Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Published: January 21, 2014 by Balzer & Bray
Series: #1 (Avalon)
Length: 432 pages
Source: Balzer & Bray (ARC)
“Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.
Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they’re damn good at it. Jeth doesn’t care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents’ ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he’ll go to get the freedom he’s wanted for so long.
Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon’s cult hit show Firefly.”
Go read this book right now! This book was just amazing. From the world building, to the characters, to the writing style, Mindee Arnett got it all. Avalon is told from a male perspective who is our main character, Jeth. This review will be brief and vague since it has SO MANY MYSTERIES and I do not want to spoil it for you all.
I really love how all of the characters in this book contributes to the story. They’re not just there just so the author can have supporting characters. I like how Jeth is so determined to get his ship (Avalon) back. I also like how he loves his family so much, and that they mean the world to him. The supporting characters are super awesome as well. Jeth’s team is so funny and I love how they treat each other like family.
I constantly found myself flipping through the book because of the world building. I love how people can travel through space, and there are these different planets where people can live in. It says on Goodreads that fans of Beth Revis’s Across the Universe trilogy (WHICH I FREAKING LOVE) will like this book, and I couldn’t agree more! If you are a big fan of Revis’s trilogy, then this book will be right up your alley.
The romance was also awesome! I love how it did not take over the plot. It was just one of the rare things you will find in this book. It is more action packed rather than having romance-y scenes.
Overall, just read this, please. There is so many plot twists and mystery that it will just blow you away. So yes, I highly recommend you reading Avalon!
Little Book Star 
I am waiting to read this book. Now I am more excited to read this. It’s rare to find a good space ship YA novel and I hope this book will fulfill the gap. I’m glad you enjoyed the book, now I’m looking forward to it too.
Unfortunately, it is rare to find an awesome sci-fi book that takes place in space. If you’re looking for another fantastic sci-fi book that takes place in space, you should def. read Beth Revis’s Across the Universe trilogy if you haven’t. That is my all time favorite book. 😀 It has a fantastic writing and world building!!!
I’ve read the the first book. I liked it… but I didn’t quite LOVE it. The book had more a dystopian feel but on a star ship. I haven’t read the second or third book yet… there just too many books to read. But I will eventually, why must every book be part of a trilogy. WHY!!!??!?
A Million Stars was better than Across the Universe imo and yes, there’s sooo many books D: I hope you end up loving AMS though! It has SO many mystery!
Yea for a book being accurate with describing that readers of one series will enjoy this one. This series does sound pretty cool. I’m glad to hear that you liked it. 🙂
It is! You should give it a try. 🙂 I haven’t read an incredible sci-fi book quite a while.
I’m glad you thought the book was amazing! I wasn’t as much of a fan because I had so much expectations for the characters but I didn’t find myself caring for them. I think a lot of it had to do with how this book was described to be like Firefly but with teenagers, and it didn’t live up to that.
I didn’t feel like the characters grew at all (like Celeste and the rest of the crew) and some of the situations to me were eye-rolling worthy (like common sense during the switcheroos).
However, the mystery was awesome though! I loved when they were in the Belgrave Quadrant. I had chills when something creepy happened. It made me enjoy the story, despite my lack of connection with the characters. 🙂
Aww it’s okay Cee! Hmm I’ve heard of Firefly but never read it. I think it’s such a risky thing to compare books to other books in the summary. Like “the next Hunger Games” or “fans of *insert author here* will love this book”. Yeah the mystery was the one that kept my nose glued on to this book. Hopefully you’ll love your next read. 🙂
Oooh I can’t wait to read this book. Now I just have to figure out if its going to be sold in any stores near me or if I have to find it on Amazon.
I hope you get it soon! If not, you should def. grab it on Amazon because this one is just an awesome read.
It’s great when characters really have a reason to be in the story. Having them randomly standing by to fill up space is so annoying, especially when they disappear later on. The world-building sounds very interesting too 😀
Ugh yes, I hate characters that are just THERE. Like, what’s your purpose? lol. Yeah, the world building is great, but needs a little bit more expanding. There are lots of planets and I’m sure the author will elaborate on it on the sequel.
I’ve read some raving reviews (like yours), and some middle rating ones, but they all seem really positive about it, so it definitely sounds like a winner. And very, very sci-fi related, which I love.I haven’t read it yet, but will somewhere along the way this year. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Kirsty @ StudioReads
You should read it soon! If you love sci-fi books, you’ll most certainly like Avalon. 🙂
yay for more amazing male leading books so excited! I cannot wait to read this one myself, glad to hear you really enjoyed this one 😀 have not read a sci-fi like this in a long time.
Yay you should def. read it asap. I love it when a book takes place in outer space like Avalon! If you haven’t already so, you should read Across the Universe by Beth Revis. That book is amazing!
If I had any reservations about this book I sure don’t now. That cover is so eyecatching so I’m happy to hear the book is good xD I’m picky about sci fi but from what you have described, I’m pretty sure I will like it!
I’m picky on sci-fi too! I have very high expectations on sci-fi books and this one met them. You should read it soon, Alise!