The Kindred

To quiet social upheaval following a past revolution, the conquering Qadin family conceived of the Monchuri system’s Kindred Program, which telepathically links citizens—“one from the upper class, one from the lower”—at birth. Aspiring 17-year-old musician Felix Hamdi is a haughty duke from wealthy world Maru, where his royal Qadin cousins reign. He’s linked to music-loving Joy Mirari Abara, hailing from impoverished Hali and born three minutes after Felix. Though it’s common for Kindreds to marry, class differences keep Felix and Joy—who have “different kinds of brown” skin—apart, and Joy is by necessity engaged to a wealthy man she doesn’t love. But Felix is implicated when the Qadin convoy is shot down over Hali, and Joy caught in the line of fire, forcing both on the run. Instead of the neutral planet they’re aiming for, they land on Terra (Earth), upon a Florida island where they seek refuge. Though the combination of galactic intrigue, Earth-bound teenage antics, and frequent flashbacks result in a crowded, unevenly paced story, Dow (The Sound of Stars) capably executes the friends-to-lovers trope, combined with thoughtful explorations of colorism, body shaming, imperialism, and racism. Ages 13–up. Agent: Natalie Lakosil, Irene Goodman Literary. (Jan.)