Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Tor Books (January 17, 2017)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Sci Fi/Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Book Description:
A great new stand-alone science fiction novel from the author of the Kitty Norville series.
Polly Newton has one single-minded dream, to be a starship pilot and travel the galaxy. Her mother, the director of the Mars Colony, derails Polly's plans when she sends Polly and her genius twin brother, Charles, to Galileo Academy on Earth—the one planet Polly has no desire to visit. Ever.
Homesick and cut off from her desired future, Polly cannot seem to fit into the constraints of life on Earth, unlike Charles, who deftly maneuvers around people and sees through their behavior to their true motives. Strange, unexplained, dangerous coincidences centered on their high-profile classmates begin piling up. Charles may be right—there's more going on than would appear, and the stakes are high. With the help of Charles, Polly is determined to find the truth, no matter the cost.
I'm not a huge sci-fi fan so I went into this somewhat leery for what I was in for and with very little expectations one way or the other, which was probably a good thing honestly. Sometimes going into the unknown isn't a bad thing and with a genre that isn't a favorite, it can even be a good thing.
While I did enjoy the otherworld aspect and details of what life on Mars and on space stations would be like, the plot did tend to be very slow moving for the first half of the book and never really picked up even when things did start to happen with the plot line.
And while I could see some of the old cliches with the “new kids” going to a new school and the cliques that are sometimes associated with high school, for the most part, this wasn't anything unique other than where the “new kids” were from but it was very believable with the prejudices that still occur today with those that are labeled as different or other.
All in all this was an entertaining read even with the very slow pacing and ones that are fans of YA and coming of age stories with a twist of sci fi will enjoy.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
I'm not a big sci fi reader and I did try another of her novels but I need to continue the series. I'll first do that I think
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked something from her, this wasn't too big on the sci fi which was nice.
DeleteYeah, that seems oddly convenient, isn't it? I mean the Martians are just like Earthlings. So really, they could've just been from another country. Lol.
ReplyDeleteKidding.
Very interesting, though. :)
LOL, in a way though you aren't too far off. ;)
DeleteI struggle with science fiction a lot,so the slow pace here would probably not mesh too well with me. It does sound like it had some good moments too though.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Ali! Great review!
Thanks so much Nick!
DeleteThe scifi twist sounds like it could be fun but the slow parts aren't good for me. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun in it's own way. ;) Thanks Grace!
DeleteI am a huge Sci-Fi fan and this looks good from the premise. You know sometimes with sci-fis you really need either a HUGE book or a second one to really show off a great world building. Thanks Kindlemom!
ReplyDeleteI agree Debbie, you have a great point!
DeleteSome books can take you on a high flying adventure with panache and speed while others can't. It happens.
ReplyDeleteVery true!
DeleteI love science fiction, but don't think this one is for me. Have you read Illuminae Files series
ReplyDeleteI haven't but it's on my list of books to try this year.
DeleteI'm not a fan of slow moving story lines. I do like this type of book or story though.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fan of space-y type of reads so I'd have to pass on this one. At least it didn't totally suck!
ReplyDeleteNo it didn't suck at all, just slow moving. ;)
DeleteSounds like a contemporary that was trying to be different by adding a scifi element that really didn't matter! lol
ReplyDeleteLOL, it was a bit like that, yes. ;) But there really was a lot of sci fi thrown in when it came to jargon and what have you but other than that, yeah, more of a coming of age story than anything else.
DeleteGlad you mostly enjoyed this one, but I'm not sure this one is for me.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. ;)
DeleteOh good. I do enjoy sci-fi and I wanted to read this new one by Carrie. I think I'll enjoy and thanks for the heads up on the slow pacing. Better if I know. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is true, it does help. Hope you really like it!
DeleteI love sci-fi! Not sure about the YA aspect, though. At least right now.
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteSometimes it's really satisfying to step out of your comfort zone and try a new genre. I'm glad this one mostly worked for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI loved some sci fi. It depends on how it is all executed. Thanks for your views.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it really does depend on a lot of things for me as well.
DeleteI've been that way as well more and more often lately.
ReplyDeleteI love that cover, just her looking out on (I'm assuming that's) Earth, and the idea of her wanting to be a star pilot but being sent to Earth instead. Sorry to hear it was slow moving though that can be tough. Still I can see trying it maybe. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIf you do try it I hope you end up liking it and thanks so much for stopping by! :D
DeleteHmmm sometimes I can deal with slow moving and others I nod right off. Glad to hear it was overall a good time :D
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. ;)
DeleteI, too, struggle with sci-fi. And if the story picks up for you in the last half, I don't think I'd make it. I'll probably DNF this but it's great that you soldiered on! Woot!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it's not for me, because I've been trying to read more different sc-fi. But awesome review, glad it wasn't a complete let down!!
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
Thanks so much Tori! :D
DeleteI'm not a big fan of sci-fi too, but I do try to read once in a while. The storyline sounds really promising, unfortunately you weren't able to enjoy it that much :(
ReplyDeleteYeah I think for some reason I couldn't get into it like I was suppose to but that doesn't mean you couldn't. ;)
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