ARC Review--Defending the Galaxy by Maria V. Snyder

Year 2522. Oh. My. Stars.

Junior Officer Ara Lawrence here, reporting for duty. Again. It's situation critical for the security team and everyone in the base - including my parents - with a new attack from the looters imminent, a possible galaxy-wide crime conspiracy and an unstoppable alien threat. But this all pales in the face of my mind-blowing discovery about the Q-net. Of course, no one believes me. I'm not sure I believe me. It could just be a stress-induced delusion. That's what my parents seem to believe...

Their concern for me is hampering my ability to do my job. I know they love me, but with the Q-net in my corner, I'm the only one who can help the security team beat the shadowy aliens from the pits we discovered. We're holding them at bay, for now, but the entire Milky Way Galaxy is in danger of being overrun.

With battles on too many fronts, it's looking dire. But one thing I've learned is when people I love are in jeopardy, I'll never give up trying to save them. Not until my dying breath. Which could very well be today...

 

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

 

Maria V. Snyder brings us Defending the Galaxy, the stellar conclusion to her Sentinels of the Galaxy trilogy filled with action, suspense and of course a sparkling of romance! This was such an amazing series that I am saddened to see it end, but it was most definitely a fun and exciting ride!

Ara is still adapting to the shocking news that the Q-net is an actual sentient being, not only that, but it’s pretty much the Milk Way! Naturally, adjusting to the fact that it needs her help to save the galaxy isn’t as much of a stretch! The downside to this huge revelation though is that no one believes her. Despite Ara trying to get everyone on board and proving what she can, everyone thinks she might suffering a little PTSD after her encounter with Jarren.

Needing to prove her own sanity to her friends and family, she will stop at nothing in order to keep them all safe, even if she has to break her mother’s rules! Lol. Ara knows that even though Jarren is in lockup that he is no way defeated. He still has secrets and his band of looters is still out there, still set on their plan to take over the galaxy.

I will say this, there is more suspense than action. There’s still plenty of action, but a lot of it comes from the need to plan and the need to plan quick. Coupled with that are the constant interruptions that prevent this from happening and require more action so things can get back on course. Needless to say, there is a healthy amount of action amid the chaos.

What I positively loved about this book was Ara’s bravery. Omg, this girl is so freaking brave! Not only does she adapt to the role of a security officer exceedingly well, but she heads right into the thick of danger with nary a worry about herself, she wants to protect her friends, family, and people the most. She’s a headstrong kind of girl with a very big heart. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to keep the people she loves safe.

And of course, though Niall and Ara got to spend very little alone time together, they make the best of what they have. I loved their relationship. It grew from animosity into something really sweet. I can barely remember when they didn’t like each other as they’ve grown so far as a couple. I love too that Maria doesn’t throw in any unnecessary obstacles for them. It’s refreshing when an author avoids the dreaded love triangle! Ara and Niall have pretty much always been cemented as together.

There were quite a few shocking revelations in this one! I mean, learning the Q-net is actually the Milky Way was HUGE, but Maria isn’t done throwing us surprises yet and I was all for them! The way this series ends is in the most perfect kind of way, as you all might know, my favorite series ending is one that ends the series, but gives you the hope for more from the characters. We may never see those adventures, but you know they will be had!

If you’ve been looking for that futuristic thrill ride set in space, I would highly recommend Maria V. Snyder’s Sentinels of the Galaxy trilogy! It was an amazing series to read and was simply unputdownable!

 

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

 

Defending the Galaxy releases November 23, 2020 for US & December 2, 2020 for Australia