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Defy the Stars
Book (2017)
A stunning blend of action-packed science fiction and love against the odds, perfect for fans of the DIVERGENT series.
Noemi is a young and fearless soldier of Genesis, a colony planet of a dying Earth. But the citizens of Genesis are rising up - they know that Earth's settlers will only destroy this planet the way they destroyed their own. And so a terrible war has begun.
When Noemi meets Abel, one of Earth's robotic mech warriors, she realizes that Abel himself may provide the key to Genesis' salvation. Abel is bound by his programming to obey her - even though her plan could result in his destruction. But Abel is no ordinary mech. He's a unique prototype, one with greater intelligence, skill and strength than any other. More than that, he has begun to develop emotions, a personality and even dreams. Noemi begins to realise that if Abel is less than human, he is more than a machine. If she destroys him, is it murder? And can a cold-blooded murder be redeemed by the protection of a world?
Stranded together in space, they go on a whirlwind adventure through Earth's various colony worlds, alongside the countless Vagabonds who have given up planetary life altogether and sail forever between the stars. Each step brings them closer - both to each other and to the terrible decision Noemi will have to make about her world's fate, and Abel's.
Noemi is a young and fearless soldier of Genesis, a colony planet of a dying Earth. But the citizens of Genesis are rising up - they know that Earth's settlers will only destroy this planet the way they destroyed their own. And so a terrible war has begun.
When Noemi meets Abel, one of Earth's robotic mech warriors, she realizes that Abel himself may provide the key to Genesis' salvation. Abel is bound by his programming to obey her - even though her plan could result in his destruction. But Abel is no ordinary mech. He's a unique prototype, one with greater intelligence, skill and strength than any other. More than that, he has begun to develop emotions, a personality and even dreams. Noemi begins to realise that if Abel is less than human, he is more than a machine. If she destroys him, is it murder? And can a cold-blooded murder be redeemed by the protection of a world?
Stranded together in space, they go on a whirlwind adventure through Earth's various colony worlds, alongside the countless Vagabonds who have given up planetary life altogether and sail forever between the stars. Each step brings them closer - both to each other and to the terrible decision Noemi will have to make about her world's fate, and Abel's.
Book (2017)
A stunning blend of action-packed science fiction and love against the odds, perfect for fans of the DIVERGENT series.
Noemi is a young and fearless soldier of Genesis, a colony planet of a dying Earth. But the citizens of Genesis are rising up - they know that Earth's settlers will only destroy this planet the way they destroyed their own. And so a terrible war has begun.
When Noemi meets Abel, one of Earth's robotic mech warriors, she realizes that Abel himself may provide the key to Genesis' salvation. Abel is bound by his programming to obey her - even though her plan could result in his destruction. But Abel is no ordinary mech. He's a unique prototype, one with greater intelligence, skill and strength than any other. More than that, he has begun to develop emotions, a personality and even dreams. Noemi begins to realise that if Abel is less than human, he is more than a machine. If she destroys him, is it murder? And can a cold-blooded murder be redeemed by the protection of a world?
Stranded together in space, they go on a whirlwind adventure through Earth's various colony worlds, alongside the countless Vagabonds who have given up planetary life altogether and sail forever between the stars. Each step brings them closer - both to each other and to the terrible decision Noemi will have to make about her world's fate, and Abel's.
Noemi is a young and fearless soldier of Genesis, a colony planet of a dying Earth. But the citizens of Genesis are rising up - they know that Earth's settlers will only destroy this planet the way they destroyed their own. And so a terrible war has begun.
When Noemi meets Abel, one of Earth's robotic mech warriors, she realizes that Abel himself may provide the key to Genesis' salvation. Abel is bound by his programming to obey her - even though her plan could result in his destruction. But Abel is no ordinary mech. He's a unique prototype, one with greater intelligence, skill and strength than any other. More than that, he has begun to develop emotions, a personality and even dreams. Noemi begins to realise that if Abel is less than human, he is more than a machine. If she destroys him, is it murder? And can a cold-blooded murder be redeemed by the protection of a world?
Stranded together in space, they go on a whirlwind adventure through Earth's various colony worlds, alongside the countless Vagabonds who have given up planetary life altogether and sail forever between the stars. Each step brings them closer - both to each other and to the terrible decision Noemi will have to make about her world's fate, and Abel's.
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Content at a glance
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Sex & Nudity
The story features a developing emotional bond and romantic tension between the two leads, but it remains clean and focused on their evolving relationship. There are no scenes of nudity or sexual activity.
Violence & Gore
As a sci-fi action novel, it includes combat involving mechanical warriors and space skirmishes. While there is focus on battle and the potential for destruction, the depiction is not gratuitously graphic.
Profanity
The language is generally clean with only very infrequent use of mild expletives such as "d*mn" or "h*ll" (approximately 1-3 instances) used in moments of frustration or high tension.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
The story takes place across various space colonies and ships, but there is no focus on substance use or recreational drug culture.
Frightening Scenes
There are tense moments involving life-or-death decisions and the existential dread of war. The themes are intellectually intense, but the narrative avoids horror elements.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
This story follows a soldier and a unique robot as they learn that the most important choices aren't about who you are, but how you treat others.
Content Warnings
Violence related to planetary conflict
Existential themes regarding mortality
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
Expect frequent depictions of interstellar conflict and intense moral dilemmas centered on the potential destruction of entire worlds.
What Kids Can Learn
The ability to evaluate complex ethical arguments and challenge inherited prejudices through deep, sustained emotional connections.
Key Topics Discussed
Artificial Intelligence ethics
Interplanetary warfare
Autonomy and free will
Why Parents Might Like It
The narrative provides a sophisticated, thought-provoking examination of human nature and moral responsibility suitable for fans of high-concept science fiction.
Positives & learning
More filled segments mean stronger positive content or learning value.
Positive messages
Promotes the questioning of authority and the importance of empathy across cultural and species divides. It highlights the power of choosing individuality over programmed destiny.
Role models
Noemi and Abel exhibit significant growth, prioritizing self-sacrifice and personal integrity over blind obedience to their respective factions.
Representation
No diverse representations indicated in available information; characters are primarily defined by their roles within binary planetary factions.
Learning
Encourages critical thinking regarding the ethics of artificial intelligence, environmental responsibility, and the philosophical definition of personhood.
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