Spotlight: Light from Uncommon Stars

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki is one of the favorite reads from the past year. I listened to it as an audiobook, narrated by Cindy Kay, and highly recommend it in that form. The story combines realistic, science fiction, and fantasy elements in a spellbinding way that had me mesmerized. It delves into identity, family, belonging, and how art can or should fit into the world.

Shizuka Satomi, a former prodigy and violin teacher, has made a deal with the devil. She must find seven musicians willing to hand over their souls to save herself. She has to find only one more, but time is running out.

She may have found the seventh when she encounters Katrina Nguyen, a self-taught violinist who is transgender. Rejected by her family, she has run away and is struggling to survive. The offer from Shizuka to train her sounds too good to be true.

And then there is the donut shop run by a crew of aliens, led by their captain Lan Tran, who have come to Earth to try to prevent a plague.

The writing, always beautiful and skillful, is at times funny and at others heartbreaking as we observe the characters trying to make choices that will serve them and the people around them. All are keeping secrets and all are craving connection with others.