The invasion occursas Oona embarks on a search for her runaway sister-a gifted sand dancer whohad been Mon Domani’s hope for survival before mysteriously disappearing sevenyears earlier. Oona Lee is an unconfident sand dancer, raised with othertrainees in relative privilege in the capital city’s Sand Castle. “Our worlds will die unless a sand warrior can rise up and light those beacons.” Inthis epic sci-fi/fantasy series opener, three kids from different backgrounds bandtogether after a neighboring planet launches an unprovoked attack on their homeplanet, Mon Domani. The installmentends triumphantly and tantalizingly readers will eagerly await book two.kitty flynn The nuanced panel illustrationshelp advance the complex plot and deepen readers’ understanding of the intriguing,dynamic characters (though some smaller panels are crowded).

This sweepinggraphic-novel saga features inventive world-building, with history, mythology, andtraditions naturally integrated into the narrative.

The universe’s looming environmental crisis has contributedto extreme shortages, economic inequities, and disease Oona is convincedthat finding her sister is the key to averting a planetary catastrophe. Escaping the wreckage of a crashed sky ship, Oona saves orphan AnTzu, a part-vegetal homeless boy living in the slums, and Jax Amboy, a belovedcelebrity starball player.

The sand warrior