Second book in series shifts narration to telekinetically-gifted Esa. New characters (Sho is my absolute fave) and new threats, still clever, still an absolutely intriguing universe. Recommended for fans of Becky Chambers.

As soon as I began the excerpt, I was lost. I drove myself crazy waiting to read the rest, because Drew Williams hit it out of the park yet again. Tense, beautiful, engaging, and a lovely step towards a finale that promises to be big, better, and stranger than anyone would expect.

Sequel to “The Stars Unclaimed.” Jane and her partner Esa spend their time flying in search of gifted children to rescue and bring to her home planet Sanctum. Jane belongs to a cult focused on finding a way to protect the universe from the return of a technology destroying phenomenon known as the Pulse. In this leg of her adventure they find a young preteen named Sho, and soon find themselves chased by a robotic demon. Entertaining space opera, but with interesting corollary themes about redemption, when the ends justify the means, how much to sacrifice for a “greater good,” etc. I received an ~10 chapter preview excerpt from Netgalley in exchange for honest review, and look forward to reading full novel.

Interesting. Really looking forward to reading the full novel. (Just need to get caught up with book one, first.)

As of today, May 2nd 2019, I've only read a preview excerpt of the book. Thus, I can't really review it properly, so I'm giving it a "safe" 3 star review, even though I enjoyed the excerpt a lot. I really, really like this series, and I'm looking forward to reading the entirety of "A Chain Across the Dawn" soon. Unfortunately, I won't be able to update this review on the site, so please check out my Goodreads account if you're interested (you'll be able to find me easily, the book doesn't have heaps of reviews)

I enjoyed the preview, I like the interaction between Jane and Esa. The world building with the Pulse is an interesting idea. I look forward to learning who or what the "crazy armored glowing guy" is.

A Chain Across the Dawn is the kind of space opera I love, filled with action, high stakes missions, and a cause to fight for. I had a chance to preview the first third of the book and loved every page of it. The story begins in the action but I didn’t feel left out as a first time reader of this series. The dialogue is engaging and spot-on.

Their organization is akin to the X-Men school, bringing in gifted kids with strange abilities to receive training and guidance until their powers have matured. The story takes that to a universal level as our protagonist and her partner travel between planets picking up new students. In this instance, we travel to a war-torn world. Everything is going fine until the attacks are heightened. What follows is a race to get out of the underground city, past hordes of enemy troops, and into their waiting ship. It’s a huge obstacle course that keeps you on your toes with every unexpected plot advancement. As the situation worsens, we see a mysterious being that presents a very real threat to their escape.

This has the makings of a great book with strong characters and an enticing story. The preview ends with an original setting populated by cultists who have a worldview stranger than any I’ve heard. It’s clear the author’s imagination is strong, which is a must-have when exploring the drama of a good space opera. I look forward to seeing how this one ends, and may just pick up the first book, too.