Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor Alaine Martaus Thor, Rosiee Tarnished Are the Stars. Scholastic, 2019 [384p] (The Dreamer Trilogy) Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-338-31227-0 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-338-31228-7 $11.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 7-10 In the distant future, three eighteen-year-olds navigate life on a terraformed alternative earth plagued by social division and disease: Anna, the rebel mechanic with gift for clockwork hearts, desperate to save her dying community; Nathaniel, the wayward son of the city's most powerful man, desperate to escape his father's abusive grasp; and Eliza, the Queen's deadliest spy and Nathaniel's betrothed, desperate to live and love on her own terms. Drawn into a web of political intrigue, deadly family secrets, and forbidden science, these should-be adversaries quickly find strength in unlikely alliances, surprising friendships, and nascent romance. As despotic rulers battle for control and truths about the planet's history are revealed, each of the three must learn to let go of the past long enough to ensure humanity's future. Plenty of quick action pairs with strong emotional content in this queer-friendly science fiction. The story finds its real strength in the characters' personal journeys, both independent and intertwined, which are mirrored in the narrative, as chapters dedicated to individual characters weave into a single story. The final reveals are a bit hasty, but overall this is a likable addition to the roster of young adult steampunk-esque adventures and a likely hit with fans of Meyer's Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, BCCB 2/12, etc.). Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois