Rating: 4⭐️
The daughters of the House of High House von Hasenberg fall in the order of Hannah, Bianca, Ada, and youngest daughter Catarina. There are two brothers, the oldest brother and heir, Ferdinand, and Bianca’s twin brother, Benedict.
All the siblings have roles here in Aurora Blazing, the second book in The Consortium Rebellion series. The main focus is on Bianca con Hasenberg, her traumatic experiences upon her wedding Gerald at the command of her father, and its recuperation afterwords. And her frenemy, Ian Bishop, the director of House von Hasenberg security.
Through Bianca, we learn, what a horror it is growing up under their father’s absolute control and authority. While the reader has been given a hint of the abuse the siblings have suffered, here through a horrific memory recalled, we get the picture of a cold blooded man who sees only submission or brutal punishment for those who don’t obey. No feeling only fear.
Then once married, Bianca ended up suffering as a non consenting experimental subject to her own husband’s scientific experiments suffering greatly. Only after his death was she able to return home, permanently changed for life and hiding what he’d done to her.
The revelations are shocking and constant here. The author is filling in family and characters backgrounds as well as world building with the major Houses.
And it comes with another heartbreaking crisis for the siblings. Ferdinand is missing.
Because of their upbringing, they are close to each other, knowing that they are their only source of support and love. That’s beautifully written and illustrated in every aspect of their dynamic.
Bianca is a layered, well defined woman who’s still dealing with the trauma of her marriage and the damage done to her body and spirit. She’s now carries unheard of abilities in her mind, ones only she knows about. But they come at a high physical cost which she must monitor and explain away.
It’s all folded into a high level suspense filled with, action packed story, one that carries emotional baggage and endless painful moments to fill a starship.
There’s also a slow burn relationship between Bianca and Ian Bishop, where frisson, lack of trust and their own past makes them work against each other at every step.
While I enjoyed Polaris Rising, I feel that Aurora Blazing was the better book. More layers and character development.
A third sister has the next story. That’s Catarina. Im headed there.
A definite winner and another recommendation!
Oh, and Aoife and Alexander ? Love them both and they are featured in Chaos Reigning!
The Consortium Rebellion (3 book series)
Polaris Rising #1
Aurora Blazing #2
Chaos Reigning #3
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Blurb
To save her brother and protect her family’s future, a powerful princess must join forces with a dashing man from her past in this thrilling space adventure, the second novel in the Consortium Rebellion trilogy.
As the dutiful daughter of High House von Hasenberg, Bianca set aside her personal feelings and agreed to a political match arranged by her family, only to end up trapped in a loveless, miserable marriage. When her husband unexpectedly dies, Bianca vows never to wed again. Newly independent, she secretly uses her wealth and influence to save other women stuck in dire circumstances. Information is power and Bianca has a network of allies and spies that would be the envy of the ’verse—if anyone knew about it.
When her family’s House is mysteriously attacked, Bianca’s oldest brother, the heir to House von Hasenberg, disappears. Fearful for her brother’s life, the headstrong Bianca defies her father and leaves Earth to save him. Ian Bishop, the director of House von Hasenberg security—and Bianca’s first love—is ordered to find and retrieve the rebellious woman.
Ian is the last man Bianca wants to see. To evade capture, she leads him on a merry chase across the universe. But when their paths finally collide, she knows she must persuade him to help her. Bianca will do anything to save her sibling, even if it means spending time alone on a small ship with the handsome, infuriating man who once broke her heart.
As the search takes them deep into rival House Rockhurst territory, Bianca must decide if she can trust Ian with the one piece of information that could destroy her completely . . .
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 