Young Adult/ Sci Fi Fantasy | 7/11/2023 | Inkyard Press
The story is fun, quippy, action-packed journey across the stars. It’s an easy rec for fans of Cinder. It also reminded me of Star Wars but with more emphasis on lore and mythology.
This book is the big finale in a series of books about overthrowing the Ilori, a ruthless alien empire but can 100% be read as a standalone. That said I get the feeling you get way more emotional satisfaction if you’ve read the entire series.
Dow’s worldbuilding is expansive as we follow Zaira, a reincarnated god, as she reluctantly begins her journey to destroy the Ilorian empire. She is soon joined by Wesley Daniels, an expert pilot running from his destiny. Rounding out the group is Rubin Rima, a famous podcaster whom Wesley is charged with bringing to Earth for the final battle. The trio makes a few adventurous pit stops along the way but are determined to make it to Earth.
This book has what some call the ‘Champagne Problem’ . This book takes place in a universe where Earth has just been discovered, yet Rubin Rema is a famous Podcaster. Podcast is a portmanteau of iPod and broadcast. You can’t have a podcast without Apple or iPods existing. I get that podcast has become like Band-Aid where the brand name is synonymous with the object– but this really stuck out to me. Maybe this is explained in the other books ?
While I was reading this book it was announced that Inkyard Press would be closing. It’s sad to see an imprint that had so many diverse YA books close its doors.
1/2 of the blogging duo at Books and Sensibility, I have been blogging about and reviewing books since 2011. I read any and every genre, here on the blog I mostly review Fantasy, Adult Fiction, and Young Adult with a focus on audiobooks.