comes off as vulnerable too. From the beginning of Broken Skies, author Theresa Kay makes it quite clear something very horrible has happened to Jax in the past and as such, Jax bears the emotional scars of this event; something that affects her often throughout the story. And yet, she still remains feisty and quite kick-ass. I actually liked the blend of vulnerability and capable firecracker--honestly this girl is someone you will absolutely LOVE! I know I did.

The fast paced storyline within Broken Skies was really hard not to love. I already find myself seriously invested in Jax’s story and her world. I want to learn more about the E’rikon and exactly what Jax is. The relationship that developed between Jax and Lir was addictive to read about and I gobbled up every interaction, shared moment and passionate discovery between them. Lir was a fantastic character in his own right and together with Jax managed to suck me in, hook, line and sinker.

The dialogue within Broken Skies is sharp and the interactions between Jax and Lir was so, so sweet. They were fierce together and burned and developed so wonderfully. It’s pretty obvious when Jax and Lir set out on their mission what they’re going to mean to one another, but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy every smouldering glance, unexpected flutter and heart pounding moment Lir brought out in Jax.

Theresa Kay races Broken Skies to a stunning conclusion. There’s betrayals, revelations and secrets revealed. I’m still extremely eager to know more about the E’irkon world, their politics and the growing war between them and the humans. Loyalties aren’t what they seem and with this chapter in this exciting new series coming to a close, I’m practically salivating to get my hands on the next novel so I can join Jax and Lir once again!

An excellent read and quite possibly an unexpected favourite of mine this year—I highly recommend you grab yourself a copy of Broken Skies ASAP, you won’t be sorry!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Theresa!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Recommendation: Fans of Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout will love this!
Cover: I actually think it's quite pretty and the model is how I picture Jax perfectly.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES!