Review by Booklist Review
With human civilization nearly destroyed by powerful weapons referred to as the Six Suns, survivors are concentrated in an area that had been protected by the Himalayan mountains. Seventeen-year-old Karma's father came to the village when those peaks finally crumbled in the decades-long aftermath. Karma was seven when his father left again, either to seek refuge for the village or as the culmination of a scam, depending on who you ask. And now, increasingly devastating weather wracks the landscape, while many say the Seventh Sun is coming to finish the world's destruction. A prophecy that the end can be averted gives many hope, but when ghosts wail on the wind and monsters stalk the night, what can a young man without a father, a nun who has lost her Oracle, or a girl bent on revenge do? This fascinating variation on the Chosen One archetype neatly demonstrates how fragile hope can be destroyed, diverting attention from actually solving any problems. The author ties themes and events of the novel to the Lotus Sutra, a Buddhist scripture about skillful ways and the ability of all to become buddhas. Fans of a post-apocalyptic world that is not crushingly dystopian should check this one out.
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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A young man stands between his people and impending doom in Boey's whirlwind debut. Karma is the supposedly cursed son of the scoundrel Patrul Sherpa, who is rumored to have deceived their village and disappeared to search for a place that his delusions led him to believe could save his people from a prophesied apocalypse. Karma has always longed to search for his missing father, and the opportunity arises when Minister Hanumanda of the Four Rivers and Six Ranges arrives at their village and explains his very different view on Patrul. Hanumanda believed Patrul's visions and sent his men to help Patrul find sanctuary within the Himalayan mountains before Patrul mysteriously vanished. When Hanumanda learns that Karma shares the same prophetic gifts as his father, he insists that Karma help to retrace his father's footsteps and find the haven before it's too late. The quest is perilous, with a path soaked in bloodshed and betrayal around every corner, and the sensational descriptions of the Himalayan landscape form the heart of this harrowing tale. Though the action occasionally gets lost beneath the abstract prose, there's enough suspense to Karma's journey to keep the pages flying. Fans of apocalyptic fantasy should check this out. Agent: Tamara Kawar, DeFiore & Co. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Boey's first novel takes place in a world haunted by its past, where the living and the dead alike struggle to change their fate. Generations ago, six nuclear "suns" destroyed everything beyond Tibet's protective mountains. Prophecies foretell a final, all-consuming seventh sun. Karma's father went in search of a sacred mountain to avert that future, but he never returned, leaving his family in disgrace. Now Karma is given a chance to clear his name when he's charged to follow in his father's footsteps and embark on a quest that will help him understand the past and save the future--if the quest doesn't kill him first. Karma's journey leads him through a volatile landscape of bandits, rebels, monks, and warlords, all hunting for the reincarnated lama destined to find the mountain and fulfill the prophecy. Though at times Karma comes across as indecisive as he's swept between forces, his journey to escape destructive cycles and move toward a better future reflects how everyone must change to survive. VERDICT For readers of post-apocalyptic cli-fi who enjoy magic-infused stories that don't center Western cultures.--Erin Niederberger
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Karma has spent most of his life living under the shadow of his father's disappearance. But the weight of shame may soon be lifted. He was raised with the prophecy of the Seventh Sun, and there are signs that the prophecy will soon be fulfilled--and their world destroyed. When Karma is sent on a quest to save his village, he knows it might also be an opportunity to find his father. The journey proves to be unimaginably perilous as people and events are not what they seem, but Karma isn't giving up. This story is full of adventure, triumph, heartache, unexpected twists and betrayals, and fast-paced action. Boey flawlessly wields words, delivers a roller-coaster of emotions, and has crafted a novel that is impossible to put down. Karma's character exudes innocence without naivete and determination but not perfection. The story is set against the backdrop of nuclear war through the cultural lens of people living in the Himalayas. The scenery and sacred stories are refreshing even in light of the tragic consequences of human violence, such as an attempted sexual assault. VERDICT Highly recommended for older teens.--Amira Walker
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