Without A World

Kirasu Rising #1

by Kristen Illarmo

A dying planet. A mythical new world.

Miranda struggles through each day in the Trash Lands, scraping for food and water, wishing she could blend into the sea of ash. The best part of her day is working a meaningless job in a place where people pretend she doesn’t exist.

Dismayed to learn her mother was right, Earth will get sucked into a black hole, Miranda must trust in skills she never knew she had to get to a place she refused to believe existed.

But when they learn the black hole is no natural phenomenon, Miranda can’t turn her back on the suffering of Earth, and saving it could cost more than she ever knew.

Genres: Science Fiction

234 pages, ebook

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

Kristen Illarmo is a young adult, science fiction author driven to write stories with strong female characters in the backdrop of crumbling societies.

She proudly calls New Orleans home, a fact that may only change if the perfect beach town reveals itself. When she’s not toiling to improve efficiency in local government in her day job, she’s writing about dark possible futures and thinking about the importance of the choices we make.

The prequel to Without A World, Behind the Red Door, is available now at kristenillarmo.com.

Join her monthly newsletter for author updates and a chance to grab free books from new authors at kristenillarmo.com.
Keep in touch with Kristen via the web:
Website kristenillarmonbooks.com
Email kristen@kristenillarmo.com
IG: kristenillarmo

Reviews

[Maria_books1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

I received an earc from the author but I decided to buy a physical copy for myself. How could I not I mean look at this cover!

Without a World is the first installment in the Kirasu Rising Series and an epic start to the story. Miranda is a dynamic female character but not in an unrealistic way and you bet we love these here 😏 There's definitely a little bit of romance hint so I'm hoping to see more of it in the sequel.

The mystery follows throughout the story like a veil giving us little information each time. The sci-fi space setting is very pleasant and keeps the reader at the edge of their seat.

As for the worldbuilding, more information is being added in different chapters of the book as the author has made the wise choice to not bombard the reader with huge chunks of info all at once but to give a little bit at a time. The story progresses smoothly and intensifies towards the end.

All in all I think it's a very strong start to the series and I would suggest it to all sci-fi but fantasy lovers too.

[Leah ❂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This week, I had the pleasure of reading Without a World, a new Science Fiction/Fantasy book by @kristenillarmo ✨

This book is a wild ride! Illarmo has created a world that is dystopian-esque but also a little apocalyptic!

I really enjoyed the concepts brought to light here and how she discussed real life problems such as climate change and greed, but by building this intense end-of-the-world like scenario. I felt like she attacked some of the problems that have come from human nature in a way that is both intriguing and yet understated.

Our main characters, Miranda and Monrovia, are both wonderfully written in their opposition. I really loved the hard nature of Miranda and how you could clearly see the impact of Earth’s problems on her. Monrovia, on the other hand, had a nice softness to her.

It all just worked and created a fast-paced, interesting story that hinted at some potential romance to come! I think the YA sci-fi lover will enjoy this book and what is hopefully to come in the series!

Also, just look at how gorgeous that cover is!! It is seriously so cool. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes!

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an original concept! People on earth grew tired of the greed and power struggles that enslaved the people and were able to leave earth and create another planet to live on. However, one person was determined to try and get them to “see the light” and returned to earth, only her young daughter followed her. They stayed on earth in terrible conditions with the daughter not knowing who she really was until her twin sister appeared out of nowhere to her.

With earth’s doom a certainty, they try to return to their planet but only the one who lived on earth makes it through before that conduit closes forever.
However, with help from others that girl is able to find and bring back her mother and sister.

As the end of earth approaches and earth is pulled into a black hole where the cycle will be repeated continuously, the mother sacrifices herself to channel the energy needed from her home planet to collapse the hole preventing the cycle from ever happening again allowing those who perished not to have to be reborn to go through the pain again and again

This is sci-fi at its best! It’s a story that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can, along with a story you won’t want to put down! It’s fast paced, intriguing and believable for the most part- especially with regards to what conditions on earth could look like! Maybe it’s the wake up call we need to make some changes to save ourselves and our planet! However, it would need to reach the eyes and ears
of the nation’s leaders to bring about those changes!

I recommend this book as a great read for all sci-fi
fans! It’s an out of this world experience you’ll enjoy!

[Candice Ryan]

I was not sure at first what exactly was going on ... I was slightly confused at what was happening with Miranda's visions. As I kept reading things did start to come into focus, and I was able to get a grasp on what I was reading. I loved the character and relationship development between Miranda and her mom. They were super distant in the beginning as Miranda could not relate with someone she did not believe or relate to. Their relationship felt real. I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I was super intrigued by it, however, the writing was so descriptive I found myself being affected by it. Their situation was awful, and I felt myself needing to step outside to get a lungful of fresh air just to reassure myself. Occasionally I felt a little claustraphobic thinking about the Bubble City.. I have a hard time in enclosed areas, so this was a little stressful.

I was not expecting the shift to a heart warming family reunion story. This made my heart so happy. I have a big family and we are super close, so seeing them all reunite was utterly beautiful. There were some other twists to this story towards the end that I did not see coming. I am glad this is just book one becauseI have so manyunanswered questions, and that ending kind of left me heartbroken.

All in all this is a very intriguing sci-fi that deals with parallel dimensions of some sort and found family. It was a very interesting read that kept me pulled in until the very end.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride, we get to know Miranda and Monrovia, and they are as close as they are distant of one another, for reasons i wont say to avoid spoiling the story to anyone.

We get to know this earth that have two moon's and just at the beginning of our adventure we learn the story of the second moon through the worlds of an old gradma telling to her grandaughter, miranda already knows, she just dont believe it...

Miranda, she is a good person ^__^ she is the kind of character i like, strong, but without being too strong, she needs her friends her mom, to teach her and to give her strength, this world is well written and it makes us think that we (our reality) are going down the drain as well... that is scary but the story talks about hope as well

Anyway this is a good story for teens up, its a bit more of fantasy than science but it has a nice pace and keeps us going, its a fast reading, i kind of finish it in 4 hours, and for the ones that really need the book offers a conclusion, uhmm i was hopping for a bit of romance, we did get the feelings but it didnt deliver in the end maybe in the second book, it can only get better ;)

I got a copy of this ARC directly from the author through StoryOrigin, and i am leaving this review voluntarely.

[Felina Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a unique sci-fi fantasy story for young adults. The writer freshly and originally conceived the narrative's plot in particular. Earth is in a doomsday scenario wherein it is scheduled to be swallowed or sucked in by a black hole and in the process, put the inhabitants in torment, pain, and suffering unless some of the brave NIbiruans (residents of planet Nibiru) do something to save it.

The characters are very relatable like twins Miranda and Monrovia and the parents who are scientists.

The idea of "Kirasu" was interesting. The reader will be taken into strange and new experiences in space travel and transport, voids of darkness, different dimensions, great divides, and the concept of time being linear.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engaging author! Her depictions of the characters are spot on. At times, writers can only sympathetically portray characters of their own sex. Not so with Kristen Illarmo , she is gifted in the art of exposing her characters personalities so well, that I feel as if I have personally become acquainted with them To me, the story line was incidental to my enjoyment of the skillful writing. I felt like I was watching a good old B&W 1940s movie. I will intersperse my reading of action, pot boiler, SF, horror, and literature (not so much) books with this author's work. I think she had fun writing it; I know I enjoyed reading it. What an engaging author,

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust the visions and the visionaries
Rather than relying on somebody else to “save” you from toxic messes you created, refrain from causing them in the first place. Our bodies are not designed to process the waste material that we put into them. We are stewards of our planet and have a responsibility to all life forces on and in it.


Some sage advice from the author:
Wanderquests are wonderful ways in which to learn about our world – and ourselves.

Words by which to live:
‘You won’t find hope in a hopeless place if you never look.’


Next is ‘Collapsing the Divide’ - to release 28 October.

[Victoria McClenahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through Voracious Readers, and am quite happy I got to experience it. The premise is quite exciting, and I found the importance set on meditation and astral projection to be intriguing.
Being thrown into the mix right off the bat with ultimately little explanation was very fun, I love when books do that! And the futuristic/dystopian setting immediately engaged me.
I will admit, it felt a bit fast, in story pace and writing style, but overall I'm excited to find the next book and continue on this adventure!

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting dystopian story with Earth and another world.

This was a compelling read about a character faced with tough decisions. This was a fast pasted quick read with a different and interesting plot. The characters were well written and likable. I highly recommend this story to all ages.

Thanks so much for an advance review copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review of my personal opinion.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚰️ Mini Review ⚰️

Sci-fi isn't a genre I usually read, but sometimes I like to pick it up. This one was a reread for me so I could refresh my memory before going into the second book. This was good. I feel some parts were rushed like the storyline just went right into the problem, but overall it was good. I do like how the author slowly world builds and doesn't add it all at once, but we get little snippets in each chapter. It ended pretty sad so I'm wondering how the next book will be.

[Alexis Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without A World is an imaginative YA sci-fi with a creative premise and a world that shows potential for intrigue and adventure. The pacing is steady, and the story has moments of tension and discovery that make it easy to follow.

It’s not in the darker, morally grey, or emotionally intense lane I usually gravitate toward, so it didn’t fully capture me. That said, it’s a solid, accessible sci-fi story for readers looking for a lighter, adventurous YA read.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first book in this super interesting fantasy climate adventure story! Really well written, with a great selection of characters & ideas. I was riveted from the very first page & was loving it right until the last phrase! I do recommend this story & will really look forward to the next part of the series.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is an awesome story about the power of hope how it's possible to change things. From desolation and despair to beauty and peace.
These characters are wonderful and the world building is absolutely phenomenal.
I recommend this book if you like dystopia and utopia. I really don't know how else to describe it. It's incredible and you should just read it.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great start to the Kirasu Rising series, it had what I enjoyed from this genre. I can't wait to read more in this series.

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

[J. Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a World is very inventive, dystopian sci-fi. Illarmo takes classic dystopian tropes and makes them feel fresh and fun. With twins for protagonists, multiple new world-building terrains to explore, a bit of mysticism, and mother daughter bonds, this was a very fun read!

[Fyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an opportunity to read an early release copy of this book and really enjoyed it!
A sci-fi fantasy dystopian future read.
I just wish there had been MORE descriptions, especially in the first half of the book, so that we could get more attached to the worlds and characters.

[Grace Macauley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review on Fable, but TLDR this needs serious edits and an overhaul on dialogue. Interesting ideas and potential but was not ready for publishing.

[Caroline Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading this book found some parts a bit hard to follow. Great characters. Interesting storyline.

[heather fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book had some emotional parts. A brilliant sci-fi with lots of twists and turns.

[Jasmine Suggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story from a beautiful mind.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I began reading this book and what a beautiful, wonderful ride it was. I love dystopian reads and this was a rare gem that was so different than the "typical" dystopian read. Illarmo painted not one but two worlds so expertly, it was easy to picture in your mind and all I could think about while reading was how great a movie it would make. I wanted the book to be longer!
The elements of sci-fi are very strong in this book and SO well done by Illarmo - beyond anything I would imagine. While Miranda was my favorite character, I would love more insight into Beda, Carl, and Nathan and am wondering if those will come. I'm so excited to start book 2 to see what comes next! Perfect for dystopian and YA lovers.

[Karen Eisenbrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of Illarmo’s Kirasu Rising series is an engaging, imaginative piece of speculative fiction with a dystopian sci-fi setting and strong elements of mystical fantasy.

Sixteen-year-old Miranda lives with her mother Beda in the Trashlands, a polluted wasteland ruled by crime gangs. Food and water are scarce; danger lurks around every corner. Miranda commutes every day to her barista job in Bubble City, a protected enclave for the idle rich. Beda seems to Miranda like a deluded prophet, giving talks to small groups of followers about the power of meditation and positive thinking to change the world. She tells unlikely tales of a black hole that threatens to swallow Earth, and how, generations ago, people were able to create a second moon, Nibiru, and escape to its refuge. Although she has been having visions of another world, Miranda doesn’t believe any of this … until a girl who looks like her suddenly appears, claiming to have transported from Nibiru to find Miranda.

This book includes the classic trope of a teenager in dire straits discovering previously unsuspected abilities and finding lost loved ones as they take part in a high-stakes battle against destructive forces. Miranda’s mystical experiences are full of sensory detail and real-life consequences. The ending was surprising and satisfying, while leaving plenty to be resolved later in the series. I found some of the dialogue confusing due to unconventional formatting that made it difficult to know who was talking. This was a minor issue that only detracted a little from my reading enjoyment.

I received a paperback copy of this book in a drawing at an online book event.

[Caroline Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed book. Easy to read.