Rise of the Red Hand

January 1, 2021

Gr 8 Up-A quarter-century after a massive nuclear World War III, dying Earth is divided into nine provinces contending for resources. In the South Asian Province, corporation-run on fascist lines for the benefit of the powerful and privileged (in their elite Strata), a Central district separates Northerners from the "Unsanctioned." Then a pandemic breaks out. Ashiva (a talented smuggler and avid trainee of the Red Hand resistance) is a feisty, though not fully realized, cyborg hero. She and two others-her brilliant 12-year-old nerd sister, and a connected-but-disaffected male teen data-specialist-alternate first-person, present-tense narration. Power is a key theme, along with identity, bias, and trust. Occasional Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi phrases (contextually clear), and much techno-speak, could be either assets or liabilities. Little beyond the odd mango or sari signifies "sub-continent" specifically, cultural distinctions having presumably been vaporized. After a lively opening, the story stutters in the middle, with confusing alliances and motivations, too many new characters, and too little continuity and plausibility. The final chapters recover their charge, but leave the plot unresolved. VERDICT Readers seeking sci-fi with political, environmental, technological, and South Asian dimensions might overlook the shakier aspects and stick with this series.-Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly of St. George's Sch., Newport, RI

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In a divided future, two teens struggle to save their respective worlds. In the South Asian Province, Uplanders approved by Solace Corporation live in Central City, a sheltered and technologically advanced city. Perfected by genetic edits, even their thought processes are sped up with neural-synch implants that keep them constantly connected. Riz-Ali interns at Solace Corp, secretly playing mecha fighting games on the underweb and seeking the rebel organization Red Hand in hopes of learning the truth behind his uncle's death. Those who fail the Solace tests live in the Narrows, an area plagued with disease, poisoned air, undrinkable water, and scorching heat. These Downlanders, orphaned and wounded by the deadly aftermath of World War III, scavenge Uplander technology for prosthetics and survive by forming found families and through the support of the Red Hand. Ashiva, a Red Hand trainee, strives to bring the fight for justice to Central. When the Planetary Alliance Commission's gaze falls on their province, Ashiva's and Riz's paths collide. Steeped in elements from real-life South Asian cultures, the worldbuilding is original and intriguing, incorporating dystopian and utopian elements along with current hot issues such as societal inequities, digital surveillance, and technology's impact on humanity. Explanatory infodumps and some awkward scene transitions and dialogue weaken an otherwise strong and intricate story. While the side cast is expansive and interesting, they remain underdeveloped due to unbalanced pacing, and readers will hope for more time with them in future volumes. All characters are South Asian. An entertaining series opener. (glossary) (Dystopian. 12-18)

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