Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Breaking the Surface (Outsider Project #2)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Breaking the Surface

(Outsider Project #2)

Rebecca Langham (Goodreads Author)

4.36 · Rating details · 11 ratings · 8 reviews

Alessia is an Outsider—a member of the not-quite-human community that has recently been released from their underground prison. Shortly after their liberation, Alessia is given an ultimatum: obey all the United Earth Alliance’s demands, or her mother will forever remain a hostage—a mother she’d believed dead for fifteen years. Reluctantly, she agrees, though she has no ide ...more

Get A Copy

ebook

Published January 13th 2020 by NineStar Press

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Breaking the Surface, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Breaking the Surface

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-26

Average rating 4.36 ·

Rating details

· 11 ratings · 8 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Breaking the Surface (Outsider Project #2)

Jan 25, 2020 Lex Kent rated it really liked it

Shelves: f-f-ninestar-press, futuristic, f-f-sci-fi

3.50 Stars. This is the second book in Langham’s futuristic/sci-fi series Outsider Project. I thought this was a solid sequel. While I did like the actual storyline of the first book Beneath the Surface more, I thought this book was better written. If I remember correctly, book one was Langham’s debut so it was nice to see a steady improvement in her writing.

One of my complaints about book one was that it slowed down and dragged at times. In this book the beginning was a little slow, but the ov 3.50 Stars. This is the second book in Langham’s futuristic/sci-fi series Outsider Project. I thought this was a solid sequel. While I did like the actual storyline of the first book Beneath the Surface more, I thought this book was better written. If I remember correctly, book one was Langham’s debut so it was nice to see a steady improvement in her writing.

One of my complaints about book one was that it slowed down and dragged at times. In this book the beginning was a little slow, but the overall pace felt much better to me. Once I got into the flow I wanted to continue reading. And since I like a little more action in my sci-fi in general, I appreciate that this book felt like there was more.

My biggest issue with this sequel was not remembering all of what happened in book one. It has been two years and at least 550 books in-between me reading these two installments. My memory is just not that good. And while I did remember the major storyline, and Langham reiterated a few things, there were too many mini plotlines and characters that I just never remembered. People had even died and I didn’t remember. I honestly wonder if I had read these two books back to back, maybe my rating for this book would be higher. And just to be clear, I would 100% recommend reading these books in order. I would not read this book without reading book one first, preferably reading book one not too long before book two. I really think it would be too hard on people to jump into the series here.

While I enjoyed the action and how the main storyline played out, I’m not sure if I loved the ending. My guess is Langham is leaving it open for a book three because if she’s not, the ending is not really satisfying enough. And like I mentioned I like how the major storylines wrapped up so I don’t even see a need for a book three, so I’m a little surprised this ending was picked. The issue is Langham did something similar in the first book so it felt unneeded and repetitive here.

While these books have a romance, they are much more sci-fi than romance. The romance is very PG and absolutely takes a backseat. So I would recommend this series to futuristic/sci-fi fans and not really romance fans looking to try sci-fi. I didn’t like some of the story choices as much as book one, but this book was better written and more of a gripping read.

A copy was given to me for a honest review. ...more

flag 46 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2020 Emily Wrayburn rated it really liked it

Shelves: aussie-books, fiction, sci-fi

Review originally published on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 23 November 2020:

This book is stronger than its predecessor. It’s good to see a writer build on their debut and improve their skills! And even though it had been nearly a year since I read the first book, there were enough small reminders of the events in that book for me to not have too much trouble getting my head back into this world.

I loved finding out more about where the Outsiders came from – there’s one big bombshell in particular ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jan 07, 2020 Clara Ridler rated it it was amazing

Read an ARC.

Was quite interesting to see where the ideas from the first book finally led. The ending is not what I expected but I found it satisfying. Langham's writing has become stronger -- lots more suspence this time. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2019 Samantha added it

A solid follow-up to Beneath the Surface. Rebecca has a way of creating a world that sucks you in and doesn't let go. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2020 Ashley rated it really liked it

Shelves: bb-review

Breaking the Surface is the second in Rebecca Langham’s Outsider Project series. One thing I would recommend is reading this series close together. If you don’t, you may find yourself a little lost with everything happening in this book.

With that said, this was a great sequel. Not only was I glad to find out what was in store for Alessia and Lydia, but we were allowed to see all the characters that I fell in love with in the first novel. Each character grew and adapted to the life they had been ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2020 Kathryn O'Sullivan rated it really liked it

Shelves: australian, female-protagonist, love-storyline, multiple-pov, sci-fi, series, third-person

A fitting conclusion to the duology. The writing is more refined and the pace of the story more captivating than Beneath the Surface. Let's hope Langham has more sci-fi to come! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 03, 2020 Matt Doyle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbt, science-fiction

When review book one in the series, Beneath The Surface, I said that Rebecca had ‘created a debut novel that didn’t feel like a debut novel, but rather something more refined’. Here, the second book actually shows improvement in this area. It maintains the same feel as the first book, of course, but the writing feels tighter, and the conversations more natural. That’s not to say that those in the first book felt unnatural at all, mind you, more that they take a step forward here.

The story is an When review book one in the series, Beneath The Surface, I said that Rebecca had ‘created a debut novel that didn’t feel like a debut novel, but rather something more refined’. Here, the second book actually shows improvement in this area. It maintains the same feel as the first book, of course, but the writing feels tighter, and the conversations more natural. That’s not to say that those in the first book felt unnatural at all, mind you, more that they take a step forward here.

The story is an excellent follow-up to that of Beneath The Surface too. All those elements that made the original book so fun – the mix of intrigue, a lovable cast, and some gentle romance that doesn’t overshadow the sci-fi elements – are all still here in force. At the same time though, Rebecca broadens the tools being sued to tell the story a little. For one, there’s a little more action this time. It still fits within the world, and bar a super exciting climactic run, it doesn’t take the full focus for long, but it’s a welcome addition.

Tech talk too is taken up a little, with the neural implant concept explored a little more. What I liked about this is that it still avoided dropping into hard sci-fi territory. Don’t get wrong, I like some hard sci-fi. But a complete shift here, even for one scene, would have felt ‘off’ when placed next to the first book. Instead, Rebecca gives us a little detail on how the implants are placed within the body and then focuses on the sometimes disorienting effects of having the equivalent of a near-constant internet stream in front of you. By sticking with the character’s emotions, Rebecca maintains a series consistency that is very welcome.

And when it comes to the characters, I cannot understate how fun they are. It felt great to be back with Alessia and Lydia as they explored their relationship and dealt with the twists and turns they uncovered in terms of the general world. And the supporting cast is equally as enjoyable to see them interact with, in particular Fermi, who I felt really shone throughout his appearances. I think what makes them all feel so lovable though is the little human moments that pop up from time to time. Whether it be Alessia liking cat vlogs, or Lydia wanting to ‘bolt through the door, sprint down the corridor, and launch into Alessia’s arms like a twentieth-century Hollywood cliché’, it all adds a little relatable layer to the cast. The conversation between Lydia and Jezebel was another fine example of this; I really enjoyed that whole scene.

The intrigue built up steadily as things progressed, and we got to learn a lot more about Alessia’s people here. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that it was interesting seeing the way it all played out, and how different people reacted. The result though was that, while most characters maintained the primarily good or simply morally grey roles of the first book, we did get someone that was more of an actual villain at the end here.

In terms of stumbling blocks, though Rebecca showed that she is more than capable of some flash, this still won’t be a series for those that want a more military feel to their sci-fi. While I really liked the way everything came together too, the bittersweet tinge to the ending may also be an issue for some. The story is tied up nicely, and it’s not an unhappy ending. If anything, it feels like a realistic conclusion. But, it may not quite be what some expected going into the book. Honestly though, I hope it doesn’t put people off because, for me, it felt right.

Breaking The Surface is an easy title to recommend. The story offers some variance from the first book while still feeling clearly part of the same story, Rebecca’s writing is even smoother, and the cast is certain to raise a warm smile as they face their problems. I give this one the full 5 out of 5. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 23, 2020 Jo rated it really liked it

Shelves: general

Whilst this novel's setting is in the future, the narrative of profit-driven corporates with unfettered power and no accountability manipulating law and media to control/hide illegal activities past and present, is one many of us will recognize. Credit to the author for weaving this well into an involved plot.

The story starts slow, but the pacing improves quickly. ...more

flag Like · see review