I'm taking a look at my Joker Read today and am excited to see what the pages hold. This one doesn't released until October. So, there's plenty of time to build expectation-excitement. I am hoping that this one is exciting.
It circles around a chosen-one, a girl who was abandoned by her parents. (That alone makes me really, really hope this read isn't too cliche!) Anyway, it swings into the Asian direction, as you can tell by the cover, and does take on some unique world and society qualities according to the blurb. There is a dangerous competition (I'm betting to the death because that's the way these usually go), but it involves some sort of racing board of some type...which could be lots of fun. Plus, there are monsters the girl fights, inside and out, which hints at a strong character arc...and that would be nice.
So, we'll just see how this one plays out, shall we?
THE OMEN GIRL
by Yueh Yang
Wattpad Books
YA Fantasy
288 pages
COMING...
OCTOBER 7th!!!
A chosen-one YA fantasy debut novel inspired by Asian culture with a richly developed world—perfect for fans of Elizabeth Lim, Amélie Wen Zhao, and Sue Lynn Tan.
In a world divided between respectable citizens and Omens—humans who can transform into monsters—Sozo is one of the cursed.
Abandoned by her parents when her Omen stain appeared, Sozo survives the streets under the guidance of Esp, a shadowy mentor. But Sozo hides a she can conceal her stain, a rare talent that Esp sees as the key to infiltrating the Temple of Celestial Ichor and competing in the Decade Race of Stars.
The race is deadly, but the prize is irresistible—a single wish for anything. Esp dreams of using it to reshape the world, and Sozo convinces herself the risk is worth it. With a star-powered flying scooter called an anchor, Sozo becomes a fierce contender, but keeping her stain hidden—and her monstrous side in check—is harder with every challenge.
As Sozo fights to survive the race, doubts creep in. Should she claim the wish for herself to change life for Omens? Doing so would mean betraying Esp, who won’t let her go without a fight.
With monsters lurking inside and out, Sozo must decide whose future she’s fighting for—and if she’s willing to pay the price.
In a world divided between respectable citizens and Omens—humans who can transform into monsters—Sozo is one of the cursed.
Abandoned by her parents when her Omen stain appeared, Sozo survives the streets under the guidance of Esp, a shadowy mentor. But Sozo hides a she can conceal her stain, a rare talent that Esp sees as the key to infiltrating the Temple of Celestial Ichor and competing in the Decade Race of Stars.
The race is deadly, but the prize is irresistible—a single wish for anything. Esp dreams of using it to reshape the world, and Sozo convinces herself the risk is worth it. With a star-powered flying scooter called an anchor, Sozo becomes a fierce contender, but keeping her stain hidden—and her monstrous side in check—is harder with every challenge.
As Sozo fights to survive the race, doubts creep in. Should she claim the wish for herself to change life for Omens? Doing so would mean betraying Esp, who won’t let her go without a fight.
With monsters lurking inside and out, Sozo must decide whose future she’s fighting for—and if she’s willing to pay the price.
MY TIDBITS
Sozo harbors an Omen, a stain under the skin that grows and carries the threat of turning her into a monster. She and so many like her are seen as cursed and treated as outcasts...if not killed. Her rare talent to hide her stain ends her with a group of rebels, who wants her to enter a competition with the chosen people in a deadly race with scooters powered by a star. The winner receives a wish, any wish, and it will be granted no matter how impossible it seems. Not only must she survive and keep the strengthening monster inside of her hidden, but stars cannot be lied to, and they are said to destroy the stained.
The tale begins with Sozo staring at the stars with her parents before their deaths. With several mini-chapters, the beginning drops enough tidbits in time jumps (Sozo's past) to lay the background for her situation and a bit of the world background. The normal flow begins as she's finished with the training, shortly before the day where the potential racers are chosen by a star. From here, it's a fast-paced read with surprises coming quick and the tension humming high.
Despite the fast pacing, there's quite a bit of character development to give this tale heart. Sozo's monster isn't only a dark stain, but she carries heavy, inner demons. As a character, she's more than rough along the edges, very off-putting, and difficult to like even for the reader, at times. While this makes her unenjoyable, at first, it opens up tons of room for growth, and the author uses this. The characters around her meld in with just enough depth to make them interesting, while the action and other intrigue mounts to drive the story forward.
It's an original surmise with an intriguing world. Especially the beginning gave just enough to sink in and enjoy...and it is a fun, grabbing read. Questions surrounding the magic, society, training and such were left open. This more superficial feel permeates many aspects of the read and writing, which will delight quick-paced adventure fans, who simply want to enjoy a fresh, tense, and exciting read with just enough inner struggles to root for the heroine until the very end.
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