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A Star Named Vega
Androids, starships, hackers, and spray paint. In the high-tech paradise of the 30th Century, a rebellious young street artist finds herself leading the charge to save a warrior race from extermination.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2021
4 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin J. Roberts
2 books23 followersBen Roberts lives in Cambridge, England. He enjoys watercolours, cooking, and making computers bend to his will by force-feeding them chunks of poorly written code.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 17, 2022
Author is sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review
4 out of 5 stars.
Part space opera, part dystopia, and part cyberpunk, A Star Named Vega is a YA sci-fi novel with everything I ever wanted in a YA sci-fi novel. It kept me interested, made me care about the characters, and even, unexpectedly, made me cry at little at the end.
In the 30th century, the intergalactic union of galaxies known as the Thirteen Suns are ruled over by powerful Mother AIs. Each AI controls a specific system, making sure her "children," the inhabitants all thrive and live peacefully. Fourteen-year-old Aster Vale, better known in the online world of Vocks the street artist Wildflower, is transferring to the Vega System with her father along with the child genius and scientist Isaac. At the same, Rel Akepri, a young Skarid, prepares with his military party to infiltrate the transport vessel Aster and the others are on in order to obtain the psy-links of Aster's father and Isaac and the em-drive of the android Cellarius which information about an ancient android artifact. The Skarids were once ruled by the Omicron AI Mother, but they destroyed her after she nearly genocided them; and the android artifact is from the Omicron AI. In the midst of the chaotic infiltration, Rel saves Aster and an unconscious Isaac, a secret that Aster keeps to herself. From this act of kindness, and the history she eventually learns, Aster begins to doubt the myths of the Skarids that the Thirteen Suns have spread about them. Rel is soon captured and the Tau Mother tries to assimilate him. A revolution slowly unfolds, but not without heavy prices.
A Star Named Vega is a hidden gem. It's not perfect, but it's one of the newer YA books out there were stakes are genuinely high and the consequences means something. Like I said, this book is about a revolution, but not a revolution with constant espionage and street fights. There are some awesome actions sequences involved, but they are mostly near the end of the book. This is a slow revolution. Aster learns in her history classes and through Isaac's research on the android artifact about how the Skarids have been treated throughout history, what they've lost and how they've been marked as evil. Aster tries to express herself and show her support for Rel through her street art. But in a highly policed city like Delphin, such expressionism is looked down upon even if it's for unpolitical reasons. Aster learns that the paradise offered by the Tau Mother may not be a real paradise, but actually, to get Biblical, an Eden. Something that will fall once the knowledge of what's really going is revealed.
At the same time, Rel's revolution is somewhat slower. And this is were some of my first criticisms come in. We see a lot of Aster exploring Delphin and learning about the AI Mothers and the history of everything. But between the start of the book and the final battle, Rel doesn't get as many pages. Both he and Aster are still fleshed-out characters by the end, and there are still things of importance going on in both his and her perspectives, but I would've liked to have seen more Rel given that him saving Aster and Isaac and his imprisonment are catalysts to the story. I think I would've liked for Aster and him to have converse at least once or twice somehow while he was in imprison. Or at least, Isaac hacked the camera system or something and she saw where he was and what the Tau Mother was doing to him. Aster does think about Rel though, even before she learns he's imprisoned.
But I digress...
Anyway, Rel undergoes some very painful things. And I mean, VERY painful things. I don't think I've seen anything this painful in a YA since Nathan's childhood bullying scenes in Half Bad. In a very disturbing and creepy scene, Rel's body armor, as in armor that is actually apart of his body, is torn off by some egg sack creature that has spiders crawl out of it. From there, Rel is left weak and venerable, at left physically. The Tau Mother tries to assimilate Rel to her way of thinking, making him believe that his Skarid upbringing without the Omicron Mother is brutal and loveless and should be done away with. While Rel does not reject his upbringing entirely, he does realize that it was indeed a loveless one. And that's what I liked about this book was the nuance. Benjamin J. Roberts colors the Skarid and Thirteen Sun worlds and histories as grey. I could see points I agreed with on both sides and points I didn't agree with. In addition, seeing both Aster and Rel grow mentally as a result of their thinking and actions in the world around them was very interesting to see and very rewarding despite their different ending places.
One of the best things about the book is it's worldbuilding. This has to be some of the most articulated and well thought out worldbuilding I've ever seen in a YA sci-fi. It's actually genuinely interesting and goes beyond more than just "Here's one space kingdom/federation and it's good and here's another space kingdom/federation and it's bad." There's a whole history about the AI Mothers and how each one of them midwifed, for lack of a better term, a planet or set of planets differently. The aforementioned history of the Skarids and their AI Mother is also interesting and very tragic. The worldbuilding is somewhat reminiscent of Dune's; not as complex, mind you, but it reminds me the Machine Crusade/Butlerian Jihad and the differences between Paul and the Fremen. I've also seen some comparisons between this book and Isaac Asimov's Foundation series; I have not read anything of that series so I can't really confirm that. I also absolutely loved all the effort and detail Roberts put into the science in this book, and it's actual science (mostly). Granted a lot of terms are thrown at us at once sometimes, and some of those could've been briefly explained more, but I appreciate actually science being put into this book.
In terms of characters, I adored Aster and Rel. They both grew in their own ways and had to learn lessons the hard ways. Their comfort zones were practically eradicated, especially Aster's, and they had to put themselves to the test. Not every action they had was a victory though, as Roberts reminds us that characters have to have flaws and that they can't always win, even if they are gifted and spirited artist or a well-trained soldier. I have to admit that Isaac got my nerves for a while, but eventually he does so his less bratty and more sensitive side and we learn of his own burdens. The other side characters were all fun (Mateo was a bit annoying, but I think that was intentional) too and some of them get their just desserts or proper sendoffs, but a few I wish Aster and Rel had closure with.
Now, the ending...
I won't spoil anything. I will say that this is where my last criticism lies. The battles leading up to the final confrontation have such octane and are cool--Rel and Aster get roughed up quite a bit. I do, however, think that the final enemy's defeat was a bit too neatly taken care of. Just a bit.
BUT
The very ending...That ending...I remember setting the book down twice and thinking, "Did that just happen? I...can't believe it." I was breathless. I was amazed. I was sad. Like I said at the beginning, this book is essentially about a revolution, but not one without consequences. What would I call the ending? My favorite: bittersweet. Things happened that I wanted to happen, and things happened that made me tear-up. What a wild ride.
Now, as for potential sequels? Maybe. I think it's fine as self-contained, but if Roberts does decide to expand this universe, which wouldn't hurt at all, I think it should either take place some times after the events of this book, or follow other characters closely after with Aster and the others as secondary or guest characters.
Either way, I am glad to see that YA sci-fi still has some spark in it left. I hope this book and Iron Widow can revive it.
Till next time, everyone. Let the universe embrace you with all its colors.
4 out of 5 stars.
Part space opera, part dystopia, and part cyberpunk, A Star Named Vega is a YA sci-fi novel with everything I ever wanted in a YA sci-fi novel. It kept me interested, made me care about the characters, and even, unexpectedly, made me cry at little at the end.
In the 30th century, the intergalactic union of galaxies known as the Thirteen Suns are ruled over by powerful Mother AIs. Each AI controls a specific system, making sure her "children," the inhabitants all thrive and live peacefully. Fourteen-year-old Aster Vale, better known in the online world of Vocks the street artist Wildflower, is transferring to the Vega System with her father along with the child genius and scientist Isaac. At the same, Rel Akepri, a young Skarid, prepares with his military party to infiltrate the transport vessel Aster and the others are on in order to obtain the psy-links of Aster's father and Isaac and the em-drive of the android Cellarius which information about an ancient android artifact. The Skarids were once ruled by the Omicron AI Mother, but they destroyed her after she nearly genocided them; and the android artifact is from the Omicron AI. In the midst of the chaotic infiltration, Rel saves Aster and an unconscious Isaac, a secret that Aster keeps to herself. From this act of kindness, and the history she eventually learns, Aster begins to doubt the myths of the Skarids that the Thirteen Suns have spread about them. Rel is soon captured and the Tau Mother tries to assimilate him. A revolution slowly unfolds, but not without heavy prices.
A Star Named Vega is a hidden gem. It's not perfect, but it's one of the newer YA books out there were stakes are genuinely high and the consequences means something. Like I said, this book is about a revolution, but not a revolution with constant espionage and street fights. There are some awesome actions sequences involved, but they are mostly near the end of the book. This is a slow revolution. Aster learns in her history classes and through Isaac's research on the android artifact about how the Skarids have been treated throughout history, what they've lost and how they've been marked as evil. Aster tries to express herself and show her support for Rel through her street art. But in a highly policed city like Delphin, such expressionism is looked down upon even if it's for unpolitical reasons. Aster learns that the paradise offered by the Tau Mother may not be a real paradise, but actually, to get Biblical, an Eden. Something that will fall once the knowledge of what's really going is revealed.
At the same time, Rel's revolution is somewhat slower. And this is were some of my first criticisms come in. We see a lot of Aster exploring Delphin and learning about the AI Mothers and the history of everything. But between the start of the book and the final battle, Rel doesn't get as many pages. Both he and Aster are still fleshed-out characters by the end, and there are still things of importance going on in both his and her perspectives, but I would've liked to have seen more Rel given that him saving Aster and Isaac and his imprisonment are catalysts to the story. I think I would've liked for Aster and him to have converse at least once or twice somehow while he was in imprison. Or at least, Isaac hacked the camera system or something and she saw where he was and what the Tau Mother was doing to him. Aster does think about Rel though, even before she learns he's imprisoned.
But I digress...
Anyway, Rel undergoes some very painful things. And I mean, VERY painful things. I don't think I've seen anything this painful in a YA since Nathan's childhood bullying scenes in Half Bad. In a very disturbing and creepy scene, Rel's body armor, as in armor that is actually apart of his body, is torn off by some egg sack creature that has spiders crawl out of it. From there, Rel is left weak and venerable, at left physically. The Tau Mother tries to assimilate Rel to her way of thinking, making him believe that his Skarid upbringing without the Omicron Mother is brutal and loveless and should be done away with. While Rel does not reject his upbringing entirely, he does realize that it was indeed a loveless one. And that's what I liked about this book was the nuance. Benjamin J. Roberts colors the Skarid and Thirteen Sun worlds and histories as grey. I could see points I agreed with on both sides and points I didn't agree with. In addition, seeing both Aster and Rel grow mentally as a result of their thinking and actions in the world around them was very interesting to see and very rewarding despite their different ending places.
One of the best things about the book is it's worldbuilding. This has to be some of the most articulated and well thought out worldbuilding I've ever seen in a YA sci-fi. It's actually genuinely interesting and goes beyond more than just "Here's one space kingdom/federation and it's good and here's another space kingdom/federation and it's bad." There's a whole history about the AI Mothers and how each one of them midwifed, for lack of a better term, a planet or set of planets differently. The aforementioned history of the Skarids and their AI Mother is also interesting and very tragic. The worldbuilding is somewhat reminiscent of Dune's; not as complex, mind you, but it reminds me the Machine Crusade/Butlerian Jihad and the differences between Paul and the Fremen. I've also seen some comparisons between this book and Isaac Asimov's Foundation series; I have not read anything of that series so I can't really confirm that. I also absolutely loved all the effort and detail Roberts put into the science in this book, and it's actual science (mostly). Granted a lot of terms are thrown at us at once sometimes, and some of those could've been briefly explained more, but I appreciate actually science being put into this book.
In terms of characters, I adored Aster and Rel. They both grew in their own ways and had to learn lessons the hard ways. Their comfort zones were practically eradicated, especially Aster's, and they had to put themselves to the test. Not every action they had was a victory though, as Roberts reminds us that characters have to have flaws and that they can't always win, even if they are gifted and spirited artist or a well-trained soldier. I have to admit that Isaac got my nerves for a while, but eventually he does so his less bratty and more sensitive side and we learn of his own burdens. The other side characters were all fun (Mateo was a bit annoying, but I think that was intentional) too and some of them get their just desserts or proper sendoffs, but a few I wish Aster and Rel had closure with.
Now, the ending...
I won't spoil anything. I will say that this is where my last criticism lies. The battles leading up to the final confrontation have such octane and are cool--Rel and Aster get roughed up quite a bit. I do, however, think that the final enemy's defeat was a bit too neatly taken care of. Just a bit.
BUT
The very ending...That ending...I remember setting the book down twice and thinking, "Did that just happen? I...can't believe it." I was breathless. I was amazed. I was sad. Like I said at the beginning, this book is essentially about a revolution, but not one without consequences. What would I call the ending? My favorite: bittersweet. Things happened that I wanted to happen, and things happened that made me tear-up. What a wild ride.
Now, as for potential sequels? Maybe. I think it's fine as self-contained, but if Roberts does decide to expand this universe, which wouldn't hurt at all, I think it should either take place some times after the events of this book, or follow other characters closely after with Aster and the others as secondary or guest characters.
Either way, I am glad to see that YA sci-fi still has some spark in it left. I hope this book and Iron Widow can revive it.
Till next time, everyone. Let the universe embrace you with all its colors.
May 20, 2022
My rating 4.8
The novel "A Star Named Vega" by Benjamin J. Roberts is a superbly written YA science fiction story that I enjoyed to the very end. Even though this is a YA science fiction story, it was a pleasure to read because the premise is perfect. The writer has elaborated the story to perfection, the characters are alive, and the places he beautifully described. I'm not surprised that this book was among the seven finalists in The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition.
The world of the thirtieth century is all technology, and its flourishing is at the highest level. Among the stellar journeys is reality. Aster Vale goes with her father to the colony of Mars in the Vega system, where her father has to do research work. And Isaac, who is quite problematic because he hacks the impossible with ease, goes on a journey with them. That Isaac would not end up in prison sent with her and her father. Aster has his secret alter ego, Wildflower, with which he shows his creative side. But their ship is attacked after the jump by rebels sent to destroy the excavation site where her father is to conduct research. These rebels are a threat to all thirty worlds ruled by artificial intelligence, but when one of them saves Aster and Issac, Aster doubts the sincerity of AI. She wants to find out as much information as possible about this genetically created group of warriors living in the system without the supervision of the AI mother. But that will take Aster on a path of dangers. The truth sometimes has a lot of faces, and the question is which one is right.
I would recommend it to fans of YA science fiction with a serious and great story.
The novel "A Star Named Vega" by Benjamin J. Roberts is a superbly written YA science fiction story that I enjoyed to the very end. Even though this is a YA science fiction story, it was a pleasure to read because the premise is perfect. The writer has elaborated the story to perfection, the characters are alive, and the places he beautifully described. I'm not surprised that this book was among the seven finalists in The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition.
The world of the thirtieth century is all technology, and its flourishing is at the highest level. Among the stellar journeys is reality. Aster Vale goes with her father to the colony of Mars in the Vega system, where her father has to do research work. And Isaac, who is quite problematic because he hacks the impossible with ease, goes on a journey with them. That Isaac would not end up in prison sent with her and her father. Aster has his secret alter ego, Wildflower, with which he shows his creative side. But their ship is attacked after the jump by rebels sent to destroy the excavation site where her father is to conduct research. These rebels are a threat to all thirty worlds ruled by artificial intelligence, but when one of them saves Aster and Issac, Aster doubts the sincerity of AI. She wants to find out as much information as possible about this genetically created group of warriors living in the system without the supervision of the AI mother. But that will take Aster on a path of dangers. The truth sometimes has a lot of faces, and the question is which one is right.
I would recommend it to fans of YA science fiction with a serious and great story.
October 26, 2022
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 4.5
This book was so good! If you need a quick fun read with quirky tech, a graffiti artist, and a hacker geek, A Star Named Vega might just be the book for you!
I think it's necessary to say here that I don't read a lot of sci-fi so I don't have a lot of other books to compare this with. The best way I can describe it is a mix of Skyward, Furthermore, and Dune.
Like Skyward, it has a very endearing cast of characters—of which Isaac will be a forever-favorite and must be protected at all costs—with varied interests, talents, and circumstances. I loved the friendships in this story as well as our main character's relationship with her father. As much as I'd like to go over each character that we meet in this story, I think it would be best for you to just meet them on your own. They're all just so much fun!
Like Furthermore, the world that we get to explore in this story has its different races, species, and cultures and all of them are just bursting with color. In many ways the setting reminds me a lot of Luminaria from the film Over the Moon. The technology in this world is probably my favorite element of the story. The androids, sprites, and robots were all just really interesting and fun to follow.
Like Dune—or probably a lot of sci-fi stories if I actually read them—this book explored a number of thought-provoking themes on what it means to be a person and how we perceive those who look differently than us and who have a different history from us. This isn't as adult as Dune though, both in terms of the writing and the plot. I would say this is somewhere around older middle-grade or younger YA.
I'd be shelving this book right next to Sugar and Spite in that it's all really fun and lighthearted until the stakes are raised and it punches you in the gut. The story is so much fun all throughout that when the hard-hitting parts came, I was caught off-guard emotionally.
The worldbuilding was pretty good as well. Despite the number of terms and names in the story, they are all pretty straightforward and Roberts' writing style is very accessible and easy to follow that it doesn't really get as confusing as you might expect. Even though there were exposition-heavy portions wherein the history of the world was explained, it felt intentional and not info-dumpy at all. I also thought the pacing was perfect. Some scenes felt a little repetitive but this is a short enough book that it didn't bother me too much. Overall, I am quite impressed that I enjoyed a self-pub debut novel this much. (No shade, but I've reviewed some recently that I did not care for at all.)
Although the story has a complete arc and stands on its own, you can tell from the worldbuilding that there is a lot of potential to explore other aspects of the story. I hope we get more stories from this setting because this was such a fun ride! Whether or not that will happen, I am looking forward to more of Roberts' work and am excited to see what he comes up with in the future.
Actual rating: 4.5
This book was so good! If you need a quick fun read with quirky tech, a graffiti artist, and a hacker geek, A Star Named Vega might just be the book for you!
I think it's necessary to say here that I don't read a lot of sci-fi so I don't have a lot of other books to compare this with. The best way I can describe it is a mix of Skyward, Furthermore, and Dune.
Like Skyward, it has a very endearing cast of characters—of which Isaac will be a forever-favorite and must be protected at all costs—with varied interests, talents, and circumstances. I loved the friendships in this story as well as our main character's relationship with her father. As much as I'd like to go over each character that we meet in this story, I think it would be best for you to just meet them on your own. They're all just so much fun!
Like Furthermore, the world that we get to explore in this story has its different races, species, and cultures and all of them are just bursting with color. In many ways the setting reminds me a lot of Luminaria from the film Over the Moon. The technology in this world is probably my favorite element of the story. The androids, sprites, and robots were all just really interesting and fun to follow.
Like Dune—or probably a lot of sci-fi stories if I actually read them—this book explored a number of thought-provoking themes on what it means to be a person and how we perceive those who look differently than us and who have a different history from us. This isn't as adult as Dune though, both in terms of the writing and the plot. I would say this is somewhere around older middle-grade or younger YA.
I'd be shelving this book right next to Sugar and Spite in that it's all really fun and lighthearted until the stakes are raised and it punches you in the gut. The story is so much fun all throughout that when the hard-hitting parts came, I was caught off-guard emotionally.
The worldbuilding was pretty good as well. Despite the number of terms and names in the story, they are all pretty straightforward and Roberts' writing style is very accessible and easy to follow that it doesn't really get as confusing as you might expect. Even though there were exposition-heavy portions wherein the history of the world was explained, it felt intentional and not info-dumpy at all. I also thought the pacing was perfect. Some scenes felt a little repetitive but this is a short enough book that it didn't bother me too much. Overall, I am quite impressed that I enjoyed a self-pub debut novel this much. (No shade, but I've reviewed some recently that I did not care for at all.)
Although the story has a complete arc and stands on its own, you can tell from the worldbuilding that there is a lot of potential to explore other aspects of the story. I hope we get more stories from this setting because this was such a fun ride! Whether or not that will happen, I am looking forward to more of Roberts' work and am excited to see what he comes up with in the future.
June 28, 2022
Read as finalist on the Self Published Science Fiction Competition
This YA SciFi follows our main character Aster - aka ‘wildflower’- a teenager who joins her dad on ‘Project Outlander’ to seek out the origin of the alien (Skarid) artifacts found on an old mining planet.
We also get a POV from the secondary characters Rel & Mira - Skarids who are recruited by the ‘Iron Skull’ to seek out the same canisters and potentially save their people from any more destruction.
The team from Project Outlander include Isaac, a teenage hacker prodigy who can help understand this alien technology. He’s the only one who knows how to hack into and understand how to work with the canisters they find.
Aster is a graffiti artist and meets up with other performance artists to start a revolution against an unnecessary war. Aster and Isaac become friends and confidants so when Isaac has to continue with the mission to travel to the planet to find these canisters Aster’s father is on, Aster goes with them. She learns the history of the Skarids, get mixed up in some trouble, and has mixed feelings on where her alliances should lie.
The Rundown:
Mysterious artifacts, evil scientists, dangerous alien races, hackers, graffiti, and revolutions!
Action was very well done, lots of fighting and fast-moving chased and attacks. Characters didn’t really connect with me, Aster - she seemed to skate through everything unscathed. I was more connected to Rel and Mira’s story and struggle and how they came to be trained fighters.
One downside was the final space battle (where they were surrounded and out numbered) left a lot to be desired.
This YA SciFi follows our main character Aster - aka ‘wildflower’- a teenager who joins her dad on ‘Project Outlander’ to seek out the origin of the alien (Skarid) artifacts found on an old mining planet.
We also get a POV from the secondary characters Rel & Mira - Skarids who are recruited by the ‘Iron Skull’ to seek out the same canisters and potentially save their people from any more destruction.
The team from Project Outlander include Isaac, a teenage hacker prodigy who can help understand this alien technology. He’s the only one who knows how to hack into and understand how to work with the canisters they find.
Aster is a graffiti artist and meets up with other performance artists to start a revolution against an unnecessary war. Aster and Isaac become friends and confidants so when Isaac has to continue with the mission to travel to the planet to find these canisters Aster’s father is on, Aster goes with them. She learns the history of the Skarids, get mixed up in some trouble, and has mixed feelings on where her alliances should lie.
The Rundown:
Mysterious artifacts, evil scientists, dangerous alien races, hackers, graffiti, and revolutions!
Action was very well done, lots of fighting and fast-moving chased and attacks. Characters didn’t really connect with me, Aster - she seemed to skate through everything unscathed. I was more connected to Rel and Mira’s story and struggle and how they came to be trained fighters.
One downside was the final space battle (where they were surrounded and out numbered) left a lot to be desired.
December 14, 2021
A Star Named Vega is a criminally underrated sci-fi adventure novel, having six Goodreads ratings at the time of writing. It involves far-future technology, spaceship battles, car chases, plot twists, and new friendships, perfect for fans of series’ like Megan O’Keefe’s The Protectorate, or Alex White’s The Salvagers. I devoured it in one sitting and enjoyed myself immensely.
For me, the most exciting aspect of this story is Roberts’ vision of what the 30th century might look like politically, socially, and theologically. I don’t want to provide more detail since he does such a fantastic job of developing his setting naturally as the plot unfolds, but it’s an intriguing premise, with more consideration than that of some adult space operas I’ve read.
Roberts provides a unique take on humanity’s relationship with advanced technology, with a sort of AI-led socialist society. He uses this setting to raise questions about freedom and the value of life–human or other. I felt that there were no real villains in this book, just different parties with opposing beliefs and different experiences. I enjoyed this aspect of the story, though I was left with some unanswered questions in the end.
Despite all this far-future worldbuilding, A Star Named Vega is not so technical that it would scare away prospective science fiction readers. As Roberts explained in a recent tweet, his writing is not ‘hard sci-fi’ or ‘soft sci-fi’ so much as ‘chewy sci-fi’. After all, the protagonist is a 14-year old, and the book is for readers 11+ (though I would pitch both protagonist and readership as slightly older).
I started reading a widely praised adult sci-fi series immediately after this book, and I already find myself missing the worlds of the Thirteen Suns, which is far more fun and, in my opinion, far more thought-provoking. Luckily for us all, A Star Named Vega is currently free on Kindle Unlimited! I’m so happy I decided to check out this book, and I wish Roberts all the best in the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition!
Check out the full review on jakeisreading.com!
Trigger warnings: Body horror/injury, death of family, suicide
For me, the most exciting aspect of this story is Roberts’ vision of what the 30th century might look like politically, socially, and theologically. I don’t want to provide more detail since he does such a fantastic job of developing his setting naturally as the plot unfolds, but it’s an intriguing premise, with more consideration than that of some adult space operas I’ve read.
Roberts provides a unique take on humanity’s relationship with advanced technology, with a sort of AI-led socialist society. He uses this setting to raise questions about freedom and the value of life–human or other. I felt that there were no real villains in this book, just different parties with opposing beliefs and different experiences. I enjoyed this aspect of the story, though I was left with some unanswered questions in the end.
Despite all this far-future worldbuilding, A Star Named Vega is not so technical that it would scare away prospective science fiction readers. As Roberts explained in a recent tweet, his writing is not ‘hard sci-fi’ or ‘soft sci-fi’ so much as ‘chewy sci-fi’. After all, the protagonist is a 14-year old, and the book is for readers 11+ (though I would pitch both protagonist and readership as slightly older).
I started reading a widely praised adult sci-fi series immediately after this book, and I already find myself missing the worlds of the Thirteen Suns, which is far more fun and, in my opinion, far more thought-provoking. Luckily for us all, A Star Named Vega is currently free on Kindle Unlimited! I’m so happy I decided to check out this book, and I wish Roberts all the best in the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition!
Check out the full review on jakeisreading.com!
Trigger warnings: Body horror/injury, death of family, suicide
August 24, 2022
A Star Named Vega was a finalist in the SPSFC, and it's easy to see why. The writing is crisp and humorous, the characters are easy and fun to follow, and the worldbuilding is vast, imaginative, and full of history. I sometimes derp a bit with hard sci-fi, but this wasn't too hard to follow.
There are two POVs that couldn't feel more different. Aster Vale is a teenager who is transferring to the Vega System with her father and Isaac, a child prodigy. A soldier Skarid named Rel infiltrates their ship to steal info. They are on warring sides, but through simple gestures and acts of kindness, the walls between them are broken down.
The strength of the book, in my opinion, is the worldbuilding. It is very thorough and goes way beyond the "us vs. them" or "aliens vs. humans" plot. Each world is fleshed out, each history spans centuries and galaxies, and if worldbuilding is your flavor, definitely check this one out.
There were a few scenes that felt a bit overloaded with info, especially at the beginning, but I think most of it worked to the book's advantage. What was a little difficult for me was the feeling I was reading two completely different books. Not different POVs, mind, but different books. Aster's story felt like the younger end of YA sci-fi (sometimes even MG), while Rel's was a bit darker (and uh, more brutal), and sometimes the transitions between the two were not quite always smooth. I do think it is because Aster gets much more screen time. It didn't bother me much in the end, but it did make it a little harder to recalibrate at times.
Despite that, I really enjoyed A Star Named Vega. If you're looking for YA sci-fi that shines in its worldbuilding, check this one out!
4.5 stars
There are two POVs that couldn't feel more different. Aster Vale is a teenager who is transferring to the Vega System with her father and Isaac, a child prodigy. A soldier Skarid named Rel infiltrates their ship to steal info. They are on warring sides, but through simple gestures and acts of kindness, the walls between them are broken down.
The strength of the book, in my opinion, is the worldbuilding. It is very thorough and goes way beyond the "us vs. them" or "aliens vs. humans" plot. Each world is fleshed out, each history spans centuries and galaxies, and if worldbuilding is your flavor, definitely check this one out.
There were a few scenes that felt a bit overloaded with info, especially at the beginning, but I think most of it worked to the book's advantage. What was a little difficult for me was the feeling I was reading two completely different books. Not different POVs, mind, but different books. Aster's story felt like the younger end of YA sci-fi (sometimes even MG), while Rel's was a bit darker (and uh, more brutal), and sometimes the transitions between the two were not quite always smooth. I do think it is because Aster gets much more screen time. It didn't bother me much in the end, but it did make it a little harder to recalibrate at times.
Despite that, I really enjoyed A Star Named Vega. If you're looking for YA sci-fi that shines in its worldbuilding, check this one out!
4.5 stars
Read
February 25, 2022One of the semi-finalists for the first Self-Published Science Fiction Competition!
The cover art stole my heart.
RTC.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
The cover art stole my heart.
RTC.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
August 20, 2021
What a fun story! It somehow managed to take a pair of teenage protagonists, and an interstellar-scale bit of worldbuilding and future history on a par with the prehistory of Dune, and make it work in an entertaining and very readable way.
Now, when I talk the big talk comparing the Vegaverse to Dune, I know that's going to raise some eyebrows. Dune is one of the Sacred Texts, how dare I?
Well, fuck it. Come at me, nerds.
Besides, what I'm mostly talking about here is the Dune prequels, which I really quite liked and an awful lot of purist fusspots didn't - specifically the Butlerian Jihad phase and the AI overlordship of the old human diaspora. Also, look, Dune is amazing but I don't hold it in such reverence that I can't say so when another book deserves to stand on the same shelf as it and not get beaten up by the Culture books and have its wallet stolen by the Foundation series.
Where the main Dune series is gothic and the Dune prequel series is Tim Burton gothic, however, A Star Named Vega is as colourful as a Paul Verhoeven adaptation of a Heinlein story. You know the one I mean. From that Alice in Wonderland meets Maleficent cover to the joyous post-scarcity utopian opening - that's a lot of spiders! - to the slow but creepingly inevitable revelation of the big, dark questions underpinning paradise to the explosive ending, this book delivers. It's fast and bright and full of cool science-fiction shit, and it's just plain fucking entertaining.
Also it has a character named Brännström who likes semlor. So we have a little Swedish nod to go along with the Finnish nod I enjoyed in Shepherds. It made this little Australian exile in the Nordics very happy.
Compared to the easy interactions between the main protagonists, the 'villains' of the story seem a little stilted and one-dimensional - but that seems to be by design, as we learn more about the tragic history and the complex webs of propaganda and ignorance surrounding everybody. And while there was a certain amount of needless drama-add by the admittedly thirteen-year-old protagonist and her failure to divulge certain information ... ehh, we'll let it slide. It was earned, and it all turned out nicely. Or did it? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
The old philosophical dilemma of hardship vs. freedom; to remain primitive and in constant danger or to live safe as cattle; the idea that anyone who trades liberty for safety deserves neither ... these are always timely questions for a global civilisation wading through the dark ages of social media and information technology and emergent 'benevolent AI' style advancement. While too much care and safety can be stifling - and in that, the glorious little seeds of chaos and the overall concept of the Arpex itself are very effective in dispelling such stasis - there is a lot to be said about well-meaning guidance and a nurturing, overruling vision. I don't know, all I know is that humans are a savage species and something needs to domesticate us. We're not going to domesticate ourselves.
Roberts does a good job walking the line between storytelling and soapbox-yelling, between drawing parallels to today's news cycle and perpetual commercially-driven wars and making it all too much of an allegory. All the threads escalate and tie together, each character gets an arc of sorts, and you wind up caring about them all. Great job, and I want to read more stories from the Thirteen Suns.
Sex-o-meter
The main characters were kids, and not particularly horny kids. The story didn't lose anything for not having sex in it, because everyone had slightly more important things to be getting on with at the time. I'll give A Star Named Vega a dreidel out of a possible horga'hn.
Gore-o-meter
There was some fighting, some outright brutality, and one dude totally got cut just about in half by a femtoblade. Which frankly is what we like to see when Chekhov's Femtoblade is introduced in the first act. Overall though, there's not a huge amount of gore - just a suitable amount. Two-and-a-half flesh-gobbets out of a possible five.
WTF-o-meter
I really enjoyed the slow reveal of the AI seeds and the interstellar civilisation they had created and now watched over and enabled. It wasn't so much WTF as a dawning realisation that there was some shit going on. Lots of fun to watch it all unfold. Oh, there were some references to human digital transcription and posthumanism that made me think there could be more to talk about ... but there are always other stories. At least I certainly hope there will be!
My Final Verdict
A well-earned four stars on the Amazon / Goodreads scale for A Star Named Vega. I really enjoyed this and I want to see more stories from the Thirteen Suns as soon as possible. Thanks for an entertaining and enjoyable read!
Now, when I talk the big talk comparing the Vegaverse to Dune, I know that's going to raise some eyebrows. Dune is one of the Sacred Texts, how dare I?
Well, fuck it. Come at me, nerds.
Besides, what I'm mostly talking about here is the Dune prequels, which I really quite liked and an awful lot of purist fusspots didn't - specifically the Butlerian Jihad phase and the AI overlordship of the old human diaspora. Also, look, Dune is amazing but I don't hold it in such reverence that I can't say so when another book deserves to stand on the same shelf as it and not get beaten up by the Culture books and have its wallet stolen by the Foundation series.
Where the main Dune series is gothic and the Dune prequel series is Tim Burton gothic, however, A Star Named Vega is as colourful as a Paul Verhoeven adaptation of a Heinlein story. You know the one I mean. From that Alice in Wonderland meets Maleficent cover to the joyous post-scarcity utopian opening - that's a lot of spiders! - to the slow but creepingly inevitable revelation of the big, dark questions underpinning paradise to the explosive ending, this book delivers. It's fast and bright and full of cool science-fiction shit, and it's just plain fucking entertaining.
Also it has a character named Brännström who likes semlor. So we have a little Swedish nod to go along with the Finnish nod I enjoyed in Shepherds. It made this little Australian exile in the Nordics very happy.
Compared to the easy interactions between the main protagonists, the 'villains' of the story seem a little stilted and one-dimensional - but that seems to be by design, as we learn more about the tragic history and the complex webs of propaganda and ignorance surrounding everybody. And while there was a certain amount of needless drama-add by the admittedly thirteen-year-old protagonist and her failure to divulge certain information ... ehh, we'll let it slide. It was earned, and it all turned out nicely. Or did it? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
The old philosophical dilemma of hardship vs. freedom; to remain primitive and in constant danger or to live safe as cattle; the idea that anyone who trades liberty for safety deserves neither ... these are always timely questions for a global civilisation wading through the dark ages of social media and information technology and emergent 'benevolent AI' style advancement. While too much care and safety can be stifling - and in that, the glorious little seeds of chaos and the overall concept of the Arpex itself are very effective in dispelling such stasis - there is a lot to be said about well-meaning guidance and a nurturing, overruling vision. I don't know, all I know is that humans are a savage species and something needs to domesticate us. We're not going to domesticate ourselves.
Roberts does a good job walking the line between storytelling and soapbox-yelling, between drawing parallels to today's news cycle and perpetual commercially-driven wars and making it all too much of an allegory. All the threads escalate and tie together, each character gets an arc of sorts, and you wind up caring about them all. Great job, and I want to read more stories from the Thirteen Suns.
Sex-o-meter
The main characters were kids, and not particularly horny kids. The story didn't lose anything for not having sex in it, because everyone had slightly more important things to be getting on with at the time. I'll give A Star Named Vega a dreidel out of a possible horga'hn.
Gore-o-meter
There was some fighting, some outright brutality, and one dude totally got cut just about in half by a femtoblade. Which frankly is what we like to see when Chekhov's Femtoblade is introduced in the first act. Overall though, there's not a huge amount of gore - just a suitable amount. Two-and-a-half flesh-gobbets out of a possible five.
WTF-o-meter
I really enjoyed the slow reveal of the AI seeds and the interstellar civilisation they had created and now watched over and enabled. It wasn't so much WTF as a dawning realisation that there was some shit going on. Lots of fun to watch it all unfold. Oh, there were some references to human digital transcription and posthumanism that made me think there could be more to talk about ... but there are always other stories. At least I certainly hope there will be!
My Final Verdict
A well-earned four stars on the Amazon / Goodreads scale for A Star Named Vega. I really enjoyed this and I want to see more stories from the Thirteen Suns as soon as possible. Thanks for an entertaining and enjoyable read!
March 16, 2022
Read for SPSFC Semifinalists!
Overall Thoughts
This is supposed to be a YA book, but like all good literature meant for young minds, this really probes deep into questions of what our purpose is, why we live as we do, and what happiness should be. Oh, and it doesn’t pull punches! There are real consequences for actions, even if the 30th century technology means life-threatening injuries are less so. This story actually reminds me strongly of if Vernor Vinge wrote for kids in his Zones of Thought series. But even with all this heavy stuff, there’s a lot of fun in this story, a lot of beauty, and a lot of adventure! All this, packed into a deceptively simple story, means this one goes near to the top of my list!
Plot
Things start out deceptively simple, with a kid Aster, and her father on a star cruiser going to a new job. There are antics, and we meet some more characters, but the story quickly takes a turn when we learn about strange maybe-humans covered in beetle-like armor who attack the ship. It would be easy to make these attackers one-dimensional villains, but instead they become linked to the heart of the story. The deeper into the story the more questions are posed about the price of utopia and the human drive for progress. And though this is YA, so not all these themes are fully explored, there is a lot lying under the surface dealing with The Singularity, how humans cope, and what our goal as a species is. And I have to say, the ending did not go where I thought it would! Or rather, I didn’t think the story would go there, but it did. I was almost thinking this would be a series, but I’m not sure if it will be. In any case, I’d love to read more in this universe!
Setting
It’s hard to write a far-future story and get all the tech right, but I think this one did. People have FTL, thought-based connection, nanobots, and most importantly, true AI. This becomes linked to the main story, and it’s only a little spoilery to say that the civilizations in this book are guided by post-singularity AIs, so powerful that they are essentially untouchable. This makes me think of the Powers in A Fire Upon the Deep, and how they may even control humans without their consent, though the outcome might well be beneficial. This gets to the heart of the questions posed here, of whether we are better off heading to an outcome of les suffering for all, even if we have to be controlled to do it. It’s an interesting question, and this book takes a good swing at it.
Character
The characters here are delightful. Whimsical and capricious, as suitable for a YA book, but also fairly deep, each with their own flaws. I would have liked to see more LGBTQ+ content in the societies, however, and some non-binary representation as well, especially with the number of AIs in this story. Since this is a YA, I think the one place where it perhaps doesn’t have as much depth as it could is dealing with the consequences of some of the things the young people in this story are put through. Especially Isaac, who has a much tougher history than his goofy exterior belies. Not only that, but the antagonists have a lot of depth to them as well, as the reasons for their society is unfolded over the length of the book. There were parts where I genuinely didn’t know who to root for! But all together, this was an incredible story, and I had a lot of fun reading it. It’s very close to the top of my list!
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
An excellent far-future tale of the consequences of AIs in society, cleverly hidden as a fun kid’s adventure through space. 9/10.
Overall Thoughts
This is supposed to be a YA book, but like all good literature meant for young minds, this really probes deep into questions of what our purpose is, why we live as we do, and what happiness should be. Oh, and it doesn’t pull punches! There are real consequences for actions, even if the 30th century technology means life-threatening injuries are less so. This story actually reminds me strongly of if Vernor Vinge wrote for kids in his Zones of Thought series. But even with all this heavy stuff, there’s a lot of fun in this story, a lot of beauty, and a lot of adventure! All this, packed into a deceptively simple story, means this one goes near to the top of my list!
Plot
Things start out deceptively simple, with a kid Aster, and her father on a star cruiser going to a new job. There are antics, and we meet some more characters, but the story quickly takes a turn when we learn about strange maybe-humans covered in beetle-like armor who attack the ship. It would be easy to make these attackers one-dimensional villains, but instead they become linked to the heart of the story. The deeper into the story the more questions are posed about the price of utopia and the human drive for progress. And though this is YA, so not all these themes are fully explored, there is a lot lying under the surface dealing with The Singularity, how humans cope, and what our goal as a species is. And I have to say, the ending did not go where I thought it would! Or rather, I didn’t think the story would go there, but it did. I was almost thinking this would be a series, but I’m not sure if it will be. In any case, I’d love to read more in this universe!
Setting
It’s hard to write a far-future story and get all the tech right, but I think this one did. People have FTL, thought-based connection, nanobots, and most importantly, true AI. This becomes linked to the main story, and it’s only a little spoilery to say that the civilizations in this book are guided by post-singularity AIs, so powerful that they are essentially untouchable. This makes me think of the Powers in A Fire Upon the Deep, and how they may even control humans without their consent, though the outcome might well be beneficial. This gets to the heart of the questions posed here, of whether we are better off heading to an outcome of les suffering for all, even if we have to be controlled to do it. It’s an interesting question, and this book takes a good swing at it.
Character
The characters here are delightful. Whimsical and capricious, as suitable for a YA book, but also fairly deep, each with their own flaws. I would have liked to see more LGBTQ+ content in the societies, however, and some non-binary representation as well, especially with the number of AIs in this story. Since this is a YA, I think the one place where it perhaps doesn’t have as much depth as it could is dealing with the consequences of some of the things the young people in this story are put through. Especially Isaac, who has a much tougher history than his goofy exterior belies. Not only that, but the antagonists have a lot of depth to them as well, as the reasons for their society is unfolded over the length of the book. There were parts where I genuinely didn’t know who to root for! But all together, this was an incredible story, and I had a lot of fun reading it. It’s very close to the top of my list!
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
An excellent far-future tale of the consequences of AIs in society, cleverly hidden as a fun kid’s adventure through space. 9/10.
November 25, 2021
I really enjoyed reading A STAR NAMED VEGA! Written in past tense, 3rd person multi-POV, it features some great planetary world-building on Delphin, Sett, and Galene-IV. I loved the benevolent AI overlords—the Seed Mothers—and the cool Vocks platform for street art (graffiti and impromptu dance performances). Overall, the story was well paced, even with the rich world-building (yay, no info dumps!)
The only thing that gave me pause was that Aster and Isaac felt older than their 14 and 13 years, through their dialogue, excursions, and interactions with adults. Especially, with Isaac having just been released from a two year prison sentence. The age range on this book is listed as 11-18, and based on Aster and Isaac’s ages, it would be considered MG, but the tone and content of the novel felt like YA.
If you like YA space operas featuring AI, cool world-building, street art, and political subterfuge, then you will love this book!
The only thing that gave me pause was that Aster and Isaac felt older than their 14 and 13 years, through their dialogue, excursions, and interactions with adults. Especially, with Isaac having just been released from a two year prison sentence. The age range on this book is listed as 11-18, and based on Aster and Isaac’s ages, it would be considered MG, but the tone and content of the novel felt like YA.
If you like YA space operas featuring AI, cool world-building, street art, and political subterfuge, then you will love this book!
March 19, 2022
A Star Named Vega by Benjamin J. Roberts is an awesome book that reminded me why I love Science Fiction!
Personally, I fell in love with this book. The story drew me in from beginning to end. The worlds he created, felt so real that it felt like I was actually there, in the story. In the Vega system.
This author orchestrated a world I grew attached to. And the characters were so beautifully crafted, that I could relate to them in real-life situations.
I highly recommend this book for all Science Fiction lovers out there!
Personally, I fell in love with this book. The story drew me in from beginning to end. The worlds he created, felt so real that it felt like I was actually there, in the story. In the Vega system.
This author orchestrated a world I grew attached to. And the characters were so beautifully crafted, that I could relate to them in real-life situations.
I highly recommend this book for all Science Fiction lovers out there!
November 9, 2021
Easily 5 stars! If you're looking for a fun-filled, out of this world *wink* adventure, then you're in for a treat! A Star Named Vega is a must read! :)
May 12, 2022
I’m going to get straight to the point: A Star Named Vega is a vibrant, colorful Space Opera with sumptuous and beautiful world-building that is a joy to read. You really shouldn’t waste time with the rest of my dry, flavorless review and just grab a copy and read that instead.
If you’re still here, fine:
Vega follows Aster Vale – graffiti artist and the daughter of a prominent scientist – as she makes the journey from Mars to the Vega system along with goofy genius wunderkind Isaac Branstromm. Her father and Isaac have been tapped for a secret project involving the most war-like inhabitants of the 12 systems: the Skarids. Meanwhile, Rel Akepri, a Skarid himself, receives orders to intercept the starship that Aster is on, for the good of his species. The two cross paths in a story that artfully explores the dark, beautiful past of the galaxy.
While you could be forgiven for thinking Vega is a YA due to the ages of the protagonists – Aster and Issac are about 13-15, and I believe Rel is around the same age (age is arbitrary in galactic standards anyway) – it really is more of a classic space opera, with a few more complex wrinkles. The protagonists aren’t all-powerful chosen ones, but feel like real people with interesting and fun personalities. Simultaneously, the antagonists aren’t moustache twirling evil despots, and have a great level of development and thoughtful introspection both as a species, and as people. And the world-building has a few great twists and turns – and every infodump about the galaxy doesn’t feel like an infodump about the galaxy, and actually made me want to learn more, which is a hard feat to accomplish anywhere.
The other thing is, Roberts writes Vega with such flair and style that its sometimes easy to forget it’s a space opera, especially when it zooms in and focuses on future subcultures. We’re given a look into a galactic order that teems with personality and color – often quite literally due to the incredible concept of Vocks: an app that encourages artistic displays of civil disobedience. What results is a fleshed out world that seems like an engrossing mélange of Battlestar Galactica, Arthur C. Clarke, and Jet Grind Radio, which is something I’d never thought I’d say, let alone read. It’s sparkling, vibrant storytelling in a genre I haven’t engaged with in a while. As a newly crowned SPSFC finalist, you should expect nothing less.
A Star Named Vega gets a lot of things right, but the best thing it does is give the Space Opera what it needs: a fresh new coat of paint.
If you’re still here, fine:
Vega follows Aster Vale – graffiti artist and the daughter of a prominent scientist – as she makes the journey from Mars to the Vega system along with goofy genius wunderkind Isaac Branstromm. Her father and Isaac have been tapped for a secret project involving the most war-like inhabitants of the 12 systems: the Skarids. Meanwhile, Rel Akepri, a Skarid himself, receives orders to intercept the starship that Aster is on, for the good of his species. The two cross paths in a story that artfully explores the dark, beautiful past of the galaxy.
While you could be forgiven for thinking Vega is a YA due to the ages of the protagonists – Aster and Issac are about 13-15, and I believe Rel is around the same age (age is arbitrary in galactic standards anyway) – it really is more of a classic space opera, with a few more complex wrinkles. The protagonists aren’t all-powerful chosen ones, but feel like real people with interesting and fun personalities. Simultaneously, the antagonists aren’t moustache twirling evil despots, and have a great level of development and thoughtful introspection both as a species, and as people. And the world-building has a few great twists and turns – and every infodump about the galaxy doesn’t feel like an infodump about the galaxy, and actually made me want to learn more, which is a hard feat to accomplish anywhere.
The other thing is, Roberts writes Vega with such flair and style that its sometimes easy to forget it’s a space opera, especially when it zooms in and focuses on future subcultures. We’re given a look into a galactic order that teems with personality and color – often quite literally due to the incredible concept of Vocks: an app that encourages artistic displays of civil disobedience. What results is a fleshed out world that seems like an engrossing mélange of Battlestar Galactica, Arthur C. Clarke, and Jet Grind Radio, which is something I’d never thought I’d say, let alone read. It’s sparkling, vibrant storytelling in a genre I haven’t engaged with in a while. As a newly crowned SPSFC finalist, you should expect nothing less.
A Star Named Vega gets a lot of things right, but the best thing it does is give the Space Opera what it needs: a fresh new coat of paint.
September 30, 2021
"A Star Named Vega" was an amazingly fun read of the type that lets you feel like a kid again while you're reading. That's not to say that the writing (which is excellent, by the way) talks down to you - it doesn't. There's some pretty cool "science", the main characters reminded me of kids I went to school with (I see you Sarah and Danny!), and a plot that is so huge it shouldn't be able to be held in anything less than a book 4 times the size... but it is and it's brilliant!
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
October 30, 2021
"I am not a child" - defiance through art, revolution through boldness. An amazing setting with a radical view of the future, and a very plausible one. This book thrilled me to the point I could not stop reading. One of the best things I read in my life, this story will walk with me for a long time to come. If you are a scifi fan this is a must and if you are not, I believe you will like it as well.
There is so many parallel and criticism to our own world and society in these pages. I truly recommend this.
Waiting for the sequel already. ^ ^ Cheers o/
There is so many parallel and criticism to our own world and society in these pages. I truly recommend this.
Waiting for the sequel already. ^ ^ Cheers o/
June 12, 2022
One of the finalists in the first SPSFC ‘Self-Published Science Fiction Competition. I liked it and the reviews I have seen are all very positive, but my reaction was a bit more lukewarm than that. I'm going to emphasize in this review the negative things a bit more because it's what other reviews do not explore, but I want to emphasize that I enjoyed reading it, and it was a original SF scenario. There will be some spoilers although I will not spoil the resolution.
There's a lot to like here, starting with the worldbuilding. The story depicts a (relatively) peaceful post-scarcity future where humanity lives in several star systems, led by nurturing super-AI's. There are also lesser AI's that more or less behave like human beings, even if they have artificial bodies. The characters are likable enough although with very young-adult-like quirks, for example the insistence on graffiti as a meaningful form of self-expression and civic rebellion. But the whole thing is entertaining and easy to read.
The book also raised some interesting ethical dilemmas, but I was a bit frustrated because, in my opinion, it missed the opportunity to explore those issues more deeply. It comes again to it being very YA. I'm complaining about that a lot, when I actually enjoy YA stories, but here the questions raised deserved a less superficial treatment.
First, were the Skarid justified to make attacks against a foreign star system in order to, as they claim, protect themselves? The problem here is that the novel acts as if they are, but actually the discovery of an old biological weapon that can affect them does not mean much. Given the technological level, surely if the Tau Seed wanted to exterminate them they could do so without that biological weapon.
So the Skarids attack in a way that's sure to cause multiple deaths, but the novel cops out by having these "pirates with a heart of gold" save the main characters. All right, but what about the people who actually die in these attacks, as unavoidably has to happen? The novel has nothing to say about that. They are not shown, the whole thing is skipped over.
The antagonists of the main characters, of course, are incredibly inept, to allow a bunch of people in their early teens to defeat them. Also, why is everyone so quick to rebel against the government to help what can very easily be described as terrorists? It's very unrealistic that people would act that way without a clear reason or a clear understanding of the situation, and without seriously thinking about the consequences. Of course, there are no consequences for anyone in this novel, but that's rather unrealistic. Unfortunately, the most interesting part of the setting, the benign super-AIs that protect and govern humanity is not explored. They are in charge, but they allow humanity a reasonable amount of freedom. How does that work exactly, how is stability maintained? Are there no political dissidents, no revolutionaries? How are they treated? That's all very relevant given the way the characters act.
Then the whole history of the Skarids and the Omicron Seed is not explored enough. What actually happened in the past between them? How are we supposed to make a moral judgment on the Skarids if we never really find out?
So, a good read, with an interesting setting and raising interesting questions, but ultimately not entirely satisfying for me.
There's a lot to like here, starting with the worldbuilding. The story depicts a (relatively) peaceful post-scarcity future where humanity lives in several star systems, led by nurturing super-AI's. There are also lesser AI's that more or less behave like human beings, even if they have artificial bodies. The characters are likable enough although with very young-adult-like quirks, for example the insistence on graffiti as a meaningful form of self-expression and civic rebellion. But the whole thing is entertaining and easy to read.
The book also raised some interesting ethical dilemmas, but I was a bit frustrated because, in my opinion, it missed the opportunity to explore those issues more deeply. It comes again to it being very YA. I'm complaining about that a lot, when I actually enjoy YA stories, but here the questions raised deserved a less superficial treatment.
First, were the Skarid justified to make attacks against a foreign star system in order to, as they claim, protect themselves? The problem here is that the novel acts as if they are, but actually the discovery of an old biological weapon that can affect them does not mean much. Given the technological level, surely if the Tau Seed wanted to exterminate them they could do so without that biological weapon.
So the Skarids attack in a way that's sure to cause multiple deaths, but the novel cops out by having these "pirates with a heart of gold" save the main characters. All right, but what about the people who actually die in these attacks, as unavoidably has to happen? The novel has nothing to say about that. They are not shown, the whole thing is skipped over.
The antagonists of the main characters, of course, are incredibly inept, to allow a bunch of people in their early teens to defeat them. Also, why is everyone so quick to rebel against the government to help what can very easily be described as terrorists? It's very unrealistic that people would act that way without a clear reason or a clear understanding of the situation, and without seriously thinking about the consequences. Of course, there are no consequences for anyone in this novel, but that's rather unrealistic. Unfortunately, the most interesting part of the setting, the benign super-AIs that protect and govern humanity is not explored. They are in charge, but they allow humanity a reasonable amount of freedom. How does that work exactly, how is stability maintained? Are there no political dissidents, no revolutionaries? How are they treated? That's all very relevant given the way the characters act.
Then the whole history of the Skarids and the Omicron Seed is not explored enough. What actually happened in the past between them? How are we supposed to make a moral judgment on the Skarids if we never really find out?
So, a good read, with an interesting setting and raising interesting questions, but ultimately not entirely satisfying for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2022
While 'A Star Named Vega' is the star system the story takes place in, the cover features the two POV characters of Rel and Aster, two teenagers from different systems that cross paths because of her father's work in a project that unknowingly will destroy Rel's people (the Skarids), and Rel's determination from stopping genocide of his race.
This book is a story of divine comedy and the unfairness of an attempted utopic galaxy. 12 of the human-populated star systems are without war, hunger, the children can pursue activities and education as they see fit. Whereas, Rel's planet was doomed from the start, and his people subsist on the pirated scraps of the other systems. The people of Vega, in particular, are the most affronted by the constant pillaging, and something has to give. A chance archeological discovery revealed to the 13 systems shows canisters, which only the Skarids recognize as a super weapon meant to destroy them, and they send a crack team to stop further investigation at all costs.
Aster is an example of a carefree 14 year old, who plays a gentle civil disobedience game called Vocks, and is tied to her father (Dr Vale) as he joins a scientific assignment on Vega. She befriends the young Issac, a hacking extraordinaire, who is also part of that team. And this is the basic framework of the story.
Roberts is committed to their futurism angle, and they know how to make an interesting intro. The meeting between Aster and Issac is hilarious, and full of "SPIDERS!!!" That was such a good joke. The kids are heartfelt, appropriately defiant, fiercely loyal as is expected for teenagers wanting to form their tribes. Rel is a bit older, and deeply indoctrinated in his cause. Everyone operates with their own set of morals and goals, and even the villain can be understood at the end though he's idealistic and bloodthirsty. While someone else complained in reviews that the parental figures exhibited too much kindness, they showed a really healthy balance between letting the kids seek their freedom and still being the source of comfort and console. Dr Vale is basically an adorable himbo, and so is adopted uncle Cell. So sweet, so cute. Aster's role isn't really the driving force as she is the glue between all involved. I like her capacity to think freely and unite others. And while not the biggest driver of change, she shows exemplary humanity.
Younger side of YA, well-done. I'd like to see more of this universe that Roberts created, for sure!
This book is a story of divine comedy and the unfairness of an attempted utopic galaxy. 12 of the human-populated star systems are without war, hunger, the children can pursue activities and education as they see fit. Whereas, Rel's planet was doomed from the start, and his people subsist on the pirated scraps of the other systems. The people of Vega, in particular, are the most affronted by the constant pillaging, and something has to give. A chance archeological discovery revealed to the 13 systems shows canisters, which only the Skarids recognize as a super weapon meant to destroy them, and they send a crack team to stop further investigation at all costs.
Aster is an example of a carefree 14 year old, who plays a gentle civil disobedience game called Vocks, and is tied to her father (Dr Vale) as he joins a scientific assignment on Vega. She befriends the young Issac, a hacking extraordinaire, who is also part of that team. And this is the basic framework of the story.
Roberts is committed to their futurism angle, and they know how to make an interesting intro. The meeting between Aster and Issac is hilarious, and full of "SPIDERS!!!" That was such a good joke. The kids are heartfelt, appropriately defiant, fiercely loyal as is expected for teenagers wanting to form their tribes. Rel is a bit older, and deeply indoctrinated in his cause. Everyone operates with their own set of morals and goals, and even the villain can be understood at the end though he's idealistic and bloodthirsty. While someone else complained in reviews that the parental figures exhibited too much kindness, they showed a really healthy balance between letting the kids seek their freedom and still being the source of comfort and console. Dr Vale is basically an adorable himbo, and so is adopted uncle Cell. So sweet, so cute. Aster's role isn't really the driving force as she is the glue between all involved. I like her capacity to think freely and unite others. And while not the biggest driver of change, she shows exemplary humanity.
Younger side of YA, well-done. I'd like to see more of this universe that Roberts created, for sure!
June 16, 2022
I read A Star Named Vega as part of a judging team for the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), where it is a finalist.
A Star Named Vega is written on the younger side of YA, with characters in their early teens, an easy-to-follow plot, and nary a hint of romance. Early on, I thought it might’ve even been middle grade, but there was enough darkness that I can understand the YA tag. The boundary is fuzzy regardless, just trying to give a sense of what to expect.
Anyways, it’s an quick read, starring two teenagers on the opposite side of conflict. Aster is the daughter of a scientist, who fills her time with harmless and artistic vandalism. Rel is a soldier from a genetically engineered race that’s viewed as nothing but pirates and thieves. But when Aster’s father takes a job on a project researching artifacts from a war in which Rel’s people exterminated their AI creators, the two end up on a collision course.
I was very intrigued by having two sympathetic characters on the opposite side of conflict, and the opening chapters flew by so smoothly and with just enough levity to make me smile and to make me excited about the rest. But I didn’t feel that it really took the next step to stand out from the crowd. The writing quality never deteriorates, and Aster’s quest toward fame as a graffiti artist was a lot of fun, but her boy genius friend felt like he could’ve walked out of any number of other YA/MG stories, and I felt that some of the potential for interesting conflict between Aster and Rel kinda disappeared in some obvious heel-turns that made it very clear who the *real* villains were.
There’s not a lot that I have to really complain about here. The writing is solid, the lead is likable, the plot makes sense. But the side characters are pretty much just archetypes, and the moral complexity that had me intrigued early never really developed—there just wasn’t the element that had me hooked. A solid three stars.
First impression: 12/20. Full review and official SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
A Star Named Vega is written on the younger side of YA, with characters in their early teens, an easy-to-follow plot, and nary a hint of romance. Early on, I thought it might’ve even been middle grade, but there was enough darkness that I can understand the YA tag. The boundary is fuzzy regardless, just trying to give a sense of what to expect.
Anyways, it’s an quick read, starring two teenagers on the opposite side of conflict. Aster is the daughter of a scientist, who fills her time with harmless and artistic vandalism. Rel is a soldier from a genetically engineered race that’s viewed as nothing but pirates and thieves. But when Aster’s father takes a job on a project researching artifacts from a war in which Rel’s people exterminated their AI creators, the two end up on a collision course.
I was very intrigued by having two sympathetic characters on the opposite side of conflict, and the opening chapters flew by so smoothly and with just enough levity to make me smile and to make me excited about the rest. But I didn’t feel that it really took the next step to stand out from the crowd. The writing quality never deteriorates, and Aster’s quest toward fame as a graffiti artist was a lot of fun, but her boy genius friend felt like he could’ve walked out of any number of other YA/MG stories, and I felt that some of the potential for interesting conflict between Aster and Rel kinda disappeared in some obvious heel-turns that made it very clear who the *real* villains were.
There’s not a lot that I have to really complain about here. The writing is solid, the lead is likable, the plot makes sense. But the side characters are pretty much just archetypes, and the moral complexity that had me intrigued early never really developed—there just wasn’t the element that had me hooked. A solid three stars.
First impression: 12/20. Full review and official SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
July 17, 2022
I don't have enough superlatives here. A Star Named Vega at first looks like a somewhat standard YA or even juvenile fiction sci-fi adventure, albeit a well-written one. Over the course of the book, though, Roberts introduces more and more elements that make it stand out from the crowd.
The characters are all truly developed and make weighty choices throughout the course of the book. There are some genuinely dark moments here (juvenile fiction this is not), though there are also so many incredibly lighthearted and fun moments that it balances out well. The events initially seem quite limited in scope, but Roberts opens the story up as you go on, making it hugely impactful on the broader universe.
I recommend "A Star Named Vega" very highly.
I reviewed this as an SPSFC judge and have more on my blog!
The characters are all truly developed and make weighty choices throughout the course of the book. There are some genuinely dark moments here (juvenile fiction this is not), though there are also so many incredibly lighthearted and fun moments that it balances out well. The events initially seem quite limited in scope, but Roberts opens the story up as you go on, making it hugely impactful on the broader universe.
I recommend "A Star Named Vega" very highly.
I reviewed this as an SPSFC judge and have more on my blog!
May 9, 2023
found the writing to be, for a lack of better words, quite young and wished it was a bit more descriptive at times and spent a bit more time ~in the moment(s)~, but world building was great, super vibrant and made me want to live in it. wish it had a bit more of an exploration into the ethical dilemma proposed near the end, and would have loved to learn more about the skarrid and omicron war but overall a pretty enjoyable read!
July 12, 2022
I read this one as a finalist for SPSFC!
Personal Score: 6/10
Though I believe this a great scifi book it certanly didn't work for me. I still enjoyed it overall but for some reason the plot didn't click with me at any time. I still think its woth the read and probably just me who is in the wrong here, hence the score.
More details in the video review for all the finalists!
Personal Score: 6/10
Though I believe this a great scifi book it certanly didn't work for me. I still enjoyed it overall but for some reason the plot didn't click with me at any time. I still think its woth the read and probably just me who is in the wrong here, hence the score.
More details in the video review for all the finalists!
May 30, 2022
An intricately woven 4 1/2 star tale that draws the reader into a vastly more complex plot than one might initially sense or expect! I certainly found it very understandable why this book has won accolades from various contests and other award-givers over the past months, which is how I found it as well! Though I found it a little rushed in spots (greedy greedy gimme more!), overall this was a very satisfying read!
I really appreciated how Roberts didn't immediately overwhelm the reader with the full details to everything going on in his Universe while still keeping us on the edge of our seat to discover more. Still, it doesn't take long for the reader to sense that "something" is indeed going on that is if not hidden from view, then certainly not completely out in the open for all to see. The only question remains who is aware of it and who ultimately will be asked to help solve the upcoming conflict. But along the way we are treated to some really unique and quite stunningly imagined SFF developments that could be valid for oh so many scenarios and plot-lines!
Roberts writing is certainly quite smooth and expressive, with very good editing to back up the execution. The characters are definitely well-constructed and interestingly varied, though we only get to know a sampling of the overall cast to any real degree. Still, I also very much appreciated how we manage to not stay embedded if you will in a YA scenario - admittedly not my favorite genre - but instead move into some decidedly more adult situations with real decisions and consequences required along the way as well. There's a hodge-podge of "devices" the author uses to bring everyone together, including for both ramping up things for our own understanding (I love the "lessons around the campfire"!) as well getting people literally physically to where they needed to be for their big moments.
I do wish the ending hadn't felt quite so… well, maybe not rushed per se like I said before but it did seem to go down rather quickly. But even so, I can also understand that if things had gone on longer, we might have felt that it was just filling up pages for the sake of doing just that. I can understand that sometimes short and sweet does carry the day, I know. Still, I can't help thinking that there were certainly some big reveals that could have been studied in further depth. And, of course, we're left with a lot of questions at the end about the future of not only many of our main players but also an entire system full of unique people and ultimately their survival (or not). I guess that's me being selfish in wanting to know more about all the fascinating developments and potential for even more adventures (are you listening NETFLIX?)! I sure wouldn't say "no" to same.
Still, I can only highly recommend this for scifi fans of all ages! Good stuff, enjoy!
I really appreciated how Roberts didn't immediately overwhelm the reader with the full details to everything going on in his Universe while still keeping us on the edge of our seat to discover more. Still, it doesn't take long for the reader to sense that "something" is indeed going on that is if not hidden from view, then certainly not completely out in the open for all to see. The only question remains who is aware of it and who ultimately will be asked to help solve the upcoming conflict. But along the way we are treated to some really unique and quite stunningly imagined SFF developments that could be valid for oh so many scenarios and plot-lines!
Roberts writing is certainly quite smooth and expressive, with very good editing to back up the execution. The characters are definitely well-constructed and interestingly varied, though we only get to know a sampling of the overall cast to any real degree. Still, I also very much appreciated how we manage to not stay embedded if you will in a YA scenario - admittedly not my favorite genre - but instead move into some decidedly more adult situations with real decisions and consequences required along the way as well. There's a hodge-podge of "devices" the author uses to bring everyone together, including for both ramping up things for our own understanding (I love the "lessons around the campfire"!) as well getting people literally physically to where they needed to be for their big moments.
I do wish the ending hadn't felt quite so… well, maybe not rushed per se like I said before but it did seem to go down rather quickly. But even so, I can also understand that if things had gone on longer, we might have felt that it was just filling up pages for the sake of doing just that. I can understand that sometimes short and sweet does carry the day, I know. Still, I can't help thinking that there were certainly some big reveals that could have been studied in further depth. And, of course, we're left with a lot of questions at the end about the future of not only many of our main players but also an entire system full of unique people and ultimately their survival (or not). I guess that's me being selfish in wanting to know more about all the fascinating developments and potential for even more adventures (are you listening NETFLIX?)! I sure wouldn't say "no" to same.
Still, I can only highly recommend this for scifi fans of all ages! Good stuff, enjoy!
February 14, 2023
Highly recommended! A story that will draw out every emotional response in the reader.
Read
August 9, 2022This was one of the books that intrigued me most from the start of the contest, and I am really happy to have finally read it! Let me just spend a couple of words on the cover, because it is not only beautiful, but it is one of the aptest covers ever. It is just so so right for the story! And it is eyecatching!
And now let’s start with the book. It is a fast-paced YA set in a really rich World. The world-building is vivid, full of colors and wonders and there is a ton of amazing things to see there. I especially loved the school there, it would be a dream to learn like they do. And sure, someone can argue that we are moving toward that direction, sure, but we lack the technology, and what they did here is pretty amazing. And if I am making you curious, sorry not sorry, I guess there is just one thing you can do. And it is to go and read the book! And the lessons that Aster takes here help us understand this complex and fascinating world. And the idea behind it is original. We have some sort of IA, powerful and complex, that creates habitats for their humans on some faraway planets, and these Mothers are the power of the world, the government, and the engine who drive them all forward. Things are a tad more complicated than that, obviously, but now you have an idea of what is waiting for you!
And I loved Vocks, it is a sort of game and social media thing, but way cooler. You get points for “acts of civil disobedience with artistic merits”. The coolest thing ever! And our MC, Aster, is an active Vockser, she is specialized in painting flowers and she is pretty good at what she does!
The technology is advanced here, we get to see a lot of IA around, and some new wonders. It was so nice to explore!
And with this really rich and diverse world, we have some really interesting characters! Aster is the MC, and she is a young girl with artistic talents and the heart in the right place. We get to really know her between these pages and see how good-hearted and determined to do the right thing she is, even when all (or almost all) are against it is heartwarming.
Then we have Isaac. He was my favorite. He is just so sweet, so daredevil in his own ways, and a rebellious little genius. Sure, he needs some supervision because left on his own he is not really the most reliable boy out there. But he is witty, resourceful, and so cute!
And then we have a whole cast of characters besides these two, obviously, and all of them are pretty good, too. Rel is another of the best in here, and the only downside here is that I hoped to see more of him around, because he is a good character in his own right, and he deserved more space to shine. But I am not really complaining. He was sweet, too, at times, and he was strong, and brave and it was a pleasure to meet him!
But let’s not forget about Aster’s father. He is a nice man, he is a nice character all around, but the best thing is that they have an amazing relationship, and I loved to read a YA with some good parental figures. It is such an uncommon occurrence! And this is really a shame because I think that we really need more good, caring parents in books too. Because they exist, I swear. They are out there, and they are not all so oblivious to what their children are doing. I usually find parents in YA, when they are present, really annoying, but not here. Doctor Vale is an amazing father, and seeing his relationship with Aster, and Isaac too, was heartwarming and it was something that I want to see in more books!
There are other interesting characters, and they really made for an interesting cast.
And, last but not least, we have an interesting plot. We have actions, mysteries, and intrigues, we have rebellion and we have quite a lot going on. And it is so good to see our characters try their best to fight for what they know is the truth. The pace is the right one, it is not too fast, so that we can get acquainted with this new universe, but it is not too slow, so we don’t lose momentum. And it all comes together nicely.
This was a really nice reading, I loved to explore this universe, and I had a good time with all these characters. If you are in for a nice book, that it is not too demanding and it has some vivid description of a wonderful world, well… search no more!
And now let’s start with the book. It is a fast-paced YA set in a really rich World. The world-building is vivid, full of colors and wonders and there is a ton of amazing things to see there. I especially loved the school there, it would be a dream to learn like they do. And sure, someone can argue that we are moving toward that direction, sure, but we lack the technology, and what they did here is pretty amazing. And if I am making you curious, sorry not sorry, I guess there is just one thing you can do. And it is to go and read the book! And the lessons that Aster takes here help us understand this complex and fascinating world. And the idea behind it is original. We have some sort of IA, powerful and complex, that creates habitats for their humans on some faraway planets, and these Mothers are the power of the world, the government, and the engine who drive them all forward. Things are a tad more complicated than that, obviously, but now you have an idea of what is waiting for you!
And I loved Vocks, it is a sort of game and social media thing, but way cooler. You get points for “acts of civil disobedience with artistic merits”. The coolest thing ever! And our MC, Aster, is an active Vockser, she is specialized in painting flowers and she is pretty good at what she does!
The technology is advanced here, we get to see a lot of IA around, and some new wonders. It was so nice to explore!
And with this really rich and diverse world, we have some really interesting characters! Aster is the MC, and she is a young girl with artistic talents and the heart in the right place. We get to really know her between these pages and see how good-hearted and determined to do the right thing she is, even when all (or almost all) are against it is heartwarming.
Then we have Isaac. He was my favorite. He is just so sweet, so daredevil in his own ways, and a rebellious little genius. Sure, he needs some supervision because left on his own he is not really the most reliable boy out there. But he is witty, resourceful, and so cute!
And then we have a whole cast of characters besides these two, obviously, and all of them are pretty good, too. Rel is another of the best in here, and the only downside here is that I hoped to see more of him around, because he is a good character in his own right, and he deserved more space to shine. But I am not really complaining. He was sweet, too, at times, and he was strong, and brave and it was a pleasure to meet him!
But let’s not forget about Aster’s father. He is a nice man, he is a nice character all around, but the best thing is that they have an amazing relationship, and I loved to read a YA with some good parental figures. It is such an uncommon occurrence! And this is really a shame because I think that we really need more good, caring parents in books too. Because they exist, I swear. They are out there, and they are not all so oblivious to what their children are doing. I usually find parents in YA, when they are present, really annoying, but not here. Doctor Vale is an amazing father, and seeing his relationship with Aster, and Isaac too, was heartwarming and it was something that I want to see in more books!
There are other interesting characters, and they really made for an interesting cast.
And, last but not least, we have an interesting plot. We have actions, mysteries, and intrigues, we have rebellion and we have quite a lot going on. And it is so good to see our characters try their best to fight for what they know is the truth. The pace is the right one, it is not too fast, so that we can get acquainted with this new universe, but it is not too slow, so we don’t lose momentum. And it all comes together nicely.
This was a really nice reading, I loved to explore this universe, and I had a good time with all these characters. If you are in for a nice book, that it is not too demanding and it has some vivid description of a wonderful world, well… search no more!
February 3, 2023
"Because one day the universe will end,” she said. “That means there’s no such thing as standing still. You’re always running out of time. If you don’t at least try moving towards the Arpex, then you’re moving away from it by definition. It’s like living in a house that’s falling apart.”
What a power-punch of a book!
Although it started a little slow, A Star Named Vega quickly overtook all my expectations and proved itself to be witty, heartfelt and unique.
Firstly, it's well-written, with easy to read language which toes the line of being informal enough without trying too hard to 'be cool', with brilliant touches of humour.
Then the plot is gripping, with some truly captivating moments - moments of despair, inspiration, horror, triumph, frustration... These were the moments that lifted the book from 'a good sci-fi romp' to 'something great'.
Add to that the world building and world telling: there are plenty of details to the world, but not everything is explained and not all at once. The reader is left to work out what characters are talking about, how it might fit into the world at large, and which parts are relevant to the plot. This gradually builds into a complex and fascinating universe, one that makes sense in itself and which you want to follow through its twists and turns.
Another, please!
What a power-punch of a book!
Although it started a little slow, A Star Named Vega quickly overtook all my expectations and proved itself to be witty, heartfelt and unique.
Firstly, it's well-written, with easy to read language which toes the line of being informal enough without trying too hard to 'be cool', with brilliant touches of humour.
Then the plot is gripping, with some truly captivating moments - moments of despair, inspiration, horror, triumph, frustration... These were the moments that lifted the book from 'a good sci-fi romp' to 'something great'.
Add to that the world building and world telling: there are plenty of details to the world, but not everything is explained and not all at once. The reader is left to work out what characters are talking about, how it might fit into the world at large, and which parts are relevant to the plot. This gradually builds into a complex and fascinating universe, one that makes sense in itself and which you want to follow through its twists and turns.
Another, please!
June 17, 2022
I read this book as a Finalist in the 2021 SPSFC for which I was a judge.
This YA-oriented story is one of the mechanically best written and edited works in the competition. It was a pleasure not stumbling over wording, spelling, and punctuation errors. The writing style has an easy flow.
But where the writing excels, the story lacks. The main plot is basic, and there’s no ‘B’ story – no character arc for our hero. She behaves the same at the end as at the beginning. In fact, one of the early-introduced pseudo-villains is a more sympathetic character than the hero. There could be more tension and conflict throughout the story as the real villain isn’t identified until late in the book.
There’s a tremendous opportunity throughout the book to examine the issue of personal freedom and government restrictions. Such a premise is set up early in the story – a somewhat totalitarian society with enforcement droids everywhere punishing people who step out of line. However, little of this is explored by the end of the story as the climactic battle doesn’t address the overarching issues.
Otherwise, the characters are solid, with many of the artificially-enhanced characters the most interesting and entertaining. Settings are well-described, and the technologies are creative.
This YA-oriented story is one of the mechanically best written and edited works in the competition. It was a pleasure not stumbling over wording, spelling, and punctuation errors. The writing style has an easy flow.
But where the writing excels, the story lacks. The main plot is basic, and there’s no ‘B’ story – no character arc for our hero. She behaves the same at the end as at the beginning. In fact, one of the early-introduced pseudo-villains is a more sympathetic character than the hero. There could be more tension and conflict throughout the story as the real villain isn’t identified until late in the book.
There’s a tremendous opportunity throughout the book to examine the issue of personal freedom and government restrictions. Such a premise is set up early in the story – a somewhat totalitarian society with enforcement droids everywhere punishing people who step out of line. However, little of this is explored by the end of the story as the climactic battle doesn’t address the overarching issues.
Otherwise, the characters are solid, with many of the artificially-enhanced characters the most interesting and entertaining. Settings are well-described, and the technologies are creative.
June 8, 2022
Solid YA space-opera with complex word building and lots of cool tech/science. Some of the gory torture details seemed a bit over the top for me, but the inferences about prejudice and oppressive governments were thought provoking. I’m not sure how I felt about illegal graffiti as something to be revered, but maybe that’s a reflection of the author’s age or location—or mine. :-)
June 16, 2023
The first chapter was fun and goofy and gets you excited about space exploration. The next one was all about serious themes - war and never ending fight for freedom. These two storylines were of course on a collision course.
Overall, it was a different kind of sci-fi book and worth checking it out. Writing was easy to follow (except the heavy sci-fi terms, which can be mostly ignored without losing the plot). Pacing was a bit iffy in the middle but picked up well towards the end.
Overall, it was a different kind of sci-fi book and worth checking it out. Writing was easy to follow (except the heavy sci-fi terms, which can be mostly ignored without losing the plot). Pacing was a bit iffy in the middle but picked up well towards the end.
May 31, 2022
Great world building and technology as the backdrop for this YA space opera.
Threads of privileged 'street' artist and soldier from the wrong sun/Mother mixed into the cosmic politics and power struggles of some badly behaved humans and AIs.
Threads of privileged 'street' artist and soldier from the wrong sun/Mother mixed into the cosmic politics and power struggles of some badly behaved humans and AIs.
May 22, 2022
No. Just no. Flat characters. Sort of interesting plot (kind of reverse-Childhood’s End). But unconvincing and uninteresting dialogue and throw-away science-y terms. Finally, even though it’s YA, way to much Father-daughter huggy-bear. Heinlein wrote a double handful of juveniles, and none of the parents didn’t love their children. Yet, none of Heinlein’s families smothered their children.
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