Book Review: Spartanica
Spartanica. Powers Molinar. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, November 12, 2013, Trade Paperback and Kindle, 388 pages.
Reviewed by Paige Doepke.
Spartanica is the first book in this young adult sci-fi series, The Survivors of Sapertys, which chronicles the accidental slip of the main characters, Marcus and Ty Mitchell, from their own earthly reality into a parallel reality on the planet of Sapertys. Each of the boys has their own strengths, physically and intellectually, that help them make sense of the strangeness that suddenly surrounds them. The brothers must use their wanderlust and excitement for the unknown to help restore some sort of rightfulness on the new planet that they come to realize as home.
Author Powers Molinar’s true passion for the sci-fi genre oozes from the pages. The novel lends itself to comparison against other notable teen series—namely The Hunger Games and Harry Potter—but it really is an idea and a world all its own.
The very descript scientific details of the story set it apart from others, and in fact, make the surreal concept of travelling between planets, with time virtually standing still back at home, feel incredibly real. A smart reader, even a smart reader of fiction, questions the likelihood of the story in front of them, and Molinar really covers his bases. That’s a sign of a great writer.
Part of what makes the story feel so real is how relatable its main characters are. Marcus and Ty have grown up in the care of their aunt and have never questioned the death of their parents when they were both very young. As we all know, the monotony of everyday life doesn’t always leave much room for questioning. However, when they wander into their aunt’s Archaeological study, they fall into a world of possibility. Oddly enough, that opportunity for possibility, Spartanica, the capital city of Sapertys, is in ruins. Therefore, the boys bring possibility with them, but also find it there for themselves. Spartanica, in all of its ruin, is a symbol of hope; what once was there is quite literally a foundation for what could eventually be.
They boys learn that maybe life, here and back on Earth, is malleable. Maybe they aren’t who they have always thought they were. Maybe there’s more to the story about their parents and about where they came from than they had originally thought. While they learn about their history and the history of Spartanica, the brothers start to look past the annoyances of their relationship and realize each other’s value as well.
The book also explores the relationships among people who are different from one another. Though the children of Sapertys—Bellona, Enmity’s, Yard, and Irina, to name a few—come from different backgrounds, languages, and cultures than each other and Ty and Marcus, the commonality of their passion, Sapertys, dissolves those differences. Connecting on a human level trumps cultural norms.
I’ll admit I was skeptical when I first started this book. Young Adult sci-fi series are becoming so popular and often the question arises: is any idea really novel anymore? I feel the need to answer “yes” to that question after reading Spartanica. It was fresh, smart, and didn’t feel too young. I’d recommend it for pre-teens and older readers who enjoy thinking outside the box and being surprised. I’m waiting with great anticipation to read the rest of the series.