This is a book of my heart because:
1) giant robots that people use to fight things
2) found family trope
3) diverse group of protagonists
4) sci-fi!!!!!1!1!!!

I really loved it. ( )

After a bit of a slow start, this ended up being a great read. Can't wait for more! ( )

I purchased this book from Amazon to read with @readingbutterfliesbookclubs. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh. In the year 2199 East Asia is in complete chaos. Lee Jaewon is an academic success despite his troubled past and rebel father he is moving himself up through New Seoul Academy ranks quickly with his friend Alex. When they complete a battle simulation against all odds they earn a spot in the Tower assigned jobs like no other. Jaewon meet Tera and Alex meets Ama and as secrets become uncovered all involved habe to make choices that will effect entire futures and the lives of thousands of people. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Amazon, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com ( )

Lots of science fiction, YA, dystopian, and child soldier tropes in this strong book which is exactly as described - "Pacific Rim meets Korean action dramas." There are fights in the snack bar of the school, gangs in the old town, elders who should be heeded, elders who definitely should *not* be heeded, a K-pop singer (or is she a pop rocker? That discussion was one of the only places I laughed in this book!), a government intent upon making its teenagers do two years of military service, and a lot of teenagers heterosexually lusting after each other during and after final exams. The pacing is good until the very end (the epilogue is a rather disappointing montage), the backstory has a tiny bit of Gattaca flavor, and it's all a super solid #ownvoices debut. ( )