Synopsis
The world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of the Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations ... and now they are ready to make contact.
Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a council of young people from around the globe drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies.
And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. He has a hidden talent that may be the key to uniting Earth as it looks towards the stars.
But Owen's abilities are so unique that no one can control him, and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?
Review
This story had so much potential, but there were so many characters and so little character development that it didn't feel cohesive. It didn't help that some characters have multiple names, and I didn't feel like any of them were different by the end of the story. The setting and story could have sucked me in if I wasn't constantly trying to remember who was who.
If you're into sci-fi, specifically space and aliens, give this one a go and tell me what you think!
Thank you, Del Rey and Goodreads, for a copy of this ARC.
Dates read: July 16, 2023 - July 23, 2023