The great destroyers

Gr 8 Up--In this alternative history, where there are no nuclear weapons, the United States and USSR are still locked in Cold War. The weapon of choice for all nations is the mecha, large mechanical soldiers, that are also used for entertainment. Young mecha pilots fight in a caged ring for the glory of their nations at the Pax Games. The USSR has beaten the U.S., but young mecha pilot Jo Linden hopes to change that. Most don't take her seriously but Jo is determined to take the champion title for her country. However, the Pax Games aren't free from political intrigue, as Jo soon discovers that they are just another global chess match between two superpowers, and she might be a pawn. The mecha soldiers are an intriguing and fun premise expertly blended into real American historical events. Richmond expertly draws readers in with protagonist Jo, a white-passing, mixed-race Chinese American woman trying to be accepted in a white, male-dominated sport. Despite being alternative history, the prejudices Jo experiences are real and explored in depth. Jo must constantly play the part of the ideal "American Girl," when she is not. Part of the plot includes international politics that some readers may find distracting from Jo's experiences. Overall, readers will find the plot engaging and thrilling. Perfect for established fans of Richmond and fans of Andrea Tang and Axie Oh. VERDICT A must-have novel about a robot fighting competition that explores America's historical racial injustices.--Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask.

Underdog Josephine Linden fights for more than glory in this neohistorical thriller. An alternate historical timeline reimagines the Cold War arms race as a battle to enhance military technology called mechas. These human-shaped mechanical fighting suits were first invented during World War I and are now, in the mid-20th century, widely used in sports settings ranging from schools to professional fights. High schooler Jo is chosen as a last-minute replacement on Team USA for the 1963 Pax Games, an international championship tournament. Winning would mean validation as a girl fighter but also, more importantly, the prize money would help her family's dire finances. Ultimately, Jo not only fights her opponents in the arena, but she also becomes involved in a geopolitical tug of war as mysterious accidents begin to sideline her competitors. The global stage brings added scrutiny, and Jo deals with misogyny, class differences, and racism. Her heritage--her father is White and her late mother was Chinese American--adds another layer of complexity, as she must figure out how to navigate being in the public eye at a time when anti-communist sentiment is fueling discrimination against Chinese Americans. In this plot-driven story with adrenaline-pumping action scenes, passages detailing the historical context balance the pacing and help flesh out the alternate world. The nuanced treatment of Jo's identities provides depth and offers a welcome and rarely seen perspective on this time period. A suspenseful page-turner. (Thriller. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.