06/05/2023
Seventeen-year-old Zaira Citlali is the last survivor of the magically gifted nightweavers, who were murdered by the colonizing Ilori. As the seemingly powerless reincarnation of Indigo, the god of creation, Zaira is meant to be sacrificed to Ozvios, the god of destruction. Unbeknownst to the Ilori, the nightweavers live on as spirits in the shadows, but if Zaira doesn’t harness her power, the world and the souls of her people will be lost forever. Upon escaping her scheduled execution by the Ilori emperor, Zaira meets Andarran empath Wesley Daniels, a transporter of mysterious items and creatures. Together with Rubin Rima, an anti-authoritarian podcaster whom Wesley was hired to smuggle to Earth, the three teens embark on a desperate mission to defeat the Ilori and set Zaira’s people free. Featured subplots and characters from previous titles by Dow (The Kindred) can sometimes feel underdeveloped in this jam-packed novel. Still, Dow imbues the protagonists with vivacious personality that comes through in zingy dialogue that also provides much-needed brevity amid the ensuing galactic drama. The importance of chosen family, humanity, and self-love predominate in this piercingly observed adventure that sheds light on the crimes and consequences of colonial occupation. Characters are racially diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary. (July)
"A rock-solid story filled with introspection, humor, suspenseful twists, and fully developed characters and in which intricate worldbuilding details and plot elements are seamlessly and cleverly interwoven... An uplifting read about love and acceptance in a chaotic universe." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"The importance of chosen family, humanity, and self-love predominate in this piercingly observed adventure." —Publishers Weekly
Praise for The Kindred
A POPSUGAR Best YA Book of 2022
"With a stellar blend of rip-roaring action and electrifying romance, The Kindred will keep your heart pounding from cover to cover. Truly, a starry-eyed tale sure to capture readers from all across the universe." —Ayana Gray, author of Beasts of Prey
“Breathtaking in both action and romance, I couldn’t turn the pages of The Kindred fast enough!" —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe and Star Wars: Rebel Rising
"Sweetly romantic with a unique voice, The Kindred expands Dow's universe while asking us to confront our own." —Lora Beth Johnson, author of Goddess in the Machine
"A lush, emotion-packed adventure about what it means to be truly connected to the world around you." —Eric Smith, author of Don't Read the Comments
"A romantic, technicolor space fantasy that will sweep you off your feet and into the stars." —Rebecca Coffindaffer, author of Crownchasers
Praise for The Sound of Stars
“This debut has it all: music, books, aliens, adventure, resistance, queerness, and a bold heroine tying it all together. ”—Ms. Magazine
"The Sound of Stars is a marvellous genre-bending debut." —The Nerd Daily
“This book has everything! Aliens set on conquering earth, a determined heroine with a hidden stash of books…and proof of the power of music and stories to give those with every reason to hate the will to love.” —Joelle Charbonneau, New York Times bestselling author of The Testing and Verify
“Alechia Dow is an incredible new voice—The Sound of Stars was a true pleasure to read.” —Saundra Mitchell, author of The Prom novel and editor of All Out and Out Now
“A stunning exploration of the comforts that make us human and the horrors that challenge our humanity.” —K. Ancrum, author of The Wicker King
★ 2023-06-21
A young woman must save the universe and fulfill her destiny.
In an effort to maintain balance in the universe, creator god Indigo existed in opposition to god of Destruction Ozvios. But Indigo died and was reborn in the body of teenager Zaira Citlali, who lives on Mal Ares, a planet colonized by the Ilori Empire, which is allied with Ozvios. Zaira is the last nightweaver, someone who can harness the power of music. Indigo used songs to create life, and harmonious song can defeat Ozvios—if all the planets can come together. But Zaira must learn to awaken Indigo’s power within herself before the Ilori can sacrifice her to Ozvios. Narrowly escaping death, Zaira seeks pilot Wesley Daniels, the Andarran empath her grandmother insists she must find, for help defeating Ozvios and the Ilori emperor in an intergalactic war. This novel interweaves first-person narratives from Zaira and Wesley with podcast transcripts, song lyrics, and other interludes. The result is a rock-solid story filled with introspection, humor, suspenseful twists, and fully developed characters and in which intricate worldbuilding details and plot elements are seamlessly and cleverly interwoven. Wesley falls for charismatic podcaster Rubin Rima, whose characterization evokes hilarity and compassion. The novel speaks to real-life experiences of colonization and trauma through its Black protagonists whose experiences propel them toward restored faith in humanity. “Thick, strong, and sturdy” Zaira is a wonderfully body-positive lead.
An uplifting read about love and acceptance in a chaotic universe. (Science fiction. 13-18)
Narrators Joniece Abbott-Pratt, André Santana, and Logan Rozos deliver outstanding performances that magnify this sci-fi series's epic finale. As the narrators lead listeners across the galaxy, Zaira, a reincarnated god, leaves her home to defeat a great evil. Abbott-Pratt portrays Zaira with a youthful, bold voice. Accompanying Zaira is Wesley, an expert pilot who is charged with bringing renowned podcaster Rubin Rima to Earth. Santana's voice periodically loses its confident tone, making it an ideal fit for the young pilot who is unsure of his place in the galaxy. Rubin's podcast is interspersed throughout the audio by Rozos, whose over-the-top narration style perfectly reflects Rubin's colorful personality. Listeners will be captivated as this trio of narrators brings this rambunctious space opera to a pulse-pounding close. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Narrators Joniece Abbott-Pratt, André Santana, and Logan Rozos deliver outstanding performances that magnify this sci-fi series's epic finale. As the narrators lead listeners across the galaxy, Zaira, a reincarnated god, leaves her home to defeat a great evil. Abbott-Pratt portrays Zaira with a youthful, bold voice. Accompanying Zaira is Wesley, an expert pilot who is charged with bringing renowned podcaster Rubin Rima to Earth. Santana's voice periodically loses its confident tone, making it an ideal fit for the young pilot who is unsure of his place in the galaxy. Rubin's podcast is interspersed throughout the audio by Rozos, whose over-the-top narration style perfectly reflects Rubin's colorful personality. Listeners will be captivated as this trio of narrators brings this rambunctious space opera to a pulse-pounding close. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
