It's You, Isn't It?: A colony world science fiction

by Antony Paschos

Who are the heirs to the colony?

On the world of Terra-Octa, colonists Avra, her sister, and their friend Penko are the first to catch sight of a massive guardian of the native trees producing Chloron, vital to building the colony. Three years later, the colony is destroyed by an uprising of chlorobots, powered by that same resource.

But all is not as it seems. What at first is a childhood memory to Avra turns deadly as her alien caretaker reveals herself to be more than Avra could understand. At the same time, her father, the general, firms his grasp on how the colony is run.
Told in the past and the present, Avra’s story unravels in time and meaning until she finally understands her family, her blossoming romance with Penko, her alien caretaker, the origins of life, and the betrayal at the base of the colony.

Get ready for It’s You, Isn’t It? by Antony Paschos!


Space Opera / Colonization / Sci Fi / Trans / LGBT / Bisexual

New Adult and Adult

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Nathan Tucker-Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a richly imagined, emotionally layered science fantasy that blends coming-of-age drama with a gripping tale of colonial conflict. Told through the voice of Avra Brahms, a transgender teen growing up on the distant colony of Terra-Octa, the novel excels at weaving personal identity into a larger story of ecological exploitation, political upheaval, and interspecies tension.

The early chapters draw you into Avra’s complicated relationship with her younger sister Olia, her awkward but tender connection with friend Penko, and her fascination with Rocta — a mysterious golden-armored automaton. Paschos builds an alien world that feels tangible, from the scent of alien mint to the oppressive gel skydome, while steadily tightening the tension as human greed and the Platani’s resistance spiral toward war.

If it’s your thing, LGBTQ and trans themes are handled with nuance, presented as natural parts of the characters’ lives rather than plot devices. The emotional payoff comes in a poignant final twist that redefines sisterhood, survival, and loyalty.

At times the narrative structure, with its shifts between “present” and flashbacks, can slow the momentum, but the payoff and twist towards the end is worth the effort to figure it out. This is a thoughtful, evocative, and at times heartbreaking tale that lingers in the mind after the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lilly Lockwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, and I do still think it’s a unique spin on the space colonialism trope, but the prose made it quite difficult to read at some points. I often got lost in the prose, it was rather repetitive, the dialogue was stilted, and I found myself having a hard time caring about the characters. Twice when we were about to get some very interesting worldbuilding about the Platani and the Gardeners it was glossed over or completely shut down because Avra (the MC) was ‘bored’. But that kind of lore is exactly what I want in a book like this! That being said, I did enjoy the ending, the worldbuilding was interesting, and the back and forth of telling the story pre-revolt and during was an interesting framing device that worked well for this story.

Full review: https://weirdereviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very queer sci-fi story with strong roots in anti-colonialism and clashes of culture/biology. The message Paschos has to share is beautiful and very necessary. Unfortunately I do join the others in saying it's a little tough to get through as well; the time jumps make it a bit hard to find out who said what to whom and why, and it left me scratching my head a little. Nonetheless, it's some very good sci-fi with a deeper layer, reminiscent of LeGuin's work, and therefore a story I can recommend to others no problem.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun to read. It is really the first book written in second person that I've read where I've forgotten it's in second person! I can see where jumping among the timelines could be difficult for some, but I didn't have any issues understanding and it made it a more interesting read.

[William Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story packs a lot of punch into a short volume! There's a lot going on, with the story being told in second person, and in dual timelines. The mystery build through the story, as we slowly find out what happened to the colony. A very interesting read!

[Kenneth W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is well written, but the structure was to follow--at least for me. If it was a film, it would probably work better for me. I will recommend it people might like its different structure.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a fun read, sometimes confusing with the jump between flashbacks but fun