Zodiac

October 13, 2014
In an ambitious but jumbled debut, Russell introduces readers to the Zodiac Galaxy where the 12 astrological signs hold sway over all aspects of life, each sign ruling a separate constellation. When catastrophe strikes the House of Cancer, 16-year-old Rho becomes its powerful new Guardian. Certain that a single evil is behind a string of troubles rocking the galaxy, Rho goes on an epic quest to find support and rally her fellow Guardians. Unfortunately, almost no one is willing to believe that a mythical thirteenth sign is behind the tragedies, and Rho’s efforts seem doomed to fail as the Houses fall, one by one. Russell’s narrative mixes intrigue, romance, and adventure, and a constant underlying tension drives Rho and her allies from one planet to the next. However, the obligatory love triangle—Rho is caught between the unsuitable and the forbidden—is predictable, the overcomplicated worldbuilding of the galaxy near-impossible to parse, and the novel’s approach to astronomical and scientific accuracy is questionable at best. Ages 12–up. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

November 1, 2014
A sci-fi refreshing for both its nondystopian plot and fallible heroine.In the complex Zodiac solar system there are 12 Houses: Each exists on planets within a constellation from the Western zodiac. Those born into a House share certain physical attributes and embody that House's qualities. When a tragedy kills the Guardian of Cancer, 16-year-old Rhoma Grace becomes the next Guardian. Through her advanced star-reading abilities, Rho discovers that an ancient evil-the stuff of children's tales-has returned. Scorned, the determined Rho journeys to warn the Houses she foresees are next to be imperiled. Accompanying her are two love interests: Mathias, the 22-year-old Cancrian she's loved for the past five years, and Hysan, the charming, teenage Libran diplomat. This satisfying love triangle is resolved with frustrating convenience by the final pages, but Rho's likable fallibility atones for this, at least in part. Though the narrative mentions "Risers"-people "born into the wrong house"-and Rho wants to be a citizen of the galaxy, the fact that the majority of people conform to the traits of their Houses pushes credulity. Readers may forgive quibbles both major and minor for a story that touches on such complicated themes of identity, love, sex, class and politics. (Science fiction. 14 & up)

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November 15, 2014
Grades 10-1 In the far-flung future world of Zodiac, people are grouped into tribes named for constellations. Rho, a Cancrian acolyte living at the academy and almost ready for college, misses her family and doesn't want the future that's planned for her. She feels strongly that something terrible is coming, a darkness that will envelop the skies. It turns out her feelings are spot-onan attack explodes through her moon and the constellations. Now she must try to make sense not only of her prophetic instincts but also her feelings for an older Cancrian. Following the tragic catastrophe, Rho is pulled into the highest levels of government, and she must learn to navigate her new position without the help of her friends and family. Russell's debut novel is rich with details of a society that is equal parts hard science and free-flowing faith, making it a great read for fans of both epic fantasy and sf. Fans of the immersive world of Zodiac will be happy to know that this is just the first in a series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)