NAVIGATING THE STARS Sentinels of the Galaxy, Book 1

Narrator Gabra Zackman's brusque, youthful tones lend themselves to protagonist Lyra Daniels. Lyra must leave her friends behind to travel with her parents, who are archaeologists, to another planet, where they will continue to study ancient artifacts. When they reach their destination, the family and the planet's inhabitants are faced with a disturbing mystery: All transmissions from their former planet have gone silent, and signs point to an attack. Zackman provides credible portrayals of the characters as Lyra hacks systems, finds romance, and uncovers new truths about the elusive Terra Cotta Warriors her parents have been studying. While clunky phrasing and a lack of direction in the text make for a meandering listening experience, the premise of this novel is intriguing, and Zackman's deliberate pace keeps the story moving forward. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2019]