Bumpy Oak Books

4 stars

Emilia Zeeland introduces her STAR Academy series with this first novel, The Unsound Theory. A YA scifi, readers follow Yalena Russo, a girl of unknown origins who receives an invitation to attend STAR Academy. STAR Academy involves collegiate level studies on a space station that only invites 20 students per year. When Yalena accepts, she has to adapt to life in space, her classes, and the potential to learn more about where she came from.

I’m a fan of magic schools and assassin schools already, and it appears I’m going to have to add in that I’m a fan of space schools too. After Ender’s Game, Aurora Rising, and The Unsound Theory, I can definitely say this is a trope for me. If it’s not a trope for you, better to stay away because most of this book surrounds the academy life and the accompanying student drama which I was all in for. There is the added mystery of Yelena’s origins as well, but that does seem to be a bigger set up for the sequels. Though this book does utilize a common theme, there is a way to do tropes poorly and a way to do them well. I can happily say that Zeeland manages to do a good job with her execution.

Zeeland also took the time to give distinct personalities to each of the characters, even despite the large character list. Because of the sheer number of characters, we don’t really get a full, fleshed out character development for most of them, but that wasn’t something that bothered me. I will say Martian pilot Alec and hacker Nico were definitely my favorites.

Overall, I really just had a good time reading this book, and am absolutely willing to continue in the series.