Mirror in the Sky by Aditi Khorana (review)

On the eve of Tara Krishnan’s junior year, scientists discover a planet hidden at the edge of the galaxy. Soon, detected signals suggest that it may be an alternate Earth, and suddenly the world is swept up in the furor of what-ifs as adults become obsessed with paths not taken. Tara, meanwhile, struggles to focus on her own path, including new, unexpected attention from popular Nick and his enigmatic, seemingly perfect girlfriend Halle; she quickly gets caught up the jumble of parties, flirtations, and camaraderie that revolve around them. It’s almost enough to distract from the chaos at home, where her mother is falling under the lure of a planet-worshipping cult. Now, as waves of changes personal, social, global, and interplanetary, rock her previously predictable life, Tara must find the strength to mark a path for herself locally as well as galactically. This thoughtful science fiction novel offers an emotionally and psychologically driven alternative to the recent spate of action-packed, alien-ridden sci-fi adventures. Khorana uses her sci-fi premise to explore the angst and excitement of possibilities, crafting a story with a deeply personal, potently adolescent vibe. Realism fans will welcome the academically gifted but socially awkward Tara and her more ordinary woes, while science fiction readers will appreciate the novel’s use of interplanetary drama to raise philosophical questions. A strong readalike for Wallach’s We All Looked Up (BCCB 4/15), this novel is the perfect fit for readers prone to introspection and those looking for more than just the next fast-paced page-turner.