Title: Satellite
Author: Nick Lake
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
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Disclaimer: I received a copy free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Leo, along with Orion and Libra, were not born on Earth. They were born in space, on the Moon 2 Space Station. They’ve never had to walk with gravity and they aren’t deemed strong enough to go back to Earth until they are 16 years old. However, when they make it to Earth, there are unexpected consequences to their arrival.
Satellite is a book that I think will be either a hit or miss to a lot of people depending on how they take to the writing style. It is written in text speak, narrated by Leo. There is no capital letters, little punctuation, and abbreviated words. I’m not sure on why this type of writing style was chosen, perhaps to highlight Leo’s youth and perhaps his distance and unfamiliarity to Earth?
I do have to say though, I am slightly disappointed in this read. I was expecting a science fiction read full of thrilling survivalist scenes in space. I was expecting something like The Martian for teens, a ‘ highly original space thriller’. Satellite had a promising opening full of science and intense scenes. However, after about the 20% mark, they made their way to Earth, and then the action stopped and the pacing lagged. Little happened and the mystery and ‘conspiracy’ was hardly there and I guessed it from the get-go.
The characters were a highlight of this book. Leo is a dreamer and a thinker. He wants nothing more than to follow in his mother’s footsteps to be an astronaut. Libra is an aspiring botanist, who longed for the day she could step onto Earth and tend to her own garden. Orion was a favourite; a music and poetry lover. I do really wish we saw more of their relationship and friendship though. Also, it was never stated on-page, but Leo is gay and showed romantic interest in Orion.
Overall, definitely not a bad book just not the book for me. I loved the science, and loved the premise, was fond of the characters but wasn’t overly fond of the pacing or the plot of the book. If it seems like your thing then go for it, I believe it will work for some people, and not for others.
Advertisements Follow us:Megan (pronounced MEE-GAN bc her Irish grandfather refused to use the English pronunciation) is a 21 year old british blogger, history graduate, lover of books and expert procrastinator. She is anxious and introverted and is currently attempting adulthood. She loves potatoes which is often blamed on her irish heritage and can often eat her weight in food. She predominantly reads and reviews YA which includes historical fiction, science fiction, contemporary, and f/f romance. She loves reading about unlikeable female characters, positive female friendships & relationships, and is a sucker for a pretty cover.
