Review of Prelude to a Star

[Hazel Arnaiz]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Prelude to a Star" by JK Smith.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Lola and her father go up a hill near their underground home colony as part of a ritual. They reminisce over mooncakes and tea while gazing at their cherished star, Oranos Epsilon. They must time their stargazing so the glow does not fade amid the captivating but terrifying swirling lights of Aurora Helius. This breathtaking sky phenomenon serves as a reminder of the disaster that impacted Earth and humanity. Years pass, and the brightness of Oranos Epsilon fades. On the other hand, Lola continues the tradition even when she has a family of her own. What makes the star so precious to Lola?

Prelude to a Star by JK Smith is a science fiction story concerning the impending extinction of humanity and approaches to surviving and continuing the species. The book covers astronomical phenomena, climate change, diseases, genetics, mathematics, and space flight, to name a few topics. These are common themes in this genre. What sets this book apart is how it conveys technical facts and delivers the idea of the story. It makes many scientific references, but the explanations are not daunting to those who are unfamiliar with them. Because the discussion is simple, readers can see how the ideas connect and relate. The audience can then grasp the thought-provoking suggestions in the book. Among them is the impact of the survival plan on families. But the one that struck me the most was the effect of space travel on the legal age. I had not considered the idea before. It got me thinking, which is why it is my favorite part of the story.

The book incorporates components that aid in the presentation of the topics. The prologue and epilogue made me reconsider the meaning of the word relative. Depending on the viewer, extinction could be either an end or a beginning. The same is true for the timeline of the story. Time, as described at the beginning of each chapter, could be viewed as moving forward or backward.

Despite being set in the future, the story addresses contemporary themes. It calls attention to climate change and its impact on health and food security. There are commentaries on political strategies and how they approach the environment and other social concerns. The solutions it presents are worth investigating to address current real-world concerns.

The portrayal of characters promotes female empowerment. Women play prominent roles.

There is nothing I dislike about the book. But I have some suggestions that will not interfere with the enjoyment. They are matters of preference. A glossary of technical terms and acronyms would be a great addition. The explanations in the book are adequate, but the supplementary section will serve as a quick reference to help with recall. I was also intrigued by the symbols on the cover and the chapter openings. I am unfamiliar with them. Explaining what they represent would be highly appreciated. Similarly, the story of the first wave of settlers in the new world makes for an intriguing sequel.

Although technical terms are many, the words are simple, and the language is conversational. There are explanations for the abbreviations and acronyms when they appear for the first time in the story. However, editing issues are more than a handful. There are curse words. It is appropriate for people over the age of sixteen. Fans of science fiction who appreciate stories about human extinction, climate change, and space exploration will enjoy it. Those who like hard science fiction will enjoy the facts on science, mathematics, and technology. Soft science fiction fans will like the philosophical and sociological elements woven throughout the story. Readers looking for science fiction with female main characters would also appreciate this. It is nevertheless appropriate for both male and female audiences. Those interested in environmental sustainability might look into this.

The book is a call to action for humanity. It reflects the existing reality while drawing attention to a possible future if current issues are not solved. It speculates on solutions backed by science, resulting in thought-provoking insights worth examining. However, due to editing issues, I must deduct one star. As a result, I rate this book four out of five.

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Prelude to a Star
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[Temitope Ajao]

This was a brilliant review, I think I'll check it out

[Ram Uday Mahajan]

"Your review beautifully captures the essence of 'Prelude to a Star' by JK Smith. The incorporation of scientific facts with accessible explanations and contemporary themes makes it a captivating read. Your suggestions for a glossary and symbol explanations are valuable additions. Well done!"

[Rica Concepcion]

The story of the book and the review, Wow me! The imagination and thoughts of the writer are exceptional! As well as the review, it gives justice to the story. Both fantastic! 

[NetMassimo]

A catastrophic story that also addresses some issues that already important today seem intriguing, so I hope the author does proper proofreading to make it excellent. Thank you for your great review!