Friday, January 25, 2013

Review: Something New Under the Sun by LA Witt

Title: Something New Under the Sun (Falling Skies #2)
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Length: 221 pages

Grade: A


BLURB

Liam Lansing is heir to a prominent family of bio-modified vampires. That is, until he chooses the wrong lover and is cast down to the Gutter to scrape for his life.

Daniel Harding is heir to Cybernetix and a prince of the corporate Sky. That is, until his ideology drives his father to put a price on his head, forcing him into the Gutter.

But Daniel and Liam won’t vanish meekly into the smog. Together, they plan to rip open the hidden corruption that runs the Sky—for vengeance, for justice, and for hope. They strike against the corporations in a daring raid. When everything goes wrong, Daniel must betray his core beliefs to save the man he loves and protect his dangerous secret. Only through courage in the face of death—or worse—might he and Liam change the world they live in and create something new under the sun.


MY REVIEW

I absolutely loved LA Witt’s A Chip In His Shoulder, it was my first and only 5 star book review Reviews by Jessewave. So, I was overjoyed when I found out a sequel would be released this year, and LA Witt has not disappointed. As with the first book, Ms. Witt has created a unique world where the elite live in the “Sky,” and the down-trodden live in the “Gutter.” While both protagonists come from the Sky as privledged men of power, vampire Liam Lansing was thrown into the Gutter for falling in love with a mod-hating human, Daniel Harding. Liam did what he had to do to survive, including whoring himself out and finally becoming an assassin. The first book started with Liam taking a contract to kill his former lover, Daniel; but when he sees Daniel again, that plan changes. Now, in this installment, Liam and Daniel are back together and determined to fight the powerful men in the Sky to bring reform to their world, even if it costs them their lives.

As I stated in my review of A Chip In His Shoulder, I adored the world building in these novels. It’s a cross between Cyperpunk and a dystopian society where the have and have-nots are clearly defined. Add in some vampires, reunited lovers, an underground rebellion and you have the makings of a great book. Personally, I think this book would also make a great sci-fi movie too, as the action was like a roller coaster with so many unexpected turns and twists that I was hooked from the get-go.

The only reason I did not give this version 5 stars also was because I found the romance angle to be lacking. Basically, I read romance books for the romance. So, if readers are looking for a M/M romance book with sci-fi elements, then Something New Under the Sun might not be your cup of tea. While the romance between Liam and Daniel is there, it takes a back-seat to the sci-fi plot. But, for readers who like a little paranormal/fantasy twist in their M/M books and are not looking for overt romance, then this will be right up your alley. The action is non-stop – reminded me of the 1930′s serial movies that had jaw-dropping cliffhangers and you waited with baited breath for the next installment – and the writing top-notch.

So, if you love a good science fiction/fantasy novel with a tight plot, great characterizations and a sub-plot that has the main protagonists as gay lovers…then this is your book.

Recommended.


Originally posted at Reviews by Jessewave

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