Defy the Stars

Starred review from February 13, 2017
In this poignant and profound SF novel from Gray (the Firebird trilogy), resources are scarce, humans populate multiple planets, and a colony world called Genesis is battling Earth for independence. Noemi Vidal, a 17-year-old fighter pilot from Genesis, is on a training run when an Earth army of humanoid robots known as mechs attacks her squadron. Noemi gets separated from the group and seeks refuge on a broken-down research vessel. On board is Abel, the first mech ever created. A showdown ensues before a quirk in Abel’s code dictates that he submit to Noemi’s command. Using information gleaned from Abel, Noemi hatches a plan to liberate Genesis that necessitates the mech’s destruction. It’s not long, though, until Noemi is forced to wonder whether Abel has transcended his programming. Noemi and Abel share the narrative, and together they weave a tale that examines the ethics of war and tackles questions of consciousness, love, and free will. Gray’s characters are nuanced, her worldbuilding is intelligent, and the book’s conclusion thrills and satisfies while defying expectations. Ages 15–up. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary.

Narrator Kasey Lee Huizinga embodies Noemi, a futuristic soldier whose life is changed when she loses her best friend and meets a "mech" named Abel. To Noemi's surprise, Abel appears to have unexpected human qualities despite his mechanical origins. Narrator Nate Begle creates a robotic monotone for Abel with developing hints of emotion as he grows and begins to understand that perhaps he is more than artificial intelligence created by a human and constrained by his programming, but instead a soul who can love and think for himself. This dystopian story will captivate listeners as they cheer for an unlikely couple who must fight against all odds to survive in their world. M.D. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine