by Sarah Harian
Series: Chaos Theory #1.5
Genres: Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
In The Wicked We Have Done, readers were introduced to Valerie Crane. But you don’t know her the way you think you do. This is her story…
Valerie has always been different from her identical twin Veda. Tattooed, fiery, and foul-mouthed, Valerie acts on instinct, getting even with anyone who wrongs her passive and sensitive sister. At twenty-two, Veda doesn’t want to seek revenge against the three young men who raped her. As for Val… Val never could manage her anger well. As far as Val sees it, the Compass Room is simply a quicker way for her to die—payment for the crime she feels no guilt over. There isn’t a reason to fight, not until a girl as broken as she is reminds Val of what it’s like to hope…
Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I am brewing some mocha coffee, be sure and grab a cup. Today I am sharing Our Broken Sky, a novella from the Chaos Theory series by Sarah Harian. The series is a young adult dystopian where justice is decided in the Compass Room. You can read my review of The Wicked We Have Done book one in the series by clicking the link under series above.
Thanks to Liz @ Fictional Candy, I read and enjoyed The Wicked We Have Done and was excited for the opportunity to read Our Broken Sky by Sarah Harian. While I tend to avoid the novellas of trilogies, I am glad I picked it up. We met Valerie in book one, and I was curious about this angry, snarky young woman. Our Broken Sky shares her story before the crime to her time in the compass room. Harian explains what drove Valerie to commit murder and then exposes the vulnerable, passionate side of her.
Valerie is gritty, opinionated, angry and very protective of her twin. I love how unapologetic she is for her never-ending attitude. Through her, we gain another perspective of the Compass Room, and yet the novella is fresh. A romance develops when she meets another girl in the Compass Room. It was an intense, sweet romance and I enjoyed seeing how it developed.
The Chaos trilogy is quirky, mysterious and raises questions about guilt and punishment. While I still have many unanswered questions I did appreciate making a connection with Valerie and recommend Our Broken Sky to fans of the trilogy.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Red Iza
One more series on my enormous to-read list, then 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Well worth the chance of a topple!
Liz
Thanks for the shout out! I can’t believe I read the 3rd one before this one!!! *headdesk* I have to get that review written up before I touch this one, so I don’t mess up the details, but I’m totally on the Valerie bandwagon, she’s pretty awesome 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime Liz, and yep I would want to write my review before I read the next one..LOL
Christy
You already know that I love Valerie. 😉 I liked this too, but felt it needed more … something. Not sure what though.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, it was a novella and I think that was why it was missing a little something.
Lorna
I am a fan of most novellas, sometimes it’s what introduces me to a series, I might never have read-usually found on Net Galley. I am glad you enjoyed this, but from the sounds of your review, and what others wrote, it doesn’t end well? Not sure about that. I had never heard of these books before either. Thanks for your interesting review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, no it is a trilogy and we are still awaiting some decisions.
Paij Slater
Another series I had not heard of yet. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome, this is a clever dystopian and very character driven.
Michele
Thank you for the coffee, my friend 😉 This series is going on my list!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, glad you liked the coffee and added the trilogy to your wishlist!
laura thomas
I’ve yet to read the first book so this would be a good companion to purchase. I really like the interesting cover art too. I like the ovella’s that further develop characters. It makes the next books more fulfilling.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying this series and agree the character development makes this worth reading. Thanks Lauren.
Mary
“Coffee Pot Reviews” — that’s cute! I like it. And, while I liked The Wicked We Have Done, I don’t know if I want to read more stories set in that crazy world.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, I have been doing them for the past year or so, but stopped when I got UBB. I use to pair up two reviews together, but recently dug them back out and just do one mini review.
Stephanie Faris
That cover says it all! It sets it up as being a fast-paced novel full of action.
Michelle
I completely forgot about this series! I don’t really like novellas, but I really do love when they turn out to be great additions to the main story.
Melanie Simmons
This looks like a great series. I’m not familiar with it. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melaine. It is a dystopian and very character driven.
Lauren
I always seem to be disappointed in novellas, they never go deep enough into character or story for my liking, but it’s great that you enjoy this series and you got a closer look at a character you already knew.
kimbacaffeinate
I know exactly what you mean Lauren, that is why I tend to avoid them, and grabbed this simply because I wanted to know more about Valerie and I am so glad it paid off.
fishgirl182
Haven’t heard of the Chaos series but it looks like it could be interesting. I like novellas sometimes when I need a quick read, fun read.
kimbacaffeinate
I rarely read them, but agree when done well they are perfect quickies.
Katherine
When a novella is done right it can really add a little extra to a full length book but I’ve been burned so often I tend to steer clear. It sounds like this was done right. Glad you’ve enjoyed this series!
kimbacaffeinate
I completely agree Katherine and I am so glad this only enhanced the trilogy.
Heidi
Glad this novella was a good read, I am like you and usually skip them. I need to go look up book one as I can’t remember it.
kimbacaffeinate
This is the trilogy that Christy loves too Heidi.
ShootingStarsMag
That’s good you found this worthwhile to read!! I don’t read a lot of novellas either. I do want to read The Wicked We Have Done.
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you read them Lauren.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I don’t think I’ve read a novella of a trilogy. Hm… this does have me even more curious about the trilogy itself. Might have to check out that first book!
kimbacaffeinate
I am the same way, with a few exceptions but this trilogy is quite good Melissa.
Lily
I’m not the biggest novella reader but i do love it when novellas come out that actually work and have a purpose and get us to better understand a character! Glad you liked this one 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, thanks Lily!
Rashika
I saw this on read-now on NG a couple days ago but decided not to grab it because.. I knew how it would end and that just made me incredibly sad.
I am feeling really bad about that decision after reading your mini-review though. I would have definitely loved getting things from Valerie’s POV and maybe I’ll read this novella some day! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Don’t forget this is a trilogy and it was totally worth Valerie’s perspective.
Candace
I don’t remember even hearing of this series so I’ll have to go check it out. I’ve been avoiding adding more dystopians to the pile for now, but maybe in the future I’ll be ready for more.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, go back and read my review of book one. This is a cool trilogy.
kindlemom1
I think I need to read the first book in this series, I think I would like it and even though this might have left you with more questions than you had starting it, it sounds like it was worth the read.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, Christy, Liz and I loved it..so I know you will.
Rita
I love this short and sweet feature and I love your new avatar. The hair looks great! Not really my kind of book, sounded sort of all over the place, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, I must need more coffee. I am all like new avatar? *scratches head* Hair? LOL You mean my profile picture. Thank you. I love the dystopian genre and try to read a few a year.
Debbie Haupt
Great coffee pot review Kimba, I may actually have time to read a novella LOL 😉
Thanks for always bringing fab new novels to our attention!
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime Debbie, thanks!
Chene Sterckx
This one sounds great! Glad you enjoyed it Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Chene, I am enjoying the characters in this trilogy
Laurel-Rain Snow
Sounds like a series I need to explore. Love your Coffee Pot Reviews! Which reminds me…I need more coffee!
kimbacaffeinate
Can one ever have enough coffee Laurel?
Christa
Wow that is a bright cover! I’ve never heard of these books before but they sound interesting.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Christa, this is a pretty cool trilogy.
Nick
I have yet to read the first book even though I’ve heard fabulous things about it because I’m a little burnt on dystopians at the moment, but this is a series I’m going to eventually pick up. I’m glad to see that this has a same-sex romance and it sounds sweet too.
Great mini-review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
When the mood strikes I hope you grab them Nick!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
The only novellas I really like are ones like this: where they give you insight to a character you already know. It does sound like it added some depth to the girl and will probably add to how you see her in the next book! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was well done, and while we do see a little overlap, the insight into Valerie was worth it. Thanks Felicia.
Jenea
Sounds good. I am going yo have to add the first book too. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying these Jenea, hope you grab them
Braine
So there’s LGBT themes in this one? Not that I mind, I like it actually, just a little surprised that it’s present
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I don’t mind either and like how diverse all the characters are in this trilogy.
Jennifer Bielman
I haven’t read the first book but I plan too. But still, not really into novella side books.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay! This is a neat series Jennifer..look forward to your thoughts 🙂
Melliane
Oh it’s always so nice to have a novella such as this one. I only read the ones from the series I already follow but maybe I should try more. great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I am reading this series, and to be honest I usually skip the novellas but there have been a few exceptions and most of the time I am pleased that I did.
Silvia
It sounds like a very enjoyable novella! I haven’t read many dystopian, but I plan to catch up with a few and this could go on my TBR. Thanks for reviewing, Kimberly 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love this genre and have to read a few a year to feed my need!
blodeuedd
Now I can not remember book 1, at all
kimbacaffeinate
I reviewed it, the link is above in the series link
Kris
I love when novellas round out a series and introduce us to characters we might not otherwise really get to know. This sounds like a fantastic addition to the Chaos Theory series!
kimbacaffeinate
It really was Kris, thanks!