The Broken Destiny (Broken, #1)

Prologue

Throughout my life I have been searching for something. Something I thought I ought to be. I felt like I was living someone else's life, waiting for the awakening of my own. Like an empty shell burning for life.

That was until the day I lay dying in the Prince's chambers. I could no longer feel the pain from the tear in my gut, only the hollowed-out feeling that I had made a huge mistake in assuming that taking my own life would have stopped the ancestor's spirit from raging out. I gave up, didn't want to see myself kill the ones I loved. I was the chosen one, and threw it all away for what I thought would be to save a life. Could you end a life to save a life? I did, and have regretted it ever since. I realized then that things show more like me were not meant to exist. So you ask what it was that had been missing my whole life. It was I. To find myself I had to lose myself, in the worst possible way. The consequences of my actions became the legend of The Broken.

My Thoughts: This story centers around Ava, a teenage girl who just happens to be the chosen one, destined to save, even though her kind has also been called cursed. Ava lives on a planet called Poseidon. After the earth was destroyed, humans migrated here because it was much like Earth. They live here with the other inhabitants of the planet and are referred to as "The Broken." Ava is the third generation of "The Broken," a race of genetically enhanced human beings. Only two are known to have survived from the first generation. Most of the females from the second generation have died giving birth, and many of the second generation males have gone mad during "the change," which occurs around puberty. With most of the first and second generations gone, that only leaves the third generation, "The Broken." A chosen few of these will undergo the change at puberty, some go mad, others experience specially enhanced powers, and Ava, well Ava is destined, she is "The Chosen," because within her lies the power to change the destiny of the planet, and her generation.

Ava and her best friend Sam attend the academy for the humans. Ava has always been different, she is a beautiful girl, but has always felt like she didn't fit it. Sam has been there for her, comforting her when the nightmares come, looking out for her. They are governed by the Council, a group comprised of the different races besides the humans, including the Minoans and the Zulu people.

One night after not being able to sleep Ava goes downstairs and encounters a strange male with a smooth voice, who she should be frightened of, but at the same time feels drawn to. She is still thinking about him the next day. The next afternoon after their game, the girls are walking with with their other friend Maya, who lives in the Minoan village, when a guy on a motorcycle catches Ava's attention. There is something strangely familiar about him. She and Maya are going to the Minoan village to Maya's house. On the way there, while crossing a bridge they are attacked by dark evil beings. Though they try to fight, Ava ends up going over the edge into the water, only to be saved by Enoch, Maya's hot brother. Ava is also drawn to him, yet doesn't feel as if she can trust him. This was the first attack, the beginning of the destiny that Ava had been chosen for. There is no stopping what is going to happen from this point on. It has begun. The question is, can she and those she loves survive until the end?

I really loved this story. It is a combination of dystopian, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance. There is so much that goes on that it can't possibly be contained in a review, but know that it is really good. I loved the characters. Ava is the heroine. She's not perfect and she knows it, and she makes some bad choices, which she really beats herself up about, but she manages to pull herself out of the pit of despair and condemnation, with a little help from Troy. Ah, Troy, what can I say. He is the super hot bad boy that every girl dreams of. He and Ava have chemistry that sizzles, though they have a hard time managing to get together. So many obstacles are in their way. He may get frustrated with her, but he is always there when she needs him. Then there is Enoch. Enoch is really hot to, but he has a dark side. He is Maya's adopted brother, but everyone warns Ava that he is bad news and to stay away from him. She doesn't. Things seem good, then things turn bad, really bad. In the midst of all this romance, there is an evil being that is trying to abduct Ava for his own purpose to rise to into power and take over the planet. Ava and those protecting her constantly have to battle all kinds of voodoo, magic, and evil entities. Ava is also trying to learn how to access and use her powers, and keep those she loves alive.

There are so many more other great characters that you get to know in the book. All were entertaining and well written. The plot was creative, imaginative, and unique. Carlyle Labuschagne creates a fantasy world in "The Broken Destiny" that is filled with intrigue, beauty, and mystery. I found myself turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. Not only do you have plenty of romance and mystery, but there's also murder, battles with people and evil beings, and action galore. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are looking for something different, love YA fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction, combined with a dystopian feel, then The Broken Destiny is one book you will want to check out. Carlyle Lasbuschagne has done an outstanding job with this debut novel, the first in the series, and I am looking forward to seeing where she takes the story from here. show less

The Broken Destiny (Broken, #1) by Caryle Labuschagne

Ava's people have been living on a Planet called Poseidon. She learns that she had the "Destiny" to save her people, her soul is the answer. She must go through the change, which will inevitably turn her into something she doesn't like, something she hates. Once the change is complete her true purpose will be revealed.

A well written original story. I really liked young Ava. She is faced with danger, not knowing who to trust, and a truth she never imagined. She has many decisions to make. Some are not so pleasant, but she is determined to do what is right, no matter what it takes to fulfill her ultimate Destiny.

I feel that lovers of sci-fi/urban-fantasy will enjoy The Broken Destiny. I show more look forward to reading book two Evanescent show less

Full Review on my blog!

~a copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley~

This book is great for fans of fantasy that really like to explore new worlds.

The Broken Destiny is a book about change and finding a place in the world. A long time after when Earth was destroyed, Poseidon is the new resident planet for human beings, along with others; the local Zulus and Minoans. The story follows Ava, one of the third generation Broken living on Poseidon after the destruction of Earth. Ava, our main character, is starting to Change, and this isn’t a good thing, well at least to some. Ava always knew she is different from others, third generation of the broken whose bloodline came from both human and Minoan. After surviving an attack from Zulus show more and rescued by a handsome Minoan warrior, she was brought to Minoan village where she begins to discover more about her origin and the prophecy that can change fate of the whole planet. I had mixed feelings about Ava, she’s self-centered which drew away from reading and enjoying the book. What kept me wanting to read more was the actual plot and secondary characters…

The world that the author created is complex, but really interesting. I wanted to learn even more about it than we did, I feel like there are many things that could be improved. Overall, this is a good start to the Broken series, I can’t wait to explore her world more in the next book. Nevertheless, this story is extremely creative and unique. I recommend it!

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Review to come