In a galaxy that is plighted by danger and disaster, Ophiuchus, the 13th Zodiac, is at large, right under the noses of the galaxy’s Guardians. After a targeted attack on her home planet, Cancer, Rhoma Grace is appointed Holy Mother and makes it her mission to figure out what is going on, much to the dismay of the courts of the Houses.
“Zodiac” by Romina Russell is the first installment of a four-book series, and it was a bit of an unexpected read. Sometimes, I just get handed a book, get told to read it next, and go from there, which is exactly what happened.
This book did an amazing job with its backstory and the way it blended in with the main plot of the story. Giving the backstory through that of children’s stories is probably one of the most clever ways to do it. Even better? They were based on real life fairy tales, too.
I was not the biggest fan of the pacing that this story took. So much happens in the first few chapters that can become a bit overwhelming, but after the initial big event happens, everything is kind of just flat. Other big events happen throughout the book to move the plot along, but I feel like they were only there to do just that, or the author was running out of ideas to put on the page and needed something to boost their writer’s block.
That being said, when these events did happen throughout the book, they were incredibly well written. Getting to see a child-turned-hero gain their footing as the protagonist of this series made these events absolute page turners.
I will say, this book had similar vibes to that of Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” mixed with the subplot of Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” in a way that may become uncomfortable. The main character is stuck in the typical young adult novel love triangle throughout this book, and the main authority figures of the book, whether it be the government or family, refusing to help the main character or their people.
This book is excellent for the target audience of readers it is aimed at: Late middle schoolers and early high school students who have just discovered the zodiac symbols and are beginning to make it their personality. The story that Russell is trying to tell is doing exactly as it is supposed to.
Is this book a good book? Yes, but it is not a great one. The difference between a good book and a great book is its ability to be read and enjoyed by more than just the people in its target audience. I have not quite decided if it is a series I will continue reading or not, but it is definitely up for consideration. Did I like this book? Yes? I struggled to get into it, but once I did, there was no stopping me. I give this book a 3.5/5.