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KIRKUS REVIEWS

A teenage girl discovers the truth about her heritage in a YA SF story about the next stage in the evolution of humankind.

Sixteen-year-old Alexis Allerton is a teen with a passion for science; a crush on Everett Evans, a lab assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she’s an intern; a loving family; and close friends in fellow high schoolers Hannah and Josh. Alexis has always been told that she has hemophilia, and has lived all her life with restrictions on physical activities. Alexis undergoes treatment every two days; a trio of doctors—Sam, Ira, and Kan Roman—visit her at home to treat her with injections of a clotting factor. But then, one day, she has a small accident at the lab, cuts her hand and sees her own blood for the first time. The first thing she discovers is that it’s silver, and she later finds out that its chemical composition is impossible in nature. It turns out that her doctors have been lying to her family; she doesn’t have hemophilia, but does have superhuman abilities, revealed over the course of the story. She also finds out that she’s adopted, and to find out her true origins, she embarks on a life-changing journey across the world with Everett and her sister, Amanda. Mir delivers a fun, engaging novel that offers an original take on genetic mutation and human evolution with elements of comedy, adventure, and romance. It even includes lots of cool, fictional scientific explanations of things such as “liquid crystal blood.” Alexis’ coming-of-age takes her from the United States to Mexico and Kazakhstan alongside supportive, fleshed-out secondary characters who enrich this story of self-discovery, identity, agency, and ultimately, hope. The novel is reminiscent of Becky Chambers’ brand of optimistic, warm SF that will appeal to teens and adults alike.

A heartwarming tale of a superpowered high schooler with well-developed characters. --Kirkus Reviews

 Belle Manuel, author of A Fate So Twisted, the first in the Twisted Fates Trilogy

Alexis Ascending is a wonderful young adult sci-fi story about Alexis Allerton, your seemingly average STEM geared teen that has her life upended in a laboratory accident. With full descriptions, great characters, and tension to die for, I was flipping through this one to get more. This story takes the usual genre of teen with special genes to the max as we learn about the scientific reasons that make Alexis stand out from other humans around her. This story was un-put-downable, and I can't recommend it enough. For fans of Maximum Ride, this is a definite new favorite. -- Belle Manuel

Boriana Todorov, author of The Moon Rock and Oliver's Tantrums 

"There is a new superhero on the block and her name is Alexis Allerton. She'll leap from the pages, grab you by the hand and take you on a riveting adventure halfway round the globe.  Science can be stranger than fiction! Fast paced and full of twists and turns, Alexis Ascending is a great read from start to finish. Highly recommended to those born after Nov 1, 2000, also known as members of  'Generation Station'. Fun fact: NASA says anyone born after Nov. 1, 2000 belongs to the 'Generation Station'. Just like Alexis Allerton, you've lived your entire life with the International Space Station orbiting overhead." 

-- Boriana Todorov