A rebellious planet. An oppressive regime. A cosmic interloper. After escaping the horrors aboard the derelict vessel, Mary's Burden, Captain Ritz and the rest of his crew seek respite on the planet of Desia-a known refuge for criminals and independents. Their peace is short-lived, however, when an invading naval fleet appears in the sky above and they are once again thrown into a desperate struggle for their lives. The Minister of Defense for the People's Union Coalition, Seamus Clark, leads his fleet to what should be an easy conquest over the Desian forces, but just as victory seems assured, his well-laid plans begin to unravel. Soon, Desians and PUC alike find themselves fighting a losing battle against an inhuman enemy far beyond their capacity to even imagine. From the author of Ash Above, Snow Below and The Omen Tree comes Shattered Light, the swift and brutal sequel to Violent Wonder. In this relentlessly paced novella, the dangers of authoritarian policies and the hubris of humanity are elevated to a cosmic level. Don't miss this next action-packed installment in the Universal Wilderness series.