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rainbowrachel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Nothing objectively terrible here, it just didn't do it for me.
heyitsmeg777's review against another edition
5.0
I definitely enjoyed this book!! As a fan of sci-fi , I definitely enjoyed the plot, the characters and how the book played out. The ending was a bit disappointing, but I want more!!! I wish it would've been a bit longer because I found myself reading it again, wishing it didn't end so soon! I love Marta so much and Kitra turned out to be a great protagonist that really stayed with me throughout her journey
Thank you so much Netgalley and the author for this amazing book!! Can't wait for more!!
Thank you so much Netgalley and the author for this amazing book!! Can't wait for more!!
this_one_is_blue's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The world of Kitra is rich and lively, filled with small moments that matter. The cast comes together to solve problems with the creativity of people who have to work around limited means. (Imagine being college students going on a roadtrip, and getting extra credit if the RV they retrofitted can make it through the whole adventure - then add the perils of space!)
The detail that goes into the ship and flying are engaging without over-wordy explanations. I was left curious to know more, but not confused or wondering if I missed something.
Kitra has strong opinions on coffee, and immense drive. She has worked to make her dreams a reality, and so long as her friends are onboard, those plans are on track. I fell in love with Pinky, an alien who lives among humans, best friend to Kitra. He handles being different with humor and good grace, and balances out his friends when they get too stressed. Marta and Kitra are dear friends, and used to be together, which adds friction now that Marta and Peter are a pair. Fareedh takes on the computing systems while Peter works on physical engineering, and Marta's biology skills are key for the air scrubbers. Kitra wants to - maybe - romance Fareedh (and I want to borrow his fashion)
The book plays with sci-fi concepts in a genre-saavy and affectionate way, exploring some commonly appearing things from a less common angle.
The crew use the material printer in the best of ways, because really, if you can recycle matter, why not enjoy a colorful outfit? Have you ever been irritated by the lack of seatbelts on a spaceship, or wanted the pilot to not be shaken out of their chair by turbulence when there's artificial gravity? "Kitra" nudges the genre conventions in a way that only an author who loves and is deeply familiar with the source can do.
There's also a lovely (and refreshing!) inclusion of various cultures and languages. Humanity isn't homogenized into one unit. This helps to build up the world, and enhances the ways tech and development are influenced by the cultures they grew from.
"Kitra" includes illustrations, one of my favorite being where we first see Kitra, Pinky, Fareedh, Marta, and Peter.
The detail that goes into the ship and flying are engaging without over-wordy explanations. I was left curious to know more, but not confused or wondering if I missed something.
Kitra has strong opinions on coffee, and immense drive. She has worked to make her dreams a reality, and so long as her friends are onboard, those plans are on track. I fell in love with Pinky, an alien who lives among humans, best friend to Kitra. He handles being different with humor and good grace, and balances out his friends when they get too stressed. Marta and Kitra are dear friends, and used to be together, which adds friction now that Marta and Peter are a pair. Fareedh takes on the computing systems while Peter works on physical engineering, and Marta's biology skills are key for the air scrubbers. Kitra wants to - maybe - romance Fareedh (and I want to borrow his fashion)
The book plays with sci-fi concepts in a genre-saavy and affectionate way, exploring some commonly appearing things from a less common angle.
The crew use the material printer in the best of ways, because really, if you can recycle matter, why not enjoy a colorful outfit? Have you ever been irritated by the lack of seatbelts on a spaceship, or wanted the pilot to not be shaken out of their chair by turbulence when there's artificial gravity? "Kitra" nudges the genre conventions in a way that only an author who loves and is deeply familiar with the source can do.
There's also a lovely (and refreshing!) inclusion of various cultures and languages. Humanity isn't homogenized into one unit. This helps to build up the world, and enhances the ways tech and development are influenced by the cultures they grew from.
"Kitra" includes illustrations, one of my favorite being where we first see Kitra, Pinky, Fareedh, Marta, and Peter.
malreynolds111's review against another edition
3.0
I know that this is billed as a YA but it felt borderline middle grade to me. I enjoyed the storyline. The main character had nice depth. I would read a sequel from this author.
I received an ARC from netgalley.
I received an ARC from netgalley.
gemoone's review
5.0
Truly amazing book— the exact book I wish I’d had as a kid— space travel, adventure and queer characters I would have been so happy to see myself in— and that now, I get to make sure the kids in my life have a chance to see!
trinsnakes's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As a casual fan of science fiction, I found Kitra to be a refreshing angle within the genre. I quickly fell in love with these characters, who are young and talented, yet worlds more approachable and relatable than the average science fiction protagonist. The crew’s troubleshooting and problem solving as they navigate their adventure was perfectly immersive, and it was fun to figure out the unique tribulations of space travel alongside them. There was exceptional emotional depth between the characters for a short novel, and each crew member is just as essential to each other as they are to keep the ship running. Kudos to the author for the great descriptive work as well, the scenery, tone, and characters were especially enriched by the high quality of his writing style. Without going more into detail as to avoid spoiling anything, I highly recommend joining Kitra and her crew on her first adventure.
jmy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
carola84's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Journey Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.
First of all I think the cover of the book is beautiful. Kitra is a short but nice story about friendship and working together in order to survive. The pictures in the book were a nice addition to the story.
First of all I think the cover of the book is beautiful. Kitra is a short but nice story about friendship and working together in order to survive. The pictures in the book were a nice addition to the story.
clacksee's review against another edition
5.0
The Martian meets Victories Greater Than Death in this debut novel.
Kitra has finally saved up enough money to make her dream a reality: a ship of her own. She gathers her friends together to take it out for a quick spin – which doesn't go quite to plan.
This YA space opera is full of casual diversity and found family. It's a short easy read involving a group of young adults working together to think their way out of an insurmountable problem.
My one complaint is that the character of Pinky wasn't as fully fleshed out as he could have been. Hopefully that's rectified later in the series.
Kitra has finally saved up enough money to make her dream a reality: a ship of her own. She gathers her friends together to take it out for a quick spin – which doesn't go quite to plan.
This YA space opera is full of casual diversity and found family. It's a short easy read involving a group of young adults working together to think their way out of an insurmountable problem.
My one complaint is that the character of Pinky wasn't as fully fleshed out as he could have been. Hopefully that's rectified later in the series.