A CONSPIRACY OF STARS

In this sci-fi series opener, one girl is the link between two worlds.

Over 40 years ago, humans landed on Faloiv after their home planet became uninhabitable. Since then, whitecoats, highly esteemed scientists, have been studying the planet to discover its secrets. As the daughter of two great scientists, Octavia’s greatest ambition is to become a whitecoat herself, but life on Faloiv is changing. With a new, corrupt council leader, people are becoming increasingly hostile toward their native hosts, the Faloii. When Octavia discovers that one of the Faloii has been secretly kidnapped by her people—an act that could spell war—she sets out to find answers. What she discovers shakes the foundation of everything she thought she knew about herself, the whitecoats, and life on the planet. Through rich imagery and descriptions, Cole brings this beautiful world to life. She tackles complex social issues like imperialism and asks where the line is between humanity and scientific progress. The novel features well-rounded characters, from Octavia’s lovable friends to her cold, calculating father. However, questions remain about life before Faloiv, as the humans seem to be strangely disconnected from their not-too-distant past. Octavia and her friends, Rondo and Alma, are black but it’s unclear how diverse the human population of Faloiv is.

Transporting and entrancing, the novel will leave readers craving more adventures in Faloiv