Review: Broken by Susan Jane Bigelow

Title: Broken
Author: Susan J. Bigelow | Author Website
Available: Now
Publisher: Candlemark & Gleam
Reading Level: Young Adult












Description via media kit:


Can a shattered superhero help save humanity's hope for a better world?

Broken figured she was done with heroics when she lost the ability to fly and fled the confinement of the Extrahuman Union. But then the world started to fall apart around her, and the mysterious Michael Forward entered her life, dangling the possibility of redemption and rebirth.

Michael Forward can see the future, but all he wants is to escape the destiny he has struggled against all his life. When the moment comes, though, he finds he can't refuse. Now he needs the help of a homeless ex-superhero to save a baby who may be the key to humanity's freedom.

Monica had a good life with her large family, until two strangers and a baby showed up at her door. Now her family is gone, her life is in ruins, and she's on the run from the law.

In a time of spreading darkness, when paranoia and oppression have overtaken the world, can three unlikely allies preserve a small ray of hope for a better, brighter future?

My thoughts:

Michael Forward can see glimpses of the future when he looks into a persons face. These glimpses are just possible outcomes for the their life. His visions change as the course in which they are on does. He has known for several years he would have to find an orphaned infant in order to prevent the child from falling into the wrong hands and growing up to become a monster. He also knows a silver haired woman will help him. He didn’t plan on that woman being a homeless Extrahuman (think superhero) who turned to alcohol when she lost the ability to fly. Together they set out on a dangerous journey, and meet many unique characters and challenges along the way.


Broken isn’t like anything I’ve read before. I found the synopsis extremely intriguing, but being the kind of girl who isn’t really into superheroes I didn’t know what to expect. I must say I was extremely impressed and just might have to start calling myself a girl who is into superheroes. Such a great mix of characters and action. I had trouble putting this one down even when it was way past my bedtime. It is set on Earth, which seems to have been sent into upheaval when it was invaded by life from another planet. Yes, superheroes and aliens in the same book. Cool, right?


Broken is the name Silverwyng took when she realized the doctors couldn’t help her to fly again. Having spent most of her life in the Tower with other Extrahumans so much of her identity was linked to her abilities. When her abilities failed she ran, and was forced to live a life on the streets hiding from those who knew her. She is the kind of character you want to see come out on top. You can’t help but to root for her to overcome her issues. Michael is also a great character, and I adored his selfless nature. There is also many secondary characters that added so much to this great plot. This book really has so much depth and so many layers, but the action makes it a very fast paced read. I couldn’t believe how quickly I finished reading. 


Broken is a real gem, and one that I can see appealing to fans of both sci-fi and dystopia genres. 

My Rating:

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Author Interview: Susan Bigelow

I’m excited to welcome Susan Bigelow, the author of Broken, to the blog today!

TFE:     The synopsis and cover of Broken hooked my interest immediately. Do you think they are a good fit for the story you are telling?

Susan: I absolutely love the cover. Kate, my publisher, came up with the design. She originally gave me about five or six different designs, some of which were a bit similar to the final cover, some of which were very different. What eventually became this cover leaped out at me immediately. It's very stark, but evocative of the kind of mood that is heavily present throughout the book. I especially like the figure in silhouette, is she flying or falling? Both? I think it's one of the more original designs out there right now, and I think it's a great draw for the book.

I'd never written a synopsis before trying my hand at this one. I hope it's a good fit for the story. I tried to think of some of the overarching, unifying ideas of the story. I particularly like the last sentence: “Ultimately, it's a story about how sometimes, things thought lost forever may be found again.” That sentence sums up the book so well.

TFE:   Is Broken the start of a series or a stand-alone novel?

Susan: Broken works very well as a stand-alone novel, but there is a sequel coming out next year, set in the same universe and with at least a few of the same characters. I'm also hoping to complete a third book in the sequence at some point.

TFE:   Do you have a favorite character in Broken?

Susan: Janeane, who is calm, mysterious and very, very powerful. She's a minor character, but still, I just love her.

TFE:   I love the idea of a future with superheroes. Do you have a favorite superhero?

Susan: I absolutely loved Batman as a kid. I also liked the Peter David version of Supergirl, and when I was in college I adored Battle Angel Alita (a manga series from Japan) by Yukito Kushiro. Alita, who is a cyborg martial arts expert (yes!) is one of those characters who has influenced me in all kinds of ways, I can't get her out of my head.

TFE:    What are some of your favorite books?

Susan: I like anything by Lois McMaster Bujold, especially the very cool Miles Vorkosigan series and the wonderful Paladin of Souls, which might be the best fantasy book I've ever read. I do constantly return to the stories I grew up with, including books by authors like Judy Blume, Paul Danziger and Robin McKinley (read The Blue Sword, it's marvelous), among others. I'm always reading new things, though, so picking favorites is always difficult!

TFE:   If you can, please share with us a bit about what you’re currently working on.

Susan: I have two projects going right now, which is one of those things they tell you never to do. One of them is the third book in the series that I mentioned above, and the other is set is a completely different universe, with new characters, none of whom have any superpowers at all! I also write a mostly-weekly political column for CT News Junkie (http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com) and monthly pieces for the online literary magazine 30pov (http://www.30pov.com).

TFE:     Is there anything else you would like to share with us about yourself or your novel?

Susan: Broken is my first book, and I've been thrilled by how much those who have read it seem to like it. I wrote the first draft during National Novel Writing Month in 2004, and I had no idea that six years later I'd actually publish it. I guess the message is, keep writing and never give up!

Thank you so much for stopping by Susan!


Don’t forget to check out the other stops on the Broken Blog Tour!

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