Zodiac

I’m a SYFY geek and when I heard about Zodiac I was intrigued, especially by the gorgeous cover that seemed to glow! Zodiac was a fast pace galactic ride that was such a unique read it wasn’t hard to fall in love with the whole world, er galaxy. Zodiac delivers a great read with intense action, loss, romance and mystery. Our heroine, Rhoma Grace is strong, caring and she’s going to need that to not only fight for her world Cancer, but the other 11 Houses of Zodiac. Rhoma,or known as Rho, is from the House of Cancer, a world 99 percent water. On one of Cancer’s moons, while Rho and her band play, a flash of light interrupts the concert destroying the nearest moon, Thebe, and killing all those in close proximity. It also causes major problems for the planet Cancer as tsunamis destroy many cities. Rho and her band escape the tragedy but she doesn’t have time to mourn when she is nominated as House Guardian of Cancer. Rho also has a gift, she can read the constellation of the stars and while doing so, she sees a dark matter moving from House to House, destroying each planet. The Dark Matter is Ochus from the lost 13th House. Even when she agrees to be guardian, no one believes her when she tries to warn each House about Ochus. As each House falls, Rho tries to save not only her people, but her galaxy. Rhoma was a wonderfully developed character. She was so young to be given the job as Guardian but took it to save her people. Even though those in her House think she’s a naive little girl, Rho takes it with pride and will do anything to save her House. She’s head strong, courageous and never backs down, even when no one believes her about Ochus. She faces all her turmoil and stress just as any teen would, questioning herself or those around her. The secondary characters bring support and intrigue to Rho’s journey. Two hot guys are her love interest, the Cancerian Mathias and the Libra Hysan. Mathias is assigned to guard Rho on her travels. He takes his job seriously and questions Rho on everything. He’s a little bit stoic in his opinions and keeps his emotions checked. Hysan was a fun loving Libra, who I liked a lot because he wasn’t as serious. He had a witty personality and kept everything light. I hate love triangles but this one was light hearted and romantic. So it didn’t bother me as much. The words flowed and the description were breathtaking. I really felt like I was in space with Rho going to each planet to warn the Zodia. Even though sometimes I got lost in the verbiage, Romina did an excellent job in explaining what was going on. Let’s get to the galaxy that Romina created! She just didn’t world build, she galaxy build. Is that even a word? In the future, there are 12 planets, each the sign of the zodiac. Each House as unique gifts like Scoprio, my sign, is Innovation, or House Cancer is Nurture. The people of the houses have their own characteristics as well. Cancer people are all curly haired with blue eyed who have a nurturing disposition. I love Astrology so reading this book brought a whole new insight to that meaning. Romina has created words such as Emphemeris, Acolyte, Zodai….to go along with her SYFY epic. I did have to go back a couple of times in the book to understand the terms…but it didn’t stop me from reading this epic story. I love space. I have always been a Star Wars, Star Trek, Firefly, BattleStar Galactica, Farscape, girl. So this books touched my heart. I love the book Dune and Zodiac has a reminiscence of all my favorite shows and that book. Should you read it? Yes, Romina did a wonderful job at creating the galaxy of the Zodai and the ending left me reeling! Fast pace, action packed book that you can't put down. I can't wait for the second book.

Before I begin to review this book, I want to remark that you will likely need to pick a team. Two suitors are in line for our narrator, and of course you will find yourself drawn to one or the other. If the book lives up to its promise, the picking may be captured in the media. For what it is worth, without spoilers, you will find the choices intriguing. Rho has been taught to, "trust only what you can touch" , but also "trust your fears." The theme of Zodiac is a now familiar one. A young girl of somewhat renegade policies has been found to have the very skills and gifts to rise as the heroine of her people. The men vying for her attention somewhat embody these two maxims for me, but see what you think. Rho is a young student who is learning to become a reader of the stars. Her mother had taught her, "believing in them will keep you safe." Her mother had trained her rigorously to read the music of the stars before she herself disappeared. Rho is a member of the Cancer House of the Zodiac, and after perceiving a threat of dark matter to their home on Saturn and its moons, she is found to have deep gifts of intuition. Her attempts to save their world, one that evolved long eons after leaving Earth's collapse, are the plot of this and presumably future novels. From this brief description, one can easily discover the YA novel in its cradle. But what makes this book different is the world building. The concept feels fresh, with the houses of zodiac in fact inhabited by its people. The science of the Psy Network is slightly recognizable in our concept of ESP, but is developed at further length. The author uses a satisfying blend of the known and the fantasy to concoct a futuristic vision that is unfortunately dystopian. I enjoy the characters, and Rho is especially compelling. The prose moves at a perfect pace that neither rushes the reader nor bogs one down in too many details. For your future edification, I choose the steady guy. I am looking forward to the next installment from this new writer.

Title: Zodiac (Zodiac #1) Author: Romina Russell Publisher: Razorbill, 2014 (December 9) Genre: YA Science Fiction I am part of an exciting readathon for the Zodiac series, and though I’ve owned the first book for its gorgeous cover and its riveting synopsis, I had never gotten around to reading it. I mean seriously, look at this COVER!! So I jumped at the chance to read along and read book one, Zodiac, and it was good. So good. Review: I love anything Astrological. I know I’m a Pisces, and I’ve known this for awhile. I’m the epitome of one. Cancer is a water sign, so I got along with the protagonist quite easily. Rhoma Grace, an Acholyte from House Cancer, is a sixteen year old student and a drummer. Her biggest fears are her tests coming up to become a Zodai. The university’s best-ranked graduates get invited to join the Order of the Zodai, our galaxy’s peacekeepers. The best of the best are recruited into the Guardian’s Royal Guard, the Zodai’s highest honor. And Rho doesn’t feel like the best of the best, but before her mom left, she drilled Rho full of information about the other Zodiac houses and had her practice reading the Stars. When a concert is interrupted buy an explosion on her planet, the current Guardian of her house is killed. Rho turns to the Stars for answers, and instead of finding them, she just finds more questions. She finds the Zodiac’s biggest boogeyman and legend actually exists. And he almost kills her when he finds out she can see him. When the other Zodai learn of her abilities, Rho is made the new Guardian of Cancer. She’s now Holy Mother of the entire Cancrian people. However, despite having the power and the title, no one will listen to Rho: the boogeyman, Ochus, has intentions of destroying the whole Zodiac, and though only 12 houses (all the astrological signs we know) are all that exist, there is a Thirteenth House, and it’s out for destruction. While Rho deals with trying to convince every planet in danger of attack that Ochus exists, she meets Hysan, an ambassador from Libra, who believes her instantly. It puts her mind at ease but also frustrates her when her crush and new partner, Mathias, thinks she’s mistaken. Rho’ heart is torn between the Zodai protecting her and the charismatic Libran who aims to please. When Rho goes on an intergalactic mission to try and warn the Zodiac, Ochus seems to always be a threat…but how can a sixteen year old newly appointed Guardian convince all twelve houses that the legend, the monster under the bed, the “Thirteenth” house, is REAL? Is It Classroom-Approriate? Actually, yes. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air after all the other books not suitable for the classroom. The intricate Zodiac system is quite interesting, and all the virtues that one house represents are all virtues we have inside. Discussions on personal astrological signs could be discussed and turned into fun projects for each student to learn more themselves; they could find the virtues that they agree with and the virtues they don’t…they also could find how we are all a little bit of every sign if we really look at ourselves. Reading horoscopes in class can open dialogues or they could write their own predictions for the other signs. The most engaging aspect is the science. Conversations about time and space are completely easy to tie in with Russell’s book. I would say it would be productive for all high school levels to use this book, and even though it’s part of a series, it ends at an interesting point of the story that would open up more speculation (not going to reveal those spoilers, though!) Btw, I give Zodiac ★★★★☆ for classroom use! See all the possibilities? Use it! Just be creative with it and have fun! I would have given it five but it’s not exactly a lesson plan that’s easy to fit into the curriculum, so you have to find a way to make it work. Science classes would benefit as well as literature classes: you could do a shared Unit! AGE RANGE I feel Zodiac is appropriate for any age – I didn’t see it on Lexile.com, so I would recommend 13 and up…there’s a lot of complicated information about space and the houses so it’s probably best for an advanced or avid reader. However, there was noting inappropriate that I could find, and you know I try to err on the side of caution. End Result: I give Zodiac ★★★★★! I loved it. Then again, I’m a big science fiction reader. I also love the Astrological aspect. I leaned a lot about the different signs, which I love. And of course only wish the main character’s house was Pisces! I can’t wait to read the next installment, Wandering Star.

Action-packed, riveting, epic and original, ZODIAC is the first book in a new series of the same name that invites readers to explore a fascinating and intriguing world that is elaborate, unique and incredibly imaginative. It delivers a story filled with nail-biting suspense, deadly battles, catastrophic loss, devastation, deception, and heartbreak and introduces a heroine strong enough to fight, to stand up against those that doubt her, and to pick herself back up after she’s been knocked down. Rhoma Grace barely had time to recover from the fallout from the explosion on Thebe that left most everyone at the Academy on Elara dead and her home, House Cancer, ravaged, let alone mourn their loss, before being asked to step in as her House’s next Guardian. Young and untrained, she’s not sure she’s the right person to read the stars and lead her people. Especially when no one else sees what she sees in her readings. But with no other options, no home to return to, and her family’s whereabouts unknown, she has nothing left to lose by saying yes. Except for her life, the lives of everyone counting on her to keep them safe, the entire Zodiac. Romina Russell has built a world, a galaxy, a universe, that is utterly enthralling and hugely inventive. One that is filled with a vast array of interesting characters whose customs, behaviors and appearances vary widely from House to House. She has created a story that is constructed from myth that is not commonly used as a basis for stories in the genre. Myth that she expanded upon, made exciting, made her own. She brought the Zodiac to life. She developed each House, its landscape and its citizens - some beautiful, whimsical, fantastical, others peaceful, others practical, others disturbing, others dangerous. She created Houses that could be trusted and others that are suspect. And she introduced an enemy that could unite or destroy them all. ZODIAC is an amazing story that is rich with detail, exploding with possibility, filled with heart-stopping danger, thrilling adventures, swoon-worthy romance, and grievous loss. It is a daring and refreshingly different story with a likable and fearless heroine and two loyal and protective heroes that will hold readers captive from beginning to end. It’s an outstanding story that will be unputdownable. It is a must read first book in this series that is absolutely mind-blowing.

Zodiac by Romina Russell started with a high rating but once the love triangle between the characters developed that was a wrapped. Personally there was no need for this triangle. It was obvious from the get go who Rho should be with but I guess you need to have a triangle between horny teenagers to get published. Whatever. Here are some of the many lines that had me rolling my eyes: "I never thought I could feel competing emotions for the same person. Or that I could be attracted to two people at the same time." Bleh "Bubbles of conflicting emotions rise within me. The feelings bump into each other like Libran cities, bouncing through my body and confusing my thoughts as I turn to face him." Girl we get it. You’re confused about whether you want to be with Hysan or Mathias. I guess she wasn’t confused when she made the rash decision to have sex with Hysan. All so she could feel something besides pain and guilt. Too bad she pretty much regrets it the next day because she doesn’t have the courage to tell Mathias that she and Hysan are a thing. I guess. This is the point of the book that Romina Russell and Zodiac loses another star because Rho uses Hysan for her own selfish needs without thinking of his feelings. Because when the sh*t hits the fan she wants to confess her love to Mathias. "My hands shoot up to stop him, but when our mouths come together, I realize how much and how long I’ve wanted this. The instant our lips touch, it’s an explosion. Hysan’s kisses have a progressive build, but Mathias kisses me with a passionate desperation that comes from somewhere so deep, it takes my breath away." Really? If you knew you wanted Mathias from the get go you don’t have sex with Hysan know how he feels about you. That’s just wrong. We has females don’t want that to happen to us so why should we do it in return. For the record I’m no prude but I think regardless of what people think sex and emotions go hand in hand on some level. Anyway that enough of my rant. Back to the review. Besides my harsh criticism of the dreaded love triangle, Zodiac was a fun read. It read like a movie in my mind. It was a fast-paced sci-fi adventure. Although I did had problems with the terminology. Sometimes it took me out of the book because of the words and how to pronounce them correctly. I like pronouncing things correctly. If not I feel dumb, even though I shouldn’t. Anyway, Rho is the quintessential YA heroine. She was raised in a one parent home since her mother abandon the family. She has a crush on an older boy since forever and she plays in a band. Normal. Right? Well that all changes when a cataclysm event happens that forces Rho to be House Guardian of Cancer. That’s the highest position one can have in the Zodiac Houses. The only problem is that Rho is young soooo you know what that means. She faces obstacle after obstacle as she tries to tell the adults who is behind all of the misfortune that is taking place. Ophiuchus. This is where the story get predictable because you know Rho is going to have a hard time trying to convince people that this mythology being from childhood stories is the one doing all the damage. Until… BAM something happens to reverse Rho’s luck. Rho to the rescue to save all Zodiac houses/planets. Seeing as there is going to be a book 2 you can guess how that turns out. Yes Zodiac has it’s flaws and problems but with spectacular world building and a somewhat unique and different story, it makes up for that in the end. Will I continue on with the series? Yes. I just hope that Romina Russell works out the kinks and I’m not disappointed with the second installment. You know how it is. Book 1 is great but as the series continues the books become bad. We don’t want that to happen. I’m looking for more character development with Rho and Hysan. They were so-so. I really couldn’t connect with her on an emotional level but I see potential. Hysan I actually liked and enjoyed but I want more from his sad and tragic I’m-an-ophan-with-no-real-friends routine. *Originally Posted on my blog creatyvebooks.com

Romina Russell's debut novel, Zodiac, is both out of this world fantastic and stellar. Trust me and the bad puns - you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Russell creates a new kind of world in the science fiction genre that both teens and adults will want to explore for years to come. In the first book of the proposed trilogy, Russell introduces readers to a futuristic world whose inhabitants are descendants of the people from our world. Parts of this story are revealed in the book, and Russell definitely proves to her readers that she didn't just dream this world up in one night. There are allusions and references to stories that we know, but they've been altered so that they now belong in this futuristic solar system named after the Zodiac. Ms. Russell's world building is fantastic. I truly believe that people are going to compare her to some of the top names in YA with this book just because of all of the details that she includes in her books. It's so full of new and original vocabulary that describes not only simple devices to all kinds of new planets and moons. She even includes a glossary on her website so that readers can look up these terms. The characters in Zodiac are also creative and innovative. Even though they represent people from a future society, they still hit close to home. Readers can pick up on how far this society is removed from Earth, but still relate to how human they remain. Rho Grace, the novel's protagonist, has faced a lot of adversity in her young life, and it truly shows. Her rise to power is quick, and she faces it the way that any teen would. She's a little scared and confused. She is a unique character that will leave readers wanting more after they finish the last page. Rho is supported by two great groups of supporting characters - her friends and the people with whom she journeys through the far reaches of the Zodiac. Yes... there is a love triangle in Zodiac. If you're one of those people who choose not to read books because of the inclusion of love triangles, I'm asking you to give this book a chance. The inclusion of the love triangle in no way takes away from the impressive plot. The many twists and turns in Zodiac will leave readers wishing for more. Sometimes you find a book that's predicable, but that is not the case with Zodiac. I was shocked and surprised multiple times while reading. I know that I'm already waiting on the sequel, and this book isn't even out yet! I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

I am so enthralled by the world that Romina Russell has created in Zodiac. She has beautifully combined science fiction and astrology to craft a setting that is every bit as breathtaking as this gorgeous book cover. The characters are divided into separate houses based on the zodiac signs, and the common attributes of those signs manifest themselves in the characters' traits and strengths, which is such a fun and original approach to character development. The plot is incredibly fast paced and high-stakes right from the very beginning. When tragedy forces Rhoma into an unpredicted position of power, readers get to see behind the scenes of the political machinations taking place in this world, which is very intriguing and helps balance out some of the intense action scenes that occur throughout the story. Yes. There is a love triangle in this story. I personally am not a hater of love triangles in novels as long as they make sense and work well within the story, and I do feel that that was the case in Zodiac. There is some sizzling romantic tension between Rhoma and both Hysan and Mathias. I found the dynamic between the three of them scintillating and so much fun to read. I also love me a good villain, and Zodiac has an excellent villain. Russel does a good job of showing his treachery while hinting at the motivations behind his actions. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I found it entertaining and imaginative and really enjoyed the dazzling setting it took place in. I'm so looking forward to the next book in our readathon, Wandering Star, and hope you'll join us!

Phenomenal; Perfect for anyone that loves learning about astrology and SciFi, Zodiac is wonderful read that'll keep you entertained to the last page!!

Tre stelle stiracchiate. Sembrava un libro carino e promettente, ma... non sono rimasta convinta completamente. Spero nel secondo! Concertina comunque davvero magnifica

Dear readers, I have been in a horrible reading slump and this gem brought me back! It is easy to follow with good plot twists and round characters. If you have even the slightest interest in those kind of space fatasy ya novels, you should give it a try! The mc, Rho, is trying to find herself and I love how she isn't just one day a normal person and the next she is superwoman. She gradually evolves and stays true to herself, keeping up her integrity even if noone believes in her, even her closest advisor. Give it a try!

I enjoy it. A nice rich world. Felt like it was a bit like Star Wars but not a cowboy story. Hope it gets a film.

Edição de capa comum. Achei que até veio com um acabamento satisfatório e de boa qualidade. As edicoes coverback em ingles costumam n terem muita qualidade por serem consideradas descartáveis. O texto tem um bom espaçamento, ficando no centro da página, dando para ler de boa no meio do livro sem ficar rasgando o livro de tanto abrir. As letras possuem tamanho médio, não sendo nem muito boa, nem muito ruim para ler, tipo nos livros da editora Record. O papel é o de sempre das edições paperback, fino. Não possui orelhas. No final, uma compra muito boa por 13 reais.

It's not the type of book I read usually but it does have its moments.