A SACRIFICE OF BLOOD AND STARS

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.