The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Release Date:  November 1, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: ARC
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Ratings:   

The Basics

The Sun Is Also a Star is told in two perspectives, Natasha’s and Daniel’s. Natasha is a Jamaican immigrant who is set to be deported that night. While making one last attempt to save her family from being sent away from their home, she runs into Daniel. Daniel has an Ivy League interview he doesn’t want to go to set for later that day when he becomes curious about Natasha, who he spots swaying to music from her headphones.

The teenagers’ chance, or fated, meeting inspires poetic Daniel to convince scientific Natasha that falling in love is possible, by using an experiment he read about. This involves a list of personal questions that they both answer throughout the day. The result? You’ll have to read, but neither of them comes out of the experience unchanged.

My Thoughts

This book is massively cute, but also tackles larger issues. So if you want to get emotional, you’re going to get emotional. Adorable romance? Check. Time sensitive dilemma? Check. Contemporary societal problems? That, too.

Of course illegal immigration is one of the major problems this book represents. Natasha is facing having to leave her home and also her future behind, all because of the actions of others. And she’s determined to try to take control of her own life. Another side of immigration is shown through Daniel. His parents were Korean immigrants who left a hard life behind. So a lot of pressure is put on him and his brother. His aspirations are not in line with his parents’.

As a result, Natasha and Daniel are on opposite sides when it comes with how they view their futures. What’s in your control? Does fate exist? Their discussions lead them both to new perspectives. And that’s where this book’s magic is. Their differences are how the dynamic works. Natasha believes in the scientific method. Daniel is a dreamer and hopeless romantic. Reality falls somewhere in the middle. Their separate experiences weave together as they get to know each other and a complex portrait of simply being human comes out of it.

I loved every second of reading it. Yoon creates such vibrant characters and strays away from a generic love story. This simultaneously warmed my heart and tore it apart. It also caused me to think a lot about where I land on the fate vs. conicidence scale.

Positives/Negatives

+ Realistic look at immigration
+ Exploration of racism within communities
+ Depiction of difficulties in family life
+ Cuteness
+++ EVERYTHING

In Summary

This book is cute, but goes beyond just cuteness. Romantic moments will warm your heart, but it goes beyond that. Immigration, racism, fate, and love are all other areas Yoon’s story delves into. It’s a must read. While you’re at it, read Yoon’s debut Everything, Everything if you haven’t already.

Sidenote

Whether coincidence or fate, I decided to clean out my Pocket list and came across an article from January 2015 about the study this book references (and uses.) I have no recollection of saving it, but rediscovered it at the right time. It’s worth reading. Perhaps after you read The Sun Is Also a Star.

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.

Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
Release Date:  October 11, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format: e-arc
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Ratings:   

The Basics
Ada and Corinne are hemopaths, meaning they have the power to create illusions with art. Ada, with a violin, and Corinne, with poetry. In 1919 Boston, it’s of course illegal to create these illusions and the two girls participate in underground shows at Iron Cast where they entertain patrons with their illusions. They also sometimes use their gift to con some of the less deserving members of society out of some money, under the guidance of Iron Cast owner and gangster, Johnny Dervish.

Naturally, things start to go awry. Boston has a force to capture hemopaths to take to an asylum that is supposedly there to help the “afflicted.” While Ada and Corinne try to avoid being locked up, there are deaths and disappearances and a lot more going on that threatens the life they made for themselves.

My Thoughts
First and foremost, I adore the friendship between Ada and Corinne. Which shouldn’t be a surprise if you’ve read any of my other reviews talking about female friendships. What I love about Iron Cast in particular is how distinctive their characters are. Because they are both main characters, there’s an exploration of both their backgrounds and their personalities. Soria does perfectly at showing how their friendship works, from its strengths to its faults. Descriptions of how in sync they are and how they work as partners in their craft as well as their lives, build up the power of their relationship.

Their friendship is also an interracial one, Ada is black and Corinne is white. Ada is working to support her family while Corinne is working to escape hers. While friendships found between those from extremely different economical backgrounds is common in stories, the way it is handled is not. Neither girl is a complete stereotype and racism isn’t ignored. It’s weaved throughout the story as it would be in real life. Corinne also isn’t a Good White Girl who has never been guilty of racism. It’s acknowledged that she had to learn. There’s a lot happening throughout the story, so none of this is a huge focus, but it’s there as it should be. Fantastical things are going on, but the reality of race in 1919 isn’t overlooked.

Outside of our reality, is the ability that both friends have to create illusions. I love how it works and the conflict behind people having these powers. I won’t go into detail about how this all comes into play so you can discover that all on your own, but there’s fun and suspense tied into it all. Some of the twists and turns are easily spotted as the plot hits some of the typical markers when it comes to “illegal powers” in stories, but the story still manages to hold its own.

Positives/Negatives
+female friendships being the focus forever
+the uniqueness of the powers
+diversity done well
+layers to the mystery
-takes a little to get into the gut of the story because of the explanation of how the the fantasy functions
-some of the plot falls into the typical cliches (but recovers)

In Summary
Ada and Corinne’s relationship is what shines for me. Their characters are well developed and they are wonderfully devoted friends. Once the book reaches further into the conflict, the story is packed with drama. As the two girls use their abilities to navigate through a dangerous historical Boston, suspense (and a little horror) drive the plot to its conclusion.

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.