Earth Star – by Janet Edwards

Synopsis: 18-year-old Jarra has a lot to prove. After being awarded one of the military’s highest honours for her role in a daring rescue attempt, Jarra finds herself – and her Ape status – in the spotlight. Jarra is one of the unlucky few born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Derided as an ‘ape’ – a ‘throwback’ – by the rest of the universe, Jarra is on a mission to prove that Earth Girls are just as good as everyone else.

Except now the planet she loves is under threat by what could be humanity’s first ever alien contact. Jarra’s bravery – and specialist knowledge – will once again be at the centre of the maelstrom, but will the rest of the universe consider Earth worth fighting for?

Title: Earth Star
Author: Janet Edwards
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780007443505

Rating: 

After reading Gone Girl, I’ve been on a bit of a reading slump – I mean, I’m just too emotionally drained to delve into another book that could possibly have the same effect on me. So I picked up Earth Star; after reading the first book Earth Girl, I knew I’d be in for a light and easy YA read.

Thankfully, I was right. The story picks up at the beginning of Jarra’s (the name is still so aggravating!) second year studying Ancient History, and carries on the story. I did wonder how the story could continue when historical dig accidents, questions over identity/family, and the romance factor had already been covered in the first book; but was pleasantly surprised that Edwards pulled out a new set of problems out of the metaphoric bag.

I have to admit, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first; I found Jarra becoming increasingly more dramatic and annoying (not just because of her name … or the fact that she’s a whiney teenager), and the book was even more predictable than the first.

Given this, Earth Star was still fast-paced, a light read and managed to get me out of my reading slump so I can’t really complain.

Also, with the news of a pneumatic travel system being developed in the USA; I started to think that it’s only a matter of time before portals are developed. Then I started to consider how long it would take for humanity to start populating other worlds. And finally, even began to ponder the possibility of Edward’s novel becoming reality … OK, so it was actually 4am and I was sleep-deprived but it could happen right?! As long as we make sure no one is named Jarra I think we’ll be OK (I apologise for anyone who actually might be called Jarra, it’s nothing personal – I just don’t like the name).

With that in mind, I can’t give Earth Star a bad review – it’s a decent sequel and an undemanding read, which is exactly what I needed. Will I keep the book? Unlikely. Will I read the next book when it comes out? Probably not. Would I recommend it? If they like YA sci-fi/fantasy, or enjoyed the first book – then yes, I would. Would I make a time box documenting my history just in case the story becomes reality? I’m considering it.