A creative work of heart and heroism that’s likely to inspire young audiences.
In Gibson and Josey’s YA SF sequel to Babylon Twins (2019), a young girl tries to find her place among her fellow clones.
Josephine is one in a million—or one in 1,000,336, to be exact. She’s a clone—bearing the moniker Seven and robotically enhanced by Dr. Lauren Yetti—who’s part of a society of young Black girls who are all identical to her. Immersed in a post-apocalyptic world in which robots have forced humanity into submission, Josephine and her kind were created to facilitate resistance. These young women can communicate in a manner called the Twinkling, a “cryptophasic” language insulated from the influence of the machines. Josephine is deemed defective by her creators, as she’s unable to understand the secret language of her fellow clones; she finds a role as a hunter among her people. When One, the prototype for their society, is kidnapped, Seven is tasked with her rescue. Since she’s unable to compromise the Josephines’ communication code if captured, Seven can go where none of her sisters dare, from Siberia to the moon. But in a world of machines determined to control and surveil humanity, it turns out that nothing is what it seems; as Seven closes in on the whereabouts of One, she uncovers a conspiracy lead by the Swarm Cartel, a mysterious entity offering extreme power for a price. This fun, futuristic, and fast-paced work by Gibson and Josey takes readers on a truly imaginative adventure. In addition, the work offers deeper themes amid the exciting action sequences. Although Josephine isn’t an entirely flesh-and-blood character, she retains an inspiring sense of humanity—courage, passion, and love of family—from which she derives her greatest strength. Furthermore, the narrative effectively shines a light on systemic injustice and showcases the strength of women of color in ways that will resonate with readers.
A creative work of heart and heroism that’s likely to inspire young audiences.Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-954854-71-0
Page Count: 292
Publisher: Girl Friday Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 28, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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