When the Sky Breaks
by Septimus Brown
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date May 30 2025 | Archive Date Aug 01 2025
Talking about this book? Use #WhentheSkyBreaks #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
An alien artifact. A prison break. A rebel with a secret.
When a young woman from Marix Desata’s past shows up at Crescent Five—a remote lunar lockup—she pulls him into a conspiracy that could topple a tyrant or destroy them both. A forbidden weapon, powerful and alive, ends up in Marix’s hands.
It whispers at the edge of his thoughts, demanding loyalty, offering power… if he dares to wield it.
But the closer Marix gets to freedom, the more dangerous the journey becomes. To survive, he’ll need to outrun assassins, outsmart spies, and navigate a world that wants to use him or kill him—starting with his own mother.
🌌 YA science fiction with a genderpunk twist
🌊 Spies, sea serpents, super powers
⚡When the sky breaks, no one falls gently
Advance Praise
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"When the Sky Breaks redefines the boundaries of imagination with its descriptive setting and ingenious world-building. It has a plot with astronomical stakes and deeply human moments. I could not put the book down. What an exhilarating read."
—Jessica Barbosa, ReadersFavorite.com
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I unreservedly recommend When the Sky Breaks for YA (and adult) science fiction readers, as well as anyone who simply appreciates a good yarn with enough action and twists to keep the pages turning. The setting is unique, but familiar enough for us Earthlings to hang our hat on. Characters are well drawn, each with their own strengths and flaws that make them real and relatable. What Brown calls a “genderpunk” motif adds a subtle and satisfying upending of gender stereotypes and tropes, making them fresh and new in a way Gen Alpha readers will appreciate and find delightful. Be sure to grab this one when it hits the shelves!"
—Jennifer Gadd, author of The Second Battle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"When the Sky Breaks is a rewarding and sharply written book that manages to maintain a brilliant, forward-moving pace and a strong sense of immediacy that never lets up. A lot of this is due to Brown’s style, which is lean but effective, with clean prose that, unlike most science fiction, doesn’t over-explain or get lost in ornamentation. This is a wonderful story. Very highly recommended."
—Asher Syed, ReadersFavorite.com
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"When the Sky Breaks skillfully explores the themes of identity, trust, and the corrupting influence of power. The story is packed with action, intrigue, exquisite prose, well-crafted dialogue, and characters that are, indeed, unforgettable."
—Divine Zape, ReadersFavorite.com
Marketing Plan
The author has an established platform, including 77K followers on Twitter/X and 21K on Bluesky. He blogs regularly at SeptimusBrown.com and DarlingAxe.com, where he shares writing insights, reviews, and industry commentary. His newsletter has an engaged readership, and he is running paid ads on Reddit, Meta, and Goodreads. Additional outreach includes a series of StoryGraph giveaways.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781738076642 |
| PRICE | $15.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 357 |
