ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Lithub, Bookshop.org, The Messenger, The Nerd Daily "Kitasei's outstanding sophomore outing clears the high bar she set in The Deep Sky , combining a high-stakes space adventure with exquisitely crafted worldbuilding and plausibly imagined interspecies communication. " --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Broad in scope, covering everything from the rise and fall of alien civilizations to what it means to be a person, this is a luminous work, vacillating between the highs and lows of human experience and how they might translate across alien worlds." --Kirkus, starred review " Star Trek meets Indiana Jones in this anti-colonial space heist from The Deep Sky author Yume Kitasei. The Stardust Grail blends horror, adventure, and fantastical whimsy. Fans of Ryka Aoki, Ann Leckie and Becky Chambers will find much to love in this fast-paced, expansive adventure. " --BookPage "Kitasei writes an emotional roller coaster of a space quest, highlighting friendship, family, and the ostracism of those believed to be different. The prose is as intimate as the universe is wide.

" --Library Journal "Come to The Stardust Grail for Indiana Jones -style outer space heist adventure, stay for the sensitively drawn characters and thoughtful exploration of other forms of life far beyond our own --Yume Kitasei's second novel is an engaging, fascinating story that you don't want to miss. " -- Veronica Roth, New York Times bestselling author of Chosen Ones " The Stardust Grail is a puzzle box of a book, one that invites readers into an ambitious and endlessly imaginative adventure. A strange, surreal, and startlingly tender glimpse into worlds beyond our own." -- Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief "The Stardust Grail is a boisterous journey, rife with protean planets, intriguing spaceports, and remarkable life forms. The stakes are high. The characters are engaging and delightful. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed.

But at its core, the book is also an exploration of understanding, forgiveness, and the importance of being true to our friends, and ourselves. For any fan of space adventures, this book is a must-read." --Emily Jane, USA Today bestselling author of On Earth as it Is on Television.