review by Jacob Chon, age 15

A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia Cole

    Olivia Cole’s A Conspiracy of Stars is an immersive novel of humans stranded on a distant planet. Much like colonists from earlier eras, these people must learn how to survive and thrive in their new world. The book centers around Octavia English, who is thrust into an evolving colony with the expectation that she will carry on the next generation of scientists. Although set on a path, she questions her choices and those in authority, and with the growing tensions within her colony, Octavia must learn how to deal with strife and conflict.  
    Although this novel is rather predictable in plot, it still deserves relatively high ratings.  The presentation is polished, with the author’s diction, syntax, and pacing taking a logical path. However, what really sets this novel apart from other young adult science fiction novels is the immersion. Cole takes what is simply above average and elevates it to the next level with the detail and quality that the novel brings to the table. One can see, hear, and feel the universe in which the novel takes place and construct an idea in their minds. For these reasons, I strongly urge anyone looking for a good book to look into Olivia Cole’s A Conspiracy of Stars. 4/5 stars.


Find this book in our catalog: A Conspiracy of Stars

Catalog Number: On Call

418 pages