Nyxia: The Nyxia Triad

I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I did not know what I was getting into with this book when I first opened it. I really just loved the cover. This book was a rollercoaster. There were a lot of ups and downs that I experiences with Emmett. Emmett comes from a family who doesn't have a lot of money, so when Babel offers him the chance to go to space and earn a lot of money for his family, he takes it. However, he doesn't know what he is getting into. Babel has a lot of secrets and a lot of surprises, and I feel like all of them are completed unexpected.

I gave this four stars instead of five because I felt like it took a long time to read. It almost felt like a 700 page book, not a 380 page book. While I loved every minute of it, I just kept thinking "Wow! This is taking forever! When am I going to get to the end?" I am not sure why I felt this way, but I just thought I would never get through it. That being said, I really enjoyed the writing style. I thought the book was very well written and had a lot of surprises. I ended up just giving up on trying to figure out what would come next because I honestly just didn't know. It was interesting to see how the characters progressed throughout the book. I can't wait for book two so I can find out what happens next!

Review originally posted on lysskreads.wordpress.com

I received this book from Crown Books for Young Readers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Break the chains, the key cries. Take what is yours."

As I’ve said before, Sci-Fi isn’t usually my first choice, BUT there have definitely been exceptions! Nyxia shoved a lot of those aside and claimed a top spot in my list of Sci-Fi favorites. Think Hunger Games/Ender’s Game. I’m reading it thinking, “Pleaaaaase make a movie adaptation.” Hell, I’ll throw some sugar on top for good measure.

First off, Nyxia is a substance that can do basically anything. Nyxia can transform into almost anything at your will. It also helps the healing process and could possibly cure cancer. So you can see why it’s so important that they retrieve it. The catch? They have to compete for a place on Eden—the planet that Babel Communications has kept hidden from the people of Earth. On Eden, they will be mining Nyxia for Babel and in return they’ll be set up with a nice fortune for the rest of their lives and their families will have everything they could ever ask for. But is it too good to be true?

I so loved this story, the characters, and the many obstacles they faced throughout the competition—the battles not only charging at them from outside forces but from within as well. They’re all broken but with different reasons to push themselves for those spots.

However, let me tell you about the one thing that bothered me.

THE ROMANCE.

It’s rare, but there is such a thing as not enough. I wanted more. Emmett had maybe one or two conversations and a handful of shared looks filled with longing and all of a sudden he’s falling for her. It’s not enough. I cannot even begin to express how much that drives me crazy. The plot line wouldn’t have even changed if the romance was taken out completely. That’s what dropped it down from a 5 star to a 4 star.

I really loved this book, but I needed there to be more to Emmett and Morning’s relationship than there was. She wasn’t even introduced to the story until the last 25-30% of the book. See why I had such a hard time with their relationship? Anyway.. Morning was a badass and I really hope I’ll get to read more of her in the second book. Emmett was a fantastic perspective to read from but I think it would have been great to read from the POV of some of the other competitors like Longwei or Roathy, but especially Morning.

This book left me wandering aimlessly into the book hangover abyss.. I need to know what happens next!

Oh. My. Goodness.

Never would I have thought that this book would be such a ‘suck you in and never let go’ kind of book when I decided to grab it up. Nyxia by Scott Reintgen is the first in his Nyxia Triad trilogy.

Nyxia is a science fiction and young adult book that contains the best of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and maybe a little bit of The Circle. But all set in space on a spaceship headed to a new planet.

While the above description might put off because you might think it’s way too complicated to have aspects from all of those, but let me stop you right there and tell you that Reintgen did an absolutely amazing job taking similar aspects of those above works and putting them together seamlessly with his own unique voice and story.

First of all, Reintgen effortlessly created an amazing and diverse cast of characters, which makes sense since Babel recruited from around the world. The one thing that I love about this though is nothing about someone’s particular race, ethnicity, gender, etc is forced. It just is. I also really liked Emmett’s voice and character as a whole.

As I mentioned above, it’s almost like a Hunger Games but set in space. Of course, there are some major similarities, like they don’t have to kill each other to secure their spot to the planet.

This definitely something that the book is not lacking – twists and turns that kept me going back for more. And that cliffhanger! OMG!

What would your response be if your family was poor, your mom needed a kidney transplant and you were offered an impossible to understand amount of money? All you have to do is go far across the universe to mine a mystery element on a world inhabited by another race, one that can kick tail on adult humans, but supposedly likes younger ones. Do you even need to think about it?
This is the dilemma/opportunity Emmett Atwater is faced with as the story begins. After agreeing and finding he's one of ten such aspiring space miners, things get dicey. There are more only eight slots, so every day is full of grueling competitions worth points. Even though everyone is supposed to be ultra-competitive and wary of the others, friendships form, followed by curiosity that has Emmett and his new friend Kaya exploring the prohibited parts of the ship. What ensues, changes everything for him. Once the station orbiting the new planet Eden is reached, the trainees are in for another, far more surprising realization.
This is a dandy science fiction story with an increasing feeling of dystopia the further along you get. It's smart, edgy and a great first installment in a series. I really like the ending and how it starts readers imagining what comes next.

Nxyia is the new "gold." A corporation is giving an opportunity to ear more thanenough money for his family to leave poverty and get his mom the medical attention she needs. Emmett Atwater and nine other teens from other countries are selected to go to an earthlike planet called Eden. It is home to humanoid beings called Adamites. At Eden the teens will mine for a substance called nxyia which can transform itself into just about anything. However Emmett finds out that only eight teens will be able to go to Eden. While on the spaceship, the teens will have to fight and win to be one of the eight to go on the planet. Winning becomes harder with each competition. Emmett finds himself starting to care about the competitors even though he shouldn't. Will he win?

This is a fast action-packed novel. It is a thrilling ride. The plot gripped me. The characters in the book are multiethnic and misfits. When I got to the end of the story, I wanted the next book! This is excellent science fiction! Read it!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wow! Incredible premise that was a mix of The Hunger Games meets Red Rising meets Ender's Game. Nyxia was an action packed sci-fi story that had me hooked from the first chapter.

Emmett finds himself the winner of a lottery and packed up on a space ship heading to a new planet called Eden with 9 other teens from all walks of life. During the year long journey, the teens are brutally competing against each other to win a spot to land planetside to be able to mine the substance Nyxia. If they win, they become millionaires and their families benefit tremendously. Along the way, the reader learns about Emmett and each of his shipmates. We also learn about the sinister corporation funding the entire operation.

I seriously couldn't get enough of this story and wanting to learn more of the seemingly sentient nyxia, and the world it comes from. The protagonist comes from a poor but good hearted family and he brings those values to the competition. ...Most of the time.

I devoured this book and it's going to be extremely hard to wait until the rest of the series is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy!

With the competition between the recruits, think The Hunger Games or Divergent set in space, and you'll get the general feel of Nyxia.

I recently read a similar book in which several characters are pitted against each other in a tournament, but had difficulty distinguishing between them. With Nyxia, it's quite the opposite - the diverse cast of characters, whether friends or enemies, are fully realized, with a variety of motivations and flaws.

The story leans heavily on the competition, and there are some harrowing moments, but also includes heart-wrenching subplots, unexpected twists, and surprising discoveries, indicating all may not be as it seems.

Emmett made a couple of choices that surprised me - one a dangerous risk that seemed out of character, and the other something near the end that seemed sudden and out of place.

If you're a sci-fi fan, Nyxia has much to offer with a fast pace, mystery, competition, and fantastic character development. Be warned - it ends with a cliffhanger, and I'll be needing that second book sooner rather than later.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I honestly was not sure what to expect going into this. I have a love/hate relationship with novels set in space. Either I absolutely freaking adore them or they bore me to tears.

I'm not going to lie... during the first half of this book, I thought this was going to end up on the "bore me to tears" list. This book is The Hunger Games set in space... or basically, Ender's Game. And for the first 50% or so of this book, I wasn't impressed. The writing was fine, the MC was fine, the plot was predictable...

But during the last half of this book, the reader gets a glimpse into something darker. Nyxia started to verge into a DARK SF realm that I really think I could enjoy. And honestly, I'm just hoping that the sequel to this book lives up to the promise of the second half of this novel.

So 4 stars for the dark side of Emmett that I want to see... to seeing what more Babel has up it's sleeve... and to seeing if the aliens on Eden really play nice in the end.

Nyxia is an action-packed, intense YA Sci-fi novel that will hook you from the very beginning and pull you in deeper with every page. It has one of the most ethnically-diverse set of characters I’ve seen in YA. The complexity of each character and the depth in which the book explores emotional conflict is truly amazing.

Emmett, an African-American teen from Brooklyn, is recruited by a powerful corporation to compete for a position on a secret mission in another planet. Eight teens chosen out of ten competitors will travel to a foreign planet to retrieve a newly-discovered, highly-sought substance – Nyxia. Earning a position on this mission will guarantee a mind-boggling amount of money and advantages for family. Emmett finds himself signing a contract and soon he’s pitted against nine other teens from all over the world who must compete for one of the eight available spots.

Hi-tech-based competitions await them on their journey in space, each designed to challenge their mental capacities, physical abilities and, most of all, their moral values and limits. Emmett is a genuine person and his sharp-wit and combat strength help him in many of the competitions, but he’s faced with dilemma after dilemma – what is he willing to do to win? We follow as he constantly battles with himself over who to trust and where to draw the line as to how far he’ll go.

As Emmett navigates his new life, he also can’t help question Babel corporation’s motive. Why were these ten kids chosen? And most importantly: What will ultimately be required of them for the final prize?

Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, all these competitors have one thing common that makes them equally desperate and conflicted. Narrated from Emmet’s first person point of view, the book had me especially attached to him, but I found myself rooting for the others as well. You might be thinking that the side characters are too many to keep up with, but everything is balanced in a way that you get insight into all of them without feeling overwhelmed. Each of these characters have strengths & flaws, and well fleshed-out personalities.

I absolutely loved Emmett as our main character. His competitiveness and focused determination was refreshing. Of course, I also loved the side characters. The writing, the pacing and overall high-stakes feel really worked for me. I enjoyed the non-stop action and all the cool technology. The twists and turns in this book had me panicking one too many times. I can’t believe how long I’ll have to wait for Book 2! I NEED IT NOW.

This debut YA science fiction novel felt like a bunch of other YA science fiction novels all shoved in a blender. Particularly The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game.

Emmett Atwater is one of ten teenagers recruited by the Babel Corporation to sent aboard a spaceship to an alien planet, where he will mine a new and valuable mineral. In return, the company will offer him a fortune and the healthcare his sick mother desperately needs. But once on board the spaceship, Emmett discovers that he and his fellow recruits will be pitted against each other and that only the top eight will actually step foot on the planet Eden.

So you don’t actually get to see the alien planet in this book. The entire story takes place aboard spaceships and space stations, and the plot is entirely focused around the competition. I was expecting that the competition would only be a part of it and for there to turn out to be something larger at play, but nope. Not in this book anyway. There’s hints that Babel’s predictably up to something nefarious, but they stay hints only. Here’s the thing: I went in assuming that Emmett would make it into the final eight. How else could the story continue?

I think Nyxia would have been better off if it had been cut heavily and combined with whatever is being saved for the sequel. As is, this story feels like all build up and no pay off. Part of me wonders if it was an expanded piece of what was originally one book; that would explain some frankly wonky decisions, like introducing the love interest at the 78% mark.

Speaking of the love interest, it’s not good ya’ll. Emmett “falls for her” after they talk… once maybe? It was bizarre. The narrative’s acting like they have a significant relationship when she didn’t even show up until the last fourth and she and the protagonist have barely interacted. There’s no build up. It’s one of the worst cases of insta-love I’ve ever seen.

And those aren’t the end of Nyxia‘s problems. In my science fiction and fantasy, I really love good world building. Nyxia‘s world building is shoddy, and I don’t feel optimistic that it will improve in the future. I’m okay with science fiction books having very little science, but it was really annoying how everything was hand waved as being because of nyxia, which ends up feeling that it does basically whatever the plot requires.

I feel like characterization could have been better, although I think it was definitely stronger than the world building. Nyxia does have a remarkably racially diverse cast, more so than I usually see in sci-fi. Emmett is an African-American teenager from Detroit, and his fellow contestants are from all over the world (Babel apparently has some magical device to deal with the translating issue). I can’t really speak to the quality of the representation, and I haven’t seen any reviews from own voices reviewers.

Oh, it is kind of hilarious how a kid from the 2040’s listens to music the author probably knows. Whenever a YA character starts talking about how they like “classic” music, I start rolling my eyes.

Probably the best thing I can say about Nyxia is that I finished reading it, although I seriously considered quitting at several points. Judging by the Goodreads ratings, there’s quite a lot of people that liked Nyxia. Pity I wasn’t one of them.

I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.

Emmet Atwater is one of ten teenagers chosen by Babel Corporations to travel to the planet Eden in order to mine Nyxia. Nyxia is a substance that is able to be manipulated to just about anything your mind can think of. The twist? Babel is only taking eight of the ten recruits to the planet of Eden. If that wasn’t enough to create competition, add in a sum of $50,000 per month for each teenager who makes it to Eden. This is where the trials begin. Throughout their journey to the planet, the recruits are put through different tests and trials. To choose which recruits go and which stay behind, they are scored on how they perform these tests. This story largely focuses on these trials for the majority of the book with some twists and turns thrown in every once in a while.

What I loved so much about this book was the large cast of characters. They are from all over the world. There was so much diversity in this book! Here’s a breakdown of all the characters and their ethnicities.

Emmett: Main character. Black male from Detroit, Michigan.

Kaya: Japanese, Emmet’s roommate. (My favorite character.)

Bilal: Middle Eastern, from Palestine, the nicest person you will ever meet.

Katsu: Japanese, heavyset, the comic relief.

Jasmine (Jazzy): Southern blond from Tennessee.

Azima: African, from Kenya.

Jaime: The only white teenager, from Switzerland.

Longwei: Asian, top of the class.

Isadora: Brazilian with a mysterious tattoo on the back of her neck.

Roathy: A black male. (We never learn where he is from.)

As you can see, we have quite the diverse cast, but you are probably asking yourself how they all communicate. Well, they are all given a mask aboard the Genesis 11 that translates language for them. Pretty advanced technology, but what do you expect from a multi-billion dollar corporation?

This book was fast-paced with a lot of action. I really loved the plot twists that were thrown in. I may have even shed a tear while reading this book, which I was definitely not expecting to do! This was a book that I had trouble putting down! I need book 2 in my life NOW!!

If you like science fiction and space books, then I recommend you pick this one up right away! Publication date is September 12, 2017. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to Penguin’s First to Read program and Scott Reintgen for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Could turn down an offer of immense wealth and free healthcare for your mother with cancer? What if that offer would send you to the far end of the universe? Emmett and nine other teens are given the opportunity to join a team to mine Nyxia from a far planet. We accompany Emmett as he fights for a spot on the team, faces the bait-and-switch tactics of the company running the mining operation, and strives to find friendship amidst the cut-throat competition he’s been thrown into.

Nyxia is action-packed and fast paced. I enjoyed the creative competitions these kids had fight their way through for spots on the team and well as the fabulous properties of Nyxia, the valuable substance they'll be mining. I found myself rooting for Emmett and even sympathizing with some of his less ethical competitors as the grueling contest drew to a close and the stakes got higher. Each character had something to lose if they didn't make the team. I also found myself wondering exactly what the young miners would find when they reach their Eden, the destination planet. Nyxia is a fun read, great for lovers of sci fi and action-adventure.

I requested an advanced reader copy of NYXIA in exchange for an unbiased review.

4 stars. Nyxia is the first book by Scott Reintgen that I have read so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a well written space story with teenagers learning who they are. While this is written for teens, adults will enjoy it too (at least this adult did). It is a standalone but the ending leaves the storyline open for future books that might be written. There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is partly a coming of age book as well as a space novel including corporate power and money. This was well written for a debut novel and the author impressed me with his ability to create a vivid life aboard the ship. I couldn't help but relate to the characters. As usual, everything and everyone is not as it seems.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House (Crown Books for Young Readers). I chose to write a review for other readers. I look forward to reading more from this author, especially in this series, in the future.

All the Stars!!!!

I finished this book earlier this week, and I can't stop thinking about it. I NEED to read the next book in the series, but it doesn't even have a name yet, much less a release date. Everyone comparing Nyxia to Ender's Game mixed with The Hunger Games is dead on. If you loved those books then I beg you to pick this one up, but be prepared to stay up late trying to read "just one more chapter".

The characters in Nyxia are a racially diverse bunch with one common thread that weaves them all together. While we don't get immersed in any one culture (aside from American) we do get to see bits and pieces of other cultures that I felt added quite a bit of flavor to the book. The twists in this book are completely unexpected and I was left gaping nearly every time. Scott Reintgen has written a spellbinding book full of hope, darkness, and competition. You need to read this.

I received an advance reader copy of this book that I have chosen to review.

NYXIA is basically THE HUNGER GAMES in space. I liked the brutality of it and I liked how Reintgen explained the reason for needing teenagers to do this kind of work (the aliens that occupy the planet they’re trying to mine live a long time and don’t breed so they regard youth very highly and revere children, allowing them into areas of the world that they get openly hostile to protect if an adult enters). It’s certainly far more of a significant, substantial reason than what a lot of YA provides for these kinds of things and it’s one I can certainly suspend my disbelief for. The testing the kids go through is both physical and mental and meant to push them to the brink in order to help them survive on the planet. This is where it gets a little thin because if the aliens revere children then they shouldn’t be going into a hostile environment. I can understand wanting them physically fit to withstand the space travel and mentally fit for living in space and trained to work with the equipment. So pitting them against each other and telling them not all of them will go down to the planet (wouldn’t you want spares?) gets a bit thin.

I’m not huge into sci-fi and I would put NYXIA at the light end of the spectrum. Aside from rapid space travel and the nyxia element itself (something that can be changed into different things using the mind, like changing it into a knife), there really isn’t much sci-fi going on here, or anything that would make it stand out as something to stand out in that genre. It’s all rather generic. I can actually see this trending more toward sci-fi horror than anything else based on some of the things that happen, both from the planet and the company funding this whole endeavor.

As far as characters the only complaint I really had was with Emmett. He was pitched as a black kid from Detroit from the beginning, but his demeanor just came off rather stereotypical and it was kind of uncomfortable. I mean he has rapper connections, calls his parents Moms and Pops, and speaks, sometimes, in a manner like “what you got?” but at the same time waxes poetic about the things going on around him. And, especially at the beginning, everyone’s viewed by their ethnicity, especially his roommate, Kaya, who’s Japanese. She’s his only roommate and she starts off as his Asian roommate and then when she finds out she’s Japanese it’s his Japanese roommate. He doesn’t have more than one roommate. Why the insistence regarding her ehtnicity? It was just really weird and kind of kept like the author pushing diversity for diversity’s sake and his way of going LOOK MY BOOK IS DIVERSE. And with a panel of 10 “diverse” kids we still have two Americans and two Japanese kids. So not all that diverse. This whole aspect just felt kind of cheap all around.

The dynamic of the characters was great, especially as the competition went on. I really like how they all interacted with each other and grew on each other as time went on. I did think Roathy and Isadora ended up being tension for tension’s sake, though. They just felt really extreme in their reactions to things especially as they were the only ones acting like this. There was enough going on in the plot without fabricated drama.

I mean it’s a good enough story to the point where I’m interested in seeing where the author goes with this. And the DIVERSITY IS DIVERSE notion, while really insistent at the beginning peters out once Emmett gets to know everyone and even his token blackness fades out a little bit, but it’s all still there. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have an issue with diversity in books. What I have an issue with is authors making sure you know their book is diverse by turning characters into cultural stereotypes (or just naming random countries and pinning them on lapels because said characters are background fodder and don’t get developed anyway) instead of doing research and letting characters be people. It just rings disingenuous.

So I don’t know. I don’t think it’s glaringly awful the way characters are portrayed and it didn’t detract me from the story too much, but obviously I noticed it. I can imagine someone far more attuned to something like this being even less tolerant than I am. So good story, great dynamic among the characters, less than stellar character development as characters. Take it for what you will.

3

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through First to Read in exchange for an honest review.

This book was HUNGER GAMES in outer space with eight out of ten winners instead of one. Emmett is from Detroit, poor, pops is working himself to an early grave & his mom has cancer. All of the participants are poor with nothing to lose and lots to gain. The competition is competitive and dangerous at times but he's determined to win for his family.

I liked Emmett, Bilal, Kaya & most of the other characters. When the book ended I wasn't ready! I wanted it to continue to the next part. I wasn't prepared to like this book as much as I did. I haven't read a book like this in a long time. I'm happy I gave this book a chance. I will be on the lookout for the second part of the Nyxia Triad.

I’ll say right off the bat that “Nyxia” borrowed quite a few elements from other science-fiction and dystopian works. That being said, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment. It was a quick read that left me wanting more. Emmett is complex, as are the secondary characters, and there are definitely deeper things going on that I want to know about. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait for the second book. The cast of characters is extremely diverse. This is a good setup to the rest of the trilogy that I can easily recommend to those who enjoy science-fiction or dystopian novels.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad, #1) by Scott Reintgen

Wow! This book was out of this world! Excellent writing and a thought provoking read with amazing characters. Nyxia is truly a screen worthy read and would make a great movie.
The story is told through Emmett's point of view. I loved Emmett and his courage. His setbacks only makes him stronger, wiser and more kind.
I am so looking forward to the next book and I'm grateful to have had access to this authors novel which has become one of my favorites.

I give Nyxia 5 stars for its fast paced adventure into the unknown.
I would recommend this book to everyone.

This is a book for adventure lovers and thrill seekers. It's full of games, challenges, and contestants pitted against one another, but also forced to work together. Sort of like Survivor in space, but with food and shelter provided. :)

Emmett has been chosen to leave Earth and spend time traveling through space and then completing tasks on another planet for Babel Communications. However, once he's on-board, he learns he'll be competing while making the journey across space. Enemies are made, alliances are formed. Emmett must decide how he's going to play this game...and who he will choose to trust.

I was so excited after reading this book. Finally publishing has caught on to the concept of diversity. There are characters of all different races and the main character is an African American boy named Emmett.

Reintgen has written a fabulous book. I was drawn in immediately. This book starts out strong and gets stronger and stronger. I couldn't put it down and the ending! Omg. When Emmett and the others are recruited by Babel Corp to go to Eden they had no idea what they were in for. Babel Corp is not all that it seems and is definitely hiding things.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nyxia follows a story of young man, who's mother is terminally ill and who has a chance to save her by joining Babel (tongue in cheek here people) and help them mine Nyxia - a substance that can be transformed into anything non-organic (and about which Babel knows very little). Once aboard Genesis 11 (again - tongue in cheek here), the kids are informed that only 8 out of ten will be allowed to go Eden (the distant planet from which Nyxia comes) and: "may the odds be ever in your favor."
description

I think I would have liked this more if it wasn't a rip off of Ender's Game and if it had ANYTHING else going on but the endless competitions that are extremely repetitive. I honestly skimmed most of them at the end because let's face it - I can only the read about the same fights, races and challenges so many times before I just don't care. Also - it was predictable - very predictable. It just really pissed me off - can we have a different story? I don't want to be reading the same story over, and over, and over again. Ender's Game was incredible - we do not need another retelling.

BUT, I liked the characters. I liked Emmett and Kaya, Bilal and Mourning. And I loved the how diverse the cast was (African Americans, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese, etc). I also loved the bonds that Emmett makes on board of Genesis 11, he is genuinely a great kid (tad lacking in character development, but still). This is the only reason why I gave the book 3 stars.

I may or may not pick up the next book. I have a feeling that it will be a rip off The Avatar (the movie).

This book. OMFG, THIS BOOK.

Nyxia feels like someone reached into my brain and wrote a book solely out of things I think are awesome. Let's break this down:

- Original and compelling scifi universe, at once totally believable while feeling consistently unique
- A diverse multi-national cast of complicated characters, all written with depth and nuance
- A likable, complex MC, brimming with heart and savvy but never crossing into implausible
- Totally badass action scenes
- Genuinely compelling ethical dilemmas without easy answers, and a narrative that doesn't cheat in the resolution
- Heartbreaking twists that legit surprised me, but felt totally natural and justified
- An ending that left me screaming MORE MORE WHY IS THERE NOT MORE

I haven't been this thrilled by a book since "Red Rising". If you're into YA scifi, check it out, but also, check it out even if you aren't. The book is THAT good.

This is a book for adventure lovers and thrill seekers. It's full of games, challenges, and contestants pitted against one another, but also forced to work together. Sort of like Survivor in space, but with food and shelter provided. :)

Emmett has been chosen to leave Earth and spend time traveling through space and then completing tasks on another planet for Babel Communications. However, once he's on-board, he learns he'll be competing while making the journey across space. Enemies are made, alliances are formed. Emmett must decide how he's going to play this game...and who he will choose to trust.

This book mines many hot YA tropes, and emerges with a nugget of pure magic! And no, that's not just a metaphor. A megacorporation has discovered an near-magical substance, Nyxia, found in abundance in subterranean deposits on a distant planet. The only catch? The planet's inhabitants aren't friendly. (Think Starship Troopers-style not friendly...).

They do, though, like children. Or at least that's the story spun to a group of teens plucked from impoverished backgrounds and pitted against each other in grueling tests to determine which of them will get to travel to Eden to mine Nyxia - and win themselves a fortune in the process.

NYXIA shares the DNA of many successful YA franchises - RED RISING, ENDGAME and THE MAZE RUNNER all come to mind. And as you'd expect, it's an absolute page-turner. But what makes it irresistible is its narrator, Emmett - a kid from a tough Detroit neighbourhood who has the instincts of a born fighter, but a heart tender enough to know what's worth fighting for. I can't wait to read the sequels!

I was so excited after reading this book. Finally publishing has caught on to the concept of diversity. There are characters of all different races and the main character is an African American boy named Emmett.

Reintgen has written a fabulous book. I was drawn in immediately. This book starts out strong and gets stronger and stronger. I couldn't put it down and the ending! Omg. When Emmett and the others are recruited by Babel Corp to go to Eden they had no idea what they were in for. Babel Corp is not all that it seems and is definitely hiding things.

I truly enjoyed this book -- in fact both my wife and I were captivated by the fun and excitement of this story!

The story follows Emmett, a street-smart kid from inner-city Detroit, on the beginning of an interplanetary adventure where he is forced to compete against others from around the world for the chance to earn millions.

Narrated in first person, the reader gets a first-hand experience of the issues facing Emmett, who is both wise for his years yet still learning and growing through his successes, and more importantly, his failures. Quick-witted and genuine, Emmett’s voice keeps this action-packed story moving forward at a fluid pace.

All of the characters in this book are wholly relatable. Whether or not you identify with the behaviors and motives of the different individuals, this story forces you to experience the full range of what it means to be human. Regardless of your personal story or background, you will find the struggles and responses faced by these characters both compelling and personal.

For me, a lot of the fun and enjoyment of this story was fueled by the creative use of futuristic technology that is easy to imagine in the not-so-distant future, particularly with the powerful resources of a new world whose secrets are slowly revealed.

All in all, this is a fast-moving and thrilling adventure that was very difficult to put down. However, it is more than just a page-turner, but actually guides the reader to deeper questions about life and the human experience.

I really liked this book and would highly recommend it. Can’t wait to find out what happens next!

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“But they don’t tell you the pain comes with you. They don’t tell you that hurt travels at light-speed too.”

This is easily one of the best books I've read all year. I can't wait for everyone to be able to read this in September when it releases. This book is the YA Sci-Fi book I've been waiting for my entire life.

Growing up, you guys might have learned about the story of Tower of Babel as a lesson about why we speak so many different languages. Basically, after the Great Flood happened, a bunch of people came together and agreed to build a tower that would touch Heaven itself. God, realizing what they are attempting, scatters them all around the world and makes them all speak different languages, hence our world today.

Well, Scott Reintgen spins that story backwards, and created a company, Babel, that brings ten teens from all around the world, speaking different languages, from different cultures, and gives them headsets that translate everything for them. Then, they are sent on a mission to land on a new planet, Eden, where the life forms, Adamites, won't harm children. Babel then wants the children to mine Nyxia, which is the new super resource and is a substance that can create anything.

This book also feels a bit like a mixed hybrid of The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, The 100, Divergent, but, in my opinion, it does it way better and more realistically and much more emphatically.

Nyxia stars a young black boy from Detroit, Emmett, who is one of ten teens that are a part of a space mission. All of these children come from broken places, and all are desperate to enter this program, because the company, Babel, is offering them an immense amount of money. But Emmett isn't in it for the money; Emmett is doing it to save his mother.

Systemic poverty in America is real and the system keeps people in that demographic over and over and throughout generations. This book doesn't shy away from it or any other hard topics. Emmett's family works hard, they work so very hard, but they still can't afford his mother's hospital bills. She is in dire need of a transplant, and the only way to get her to the top of the donor list is for Emmett to be a part of Babel's mission.

“It’s hard to tell the difference between rich and wrong.”

Our story mostly takes place on the ship, Genesis 11, where the teens are heading to Eden and Babel is training them to not only mine the substance, but to become powerful and strong tools themselves. The teens all get scores and points on how they complete their daily missions. Seriously, think Hogwartz, where the kids can constantly see how they are doing. Once on the ship, the group is informed that only so many will be allowed to actually step foot on Eden and be able to gain all the money they were promised. Obviously, this is where the point system comes into play, and we quickly learn how much this mission means to these ten teens.

➽ Emmett - American (Detroit) - The main protagonist.
➽ Kaya - Japanese - Emmett's roommate and a master problem solver.
➽ Longwei - Asian - The best on their ship.
➽ Jaime - Swedish - The only white boy.
➽ Azima - Kenyan - Looks for strength, while being strong.
➽ Katsu - Japanese - The stereotypical chubby comic relief (but I do love him).
➽ Jazzy - American (Tennessee) - Beauty and pageant queen with a sick mother.
➽ Isadora - Brazilian - Has a secret tattoo, and carries a lot of anger and hurt.
➽ Roathy - A boy with a lot of mystery and sadness surrounding him.
➽ Bilal - Palestinian - The sweetest and kindest boy in the world.

You'll feel an immense amount of empathy for all these characters, but, besides Emmett, Bilal and Kaya were easily my favorites, and both are complete little cinnamon rolls! The kindness that Bilal would constantly show everyone, even the people who wronged him, made me cry or tear up constantly. I wish everyone in the world was more like Bilal. And Kaya, and the unconditional love and friendship she showed to Emmett was something I always look for in a YA book. All of the friendships in this book are honestly goals, and Bilal and Kaya showed so much beauty towards Emmett that I couldn't help but fall in love.

I spoke about how this book touches on our current health care crisis and how we let people die just because they can't afford treatment to live, but Scott Reintgen doesn't stop there with there with the important discussions. We get to see in this book how we stereotype and profile kids and adults of every race so very often and without even thinking.

I loved seeing Emmett handle this anger, and using the system his Grandma helped him with. I hate how we live in a world where black men have to always be portrayed as angry. They can never be happy, or emotional, or anything close to looking sensitive. I loved seeing Emmett constantly battling his anger, and then also seeing him break down and just cry innocent tears from his family's love and them believing in him.

And the family dynamic in this book is so strong and wonderful. We don't get to see a lot of Emmett's family, but each time we did I had tears in my eyes. Emmett's dad is perfect, and seeing his unconditional and unwavering love for his son and wife was something pure and beyond words. I wish more YA books showed stronger familial bonds like Nyxia.

Emmett's journey to making his own family on the ship was also something of perfection. So many important messages are in this book about feeling broken in this broken world, with such heavy emphasis on letting kids know that they are not alone, no matter how alone they feel. Seriously, this book is not just a fast paced and addicting read, it's powerful and full of messages that warm my heart to know teens and young adults are reading about.

I also loved the use of music in this book, and how Emmett would constantly use it to calm him and to cope with heavy situations around him. I'm a strong believer in the healing powers of music, and I love seeing it used as a positive outlet.

“The power of music and how it can heal your very soul”

I predict that this is going to explode. Between the amazingly addicting story, to the wonderfully diverse and realistic cast, to the important topics and discussions, to the beautiful writing, this story has it all, and I truly believe it is a recipe for success. I can't wait to get my hands on book two and to see what Scott Reintgen does next!

This book. OMFG, THIS BOOK.

Nyxia feels like someone reached into my brain and wrote a book solely out of things I think are awesome. Let's break this down:

- Original and compelling scifi universe, at once totally believable while feeling consistently unique
- A diverse multi-national cast of complicated characters, all written with depth and nuance
- A likable, complex MC, brimming with heart and savvy but never crossing into implausible
- Totally badass action scenes
- Genuinely compelling ethical dilemmas without easy answers, and a narrative that doesn't cheat in the resolution
- Heartbreaking twists that legit surprised me, but felt totally natural and justified
- An ending that left me screaming MORE MORE WHY IS THERE NOT MORE

I haven't been this thrilled by a book since "Red Rising". If you're into YA scifi, check it out, but also, check it out even if you aren't. The book is THAT good.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“But they don’t tell you the pain comes with you. They don’t tell you that hurt travels at light-speed too.”

This is easily one of the best books I've read all year. I can't wait for everyone to be able to read this in September when it releases. This book is the YA Sci-Fi book I've been waiting for my entire life.

Growing up, you guys might have learned about the story of Tower of Babel as a lesson about why we speak so many different languages. Basically, after the Great Flood happened, a bunch of people came together and agreed to build a tower that would touch Heaven itself. God, realizing what they are attempting, scatters them all around the world and makes them all speak different languages, hence our world today.

Well, Scott Reintgen spins that story backwards, and created a company, Babel, that brings ten teens from all around the world, speaking different languages, from different cultures, and gives them headsets that translate everything for them. Then, they are sent on a mission to land on a new planet, Eden, where the life forms, Adamites, won't harm children. Babel then wants the children to mine Nyxia, which is the new super resource and is a substance that can create anything.

This book also feels a bit like a mixed hybrid of The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, The 100, Divergent, but, in my opinion, it does it way better and more realistically and much more emphatically.

Nyxia stars a young black boy from Detroit, Emmett, who is one of ten teens that are a part of a space mission. All of these children come from broken places, and all are desperate to enter this program, because the company, Babel, is offering them an immense amount of money. But Emmett isn't in it for the money; Emmett is doing it to save his mother.

Systemic poverty in America is real and the system keeps people in that demographic over and over and throughout generations. This book doesn't shy away from it or any other hard topics. Emmett's family works hard, they work so very hard, but they still can't afford his mother's hospital bills. She is in dire need of a transplant, and the only way to get her to the top of the donor list is for Emmett to be a part of Babel's mission.

“It’s hard to tell the difference between rich and wrong.”

Our story mostly takes place on the ship, Genesis 11, where the teens are heading to Eden and Babel is training them to not only mine the substance, but to become powerful and strong tools themselves. The teens all get scores and points on how they complete their daily missions. Seriously, think Hogwartz, where the kids can constantly see how they are doing. Once on the ship, the group is informed that only so many will be allowed to actually step foot on Eden and be able to gain all the money they were promised. Obviously, this is where the point system comes into play, and we quickly learn how much this mission means to these ten teens.

➽ Emmett - American (Detroit) - The main protagonist.
➽ Kaya - Japanese - Emmett's roommate and a master problem solver.
➽ Longwei - Asian - The best on their ship.
➽ Jaime - Swedish - The only white boy.
➽ Azima - Kenyan - Looks for strength, while being strong.
➽ Katsu - Japanese - The stereotypical chubby comic relief (but I do love him).
➽ Jazzy - American (Tennessee) - Beauty and pageant queen with a sick mother.
➽ Isadora - Brazilian - Has a secret tattoo, and carries a lot of anger and hurt.
➽ Roathy - A boy with a lot of mystery and sadness surrounding him.
➽ Bilal - Palestinian - The sweetest and kindest boy in the world.

You'll feel an immense amount of empathy for all these characters, but, besides Emmett, Bilal and Kaya were easily my favorites, and both are complete little cinnamon rolls! The kindness that Bilal would constantly show everyone, even the people who wronged him, made me cry or tear up constantly. I wish everyone in the world was more like Bilal. And Kaya, and the unconditional love and friendship she showed to Emmett was something I always look for in a YA book. All of the friendships in this book are honestly goals, and Bilal and Kaya showed so much beauty towards Emmett that I couldn't help but fall in love.

I spoke about how this book touches on our current health care crisis and how we let people die just because they can't afford treatment to live, but Scott Reintgen doesn't stop there with there with the important discussions. We get to see in this book how we stereotype and profile kids and adults of every race so very often and without even thinking.

I loved seeing Emmett handle this anger, and using the system his Grandma helped him with. I hate how we live in a world where black men have to always be portrayed as angry. They can never be happy, or emotional, or anything close to looking sensitive. I loved seeing Emmett constantly battling his anger, and then also seeing him break down and just cry innocent tears from his family's love and them believing in him.

And the family dynamic in this book is so strong and wonderful. We don't get to see a lot of Emmett's family, but each time we did I had tears in my eyes. Emmett's dad is perfect, and seeing his unconditional and unwavering love for his son and wife was something pure and beyond words. I wish more YA books showed stronger familial bonds like Nyxia.

Emmett's journey to making his own family on the ship was also something of perfection. So many important messages are in this book about feeling broken in this broken world, with such heavy emphasis on letting kids know that they are not alone, no matter how alone they feel. Seriously, this book is not just a fast paced and addicting read, it's powerful and full of messages that warm my heart to know teens and young adults are reading about.

I also loved the use of music in this book, and how Emmett would constantly use it to calm him and to cope with heavy situations around him. I'm a strong believer in the healing powers of music, and I love seeing it used as a positive outlet.

“The power of music and how it can heal your very soul”

I predict that this is going to explode. Between the amazingly addicting story, to the wonderfully diverse and realistic cast, to the important topics and discussions, to the beautiful writing, this story has it all, and I truly believe it is a recipe for success. I can't wait to get my hands on book two and to see what Scott Reintgen does next!

Absolutely fantastic! I am now dying for the next book in this amazing series! This book has everything, from adventure to fight scenes to romance to space travel to alien beings to greedy coporations ... and it all fits together so incredibly well. I was taken aback by just how fun this book was, and it is my newest obsession!

Nxyia is the new "gold." A corporation is giving an opportunity to ear more thanenough money for his family to leave poverty and get his mom the medical attention she needs. Emmett Atwater and nine other teens from other countries are selected to go to an earthlike planet called Eden. It is home to humanoid beings called Adamites. At Eden the teens will mine for a substance called nxyia which can transform itself into just about anything. However Emmett finds out that only eight teens will be able to go to Eden. While on the spaceship, the teens will have to fight and win to be one of the eight to go on the planet. Winning becomes harder with each competition. Emmett finds himself starting to care about the competitors even though he shouldn't. Will he win?

This is a fast action-packed novel. It is a thrilling ride. The plot gripped me. The characters in the book are multiethnic and misfits. When I got to the end of the story, I wanted the next book! This is excellent science fiction! Read it!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Nyxia is an action-packed, intense YA Sci-fi novel that will hook you from the very beginning and pull you in deeper with every page. It has one of the most ethnically-diverse set of characters I’ve seen in YA. The complexity of each character and the depth in which the book explores emotional conflict is truly amazing.

Emmett, an African-American teen from Brooklyn, is recruited by a powerful corporation to compete for a position on a secret mission in another planet. Eight teens chosen out of ten competitors will travel to a foreign planet to retrieve a newly-discovered, highly-sought substance – Nyxia. Earning a position on this mission will guarantee a mind-boggling amount of money and advantages for family. Emmett finds himself signing a contract and soon he’s pitted against nine other teens from all over the world who must compete for one of the eight available spots.

Hi-tech-based competitions await them on their journey in space, each designed to challenge their mental capacities, physical abilities and, most of all, their moral values and limits. Emmett is a genuine person and his sharp-wit and combat strength help him in many of the competitions, but he’s faced with dilemma after dilemma – what is he willing to do to win? We follow as he constantly battles with himself over who to trust and where to draw the line as to how far he’ll go.

As Emmett navigates his new life, he also can’t help question Babel corporation’s motive. Why were these ten kids chosen? And most importantly: What will ultimately be required of them for the final prize?

Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, all these competitors have one thing common that makes them equally desperate and conflicted. Narrated from Emmet’s first person point of view, the book had me especially attached to him, but I found myself rooting for the others as well. You might be thinking that the side characters are too many to keep up with, but everything is balanced in a way that you get insight into all of them without feeling overwhelmed. Each of these characters have strengths & flaws, and well fleshed-out personalities.

I absolutely loved Emmett as our main character. His competitiveness and focused determination was refreshing. Of course, I also loved the side characters. The writing, the pacing and overall high-stakes feel really worked for me. I enjoyed the non-stop action and all the cool technology. The twists and turns in this book had me panicking one too many times. I can’t believe how long I’ll have to wait for Book 2! I NEED IT NOW.

Having recently regained my love for Sci-Fi books after reading Illuminae and Gemina, I decided it would be a good time to try to enter the Sci-Fi scene of NetGalley. I had heard a lot about Nyxia on social media and having read it now, I am so glad this is the first of three titles in the Nyxia Triad (great name also!)

I will start, as usual, with the cover. I have seen two so far, and to be honest, I love them both! They're both very space-y and mysterious and give a sense of the adventure you are about to be taken on when you fall into the pages of this book.

Emmett - the protagonist - is a school boy from Detroit, he's from a family that loves one another, and his parents are pushed to the limits trying to secure a better life for their son than they had. When he is recruited as a potential candidate for the trip to Eden, Emmett sees this as his opportunity to break the cycle. Where previously his relatives had sniffed at true freedom only to have it collapse around them, he and his parents really believe his time has come. It turns out his peers have all been chosen for similar reasons - they have something to fight for and a real reason to dig deep and compete for their chance to go to Eden.

On Eden, Babel is looking to mine Nyxia, a substance that as seemingly unlimited applications and abilities. As time goes on, things are not 100% as they seem with the corporation or the substance, and to make matters worse, the competition means Emmett and the other recruits are continually on their toes, looking out for one another, when maybe the real threat is their employer.

The story line moves along at a good pace, the changing environments and scenarios the participants are put through means the reader is never bored, and whilst I felt it took a while to get to a major plot twist or event, it was built up and written well. Personally I see no plot holes in the story. It is also simple enough to make it an enjoyable and easy read, but entertaining enough it isn't mind-numbing.

The characters all have good depth, and whilst Emmett might dislike or distrust them, the reader has the option to develop their own opinions; it is possible to empathise with so many of the characters, Scott does a really great job of portraying individual personalities despite the first person narration.

One aspect that meant it fell short of a 5* rating (for me) was that there weren't a huge number of shocking or breathtaking events - the story was good and consistent, but many of the events I did see coming - not necessarily 100% accurately but they did not blow me away. But it was an overall enjoyable read.

I would recommend this book to you is you like space, adventure, YA books, and Sci-Fi and Fantasy. The story and narration are not complex so I think it would be suitable for a whole host of age groups. I will definitely be buying myself a copy of this, and I am very excited to see what is in store for Nyxia #2.
And overall, a 4/5* rating from me!

This book mines many hot YA tropes, and emerges with a nugget of pure magic! And no, that's not just a metaphor. A megacorporation has discovered an near-magical substance, Nyxia, found in abundance in subterranean deposits on a distant planet. The only catch? The planet's inhabitants aren't friendly. (Think Starship Troopers-style not friendly...).

They do, though, like children. Or at least that's the story spun to a group of teens plucked from impoverished backgrounds and pitted against each other in grueling tests to determine which of them will get to travel to Eden to mine Nyxia - and win themselves a fortune in the process.

NYXIA shares the DNA of many successful YA franchises - RED RISING, ENDGAME and THE MAZE RUNNER all come to mind. And as you'd expect, it's an absolute page-turner. But what makes it irresistible is its narrator, Emmett - a kid from a tough Detroit neighbourhood who has the instincts of a born fighter, but a heart tender enough to know what's worth fighting for. I can't wait to read the sequels!

I truly enjoyed this book -- in fact both my wife and I were captivated by the fun and excitement of this story!

The story follows Emmett, a street-smart kid from inner-city Detroit, on the beginning of an interplanetary adventure where he is forced to compete against others from around the world for the chance to earn millions.

Narrated in first person, the reader gets a first-hand experience of the issues facing Emmett, who is both wise for his years yet still learning and growing through his successes, and more importantly, his failures. Quick-witted and genuine, Emmett’s voice keeps this action-packed story moving forward at a fluid pace.

All of the characters in this book are wholly relatable. Whether or not you identify with the behaviors and motives of the different individuals, this story forces you to experience the full range of what it means to be human. Regardless of your personal story or background, you will find the struggles and responses faced by these characters both compelling and personal.

For me, a lot of the fun and enjoyment of this story was fueled by the creative use of futuristic technology that is easy to imagine in the not-so-distant future, particularly with the powerful resources of a new world whose secrets are slowly revealed.

All in all, this is a fast-moving and thrilling adventure that was very difficult to put down. However, it is more than just a page-turner, but actually guides the reader to deeper questions about life and the human experience.

I really liked this book and would highly recommend it. Can’t wait to find out what happens next!

This book has easily become one of my favorite 2017 debuts. It's like a new version of Ender's Game but so much better. The writing, pacing, and characters are executed perfectly, and there were twists and turns I never saw coming. Put this on your TBR because it's one you shouldn't miss!

Emmet is leaving earth to work for the Babel Corporation. His main concern is to earn enough money to take care of his ailing mother and provide stability for his family. The problem is the Babel Corporation isn't upfront about everything that is required of him and the rest of the teenagers competing for a spot. My hesitation for giving this any higher of a star rating is that I don't even know what's in store for Emmet. Nyxia did a good job introducing the world of the Nyxia Triad but I still have so many unanswered questions. I will keep reading this series for the characters.

Nyxia follows Emmett Atwater, a teenage boy given the chance to leave Earth for another planet. He, along with nine other teens, signs a contract with Babel Communications to mine Nyxia, a rare and powerful substance from a planet called Eden. But only eight of them will be allowed to reach Eden. On the journey there, this diverse group of ten teens is pitted against each other for the chance at riches that can pull them and their families out of poverty.

I instantly found myself enjoying the writing style of this book. While not technically a dystopian, it reads a lot like one. High-tech competitions. Mysterious corporations. Each character with their own reasons to be desperate for a spot on Eden. The competitions begin excitingly as they introduce our characters to the struggles they will face if they qualify for the mission. I loved the Rabbit Room and the different strategies the teams employed. Nyxia, itself, is also fascinating. A substance that transforms with your thoughts – into just about anything! Along the way, the competitions began to feel a bit repetitive, though. I’m not easily entertained just by action sequences, so I found myself wishing for more personal time with the characters during the middle of the story.

I definitely think Emmett was a strong protagonist. I liked his motivations and what we learn about his family’s history. I enjoyed being in his mind and how he filed away different pieces of information. I really felt for him in the moments that he broke down. The rest of the characters definitely have interesting backstories and personalities, but I never felt like we were able to truly get to know them over the course of the story. Even Emmett’s closest companions, Kaya and Bilal, could’ve used more focus, in my opinion. I loved what I got to see of them; I just wanted more. I was always curious about the other characters and cared about them, but I didn’t feel as close to them as I would’ve liked. This left me feeling not quite as invested in the story over time.

However, toward the end of the book, the tension goes way back up. And the last fifty or so pages were fantastic. Nyxia is a fun and exciting space adventure that leaves you with a great cliffhanger. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book.