AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Adenrele Ojo juggles romance, angst, and danger in a science fiction novel inspired by the story of Anastasia Romanov. As a child, Ana was found floating in space wreckage, all alone except for a robot companion, known as a Metal, called D09. She now lives with the crew that saved her. When D09 starts to malfunction, she endangers the entire crew in a bid to recover the coordinates of a ship she believes hold the answers to fixing “him.” Ojo effectively projects emotions, particularly the captain’s anger at Ana’s headstrong actions and the longing of the various romantically inclined teenagers. Ojo’s deft narration helps listeners keep pace with this complicated plot and leaves them wanting more. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
The perfect blend of action, romance, technological futurism, sci-fi, and fantasy, this intergalactic drama demands attention and rewards its readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“Tangled politics, electrifying twists, and heady romances—the stars align in Poston’s faster-than-light sci-fi adventure. A delicious, absorbing book.” — Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes trilogy
“With sharply drawn characters, a relentless plot, and an utterly spellbinding world, Heart of Iron is a must-read for sci-fi fans.” — C.J. Redwine, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen
“Poston delivers a delightful cast and non-stop thrills in this lightspeed space adventure. The pages flew by, and I couldn’t put it down.” — Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Savage Song and Our Dark Duet
“The legends surrounding Anastasia Romanove get an sf makeover in this...exciting Firefly-style space opera.” — Booklist
“A great choice for fans of Victoria Aveyard’s “Red Queen” trilogy and for young readers looking for a hint of Game of Thrones” — School Library Journal
“Fast-paced...will leave readers waiting for the sequel.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
The perfect blend of action, romance, technological futurism, sci-fi, and fantasy, this intergalactic drama demands attention and rewards its readers.
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Fast-paced...will leave readers waiting for the sequel.
Booklist
The legends surrounding Anastasia Romanove get an sf makeover in this...exciting Firefly-style space opera.
C.J. Redwine
With sharply drawn characters, a relentless plot, and an utterly spellbinding world, Heart of Iron is a must-read for sci-fi fans.
Sara Raasch
Tangled politics, electrifying twists, and heady romances—the stars align in Poston’s faster-than-light sci-fi adventure. A delicious, absorbing book.
Victoria Schwab
Poston delivers a delightful cast and non-stop thrills in this lightspeed space adventure. The pages flew by, and I couldn’t put it down.
Booklist
The legends surrounding Anastasia Romanove get an sf makeover in this...exciting Firefly-style space opera.
School Library Journal
12/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—In an unusual blend of sci-fi and fantasy, this series opener (inspired by the story of Anastasia) rotates narration among an unusually large cast of characters. The central character, Ana, is accompanied by her "metal" sidekick D09, who is rapidly failing due to malware. Meanwhile, the heir to the Iron Crown must be located—one who can touch the crown without it rusting is a true heir to the emperor. There is a presumed heir, Erik, unlikable in that entitled-gentry-kid sort of way, but nobody has ever seen him touch the crown. Readers will stake their money on the younger brother, Robb, and will initially ship Robb with Ana—until it is revealed that Robb really only has eyes for Jaxx, the maverick "star kisser," who has the inherited ability to see the future. As the plot twists on, a past plague is revealed along with a sinister plan to conscript an army. With the inclusion of androids, the definition of humanity is a resounding theme. The book runs long, but the short chapters will draw readers in and the rich backstory gives them plenty to chew on. VERDICT A great choice for fans of Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen" trilogy and for young readers looking for a hint of Game of Thrones that won't burn their eyeballs with overt sexuality.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL
AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Adenrele Ojo juggles romance, angst, and danger in a science fiction novel inspired by the story of Anastasia Romanov. As a child, Ana was found floating in space wreckage, all alone except for a robot companion, known as a Metal, called D09. She now lives with the crew that saved her. When D09 starts to malfunction, she endangers the entire crew in a bid to recover the coordinates of a ship she believes hold the answers to fixing “him.” Ojo effectively projects emotions, particularly the captain’s anger at Ana’s headstrong actions and the longing of the various romantically inclined teenagers. Ojo’s deft narration helps listeners keep pace with this complicated plot and leaves them wanting more. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-10-10
The story of Anastasia, lost princess of Imperial Russia, retold as space opera.In 1918, the 17-year-old daughter of Russia's last czar was murdered with her family, but rumors persisted for decades that she might have survived in secret. In this version, the family of the Emperor of the Iron Kingdom, including his daughter Ananke Armorov, is known to have been murdered seven years ago in the android rebellion. Meanwhile, a ragtag crew of space pirates is community to brown-skinned and burn-scarred Ana. Ana's best friend—about whom she has secret, more-than-friend feelings—is Di, a Metal: an android. Metals aren't popular since the rebellion; most have been infected with the mind-controlling HIVE program that removes their free will. Complicating matters are Robb, a blue-eyed, olive-skinned noble on his own quest, and Jax, a violet-eyed, silver-haired Solani boy who pilots the pirate ship. Jax and Robb keep making eyes at each other, which is troublesome, since Robb's mother wants Ana's whole crew dead. Melodramatic back stories abound: there's a prophesied savior, a prince in hiding with a secret power, and a noble young man with no memory. Malapropisms abound in the florid, awkward narrative ("Her voice warbled with the weight of those words"). There's the kernel of a dramatic space yarn here, but it never comes to fruition.A surplus of angst-ridden back stories told in deeply regrettable prose. (Science fiction. 12-15)
