The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
A 12 months or two in the past, I watched Kitasei’s earlier novel, The Deep Sky, take over TikTok. It was in every single place. However for no matter motive, I by no means picked it up. However when The Stardust Grail got here out, and the writer described it as Indian Jones in area, I knew I needed to learn it instantly.
Maya Hoshimoto is a retired artwork thief turned anthropology grad pupil. Now, as an alternative of touring across the galaxy stealing artifacts, she research them. She tries to settle into her new life by strolling round campus, ingesting espresso, and avoiding her endless deadlines. However one thing isn’t fairly proper. Possibly that’s why when Auncle, her finest pal and former associate in crime, asks her to do yet one more job, she agrees. Maya heads into area with a brand new crew—a former member of the army and a medic robotic—decided to search out an artifact that would save Auncle’s alien species from extinction. The stakes have by no means been so excessive earlier than, however Maya is decided to succeed.
I beloved this wild whirlwind of a narrative stuffed with distinctive world-building. Establishing a science fiction world stuffed with different planets, moons, and area stations will be tough. However Kitasei slowly introduces readers to the galaxy and the politics of the completely different alien races, robots, and colonies. At one level within the novel, Maya and her crew should discover a strategy to steal an artifact from a museum. The heist vibes are immaculate. At one other time, they head to a distant planet to discover ruins crammed with carnivorous crops.
The audiobook is extremely carried out by Katharine Chin, a narrator who completely embodies Maya’s character. And because the motion takes off, Chin retains up with the tempo, sustaining the stress and protecting listeners on edge till the very finish of the novel.
For those who love heist novels, journey tales, or Indiana Jones-type tales, then The Stardust Grail is a must-read.