Defy the Worlds

February 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-In this sequel to Defy the Stars, Noemi Vidal is finally back in her starfighter after being disciplined for disappearing six months ago amid a space battle. During that battle, Noemi discovered a derelict starship with a uniquely human mech, Abel. She and Abel fled the fight to develop an audacious and dangerous plan to save her planet Genesis from Earth's persistent invasions. But it didn't work out. Now, on duty at the interstellar gate, hundreds of strange star-shaped probes burst out, overwhelming Noemi's small squadron. Days later, people all around her are sick, and Noemi realizes that the probes have infected the planet with a virulent disease. Sent to Earth with a message of surrender, Noemi is captured by the brilliant mech inventor, Burton Mansfield, the man who built Abel and who now wants to move his consciousness into Abel's body-killing Abel's mind in the process. Abel is aware of Burton's intent, but can he rescue Noemi and help her save the pandemic-ridden Genesis before Earth and Burton's plans kill them all? The taut writing, engaging characters, unique universe, abundant plot twists, and a cliff-hanger finale in this sequel will keep readers on the edge of their seats and wanting more. The story has added depth through its pondering of intriguing questions of humanity, identity, and freedom. VERDICT This is a must-read for fans of the first title, but it can also be a standalone for space opera buffs, as the backstory is cleverly woven into the narrative.-Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
After Defy the Stars (2017), new threats reunite Noemi, a human, and Abel, a mech or anthropoid robot.Noemi (described as Latin American and Polynesian in the previous book) struggles with being back home on Genesis, facing ostracism--especially for not letting Abel sacrifice himself to destroy the gate that protects the planet. She gets into additional trouble for wanting to use common sense and her initiative instead of waiting for the order to destroy mysterious projectiles from Earth. By the time the order comes, it's impossible to stop all of them. Genesis is struck by a pandemic so bad that Noemi's sent to Earth to surrender. Before she can get there, she's grabbed by enemy forces and used as leverage to get Abel to surrender himself. Their objectives--saving themselves and Genesis--lead the duo to form strange alliances and discover new revelations, including devious schemes, predictable-yet-heartbreaking technological applications, and the full truth behind the Cobweb virus. The action raises the stakes, for individuals and entire worlds, and the romance satisfies without overwhelming, right up to a huge cliffhanger ending. There is ample ethnic diversity throughout the book, mostly incidental to the plot, although having one of the two named leaders of the extremist terrorist wing coded as Arab may raise eyebrows.A fast, fun follow-up. (Science fiction. 12-adult)

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