May 1, 2023
Grades 8-11 This intergalactic murder-mystery debut introduces Cass, 18, a con artist who lives on a desolate moon on the edge of the Helia Empire. Cass and her sick dad are barely scraping by when she learns of the Ascension Ball, where Emperor Hyperion's successor will be announced. Audaciously lying her way in, she steals enough jewelry to set up her found family back home for life. Then the Emperor is found dead and Cass is framed for his murder. Desperate, she teams up with beautiful rebel-leader Amaris to find the killer. They uncover a political conspiracy involving clones, a royal affair, and a prince with a knack for poisons. A clever, lighthearted tone and the banter-filled attraction between Cass and Amaris balance off-the-page violence and dark intentions, all set in a world where they/them pronouns are used as a matter of course. Cass' transformation from self-centered thief to brave rebel motivated by a higher purpose is satisfying and inspiring, concluding this action-packed novel with an emotional call for equality and change.
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May 15, 2023
The bigger the potential payout, the bigger the risk in this genre-bending debut. Cassie's life on Sarn, a dusty, arid minor moon of the planet Danae, is less than glamorous. She works with her nonbinary friend Jax, executing a two-part routine they've perfected to swipe jewels and trinkets from tourists. The well-rehearsed con earns Cassie enough to care for her ailing father--but just barely. When an unlucky mark tells Cassie the location of the upcoming Ascension Ball, which will be attended by the most influential people in the galaxy and where a new emperor will be crowned, she realizes that her pickpocketing skills could net her enough valuables to retire from her life of crime forever. As if enigmatic, intriguing Amaris (an attractive girl who is clearly hiding something) isn't distraction enough at the ball, finding herself pinned in the crosshairs of the hunt for a murder suspect is far from the heist Cassie expected to pull off. Descriptive worldbuilding, inventive and gender-inclusive slang and symbolism, a vividly drawn cast, and fast-paced banter are joined by nonstop action and twisty revelations as Cassie finds herself ever more deeply embroiled in a world she knows little about. Cassie is cued White; the cast of characters varies in appearance, and race holds no significance in this world. A high-stakes murder-mystery science-fiction thrill ride; great fun. (Science fiction. 13-18)
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Starred review from May 22, 2023
Eighteen-year-old Cass lives in the Helia Empire on Sarn, a minor moon of the planet Danae. Cass supports her ill father by scavenging for scrap, pickpocketing unsuspecting passersby, and running cons with her small chosen family. When Cass learns of an opportunity to make “change-your-life-forever” amounts of money, she and her family rush to prepare her for the Ascension Ball, a gathering of society’s crème de la crème to celebrate a new emperor’s coronation. Once she arrives at the gala, Cass quickly enlists enigmatic fellow attendee Amaris as her trusted partner in crime. But when the emperor is mysteriously murdered, all fingers point to Cass as the culprit, setting off a chain of events that plunges Amaris, Cass, and Cass’s crew into convoluted interstellar politics, nascent rebellion, and a fight for survival. Rich with inviting detail, this genre-blending adventure smorgasbord features socially conscious commentary regarding financial disparity and an intricate plot that’s equal parts sci-fi, murder mystery, and fast-paced thriller. A sweet, gently played romance and a widely utilized, intersectionally diverse cast add nuance to Best’s tantalizing debut. Ages 14–up.
September 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-Cass is an expert thief but will need more than picking the pockets of tourists on her minor moon if she wants to support herself and her ailing father. Luckily for her, the emperor is throwing the ball of the century-all she has to do is get to the capital, sneak into the party, and grab whatever she can. Things are going surprisingly well until the emperor is found dead at his own celebration and someone wants Cass to take the fall. Best's novel is packed with appeal. The plot is fast paced, and the characters are wildly charming, from Cass herself to her diverse and endearing community. The romance is refreshingly light and flirtatious, complementing, rather than overwhelming, the mystery at the center of the plot. Later parts of the novel suffer under the exposition of larger political plot lines clearly meant to set up another book, and sometimes Cass misses clues that may seem glaringly obvious to readers, but the romantic chemistry, well-drawn inclusivity, and entertaining action outweigh the book's shortcomings. VERDICT A fun purchase for all collections, accessible and appealing equally to fans of heists, queer romance, and science fiction.-Amy Diegelman
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