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Voidwitch Saga #3
Static Ruin
She killed the man who trained her. She killed the fleet that came for her. She killed the planet that caged her. Now she must confront her father.
Mars Xi is on the run, a bounty on her head and a kill count on her conscience. All she has left are her mutant cat Ocho and her fellow human weapon Pale, a young boy wracked by seizures who can kill with a thought. She needs him treated, and she needs to escape, and the only thread left to pull is her frayed connection to her father, Marius Teo. That thread will take her to the outskirts of the galaxy, to grapple with witch-cults and privately-owned planets, and into the hands of the man who engineered her birth.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 27, 2020
3.5 stars
The least violent and gory of the three Voidwitch books, Static Ruin brings Mars full circle to find some measure of closure. It wasn't my favourite of the trilogy, but that said, it was still very good.
The series as a whole is an exciting piece of work that winds down nicely in this third installment, tying up loose ends while still leaving room to revisit these characters. White is an author who shows a great deal of promise, and I will be sure to check out any future work.
The least violent and gory of the three Voidwitch books, Static Ruin brings Mars full circle to find some measure of closure. It wasn't my favourite of the trilogy, but that said, it was still very good.
The series as a whole is an exciting piece of work that winds down nicely in this third installment, tying up loose ends while still leaving room to revisit these characters. White is an author who shows a great deal of promise, and I will be sure to check out any future work.
June 19, 2022
I don't know which is better; being an accident, an experiment gone wrong; or being a weapon deliberately made, deliberately shaped. If I was made to be a weapon, did I ever have a choice? If I was an accident, am I the only one to blame for every person that I've killed?
Maybe I don't want answers. Fuck know I don't deserve them.
I've really enjoyed this series, despite a couple of minor issues, and Static Ruin rounds things off in a very consistent-to-the-series, satisfying way.
Mars is a complicated character (so likeable, but oh so quick on the "trigger"), and I never could resist the story of a witch and her cat. Spacewitch and her catlike creature works just fine!
I could have used just a little more time to settle in to some plot points, as I could for the rest of the series - betrayal doesn't carry quite the same sting when you're expecting it, and haven't built up a connection to a character to make you wish it wouldn't happen. But that ending still had me very happy. I'll be interesting to see if the author revisits this universe again - it feels like there's definitely still stories there to tell, even if they're not Mars'.
Maybe I don't want answers. Fuck know I don't deserve them.
I've really enjoyed this series, despite a couple of minor issues, and Static Ruin rounds things off in a very consistent-to-the-series, satisfying way.
Mars is a complicated character (so likeable, but oh so quick on the "trigger"), and I never could resist the story of a witch and her cat. Spacewitch and her catlike creature works just fine!
I could have used just a little more time to settle in to some plot points, as I could for the rest of the series - betrayal doesn't carry quite the same sting when you're expecting it, and haven't built up a connection to a character to make you wish it wouldn't happen. But that ending still had me very happy. I'll be interesting to see if the author revisits this universe again - it feels like there's definitely still stories there to tell, even if they're not Mars'.
May 11, 2019
Ding dong, the voidwitch is … Of course, not even White will kill off, let alone sacrifice his main protagonist to some cause of redemption, even though her kill count by now is the low side of half a million, not to mention how many starships and assorted planetary facilities. Oh, and one artificial moon. It’s complicated. What does transpire though in the third instalment of this magnificent trilogy is wholly unexpected, which is no mean feat given what has gone before.
What I have loved throughout these books is how White has taken stock SF tropes and made them his own. There is a long tradition in the genre of scattered families, and parents/children searching for each other (or, in the case of Star Wars, not even realising what is right under their noses.)
So after dealing with MEPHISTO in Void Black Shadow, Mars now searches for her true origins in Static Ruin. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Pale and Ocha in tow, and Waren on the sidelines, of course, that has quite a few surprises in store for everyone in the end, as it transpires. Mallory, Dr. Wonder and Hurtt are great new characters (one of them in particular joins the pantheon of villains in this series, with Rathman from Void Black Shadow in top spot.)
I can’t believe it is over. The ending is both bittersweet and devastating, because by now the reader feels like a bona fide member of the Nova’s crew. Does White leave himself wiggle room for another instalment? Well, that is one of the great things about the genre. There is always wiggle room.
What I have loved throughout these books is how White has taken stock SF tropes and made them his own. There is a long tradition in the genre of scattered families, and parents/children searching for each other (or, in the case of Star Wars, not even realising what is right under their noses.)
So after dealing with MEPHISTO in Void Black Shadow, Mars now searches for her true origins in Static Ruin. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Pale and Ocha in tow, and Waren on the sidelines, of course, that has quite a few surprises in store for everyone in the end, as it transpires. Mallory, Dr. Wonder and Hurtt are great new characters (one of them in particular joins the pantheon of villains in this series, with Rathman from Void Black Shadow in top spot.)
I can’t believe it is over. The ending is both bittersweet and devastating, because by now the reader feels like a bona fide member of the Nova’s crew. Does White leave himself wiggle room for another instalment? Well, that is one of the great things about the genre. There is always wiggle room.
January 15, 2019
Conclusión de esta brutalerrima trilogía de novelas cortas. Brutal sobre todo en el termino mas literal, porque "mas bruta que un arado" es la protagonista Mars Xi. Si bien la anterior es la mas ida de la olla de las 3 partes en cuanto a ultraviolencia extrema y a mezclar la space opera con el WiP, este epilogo es mas calmado por ser la catarsis de Mariam con su origen, pasado y presente. La observación del yo desde la contemplación del creador. Los consabidos daddy issues de quien es un experimento, aparte de una void witch o en términos mas simples, el ser mas poderoso de la galaxia conoce a su padre.
Con los maullidos y ferocidad de "ocho", el desvalido Pale como excusa final para buscar a su padre y la siempre estimable compañía de una IA libre a la que le has proporcionado una nave con la que ejercer esa libertad, Mariam se enfrentara a las molestias de la armada imperial para llegar a conocer a su padre, su origen y responder a las preguntas que deben ser respondidas, sobre todo "porqué?".
No son 3 estrellas de que sea peor que sus predecesoras, simplemente es como debe de ser. No todo puede ser violencia ultrahardcore y matar millones por novella, hay que reposar las cosas y mirarse al espejo después de tanta carnicera. Hay que buscar un final y este es el que tenemos. En conjunto y para leer del tirón, una pequeña trilogía de novellas mas que disfrutable. Ya no me acuerdo ni como llegue a ellas, pero me lo he pasado teta leyéndolas y eso lo único que pedía.
Con los maullidos y ferocidad de "ocho", el desvalido Pale como excusa final para buscar a su padre y la siempre estimable compañía de una IA libre a la que le has proporcionado una nave con la que ejercer esa libertad, Mariam se enfrentara a las molestias de la armada imperial para llegar a conocer a su padre, su origen y responder a las preguntas que deben ser respondidas, sobre todo "porqué?".
No son 3 estrellas de que sea peor que sus predecesoras, simplemente es como debe de ser. No todo puede ser violencia ultrahardcore y matar millones por novella, hay que reposar las cosas y mirarse al espejo después de tanta carnicera. Hay que buscar un final y este es el que tenemos. En conjunto y para leer del tirón, una pequeña trilogía de novellas mas que disfrutable. Ya no me acuerdo ni como llegue a ellas, pero me lo he pasado teta leyéndolas y eso lo único que pedía.
November 29, 2018
This series is highly recommendable! Its so heavy on the action and death but also very much focussed on emotion. The main character is fierce and raw how she reacts on her emotions. There is so much destruction and the feelings are all over the place! I loved this ride, it was precious and I'm glad I picked it up. If you like the idea of a fast paced and gorey space action then read it!!!
November 3, 2018
Releases 11.6.18.
"It hurts so fucking much. I don't know how many times I can lose you."
You may remember that I did an interview with author Corey J. White this past summer. If not, please check it out on the blog! I asked him if we could possibly expect a full-length prequel novel because I'm just not ready to say goodbye to Mars yet. Unfortunately, it sounds like the story of Mariam Xi is done. We are so fucking lucky to have her in these books though. She is such an incredible character! I mean.. she's a fucking killer space witch.. with heart! I love her so goddamn hard ::sigh::
"There's no such thing as 'better,' there's only 'different,' and people hate what they don't understand," I say, leaving the cockpit behind to wander down the corridor.
And I don't even understand myself."
As much as I would want there to be more books within this world, White did a fantastic job wrapping up the story. Mars' story. Oof.
Static Ruin picks up shortly where Void Black Shadow left off. Mars, Ocho (the weirdly glorious alien cat-thing) and Pale are still on the run. However, now Mars is looking for the man that made her. Her father. In many ways, this is the biggest challenge that she has had to face yet.
Much like the other two installments, this is brutal and emotionally charged; fast-paced and chilling; funny and violent. The VoidWitch Saga is beautifully diverse, well-written and has one of the most badass protagonists I have ever read. Pair that with insanely gorgeous cover art by the super talented Tommy Arnold and you've got quite the series. Just.. so fucking good!
I am a huge fan of The VoidWitch Saga and I will continue to shout about it whenever possible. Because you should read it already! DO IT!
(Massive thanks to Tor.com Publishing for sending me a copy!)
"It hurts so fucking much. I don't know how many times I can lose you."
You may remember that I did an interview with author Corey J. White this past summer. If not, please check it out on the blog! I asked him if we could possibly expect a full-length prequel novel because I'm just not ready to say goodbye to Mars yet. Unfortunately, it sounds like the story of Mariam Xi is done. We are so fucking lucky to have her in these books though. She is such an incredible character! I mean.. she's a fucking killer space witch.. with heart! I love her so goddamn hard ::sigh::
"There's no such thing as 'better,' there's only 'different,' and people hate what they don't understand," I say, leaving the cockpit behind to wander down the corridor.
And I don't even understand myself."
As much as I would want there to be more books within this world, White did a fantastic job wrapping up the story. Mars' story. Oof.
Static Ruin picks up shortly where Void Black Shadow left off. Mars, Ocho (the weirdly glorious alien cat-thing) and Pale are still on the run. However, now Mars is looking for the man that made her. Her father. In many ways, this is the biggest challenge that she has had to face yet.
Much like the other two installments, this is brutal and emotionally charged; fast-paced and chilling; funny and violent. The VoidWitch Saga is beautifully diverse, well-written and has one of the most badass protagonists I have ever read. Pair that with insanely gorgeous cover art by the super talented Tommy Arnold and you've got quite the series. Just.. so fucking good!
I am a huge fan of The VoidWitch Saga and I will continue to shout about it whenever possible. Because you should read it already! DO IT!
(Massive thanks to Tor.com Publishing for sending me a copy!)
Shelved as 'anti-library'
January 17, 2020I DIDN'T KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A THIRD?! HELL YES!
July 1, 2019
Mars is such a refreshing MC.
A character who is powerful and invincible and knows it, but who is struggling with her moral, guilt and character. A character who loves to broadcast her powers and inflict pain without a second thought but knows that it's wrong, but can't help it.
A hero or a villain? That's up for the reader to decide.
In my opinion; she's neither. She's not good, but she sure as hell isn't bad. She's human, she's confused, betrayed and scared. She loves and she cares endlessly, but she also hates with a burning passion. Even tough the rest of us doesn't possess badass telekinetic powers (sadly), we can still relate to a certain degree.
I loved the sidecharacters. I loved how the minimalistic worldbuilding still portraid such vivid settings. I love how the author doesn't treat his audience as idiots. I love the diversity in those sidecharacters and settings! I want more and are saddened that it's over, but thank Corey for that ending!
A character who is powerful and invincible and knows it, but who is struggling with her moral, guilt and character. A character who loves to broadcast her powers and inflict pain without a second thought but knows that it's wrong, but can't help it.
A hero or a villain? That's up for the reader to decide.
In my opinion; she's neither. She's not good, but she sure as hell isn't bad. She's human, she's confused, betrayed and scared. She loves and she cares endlessly, but she also hates with a burning passion. Even tough the rest of us doesn't possess badass telekinetic powers (sadly), we can still relate to a certain degree.
I loved the sidecharacters. I loved how the minimalistic worldbuilding still portraid such vivid settings. I love how the author doesn't treat his audience as idiots. I love the diversity in those sidecharacters and settings! I want more and are saddened that it's over, but thank Corey for that ending!
November 22, 2018
A solid end cap to the series.
July 14, 2022
It would be so easy to kill every one of them before they moved their fingers off their trigger guards. But then they'd be right about me: Mars Xi, terrorist, mass murderer, heartless creator of mourners and orphans. — Mars Xi (p.24-5)
This feels like the right end to the VoidWitch Saga and Mars's story. It wraps up the stories or gives us some idea of what is happening with all the major characters, while introducing new characters just for Static Ruin. It's remarkably less violent and bloody than previous books, particularly Void Black Shadow. I remembered when I started reading Static Ruin that I barely caught and certainly didn't mention in my review that the project that created Mars and her Voidwitch sisters was created from her father's, Marius Teo, research. Marius Teo is now the only person who might be able to help Pale, to treat his seizures and help understand the extent of what was done to him. The different style with Mars's restraint for the sake of her pseudo brother, her pure care for him was something that was needed.
Static Ruin picks up on Joon-ho a month after the end of Void Black Shadow, after Mars and her little crew leave Squid and Mookie on Aylett for Joon-ho. The trusted person on Joon-ho is Doctor Ahlim Ouyahia, Mars hopes she can help treat Pale. She can't and her son, Hayreddin, calls the Emperor's Guard, causing Mars to flee to her father's last known location, Sanderak. In all fairness, while Ahlim trusts Mars (it isn't explained why) she is a murderer and terrorist as far as Hayreddin is concerned it makes sense that he tries to protect not only his mother but the pilgrims on Joon-ho. The plot goes from there, but this is Mars, so nothing is ever as simple as it appears for her. "That thread will take her to the outskirts of the galaxy, to grapple with witch cults and privately owned planets, and into the hands of the man who engineered her birth." are the last lines of the blurb. The witch cult is Sommer on Sanderak the place Marius Teo set up, where Mars was born and Sera was raised. The privately owned planet is Azken owned by The Hurtt Corporation headed by Rafael Hurtt. The man who engineered Mars's birth is, of course, her father, Marius Teo.
Nothing and no one is what you expect or what they seem. Least of all Raf (Rafael Hurtt) who seems almost besotted with Mars. Either that or he truly respects what she can give him. But I don't think so, Mallory is the best judge of his actions, and she is not happy. He is willing to give up a lot to get something he wants from Mars, but even then she gets way more out of that deal than he does, there is no way he is ignorant of that little fact. Marius Teo is an old man and a nightmare and I'll leave that there to save from spoilers. The people of Sommer are so endearing, particularly Dima. Between the three groups of people, or locations plus the Emperor's Guard is still hanging around there is a lot of diversity in the antagonists, potential allies and I-trust-you-for-now. All feel much more personal for Mars, the stakes are higher for her, messing with her emotions more. It's really well executed as an escalation of intimacy across the series.
Some quotes and comments
• "You AI are smarter than any human, but most of us treat you like servants or slaves. Any one of us could unplug your core and do whatever we liked with it. But what if you'd been given an autonomous body?"
"That would be illegal."
"But not impossible. So imagine: what if you had a body? What if people treated you like a human? What if you were normal?" — This is Mars trying to make a point of normality and bodily autonomy. The quote at the bottom of the review comes from the same conversation. It's one of the best in the book, Waren is so, so human. (Mars and Waren, p.29)
• Waren referring to curing Pale and getting Mars answers about her life as errands is possibly the funniest thing. He does this while asking Mars to not destroy his ship... again
• The Governor's Residence is stunning. A mansion built entirely underground, "The mansion's dark façade is hewn from stone and veined with constellations glittering in shades of silver, blue, gold, and brass." (Mars, p.52-3). Complete with white doors made of intricately carved polished timber.
• "Hey, hey, it's me, here." I keep crying, but it's different now. The rage is gone, replaced by fear and something like love for the boy who's sharing and hurt. "Pale, please, hey, it's Mars. I'm here, okay?" — The fear of having seizures is bad enough, I can't even imagine the fear of watching it happen. THAT is why I love this line so much. (Mars, p.65)
• "I think you're curious."
"Curious?"
"You could find other humans, but I'm your only chance to travel with a space witch."
"I've said it before, Mars: you're never boring." — This is Mars and Waren. They have a really interesting relationship. Waren likes the adventure as well as being sarcastic and sassy. His personality matches Mars's well. (Mars and Waren, p.88)
• I don't feel perfect. I feel like a bomb in human skin. Like killing was written into my future before I was born. — I like how Mars describes herself sometimes. She is usually brutal on herself in a way that is fair because she has done some awful things. (Mars, p.129)
• "You shouldn't look up to me; I'm not a good person."
"I still love you." — I adore Pale. Pale doesn't talk much but when he does it means something. I really like this simple exchange. (Mars and Pale, p.180)
This is for now at least the last in the Voidwitch Saga though Corey J. White hasn't written off returning to Mars's story at some point, but potentially in a different kind of story (source: a 2020 Goodreads answer). I'm so glad I chose to read this. If you enjoy space dramas, can deal with the violence and the murky ethics it is a joy to read. The books are short but the writing is engaging, the short length means the pace needs to stay up. Though it is definitely a series that I feel needs to be read sequentially.
There's no such thing as 'better', there's only 'different,' and people hate what they don't understand," I say, leaving the cockpit behind to wander down the corridor.
And I don't even understand myself. — Mars Xi (p.29, this to AI Waren)
A representative gif:
February 5, 2021
Bittersweet ending to a tumultous, brutal trilogy that is both satisfying and gut-wrenching.
Content warnings include: violence, gore, death, mass murder, surgery, cloning, manipulation; mentions of experimentation on children, parent selling child, death during childbirth.
Well, that tore my fucking heart out.
Static Ruin managed not only to raise the stakes and provide a satisfactory ending to the series and its (remaining) characters, it also made me care about a trillionaire character who is out for their own gain. I'm honestly impressed.
The Voidwitch Saga has grown on me pretty quickly, and I feel like I need to just stare at a wall for a while to get over how it made me feel. I like the reoccurring characters, and despite the (extremely) high death count and Mars barely ever getting a break of happiness it somehow manages to be hopeful.
Content warnings include: violence, gore, death, mass murder, surgery, cloning, manipulation; mentions of experimentation on children, parent selling child, death during childbirth.
Well, that tore my fucking heart out.
Static Ruin managed not only to raise the stakes and provide a satisfactory ending to the series and its (remaining) characters, it also made me care about a trillionaire character who is out for their own gain. I'm honestly impressed.
The Voidwitch Saga has grown on me pretty quickly, and I feel like I need to just stare at a wall for a while to get over how it made me feel. I like the reoccurring characters, and despite the (extremely) high death count and Mars barely ever getting a break of happiness it somehow manages to be hopeful.
March 31, 2020
This one was... messy. Daddy issues and very few holdover characters from the previous stories mean that a compromised Mars has to carry the whole plot by herself. While we do get some of the answers I'd been wanting throughout, those answers are a little tropey and not as interesting as I was hoping for - based on the super cool premise.
Though I do like that it leaves room for more Voidwitch books because I would absolutely revisit Mars and Waren and Pale and Squid and this universe. Plus I'm so ready for a voidwitch showdown (I've been wanting one for three books now)
Though I do like that it leaves room for more Voidwitch books because I would absolutely revisit Mars and Waren and Pale and Squid and this universe. Plus I'm so ready for a voidwitch showdown (I've been wanting one for three books now)
February 1, 2020
Void Black Shadow saw Mars reflect with horror on her death count in Killing Gravity; by the end of book two, she’d done far worse. In Static Ruin, I was expecting Mars’s guilt to play a pivotal role – and it does, to a point. For the first time, we see Mars exercise self-control and actively avoid mass-murder as her response to threats.
Instead, the drama comes from confronting her past. It makes Static Ruin a quieter, tenser affair than its predecessors.
And if I’m honest, it didn’t work as well for me. Unlike the first two novellas, this one felt rushed; for me, what it really needed was more space to land its blows. It’s neither a final bite-size serve of scorching action, nor entirely convincing as an emotional harrowing. But it does give Mars closure, of sorts – and I’m glad to have been introduced to this intriguing universe. I think I’d just like to have seen more of it.
Full review
Instead, the drama comes from confronting her past. It makes Static Ruin a quieter, tenser affair than its predecessors.
And if I’m honest, it didn’t work as well for me. Unlike the first two novellas, this one felt rushed; for me, what it really needed was more space to land its blows. It’s neither a final bite-size serve of scorching action, nor entirely convincing as an emotional harrowing. But it does give Mars closure, of sorts – and I’m glad to have been introduced to this intriguing universe. I think I’d just like to have seen more of it.
Full review
January 6, 2019
Static Ruin took a completely different tone to the previous two books. There was a more personal slow-burn style of pressing urgency as opposed to the fast paced, gory anger and vengeance. It was the perfect way to end the trilogy, and I was left really satisfied as to how everything turned out.
June 6, 2019
I loved parts 1 & 2 of the Voidwitch Saga but this one absolutely blew my hair back. Author Corey J. White achieves so much goodness using just the best words. He's like a chef who cooks a masterpiece using only 3-4 ingredients.
His ability to rank up the tension had me holding my breath reading and fist pumping and celebrating at certain points. He even managed to make me roll a tear during a very poignant part of the story.
I highly recommend this for anyone who loves sci-fi, character driven stories or if you are able to read at a 16 year old level.
Bravo Mr White!!!
His ability to rank up the tension had me holding my breath reading and fist pumping and celebrating at certain points. He even managed to make me roll a tear during a very poignant part of the story.
I highly recommend this for anyone who loves sci-fi, character driven stories or if you are able to read at a 16 year old level.
Bravo Mr White!!!
July 21, 2018
4,5/5
November 7, 2018
No, I’m not crying, you are!
September 8, 2023
Re-read September 2023
Re-read April 2023
3.5 stars
Re-read April 2023
3.5 stars
November 18, 2019
This is the third and final novella in this series about a Voidwitch called Mars who is on the run due to the fact that she was genetically engineered to be a killing machine. More or less.
What we have waited to happen since the very beginning finally occurred: Mars got to meet her maker and father. In addition to this, we also got to meet a character who I really found quite interesting, someone who had had the same upbringing as Mars but wholly embraced it instead of rejecting it quite utterly.
So much so that this character, Mallory, wants to recreate the experiment with her own group of young voidwitches. She'd do it the 'correct way' of course.
This novella really raised some interesting questions about who the good- and bad guys were, depending on point of view. And it was actually much less about the scope of Mars' powers being kind of effortless, which was my main complaint about the last book, Void Black Shadow.
What we have waited to happen since the very beginning finally occurred: Mars got to meet her maker and father. In addition to this, we also got to meet a character who I really found quite interesting, someone who had had the same upbringing as Mars but wholly embraced it instead of rejecting it quite utterly.
So much so that this character, Mallory, wants to recreate the experiment with her own group of young voidwitches. She'd do it the 'correct way' of course.
This novella really raised some interesting questions about who the good- and bad guys were, depending on point of view. And it was actually much less about the scope of Mars' powers being kind of effortless, which was my main complaint about the last book, Void Black Shadow.
January 15, 2019
This was actually probably the best of the Voidwitch Saga books. Mary Sue err- Mars actually has some normal human emotions in this story! ...and still destroys anyone and everyone who gets in her way. The series ties itself up pretty neatly and all of Mars' family drama is settled and dealt with.
All of these books are short reads, Goodreads says this is 200-some pages, but it feels more like a hundred. If you want a fast Mary Sue science fiction story these books will get the job done.
And now that I feel like I've got my reading mojo back, it's time to start plowing through my to-read list.
All of these books are short reads, Goodreads says this is 200-some pages, but it feels more like a hundred. If you want a fast Mary Sue science fiction story these books will get the job done.
And now that I feel like I've got my reading mojo back, it's time to start plowing through my to-read list.
November 12, 2018
Hells Yeah Corey! Well done.
Three of my most favourite things?
1. No easy out HEA for our heroine. There is an open universe and Mars, *spoiler*, and Waren are going to see it. (Squid however, is going to meet the person of their dreams, fall madly in love, and continue to find space orphans and definitely have a brilliant happy life)
2. The big bad turns out to be a shadow. A sad, tired, old man who can't even remember the damage he caused. It's a total "you have no power over me" moment. Except Mars, being Mars, is more "&^$& you"
3. Squid. I love you, Squid.
Three of my most favourite things?
1. No easy out HEA for our heroine. There is an open universe and Mars, *spoiler*, and Waren are going to see it. (Squid however, is going to meet the person of their dreams, fall madly in love, and continue to find space orphans and definitely have a brilliant happy life)
2. The big bad turns out to be a shadow. A sad, tired, old man who can't even remember the damage he caused. It's a total "you have no power over me" moment. Except Mars, being Mars, is more "&^$& you"
3. Squid. I love you, Squid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2019
Mars hunts down her father in hopes that he can help Pale, and it's not a happy reunion.
I've enjoyed this entire trilogy. Mars is a psychic voidwitch who can kill with her mind, and she's killed hundreds of thousands during the course of her story. The fact that she realizes this is unacceptable is part of what makes the books different. I absolutely adore Ocho, her cat/animal companion. While the second book of the trilogy was my favorite, this was an excellent ending to the current story. Here's hoping the author returns to Mars' world some day.
I've enjoyed this entire trilogy. Mars is a psychic voidwitch who can kill with her mind, and she's killed hundreds of thousands during the course of her story. The fact that she realizes this is unacceptable is part of what makes the books different. I absolutely adore Ocho, her cat/animal companion. While the second book of the trilogy was my favorite, this was an excellent ending to the current story. Here's hoping the author returns to Mars' world some day.
December 31, 2019
Great series!!
September 5, 2021
Mars ist wohl die Inkarnation von Overkill aber ich liebe sie trotzdem. Ein wirklich gelungener Abschluss obwohl ich definitiv mehr davon will. Eine Adaption als Serie wäre bestimmt mega 😫
August 14, 2019
I'm looking forward to more books in this amazing space opera series!
October 25, 2019
Quick Summary:
Mars can kill you with her mind. She escaped a lab where she was raised as a psychic supersoldier, which left her with terrifying capabilities, a fierce sense of independence, a deficit of trust and an vertically modified cat. She’s spent her life on the run, but her past are catching up with her. To discover the truth and defeat her pursuers, she’ll have to stare into the abyss and find the secrets of her past, her future, and her terrifying potential. Now that she’s reduced her enemies to smoking ruins, it’s time for Mars to take control of her destiny and find the man who made her who she is: her father. Secrets wait for her beyond the reach of the empire, where mad science and corporate greed combine in new and horrifying ways.
My Thoughts:
Mars has this snarky attitude that brings my kind of humour to an otherwise dark story. I love when a book has a morally grey main character I can actually connect with. Her telekinesis powers made her an unstoppable force of nature that I found super empowering to read about, but knowing how strong our kickass voidwitch is made me not worry as much for her physical safety. Her mental turmoil on the other hand was something I hoped she would find peace with, especially her guilt over what she did to save her friends. Despite going through hell she has so much love for her friends and the people she considers family. I loved the awesome found family vibes and seeing Mars take care of someone much younger than her.
Pale has suffered so much for someone so young and he's still slowly recovering. On top of taking Pale under her care theres some other interesting family elements that come into play in this novel. We get to see Mars reunite with some old friends. The ship AI Waren and our main characters genetically modified cat Oncho were incredible. Theres no romance, but we did get a hint that the main character was into more than one gender in the first book. Theres a kiss between her and a non binary character that was really sweet. Squid is one of my all time favorite side characters and I wish we saw more of her in this trilogy. I could totally go for a spin off about her evading space pirates or something.
This world has so many fascinating elements. I loved the scifi elements mixed in with the fantasy. The whole voidwitch in space concept was pretty freaking amazing. We get to explore new exciting planets where we find unique creatures like the huge moth. I love a fast paced and action packed plot. Its full of death and carnage which I dont get enough of with all the young adult books I tend to gravitate towards. It was a nice change of pace. I thought the ending was bittersweet, but I liked how it was realistic while still have that sense of hope for the future. Im sad I wont have any more books with these characters. I totally see potential for more if the author ever decides to come back to it. Id definitely recommend this trilogy if you're looking for a dark action packed space adventure.
*Won Book In Twitter Giveaway*
Mars can kill you with her mind. She escaped a lab where she was raised as a psychic supersoldier, which left her with terrifying capabilities, a fierce sense of independence, a deficit of trust and an vertically modified cat. She’s spent her life on the run, but her past are catching up with her. To discover the truth and defeat her pursuers, she’ll have to stare into the abyss and find the secrets of her past, her future, and her terrifying potential. Now that she’s reduced her enemies to smoking ruins, it’s time for Mars to take control of her destiny and find the man who made her who she is: her father. Secrets wait for her beyond the reach of the empire, where mad science and corporate greed combine in new and horrifying ways.
My Thoughts:
Mars has this snarky attitude that brings my kind of humour to an otherwise dark story. I love when a book has a morally grey main character I can actually connect with. Her telekinesis powers made her an unstoppable force of nature that I found super empowering to read about, but knowing how strong our kickass voidwitch is made me not worry as much for her physical safety. Her mental turmoil on the other hand was something I hoped she would find peace with, especially her guilt over what she did to save her friends. Despite going through hell she has so much love for her friends and the people she considers family. I loved the awesome found family vibes and seeing Mars take care of someone much younger than her.
Pale has suffered so much for someone so young and he's still slowly recovering. On top of taking Pale under her care theres some other interesting family elements that come into play in this novel. We get to see Mars reunite with some old friends. The ship AI Waren and our main characters genetically modified cat Oncho were incredible. Theres no romance, but we did get a hint that the main character was into more than one gender in the first book. Theres a kiss between her and a non binary character that was really sweet. Squid is one of my all time favorite side characters and I wish we saw more of her in this trilogy. I could totally go for a spin off about her evading space pirates or something.
This world has so many fascinating elements. I loved the scifi elements mixed in with the fantasy. The whole voidwitch in space concept was pretty freaking amazing. We get to explore new exciting planets where we find unique creatures like the huge moth. I love a fast paced and action packed plot. Its full of death and carnage which I dont get enough of with all the young adult books I tend to gravitate towards. It was a nice change of pace. I thought the ending was bittersweet, but I liked how it was realistic while still have that sense of hope for the future. Im sad I wont have any more books with these characters. I totally see potential for more if the author ever decides to come back to it. Id definitely recommend this trilogy if you're looking for a dark action packed space adventure.
*Won Book In Twitter Giveaway*
October 13, 2020
WHY did i not write a review as soon as i finished this?! sigh. i think i went with 3.75 stars.
i've seen a lot of people read killing gravity and that's it, but i really recommend continuing the series!! i had some issues with the second novella because it was a lot of kill first feel guilty later, and it just didn't work for me from a moral standpoint, i think. but mars had some moments in this book to take a minute and think things through, and i definitely got what i was looking for in the last book in here. i particularly liked her dynamic with pale and how she tried to make him understand why she did things the way she did while also saying she didn't always make the right choices and he shouldn't try to be like her.
i selfishly wanted more squid in here, and there was a VERY un-squid-like moment toward the end?! UGH. it made sense on mars's end, i suppose, but it was so out of character for squid. sigh. still always a fan of them showing up like, wow mars good thing i just happened to be around when you fucked up...again... lol.
this one was very much about mars finding answers instead of straight up seeking vengeance, and i really liked the somewhat slower pace. tere were some revelations that literally made me gasp out loud because i did NOT see them coming...and yet it made complete sense?! in a shockingly messed up way?!
no spoilers, but i think the ending made tons of sense. i know it's not what a lot of readers would want, but i think it's what was needed. we got a lot of closure, and we got to see mars get some closure too, as well as finally making some decent decisions. i loved getting to see her voidwitchery and seeing her grow as a character. this is definitely a series i'll go back to when i need a bit of a quick space romp with some casual mass murder. as one does.
i've seen a lot of people read killing gravity and that's it, but i really recommend continuing the series!! i had some issues with the second novella because it was a lot of kill first feel guilty later, and it just didn't work for me from a moral standpoint, i think. but mars had some moments in this book to take a minute and think things through, and i definitely got what i was looking for in the last book in here. i particularly liked her dynamic with pale and how she tried to make him understand why she did things the way she did while also saying she didn't always make the right choices and he shouldn't try to be like her.
i selfishly wanted more squid in here, and there was a VERY un-squid-like moment toward the end?! UGH. it made sense on mars's end, i suppose, but it was so out of character for squid. sigh. still always a fan of them showing up like, wow mars good thing i just happened to be around when you fucked up...again... lol.
this one was very much about mars finding answers instead of straight up seeking vengeance, and i really liked the somewhat slower pace. tere were some revelations that literally made me gasp out loud because i did NOT see them coming...and yet it made complete sense?! in a shockingly messed up way?!
no spoilers, but i think the ending made tons of sense. i know it's not what a lot of readers would want, but i think it's what was needed. we got a lot of closure, and we got to see mars get some closure too, as well as finally making some decent decisions. i loved getting to see her voidwitchery and seeing her grow as a character. this is definitely a series i'll go back to when i need a bit of a quick space romp with some casual mass murder. as one does.
January 25, 2021
It may not have been as violent and action-packed as the previous installments, but it proved to be a fantastic ending for the series and a nearly perfect ending for Mars' storyline.
What I liked
Static Ruin improved upon all the things that I had a problem with in Void Black Shadow. There's something about a good ending that makes me look back on the rest of the books with greater fondness. I enjoyed Static Ruin so much I might re-read the series just to appreciate it a little better.
character development
One of my biggest problems with Void Black Shadow was the lack of character development, but here many of the characters changed in subtle and profound ways. Mars really grew and displayed emotional maturity in this volume. Reflecting with horror on what she has done, she chooses to not use deadly violence to solve every problem. I appreciate seeing her wrestle with her demons. We see just how much her guilt has changed her, how much she struggles to do the right thing, and her horror at how easily killing comes for her. The theme of being [or feeling] unworthy of forgiveness and the search for absolution is powerfully displayed here.
We also see just how much Ocho means to her in a sweet scene towards the end that made me a bit misty-eyed. She always loved her mutant cat, but here - with Ocho preferring Pale - we see just how much she needed Ocho. Mars' guilt and self-hatred are very evident in this, but I think in the end she found a measure of healing.
Pale also has changed in subtle ways. While before he was oddly fascinated by violence and wanted to resort to killing even when there were other options, here we see him save someone life at risk to his own. He meets other kids and begins to open up and even speak a bit more.
The AI Waren, at times arrogant, here begins to show a softer side. He was essential to the story and I found myself loving his interactions with Mars.
emotional depth
This story had much more emotional depth than Void Black Shadow. Yes, the storyline with finding her father over-relied on certain tropes, but it was still meaningful and enjoyable.
themes
The development of a variety of themes - especially about forgiveness of self, and the lasting impact of child abuse - was really incredible, especially considering that each of these books is fairly short. Some might find the idea of self-forgiveness hollow, since Mars has killed hundreds of thousands of people [and probably animals and ecosystems too]. How much violence can be excused in the name of self-preservation? That is yet another question that Mars wrestles with, especially in this last volume.
other things
That bittersweet finale! It was perfect. In the end, Mars is not fully redeemed - nor should she be. But she's on the path to finding what she's looking for, and with her are people who really care. It was perfect.
Like in the previous installments, the worldbuilding was good. We see lots of futuristic technology, cities, and - key to the story - a weird little cult in a beautiful forest. The story across the entire trilogy is rich with interesting details that make the world feel real.
This volume contained a few interesting new characters. In particular, we meet Mallory. She grew up in the same environment as Mars, yet she looks back on those memories with fondness, saying that those people were her family. She feels that Mars abandoned them. It was interesting to see how two different people would react to what was - presumably - similar traumas.
What I was ambivalent about
Fan-favorite characters such as Squid do not appear much in this book. Those of us who fell in love with the wide cast of characters will definitely miss all of them, but I think Mars did a great job of carrying the plot mostly without them. That said, the other characters added a lot of color to the stories. I would have loved more closure with Mookie, but he does not make an appearance here. Maybe that's understandable considering what happened in the previous book. After all, one of the themes in this book is Mars' actions causing pain to those around her.
This installment was not as gory as previous books. It felt like a sharp tone change, but it was one that made sense for the storyline. Some may find this to be a bit anticlimactic, but I felt that it was mostly a good choice, reflecting Mars' own choice to be more in control and less violent.
What I did NOT like
The story veered into tropey territory, especially with Mars' father. The arc with her father could have been much more satisfying, but [major spoiler]
Some elements were quite predictable, such as the situation with Mallory and Mr Hurtt.
Conclusion
This was a great ending to a very good series. I recommend this series to those who want to read high-octane sci-fi with emotional punch and interesting characters.
What I liked
Static Ruin improved upon all the things that I had a problem with in Void Black Shadow. There's something about a good ending that makes me look back on the rest of the books with greater fondness. I enjoyed Static Ruin so much I might re-read the series just to appreciate it a little better.
character development
One of my biggest problems with Void Black Shadow was the lack of character development, but here many of the characters changed in subtle and profound ways. Mars really grew and displayed emotional maturity in this volume. Reflecting with horror on what she has done, she chooses to not use deadly violence to solve every problem. I appreciate seeing her wrestle with her demons. We see just how much her guilt has changed her, how much she struggles to do the right thing, and her horror at how easily killing comes for her. The theme of being [or feeling] unworthy of forgiveness and the search for absolution is powerfully displayed here.
We also see just how much Ocho means to her in a sweet scene towards the end that made me a bit misty-eyed. She always loved her mutant cat, but here - with Ocho preferring Pale - we see just how much she needed Ocho. Mars' guilt and self-hatred are very evident in this, but I think in the end she found a measure of healing.
Pale also has changed in subtle ways. While before he was oddly fascinated by violence and wanted to resort to killing even when there were other options, here we see him save someone life at risk to his own. He meets other kids and begins to open up and even speak a bit more.
The AI Waren, at times arrogant, here begins to show a softer side. He was essential to the story and I found myself loving his interactions with Mars.
emotional depth
This story had much more emotional depth than Void Black Shadow. Yes, the storyline with finding her father over-relied on certain tropes, but it was still meaningful and enjoyable.
themes
The development of a variety of themes - especially about forgiveness of self, and the lasting impact of child abuse - was really incredible, especially considering that each of these books is fairly short. Some might find the idea of self-forgiveness hollow, since Mars has killed hundreds of thousands of people [and probably animals and ecosystems too]. How much violence can be excused in the name of self-preservation? That is yet another question that Mars wrestles with, especially in this last volume.
other things
That bittersweet finale! It was perfect. In the end, Mars is not fully redeemed - nor should she be. But she's on the path to finding what she's looking for, and with her are people who really care. It was perfect.
Like in the previous installments, the worldbuilding was good. We see lots of futuristic technology, cities, and - key to the story - a weird little cult in a beautiful forest. The story across the entire trilogy is rich with interesting details that make the world feel real.
This volume contained a few interesting new characters. In particular, we meet Mallory. She grew up in the same environment as Mars, yet she looks back on those memories with fondness, saying that those people were her family. She feels that Mars abandoned them. It was interesting to see how two different people would react to what was - presumably - similar traumas.
What I was ambivalent about
Fan-favorite characters such as Squid do not appear much in this book. Those of us who fell in love with the wide cast of characters will definitely miss all of them, but I think Mars did a great job of carrying the plot mostly without them. That said, the other characters added a lot of color to the stories. I would have loved more closure with Mookie, but he does not make an appearance here. Maybe that's understandable considering what happened in the previous book. After all, one of the themes in this book is Mars' actions causing pain to those around her.
This installment was not as gory as previous books. It felt like a sharp tone change, but it was one that made sense for the storyline. Some may find this to be a bit anticlimactic, but I felt that it was mostly a good choice, reflecting Mars' own choice to be more in control and less violent.
What I did NOT like
The story veered into tropey territory, especially with Mars' father. The arc with her father could have been much more satisfying, but [major spoiler]
Some elements were quite predictable, such as the situation with Mallory and Mr Hurtt.
Conclusion
This was a great ending to a very good series. I recommend this series to those who want to read high-octane sci-fi with emotional punch and interesting characters.
August 31, 2022
I enjoyed the first two books in this series -- Killing Gravity and Void Black Shadow. They're short, gory, action-packed little volumes with an oft-profane kickass heroine, and are the literary equivalent of a mindless action flick, but they're FUN. And "Static Ruin" is just as fun... albeit tinged with a bittersweet feeling, as our heroine finally has to come to terms with her violent past.
Mars Xi, voidwitch, has a kill count of millions, and is grappling with her guilt even as she's taking care of Pale, a young boy with telepathic powers who, like her, was one of MEPHISTO's experiments. And to answer questions about her own past -- and treat Pale's seizures -- she has to track down the man who sold her to MEPHISTO in the first place... her father. Her journey will bring her face to face with the legacy that created her, forces that want to treat her like property or a threat, and her own questions about whether she's capable of redemption.
Like the rest of these books, "Static Ruin" is a fast-paced read, with plenty of action sequences (though the blood and gore is toned down in this book). The worldbuilding is surprisingly good for such a short read -- the author's able to make good use of his limited page count to not only develop Mars further as a character, but to flesh out the universe she inhabits. That's no mean feat.
This book has tones of sadness that weren't present in the previous books, but in my mind that's a good thing. Mars is taking time to realize that she's a monster, and reflects on how many people she's killed to achieve her goals and whether or not there's any hope of redemption or forgiveness for someone like her. Heroes in sci-fi epics don't often get moments of reflection like this -- we never see Luke Skywalker angst about blowing up hundreds of people along with the Death Star -- so it's nice to see it addressed here.
While the Voidwitch series could end here without any issues, I wouldn't mind seeing Mars, Squid, Waren, Pale, and Ocho/Nine again. This was a fitting conclusion to an entertaining series, and I hope we get to revisit it sometime.
Mars Xi, voidwitch, has a kill count of millions, and is grappling with her guilt even as she's taking care of Pale, a young boy with telepathic powers who, like her, was one of MEPHISTO's experiments. And to answer questions about her own past -- and treat Pale's seizures -- she has to track down the man who sold her to MEPHISTO in the first place... her father. Her journey will bring her face to face with the legacy that created her, forces that want to treat her like property or a threat, and her own questions about whether she's capable of redemption.
Like the rest of these books, "Static Ruin" is a fast-paced read, with plenty of action sequences (though the blood and gore is toned down in this book). The worldbuilding is surprisingly good for such a short read -- the author's able to make good use of his limited page count to not only develop Mars further as a character, but to flesh out the universe she inhabits. That's no mean feat.
This book has tones of sadness that weren't present in the previous books, but in my mind that's a good thing. Mars is taking time to realize that she's a monster, and reflects on how many people she's killed to achieve her goals and whether or not there's any hope of redemption or forgiveness for someone like her. Heroes in sci-fi epics don't often get moments of reflection like this -- we never see Luke Skywalker angst about blowing up hundreds of people along with the Death Star -- so it's nice to see it addressed here.
While the Voidwitch series could end here without any issues, I wouldn't mind seeing Mars, Squid, Waren, Pale, and Ocho/Nine again. This was a fitting conclusion to an entertaining series, and I hope we get to revisit it sometime.
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