Sound

Reviewed by: Will Brown - Falmouth Memorial Library, Falmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 8, 2016

Review

This is an intriguing sci-fi coming of age stories that travels to many interesting locations. Beginning on a large spaceship and roaming to exotic space stations, strange worlds and even deep beneath the waves of alien planets, it is a book full of adventure and newness around every corner.. Yet is also a book that feels somehow ungrounded in a way that both works with the story and against it. The story revolves around the decision of an impetuous young girl to leave what is comfortable and predictable in order to do what is right, and to follow the first pangs of romantic interest. She quickly begins to question the wisdom of having leaped before she had truly looked at the situation. This forms a theme as Miyole and the ragtag group that end up with her are often left scrambling as they find themselves in over their heads. This sets quite a pace, with the group traveling to new locations and facing desperate situations in a true coming of age adventure. One downside of this swift pace is that while the characters shine, the world setting feels as if it never truly has the chance to establish itself. There are fascinating ideas tossed about such as ships that are engineered and grown out of seashell-like nacre and some interesting depictions of organized crime that would benefit from more time and detail being used to ground them. At the same time, this slightly rushed feeling reinforces Miyole's outlook and wondering if her impulsive decision was a good one or not. Ultimately it was an entertaining and engaging read, but left me feeling that the setting had a lot more to offer.

Overall Book Score: good