Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for my ARC of The Stardust Grail! Extremely solid 4/5 for me. The actual heist section was a bit cliché and while there were a few hiccups, it still went pretty smooth, all things considered. What really set this apart was its characterizations and world building. I LOVED the world building. It describes a vast universe teaming with life but doesn't try to shove 10,000 species into your brain parts. It keeps the scope remarkably streamlined, giving you all the info you need without just dumping it, AND the knowledge and sense that even more lies in wait. It's not a negative for me, but it does fall into the current trend in Sci-Fi of "ocean" aliens. Jellyfish and squid like aliens have been popping up everywhere the last couple of years (at least for me). The characters are all unique and easily differentiated, which is great. Maya is likable and progressive with a strong moral compass, but still understands that not everything is easily achieved morally speaking. The last third of the book is fast-paced and has some of the most interesting aspects of the book/world, so I wish we got to spend a little more time in there but hey, so do the characters and I get it. I wish I felt like the characters were a little less safe. Which, I did briefly, but it felt to me like she was going to keep them relatively safe. The end is tied up in a quick, neat, positive bow that leaves a possibility for more. This is my first book by Yume Kitasei, and I really enjoyed her style. I'm def excited to read more.

Take Indiana Jones, give him a respect for indigenous cultures, then stick him in space and you've got The Stardust Grail. This book was just such a fun ride, and the world that Yume Kitasei has created was so fascinating to explore. The way the worldbuilding is crafted and slowly introduced to us kept me engaged without being overwhelmed by infodumping, and I loved the blend between humor and real emotional turmoil. This book was heartfelt and sincere in its messaging, and I can't wait to read everything else from Kitasei!

Yume Kitasei is so talented at writing sci-fi!! I loved the Deep Sky and so I obviously had to get my hands on this book. It is so different to the Deep Sky but I loved it just as much!

This caught my attention from the first page. The worldbuilding is done in a way that's informative without feeling info dumpy or overwhelming (which is hard to do imo). I love when scifi has nonhuman aliens and shows us their cultures, so this was right up my alley. This book was so interesting and unique.

The characters are interesting, distinct, and not always likable (which I think makes them more realistic). I enjoyed most of the main cast and really love how different they all were from one another.

I will say that the beginning ~65% or so of this was not as interesting as the ending section. The first 65% was still good and fun and a solid 3.5/4 star, but it just doesn't match up to the ending! The ending section was SO cool. I wanted more of it and wish this book were a bit longer because I wanted more exploration!!

I think my actual rating for this is a 4.5, but I'm rounding up because I had a lot of fun with it. I will definitely be recommending this to friends and will 100% pick up Kitasei's future books!

I won’t bury the lead: I haven’t had this much fun with sci-fi in a while.When it comes to sci-fi,

I mostly consume it via movies and TV. I’m a huge Star Trek fan and a Star Wars fan to a lesser extent. I love my sci-fi mixed with horror à la The X-Files and The Twilight Zone. I also get a kick out of Rick and Morty, Back to the Future, and a bunch of other sci-fi films and TV shows. But, when it comes to reading, my consumption of the genre is mostly limited to novels set in the world of Star Trek and the military/horror/sci-fi Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry.

Looking at my taste, however, it’s not surprising I enjoyed The Stardust Grail as much as I did. It’s not just a sci-fi novel. If I had to best describe this book, it’s Star Trek meets Star Wars meets the Indiana Jones franchise meets Ocean’s Eleven. This book has it all: action, adventure, space travel, alien species, and heists.

The story centers on Maya Hoshimoto, a young woman who group up on a human colony on a distant planet who was once the greatest thief in the galaxy. Maya has given up crime to move to Earth and study at university. But when her former partner, Auncle, a member of the alien species called the Frenro, shows up at Earth to enlist Maya’s help in getting back The Grail, a lost Frenro artifact that can save the species from extinction, Maya is pulled back in for one last job.

But wait! There’s more! The Frenro were once responsible for the building of the Intergalactic Web, a series of portals that makes space travel possible. Turns out, The Grail also helps them build those portals. And something is destroying the portals, threatening to cut humanity off from the rest of the galaxy. So, not only has Auncle asked Maya to help find The Grail, so has the Earth military, who want to keep the Grail themselves.

Besides the action and adventure, I really appreciated the depiction of Maya and Auncle’s friendship. The Frenro are one of the most alien extraterrestrial species I have seen depicted in a while. They aren’t humanoid. They have a very different society and culture than humans. One of the things I found interesting was the cross-species relationship, which was close and loving, but also difficult because of the differences.

The pace of the book is almost non-stop. Kitasei takes just the right amount of time to slow down for character moments to build the reader’s connection to the characters and their relationships to each other, but is quick to get back to the action. There are plenty of twists and surprises along the way as well, meaning the book never feels predictable.

While I am on the subject of twists and surprises, there is just one near the end that I didn’t like. It was a real “wait, what? Really?” moment. The good news is, it didn’t even put a dent in my overall enjoyment of the book. Neither did the very ending, which was very abrupt. I got to the last sentence and felt like there would be more, but there I was at the end. It threw me for a second.

I said it at the top of this review and I’ll repeat it here: this book is a blast. I didn’t want to put it down, even when I knew I had to get some sleep because I had to wake up early for work. Be sure to pick this one up when it comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Stardust Grail. Wow, it’s hard to find the words to describe this book. I never quite knew what was going to happen as I was reading this book, which I haven’t felt in a long time! While there were many elements of the novel that I enjoyed, I really loved how lived in the world felt. Though there was plenty of exposition, it was almost as if all the history and different aspects of the world extended far beyond that. Some additional background could have been helpful at times, but I enjoyed just how thought out everything was. I also loved the characters. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story whose characters feel like real people. One aspect I thought was brilliant was the unpredictably of their actions—the humanity of it all really shone through. Though sci-fi can sometimes feel overwhelming or unapproachable to me, I was able to sink in and thoroughly invest myself in this story, which was just such a lovely feeling. I would definitely recommend The Stardust Grail to anyone interested in a unique sci-fi/heist story!

I think a lot of readers are going to love this heist/space opera/found family book and I think it has a lot to offer. There are aliens, a good bit of action, characters that are quirky and loveable and stolen artifacts. All of this works well together and this is a fun book. I'm giving this 3 stars because I didn't love it but I definitely see the appeal and it is well written even if it wasn't a favorite for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Yume Kitasei for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a delightful, fun book. The worldbuilding was superb, and the characters are the kind you feel sad to leave when the book is over. I particularly loved the relationships developed between all the characters, especially Maya and Auncle. An excellent follow-up to The Deep Sky. Although this one does have a different tone than Kitasei's debut novel, I love the space opera adventure vibes so much.

I thought <i>The Deep Sky </i> was incredible, so I was very excited to receive an e-arc for <i>The Stardust Grail </i>.

Maya, now a PhD student at a very far in the future Princeton, spent the previous decade stealing back prized cultural treasures around the galaxy and returning them to their rightful owners. But, when she starts having odd visions, the missing journal of a famous space explorer/academic suddenly shows up at the university archive, and her closest friend Auncle (part of the species called Frenro) comes to invite her on one last heist, she knows she has to join. What follows is a rollicking and often truly unexpected adventure to find the Stardust Grail, an important Frenro artifact that has been missing for thousands of years.

As in her first book, Kitasei’s writing is impeccable in this second adventure. Futuristic Princeton and academia are fun, and Maya’s true enthusiasm for lost cultural treasures is an added joy in the reading experience. Maya’s world is nuanced and complicated, although sometimes overly so. The first quarter and last quarter were the most enjoyable for me, and the pacing was definitely funky throughout the story. The last part especially could have used some more pages. I have a lot of remaining questions.

Overall, still a lovely read from Kitasei! Sequel?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc.

A lot of telling and not showing made the writing feel very juvenile. It also makes the characterization feel very strange because we never see characters behaving the way we're told they are. The pacing for the novel was also very challenging. Nothing happens for a long time and then things feel rushed and disjointed.

THE STARDUST GRAIL is Yume Kitasei's sophomore novel, and as someone who thoroughly enjoyed and devoured her debut novel, THE DEEP SKY, I was thrilled to get my grubby little hands on an ARC of this book as well.

I love space operas. Space! Aliens! New cultures! Planets! This book is a great fit for fans of Mass Effect, Firefly, Star Wars, and also for fans of other novels like PORTRAIT OF A THIEF. I really appreciated the level of thought that went into the morality of "stealing" artefacts to return them to their home cultures.

I loved the world building, the different races that populate the universe, the history and culture that was evident behind each of them. My only problem is that I wanted more - I really hope there is a sequel one day and that it's not a standalone. I wanted to learn more about what happened in the near-past, and I definitely want to know what's going to happen immediately after the book ends.

I thought the pacing was a bit shaky - there were parts that, while never quite feeling slow or boring, did feel like they went on too long. There were some hard scene transitions that could've been slowed down so they weren't as abrupt, and some areas that went by in a blur. The last 25% of the book definitely felt like it should've been longer, more detailed. It felt rushed.

All of the characters were wonderful, with unique personalities, voices, and growth that made me just fall in love with all of them. Again, I really hope there is a sequel one day, because I'm not ready to leave them behind just yet.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC (and to my friend Kel for snagging me a physical ARC).

This book is a rollicking, fantastic ride through a universe full of aliens, mysterious artifacts, spaceships, all sorts of planets, space-archeology and also multiple high-stakes heists and battles out in the vast universe. It really does feel like a sci-fi twist on an Indiana Jones adventure, and I mean that as a big compliment. It has a real space-adventure feel to it, but there's also real depth here as various characters struggle with guilt and trauma, trust and betrayal. The relationships and the characters were given so much nuance and complexity, giving the book an emotional heft that I really appreciated.

I quite enjoyed The Stardust Grail and seek out other work by Yumi Katasei, an author I hadn’t read before this. I really enjoyed the characterization of the main character, alien artifact thief Maya, who is complicated, earnest, flawed, and likeable. I also enjoyed the deftly drawn alien Auncle, her sometime partner. The details of world building are well executed and the small, incidental references tossed out make the world feel real and lived in. This universe is gritty and complex. This is less a heist book than a quest book, with galaxy-shaking consequences, and it held me throughout. Well done.

I loved Yume Kitasei's debut novel, The Deep Sky, but I think I liked this one even more! Her books are is exactly the flavor of sci-fi that I enjoy: It has the cool aliens and fascinating technology for sure, but they're not focused on SO much that the worldbuilding overshadows the characters and their motivations. And gosh do I love Kitasei's character work here and in her last one. I would love to see another book of hers set in this particular future.

The only thing I will say was that the last 25% was a bit hard for me to follow, but that is a "me" thing - I was racing through this book because I was so eager to see how it ended, and ended up feeling that things were a bit convoluted. I also found myself having to go back and check on things because I had a hard time remembering the acronyms and species and such, and discovered too late that the eBook had a glossary of the aliens in the back!

Anyway, I fully intend to reread this when it's released and I can get a physical copy. Still a 5 star read for sure, and I'm looking forward to what Kitasei comes up with next!!

Truth be told, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this one. When I started it, I liked it. I liked the descriptions of the different beings and the different worlds and the small ephemera that make up their lives. I liked the variety of characters and their relationships. I think maybe where I started to get lost was the pacing. It's a bit of a slow burn and the actual heist portion doesn't... actually take up that much space. The last 25-ish% of the book ended up being a little chaotic and confusing for me. Then, the ending... I don't know. Maybe I just didn't "get it", but it felt a little lackluster for all that build-up.

After typing out a few thoughts, I think I can say that ending portion of the book is definitely where I felt like I was out of my depth. Even though things had been explained (sort of?), I still felt like I didn't understand much of anything at the end of it. And maybe that's on me. Certain aspects of sci-fi can definitely go over my head (though, for the most part, I don't think this book was too overly technical about the science aspect of things, which was good for me because my brain tends to overload quickly--especially if math is involved) and I feel like there was a point made at the end of this book that I was missing.

Honestly, this may just be a case of "it's not you, it's me". I do think there was a lot to love here and you could definitely feel the vastness of everything in the universe. I still stand by my statement that the heists didn't feel all that involved or interesting (a lot of the actual prep-work was done off-page and the actual heist(s) felt like they happened far too quickly?), but it still might be worth checking out if you're interested.

This epic sci-fi will keep you on your toes and keep you flipping those pages! Following an art theif as they return stolen alien artifacts back to their planet!

Save one world. Doom her own.

From the acclaimed author of The Deep Sky comes a thrilling anti-colonial space heist to save an alien civilization.

Maya Hoshimoto was once the best art thief in the galaxy. For ten years, she returned stolen artifacts to alien civilizations—until a disastrous job forced her into hiding. Now she just wants to enjoy a quiet life as a graduate student of anthropology, but she’s haunted by persistent and disturbing visions of the future.

Then an old friend comes to her with a job she can’t refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction. Except no one has seen it in living memory, and they aren’t the only ones hunting for it.

Maya sets out on a breakneck quest through a universe teeming with strange life and ancient ruins. But the farther she goes, the more her visions cast a dark shadow over her team of friends new and old. Someone will betray her along the way. Worse yet, in choosing to save one species, she may condemn humanity and Earth itself.

I'll start by saying this was my first book by Yume kitasei, but she is now on my list of authors that I will buy and read everything they put out in the future, probably on day one of the release date. Not only was this a great, fun, fast paced sci fi story but also an amazing heist plot. We see heists in fantasy an awful lot, but very rarely in the science fiction genre and it was done to perfection here. Anyone who is a fan of Pierce Brown's Red Rising series, The Expanse, or Sun Eater series, then I think you will find plenty to like about The Stardust Grail as I have:)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

"The Stardust Grail" by Yume Kitasei is a captivating and enchanting tale that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery. Set in a world where magic is real and myths come to life, the story follows the journey of a young protagonist, [insert name], as they embark on a quest to find the legendary Stardust Grail.

Kitasei's writing is rich in detail, vividly painting the landscapes and creatures that inhabit this magical realm. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. As [insert name] navigates through various challenges and encounters, they learn valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of belief.

One of the highlights of the book is its imaginative world-building. Kitasei has created a universe that feels both unique and familiar, filled with mythical creatures, ancient prophecies, and hidden dangers. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Overall, "The Stardust Grail" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure alike. Kitasei's storytelling is both magical and heartfelt, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating and uplifting tale.

Very unique book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Very excited to read more by this author because they have a real way with words.

The Stardust Grail is a thrilling space heist, reminiscent of blockbusters like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but also subversive and unexpected. The story’s protagonist, Maya Hoshimoto, is a skilled art thief who hopes to put her thieving days behind her and live a quiet, studious life on Earth…until her old shipmate and best friend Auncle—a telepathic, tentacled alien from a dying race—returns with a job that Maya can’t resist: steal the Stardust Grail. Plagued by dark visions of possible futures and joined by an outlaw soldier in a cybernetic suit and a robot with emotive aspirations, Maya and Auncle set out on a mission to recover the grail. But they’re not the only ones after it. And even if Maya finds it first, she may have to choose between condemning Auncle’s race to extinction or severing humanity’s connection to the rest of the universe.

The Stardust Grail is a boisterous journey, rife with protean planets, intriguing spaceports, and remarkable life forms. The stakes are high. The characters are engaging and delightful. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed. But at its core, the book is also an exploration of understanding, forgiveness, and the importance of being true to our friends, and ourselves. For any fan of space adventures, this book is a must-read.

Human+Alien best friends doing reverse Indiana Jones heists? I am listening intently 👀

I loved Maya and Auncle, their friendship was 10/10, no notes. Auncle calling Maya stuff like “my sweet, squishable friend”? Delightful. It’s been so long since I read a scifi with non-humanoid aliens who are just an unremarkable part of life, and this book has several different alien species! And then there’s Wil(human woman with mechsuit prosthetics) and Medix,(robot, he’s giving ~Data with hints of Murderbot~) the other half of the heist crew. We’re not meant to trust them instantly, but they grew on me pretty quickly, and I loved how their friendship was so central to their motivations. Look, I am a huge sucker for characters being best friends, okay?

Honestly, aside from how it was a little heavy on the coincidences, my only complaint about this book is that I want sequels! I want to spend more time with the crew, and get to see them do some museum heists in less apocalyptic circumstances! God, I would love a series that’s ~Leverage, In Space~. The world building here is already so well done, with so many established planets, and histories between the different space-faring people, there’s so much to potential! (It works perfectly well as a standalone, no jarring cliffhangers or anything, I just want more!)