Divinity 36

Tinkered Starsong #1

by Gail Carriger

The aliens are coming for us and they want our voices.

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger brings you a gloriously warm and unique scifi about the power of art, celebrity, and found family.

Phex is a barista on a forgotten moon. Which is fine – he likes being ignored and he’s good at making drinks. Until one day an alien hears him singing and recruits him to become a god. Now Phex is thrust headfirst into the galaxy’s most cutthroat entertainment industry, where music is visible, the price of fame can kill, and the only friends he has want to be worshiped.

Welcome to the divinity. Where there is no difference between celebrity and religion, love and belief, acolyte and alien. Where the right kind of obsession can drive a person crazy or turn them divine.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Aliens, Young Adult, Romance, LGBT

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2023

About the author

Gail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and the sexy San Andreas Shifter series as G L Carriger). Her books include the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. Join the Chirrup for sneak peaks of upcoming giggles: http://gailcarriger.com/chirrup

Reviews

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

What I really want to say is .. don’t read any reviews. Don’t listen to anyone trying to tell you the plot of this book. Go into it open eyed, with neither expectations nor biases. Don’t try to peek behind the curtain, guess who’s going to end up with who, or how the story’s going to end. This isn’t that sort of book. In a sense, it’s a slice-of-life story about a young man given a chance to prove himself — to prove that, while he was given a body by the people who crafted him, his soul and his ability to create art are his own.

This is a slow book, lingering on with character moments, bonding moments, banter, and world building seen through the eyes of someone who has been so beaten down, he’s never before looked up from the ground. And now, he is able to see every color spread across the sky.

Read Elizabeth's review in its entirety here.

[Cinnamon bun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!
The storyline and the world building is just so completely 'other'. The alien-ness felt so real somehow, and I was so completely engrossed in the story it's not even funny.

Before starting, I could have never imagined I'd be so pulled into a read that's basically the Sci-fi version of American Idol.
It's weird and compelling, and I'm bummed as heck that the second book isn't out yet.

Phex was the best MC. Genetically engineered to be "perfect", he is actually anything but. He's awkward and grumpy, doesn't know how to relate to people, and doesn't really care to learn either. A refugee who's never allowed himself to think big, always expecting the worst, gets a chance to grow and boy does he take it. Involuntarily at first but later with intent.

I simply can't recommend this book enough!
I read a lot. And I've read plenty of great books recently, but somehow - even though they may be awesome reads in the moment - they tend to blend together in my mind after a while. Not so Divinity 36. Because I've never read quite anything like it. I loved both The Fifth Gender and Crudrat, but this is now my new favourite Carriger Sci-fi, no competition.

All the stars!

*A complimentary e-copy of this book was kindly provided by the author and this is my voluntary and unbiased review*

[ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially, alien Boy’s Planet (Korean idol competition show) in space. So much more than that though.
Book one of a highly visual, cozy sci-fi trilogy.
Author plays with synthesia and music. Super cool. Looking forward to more relationship development and romance for Phex and a certain someone in book two. 😉 🤐 Phex is my new comfort person.

Imagine k-pop a religion and the Idols are gods.

Find the playlist on YouTube.

******Possible Spoilers******

My very own glossary:
god - idol
revival - concert
godsong - song but more than
cantor - singers but more than
Dyesi - alien species, “the nymphs of the stars”
skinsift- color changing skin to music
grace - dancers but more than
Sapien - citizen of Attacon 7 (human)
Pantheon - the group
belief - bias
Dorien - alien species
Shawalee - alien species
Jakaa Nova - alien species
sifter - color changing/projecting Dyesi in the group
Agatay - planet
Attacon - moon world
godfix - fanatical madness/obsession

Cast of characters:
Phex - main character
Gemma - sapien, god hopeful, cantor
Sharm - dorien, god hopeful, grace
Berril- shawalee, god hopeful, grace
Jinyesun- dyesi, god hopeful, sifter
Villi - sapien, god hopeful, cantor
Kagee - sapien, god hopeful, cantor
Kallow- sapien, god hopeful, cantor
Fandina - dyesi, god hopeful, sifter
Seryloh- dyesi, god hopeful, sifter
Monji - alien, god hopeful, grace
Tyve - jakaa nova, god hopeful, grace
Cassin- sapien, god hopeful, cantor

Tillam (the BTS of this world) members:
Missit - cantor
Fortew - cantor (sun)
Zil - grace
Tern - grace
Yorunlee - sifter
Melalan- sifter

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divinity 36 is the first book of a new sci-fi series based on a music invasion and inspired by K-pop. Full disclosure, I know little to nothing about K-pop and was a little skeptical of a storyline based on it, especially since I’m not a huge sci-fi reader either. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. There is a pretty diverse group of characters personality-wise not just because aliens. As the story progresses, the characters fully develop into intriguing people who you are rooting for.

The plot is well paced. It was hard to slow my reading and I ended up reading this book twice through to define my thoughts. There is definite plot and intrigue, a bit of self-discovery, and a good deal of friendship making that I believe will turn into found family as the series progresses.

I started this book knowing it was the first of three, but it does not end on a jarring cliffhanger, which is lovely. There’s definitely more to the story and I can’t wait to read it, but I’m not overly frustrated by not having access immediately to find a somewhat satisfying stopping point while waiting. But I’m also so glad the next book will be out this year because I so do not want to wait any longer if at all possible!

Gail Carriger has done it again. This world is lovely and interesting, and her characters are deliciously imperfect but lovable.


I was gifted an advanced copy of this book.

[Long Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book, as someone put it, is a Kpop survival singing contest in space, and it’s an apt description. A fun concept, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The first third is quite boring and I more than once considered to drop it. I haven’t before now read any book that dedicates its first third wholly to world-building - the idol (or “God”) industry, how the contest is organized, who does what role, how to sing (or “cantor”) and perform,… all the exhaustive details without any plot advancement. I love world-building, I appreciate how the author builds her space Kpop version, but too much of anything is never too good.

Fortunately the book picked up after that. I started to get into the story, got my interest up and running, and by the time I finished the book, I knew I’d pick up the second volume in a very near future.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to really adore this author's works, and thankfully this was no exception! Super fascinating sci-fi world-building, with celebrities functioning as actual deities, which was really well done. I loved the characters and all the relationships, and Phex is just the best. Cannot wait for the next book, and already hoping for more after that because this world and these characters are that good!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galactic Idol. Extremely clever satire? Wonderfully entertaining read? Both? I suspect this is one that will read differently each time I revisit it.

[Charity Myhre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good I shorted myself sleep and preordered the next in series. Phex is a completely relatable character who is reluctant to become a God (think super mega pop star with rabid fans) because he’s just trying to muddle through life. The way the art/music form is described is religious synesthesia and it absolutely tracks with how my neurospicy brain tingles when the RIGHT song comes on.
The para-social relationships are explored thoughtfully and with great verve. The Dyesi are definitely the most interesting new species I have read about in a few years. And, as always, even the side character’s are well rounded full people.
Also, DEFINITELY get some ramen bowls while reading this cuz you’ll want noodles and you won’t want to put it down to cook.

[Superstine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gail Carriger but make it k-pop 🎶🌈🌟. Helt grei underholdning, leser sikkert resten av serien.

ETA: Nedjustert til 2,5, fordi jeg etter to uker husker nada? Tror faktisk ikke det var noe plott her, bare tenåringsangst og synging?

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Tinkered Starsong series. I borrowed a copy of this on ebook from my library.

Thoughts: I absolutely loved this start to the Tinkered Starsong series. Previous to this I had read all of Carriger's other series and enjoyed them. This was very different from her previous series in that it is science fiction but the story still had that humorous, cozy voice to it that all of Carriger's books have. Dare I say this is cozy science fiction? Is that a thing?

The book follows Phex; a refugee working as a barista on a small moon. He is happy enough with his quiet existence and then an alien comes in and recruits him to become a god. At this point things get incredibly not quiet and very complicated.

I loved the world created here and the ideas behind the way pantheons and divinity work, it is not at all what you are thinking. Pantheons are groups of six that sing, dance, and make light shows together to provide galactic entertainment. It is a cutthroat industry just like you would imagine the entertainment industry would be, but is also strangely complex since the pantheons must work together seamlessly to be successful.

I also adored all the characters here. Even though Phex is the main protagonist, all of the side characters are just as fantastic as he is. They all have complex pasts, a lot of depth to their personalities, and their own dreams and concerns.

The unique world, intriguing story, and complex characters make for an amazing book that is impossible to put down and a joy to read. The story leaves you feeling happy, hopeful, and content. I am incredibly eager to read the second book in this trilogy. Really this book takes Carriger's writing to a whole new level. I have always enjoyed Carriger's writing but this book is special...it is incredibly well thought out, creative and polished; I loved it.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this book and am eager to continue with the series. This is an amazing world, a fantastic story and wonderful characters. The concepts explored here are unique and intriguing. I really loved the humor and fun, as well as the thoughtfulness around friendship and family. I am very excited to read the next book in the series "Demigod 12".

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was... an odd book, but an interesting one. I was intrigued to see Carriger take on an entirely different genre, and I'm glad that she changed her prose style in the process - I don't think that her previous light humor would have worked very well here.

The story was simple, and almost secondary to the bulk of the book, which revolved around building relationships between characters; in that it reminded me a lot of the Wayfarers series. The world-building was interesting, but I would have appreciated a little more detail and explanation of the core concepts of the divinity - I feel a bit like, not being a fan of K-pop, I'm missing some crucial bits of information.

Ultimately, I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes us, and the characters, from here.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this and need to get my hands on the next two books immediately. This is a series that fans of Becky Chambers' Wayfarers books should be reading.

[Íris Carriço · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jocelynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Baby Tesla!!

I am admittedly a fan of all of Carriger's writing, but in a truly excellent catalogue of work, this may be her best yet. Full of nuance, poignancy, and incredible character development, this novel also features Carriger's signature wit and gift with dialogue. I am deeply moved by the found family aspects of the story as well as the deep understanding of what it means to become an artist, a performer, a public figure. A stunning beginning to the series!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how this has all been crafted. The discerning k-pop fandom notes woven all through this add delicious layers to the world building and the progression of the story. If BTS was in outer space….. and inciting pseudo-religious fervor in the name of branding..... is it that far off real life? Layers upon layers in this book. One of my favorite activities while reading was to imagine different of my favorite singing group stars in the various character roles. The alien species are so fascinating, the idea of singing and dancing as being so captivating it can put the audience into an utterly transcendent state. The stage as dais, the audience as congregation, the performance as a divine experience, the performers as demigods or gods .... There is an interesting m/m romance possibly blooming which I am looking forward to finding out in the next book.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS - This book was odd and surprisingly frustrating. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first and the author left you wondering for a good chunk of the book. Some of the phrases that left me wondering in the beginning were “the Wheel,” “crudrat,” “running the blades,” etc. These phrases were all explained, but it took a while before we were given any answers.

At times I thought the writing was a little crude in style and could have used some finesse. Every once in a while a word would be left out. A good copy editor might have helped smooth these things out.

The concept of divinity and gods left me a little uncomfortable, especially toward the end of the book. I don’t intend on reading any of the other books in this series and I probably won’t recommend it to others.

Recommended Age: I don’t plan on recommending this book to others. It just wasn’t for me. I would definitely give a caveat of the topics listed below if I’m asked my thoughts on the book.

Topics to address before reading:

*Eating disorders (the main character throws up as a way to purge his worry/stress)
*Homosexuality - the author makes sure to focus on how the main character notices the attractiveness of other male characters
*Plural pronouns - i.e. they/them/it (alien societies, so some of this makes sense - there is an emphasis in the beginning on the candidates identifying themselves as they audition for becoming a god)
*Masturbation - covert reference toward the end of the book

Some people may regard my review as harsh, but I typically avoid books that contain these types of topics to the best of my ability. I know a lot of time and effort goes into writing a book, so I try not to be unnecessarily critical in my reviews. I’m honestly surprised at how highly this book is rated.

[Essi · Rating 3 out of 5]

took me a bit to get into it, but it picked up at around the fifty page mark (though don't expect action and mayhem, this is very much a character-centred story). i might have given it four stars, but the last ninety or so pages made it feel... i don't know, flat. for example:

a) i don't particularly enjoy missit. we meet him only a few times and yet he seems capricious, selfish, self-absorbed, and a whole host of other negative words. yes, he's hurting, but is he worth phex potentially risking his entire found family on (as kagee so rightly points out)? so the more we got of missit, the less i enjoyed the story.

b) the concept of divinity was an interesting bit of worldbuilding, but it felt kind of uncomfortable with phex obviously having some sort of feelings for missit yet clearly unable to see beneath the divinity. (see above, with phex rationalising his little tête-à-têtes with missit because missit needs it and who's he to deny a god?) might just be phex in need of some more character growth, but i hope this and its consequences are explored more in the sequels.

and this very much felt like just the first part of one whole book. i'm glad the sequels apparently focus on the dyesi and whatever the fuck they're planning, because i would have liked some more discussion on that in this one.

to end on a good note: loved the baby pantheon, their interactions, how they got to be a found family despite the odds, the softness. hopefully more of this in the sequels!

[Fallon Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certain things will always reel me into a book: Good worldbuilding, fun dialogue, and something new. This book has all three, and more. We begin on a random moon, following Phex around as he does his job, and little else. Until one day, while singing along with the Gods on the dome above him at work, he becomes discovered, forced to audition, and offered the chance to become a God himself. Also, apparently it was inspired by K-Pop which the author loves, so that’s fun!

The world-building here is, in a word, divine. There are things that you may ponder over as you read, but you learn about the world more and more throughout the story. No info-dumping, no boring lectures on history. The beginning is just a little overwhelming but I don’t think there would be anyway to avoid it (not in a bad way, just a “oh my gosh there is so much to figure out/learn” way). We learn often as Phex does, or in backstory, about how the world’s work, what different races and species there are, and how exactly it works to become a God. It is so different from most other things that I have read, that I enjoyed soaking up every detail and plan to reread as well for things I probably missed!

Phex was genetically engineered to be perfect – physically, anyways. Even then, he has issues, he’s lonely, and he has no family. His life isn’t great when he’s gifted the strange chance to become a God. Those imperfections, and those social awkwardly moments he has, make him all the more loveable. Phex can also be quite the grouch, so if you love those kinds of characters, he’ll be a favorite! The other characters you either instantly fall in love with or slowly grow to love or hate. In the beginning there are quite a few introduced, so you might lose track for just a bit. There is also a slow burn romance (I think).

Of course, this book has a strong sense of Found Family. If that is one of your more favorite tropes, I cannot recommend this book enough. Phex was so alone in his old life, that as he meets people in this program, and begins to learn about others and find friends, it is truly heartwarming. By the end I loved all of them together and cannot wait to see what they do. In many ways, everyone who winds up in this group needed each other – which is what makes it so powerful. Add to that, they still have issues to work on at the end.

In such a world, of course nothing is guaranteed either. So, there is a fall from grace, there is discussion of who gets left behind, and we see the paths some take when they do not make the cut. Fandom is also a key part of this world, for people obsess over the Gods. Sometimes they take that obsession much too far (as in our own world). There is some discussion of religion, or music, of culture and traditions. And it is always done extremely well, and never in your face.

Perhaps one of the best pieces of the world building is how music is such an intrinsic part of the world. All species audition to become Gods – those who can manipulate music in various ways and broadcast that out into the world around them through special domes, and other means. I won’t spoil all the specifics for you, because you need to read it, and experience it, as you go. This though, this love for music, and songs, and emotions given through it, is so powerful in the book and in their world. I have loved music my entire life, and it’s helped me get through a lot. Gail Carriger found a way to make the power of music even more real, and I love it.

Content Warnings: Xenophobia discussed from past, disease, child abuse/abandonment/death in past memories, bullying, etc. I’m sure there are other things as always that I am not recognizing.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Gail Carriger wrote a feelgood - soulfood - heartwarming - perfectly wonderful book that made me sob more than once (oftentimes happily) and left me with a cozy feeling, wanting more. The people in her story are all so very loveable, so special, so deep, so full of live and quirks and strength and flaws and their developing relationships are so relatable and so very endearing. I found myself huffing in amusement, laughing out loud and shedding tears with and for them.

The beginning was a bit overwhelming but necessary to show how the world and its creatures look like. I loved the nod to Crudrats. And I wish, oh I wish to be able to see one of those concerts in a big dome - I would be totally smitten. As I am of this new series!

[cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

lowkey kagee is one of my faves….tyve too…but kagee is my bias fr but my god I was really surprised and shocked with this one!! I didn’t expect much but I really got a wonderful story that I am so excited to continue!!!

[Ingelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alien walks up to a barista and wants to make him a god, through the interstellar music industry.

I thought this would be a silly plot, but it was really sweet. Loved it.

[Cate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid and BORING

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gail!

I’m not much on sci-fi but this was brilliant. The characters are relatable even though we aren’t trying to become gods as they are. The world building is descriptive but not overly so. This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. The idol-esque competition was entertaining and thought inducing (ie: the consequences of moving forward) but also very k-pop in the dynamics of the groups. I can’t wait for the sequel and wish it was out already!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want more!

I adored this book and can’t wait for the next one to arrive! I laughed and cried and went through all the feels. Family will find you!

[DJ K]

DNF, I tried very hard but I suppose I just couldn't get into it.

[June L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail does it again!

Gail Carriger has again written a book that makes you care about the character of Phex from the first moment you meet him. I’ll never think about baristas in the same way again! Can’t wait for the next book to find out more about these wonderful characters.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough thing to read after the Tainted Cup actually so that probably did a slight disservice here. Where the Tainted Cup was continuous action and mystery, this was a quiet, character driven reflection on celebrity and friendship. It was good and I’ll read the next one but I want to be in the right mindset for it next time.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building was pretty confusing to start, not much in the way of explanations. I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, so that was a bit hard for me. Once the plot got moving forward it was a fun read and I'll read the next one.

[Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for watching competition TV shows. Survivor was a family staple growing up, and Top Chef has gotten me through many marathon grading sessions. Divinity 36 felt a lot like that, both in content and style; it isn’t going to satisfy anyone looking for deep commentary on the human condition or societal power structures. However, it was a fun ‘idol training program’ story with a Sci Fi veneer and some interesting takes on what alien music might look like. It isn’t the fastest-paced story in the world, closer to something slice of life, and it was a phenomenal book to listen to over an 8 hour drive.

Read If You Like: slowwwww burn romances, idol training camps, barista tips, grumpy/sunshine friendships

Avoid If You Dislike: ‘special’ protagonists, vague alien worldbuilding, extended rehearsal/performance descriptions

Elevator Pitch:
Phex grew up in The Wheel; a violent and xenophobic space station who genetically and cybernetically modifies their babies. Phex’s body rejects cybernetic implants, forcing him into non-human societal status. When he escapes, he gets a job as a child refugee at a coffee shop that hosts Dome shows, where Pantheons perform Godsong. He gets recruited by a scout and finds himself on Divinity 36, training to become a god himself. For most, this is a path to fame and glory. For Phex, he’s just happy he got a pay raise. However, the grumpy singer grows more and more enamored with the music he can create, and finds himself with friends for the first time in his life.

What Worked for Me:
The main thing that made Divinity 36 work for me was how laid back it was. YA right now is filled with books that feel the need to be relentless. Every look is brooding. Every conversation pushes the plot forwards. Every rivalry is destined to involve a knife in the back. Divinity 36 is much more relaxed, to the point where I kept double checking that it was indeed a YA book. Phex’s journey is fairly meandering. Yes, Carriger is setting a bunch of dominoes to knock over later - especially relating to the eventual love story between Phex and the universe’s favorite singer - but they all feel very natural to the situations that Phex finds himself in. You get interpersonal conflict between Phex and his competitors for godhood, but there’s never anything over the top. They’ll call each other out, socially shun each other, etc. However, nobody is putting glass in each other's shoes or trying to trick Phex into dating someone - an expellable offense. This also had the side effect of love triangles being blissfully absent. Characters succeed and fail in organic ways, not necessarily lining up with traditional growth arcs. The dorm room socialization is just as important as the music, and Divinity 36 provides us with a cast that feels large enough to give a school fantasy and small enough to develop a variety of different character types. If traditionally published YA could take some notes and bring some structural and tonal diversity into their books, I would really appreciate it! 

Considering this story focused on a talent-development program in space, I was thrilled to see Carriger put thought into how entertainment might be different in her world. Like most idol groups, there are talents recruited for both singing or dancing. However, the Dyesi, the alien race who runs the entertainment world, has the ability to produce patterns on their skin in response to music and dance, and then project these patterns onto giant domes. The end result is more the sum of its parts, Godsong, which truly does seem to have a deeper impact on those viewing and listening than earth music does. It drives some to literal insanity, and the rabid worship of the fans goes beyond what we see in our world. I was hesitant about this at first, but as Carriger built Phex’s (and by extension, the reader’s) knowledge and understanding of Godsong, I found myself invested in the intricacies of something completely fictional. Phex, of course, has a super special 10 octave range (thank you genetic modification) and spends a lot of time holding back to avoid hurting his Dyesi classmates with his song. Add onto all this a layer of discomfort of alien aesthetics that Phex and the others don’t quite understand, and Godsong feels both mystical enough to feel like magic and technical enough to enjoy many scenes where characters workshop songs and hone techniques. I can happily say that I loved how Divinity 36 mostly avoided petty squabbling and bickering in favor of focusing on the art that consumes Phex’s life.

What Didn’t Work For Me:
I talked a lot about how I loved that Divinity 36 broke away from a lot of the current YA trends. One of the ways it didn’t was our protagonist. Phex is sort of a carbon copy of any main character from a Dystopian book. He’s from the bottom rungs of society which equipped him with a unique set of skills that differentiate him from everyone else, along with a wealth of body scars. He’s broody and taciturn, naturally skilled but needs to put the work in, and gets several moments where all his friends are appropriately horrified when his backstory is revealed. None of this is actively bad, but it was notable with how fresh so many of the other story elements felt. I’m hopeful that Carriger does some interesting things with this archetype in sequels, as I think the parasocial relationships of fame could have some interplay with such a storybook tragic history. Time will tell, I suppose. 

The only other thing that really detracted from my experience is that I wish Carriger had done a better job with alien descriptions. There are several characters that I just don’t have a good picture in my head. Characters come in three main varieties: sapiens are more or less humanoid variants with different skin colors and minor alterations; the Dyesi, who are graceful and emotionally distant and run the entertainment industry; and aliens, which are a catch-all for everything else. Phex does acknowledge that this categorization is fairly specific to how the Dyesi organize their Pantheons, and that he would be ‘alien’ to others, but Carriger is sparse on the details on what the ‘alien’ species are like. Berril is the most important alien, and quickly slots in as Phex’s best friend. I have no idea what she looks like other than having yellow wings. I must have missed a description somewhere, but it’s like that for most characters. I’m certain my internal pictures of them are nothing like what Carriger had in mind, which feels like a missed opportunity. We’re also missing almost any alien species that feels truly unknowable to humans, and feels very ‘star wars’ in how it handles aliens. The Dyesi’s sense of aesthetics gets close, but I hope to see more aliens that push beyond human-like conceptions of existence and socialization.

Conclusion: one of my favorite YA books in a while, though not one that has much to say beyond the scope of the story

Want More Reviews Like This? try my blog Marked For Plot

[iam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this.

It had a bit of a slow start, but once it turned fully into its "singing competition at alien boarding school" plot I was totally on board. I won't talk about what the book is about, because describe the plot makes it sound weird and random, but on page within the narrative it works super well. I love the way this alien music functions and introduces both mundane and alien aspects.

The real highlight of the book is its protagonist, Phex. With a traumatic childhood that turned him into a refugee with no real home, he is quiet and reserved, hardened but still kind, and I really really enjoyed reading from his perspective.

Some of the bullying subplots felt overdone, but I suppose they fit into the book, and I hope they won't return in the sequels.

I gotta admit, I was really miffed when I reached the ending, because it cut the book off in the middle of the story. I had not previously read into the marketing of the book so I hadn't realized it is a fully written story published as a trilogy (if I'm not mistaken.) Thankfully books 2 and 3 will still release this year, but I wish I had only started reading when all three are out. Having finished this now, I felt roughly yanked out of the story, and it will be awkward to get back in without re-reading, but re-reading a book so soon after having first read it is also awkward, you know?

Still, great book, I had a great time with it, I loved the aliens. The one thing I'm not sure I'm looking forward to in the sequels is the romance, but maybe it will convince me.