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Between Tungsten and Gold
NOTHING IN ALYONA’S LIFE works the way it not her toaster (stealing parts from it probably didn’t help), not her relationship with her older sister (who's also stuck playing legal guardian), not her feelings for her best friend, Jaxon (who’s way too cute for his own good), and certainly not the teleportation tech her parents invented before they died.
If Alyona wants to fix any of it, she’ll have to do the one thing she’s worst trust people. But when underground resistance groups, controlling government forces, and her own doubts start closing in, it all comes down to one thing— Who can she trust…and what will it cost if she’s wrong?
If Alyona wants to fix any of it, she’ll have to do the one thing she’s worst trust people. But when underground resistance groups, controlling government forces, and her own doubts start closing in, it all comes down to one thing— Who can she trust…and what will it cost if she’s wrong?
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2025
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2025
This is such a fun read. Lots of laugh out loud moments. The hacking component is well researched. Teleportation feels like it exists. There’s a romantic love story but not overly mushy. But what I really loved was the love story between two sisters. Alyona has hearing aids. I loved the representation of hearing impairment casually as part of daily life instead of a traumatic struggle or over the top super power. I highly recommend it! I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader. I ordered my own hard copy and can’t wait to go to the local book signing!
September 11, 2025
Such a fun read. I have not stopped thinking about teleporting and all that would come with it since reading the book! The main character Alyona is witty and relatable while having a little bit of the genius we all wish we had underneath. I love all of the funny things she says that really make her feel like someone I would want to be friends with. It had a great balance of adventure, suspense, and a love story that kept me reading.
October 13, 2025
The brilliance with this book lies in the fact that it's a contemporary science fiction that doesn't *feel* like reading science fiction. Alyona is awkward, impulsive, and brilliant, there is ample wit throughout, extremely endearing relationships, and interesting technology. It's a truly enjoyable read that I've already begun recommending to other readers.
September 10, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, and I've already pre-ordered three copies to give to others. It is that good. Love that it's set in Denver as a Colorado gal myself. Love that it's a contemporary sci-fi, it's not easy to find books in that genre in general.
The protagonist is seventeen, and the other characters are older so while it's technically a YA, I, a fully grown adult person, enjoyed it immensely as well.
The technical details in the book show that the author clearly knows what she's talking about when it comes to hacking and the like, which gives it a hard science feel but in a relatable, near-future setting. I literally lol'ed a bunch of times while reading. I wasn't keeping a tally or anything but it was more than five. Fascinating, charismatic, fully fleshed-out characters, unexpected twists, data heists, and what a cool premise! Thought provoking about how technology like teleportation could shape the future. I loved this book, and will be recommending it to everyone within earshot for a good long while.
The protagonist is seventeen, and the other characters are older so while it's technically a YA, I, a fully grown adult person, enjoyed it immensely as well.
The technical details in the book show that the author clearly knows what she's talking about when it comes to hacking and the like, which gives it a hard science feel but in a relatable, near-future setting. I literally lol'ed a bunch of times while reading. I wasn't keeping a tally or anything but it was more than five. Fascinating, charismatic, fully fleshed-out characters, unexpected twists, data heists, and what a cool premise! Thought provoking about how technology like teleportation could shape the future. I loved this book, and will be recommending it to everyone within earshot for a good long while.
October 14, 2025
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD! The MC, Alyona, has such a great snarky voice, and I love the teleporting technology and worldbuilding! Definitely check it out.
October 9, 2025
Sci fi Adventures with future tech and mystery and a cute love story.
September 27, 2025
Worth the read for the easter eggs alone, so it was great to have fantastic characters and a wild ride of a narrative as well. It's not often that I read YA that reminds me of being a teenager... at this point in life it usually reminds me of the gulf between now and then. I hope the author writes more with these characters, but if she doesn't I have faith that any others she comes up with will be just as delightfully relatable.
September 24, 2025
This was so great! The banter was delicious, the characters were loveable, the humor was charming, the science was believable, and the plot kept me riveted. I'll be reading this again and again!
September 26, 2025
This is such a fun read. Taryn does a wonderful job of creating fun characters and weaving them into an intriguing plot. The pacing is on spot, the dialogue is rich, and the little artwork at the end of each chapter is fun.
September 28, 2025
This book really impressed me. The main character uses her knowledge of hacking and technology to try and fix her parent's teleportation invention and try to figure out whose side she's on in the battle to control it. Very fun to get into this world. Loved the squirrels.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews