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 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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