Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller
Series: Consortium Rebellion #2
Published by HarperAudio on October 1, 2019
Genres: Science Fiction
Length: 12 hours, 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Bianca von Hasenberg did her duty for High House von Hasenberg and ended up trapped in a terrible marriage. When her husband dies unexpectedly and leaves her a happy widow, she vows never to marry again. Instead, she uses her connections to save other young women. Information is power and Bianca has a network that would be the envy of the ’verse—if anyone knew about it.
After an attack, Bianca’s oldest brother, the House von Hasenberg heir, disappears from Earth without a trace. Determined to find him, Bianca leaves against orders. When she refuses to return, her father sends Ian Bishop, the director of House von Hasenberg security, to haul her home like a recalcitrant child.
Bianca leads Ian on a merry chase across the universe, but when their paths finally collide, she persuades him that they would be far more successful at finding her brother if they worked together. She will do anything to save her sibling, even if it means spending time alone on a small ship with the handsome, infuriating man who once broke her heart.
As clues lead them deep into rival House Rockhurst territory, Bianca must decide if she can trust Ian with the one piece of information that could destroy her completely. .
I LOVED Polaris Rising! So I was ready for the next book in the Consortium Rebellion trilogy, Aurora Blazing. Ada’s sister, Bianca is the main character and we get her point of view. We were introduced to her already in the previous book as she is very close to Ada. While Ada is a skilled warrior, Bianca is a different type of fighter. She is a master of intelligence gathering. She is also a huge support to all her siblings.
When an issue arises for her oldest brother, Bianca is determined to help him, even if it means defying her father and his security director, Ian. The two fight over her taking risks, and their sparing is angry. Already having chemistry, and high emotions in a difficult situation, they fight both anger and attraction.
I loved their skills in gathering information, solving the mysteries and fighting battles. It’s action from start to end. I was happy to see Ada and Loch again, along with their friends, briefly. I only wish we had a bit of Ian’s point of view. The romance is not the focus, but adds to the story. It was good to learn about some of Ian’s friends, also.
Bianca has had a horrible past and now helps others, and tries hard to be honest and honorable with others. I liked her when she helped Ada, and I liked her again now. We learn more about all the siblings and none of them has an easy time of it with their father controlling much of their lives. I really enjoy this world with its politics and battles, with high tech and space travel. The characters are skilled and there is a bit of humor.
I can hardly wait for the next adventure, Chaos Reigning, projected to release May 19, 2020. It looks like this is the final book, as the author’s website indicates it is a trilogy. It is about another sister Catarina. I’ll definitely be reading!
Narration:
I enjoy this narrator. Her voices for all the characters, male or female seem to fit well. The voices were a bit different so I could discern who was speaking. I listened to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Emily Woo Zeller
Audie award-winning actor, voiceover artist, dancer, and singer Emily Woo Zeller (member SAG-AFTRA) is based in Los Angeles, though her work has been seen and heard internationally. Her wide range of work has included theater and extensive dubbing for film and television in Southeast Asia. Emily’s lifelong theater and dance work includes performance with Ellis Wood Dance, Dutch Kills Theater, FACT/SF, Facing East Dance and Music, Oracle Theater, and physical theater collective Lampazo Group.
Audiofile Magazine named Emily as one of the “Best Voices of 2015” in Nonfiction and Culture for her work on THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo and “Best Voices of 2013” in Nonfiction and Culture for her work on GULP by Mary Roach. Awards include 2018 Audie for FIRE ROAD by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, Ashley Wiersma; 2015 SOVAS VOICE ARTS AWARD for THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo; 2015 Audie Nomination for her work on THE BEAM: SEASON 1 by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant; Audiofile Magazine Earphones Awards for narrations of THE POPPY WAR by R. F. Kuang; FIRE ROAD by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, Ashley Wiersma, AFTER THE ECLIPSE by Sarah Perry, KITCHEN CHINESE by Ann Mah, UNDER A PAINTED SKY by Stacey Lee, THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo, GULP by Mary Roach, and TIES THAT BIND, TIES THAT BREAK by Leslie Namioka; the 2009 Tristen Award for Best Actress as Sally Bowles in CABARET; and the 2006 Roselyn E. Schneider Prize for Creative Achievement.
Emily holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Dance and Performance Studies, with a minor in Nutritional Sciences. She is a certified yoga teacher.
About Jessie Mihalik
Jessie Mihalik has a degree in Computer Science and a love of all things geeky. A software engineer by trade, Jessie now writes full time from her home in Texas. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing co-op video games with her husband, trying out new board games, or reading books pulled from her overflowing bookshelves.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
Yep, need to get busy and start listening to these. Sounds sensational!
It’s easier when one is in the car for 12 hours. They are really active and clever and fun.
Definitely a series / trilogy I’m going to want to read. I think I’ll wait until the 3rd (and final, right?) book is out, so I can just binge straight through. Great review Anne!
Well that works. They are loosely related so I am not dying to have the next one, as it’s not a cliffhanger or anything, but I am excited to get more.
I need to make time for this series. I’ve only heard great things. Great review!
Thank you. I really like them. Lulu seemed to enjoy this one as she listened to it with me in the car all day.
Totally skipped because I started this one today! I’m already hooked after 2 chapters. 🙂
It totally helped Lulu and I with our 10 hour drive to yesterday. Lulu is a fan of audiobooks.
Great review. I need to try this series.
I have enjoyed everything of hers I have tried This series and the Rogue Queen series
I had to add this series to my list. And what an exciting cover!
I think the Polaris Rising one was great too.
I have Polaris Rising on my TBL. I might get to it by the end of the year.
I really have loved this series.
I think I have a copy of Polaris Rising, but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. It sounds like a solid series and I am glad to hear book 2 was good too. Good to know book 2 follows a different main character. The mystery solving and information gathering sounds interesting to read about. Good to know the narration is done well. I might have to check out the audio versions for these.
It’s a really great series. I recommend it highly.
I have got to get started on this series! I bought the first book but haven’t been able to work it in yet. I am so glad you enjoyed this one as much as you did, Anne!
I LOVE this series. I like the first one a smidge more than this, which is odd, but they are both excellent. I hope you are able to fit it in soon. I understand that problem all too well I enjoyed them both on audio.
I have the audiobook of Polaris Rising and haven’t listened to it yet. I need to do that and then get the next book when I can. I missed that the second book has come out. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Anne!
It’s a n awesome series I’m ready for #3. I hope you enjoy them as much as me.