A parent should reach for this book when their teen feels adrift, struggling to find their place or processing a first love. It is a sweeping science fiction graphic novel about Mia, who joins a spaceship crew that restores old buildings. The story moves between her present life with this quirky found family and flashbacks to her boarding school past, where she fell in love with a mysterious girl named Grace. It beautifully explores belonging, chosen family, and the intensity of first love. For ages 13-18, this quiet, immersive story validates the idea that you can build your own family and find your path, making it a perfect read for a teen needing to feel seen and understood.
Characters navigate dangerous ruins and a forbidden part of space. Some tense moments.
LanguageMild
Occasional use of mild curse words like 'damn' and 'hell'.
Sensitive Topics
The central plot revolves around a tender queer romance (WLW), which is presented as natural and essential to the story. It directly addresses themes of loneliness, finding a chosen family, and healing from past trauma, including peer bullying and parental neglect (Grace's backstory). The approach is emotionally direct but never graphic. The resolution is hopeful and affirming, emphasizing connection and healing.
Ideal Reader
An artistic or introspective teen (14-17) who feels like an outsider or is navigating their own identity. It is perfect for a reader who has experienced a powerful first friendship or romance, or who craves a sense of belonging and a chosen family. It will strongly appeal to fans of character-driven sci-fi and stunning visual storytelling.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. Its themes of love and belonging are universal, and the queer romance is presented without needing external context. Parents should know it is a long book (over 500 pages), but the visual storytelling makes it a relatively quick and absorbing read. The non-linear structure might seem confusing at first but resolves clearly. A parent hears their teen say, "No one understands me," or "I don't fit in anywhere." They may witness their child withdrawing after a friendship breakup or first heartbreak, or expressing a deep need for a place to belong.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the adventure, the unique spaceship setting, the boarding school drama, and the sweet first love story. An older teen (15-18) will connect more deeply with the nuanced themes of found family, healing from the past, the quiet melancholy of memory, and the strength it takes to build a life on one's own terms.
What Makes It Special
Its unique "domestic sci-fi" feel sets it apart. The fantastical space setting serves as a backdrop for a deeply intimate, character-driven story about relationships. Unlike action-packed space operas, this is quiet, atmospheric, and emotionally focused. The central metaphor of restoring old structures to represent personal and relational healing is highly original, and the breathtaking artwork carries immense emotional weight.
Read plot summary
The narrative follows Mia, a new member of a spaceship crew that restores architectural ruins. The story alternates between her present adventures with her crew and flashbacks to her time at an all-girls boarding school where she fell deeply in love with Grace, a mysterious new student. The present-day plot evolves into a quest to find Grace, who has disappeared, forcing Mia and her new family to confront the past.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The crew of the Aktis restores old buildings. How is this work similar to the emotional work they do for each other as a found family?
2
Mia is non-verbal when she first joins the crew. Why do you think the author made this choice for her character, and what helps Mia find her voice?
3
Grace's past is a mystery for much of the story. How did your feelings about her change as you learned more about where she came from and the secret of The Staircase?
4
The story is told in two different timelines. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story this way, instead of in chronological order? How did the flashbacks affect your experience of the present-day plot?
