
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is beginning to question authority or feels the weight of a responsibility they did not ask for. It is an ideal choice for the child who is ready to transition from traditional fantasy into more complex science fiction, offering a bridge between the familiar wonder of mer-people and the gritty reality of a high-tech future. Aluna, a girl living in an undersea colony, discovers that the technology keeping her people alive is failing. Against the strict orders of her elders, she and her tech-savvy friend Hoku journey to the surface to find answers. The story tackles themes of environmental collapse, the ethics of genetic modification, and the courage required to challenge a status quo that is no longer working. It is a fast-paced adventure that rewards curiosity and critical thinking, making it a perfect fit for 10 to 14 year olds who are navigating their own growing independence.
Descriptive scenes of the 'Upgraded' creatures and the villain's laboratory may be unsettling.
Action sequences involve weapons, robotic attacks, and physical altercations.
The book explores the ethics of genetic manipulation and bodily autonomy, raising questions about how technology can impact individual choice and societal structures. Parents may want to discuss the implications of these choices with their children. There is moderate action-oriented violence and the threat of extinction. The resolution is hopeful but sets up a larger conflict for the trilogy.
A 12-year-old who feels out of sync with their community's expectations and has a natural inclination toward engineering or problem-solving. This child likely enjoys world-building and needs a protagonist who takes decisive, albeit risky, action.
Read cold. Parents might want to discuss the scene where Aluna undergoes 'the breathing,' as it depicts the physical discomfort and potential long-term health consequences of adapting to a polluted environment. A parent might see their child withdrawing from family traditions or expressing frustration that adults are 'ignoring' a real-world problem like climate change or social injustice.
Younger readers (10) will focus on the cool factor of the genetic mods (wings and tails) and the adventure. Older readers (13-14) will pick up on the political themes of authoritarianism and the environmental subtext.
Unlike many 'mermaid' books, this is hard science fiction. It swaps magic for bio-engineering, making it a unique bridge for fantasy fans moving toward dystopian sci-fi. """
In a future where humans have genetically modified themselves to survive in different environments, the Kampii live in the ocean with breathing apparatuses and tails. Thirteen-year-old Aluna realizes the breathing tech is failing, but the elders refuse to believe the 'Above World' still exists. Aluna and her friend Hoku leave their colony to find the source of the tech, encountering winged humans (Avians) and a megalomaniacal scientist named Karlos who seeks to control all modified life through technology.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review