Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac (Zodiac #1)
Author: Romina Russell 
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Bloggerhood of the Traveling ARC (Thanks Dana!) 
Publisher: Razorbill
Pubication Date: December 9th, 2014
Add it to Goodreads / Buy it on Amazon / Read Jessica's Review!

Summary: 

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain…. Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories. When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts. Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians. But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

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Zodiac is something different, unlike anything I have ever read before. Romina created a whole new galaxy based on the 12 constellations, which in themselves is a pretty cool thing. Zodiac is full of action, adventure and nail biting moments that will leave you thinking about Zodiac long after it is over. 

The introduction into Zodiac and the planets is a bit rough to understand. Romina throws alot of info at you and it does get a bit confusing. Once you get over the inital hump though it is all smooth sailing. The world building in Zodiac was impressive. Romina created a number of different worlds, as well as cultures and people. 

Rho makes my list for top female herione. She is stubborn and quite interesting. Rho is one of those characters that if she was real, I would get a long with her just fine. As much as I loved Mathias, he also frustrated me. A huge part of this book was trust and Mathias had almost no trust in Rho through out a good part of it. I liked Hysan, I am not in love with him. Maybe I will be when I get over the ending of Zodiac. Who knows. I probably won't. Only a year to book two... *cries silently* All the characters though were flawed, and had a sense of realness to them.

I mentioned two boy names above so you can probably guess what that means? Yes, Zodiac does have a love triangle. It isn't crazy though, and is mainly addressed more towards the end of the novel. Both boys are a potential choice for her, but you can easily fall in love with the both of them. I see the appeal for Hysan, but I am partial to Mathias. 

Romina broke my heart with the ending to Zodiac. Something major happens and then *poof!* it is over. What?! I cried. I should have known something would happen because I told Rachel and Dana something and then they hinted something would happen. Then they laughed at me. 

Overall, I loved Zodiac and I can't wait for the second book to see what else Romina has in store for us. 

RATING: ★★★★

See reviews for Zodiac by Romina Russell from:

Dana @ Danasquare

Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books