Kindred by Alechia Dow ~ a Review

by MK French

Joy Abara is a poor commoner mind linked to Duke Felix Hamdi. In their interplanetary kingdom, minds are linked from birth between classes, allowing everyone to have a say. But the royal family is publicly killed and Felix is framed for their murders. The pair had been kept apart for years, but now are on the run together. Rather than looking at any of the kingdom's civilized worlds, they head for a backwater planet without technology... Earth.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

January 2022; Inkyard Press; 978-1335418616
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); YA sci-fi

There is a romantic undercurrent hinted at long before Joy and Felix develop feelings for each other. Other Kindred pairs fall in love and marry each other, and the excessive emphasis on keeping Joy and Felix apart shows us that it means something if they're together. I love the world building for the kingdom, the flashes of its social media, and the culture of each world mentioned. Racism and misogyny still exist as well as classism, so the aliens feel very human. Enough is familiar for the reader to grasp why Joy is so concerned about the class difference that Felix brushes off. Their perspectives influence and are influenced by each other, which is exactly what the Kindred system is supposed to do.

I love the way Joy and Felix interact with the teens in the Florida Keys. They're ordinary kids in the summer, and give the aliens a taste of normalcy. It shows Felix who he could become, and helps Joy find confidence. The songs quoted are fun, and their love of music is universal. The teens and their relationships are important, not just romantic ones but their friendships. It's a fun read, with kids I enjoyed spending time with.

Buy Kindred at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.