I was so excited to get approved for this book! The first book was amazing and I knew I would love this one just as much. Because school has been kicking my butt this term I wasn’t able to read this book before it came out, but I did get to listen to the audiobook. The narrators, once again, did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

Although we meet a few new characters in this book, our POVs stay the same. We still follow Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette. A few things have changed for our lovely characters though. Alouette has decided to leave the sisterhood and find out as much as she can about her mother. Marcellus decides to join up with the Vangarde to stop his grandfather from taking control over Laterre. And Chatine is in prison on Bastille. They are all fighting their own battles, but of course, Brody and Rendell find a way to bring them all together again.

This go-round I liked Alouette more. It’s not that I didn’t like her in the first book, but I felt like from the get-go I was team Chatine lol. But Alouette really is a strong character and has grown so much from when we first met her. Chatine is still my favorite character and she teams up with someone new, who I absolutely love! I cannot wait to read more about him in the next book… at least there better be more about him. And Marcellus, he has grown a bunch as well. He is no longer the boy who wants nothing more than to make his grandfather proud. He is coming into his own now and I love it.

So many things are revealed in this book that completely shocked me! It was an awesome ride for sure. I am so excited to get my hands on the next book because I have to know what happens next. I definitely recommend Between Burning Worlds! Go and read it ASAP, you won’t regret it.

I've been dying to read 'Between Burning Worlds' ever since I finished reading the first book in the series. I have to admit that I went into it with pretty high hopes and expectations because I loved the first book so much and I wasn't let down in the least. I basically adored every single part of the novel - from the world building and setting to the characters and the wonderful science fiction plot mixed as a retelling of Les Miserables, it was everything I hoped for and more.

I loved the three main characters - Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette. They were each realistic with positive traits and flaws, which made each of them easy to identify with in their own way. I loved getting to know each of them separately, as their own character, as well as seeing how their relationships with the other characters began and grew throughout the novel. The plot was intense and the science fiction angle put it on a whole new level that definitely makes it stand out from anything else out there right now. It's wholly original and completely unique - which is hard to find anymore these days. I loved the world building and enjoyed getting to know the history of Laterre, the past including the Last Days, as well as the intricate details of this planet and its people. The authors used fantastic descriptions and vivid imagery to bring this world to life in front of our eyes and made it easy for me to imagine I was there among the main characters while everything was happening during the story. I'm really hoping this is going to be a series because I definitely want - no, need - more. I'm excited to see where the authors and plot will take us next. I very highly recommend this book to fans of YA fiction, science fiction, fantasy, retellings, and re-imaginings.

This book was a fantastic read! The characters were interesting and the storyline was adventurous and exciting. I was hooked from the first chapter. I even finished this in two sittings. Fantastic and definitely recommend!

If there was ever a team that was meant to write in unison, that would be Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell. Together, they brought us a Sky Without Stars and hurled readers into a space and time where the elite live in extravagance and the poor are left to their starvation and death outside their guided gates. With the hints of rebellion in the air, this was one retelling of Les Misérables that readers in their own version of "Do You Hear the Readers Sing."


I was absolutely entranced by the continual world building in Between Burning Worlds and how Rendell and Brody layered socio-economic themes from Les Misérables, all the while creating their own dynamic setting with sci-fi elements. The multiple POV's enabled readers to have a great expanse over the world Laterre and how each individual played a part in the impending revolution for control over Laterre. Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette are all such dynamic characters and it has been quite the journey to see how their paths and fates have intertwined. Marcellus's quest for honor and dignity will make him go against the high society he's been a part of for so long-even if that means he must also go against his grandfather. Chatine has known a life of hardship and loss....and is still willing to give more to the cause. After a life secluded underground by the world's last library Alouette must now find the truth to her own past in order to realize her role in Laterre's destiny.


These three are like the three musketeers of Laterre who are all championing the cause for the people with the best of intentions in their hearts. The question remains though if they will be able to rise together and save Laterre...or will they be caught in between burning worlds?

If you thought the first book in this series was a nail bitter you not seen anything yet. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book. You really feel like your inside the story and the advantage of each chapter being a different character really adds to the oh my word what gonna happen next. Their are plot twists that i did not see coming and some that were a bit easy to predict. Your in for a treat as well cause if you thought this was a two book series your wrong this one ends on a might cliff hanger and i like what what, how much more edge of seat can i take. I have no idea how many more books we are going to get but if they are all as good as the first two then i in tel l the end. It hard to review this one without giving anything away so i just end with pick it up and enjoy.

I need more.

Between Burning Worlds was absolutely amazing.

The book picks up a few days after the end of the first one, Sky Without Stars. The pace was super quick while still taking plenty of time to give a whole crapola of backstory that we didn’t necessarily get in the first one. BBW was a perfect mixture of character driven and plot driven. And I could not get enough.

The three main characters: Alouette, Marcellus and Chatine were so amazing in this book. Chatine especially. She really grew into her own as well as her world. Chatine was able to grow so much as a person and as an essential character in this epic retelling of Les Miserables.

And for me to say that takes a lot. I adore Les Mis so much. I read the book and watched the movies and watched the musical production and the TV shows. I mean I really like it. It’s a classic. But System Divine is setting up to become the new classic for a new generation. The little hints and callbacks to the original were perfect in my mind. It wasn’t the greatest when I was reading because I constantly wanted to break into song but I do not have Hugh Jackman’s voice so it was not going to be pretty.

The cliffhanger was absolutely terrible and I need a resolution like yesterday.

I am a little disappointed that I figured out the twist in the end but it was a little obvious looking back on it. There were plenty of hints but the story is so captivating that you legit don’t pay attention to them until they are called on. I need more backstories and more everything. Also I need that ship that was teased to actually happen because I will riot harder than the french people if I don’t get it.

Sky Without Stars launched me onto another planet last year with the authors’ retelling of Les Misérables in space.
I’m super excited to get the chance to read the sequel in the System Divine trilogy because the first book promised some shenanigans are going to be in store. And I definitely don’t remember what happened in the first book, so cracking open to an overview of the first book is a blessing. If you’re like me and you reread maybe 1% of the time, you’re in good hands.

The second book in the System Divine trilogy starts right where Sky Without Stars ends, with each of the characters on their own path:

Marcellus secretly working with the Vanguarde, with the desire to stop General Bonnefacon from overthrowing the Patriarche of Laterre and taking the planet for his own.

Chatine ends up on Bastille’s harsh working conditions and wants to get out; even if it means getting herself indirectly involved with the Vanguarde.

Alouette is searching for the answers of her past with what little information she has; she’s not thrilled she’s been lied to by the sisters her entire life… but let’s be honest: who’s ever thrilled?

Much of Between Burning Worlds is further building up the world Brody and Rendell first introduced us to in Sky Without Stars, taking us to other planets and unknown places of Laterre. While it may seem the trio are on different paths, they’re more intertwined than they think.

Brody and Rendell kept me on my feet constantly.
I never liked General Bonnefacon, and if you want my honest opinion, he deserves charred bacon and nothing but charred bacon. Everyone just gets screwed over by him for his own gain. But Marcellus’ grandfather is seriously one of the most cunning characters of the series; he’s always upending everyone’s plans. It’s no wonder he’s still going. In this sequel to Sky Without Stars, the General continues being a key character constantly plotting his next move.

What a strategist and sharp mastermind. If I had to stan villains, he would be one of them. 11/10 would not mess with grandpa.

I’m in love with the new characters.
Between Burning Worlds introduces us to quite a few new characters in addition to the returning cast: Cerise, Gabriel, Etienne. I loved every second they were on the page; there are moments of banter and humor involved and it made this whopping sequel go by much quicker. 600+ pages felt like nothing. Someone protect Gabriel though, he’s such a cinnamon roll and I’m worried about what will happen to him in the third book. 🥺

Then again, none of the characters get a break or room to breathe, not with General Bonnefacon around at least. While Chatine and Alouette grow as characters from when we first meet them in book one, Marcellus undergoes the most character development here as he goes head to head with his grandfather. Gabriel should still be protected though. I’m hoping for the chance to see the three of them again in the next book.

Between Burning Worlds is an absolute trip, and it’s a good type of trip.
With new characters to the series and a brewing revolution on a corrupted planet, Brody and Rendell continue bringing readers on a trip through space while constantly keeping them on their toes until the very end.

Let me just start off by saying that this book starts with a recap of the previous book, so if you don’t have the time to reread all 582 pages of the first book, the 2-3 page recap going through all the main players in the story and recounting the important bits of their story is pretty awesome to have. I honestly wish all sci-fi and fantasy series did that for those of us who just need a tiny refresher. So I’m already massively excited about this story after only reading a couple pages.

Also, can we talk about how this book is 100 pages longer than the first one? I’m currently riding high and pretty much obsessed with reading this on my phone in every free moment I can find. Of course I’m also reading a couple other books at the same time, as well as writing blog posts, and watching some shows. I try to keep myself pretty busy.

Okay, so I wrote the above portion of the review when I had just started the book, like I had only made it like 15-20% through it. And it’s all true. Thankfully it all remained true through the remainder of the book.

We get to add a few more characters into the spotlight for this one, and I definitely think they added to the overall story. Oh, and based on a revelation at the end of the first book, I was able to correctly guess a connection between Chatine and one of the other characters long before it was revealed on the moon prison of Bastille.

This was just such a delight to read, but at the same time it was also a nightmare to read. In the corrupt leadership of Laterre, I saw some of the same hate and bigotry that I can clearly see in the world today. I can see the same level of greed and those who don’t think those of the lower classes deserve basic human decency and compassion. Considering the state of the world, this was sometimes difficult to read.

The world-building continues to be great, and the story has action and intrigue and hints of romance all over, and honestly, this was a second book/middle book that didn’t not fall to the second-book-slump. Oh, and of course, there are still plenty of nods to the Les Miserables inspiration to this story. Who would have thought that Les Mis in space would be a story that I would be completely obsessed about? I definitely can recommend these books.

Now…where’s book three? Well, I guess we’ll all have to wait until at least next year to find out what happens next.

Between Burning Worlds picks up right where Sky Without Stars ends. Chatine is headed to Bastille, the prison moon; Marcellus has gone and decided to join the Vangarde; and Alouette is searching for more information about who she is. On Laterre, Marcellus has been given the task of finding out what weapon the general, his grandfather, is creating. While trying to find that information, the general receives a call that the Vangarde leader, Citizen Rousseau, locked away on Bastille is dead. While in celebration, the general notices that the security video is looped, and so the army under the Patriarche’s orders heads to Bastille to destroy the tower that Citizen Rousseau and her associates are using to escape. Chatine, while in the target tower on Bastille, gets a message that she needs to leave the tower because she’s in danger. On her way to escape, she ends up in an explosion that leaves her injured and rescused by a défecteur. Alouette ends up in Montfer to search for the blood bordel that she knows was one of the last places to see her mother. When she arrives, she’s given more information that doesn’t make sense and is drugged and forced to give blood. When the local police shut down the bordel and transfer those arrested to Vallonay, Alouette finds herself in a fight against the police, gains an accomplice, and becomes a fugitive. They’re stories collide and the story is too much to summarize without reading it. But this book, and what comes next in Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette’s story is an exciting adventure that you hate to put down.

I think what I loved most about this book was how well written all three story lines were. It just continued from the first book, where each character and their story is absolutely well-written, continuous, and super clear. Not only, were they three individual views (at times when all three were together), but they all seemingly meshed so well together to create a tremendous puzzle. One that is absolutely one that I couldn’t put down. I needed to know how everything and how everyone played a part in a much larger story.

Another thing that I liked was that there was a really good balance between action and places where the action slowed down (but still moved the story forward). Sometimes, I think books like this can get so caught up in the action, that there’s no plot or further movement other than action all the time that ends up being unneeded. Brody and Rendall did such a good job at creating those moments where your heart wasn’t pounding and on edge, but in the slower moments moved the characters and their plot forward by thoughts, actions, and memories of others. Some of my favorite pieces of this is when Chatine is in the défecteurs community. There’s so much freaking character development, but the action wasn’t full throttle and I loved it! Also, I think Chatine needs a break from time to time and deserves all the good things. They all do, honestly.

I think one of my other favorites things about this book was that this is absolutely a book that I would, and will, be recommending to the students that I work with (grades 7-12; but probably more the 10-12 graders). It’s an adventure featuring characters around their ages that are going through hard things. And they don’t back down when those hard things come, but they press on. I would love for my students to have the curiosity to learn like Alouette, the resilience of Chatine, and the kindness of Marcellus.

-- I received an eARC of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review --

Set at a bit of a distance from the first book, Sky Without Stars, Between Burning Worlds dives right into the action. Following the parallel strands of Chatine, Marcellus and Alouette’s stories, it continues to depict the social unrest on Laterre, and the threat of complete revolution and devastating war. However, at the end of Sky Without Stars, Marcellus had discovered that his grandfather, the General, had been behind much of the brutal, supposed revolutionary action, trying to rule the population through fear. In Between Burning Worlds, Marcellus and his friends discover that there might be even more to his grandfather’s plans than they suspected, a quest that takes them further than they ever thought possible…

While the first book dragged at times and needed to introduce a lot of world-building, this second installment is action-packed and thrilling. Introducing several new factions and places into the mix, as well as leaving more space for reflection and growth, this collaboration comes into its own in Between Burning Worlds. Characters get more depth, and a number of open threads get resolved – although we still end up with many unanswered questions by the end of the book!

I really appreciate how these books advocate for peaceful rebellion over bloodshed, how violence on both sides is shown as something to avoid. All too often, righteous violence is depicted as positive, when, really, it too needs to be avoided. I’m glad the characters struggle with their conscience if they have to defend themselves, even if the situation is clear in context. In the current climate, we need more pacifism.

i just couldn't get into this one.

I have tried to read it on and off for a month but i just couldn't stay focused. i will try it again later but for now I am just giving it a 2 stars

Sequel to Sky Without Stars, Between Burning Worlds picks up pretty much where Sky left off. Our main characters have themselves in whole heaps of trouble, and their ingenuity is the only thing that could possible save them. Without giving too much away; Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette are separated and on their own paths to start the book. Each trying to find out more about themselves, in different ways. But what they find won't always be fulfilling or satisfying...

I found Between Burning Worlds to be a satisfying middle book. I don't think it fell victim so much to the middle book syndrome. The world and plot was pretty much built in Sky, so Between Burning Worlds just continued the action. I liked the new characters who were added to bring extra suspense and drama. However, Chatine is still my favorite character and always will be.

The writing is very good in this book. I love the twists and turns and how you can never tell what really is true and what is just a smoke screen. I love a book that keeps me guessing until the end. Speaking of the end, the CLIFFHANGER y'all. I must know what happens...

Between Burning Worlds continues the Les Mis adaptation of Sky Without Stars. If you loved Les Mis and enjoy science fiction books set in space, this series will be for you.

It’s always a little hard to review a sequel because basically everything is going to be a spoiler, but I’ll do my best!

Basically, the main takeaway here is that if you enjoyed the first book at all, I personally think the sequel is even better. When I was reading the first book, I definitely enjoyed the Les Mis elements, but there were some parts that took me out of the story because I was too busy trying to connect them back to the story or trying to guess what might happen in the book based on the original text. While there are still Les Mis elements in this novel, I personally felt the story took on a life of its own — and I mean that in a very good way. The backbone of the original text was still there of course, particularly in our main characters, but the world itself is so interesting and the science fiction elements so engaging that I felt like it was time for this story to grow wings. I was really pleased to see more of that in book 2.

I loved seeing our three main characters come together and try to basically save everything. There was a bit less of a love triangle feel, but I mean, the source text is Les Mis, so what are you gonna do. Also, I personally really loved the new characters that were introduced in this one.

After reading this novel, I’m upgrading the entire series to must read status for everyone! It’s a bit of French history, a bit of Les Mis and a bit of science fiction all stirred together in a beautiful way. I cannot WAIT for the third — and after the ending here, it better come quick!

Marcellus thought he had escaped from under his grandfather’s clutches but was quickly sent back into the life he fled to try and topple his grandfather from the inside. Aloutte just wants to know more about her past and that investigation exposes her to people who want to use these hidden secrets. Chatine is serving time on a prison moon and hopes to eventually leave the reality that has become her life. After a failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison, Marcellus, Aloutte, and Chatine are thrown into the middle of a war they are not ready for. Will these three be able to overthrow the powers of Laterre? What is with the legend of a secret and dangerous weapon?

Between Burning Worlds is the second book in the System Divine series. This sci-fi adventure may be long in pages, but the story is so engrossing readers will find that they can’t put the book down. Even when I wasn’t able to give the book time, I found myself thinking about the characters and what was going to happen next. My biggest concern, though, is the fact that Amazon and Goodreads don’t have a third book listed. When I finished this wonderful story, I went online to investigate. Brody’s website says it is a trilogy. THANK YOU! This is a great book and I will be waiting for the third book to get a title and release date.

Just like the first book, Sky Without Stars, this was an incredible action-packed tale that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I read. But also like the first one, it is a huge book. I mean, I guess that makes sense, seeing as it is supposed to kind of be a retelling of Les Miserables, which is a huge book by itself. I still haven’t had a chance to read Les Miserables, but having seen the movie, I feel I know enough to kind of get the feel for the story. This science fiction reimagining has so many twists and turns, and double backs and even possibly a bit of a love triangle. And as I got closer to the end, I thought, hmm, will what is happening be able to be all wrapped up in the number of pages left? And no, it wasn’t. While one problem that our heroes and heroines had been trying to solve was taken care of, another formed in its place as they thought they were safe.

Along with all of the things going on in this story, we got to revisit a lot of the same characters from before, as well as have some new ones introduced. For instance, I loved Etienne and his family. And Gabriel, although in a way he isn’t as new of a character as he seemed at first, as we find out as the story goes on. The science fiction aspect had some really great scenes with different planets and technologies. The connections to the French and English populations both in Les Miserables and how they are known today was so much fun to read. There were things in the dystopian elements that totally are relatable to things in today’s world, and I love how the authors wove that into the story.

As I mentioned above, not all the loose ends or major plot points were solved, one new problem was even created in a way at the end. That means we are looking forward to a book three, I hope/assume. I liked the way at the beginning of this we got caught up with what had happened in book one since it had been a year and like this one, it had so much in it, there was a lot to try to remember. I will be hoping for a similar way of catching us up when the third book comes out, like I assume it will in a year?

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, Netgalley, and Simon Pulse for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Okay fam. So I’m clearly not a true literature fan because I’ve never read Les Mis before, although I’ve heard of it, saw previews for the movie adaptation, saw how thick the book was, etc. I know of it. I just never read it. So that part didn’t appeal to me. BUT when the synopsis told me that it was like Lunar Chronicles?? Oh that sold me so fast I thought I was getting whiplash. I freaking LOVE that series – from what I read, yes I don’t finish series you know this – and if there was going to be anything compared to that, I knew immediately that I was going to dig it.

And guess what?

Ya girl totally dug this one.

Like, do I need to watch Les Mis or something to truly see how amazing it was? Probably not because THIS book was already amazing and wow, both Brody and Rendell blew me away. Out of this world, literally. I think they make a great author duo and I’m hoping that they can collaborate on something again.

Not only was the world-building really intriguing for me – and seriously I’ve noticed lately that if I’m not feeling the world that my characters are in (not literally my characters but you get me) then I don’t fall in love with the book as much. Which nothing is wrong with, sometimes books are more character driven than plot driven and sometimes characters can hold their own and carry the novel in a lackluster world, but that was not the case in this one. I felt like this was a world that I could see myself living in if I was born centuries later, trying to navigate and survive in. Just like our characters here.

Maybe it’s because I have a little bit of a rebellious side to me somewhere deep down, but I absolutely love seeing books where there are groups of people trying to overthrow the current regime or government or whatever bad guy is messing stuff up. Rebel groups. Rebellion groups. Revolutionary groups. I dig them all. Also rebel groups and rebellion groups may be the exact same thing – oops. I like seeing regular people band together and just get this stuff done. It makes me wish I could be one of them. Which one of the characters do I wish I was more like? I don’t know. I like the double agent aspect even though they are usually seen as bad people. Playing both sides so well that it’s hard to tell which side you’re really on? That’s impressive to me. Having someone take on a punishment because they messed up, and they handle it like they handle everything else? Impressive.

I was just really into this book and from the ending, it sounds like there will be another one? I hope so!

Between Burning Worlds</em> is the sequel of <em>Sky Without Stars</em>, written by Joanne Rendell and Jessica Brody. I’ll start by saying that I was very grateful for the synopsis on each character at the beginning of the book. My memory was fuzzy on certain aspects, so this was a great refresher. The size of the book can be intimidating, but the story flows well. I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast-paced and thrilling the second book was. I went through the book pretty fast, faster than the first book actually, especially considering how massive it is.

The story is a retelling of Les Miserables with a unique fantasy/sci-fi twist to it. The world building is - as in the first book - well thought out. Places are added in this book with their own code/culture. There is still a strong French influence too. The name and words added are definitely French names or often terms of endearment.

I very much enjoyed reading about Marcellus. His character definitely grows in this book. Chatine remains my favorite character. There is so much to her and I particularly enjoyed how things unfold for her whether it’s good or bad. As for Alouette/Madeline, I still struggle a bit with her, but she is definitely getting some substance in this book, which is something I'm appreciative of.

Overall, this book has been a pleasant read. I enjoyed reading the second installment in the series, probably better than the first book.

Between Burning Worlds starts off 2 weeks after the events of Sky Without Stars, with Marcellus wanting to join the Vanguarde, Chatine on Bastille, and Alouette run away from the Refuge, to seek more information about her past. The General’s plans for Laterre are a mystery that Marcellus wants to find out, and prevent from happening, but he constantly feels like his grandfather is three moves ahead of him in everything. Chatine is suffering from auditory hallucinations on Bastille, and the harsh conditions over there, but she notices a pattern among the older seeming prisoners over there. While the Vanguarde amping up its efforts to free Citizen Rousseau, another group emerges in the aftermath of that attempt, with a similar revolutionary streak. Some of main characters, meanwhile, have to escape the planet to find the nefarious plans the General has in store.

There’s a lot that can’t be discussed in this review because of spoilers, but I gotta say, I loved that we got to see outside of Laterre in this book, and how things work on other planets. The introduction of three new major characters to be a part of the team infused it with new energy, especially the sparkling personality of self-claimed ‘criminal mastermind’ Gabriel, who just screams ‘we are all gonna die’ at every minor inconvenience, and self-claimed ‘sympathizer’ Cerise, who just wants to punch him at every instance, but you can definitely see their relationship developing in between the bickering. Etienne was also a treat, but his home especially is a symbol of hope for Chatine, who never knew such a loving society could exist where people do things for each other out of love and community. The twists and reveals in this sequel were not all surprising, since some of them had nicely placed foreshadowing at various points, so it was also fun to unravel some mysteries of the plot. It also made the long length of this book worth it, which at 690 pages, could have felt tiring but instead just allowed for more development between characters, character storylines and the world-building.

Overall, it is a fantastic sequel, with an action-packed plot and the addition of new characters to love!

Most series could learn a lot from this sequel, it had such a great recap at the beginning of the book! Which is always necessary, since there is often a year in between releases of sequels!
I really enjoy the writing in this series, it just reads so easily and fast! I feel like I was flying through this almost 700 page book!
At the end of the last book I was quite frustrated with Alouette and Marcellus. Still not a huge fan of Alouette, since I feel like she was just being stupid, and slow to realize things.. Marcellus made up for my annoyance though! He really did some good and smart things in this book!
The plot felt quite slow going, even though things were happening, most of the action felt quite mild. But I quite enjoyed the pace, but I do think some parts could have been skipped over, just for the story to be a little bit faster.
There were some plot twists, some I didn’t see coming, but some were very obvious and that annoyed me a bit. That is also my main reason for taking a star of the rating.
Another thing I didn’t really like was the words written in French or kinda French.. I didn’t really see the point, they just had to explain some of the words in that way, and it didn’t make the retelling part more accurate.
The ending surprised me! I was convinced this was a duology, but now I’m really hoping this is a trilogy, since I really need more! That ending gave me so many questions!

Oh. My. Gosh. Yes! Give me more please!! This was fantastic!! I'm surprised I havent heard of these authors before! I loved the writing style and the plot so much!