Black Moon by Romina Russell - Where all your questions get answered

Zodiac #3

At least, most of them...

Book synopsis

May contain spoilers

Book 3 in the breathtaking sci-fi space saga inspired by astrology that will stun fans of the Illuminae Files and Starbound series.
One final secret stands between Rho and the enemy. But will the devastating truth be enough to destroy her first? Rho, the courageous visionary from House Cancer, lost nearly everything when she exposed and fought against the Marad, a mysterious terrorist group bent on destroying balance in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now, the Marad has disappeared without a trace, and an uneasy peace has been declared. But Rho is suspicious. She believes the Master is still out there in some other form. And looming over all are the eerie visions of her mother, who died many years ago, but is now appearing to Rho in the stars. When news of a stylish new political party supported by her best friend, Nishi, sends Rho on another journey across the galaxy, she uses it as an opportunity to hunt the hidden master and seek out information about her mother. And what she uncovers sheds light on the truth–but casts darkness upon the entire Zodiac world. Black Moon (Zodiac #3)

 

My opinion

4.5/5 stars.

Awesome world building! The images pictured by the author are amazing! This book has it all. Character development. Big reveals. Or should I say HUGE! :)) Ok. Ok. I am gonna stop the jokes. We finally get some answers regarding the Zodiac's origin. Now we finally know what happened with the thirteenth house. The big bad villain if finally revealed. And I am glad that some of my brain-storming theories were right.

Unfortunately, we have some deaths and betrayals. Good part is that we also have some alive and coming back to life characters too. Hint-Hint! There are twists and turns in this book... Man! I literary throw my iPad aside screaming "What!?!"
That ending thou! Clap-Clap!
How could you, Romina? How could you?!! Now I have to wait... let me see... until August. Well, it is better than December.
I love that the author brings into question a lot of the ethical problems we go through in real life. And the characters' response to them reflect the ones you, me, your friend, or a person X will give. It makes you think. You learn to see from a different perspective. The author does not present only the good option. She also offers the bad one. And... It feel more realistic that way. Opinions were not forced on me. That, dear reader, is what I love in a book.

SPOILERS Section 

- I want to say that the ending is impossible to be true because we still have narration post facto. Sooo... You who read this book get what I mean. I am glad to see our character struggling to accept their heritage, who they really are, and what they want. I am talking about Rho, Mathias,  Hysan, Rho's brother, Nishi. I wished there was more of Hysan in this book.

The master is revealed! And, why he/she has to be from my people? :))

The Zodiac gets more united!

We have a great prophecy about the Zodiac!

We get to see Aquarius, Scorpion, and Pisces! Even though I loved reading about it, the book spends too much time on Aquarius than I expected. I thought there is going to be more action on Pisces considering the pandemic issue. -

End of SPOILERS

One last note, this is a slow-ish paced book. Make sure you are in a mood for it.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

Also, feel free to check out my other two reviews on book one and two, Zodiac and Wandering Star.

Genres: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild to moderate (kissing and the notion that two characters have sex)
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: mild 

 

 

Cover Reveal

Hello, everyone! This is a quick post. We finally have the cover for the fourth instalment in the Zodiac series.

Drum Roll, Please...

 

 

TA-DAH!

 

 

Source: Thirteen Rising

Wandering Star (Zodiac #2) by Romina Russell

Book Synopsis

Spoiler Alert! This is the second book in the series. You have been warned! Read on your own risk.

  A breathtaking sci-fi space saga inspired by astrology that will stun fans of the Illuminae Files and Starbound series.

Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her title, Rho is ready to live life quietly, as an aid worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn.

But news has spread that the Marad--an unbalanced terrorist group determined to overturn harmony in the Galaxy--could strike any House at any moment.

Then, unwelcome nightmare that he is, Ochus appears to Rho, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight.

Now Rho must embark on a high-stakes journey through an all-new set of Houses, where she discovers that there's much more to her Galaxy--and to herself--than she could have ever imagined.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24930075-wandering-star
 

My Opinion

Once again, this review contains spoilers.

 4.5/5 Stars according to Goodreads ratings.

The book overall was amazing. It was better than the first one due to the faster pace (understandable the first one had a lot of world building). I connected with Rho even more in this book. She felt real due to her flaws (I was a little annoyed with her in the beginning when she did not take in consideration Ophiuchus’ advertisement earlier). For me, she was more like a teenager who learns from her journey. She is clever in this book. Some people might consider her a hypocrite because she cannot open to Hysan and on the other hand she wants free choice and unity. To be sincere, I understand her. She is suffering a lot of changes in her life. She needs time to rediscover herself in this “new” life (I was [sort of] in her place once, nothing drastic like a war or becoming a galactic guardian, chuckle, chuckle.)

I like that the boys are not perfect “gods”. Yes, they are real breakable handsome guys. (Thank you, Romina Russell for not killing that character from the first book, wink-wink.) Hysan is not ready to admit that he is the real Libra Guardian even though he is the best judge in the Zodiac (Again Rho, really, really? Take in consideration all the possibilities and opinions next time, especially when it comes from Hysan, wink.) MAJOR SPOILER ALERT: Mathias is alive people. He is alive! He is alive and tortured and mentally broken but down to earth in the same time. In the first book I preferred Mathias over Hysan (Hysan seemed suspicious and intriguing, chuckle, chuckle.) while in the second book I felt the other way around, Hysan over Mathias. For some reason, I like them both. I will feel like Rho, if I have to choose between them – confused.

The action was like in a major Doctor Who episode with lots of twists. The enemy becomes ally and the ally becomes enemy. We see more breathtaking worlds in this book and meet new characters. We also learn more about the master. And because I am an Aquarian and I use my logic and I suspect everybody of mischief (chuckle, chuckle), I have my own crazy theories.

I do not think that the Guardian of Scorpio (I forgot his name) is the master or if he has a major Marad connection. He is too obvious. He is rather one of those old guys who likes power and the way the system is. Or I can be totally wrong. I feel like the master is hidden in plain sight or it might be a character we keep hearing about (like Rho’s mom who probably [spoilers] became an Aquarian/Riser). Or Rho’s mom might just play a key role in all this, not as the master of course. Another master possibility might be that first Sagittarius Guardian, or he might have a key role in the 13th House chaos. Anyway, I cannot wait to see how the story ends and to learn what really happened with the 13th House.

Also the map of the Helios system helped with the spatial arrangement of the houses.

This is my own opinion and you can either love it or not love it. And, I recommend this book to the space lovers.

PS: I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. <3

Original review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1312594406

Genres: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild to moderate (kissing and the notion that two characters have sex)
Violence: moderate (attacks on large groups of people, mention of torture)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild to none

Zodiac by Romina Russell

The book synopsis

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.
When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.
Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.
But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20821306-zodiac

 

My Opinion

3.5/5 stars according to Goodreads ratings.

I liked the book and the idea behind it. The action happens in space. Each zodiac sign has its own planet/planets, culture, and technology. In other words, the zodiac houses are unique including the people who live in them. For me, this was the most interesting aspect of the book because people so different had to work and cooperate with each other.
The author does a good job describing the world. At times, I was a little bit confuse about the planets and the houses and their organization in space. That might be just me. Everything gets clear because in the following book in the series there is a map. So, no major worries there. Since this a world-building-first-book in a series, it had a slow pace sometimes.
The main character, Rho, rushed making decisions, especially with THE BOY/S and with the bigger threat. I admire that she understood her role as the protector of Cancer but she was just focused on one thing. She did not stopped and analyzed thoroughly. That is why I cannot wait to read the next book and to see her development.
The two love interest are also complex characters. The romance is not overwhelming and the love triangle is not - for the lack of a better term - annoying.
The book also combines science with spirituality (the inner energy of the mind) which was another unique aspect.
I recommend this for those who love space and science fiction.
This book deserves more credit than it gets.

Original review on: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1309804930

Genres: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild to none (kissing mostly)
Violence: moderate (attacks on large groups of people but not graphic)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild to moderate (some drug use)