Spirals of Stardust: Book One (June 2024)
Editorial Reviews
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/spirals-of-stardust
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
Spirals of Stardust is a young adult sci-fi novella by Diane C. Jerome. In the 23rd century, all the rainforests have vanished from Earth except one. Animals have been implanted with cloned human genes, and humanity has ensured its survival by merging itself with the animal kingdom. Jill is a teenage jaguar who lives in the only remaining rainforest on the planet. She struggles in school with her tests and exams but is exceptionally creative, thinking through pictures in her mind. Her poor scores mean she might not get into university. But Jill has ambitions to become a nurse. When her father’s health takes a turn for the worse, Jill must delve into research using her great-grandma’s medical notes and team up with her Aunt Kolenda and the amnesiac Professor Am to work on natural remedies that will save his life.
A coming-of-age tale with heart, Spirals of Stardust is full of wonder and celebrates humanity’s ingenious strength to change the world using its creative spark. Diane C. Jerome presents an astonishing view of a fictional future where humans have pushed beyond their physical limitations to merge with animals, crafting a uniquely authentic world featuring various kinds of intelligent species. In addition to the stellar worldbuilding, the author has written an engaging plot with likable and relatable characters. Apart from being a jaguar, Jill is your average teenager who struggles with her exams and desperately wants to carry on the family legacy by pursuing nursing as her career. Young readers will easily become attached to this character. Overall, this is for readers of coming-of-age stories who love books that make them contemplate.
Midwest Book Review
https://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/aug_24.htm#dianedonovan
Reviewed by Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Review
Young adults looking for evocative fantasy reads have plenty of reading options, but Spirals of Stardust should be added to the top of the list for those seeking evocative, memorable characters whose perspectives on life are moving and engrossing.
Protagonist Jill is the epitome of such an attractor: I’m in a pickle. Teachers are talking to me in a foreign language. It would be so much easier if they just spoke to me the way my family talks. They look at me like I’m some kind of beast. It would help if my teacher would stop with those frowns every time I do something. I know I can’t be wrong 100% of the time! Why aren’t my answers ever in the answer choices on these tests? I know I know what I’m supposed to know. If every test is going to be like this, then I’ll be more than in a pickle. I’ll be in a jar with a tightly squeezed lid, soaking in pickle juice, picked up by outside gawkers who glare at me like I’m radioactive or something. The surprise is that she’s not human.
Humans went extinct during the Great Shift in the 23rd century, after a gene-changing event from space returned them to their wild roots. Earth had long lost its rainforests … or so it was believed. So when orangutan explorers Orly and Adir discover Jill’s home, it’s with an excitement that portends planetary healing and recovery for the future.
Diane C. Jerome moves back in time to explain and explore the roots of this revised Earth, deftly creating a foundation of history before returning to Jill’s dilemmas over shifting bonds with family and friends.
The line between human and animal blurs in an innovative, thought-provoking manner as Jill immerses her audience in her life and its many changes. Human-centric concerns, such as getting an education or losing a father, juxtapose with fantasy elements of futuristic endeavors, influences, and situations. This encourages young adults to think about not just this extraordinary setting and scenario, but questions about human and nature connections.
The poetic reflections that permeate and drive the plot are especially notable: How could I put myself in such a situation like this? I feel in over my head, like I’m drowning. There’s knowledge up above the surface of the water. It comes in the form of sunrays. It’s warm. It’s inviting. It’s peaceful. It’s helpful. But I’m drowning farther and farther down. Into the depths of the wide ocean of water I fall. I’m descending. My heart is pounding. My chest feels heavy. I can’t breathe. I can’t see farther than right in front of myself.
As suitable for classroom assignment and book club reading group debate as it is for individual entertainment, Spirals of Stardust crafts a milieu that is more complex than the usual young adult fantasy story—but, thus, potentially much more inviting.
