Over-simplified, this series is the Hunger Games in space with cool powers and technology. I love it. And like the Hunger Games, I like the second book even better than the first.

“We’re weapons. They made us this way.
And we’re coming for them.”

Now that Emmet and the rest of the genesis crew members have made it to Eden they discover that just Babel has more up their sleeve for them than just harvesting Nyxia. While navigating the tenuous relationship with the Adamites and the dangers that the planet presents the team must decide who they trust.

The Story
Picking up right where the first book leaves off the team struggles with what Babel has put them through to get there as well as adjusting to their new home. The crew carries on with their assignment while continuing to grow closer as a team as well as stronger with their skills with nyxia.

What really drives this story is the mystery. Not the type of mystery you would find in a thriller or a murder, but in the anticipation of a twist you just know is coming. And boy, those twists can throw you a loop. Though there was one that wasn’t quite wrapped up in this book so I am aching for the next book. Because, Scott, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS??!

Anyway, the book is non stop as we are lead from uncovering secrets to fighting for their lives. This YA sci-fi book tackles more than entertainment but brings in themes that cover family (blood and the bonds that go beyond that), homophobia/coming out, war/genocide/death, large corporation takeovers, and so much more.

The World Building
Not only does Reintgen have a crew of multicultural kids, but has brought us a alien world that mirrors some similarities to the humans cultures but expanding with their own traditions, beliefs and society. The adamite society has sort of a rural feel but we are also introduced to fun new technology that Babel supplies which provides for a juxtaposition of it all that is smoothly introduced as the story progresses.

The planet itself is just so interesting from it’s double moons to its creatures.

The Characters
Since this book narrows down to just the remaining crew, we are allowed time to get to know our characters a little bit more. It’s still mostly told from Emmett’s point of view so it is still somewhat limited to his observations, but the bond that the crew makes goes deep and grows as they must rely on each other because that’s all they’ve got. I think my favorite part about these characters is that they are fierce and brave, but can still stop to mourn those that they lose.

If you’re looking for romance between characters there’s a few pairings in here that just work so well together. I didn’t expect it, but there is some heart wrenching scenes where they kids hold each other up emotionally with just a squeeze of the hands, a nod of their head, and even with just putting themselves in harms way just to save the other.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book because I really enjoyed the first book, Nyxia. However, this book starts off a lot slower and didn’t pull me in until about 50%. The story line definitely picks up, but it’s not enough for me to rate the book more than 3 stars. I still enjoyed Emmett as the main character and liked to see the developing relationships between him and the other members of Genesis. I just felt that a large chunk of the beginning of the book was: mining for nyxia, badmouthing Babel, repeat. It was redundant to me and caused major issues with trying to get into this book.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so full of quotes that I have way more than I can put into this review. The story began with Nyxia, but here the inclusive diversity is continued. Scott is a natural at writing in a way that does not make the diversity feel forced or cliche. It work well and I loved it. Emmet, the main character, remains my favorite. Emmet joined this space program to help his family financially and now finds himself fighting for the lives of an entire race...the Imago. One of the things I have really enjoyed about Emmet from the beginning of the first book that continues here is the filing system he uses. As events take place he files them into different categories, a system his grandma taught him. He is not like other male main characters, he shows emotion and does not care what others think of it. I really love his character, but I think Morning tops it. Morning is an amazing leader, a Queen among her peers. She shows strength and wisdom in even the worst situation, always pushing them to continue. I loved seeing how vicious she could be when fighting for the lives of her friends, yet so soft and emotional at other times.

"Babel exists to ruin beautiful things."

There is romance here but I did not find it overpowering. I do have to mention that I love the fact that everyone comforts one another over past painful experiences, they bond over it. And let's not forget cuddling...I love cuddling. Many times cuddling is much more fulfilling than other intimate things, the closeness is comforting.

"Fortunately, there are only two prime species in all of Grimgarden."

"What's the other one?"

"We call ourselves the Imago."

This novel focuses highly on social class or hierarchy. The Imago have rings that are almost like various social classes. Those born in the outer rings are seen as less worthy than those born within inner rings. One can either move up into inner rings or down to the outer rings. Emmet makes it clear he does not find it just to judge one based on their birthplace or what ring the reside in. With my background in sociology, I was super pleased to see those boundaries challenged. And this book takes it even further with its diversity and upward mobility among characters. My review of Nyxia talks more about the amount of diversity within the book. It is great to see these social boundaries crossed.

"We fall in love with the Sixth Ring because they're our people, and we're theirs."

I think my favorite part of the novel was the intense focus on family, not blood family either. These teenagers come from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds, some with varying socioeconomic statuses...yet they form a bond that can not be broken. They support and love one another, they are a family.

This book was packed with as much action, if not more, than the first. We find out what Babel is really up to and who the Imago really are. I loved the creatures described in the book as well, it reminded me a little of Avatar.

"Nature has forced two skill sets to work in harmony. Often, the change happens when a greater enemy enters their territory. The two work together so that they might survive."

Being a mother, I loved the reference to the book Going on a Bear Hunt. My older son loved the book and my younger one will as well. This is for sure a wonderful addition to the Nyxia triad. I am anxiously awaiting the third installment. Scott is a wonderful author with a great talent for writing inclusive, young adult sci-fi. He brings so many aspects of reality and social issues into these amazing stories. I think that is one of my favorite aspects of this books, the challenging of normal social boundaries. The message of inclusivness.

A thrilling read! I loved Nyxia Unleashed just as much, if not more than the first book. We start off right were we left off in book #1. We get to learn more about the characters personalities. We meet new characters. I enjoy them all. The ending is fantastic and I'm looking forward to book #3. Plenty of action and heart pounding moments. I love the way the Author portraits these young adults with their strengths and fears, I feel like I know them intimately.

"Shoulder to shoulder!"

This book is amazing! I am so happy I was given the opportunity to read this ARC before it came out. There are so many twist and turns in this book that aren't expected at all. This kinda reminds me of the movie Avatar. I loved getting different characters perspectives occasionally though the book mainly follows once character, Emmett Atwater. I am very happy with the relationships and the emotions that go on in this sequel. Sequels either fail horribly or are 100% times better then the first book. I can happily say this one was so much better then the first book even though they were both amazing. I can not wait till the next book!

I loved this book. Gone are the competitions that pitted the children against one another, making enemies. The Genesis groups now work together, shoulder to shoulder, as a family. They value each other and rely on each other.

I loved watching the transformation of the group as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced, just like the first - never a dull moment.

I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the second book in an exciting sci-fi trilogy. This series continues to take many twists and turns as we are now introduced to the planet where Nyxia is mined. Knowing who to trust is still a mystery as the crews of Genesis 11 and 12 encounter new faces and adventures. The book kept me interested and turning pages until I was finished. Scott did a good job balancing character growth with plot development.

I didn’t expect anything to go the way it went. Everything caught me by surprise. I’m speechless after those last chapters, and I need the third and last book like right now because I don’t think I can’t wait a minute longer. I love sci-fi novels, and I love when sequels are as good as the first books, or even better. Color me shaken and excited. But mostly shaken!

I started the book barely remembering all the character’s names and personalities. It’s been a year after all. By the first quarter of the book I was all caught up on the characters and I would’ve killed anyone who wanted to hurt them (all but Isadora. Also, yay for lgbt representation! Do not kill them, please, Mr. Reintgen, PLEASE). By the end I was so messed up by everything that was happening that I almost forgot to pray the alien gods for their safety. It’s not a YA contemporary, lives can be lost, the characters, no matter how important, could die at any moment. I was eternally on edge.

There’s absolutely no way I can write about this book without telling too much, giving up too much information that I got later on the story. The last book ended with Emmett having to fight for his place in a launching pod that’d have taken him to Eden. This book starts right inside the pod with Emmett on his way to the planet’s surface. All the rivalry is put aside as they team up to mine Nyxia, partner up with the Adamites, and sense that things aren’t the way they appear to be. They never are, right?

Emmett is like a living lie detector. He senses when things aren’t right, reading the little tells everyone have when they are not being truthful. Morning is no less; she is truly a force of nature. In the first book I thought their romance was forced because it really was, but now I love them as a couple. They are adorable and care for each other deeply. As much as I didn’t like the way their relationship started, I love how it blossomed to the way we see in this book. They are meant to be together, and I will fight whoever hurt them! I want them safe with their friends on Earth. It’s my wish and I demand it to be granted!

Book series are great and all, but you need to wait months and months for the next book to be published, right? And it’s not only the human memory (mine) that is weak and will make me forget about all the characters, it’s also the fact that I will imagine multiple scenarios in my mind about how this will end, and I will be worried about all the characters’ well-being until the day I’ll read the third and last book. I know some characters won’t make it; they are too many, too easy to sacrifice. How can I live with the knowing that all my babies won’t be happy and safe surrounded by the people they love? A reader’s life is a hard life.

Nyxia Unleashed ⭐️

“Fallen angels were cast down to earth and became demons” from the very first sentence I was hooked.

Nyxia follows a group of kids from all over the world, that have been tested severely over their journey to a new planet.

There is an array of diverse characters along with great female empowerment.

Star reasoning
⭐️The writing pulls you into the world and the imagery keeps you divulged in their lives.
We follow the mayhem of what happened in Nyxia and get to see the power and corruption unfold.

⭐️Love the use of Nyxia to be a weapon, a tool, an anchor, basically everything they need in order to survive and thrive in life.

⭐️”Be better than they want you to be. Dont let then win.”
I love the friendship and the strength that these characters have as the journey throughout this new world.

⭐️ I loved that there was a not sexual relationship and communication between the characters it was intamite and pure. With most stories of any genre once romance is even hinted sex comes in and takes over. He didnt do that and it was really refreshing to see.

Thank you so much to Crown books via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen. This will be released on July 17, 2018. All opinions are my own.

“We survive together. Shoulder to shoulder.”

Nyxia Unleased picks up right where Nyxia left off, with the crew landing on Magnia, unlike Nyxia there are three POV’s in this book. The entire book takes place on Eden and we are introduced to the Imago, or as those on Babel call them the Adamites. I honestly like the Imago better.

While on Magnia the team realizes things aren’t as clear cut as how Babel told them it would be. They all knew they were up to something, but when the crew talks more about their backgrounds, they knew that they were picked because they were “broken” be it, poor family, in need of medical care for a family member, being discarded by their family, etc. Babel took them in gave them false hopes and promises, trying to mold these kids into their ideal weapons that would be more beneficial on Magnia than on Earth.

“They made us into weapons. It will be their downfall.”

Once the crew agrees that they will stand together and go against Babel, things really start to pick up in the book. They do go ahead with the plans to mine the Nyxia, but there are plans going on in the background that I don’t think even Babel would consider.

With the help of Morning (who is just a kick ass female) the crew learns how to manipulate the Nyxia in ways that even the crew on Babel taught them, which was amazing. Poor Holly is injured in a mining accident when tying to use the Nyxia in such a way that I doubt the crew of the Babel could have even trained the crew for.

During their downtime and travels across the planet, the crew leans more about the Imago and Magnia, it has quite a history and description as to the planet itself and the two moons (Magness and Glacius) that circle around the planet. Depending on the year and which moon is predominate, the name changes along with the weather and natural disasters. They also find out that the Nyxia isn’t a natual resource on Magnia itself, but are meteors from the moon Magness.

I won’t go into much detail about the Capital (Sevenset), but by the descriptions given by Emmett, it sounds amazing, and even meeting the Daughters (the rulers of Magnia/Glacius). The performances when they arrive also just sound so amazing and “earthly”.

There is an epic battle near the end of the book. Both on Magnia and back on the Babel spaceship, and boy does it once again end on one heck of a cliffhanger…

One thing that did make me laugh was the slight nod to Dragonball, with the mention of the scouter. Thank you for that Scott!

After I read Nyxia I couldn’t shut up about it, now I get to do the same with Nyxia Unleashed, and when the 3rd book is out I will probably be the same way. Sadly there is no date for the book yet.

A great follow up to Nyxia! This time we follow what's left of the Genesis group as they experience Eden and the Adamites. Now that they know how treacherous Babel is, they have to decide whether or not the Adamites are an ally or another foe. The author does a great job bringing the planet to life, with it's unique fauna and the Adamite's home of Sevenset. Like the first book, there is plenty of action to keep the story going and the ending will leave you wanting more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review of its merits.

Having enjoyed the first book in the Nyxia Triad, I suspected I was in for a good story when I picked up Unleashed and I was not disappointed. Reintgen ups his game in book 2, which is grittier than its predecessor as our heroes learn once they get planetside that all is not as it seems. New alliances are formed and we discover how dangerous it really is to trust the people who brought them to this “Eden”. As before, the characters are distinct in their actions and motivations, yet our core group is winnowed as we meet new people who quickly become friends.

When you have a place called Eden, aliens called the Adamites (who later take on a new name also with strong religious overtones) and flight crews called Genesis 11 and 12, other authors might have turned this is thinly veiled morality tale. Reintgen, thankfully, does not fall into that trap. He takes these concepts of perceived perfection, transgression and redemption and uses them skillfully to advance his narrative. He asks the deep questions, but not in a reductive or simplistic fashion. And, if you’re clever, you can catch an homage or two to other pieces of literature (his appreciation for Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, for example, is apparent to the observant).

All in all, a worthy successor to the introductory tale of the series that stands up straight in its own right.

Nyxia Unleashed is one of my most awaited sequels this year.

I was fan of YA/Sci-Fi novels and the Nyxia Triad captured my heart because of its intricately world building and most of all, the promising and amazing characters. One of the scary part of being a debut author is that you published a great first book to your novel but suddenly it crumbles because your sequels starts to eat up that hype and continually slops the whole story down. I'm glad that Scott Reintgen's Nyxia Triad was not part of those novels.

Nyxia Unleashed progresses as the Genesis team compose of hired teenagers who were promised a big fortune by Babel for just one purpose: to extract nyxia. As the team continues to explore the planet Eden, they never expect the revelations and secrets that Babel hides from them and even the very reason of the exploration at Eden. It turns out that Babel thought they can deceived these teens with fortune and doesn't have an idea what are they capable of.

Every teen's character development in this book evolved and progresses. Despite of their differences. Despite of them being trained separately as a group, at the end they served as a family to each other. This makes me loved each and everyone of them. (*special mention to Isadora YOU KNOW IT GIRL!)

I love the women in this story! There are strong, witty, and powerful. Despite of being overpowered by strong men, they never let them overcome their abilities and decisions. The city of *Adamites was governed by women! ~WEW!

Planet Eden was intricately written and visualized by the author. A bizarre weather because of having two moons. Diverse creatures roaming around and a caste system for the city of Adamites.

There are topics that readers can discuss and have an conversation. Biblical and political aspects were used and written with a great proposition.

Overall, Nyxia Triad was a beautiful story worthy of a space to our bookshelves. I can't explain my emotions because it is all over the place but the sequels left me #SHOOKT and #DESTROYED! Can't wait for the third book! This series was overlooked by some readers but I hope you find time to love YA/Sc-Fi stories especially the Nyxia Triad! SHOULDER TO SHOULDER!

*for full review see the goodreads link.

DNF - this so clearly requires the reader to have read the first book.

eARC provided by publisher.

Thank you to Crown Books for Young Readers for the eARC of this book! I read Nyxia (book 1 in the series) last year, and really enjoyed it! Scott Reintgen set out to write a book that was representative of the student section he taught, and I think he managed that masterfully! This book picks up right where the first left off — with the crews of Genesis landing on the planet Eden. The crews meet with the so-called Adamites, who call themselves the Imago, and realize that what they’ve been told by the Babel Corp isn’t entirely correct. This book definitely reads like the second in a trilogy, but I’m excited to read book 3! I also think that this will be a great series for some of my Astronomy students, so I’m rating it based on that.

They were just kids trying to make a better life for their families in a dystopian world. They gave up everything to work for Babel, mining nyxia, the most valuable material in the world. They were taught to survive against all odds and to stop at nothing to achieve their goals, but when Emmett, Morning and the rest finally reach their destination, they will uncover the lies they were fed and learn to survive, thrive and trust in one another as they come face to face with the indigenous Adamites.

What they didn’t understand was that they were merely pawns in a battle pitting Babel’s greed against the Imago (Adamites’) survival. But they are determined to become a force to be reckoned with. But, who can they trust? When in doubt, do the right thing and above all survive with honor. Once again, the hubris of an all-powerful corporation underestimates the ones they lord over, especially when those individuals have the intensity of teens who believe in themselves.

NYXIA UNLEASHED by Scott Reintgen is a literary powerhouse of action and adventure, emotional turmoil and determination. Follow incredibly strong characters with the flames of youth raging like an inferno as they learn to work together, share their strong points and form an unbreakable bond of honor. Non-stop intrigue, secrets revealed and daring to go headlong into the unknown!

Amazing world building puts us on another planet. There will be bloodshed, violence, pasts to reconcile and bonds that become unbreakable.

NYXIA was phenomenal, but Scott Reintgen has set the bar even higher with NYXIA UNLEASHED! Hang on to your hearts, because this series will steal your very soul!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Crown Books for Young Readers!

Series: The Nyxia Triad - Book 2
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (July 17, 2018)
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Genre: YA Scifi
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

4 stars. Nyxia Unleased is the second book in The Nyxia Triad series. You should not read this as a standalone or you will have a hard time fully understanding the story. Like the previous book Nyxia, I found was a well written space story about teenagers learning who they are and how power can corrupt people. While this is written for teens, adults will enjoy it too (at least this adult did). There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is partly a coming of age book as well as a space novel including corporate power and money. This was well written for a sequel novel and the author continued to impress me with his ability to create a vivid life aboard the planet. I couldn't help but relate to the characters. As usual, everything and everyone is not as it seems. Usually the middle book in a series is just a "placeholder" but Nyxia Unleashed is more than that. I look forward to reading the final book in the series once it is written.

With this book I was pulled back into the world that Reintgen began building in book one, Nyxia. I was so excited to start this book and it did not disappoint. The cast of characters is diverse, including both aliens and humans, and yet they meld together in surprising ways. The futuristic world setting is built up enough to give a basis, but not so overly detailed that we aren’t free to imagine it in our way. I loved the way that Reintgen designed the culture and class system of the Adamites, and how the crew reacted to it. The way that the crew reacted served to illustrate the ways that our own society is both good in some areas and lacking in others. What I also really appreciated was Reintgen’s take on how humans, those in power and those not, might react when faced with an alien race and a planet full of an important resource. I think he nailed that part of the story. With this overreaching topics populating the book the relationships between the crew members and also between them and the aliens, serve to bring us back to the heart of the story and to see the individuals in the larger plans. The book is wonderfully written and plotted, with enough twists to keep you reading long past your bedtime! The only teeny tiny flaw is that I wanted more about Nyxia itself. I find that aspect of the books fascinating and I’m hoping for more of that in book three! I can’t recommend this book enough! It is a must read for this summer!

"Fallen angels were cast down to Earth and became demons. When Babel cast us out, it’s in fire and blood and steel. As the descent begins, I hold onto one truth: A am more than what they would make of me.”
Nyxia Unleashed starts wright where book 1 leaves off as Emmett and the Genesis crews are on their way down to Eden. But they soon discover that it’s not the paradise they thought and they have more reason than ever to distrust Babel. But they might not be the only ones keeping secrets and the Adamites have plans of their own.

Things I Liked
Nyxia Unleashed starts off with a bang and it doesn’t let up at all. There is so much incredible and intricate action that highlights just how smart and capable these characters are. The action adds to the story, it never feels like filler. And the fight scenes are just as captivating. There’s a particularly incredible one that showcases Morning that I won’t soon forget.

Emmett is such an amazing characters who captivates me every time he’s on the page. He is such a good person with a strong sense of self and an inner compass that guides him. I also loved getting to see more friendships develop and establish between both Genesis crews, that really made it feel like a found family (something I will always love!)

I was so happy that we got to spend time with the Imago people (Adamites to Babel) and learn more about their world. It was refreshing to finally get to learn about them and their politics from themselves and not Babel’s twisted and biased opinions. And I was all here for everyone distrusting Babel and calling them out on their colonist ways.

Things I Didn’t Like
So my indifference of the romance subplots from the first book kinda carried over into this one, except my annoyance at Isadora multiplied by like a thousand. I didn’t like her storyline at all and I felt like it just took time away that could have been better utilized with other characters, like Anton.

As much as I think that Morning is an amazing, strong character, I do think that she is infallible and unattainable. She just doesn’t seem real and it’s hard for me to relate to her. I just want to love her, but I don’t.

Nyxia is a book that will always have a special place in my heart - it made me want to read more science fiction and since then I’ve found so many new books to love. Nyxia Unleashed is a nonstop adventure that builds off book 1 in smart and organic ways and leaves you aching for more. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.