The Omen Girl is a YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel that is a kind of reimagining of the classic space odyssey trope. Set in the city of Tall Titan, a futuristic space colony located on a moon of a distant planet, the story follows 14yo Sozo.

But Sozo isn't just any 14yo; she is an Omen: someone whose acts of transgression have manifested as a physical mark. Abandoned by her parents, Omens, like Sozo, are considered outcasts and entirely shunned from society. If agitated, Sozo's mark, or black stain, has the potential to spread across her entire body uncontrollably, transforming her into an otherworldly cursed monster.

However, Sozo also has the strange ability to hide her Omen stain for a short period of time that gives her the unique opportunity to blend in with society easier than others like her, catching the eye of a rogue Omen, named Esp, who offers to take Sozo under her wing on the condition she does exactly as Esp tells her to without question.

Under Esp's instruction, Sozo infiltrates a temple training young acolytes in preparation for the Decade-Race of Stars: a deadly celestial race where the winner gets to make a single wish for anything their heart desires. Although there's a catch, if she is discovered, the penalty for her deceit is death.

It's been a really long time since I have read a genuine YA novel, and I had honestly forgotten how much of a joy the genre can be.

From start to finish, Yueh Yang does a masterful job at captivating the reader, pulling them into a star-studded, vibrant world full of immense wonder and immeasurable pain.

While this is a YA, the themes that Yang delves into are deep, raw, emotional, and not for the faint of heart. It asks hard questions about the mutual relationship and nature between good and evil, morality itself, and what it means to be a good person.

One of the things this novel does well is bring the characters to life. Sozo, Naqi, Rama, and Roaz all felt as real as the air I breathe. I loved every one of them (well, maybe not Roaz as much) and felt the devastation of having to leave them behind once I finished reading. I wish I had more time with them! 😭

Naqi and Sozo's relationship specifically is some special to behold. It is a love story that crosses galaxies, and while I believe this is a stand-alone. I kinda hope there is a second novel set 10 years in the future so I can spend more time with these characters.

Additionally, Yang's language was lyrical, and the imagery was vivid. I could clearly picture the characters moving about this vibrant galactic world. Finally, the magic system was unlike anything I have ever seen before. It was bright and exciting, yet dangerous and unpredictable. I couldn't get enough.

My biggest hang-ups with this would have to be that the narrative was sometimes repetitive (which felt as if the author used it intentionally as a writing device, but just not for me) and the fact that I wish that I felt like I was actually IN the world and could hear the roar of an excited crowd or taste the different foods. The phrase "show, don't tell" definitely came to mind a lot while reading.

All that aside, this book is special, and I think many young readers out there will not only enjoy it but also resonate deeply with the complex emotions and themes within this short 270-page novel.

Releases October 6th, 2025. 4.5⭐️

Thank you to Yueh Yang, Wattpad Books, and NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I picked up this book, I wasn't expecting it to be quite so dark a story, but at its center is a spark of hope as bright as a star. Sozo is a compelling protagonist in that she pours everything she has into trying to survive, trying to find a way to make the world a better place for Omens like herself. Although she is a difficult character to like with her abrasive personality, you can't help but cheer her on as she struggles against setback after setback while working toward earning a wish.

I do wish the setting itself was explored more, as I was left with many questions about how the world became the way it was, where Omens came from, and so forth, and at times it felt like Sozo was more telling what happened versus the story truly showing it. Despite this, I enjoyed the read, and I think readers who like darker fantasy with a strong-willed female protagonist (who perhaps toes the line of antagonist or antihero at times) will find this an intriguing read.

I really appreciated this story. It tackled themes of redemption, guilt, and shame well, and I think it would be a great conversation starter--especially with teenage readers who are starting to work through those topics more intellectually. It definitely employs in medias res storytelling, so this probably isn't the book for you if you like the world building explained in depth rather than needing to figure most of it out for yourself as you go along. I enjoy in medias res storytelling a lot, so I appreciated the questioning and figuring out the answers in the story. And, like I said, the characters had complexity. The story deals with some big questions: What does it mean to be guilty? What is the remedy for guilt? How do we make the world right again? How do we treat people who have done wrong things? I love it when stories tackle those questions and I can engage with the author, especially when the answers are a bit more nuanced.

My one complaint was that the formatting got pretty funky in my e-copy, so there were sentences that had whole paragraph breaks in the middle. It got pretty hard to read at some points, but I'm glad I kept going. I'd strongly recommend this book to teens who are ready to start working through their own worldview assumptions and figuring out what they think about how to resolve the world's problems.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. It was not what I was expected, and I couldn’t stay motivated to continue to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad Books, and especially Yueh Yang for the eARC of The Omen Girl!

Much like some of my now-most-beloved works, The Omen Girl took me longer to get into than I would have hoped. But, despite a tremulous start, once I was knee deep in this world, I was hooked and on a delicious ride!

The magic system was original and captivating, the mythology solid, and Sozo a protagonist I quickly fell in love with.

*Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for getting me this eARC*

I just finished The Omen Girl, and honestly, I’m so glad I stuck with it! At first, it was a bit challenging to get into—the world-building took some patience, and I wasn’t sure I’d connect deeply to the characters. But somewhere along the way, everything clicked, and I found myself completely invested in Sozo’s story.

Sozo’s journey as an outcast hiding her Omen mark pulled at my heartstrings, especially once she meets Naqi, whose warmth and kindness gradually break through her guarded exterior. Their friendship felt authentic and touching, and the slow build of emotions between them kept me eagerly turning pages.

The climax and the final chapters were beautifully emotional and intense, delivering twists I hadn’t anticipated. Without spoiling anything, the ending was bittersweet and left me desperately hoping for a sequel.

Yueh Yang truly crafted a story about identity, compassion, and sacrifice. Even though it took me some time to get fully immersed, I ended up loving this story and can’t wait to see if there’s another book.

I wish I had discovered this story a lot earlier than I actually did.

It was a very moving (albeit dark), very beautifully written story. Such vivid descriptions and attention to detail that truly kept me captivated. Yueh Yang is truly a master storyteller.

If you are looking for an impactful short story that will captivate you and make you feel so many emotions, this is definitely the book for you. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

I really loved this book. The magic system of stars and starsong, of writing spells in starlight, of bonding to stars who may choose to either grant power or kill, a religion based on fallen titans and a race that will allow its candidates — mostly children, due to their slight weight and more open natures — a wish that could change the world. Sozo doesn’t just want to change the world, she needs to.

The isolation and ostracization of the Omens, people cursed for no known reason and shunned so completely there isn’t even a way to write the word Omen, is cruel, confusing, and nonsensical. How is it a four year old child can be marked as an Omen while a near-adult who deliberately chooses to murder someone else isn’t? How does it happen and why? And this is a question never answered which is, I think, a good thing.

If there were answers — a person much be so much evil to be cursed, so much educated, so much blooded or pure or pious — it would allow for a rational hate and Otherness. Instead it’s random. It can happen to your son, your daughter, your neighbor; it turns that hate and horror into the nonsensical foolishness that racism, bigotry, homophobia is. And if it were explained, then the cure for the Omen curse would have to also be explained.

How much apology is enough to remove a blight from your flesh? How many times do you have to say sorry? And for a reader, if they don’t agree that a character has grovelled enough, has redeemed themselves enough, have suffered enough … if they want more pain, more trauma so that they feel like the conditions have been met? Instead the cure, like the curse, is more about compassion. I liked it, I liked how everything came together and how the climax unfolded.

Sozo isn’t an easy character to like. She’s a traumatized 14 year old who has suffered for a crime she has no idea she committed. After all, what crime can a child be guilty of that destroys their future so completely? (Another thing not answered because I don’t think there can ever be a satisfying answer.) She’s curt, cruel, lonely, hurt, defensive, ashamed and guilty; she doesn’t make friends, she doesn’t feel nice, fluffy emotions when Naqi tries flirting with her. Instead she pushes everyone away, hides from them — and from herself.

I loved Soza. I loved watching her slowly come out of her shell, slowly gain confidence, slowly realize that she doesn’t have to hurt; she doesn’t have to feel the weight of shame and guilt that isn’t hers, and that she can also be kind to other people without it being seen as weakness. She’s the sort of character I really like, someone who is wounded and hurting and who — over the course of the book — truly comes into her own.

Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC of this story.

This was okay. It is unfortunate that I was not able to fully immerse myself in the world and story of The Omen Girl, despite its intriguing premise and plot. The novel had an interesting premise and an eerie tension that combined creates an gripping story. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, and some plot points lacked proper development. My interest in the plot quickly waned, and I was wishing the characters and world-building had been more detailed and deeper. This made it difficult to fully connect with the characters, leaving the overall experience somewhat unsatisfying. That being said, it does have potential.

Thank you WebToon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of a honest review.

I was completely captivated by Sozo! The premise alone—a girl hiding her monstrous identity to compete in a star race for a wish—is incredibly compelling. The world-building is rich and imaginative, creating a vivid backdrop for Sozo's high-stakes journey.

Naqi's character brings such warmth and levity to the story, and his interactions with Sozo are beautifully written. Watching their bond grow as Sozo grapples with her deceptions adds a layer of emotional depth that elevates the narrative. The ethical dilemmas Sozo faces are thought-provoking and kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The ultimatum she's given is a masterstroke, forcing her to confront impossible choices. Sozo is a thrilling, poignant exploration of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice. This book is a standout and easily earns a 5-star rating!

This book had all the elements I loved; it was a great YA dystopian sci-fi!

The use of asian-inspired mythology, and the idea of omens was so interesting. It was intriguing all around, and had good characters. Overall, this story had great bones, but I feel that some parts were lacking a bit. Some things could have been explained a bit more, like backstory and how some things began. It did affect my reading experience a bit, but overall, it was not a deal breaker.

This was a solid debut novel by Yueh Yang!

Thank you to Webtoon and NetGalley for the eARC.

While the premise and plot of The Omen Girl intrigued me, I unfortunately found myself unable to immerse myself in the world and story. The scifi-esque setting was interesting, but there was minimal world building. Many of Sozo's interactions with other characters were flat and "told" to the reader rather than "experienced." I found the lacking backstories difficult, and didn't allow me to really connect with the characters.

All in all it was an interesting plot but I had hoped for a better execution.

I'm sorry, what? I'm just supposed to pretend I'm ok after the book ends like THAT? I AM NOT OK.

I haven't read YA fantasy in a while, and I ate The Omen Girl up just as fast as middle school me would have. Not to be dramatic, but I did just lay down a cry for a bit after finishing this. Sozo and Naqi have the sweetest relationship. And seeing Sozo learn to trust people and build friendships was so tender. :')

Omen stains, physical marks on the body that emerge from wrongdoing, make you an outcast in this society. I loved how this book dealt with the symbol of an Omen stain in such a beautiful way.

Some of the imagery went over my head, but I thought the whole reading experience was so fun! I can see how this book might be stand-alone but I'm hoping we get another to explore more of the world and characters.

had all the ingredients for a gripping story — an intriguing premise, atmospheric vibes, and an eerie tension. However, while the setup was strong, the execution didn’t quite live up to it. The plot lost momentum quickly, and I found myself wishing for more detail and depth, both in the world-building and the characters. So much potential, but it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. If you’re someone who values intricate storytelling and rich character arcs, this might not fully hit the mark.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Favorite quote(s):

“So this is what myths are made of.”

Review:

This was an incredible book. The details and descriptions were so good. All the characters were complex and interesting. Each had their personalities that showed through more and more as the book went on. The idea of the Omens and their markings was fascinating. Each was different, and the way they got them was as well. Sozo was a great, complicated main character, and her journey was incredible. She went from being an Omen on the street to racing stars to gain a wish. The star concepts intrigued me greatly, and none of them were the same. Sozo’s friendship with Naqi was one of the various things I loved in this book. He never judged her for who she was and helped her grow and change. There was so much that I loved about this book. I had a hard time with the origin of Omens and why they were marked. It took a while to discover the reason they existed, and I had a hard time with it being like their sins or crimes manifesting on their skin, while interesting, the idea that children were affected by it was hard, as they are young and still learning, and even small lies left marks. Other than that minor issue, I enjoyed this book and found it fascinating and well written.

The Omen Girl was absolutely fantastic! The author wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for an ARC copy!

I'm always interested in Asian-inspired fantasy and there were a lot of really cool elements in this YA story. The magic and the use of stars in the world building was so cool and not a magic system I think I've personally seen. That combined with the technology used in the world made for an intriguing setting.

The characters were also engaging enough with Sozo's arc being the most interesting to me with Naqi a close second. I do think that most of the other characters felt rather one-note and forgettable.

Overall, this book felt like it could have been at least 50 pages longer to really build up and flesh out characters and more of the world. If you're just looking for a quick, exciting read then you might be satisfied. But I personally felt like I was introduced to cool characters and a unique world and left disappointed when much was left only explored at surface level.

This book has a great premise, but it leaves a bit to be desired.

One of the key things that stood out to me was the worldbuilding here, and how it takes a fantasy science fiction take. It has a lot of themes of technology combined with magic, and talks of other planets and modern-day devices. I thought that this was such a unique setting, and it did catch my attention.

I also liked the character building in this story, and how we got to see Sozo change and grow as an individual. At many times she was morally grey, but as she experiences and meets more people, she discovers that what she was raised to believe was wrong. I also liked Naqi, who accepted and loved her despite how she behaved or treated others, and his characterization felt like a fresh breeze of air.

While these two characters shone in their roles, I do think that many of the other characters felt flat. Especially the villain of the story, but to avoid spoilers, I will not go any further there. There was a motive, but other than that there was little to nothing more to them.

I also felt like parts of the story were not fully fleshed out, and weirdly, just would throw something in or ignore something for the rest of the story. Such as how did Sozo become marked? Who was her family? How was she raised by Esp? How does the government here work? Overall, there was just a lot left unanswered or even half answered, and it left me with the feeling that it was unfinished. Also, I hated the ending... and I'm just gonna leave it there.

This book did have some strengths, but in the end of the day I think it could have been fleshed out a bit more. It felt unfinished and a little disappointing at the end of the day.

Sozo is an Omen—someone whose misdeeds have formed a magical stain upon her skin. But Sozo isn’t like other Omens. She has the power to temporarily hide her Omen and pass as normal. This ability has allowed her to enter the temple and bodn with a star so she can win the Decade Race and be granted a wish. Along the way she makes new friends and discovers some who she thought were friends were actually enemies.

The magic in this story is actually really unique—based on stars and using stardust through whistling, which allows the star-bonded to board a glider and fly. There’s a whole history and religion built around the stars that is something completely new I have never seen before.

The story itself deals with some heavy themes: friendship, inner strength, what makes someone good or evil, perception, and especially conscience and guilt. Sozo is a hard protagonist, used to going it alone and terrified to be caught at any moment. Making friends is hard for her because she is certain she would be rejected and even put to death once anyone discovers her stain. Despite the fact that she is lying to everyone, and even the fact that she has killed before, she still wants to win the race and help all the other Omens who haven’t been as fortunate as her. In contrast, all the other competitors, like Roaz are foils for her kindness. The other competitors cheat and bully her, and only are out for themselves, but yet they do not carry Omens themselves.

I was a little confused about what age group this book was geared towards, as the characters seem to be preteens but deal with a lot of adult themes and struggled. Also I wasn’t quite certain whether Sozo and Naqi were supposed to just be friends or romantic interests as it is hinted several times that they might be.

Overall a quick and easy read with lush worldbuilding and cool magic, but probably not something I would end up rereading.

Sozo harbors an Omen, a stain under the skin that grows and carries the threat of turning her into a monster. She and so many like her are seen as cursed and treated as outcasts...if not killed. Her rare talent to hide her stain ends her with a group of rebels, who wants her to enter a competition with the chosen people in a deadly race with scooters powered by a star. The winner receives a wish, any wish, and it will be granted no matter how impossible it seems. Not only must she survive and keep the strengthening monster inside of her hidden, but stars cannot be lied to, and they are said to destroy the stained.

The tale begins with Sozo staring at the stars with her parents before their deaths. With several mini-chapters, the beginning drops enough tidbits in time jumps (Sozo's past) to lay the background for her situation and a bit of the world background. The normal flow begins as she's finished with the training, shortly before the day where the potential racers are chosen by a star. From here, it's a fast-paced read with surprises coming quick and the tension humming high.

Despite the fast pacing, there's quite a bit of character development to give this tale heart. Sozo's monster isn't only a dark stain, but she carries heavy, inner demons. As a character, she's more than rough along the edges, very off-putting, and difficult to like even for the reader, at times. While this makes her unenjoyable, at first, it opens up tons of room for growth, and the author uses this. The characters around her meld in with just enough depth to make them interesting, while the action and other intrigue mounts to drive the story forward.

It's an original surmise with an intriguing world. Especially the beginning gave just enough to sink in and enjoy...and it is a fun, grabbing read. Questions surrounding the magic, society, training and such were left open. This more superficial feel permeates many aspects of the read and writing, which will delight quick-paced adventure fans, who simply want to enjoy a fresh, tense, and exciting read with just enough inner struggles to root for the heroine until the very end.