Ascendant Unrest (Faded Skies #2)

As I very much enjoyed "Heir Ascendant", the first book in the Faded Skies series, I was eagerly awaiting the release of the sequel schedued for 24th July 2018. Lucky for me I was able to nab an advanced copy from the wonderful world of NetGalley. I tend to be rather selective when it comes to choosing which Science Fiction books I read, I know what i'm looking for and what I like in a scifi title.

This series follows protagonist Maya Oman who wants nothing more than to live a meaningful life. Instead she ends up living in fear of her life. Her mother, who is only a mother in the biological sense of the word, has no time for her daughter and so when Maya is kidnapped she decides she prefers her captors to her mother. That is a very concise description of the first book. Now, onto "Ascendant Unrest". Two weeks ago Maya revealed to the world that Ascendant (her mother's corporation) were intentionally releasing a biological weapon into the population knowing that people would pay for the cure which they have control over. When nothing appears to change Maya questions whether anyone actually cares. Despite Maya showing the evidence against her mother she still did not face punishment for her crimes. Everything is a little too quiet for Maya's liking... and then special forces attack her home in the middle of the night... It is clear they want her dead.

Again, a fantastic read with so many complex issues explored. I think Maya is a simply magical protagonist who brings light and balance to a dark, deceptive dystopian world. I cannot believe how underrated these books are as they deserve to be hugely successful. Cox is a quality writer and is adept at building a world that is so vivid and monstrous. I was pleasantly surprised that both of these books were really accessible - even for a reader like me who picks and chooses from the genre and isn't a full-on scifi fanatic! I urge you to pick up the first book if you are interested in science fiction and/or dystopian settings or if you like what you read in the synopsis. As aforementioned I advise you to read "Heir Ascendant" firstly, before moving on to this one as this book is a continuation of the story and they really need to be read chronologically in order to get the best reading experience from them. In my eyes, this is worthy of five-stars.

Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Matthew S Cox returns to the world he created in Ascendant in his second novel - Ascendant Unrest.  His newest novel exceeds the high expectations set by his debut. Ascendant Unrest is a fantastic science fiction novel.  Not only is the world rich in detail and history, his characters have emotional depth, and he does a convincing job with both the adults and the children and how their lives and personalities have been shaped by their world.


Maya tried to change the world, but while there have been some changes in how the Authority treats nons, Ascendant is still powerful, and Maya’s mother is still in control.  All appears to have settled down, but soon after Gemma departs on a job, mercenaries try to kidnap Maya and Sarah, injuring Sarah’s father in the process. It quickly becomes clear that Ascendant has not forgotten Maya, and that more than one faction has plans that require her either in hand or dead.


Matthew S Cox is one of the best science fiction authors I’ve encountered in some time.  Yes there is plenty of action, but more than that, his novels immerse the reader in a believable near future world, filled with characters shaped by their pasts and the world they live in.  There is darkness, but as in life there is humor and there is hope. I highly recommend Ascendant and Its sequel Ascendant Unrest.


5 / 5


I received a copy of Ascendant Unrest from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read the second book in this series

poor maya, as if getting kidnapped once isnt enough...there are others after her but there seems to be no rhythm or reason to it... and why go to all that trouble...

it was great to get offered this book to see where they are...after they manage to get one over on vanessa...has things improved or have they not...

lovely to read and catch up with maya and her gang...some startling bits to it and some gruesome bits but on the whole a great story to read