Light Years

Light Years

by Kass Morgan

5 out of 5

Synopsis
Reeling from the latest attack by a mysterious enemy, the Quatra Fleet Academy is finally admitting students from every planet in the solar system after centuries of exclusivity.

Hotshot pilot Vesper, an ambitious Tridian citizen, dreams of becoming a captain - but when she loses her spot to a brilliant, wisecracking boy from the wrong side of the asteroid belt, it makes her question everything she thought she knew. Growing up on the toxic planet Deva, Cormak will take any chance he can get to escape his dead-end life and join the Academy - even if he has to steal someone's identity to do it. Arran was always considered an outsider on icy Chetire, always dreaming of something more than a life working in the mines. Now an incoming cadet, Arran is looking for a place to belong - he just never thought that place would be in the arms of a Tridian boy. And Orelia is hiding a dark secret - she's infiltrated the Academy to complete a mission, one that threatens the security of everyone there. But if anyone finds out who she really is, it'll be her life on the line.

These cadets will have to put their differences aside and become a team to defend their world from a cunning enemy - but the danger might be lurking closer to home than they think...



Review
Cormak and his crew have to prove that they deserve their place at the Academy. But there are more plots in play than they are prepared for.

I received a free copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Despite being a big fan of watching The 100, this is the first book from Kass Morgan that I've read.

The story follows the four trainees that make up Squadron 20, in the Quatra Fleet Academy.
These young men and women are the best of the best from Tri and the surrounding planets.
Cormak - who steals his dead brother's identity to escape a dead-end life on Deva.
Vesper - the daughter of the Fleet Admiral, on her last chance to prove her worth.
Arran - a lad from Chetire who struggles trusting people.
Orelia - an intelligent young woman from "Chetire". (psst. spy)

The narration is split equally between these four main characters. At first, Cormak was my favourite, as he deals with taking on his brother Rex's identity, and the lengths he has to go to not get caught.
As the story went on, I loved everyone's part equally! They all have their issues, and their reasons for doing well.
Vesper has the most unsupportive mother, who doesn't have a scrap of maternal instinct, despite the fact that Vesper is working herself to the bone to gain her acceptance. It's interesting to see Vesper with her friends and boyfriend, who are all from Tri, and consider themselves first-class citizens. As the book goes on, Vesper starts to take pride in herself, forming her own opinions and goals, and refusing to go along with belittling the other classes.
Arran is just so sweet, you just want to wrap him up and protect him. He's quiet and very withdrawn, not trusting anyone easily after being traumatised when he was younger. I thought he and Dash were an adorable couple.
And Orelia... she is fascinating. She has trained all her life for this role, and can't afford to be distracted. She's practically a machine, but slowly becomes more human around her new friends - a luxury she's never experienced before.

The main plot follows the challenges of the Academy, as the winning Squadron is the only one guaranteed to progress to the second year.
There's a competitive spirit amongst the students, but there's also tension, as it becomes clear that there is a lot of political conflict running under the surface. After generation of being on top, not all people from Tri are going to let the dystopian, lower-class citizens get ahead.
There's also the bigger threat, looming in the shadows of the Specters. An aggressive race who have been terrorising the Quatra planets. It was excellently played, with enough grey area to make you wonder what the truth really is.

If I haven't mentioned already, I really really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to start the next one - especially after that ending!

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