Light from Uncommon Stars

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

I downloaded this book a while ago now, and I must've completely forgotten the description - especially the bit about the San Gabriel Valley - because when I started reading I was surprised and delighted to discover this book takes place in my old stomping grounds! (I'm from Temple City!) Now that I live halfway across the country from where I grew up, it felt a little extra special to have the area so accurately and lovingly depicted in a science fiction book. So the book ticks one major box right there for activating my nostalgia/homesickness.

Second, a large part of the plot revolves around music, and music instruction with a main character named Katrina who loves to play covers of video game music. And that's another box ticked, because when I'm not reading books I'm a piano teacher by trade, and one of my favorite music genres to play for myself is OSTs (Original Sound Tracks) from movies, anime and video games.

At this point, I find myself wondering 'who is this author, and could we be friends?'

Now, beyond those two bonus points for the setting and plot just speaking to some of my own real-life experience, this book really is a wonderful read. And you don't have to know the SGV or be a musician for that to be true by any means, because the author provides so much detail and nuance that you'll feel right at home. We've also got aliens, a stargate, crazy rare violins, love over donuts, deals with demons, LGBT+ representation, and feeding ducks at the park. . . which probably sounds like a lot. And it is. This book has a LOT packed into it. But somehow it really works. It has you rooting for the characters, keeps you on your toes as to what could happen next and ends up delivering some really good feels by the end.

I'd add Content Warnings for the book for physical abuse of a child, mention of rape, and transphobia (for context, Katrina is transgender and encounters transphobic awfulness from her own parents before running away, as well as out in the world.).

I received an ARC from Netgalley, and this is an unbiased review.

“Tomorrow is tomorrow. Over there is over there. And here and now is not a bad place and time to be, especially when so much of the unknown is beautiful.”

“When you rush, all you are doing is practicing your mistakes at a faster pace.” (full disclosure, I picked this quote because I literally say it at least once a week in my teaching studio.)

“With no need for a beginning, nor any reason to end, the music continues. And so, no matter who you are, where you came from, what sins you have committed or hurt you have endured... when you are alone and there is no universe left to remember you. You can always, always rewrite your song”