| Title | : | Sing down the Stars |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780624087489 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 280 |
| Publication | : | Published November 1, 2019 |
| Awards | : | Nommo Award Best Novel (2020) |
This magnificent Sci-Fi story masterfully creates a whole futuristic universe while maintaining focus on Nuri’s rich inner world. An Oliver Twist-style plot in a Star Wars setting with all the thrill (but not the violence) of The Hunger Games, it is beautifully rendered: the writing is sophisticated and engaging, the exotic cast of characters are a delight, and the plot works perfectly, balancing wild imagination with relatable, age-appropriate themes (like bullying by the “mean girls”). In the facility, the adult characters guide and care for the young people with remarkable kindness, and there is a kind of karmic retribution for the mean kids, which is very reassuring to young teen readers. Beyond the reaches of the facility, life is more combative, but, refreshingly, there is no gratuitous violence. The story also illustrates and explores what it means to live in a “racially” integrated society – although Terra appears to be classist, certainly in the facility we see different species interacting with respect, awareness of and appreciation of each other’s differences in a way that is quite inspiring.
Sing down the Stars Reviews
-
I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
It has taken me more than a week to write this review. Mostly because I wanted to do it justice.
Sing down the Stars won the 2019 Sanlam Gold Award for Youth Literature, but I want to tell you that this over 40-year-old youth enjoyed it immensely!
It reminded me of Elizabeth Moon and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough’s Sci-Fi books. It took me back to all the years of fantasizing of going to space and living among the stars.
Towards the end, I was speed reading just to find out what happens next.
What I truly enjoyed was that although it could be read as a stand-alone book, there are enough threads left open to continue with Nuri's tale. And I would dearly love to read more.
My kids are lining up to read it. The oldest (14 years old) who just started the book thinks it is great and the 10-year-old cannot wait for her turn.
I can honestly recommend this book to any Sci-Fi lovers of all ages. -
A sci-fi treat replete with adventure, mystery and a sentient space ship. What more could one ask?
The action takes you from the cyber punk inspired barrens to the intrigues of a training facility where the planet’s best and brightest are competing for the honour of being chosen by a soon-to-emerge space nymph.
There were times when I found myself transported back to the pure joy I felt when reading the space adventures that pleased me so much in my youth – no easy feat given the amount of water that’s flowed under the bridge since then.
Think Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey topped with a sizzling dollop of Star wars. -
SING DOWN THE STARS won a well-deserved and prestigious award in South Africa. I'm always excited to read South African authors, especially authors like Nerine Dorman who don't try to put on an accent to satisfy foreign readers. This is science fiction with impeccable world-building that is as South African as potjiekos and hadedas, and it's dazzling. The story itself was exciting, but most of all I want to stay in this world and travel its stars. Lekker.
-
Well written. Fast paced. I absolutely loved the action packed middle and themes of the book.
Captivating. -
So I'm a long-time reader of sci-fi, fantasy and spec fic, always on the lookout for new amazing books. I bought a copy of this at the Sanlam Youth Literature Awards, after it had won the gold medal (and also because Nerine is a lovely person), and what a treat this book was! Remniscent of Anne MacCaffrey, Elizabeth Moon and other classic writers, this was a great read with themes most young folk can identify with, and I sincerely hope Nerine writes more tales of Nuri and this universe
-
This SciFi adventure follows the story of twelve-year-old Nuri, an orphan from the slums performing petty crimes for a crimelord in order to survive, as she is swept up by her destiny.
If you've ever spent any time imagining what it would be like to live in space, Nerine's beautifully written world will capture your imagination and bring a sparkle to your eyes. I have to admit that I was so confused throughout the first chapter, but luckily everything was made clear in the next few chapters; from then on, her words swept me away to an alien integrated society amidst star-faring space ships, robots galore and a super being that is almost godlike in stature.
Nuri soon realizes that having no knowledge of who she is or where she came from, she is nothing like anyone else living on Terra; not human, J'Veth, Heran or Mahai-kin - is she all alone in the universe? Who is she?
Sending out some heavy Firefly vibes, Sing Down The Stars will transport you away from this world and into star-jumper territory. This is a book that is fantastic for the youth of all ages! -
It’s Nuri who makes this YA novel so special, brave and resourceful but vulnerable too, someone to cheer for.
An outsider, space trash, she is targeted by more than just her resentful fellow-Chosen, when she is called by a star-jumper—called to a possible destiny as an avatar.
A fast-moving and clever adventure, with a skilfully balanced blend of action and emotion. -
Can't rate, because I wrote this... Why should you read this? Sing down the Stars is a glorious mash-up of everything that I love about Star Wars and Anne McCaffrey. That is all.
-
Just WOW! The world-building was so good I pictured it as if I was there. The characters felt so real and true. I'd love to see this as a movie, it would be amazing!
-
Sing Down the Stars by Nerine Dorman is a wonderful novel. The more I read, the harder I found to put it down.
Nuri is a runner, working for a gang boss. One night after an eventful crime, she leaves to gather her thoughts not knowing that her life is about to be changed forever.
Called by a mysterious song, Nuri soon finds herself a candidate to become the Avatar of a being that can traverse space. However, becoming the Avatar is a lot more difficult than just answering the psychic call. The story follows Nuri as she navigates her new life preparing in the hope to be chosen, dealing with other candidates who also wish to become the Avatar, and avoiding the machinations of others who do not want to see a low born have the possibility to become the Avatar
The pace is strong and there is almost always something happening plot wise, not leaving any dull spots. The characters have their own opinions and are not cut and paste of one another. I absolutely fell in love with a side character called Raphel (and sincerely hope that if Nerine comes back to this world she has created, that she will include him again.) Sing Down the Stars leaves a few threads that can be capitalised on, if more books were to be added. The plot, however, is contained within the novel, and there is no worry of a cliff-hanger ending.
I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy YA stories with sci-fi fantasy elements. There is also a bit of action and drama thrown in as well. -
I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to write a science fiction novel as brilliant as this, but I do know that Nerine did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. This book takes you on a journey with Nuri, a twelve-year-old who lives in the slums until she hears an opportunity, that will change everything, in the form of a song. I highly recommend this book to any and all fiction lovers.
