Book Review – The Breadth of Creation by C.S. Johnson

What C.S. Johnson did to me with the ending of the first book in this series was a crime! But in such a good way! So, this year I had to continue the series to see if I can get my fix of romance in a sci-fi setting.

The story picks back up right where the first one left, and with the ending of the first, I was nervous that the character of Aerie would change and the enemies become lovers story would repeat, or worse, that hatred would set in more. Joyously, this was not the case and the flow of the story continued in a way that kept tension but also kept the romantic entanglement of Aerie and Exton. This book has a focus on the relationship, of course, but a majority of it was on the conflict between the two military units. As with the first, I’m not exactly sure of the totality of the world changed in this post-apocalyptic setting and the military action tends to not go too long into the detail. Exton’s pregnant sister flies into danger and it seems to just be a thing that’s ok in the rebellion. Johnson is best with her prose and there are a few lines I underlined as being the perfect collection of words to highlight the relationship between the two main characters. An inclusion of a third possible love interest made me nervous of a Twilight love-triangle but that comparison was not needed here. Johnson also keeps her streak alive on endings that leave mouths agape so I guess I’m “forced” to continue the series.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The plot was a little weak on the military/sci-fi description, and honestly, I would have liked more love dialogue between Arie and Exton. But being a fan of reading about characters who are actually in love and love each other and not just in lust with each other, this story continues to scratch that itch.