Mini-Reviews: Stability/Conflict and Loyalty/Betrayal by L.C. Mawson

The last thing Claire wanted was to leave. The only thing Hate wanted was for her to stay…

Waking up to find that her girlfriend had left to claim her royal birthright on another planet sucked, though Hate wasn’t sure if it sucked more or less than the fact that she was now down a leg and a pair of kidneys, her body having to make-do with cybernetic replacements as she tries to piece her life back together in Claire’s absence.

As far as Claire was concerned, leaving was about the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Or at least, it was until she finds herself thrown into the shark-infested waters of Rena politics.

Claire left Earth only to find that keeping herself and her sister safe would be harder than she thought. But at least everyone back home is safe now that she’s gone… Right?

STABILITY/CONFLICT is the fourth book in the Aspects YA sci-fi series.

My thoughts

Man, being in Rena space sucks for Claire and Emily. What is that saying, best laid plans and hell? Stability/Conflict is a perfect example of it.

“I’m going to the bathroom while I can,” Em said as he (Devel) was leaving. I’m still not used to my lack of powers meaning that I have normal bodily functions.”
Claire smiled. “You’ll get used to it.”
“You know, that’s what you said when I started bleeding from my vagina, and I’m still traumatized,” she muttered before leaving the room.
Loc. 9724

The above quote was an unexpected moment of humor for me.

I feel like this story is to set everything up for what is to come. L.C. Mawson has wars happening on two different planets. On one there are physical battles going on and on the other planet it is a political firestorm. I don’t want to give anything away, but damn. Intrigue is everywhere.

Stability/Conflict introduces us to the players on Jia’karel. Oddly enough the political and social structures are not that different from Earth today, especially the United States. Slavery, the top percent get all of the advantages, and the extreme between the lower incomes and higher are very familiar. Back on Earth, the ability to handle emotions becomes an addictive problem for Loneliness.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

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Loyalty/Betrayal

Claire left Earth to protect it, but all she did was leave it defenceless.

As Empathy returns home, she finds Earth trapped in the middle of a war, with the enemy having control of the genetically engineered creatures that only Claire was ever able to control.

But Claire is trapped in the alien hell of Rena politics, and helping Earth might mean having to sink deeper than she ever imagined.

If Earth has a chance, it rests on Claire’s shoulders, but the price of peace may be too much for her to bear.

Loyalty/Betrayal is the fifth book in the Aspects sci-fi series.

My thoughts

Wow. I was right in the last review: everything in that story set up the action in Loyalty/Betrayal.

Change is never easy. L.C. Mawson shows how history repeats itself. It doesn’t matter how much Claire tries to learn; we are doomed to repeat ourselves. I have such mixed emotions about this story. My heart was in my throat the entire time, especially as the end drew near. My throat is still tight. Holy sugar. Mawson gives us more than just political intrigue as war brings forth true allegiances and some ugly personality quirks. Once again Mawson changes the landscape, and everyone feels as if they are on their own in a losing war.

So freaking good. I want some popcorn and a comfy position because you know this had to end on a cliffhanger and it did. Holy sugar by the time I got to the last page, my heart was beating so hard I had to take a break. I freaking love Mawson.

That’s all I’m going to say because I do not want to give anything away. I cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.