Tag Archives: Science Fiction

One Word Kill – Mark Lawrence

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One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Thomas Allen & Son
Published: May 2019
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Friendship Dynamics

REVIEW:

This is a cool, nerdy book. I don’t remember the last time I said that about a book, but despite some atrocious events that happen in the story, I would have liked to be part of Nick’s crew and play Dungeons & Dragons with him and his friends. Continue reading →

The Light at the Bottom of the World – London Shah

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The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: October 29th, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Recommended Age: 11+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Action, Romance, Family

REVIEW:

This is a really cool science fiction world. Leyla and every other human being live under water, the world having been engulfed by the sea a long time ago. Her futuristic world includes cars that work under water and lots of interesting gadgets that made me want to take an actual leap into the future. Not that I wish to one day live among sea creatures, but you know. It could be an experience. Continue reading →

Aurora Rising – Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

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Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: May 2019
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Action, Romance, Friendship

REVIEW:

Part of me wants to give this book two stars because, looking back, I’m not sure I completely understood everything that happened and why. Another reason is that the characters’ ‘‘voices’’ all sounded the same so even if the narrator was announced at the beginning of a chapter I still needed to think hard at times to remember whose point of view I was reading. Continue reading →

The Test – Sylvain Neuvel

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41940388The Test by Sylvain Neuvel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: March 2019
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Dystopia, Suspense, Family, Morality

REVIEW:

This is so messed up. I mean that in the best way possible. Do you want to read a soft dystopian that has been done before over and over again or something daring, captivating and all sorts of terrifying? I love an author who dares because tame stories are not for me. I want to be surprised and shocked and thrown into suspense instead of gently nudged in one direction or the other. Continue reading →

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – Hank Green

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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: 2018
Publisher: Dutton
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery, Social Media, Fame, LGBTQIA+, Friendship

REVIEW:

This book has rekindled my interest in the Science Fiction genre which, after so many past disappointments, was not an easy thing to do. But feeling indifferent about this story was close to impossible, especially with a narrator like April May who enjoys speaking directly to the reader, thus encouraging us to feel involved in whatever happens. I was also rather curious about the ‘‘Carls,’’ these impressive and mysterious sculptures found everywhere around the world that no one can seem to be able to make heads or tails of. Continue reading →

The Fever King – Victoria Lee

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The Fever King by Victoria Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Thomas Allen & Son
Published: March 1st, 2019
Publisher: Skyscape
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Science Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Action, Powers

REVIEW:

The premise of this book sounded captivating and I couldn’t wait for the author to introduce the romance between the two male characters who basically hate each other, but I did not expect this YA story to be so… mature. The world-building is dark, Noam works to improve the conditions of refugees by working with government officials and developing his own powers, and there are plenty of secrets no one cares to share. There’s drinking, drugs, sex. Adult stuff. Continue reading →

Stephen McCranie’s Space Boy Volume 1

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Stephen McCranie’s Space Boy Volume 1 by Stephen McCranie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Comics Distributors
Published: July 3rd, 2018
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Friendship, High School, Mystery

BLURB:

A sci-fi drama of a high school aged girl who belongs in a different time, a boy possessed by emptiness as deep as space, an alien artifact, mysterious murder, and a love that crosses light years. Continue reading →

Star Scouts (Star Scouts #1) – Mike Lawrence

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25064686Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: 2017
Publisher: First Second
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Humor, Friendship

BLURB:

Avani is the new kid in town, and she’s not happy about it. Everyone in school thinks she’s weird, especially the girls in her Flower Scouts troop. Is it so weird to think scouting should be about fun and adventure, not about makeovers and boys, boys, boys? But everything changes when Avani is “accidentally” abducted by a spunky alien named Mabel. Mabel is a scout too—a Star Scout. Collecting alien specimens (like Avani) goes with the territory, along with teleportation and jetpack racing. Avani might be weird, but in the Star Scouts she fits right in. If she can just survive Camp Andromeda, and keep her dad from discovering that she’s left planet Earth, she’s in for the adventure of a lifetime. Continue reading →

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 3: Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now

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The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 3: Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now by Ryan North

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Distributors
Published: 2016
Publisher: Marvel
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comics, Action, Science Fiction

BLURB:

New series, New Avenger! With her unique combination of wit, empathy and squirrel powers, computer science student Doreen Green – aka the unbeatable Squirrel Girl – is all that stands between the Earth and total destruction. Well, Doreen plus her friends Tippy-Toe (a squirrel) and Nancy (a regular human with no powers). So, mainly Squirrel Girl. Then what hope does the Earth have if she gets hurled back in time to the 1960s and erased from history? At least Nancy will never forget her friend, but what invincible armored Avenger can she call on to help, through the magic of social media? Decades apart, can they avert doom, or will everything go wrong forever? Howard the Duck hopes not…he has an appointment for a crossover! Continue reading →

The Broken Vow (Spill Zone, #2)

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The Broken Vow by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: July 10th, 2018
Publisher: First Second
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Action

BLURB:

Only the very brave or the very desperate dare enter the Spill Zone—Addison Merritt is a little of both. In exchange for a suitcase full of cash, she made one last to the Zone. She survived the encounter, but came back changed. Addison is not alone. In a remote village in North Korea, a young man named Jae was touched by the unholy fire of the Spill Zone. He made it out alive—alive, but also changed. Now bestowed with uncanny powers, Addison and Jae may be the only ones strong enough to face a new threat that has risen in the Spill Zone. This deadly entity is searching for his runaway bride—and his hunt is bringing him closer and closer to Addison and her little sister. Continue reading →