Zodiac
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4.2 • 64 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
The New York Times bestselling novel ZODIAC is the first book in a breathtaking sci-fi series inspired by astrology that will stun fans of The Illuminae Files and the Starbound trilogy.
At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain....
Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.
When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancrian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.
Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.
But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?
Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In an ambitious but jumbled debut, Russell introduces readers to the Zodiac Galaxy where the 12 astrological signs hold sway over all aspects of life, each sign ruling a separate constellation. When catastrophe strikes the House of Cancer, 16-year-old Rho becomes its powerful new Guardian. Certain that a single evil is behind a string of troubles rocking the galaxy, Rho goes on an epic quest to find support and rally her fellow Guardians. Unfortunately, almost no one is willing to believe that a mythical thirteenth sign is behind the tragedies, and Rho's efforts seem doomed to fail as the Houses fall, one by one. Russell's narrative mixes intrigue, romance, and adventure, and a constant underlying tension drives Rho and her allies from one planet to the next. However, the obligatory love triangle Rho is caught between the unsuitable and the forbidden is predictable, the overcomplicated worldbuilding of the galaxy near-impossible to parse, and the novel's approach to astronomical and scientific accuracy is questionable at best. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Obsessed! Need book 2 already!
This book creates impressive worlds with very dynamic characters! The details Romina comes us with throughout the book are mind-blowing. For example, the different Ophiuchus stories and how each House represents qualities from each of the Zodiac signs.
I don't want to spoil this book for anyone who hasn't read it, but I totally went through multiple emotions while reading it. Romina does a great job in capturing the struggles of adolescence while developing a character that steps up to the challenge with conviction.
I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next.
Definitely a MUST READ!
Favorite Series Ever
I will say, despite some of the other reviews, this series is amazing to me! I will say that it is similar to the other YA stories, but to me that’s just genre. I found the romance to be so cute. Genuinely, this series is one of my favorite ever! Totally recommend this book, as well as the whole series!
Neither Rho nor this book know what they are.
Is the poor writing an attempt to appeal to teens? Is the oddly frequent mention of drug use and underaged drinking an attempt to appeal to adults? Is the detailed sex scene a shout-out to the harlequin crowd? Is the inconsistency of physics an appeal to post-modernism where reality doesn't exist? (A few sentences after saying she's bare from the waist up, she suddenly has on a bra.) If this went through more drafts, then it could have truly been an engaging body of work. If only...