Vicarious

July 15, 2016
A Korean-American girl's sister is mysteriously murdered.Winter Kim and her sister, Rose, have come a long way from the Korean orphanage. The siblings were brought to the United States illegally and sold into prostitution at a young age. Gideon Seung, a fellow Korean and Rose's ex-boyfriend, saved and moved them across the country to Saint Louis. Here Gideon runs a successful tech company called Escape, which produces Vicarious Sensory Experiences. The sisters work as digital stunt artists for Gideon, doing everything from bungee jumping to committing robberies. When Rose disappears and a ViSE of her murder is delivered to Gideon's office, Winter is devastated and swears to unveil her sister's killer. The ensuing mystery is built upon some smart twists and turns and supported by some smart sci-fi worldbuilding. Complementing the mystery is a slow-burn love story between Winter and Mexican-American Jesse Ramirez, a fellow stunt artist. Their relationship is tender and complicated, with enough tension to sustain itself and enough heat to pop when things pay off. Less satisfying is the author's decision to turn Winter into an unreliable narrator, an idea that's planted early but doesn't mesh well with the rest of what's going on. By novel's end readers will be satisfied with the mystery's conclusion, but the gymnastics it takes to get there are apparent. An ambitious sci-fi mystery that falls just short of great. (Science fiction. 14-17)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Have you ever wanted to go cliff-diving or swimming with sharks? Winter Kim works for tech genius Gideon recording Vicarious Sensory Experiences, or ViSEs. These devices allow others to experience anything from an adrenaline-fueled jump off a bridge to dancing with celebrities at the hottest clubs. Taken from a Korean orphanage, Winter and her sister Rose are trafficked to the United States and endure a hellish childhood. They are rescued by Gideon and move to St. Louis to work for his software company. Winter's dark past resurfaces when a ViSE of her sister's murder is sent to Gideon. The mystery surrounding what actually happened pushes Winter to seek answers, finding truths that she may never be able to live with. Stokes gives fans of suspense a story full of twists and turns. The pacing slows when Winter develops a relationship with pal Jesse. This might frustrate readers seeking a narrative full of thrills without the romance. The author admirably handles graphic and disturbing content in a subtle manner. VERDICT An additional purchase; good for those seeking to expand their YA fiction collections.-Meaghan Nichols, Archaeological Research Associates, ON, Cananda

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.