Book Review: The Deep Sky
Yume Kitasei's debut novel, The Deep Sky, is a captivating work of science fiction. It caught me by surprise (in the best way) and left me thinking about it long after I finished reading.
A BRIEF SUMMARY
Set against the backdrop of Earth's impending environmental collapse, the story follows Asuka, a young Japanese-American woman chosen to be part of an elite crew tasked with saving humanity by colonizing a distant planet. The narrative unfolds, alternating between the present aboard the spacecraft Phoenix and flashbacks to Asuka's past, revealing the events that led to her selection for the mission. The Phoenix and its crew are all she has left since she is estranged from her mother back on Earth, and as tensions rise among the crew following a lethal explosion onboard, suspicions and mistrust threaten to unravel the mission's fragile unity. Asuka, the sole witness to the incident, becomes determined to uncover the truth before the situation spirals out of control.
WHAT I LOVED
Kitasei skillfully approaches themes of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice, the intricacies of human relationships in the face of adversity. As Asuka grapples with her own sense of belonging and her fractured connection to her Japanese heritage, she must navigate the complexities of interpersonal dynamics aboard the ship while confronting the looming threat of sabotage. At its core, The Deep Sky felt like a gripping thriller that kept me turning pages, trying to figure out what was going on and who was responsible. Kitasei does a wonderful job building suspense throughout the novel, gradually revealing the truth behind the explosion and its implications for the crew's survival.
The character of Asuka is a compelling protagonist whose inner turmoil and resilience drive the narrative the entire time. As she grapples with her own doubts and insecurities, she emerges as a symbol of hope and determination despite overwhelming odds. But even more than on an individual level, The Deep Sky offers a commentary on the fragility of the human condition and the urgent need for unity and cooperation in the face of existential threats. Through Asuka's eyes, readers are forced to face the stark reality of Earth's environmental decline and the consequences of unchecked human greed and hubris.
Perhaps what stuck with me most isn’t what other readers would get hung up on, but for some reason Asuka’s relationship with her mother got me. Their estrangement, and the difficult dynamic caused by so many external factors, was portrayed very realistically. As such, I found myself aching. I’ve had periods of estrangement with my own mother in the past, and I spent the entirety of the book hoping that Asuka and her mother would be able to connect and find common ground like my own mother and I have, despite the literal and figurative distance between them. Sure, there was an epic space mystery, too, but it was this nuanced relationship that captivated my heart.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I give this one 4.5/5 stars.
The Deep Sky is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant exploration of humanity's place in the cosmos, looking both on the micro level and the macro. With its compelling characters and gripping plot, Yume Kitasei's debut is a testament to the power of speculative fiction to illuminate the human condition in new and different ways. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers, space exploration, or introspective storytelling, The Deep Sky has you covered.
Happy reading!
