Gr 8 Up—A tale of love, loss, loyalty, and resilience set in a high-tech world of poverty and oppression. On Colleen's planet, humans are exploited by an alien race called the Derichets. Strong young male humans are sent to work in the mines, while females and older males work in a production facility to extract Kallium, an energy source for Derichet weaponry. Meanwhile, factions of violent gangs struggle for turf and resources. Colleen, the daughter of a formerly wealthy and powerful family, has been reduced to working in one of the Derichet-run production plants. She continues to live on her deteriorating estate and tries to remain unnoticed, but her life changes when she unexpectedly reunites with her niece and meets a gang member who captures her heart. The Derichets have large noses or pointed ears, often with markings on their bodies. The humans are fairly diverse, with different skin tones and eye colors represented. Ostertag's art supports Shinn's storytelling beautifully. The muted hues of the art set the tone of despair and are punctuated with red panels that accentuate the violence of Colleen's world. Librarians should note that there is an intimate scene that contains brief nudity. VERDICT This is a strong choice for sci-fi graphic novel collections, especially those seeking representation in genre fiction, and an excellent option for more mature fans of Star Wars or Mad Max.—Jodeana Kruse, R.A. Long High School, Longview, WA