A compelling mystery and an interstellar romance drive this diverting space opera.
A military recruit discovers an unexpected connection to an old schoolmate in Brody’s YA SF series starter.
In the far future in the California Federation,18-year-old Kari Skye finally realizes her dream of enlisting in the Space Force. She’ll train to be a guardian for a war-devastated Earth that’s now disarmed by treaty and a target of interstellar terrorists. Before she ships off to dwarf planet Ceres for basic training, Kari is paired with a Sympathetic—a civilian who’ll stay in contact with her via neural implants and help her “stay oriented to Earthside.” Frustratingly, her assigned Sympathetic is Drae Rache, a former high-school bully whom she despises. As she endures grueling basic training, Drae—who’s now a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley—accepts Rho Raven, Kari’s sharp best friend, as his study partner; he, in turn, can provide her with updates on Kari. During Drae and Kari’s scheduled “exchanges,” they’re each able to sense if the other is withholding anything, and this allows Kari to seeing a refreshing side of Drae. As it turns out, these two, along with Rho, are in unique positions to help thwart an impending threat to Earth. Brody ably develops these characters as a mystery plot deepens. Chapters alternate between Kari and Drae as narrators; Kari is easygoing and likable from the outset, while Drae, who’s smitten with Kari, strives to become a better person as their romance builds. His narrative involves a secret society that apparently has an interest in him and Rho, which ultimately leads to an action-packed final act with twisty plot turns. Simultaneously, Brody showcases Kari’s skills and courage by showing how she proves herself in shockingly dangerous basic-training simulations. She also befriends equally memorable fellow recruits, including athletic Nadia and nerdy Anton, a set of charming twins. The ending offers readers a clear-cut villain and a worthwhile resolution, even as it sets the stage for a planned sequel.
A compelling mystery and an interstellar romance drive this diverting space opera.Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2024
ISBN: 9781039453654
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
