Shadow Run

December 15, 2016
A hotshot spaceship captain and a corporate space-prince find common enemies and aligning goals. So far in the future that even after the Great Collapse of technology humanity still travels the stars, Qole's the youngest and best captain at the cold, nearly barren outpost planet where the big industry is Shadow fishing--a dangerous technique of harvesting the powerful energy known as Shadow. But the long-term buildup of Shadow passed down through families and from exposure causes Shadow poisoning, which causes some to experience greatness before the inevitable madness and death. Nev, prince and heir to the planet controlling their system, disguises himself to join Qole's crew to get close to her; he thinks she's the key to unlocking safe use of Shadow, which would further enrich his family, as well as curing Shadow poisoning. But first he has to convince her as well as to avoid a rival family that seeks to overtake his own by hijacking their research through violence. As the plot twists through action scenes, Nev and Qole develop romantic feelings despite their differences. In contrast to pale-skinned Nev, Qole (and half her crew) is a member of a dark-skinned minority, and complicated racial dynamics are discussed from their viewpoint, intermingled with conversations about economic privilege. A side character is genderqueer without fuss and enjoys a romantic storyline. The ending leaves room for future stories. Readers will want to join Qole's crew. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

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January 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Shadow, a volatile and dangerous galactic energy sourced from the stars, can be harvested only through risky piloting known as "fishing," and it seems to permanently affect humans exposed to it. After coming into contact with it, some humans are driven mad, some become gifted, some experience both reactions, but all can expect an early death. Powerful and greedy families are willing to go to any lengths to acquire the key to shadow affinity, as it greatly enhances wealth and authority. Captain Qole Uvgamut is supposedly the youngest and most skilled shadow fishing captain in the galaxy and is also rumored to have a special shadow affinity. Nev Dracorte is posing as a shadow loader, hiding his true identity in an effort to persuade Qole to unlock the powers of shadow. These elements are skillfully combined into a grand space adventure, chock-full of action, battles of good and evil, love, and betrayal. The characters are well-developed; Nev and Qole's initial antagonism and mistrust are authentic, and their companions are also nicely fleshed out. The characters are diverse as well, including Basra, whose gender is flexible. The world-building is excellent, with a convincingly unique source of cosmic energy that has the potential for extraordinary power. The writing is accomplished; the plot, though familiar, has good twists; and the pace is appropriately fast. VERDICT Fans of the "Lunar Chronicles" by Marissa Meyer and the "Starbound" series by Amie Kaufman will especially enjoy this strong debut in the YA space opera genre.-Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City Public Libraries, VA

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