If you've read any of the other books in this universe you'll find some familiar characters, mostly Cody Helms - the son of Jonah and Garrett (from Pandora and Paradise). We've seen him as a kid and now, a few years later as a 17 years old trying to make a life of his own. It won't be easy since he's a "Natural", being born without enhancements the current generations have developed having. He is much more fragile and prone to disease / injury and it's NOT something he should allow others to know about him.
Though Grennson Kim Howards isn't a character we've met before we DO know his parents - Jason Kim and Ferran Grenn (from "Changing Worlds"). Grennson is a Perel - an alien species, actually the only alien currently studying in The Academy. Through his upbringing, being the adopted son of the only human living in his planet, he wants to know more about humans and experience living with them. Like the other Perels he is an Empath. Which doesn't make it easier to deal with humans and their emotional behavior and the fact they project it VERY strongly. He is such a sweet and caring guy. It's what I would expect from his kind, but it's also no wonder considering his parents.
Tiennan St. Florian comes from the planet of Solaydorian. It's a plant of "non-binaries". Which means Tiennan (or just "Ten" as Cody thought would be easier to pronounce) is refereed to as "Ze" (neither a "He" nor a "She"). It was confusing for me at first, but once I got it I thought it was quite cool of an idea - Ten's behavior was neither male or female, somewhere "in between" and ze disliked the whole binary approach (like when Cody felt like crying ze didn't think it was "un-manly" or "inappropriate"). Ten is an orphan and since ze was a bit too much to handle with hir (that's the neutral for her / his) penchant for explosives and playing with chemicals. Brilliant really, but having very little understanding of interactions with others. Ze was annoying at times with how ze seemed to be indifferent or prone to anger, but once you get hir it's obvious ze simply doesn't know HOW to interact but ze does care - deeply - for the guys on her quad (roommates).
The last one is Darrell Parrish III. On The Academy he is referred to as "Legacy" as he is the son of a commander who died on the job when his ship was attacked. His family expect him to BE his father in every way possible and though he doesn't have any real interest in The Academy and it's teaching being away from his family is actually a good thing, it allows him to become the person he wants to be. To study what interests him and becoming friends with Grennson (an alien no less! his family was NOT amused) was another great help.
These two had a beautiful effect on one another. Spending time together, Grennson teaching Darrell his language. Their friendship enabled Darrell to find the things that spoke to him and helped him oppose his family with the new family he was building with Grennson but also with Cody and even at some point Ten. For Grennson having this family was also crucial as this is the way he was brought up. Being isolated wouldn't have worked for him.
The glue of the 4 was the easy going and friendly Cody. But Grennson was also a good positive impact on the others. Darrell and Ten didn't mix well at the beginning, but once they settled into their lives together things changed (a bit ;)).
It's going to be IMPOSSIBLE for me to explain everything that's going on in this one. I'll just say that dirty politics was putting Cody's life in danger. It was something that put Cody in much stress especially as no one there knows he's a "Natural" (Though Grennson was feeling without understanding the reasoning) and actually it didn't take his roommate Ten long to figure it out. From there, becoming friends - a family of sorts - being there for one another - and mostly trying to protect Cody came easily.
There are A LOT of characters (with their own little side stories) in this one. I'm not sure who we'll meet in the next books. There are currently two more books in this universe - Redstone which as I understand will also be multiple POVs and follow what happened with Kyle Alexander (the brother of the ruler of the Federation who was also somewhat of a friend to Cody) and Reformation which will mostly be centered around Cody and Ten (but also other characters from this universe as well).
It was a rocky ride from everything going on, but I loved how though there were a lot of characters and things going on all over the place, it was still centered around these four, their interactions with one another, their friendship and each and every one of them growing up and maturing as an independent person. Also I've got to say that though all 4 were 17 years old neither of them felt so young or immature. It was actually a wonderful example of a YA read which didn't focus on them being young and silly, but wanting to become their own selves and succeeding wonderfully with the help and guidance of one another.
I truly don't understand why Cari isn't publishing these books. I enjoy reading them for free - sure! But I would love it even more if Cari would have gotten paid for her wonderful work. This is a full length novel, a great one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! and it's totally and absolutely free!
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Rating:
★★★★★
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Free
Read
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292
pages
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Read on:
28-29 September 2019
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ABOUT THIS SERIES
Bonded Universe is mostly a free online by Cari Z.
It's hard for me to categorize this series. Three out of seven are for
sure Sci-Fi MM Romance but the next ones are more of Suspense /
Adventure / Journey.
Though I'm NOT a Sci-Fi reader I AM a Cari Z. Reader ;) Which is why I gave these a go. The first ones I read I needed time to get used to the world and the futuristic feel of it all but once I got into it, I realized I simply ADORE this series and truly can't wait for more! and there's GOT to be more as there is at least two things left unfinished (in Redstone).
The series starts following Garrett and Jonah from when they met on their way to the remote planet of Pandora. From there it was obvious they are not going to stay apart no matter the complications. These two are the MCs in the first two books in the series.
The 3rd book is totally independent and also the only PUBLISHED book in this "series". It's the story of Jason and Ferran (an alien) finding a life together in the alien planet Ferran grew up in.
From there the series goes into a bit of a different direction. The first three were absolutely romance novels, but the next 3 are more on suspense of a sort of journey/adventure to dealing with the corruption of the current Federation regime. In these books A LOT of characters, side characters as well as main ones from the previous 3 books takes a more prominent stance. All of them together with the next generation (Jonah's son Cody as well as Jason and Ferran's adopted son) playing a role in making things RIGHT for ALL the occupants of the Federation.
[ I'm organizing the books by date of publication, what makes sense to me. There is no "real" Bonded Universe series, I'm making it so it's easier for other people to understand the timeline / order of the series. ]
* First published in two parts "Opening Worlds" & "Changing Worlds" in 2011-2012.
** There was another story of Robbie and Wyl uploaded to a writing site before all of these. But sadly I simply couldn't find it.. Maybe Cari would bring it back someday..
Books:
1. Pandora [Garrett Caractacus & Jonah Helms] (Uploaded 26 September 2010 to 7 January 2012) ★★★★
2. Paradise [Garrett Caractacus & Jonah Helms] (Uploaded 28 July 2012 to 15 January 2013) ★★★★
3. Changing Worlds* [Jason Kim & Ferran Grenn] (Published 22 October 2016) ★★★★
4. The Academy [Cody Helms & Tiennan "Ten" St. Florian] (Uploaded 3 November 2013 to 19 August 2014) ★★★★★
5. Redstone [Robbie Sinclair & Wyl**] (Uploaded 12 May 2015 to 26 January 2016) ★★★★★
6. Reformation [Cody Helms & Tiennan "Ten" St. Florian] (Uploaded 2 August 2016 to 18 July 2017) ★★★★★
Though I'm NOT a Sci-Fi reader I AM a Cari Z. Reader ;) Which is why I gave these a go. The first ones I read I needed time to get used to the world and the futuristic feel of it all but once I got into it, I realized I simply ADORE this series and truly can't wait for more! and there's GOT to be more as there is at least two things left unfinished (in Redstone).
The series starts following Garrett and Jonah from when they met on their way to the remote planet of Pandora. From there it was obvious they are not going to stay apart no matter the complications. These two are the MCs in the first two books in the series.
The 3rd book is totally independent and also the only PUBLISHED book in this "series". It's the story of Jason and Ferran (an alien) finding a life together in the alien planet Ferran grew up in.
From there the series goes into a bit of a different direction. The first three were absolutely romance novels, but the next 3 are more on suspense of a sort of journey/adventure to dealing with the corruption of the current Federation regime. In these books A LOT of characters, side characters as well as main ones from the previous 3 books takes a more prominent stance. All of them together with the next generation (Jonah's son Cody as well as Jason and Ferran's adopted son) playing a role in making things RIGHT for ALL the occupants of the Federation.
[ I'm organizing the books by date of publication, what makes sense to me. There is no "real" Bonded Universe series, I'm making it so it's easier for other people to understand the timeline / order of the series. ]
* First published in two parts "Opening Worlds" & "Changing Worlds" in 2011-2012.
** There was another story of Robbie and Wyl uploaded to a writing site before all of these. But sadly I simply couldn't find it.. Maybe Cari would bring it back someday..
Books:
1. Pandora [Garrett Caractacus & Jonah Helms] (Uploaded 26 September 2010 to 7 January 2012) ★★★★
2. Paradise [Garrett Caractacus & Jonah Helms] (Uploaded 28 July 2012 to 15 January 2013) ★★★★
3. Changing Worlds* [Jason Kim & Ferran Grenn] (Published 22 October 2016) ★★★★
4. The Academy [Cody Helms & Tiennan "Ten" St. Florian] (Uploaded 3 November 2013 to 19 August 2014) ★★★★★
5. Redstone [Robbie Sinclair & Wyl**] (Uploaded 12 May 2015 to 26 January 2016) ★★★★★
6. Reformation [Cody Helms & Tiennan "Ten" St. Florian] (Uploaded 2 August 2016 to 18 July 2017) ★★★★★
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