Under Nameless Stars - Book Review

Under Nameless Stars (Zenn Scarlett #2)
by Christian Schoon

What is it about:
Zenn Scarlett’s novice year of exoveterinarian training on Mars isn’t quite going to plan…

After barely surviving a plot to destroy her school and its menagerie of alien patients, could things at the Ciscan cloister get any worse? Yes. Yes they could: Zenn’s absent father Warra Scarlett has suddenly ceased all communication with her. Desperate to learn what’s become of him, Zenn stows away aboard the Helen of Troy, a starliner powered by one of the immense, dimension-jumping beasts known as Indra.

With her is Liam Tucker, a towner boy who is either very fond of her, very dangerous to her, or both. On the verge of learning the truth about her dad, Zenn’s quest suddenly catapults her and Liam thousands of light years beyond known space, and into the dark heart of a monstrous conspiracy. Braving a gauntlet of lethal environments and unearthly life forms, her courage and exovet skills will now be tested as never before.

With the fate of entire worlds hanging in the balance, Zenn is racing headlong into trouble… again.

What did I think of it:
After reading Stone in the Sky I was in the mood for more Science Fiction, and remembered I had Under Nameless Stars, the sequel to Zenn Scarlett, somewhere in my TBR pile.

And this is a very entertaining read.

There are lots of new cool alien species in this book, and although I missed my favorite character from the first book, I fell in love with some of the new characters. I liked the world building and the overall plot as well.

The action seemed a bit unbalanced I will confess. The first part of the book is slow, with Zenn making friends, talking to people and trying to stay out of trouble. Then the action kicks in and you get danger, piled on top of intrigue, on top of danger.

I also wondered why Liam was added to the story. He is placed firmly on the backseat and didn't really seem necessary for the plot. Not that I minded, because I didn't much like him.

Those things aside this is a fun and entertaining read, and I very much enjoyed it. I will keep an eye out for other books by Schoon.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable YA SciFi read.

Zenn Scarlett - Book Review

Zenn Scarlett (Zenn Scarlett #1)
by Christian Schoon

What is it about:
When you're studying to be exoveterinarian specializing in exotic, alien life forms, school... is a different kind of animal.

Zenn Scarlett is a resourceful, determined 17-year-old girl working hard to make it through her novice year of exovet training. That means she's learning to care for alien creatures that are mostly large, generally dangerous and profoundly fascinating. Zenn’s all-important end-of-term tests at the Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic on Mars are coming up, and, she's feeling confident of acing the exams. But when a series of inexplicable animal escapes and other disturbing events hit the school, Zenn finds herself being blamed for the problems. As if this isn't enough to deal with, her absent father has abruptly stopped communicating with her; Liam Tucker, a local towner boy, is acting unusually, annoyingly friendly; and, strangest of all: Zenn is worried she's started sharing the thoughts of the creatures around her. Which is impossible, of course. Nonetheless, she can't deny what she's feeling.

Now, with the help of Liam and Hamish, an eight-foot sentient insectoid also training at the clinic, Zenn must learn what's happened to her father, solve the mystery of who, if anyone, is sabotaging the cloister, and determine if she's actually sensing the consciousness of her alien patients... or just losing her mind. All without failing her novice year...

What did I think of it:
I'm always on the lookout for Science Fiction with actual aliens in it, and this sounded like it might just be what I was looking for.

It turned out to be a really nice read.

The animals at the clinic were indeed cool alien creatures. I liked reading about them. I also loved Hamish, the insectoid. He was by far the most interesting character in the book. I loved his story arc and the change he goes through.

Zenn was a fun heroine as well. She's a bit too trusting and slow to draw conclusions at times, but overall she's a likable person and I rooted for her to find out what was going on.

As with many SF stories, this story deals with prejudice and fear for the unknown. Although the message was clear, it didn't diminish my enjoyment in the story though. The use of these themes even made for some interesting developments and hinted at more to come.

The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm glad I already have the next book in my tbr-pile, because I'm very curious to see what's next for Zenn.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable YA SciFi read.