Book Review: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

I'm not sure what drew me to this title, but I haven't read much science fiction lately, and I really enjoyed Mickey7.

Mickey is an "expendable." He's on a long journey to colonize a new planet. He's expendable because if he dies, they have a copy of his DNA, complete with memories, so that he can be regenerated.  This is really helpful for dangerous missions, but dying isn't fun.

The seventh version of Mickey is on one of those missions and is left for dead. But he manages to return to the bubble where they are trying to survive on a most inhospitable planet. When he returns to his bunk, there is Mickey8, fresh out of the regenerator.

This is a problem for several reasons. If anyone finds out, they will both be thrown into the regenerator. Everyone is on survival rations, and now the two Mickeys have to share. And, the most obvious problem, in my opinion, is how are they supposed to get around and do their duties on the ship? This was the biggest flaw in the plot. They are both out of their room at the same time. One on duty, one doing something else. They don't know each other's experiences. Seven has a wrist injury, and 8 doesn't even seem to care to fake it. Neither of them is very careful or concerned enough. Of course, they are going to be discovered, but how soon?

The premise of the expendables is interesting. They are loathed by some as an abomination, and therefore much discriminated against. The terraforming on this ice-covered planet is going badly. Food is scarce. The wormlike native creatures are beginning to attack. Will Mickey save the day?

Mickey7 is exciting, if a bit far-fetched, and kept my interest. It has been compared to The Martian, and even if it doesn't live up to the comparison, it is entertaining. And it's going to be a movie starring Robert Pattinson. If you like the terraforming, survival, overcoming the natives type of sci-fi, you'll like Mickey7. 

Published by St. Martin's, February 15, 2022
eARC obtained from NetGalley and Edelweiss+
304 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: The Stars We Steal, by Alexa Donne

The Stars We Steal takes place in a spaceship 170 years after Earth has become inhospitable. While steeped in luxury and intrigue, the story confronts some socioeconomic issues we see in the news today. 

Leo's family (father and a younger sister) is poor, but they can't afford to show it. They have docked their ship and are staying with Leo's aunt, Captain Lind, of the very large, luxurious ship The Scandinavian. While there, Leo must participate in The Valg, a weeks-long ritual with daily activities in which she has no interest, in order to find a rich husband and save the family. Leo has other ideas. She is determined to save her family by selling a water purification system that she has invented, rather than marrying. But to apply for the patent requires more money that Leo has. 

Since they are living on The Scandinavian, Leo has rented out her family's ship to make some money. She is surprised when one of the occupants is her ex-fiance, Elliot. They did not part on good terms, but feelings still exist. Elliot was the son of Leo's father's valet and was deemed much too low-class for Leo. So she abruptly dropped Elliot and hasn't seen him since. He now arrives having much improved his status, as well as his wealth.

During The Valg there are protests because the lower class is not getting enough supplies to survive, while the upper class is drowning in champagne and other luxuries. Leo suspects Elliot may have something to do with these protests. She is sympathetic but also appalled that he would jeopardize Leo's hospitality.

As the young people navigate their way through the various activities of The Valg, Captain Lind works to quash the rebellion. Leo is frightened for Elliott and must try to help--if only to save her own reputation. Leo is also trying to keep her younger sister in line, navigating through a host of inappropriate suitors, including Elliott!

The characters are sympathetic and the romance isn't overdone. My one hesitation for recommending The Stars We Steal is that the consumption of alcohol, mostly to excess, is presented as normal and a means to escape and is pervasive among these teens. Every event, whether formal or a casual get together, is accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol, and unfortunately, my recommendation would be for mature teens only.

The Stars We Steal is ultimately suspenseful, with surprising and devious twists and turns and life-threatening situations. Many of the characters are not what they seem, but the story eventually weaves to a satisfying conclusion. I'm wondering if this world is intriguing enough to support a sequel. I would be willing to give it a try.

Published by HMH BFYR, February 4, 2020
ARC obtained from School Library Connection Magazine
389 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I'm starting to realize that science fiction is becoming my favorite YA genre (maybe just after historical.) Aurora Rising helped me reach this conclusion.

We are way in the future (2380), and Tyler is on a distant planet ready to graduate from Aurora Academy with top honors and begin his career keeping the universe safe. Everything goes off the rails for Tyler when on one last flight, he rescues a girl from cryo-sleep on a spaceship that was lost over 200 years ago. The girl's name is Aurora.

Instead of the most elite squad in his class, because of this rescue, Tyler ends up with a squad of misfits who seem hopeless. And, of course, instead of an exciting, elite mission, they are given a supply delivery. However, Aurora stows away on their ship and soon it is apparent that she is wanted by the government. But Aurora is convinced she must not be caught. This unlikely crew decides to help Aurora and possibly save the galaxy from certain destruction.

The world building and science fiction elements of Aurora Rising are fascinating. The characters are quirky and distinct, each telling part of the story from their own point of view. The secrets about Aurora are compelling, and I couldn't figure out what was going on -- but I wanted too!

Yes, some of the events are a bit far-fetched, but it's science fiction, so expected. The story moved quickly from one life-threatening situation to another, and for the most part, their escapes were clever. Aurora Rising is the first book in a series, so the book ends at an appropriate point, but leaves you wanting more. After all, the survival of the universe is at stake!

These authors wrote Illuminae and the rest of that series. I enjoyed Aurora Rising more than Illuminae mostly because of the format. Aurora Rising doesn't have all of the emails and other varied types of story-telling formats like Illuminae did, and that just worked better for me.

Teens who are fans of Kaufman and Kristoff, as well as any who are sci-fi fans will enjoy Aurora Rising.

Published by Knopf, May 7, 2019
eARC obtained from NetGalley
480 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

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Book Review: The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, by Lauren James @Lauren_E_James

While the premise is a bit far-fetched, once I bought into it, I thoroughly enjoyed The Loneliest Girl in the Universe.

Romy is alone in space heading away from earth on a 44-year journey to find other life. She is a teenager and was born in space.  Five years ago her parents died.  So did everyone else on the ship.

She gets help from a therapist on earth, but messages take months to get back and forth.  When she finds out that technology has advanced enough on Earth to send a ship to catch up with her, she's ecstatic.  Then something happens and she loses contact with Earth and her only support system.  Thank goodness she has J, the commander of the other ship to keep her company.

That is pretty much all you should know going into The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. When I began the book I thought there's NO WAY a teen would end up alone on a spaceship.  But James slowly explains the backstory and adds a bit of credibility to the premise.  At least I bought in, and teens will too.

As we go about learning about Romy's day-to-day existence, we are fed pieces of the events that let up to this unusual predicament.  James does a great job of feeding you just enough information to keep you turning pages.  And there's a twist.  A big one.

Teens who enjoy science fiction and outer space travel will definitely enjoy The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. And I did too.

Published by HarperTeen, July 3, 2018
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
320 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen @Scott_Thought

Nyxia Unleashed is an exciting continuation of the story began in Nyxia (click here and read my review of the original if you don't want any spoilers.)

Emmett and the others are now on the planet trying to make nice with the Adamites and do their job -- mining Nyxia -- so they can go home. But all is not as it seems.

There are a lot of surprises. They make some discoveries about Babel's true intentions, which are devastating.  They've been lied to (saw that one coming, did you?) over an over again.

And, the Adamites have secrets of their own which will change everything for these kids. Almost nothing we learned from the first book (about the Adamites or Babel) is true.

While these secrets are startling and game-changing, I didn't feel the tension -- the nonstop fight for survival -- that I did in Nyxia.  Although be prepared, because Reintgen isn't afraid to kill off characters. The plot is clever, the character growth is well done, and I definitely want the third book.  Nyxia Unleashed is more about revelations than ultimate peril. But that is okay.

If you've read Nyxia, I highly recommend you continue with Nyxia Unleashed.  If not, those fans of interplanetary science fiction should begin with Nyxia.

Published by Crown BFYR, July 17, 2018
eARC obtained from NetGalley
400 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Iron Gold by Pierce Brown

Iron Gold is the unexpected fourth installment of the Red Rising "Trilogy." I'm so glad Brown decided to continue this series because I really enjoy these characters and this world.

*spoilers if you haven't read the first three books*

So, the revolution ended, right?  But apparently, for the past ten years, war continued to ravage this world.  Darrow is determined to end the war -- no matter what he has to give up.

His story is entwined with a few other points-of-view. There is a thief, Ephraim, who ends up working for someone he never wanted to be associated with.  There is Lyria who lives on Mars.  But Mars is even worse than when Darrow was born there -- even though they are supposed to be free now.  She ends up escaping after losing almost everything. And there is Lysander and Cassius who travel together and end up fighting for their lives like never before.

And Darrow, who is a fugitive from justice, is working to overthrow Venus.  All these people come together in unexpected ways in a devastating battle. That is really only the tip of the iceberg plot-wise, but I don't want to give too much away.  Suffice it to say, Iron Gold is exciting and action-packed as usual.

Something about the writing just draws me into these books.  At 600 pages, I was surprised how fast I finished it. There are a lot of characters, and this is a complex story.  Episodes from the first three books are referred to for context, but we don't get a summary.  There is a list of characters at the beginning of the book that was very helpful to me.

This series is worth the investment. I'm so glad I've been able to enjoy it.  At the end of Iron Gold, we are pretty much left hanging, so I can't wait until the fifth book, Dark Age, is released in February.

Published by Del Ray, January 16, 2018
Copy obtained from the library
601 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

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Book Review: The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

I've completed another classic novel using my Serial Reader, and this time it was The War of the Worlds. This novel holds up surprisingly well for something that was written in the 1800s.

Most of you know the premise, I'm sure.  Martians land on earth and begin the wanton destruction of England. The first person narrator is unnamed, but he's a writer and a philosopher.  So he gives a "factual" narration of what happened to him and his brother, who was in a different part of England.

You can feel the mounting tension and at times panic of the narrator and those he encounters.  The story is brutal and doesn't pull any punches. The descriptions of the Martians and their fighting machines are vivid and many artists have attempted to depict scenes from The War of the Worlds.

As with most classic novels, the descriptions are at times a bit wordy, although I probably would have gotten more out of them if I were more familiar with that area of England. The War of the Worlds is one of the earliest science fictions works, and if you are a fan of the genre, you should not miss it.

Published by William Heinemann, 1898 (published in serial form in 1897)
eBook obtained from Serial Reader
287 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: The Final Six, by Alexandra Monir

I think The Final Six is a really good book --- but it was hard for me to tell.

Global warming has caused entire cities throughout the world to be flooded and destroyed.  Storms hit that wipe out entire populations. The government has drafted twenty-two teenagers to make a trip to one of Mars' moons -Europa - to set up a settlement for Earth's population under the moon's surface. They have to send teenagers so they will live long enough to complete their mission.

Leo, from Italy, and Naomi, from California, are two of the drafted. Leo desperately wants to be one of The Final Six, since his entire family was killed and he's barely subsisting.  Naomi has led a more protected life.  Her family is safe, but her little brother has severe heart disease, and Naomi is his protector. She intends to blow the tryout so she can come home.

There are twists and turns and of course, the government isn't being totally forthcoming about their training or their mission. There's a magic potion that has strange effects on some of the teens. Some of the teens are evil, some are sympathetic, and some really aren't developed at all.  A romance is inevitable, and Naomi's intentions are necessarily altered.

The tension mounts nicely, and at the end, just when we think all is lost, we get a thread of hope -- and then we must wait until the next installment.

All of that is great, but here's my problem.  This book is so much like Nyxia, a book that I really enjoyed, that the constant comparisons in my head perhaps tainted my enjoyment.  Nyxia came first, so naturally, I felt The Final Six was inferior. At the end of my review of Nyxia, I stated that I could see this book on the big screen.  I've read that The Final Six has been optioned by Sony Pictures. Huh.

If you haven't read Nyxia, you should be able to read and enjoy The Final Six without bias.  If you have read Nyxia, and then read The Final Six (or read them in opposite order), I'd like to know what you think.

The Final Six is exciting, timely, and should be recommended to your Sci-Fi fans.

Published by HarperTeen, March 6, 2018
eBook obtained from Edelweiss
352 pages

Rating: 4/5

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