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
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
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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