Blood of a Thousand Stars

January 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Two sisters, separated for years, cannot be sure of the others' goals for the empire. Kara has been in hiding her whole life, unsure if she wants to take her rightful spot on the throne or remember who she was. But as she fights her way to save her people from Nero, the man ready to corrupt the world, she must learn who to trust and what is her true destiny. Rhiannon is now the face of her people; although she does not want to seem to be in league with Nero, she must make him believe she is impressionable. Nero's control over the people's cubes, which control their memories, has increased. The update now makes it possible for him to alter and even destroy their minds. The two sisters must find a way to stop him and save the people-but can they trust one another? Belleza's world creation is dynamic with great character development and a wonderfully realized setting. With the story switching points of view regularly, the narrative will engage teens and fantasy lovers. VERDICT Fans of Empress of a Thousand Skies will not be disappointed by the epic conclusion.-Jessica Strefling, US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
Separated, unaware of the others, three teens try to wrest control of the galaxy from an evil celebrity in this sequel to Empress of a Thousand Skies (2017).Nero, a "holovision star with a pretty face" who's seized rule of the galaxy, seeks the overwriter--technology that mines memories, erases history, and controls populations by mind control. Does it really exist? Working against him are: Rhee, reluctantly acting as empress because her older sister, rightful inheritor of the Ta'an dynasty, is missing; Kara, who is Rhee's sister, alive but undercover, hoping to save humanity yet erase herself with the overwriter; and Aly, a boy who loves Kara, thinks she's dead, and joins a plot to assassinate Nero--as revenge for Kara and for obliterating Aly's home planet. Rhee and Kara have tan skin; Aly is black. As Nero orchestrates explosions and airs deceptive holovision broadcasts, the teens' fierce little "orbit of soldiers and refugees and loyalists" comes together and apart on various planets. Violence is everywhere, and the protagonists labor under misunderstandings, trauma, and loneliness. Belleza's plot is terrific, though the writing is not as smooth as in its predecessor. Reveals are profound in substance, though the moments of revelation pack less punch than they could. Given its relative choppiness and rushed feeling, this sequel should be read immediately after Empress, to import its heart.Not a stand-alone but an essential conclusion with indelible moments. (map, character list, planet list) (Science fiction. 14-18)

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