Zodiac by Romina Rusell

Title: Zodiac 
Author: Romina Rusell
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date:  December 9, 2014
Pages: 336
Source/format: BEA, ARC

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

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?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

My Thoughts: 

Rho Grace is enrolled into the Academy and is hoping she will be able to attend the Zodai University. She is a Cancrian and her best friend is Nishiko who is a transfer student from Sagittarius. In the beginning of the novel, Rho starts to have visions of a bad omen during her star readings. Of course the omen leads to Ochus and the 13th sign, Ophiuchus, being real. This is not just a legend. Long ago, people lived on Earth and there were 13 signs. Now everyone migrated to different planets not knowing too much about the 13th sign's existence....until now. Ochus always said he would return and pretty much that hell will break loose.

Rho takes on the role of the Guardian of Cancer after the previous Guardian was killed. She was selected based on the stars. Because she was on the list of Potentials and because she has the sight without using an astralator, Rho is offered to be the Holy Mother. She is from the nurturing zodiac sign, so she takes on the role because she wants to protect her people. Because of Rho's age, not everyone takes her seriously as a Guardian. Some do not believe what she has to say. However, it is up to Rho to save not only her people, but the whole galaxy.

I have been waiting to read Zodiac when it was announced at BEA. It sounded amazing when I read the synopsis and it was so awesome to meet Romina Rusell. She is such a sweetheart and I love how she asked everyone what their sign is when she was personalizing ARCs of Zodiac.

Russell does an amazing job with the world building in this novel. I love how Russell incorporates astrology, science fiction and fantasy in Zodiac. Combine all three things and you have one amazing book! Having the zodiac houses tie in with constellations, planets and space is brilliant. I definitely love that aspect of the book since it also incorporates a bit of mythology. However, I would love to read more about some of the other houses besides Cancer. Also, I am not a huge fan of love triangles but the love triangle did not hinder the book's plot line. Other than that, Zodiac is a solid book. I look forward to reading the second book in the series.