Whether you are into science fiction or murder mystery, or both, Yume Kitasei’s debut novel “The Deep Sky” has it all. The problem: Earth is no longer sustainable for life, and countries are fighting for a way to keep the human race alive. The solution: a ship holding representatives from each country traveling millions of miles to another planet to birth a new generation. Through rigorous training camps, mental preparation and wars back on Earth, a team was selected. While the plan seems secure and is en route, a bombing occurs, throwing the ship off course, leaving three crew members dead, including the captain.
Starting in the spaceship, The Phoenix, readers meet main character, Asuka, a young girl who is on the ship to represent Japan. Asuka and her former crewmate, Kat, were out on a spacewalk to do maintenance on The Phoenix when the bombing happened, leaving Asuka as the number one suspect. Asuka has a hard time feeling accepted on the ship as it is; now she is trying to prove herself worthy in more places than one.
While being a great mystery novel with an amazing storyline, “The Deep Sky” is more than a “whodunit.” Kitasei explores the search for identity, intimacy of shared trauma and friendship, and the inevitability of human nature. Asuka’s struggle with adult situations while only being around 20 years old helps connect the book to a variety of readers.
So, will Asuka solve this mystery? Will The Phoenix get back on track to save the human race? Give “The Deep Sky” a chance and find out.
