Refraction is an exciting young adult Science Fiction novel written by Naomi Hughes. The book is published by Page Street Kids and was released on November 5, 2019.
A few weeks ago, I participated in a blog tour for this book. I was lucky to get a copy of this book with the publisher through FFBC Tours. Today, I’m sharing my review of this incredible book.
Synopsis
After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade―until he’s caught by the mayor’s son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realize their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.
With fast pacing and riveting characters, this is a book that you’ll finish in one sitting.
- Author: Naomi Hughes
- Publisher: Page Street Publishing
- Publication Date: November 5, 2019
- Genre: YA Science Fiction
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Book Review
Refraction by Naomi Hughes is a unique young adult science fiction novel published on November 5, 2019 by Page Street Publishing.
Earth has been invaded by aliens, and all reflective materials have been banned because they produce Beings, evil creatures. Separated from his brother, Ty, after the fracture, Marty Callahan, 17, is determined to find his brother—whatever the cost. He becomes a distributor of mirrors in hopes to gather enough money and favors to get him to Ty—all of this while dealing with OCD.
But when a deal goes south, Marty is arrested and banned from the island he lives on along with Elliott, the mayor’s son and the one who framed him. Exiled on a land where fog means death, the two rivals will have to partner up for a chance to escape, or at least stay alive.
This book is simply amazing. I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, but this book never ceased to amaze me. There is no romance in this book, which I appreciated in this setting. The story is about trust, betrayal, mental illness, friendship, and the limits that are pushed when the world as you know it collapses.
The two main characters are polar opposites. Both are relatable in some ways and have valid motives for acting the way they do. Marty is a morally gray character battling OCD, yet I rooted for him right from the beginning. The mental illness brings a lot of internal and external (yet exciting) conflicts. I wanted to applaud this character for going through it all and trying to improve his mental health at the same time.
Elliot is a wonderful character whom I very much enjoyed getting to know. He is a genuinely good person whose faith is not always in the right people, but he believes in what he does and (almost) always wants to do what’s right. He deals with grief and betrayal in a way that made my heart bleed for him. These two characters complemented each other perfectly.
The story is light-hearted and funny as hell, but it’s also heartbreaking. This is definitely a five-star read for me.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About Naomi Hughes
Hey! I’m Naomi Hughes, writer of quirky young adult fiction (usually involving physics and/or unicorns). I live in the Midwest US, a region I love even though it tries to murder me with tornadoes every spring. When not writing, my hobbies include reading (of course), traveling, and geeking out over Marvel superheroes and certain time-traveling Doctors.
My debut YA sci-fi standalone novel, Afterimage, is available now from Page Street Publishing. My next novel, Refraction (also a standalone YA sci-fi), comes out in Nov 2019. I also offer freelance critique services at naomiedits.com.
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