Author: Yoon Ha Lee
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Genre: Science fiction, mythology
Release Date: January 15th
Pages: 312
Format: eARC via NetGalley
Order your copy here.
*I want to thank to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't effect in any way on my opinion on book*
Synopsis
To keep the family safe, Min’s mother insists that none of them use any fox-magic, such as Charm or shape-shifting. They must appear human at all times. Min feels hemmed in by the household rules and resents the endless chores, the cousins who crowd her, and the aunties who judge her. She would like nothing more than to escape Jinju, her neglected, dust-ridden, and impoverished planet. She’s counting the days until she can follow her older brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and see more of the Thousand Worlds.
When word arrives that Jun is suspected of leaving his post to go in search of the Dragon Pearl, Min knows that something is wrong. Jun would never desert his battle cruiser, even for a mystical object rumored to have tremendous power. She decides to run away to find him and clear his name.
Min’s quest will have her meeting gamblers, pirates, and vengeful ghosts. It will involve deception, lies, and sabotage. She will be forced to use more fox-magic than ever before, and to rely on all of her cleverness and bravery. The outcome may not be what she had hoped, but it has the potential to exceed her wildest dreams. (source:goodreads.com)
My opinion
I loved this book so much! It has everything I love, and I enjoyed it so much.
It took me so long to read it, because it didn't grab my attention until Min escaped from Jinju. But when she was finally in space, it really became a good book.
When it comes to story, if I say anything, it will spoil the book. But the writing was exquisite! It was lyrical but at the same time it was full of action. Scenery was written so good I could imagine the ship where Min was so vividly I thought I was there. Worldbuilding is complex and exceptional. I guarantee you, there is no such book that have wordbuilding as this one. Plotwise, it was really unique. I have never read this combination of elements before. We have Korean mythology combined with science fiction, which basically means we have magical powers, foxes, tigers and goblins in space! How awesome that sounds? I loved how good it was interwined. Nothing was too much and everything was believable. I've never learned about korean mythology, but author explained everything so well. Magical powers of foxes are really interesting and it amazed me everytime I read about it. Korean mythology is so absorbing. I always wish there was more of it, but not this time. The author added as much mythology you can ask for. The science fiction part of the book wasn't smaller than mythology part of it. It had science and technology and all the delights of space travel, but it was not too complicated or overwhelming. We had Min, who, with the help of her powers, infiltrated as a ship's member. She got the chance to see how Jun's life was as a cadet, and she at the same time saw how it would be if she had the chance to be the cadet.
Even though she was an imposter, she became friends with Haneul and Suijin.
Haneul and Suijin was really well developed side characters. Both of them were kind and caring, but I must admit that I loved Suijin more. Suijin was a non-binary character which is such an important thing to see in a middle grade book. I loved them more because Suijin was more attached to Min. Them cared so much about her and about her well being. Also, their powers were really interesting!
When it comes to Min, she is such a lovely character. She is kind, and passionate and caring. She will do anything to find her brother,Jun. Even if that means to fly away from Jinju, which she have never done before. She is so brave even though she's only twelve. She is determined to find her brother and nothing will stop her. I loved how her relationship with brother was written. Love between them just poured from pages. And that's why the end made me so, so sad. I won't spoil that for you, but this book does not have a happy end, which is really unusual for a middle grade book, but that's what I loved that.
Anyway, Min is a smart and fierce young girl, and it's a good example to all young girls out there.
I loved her character the most, how she was considerate she was but at the same time there was nothing that was too much for her brother. I am happy I read about Min, and she will always stay close to my heart.
At the end of the book, it was teased there will be a sequel and I hope with all my heart I will have the sequel in my hands soon!
******
At the end, if you are someone who love mythology and science fiction, this is a book for you! It has shape shifting foxes, and goblins, and dragons all set in space! It also has a cast of amazingly smart and fierce and brave characters that will stay with you forever.
For all readers who want to try something new and exciting, this is a book for you.
This is a book for all scifi junkies out there. This is a book for all readers who just want to read an amazing book. This is a book you don't want to miss!
Rating: a thousand stars
About the author
http://yoonhalee.com/.
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