"Reaching Venus" is a beautifully crafted science fiction novel written in verse, we follow Leah and her sister Rachel as they navigate a dystopian future where Earth’s atmosphere is ravaged by pollution. The annual contest run by the government, Terra, promises a fresh start for 100 talented teens on Venus’s Floating City. Rachel’s selfless decision to send Leah in her place leads to a poignant journey of survival, love, and self-discovery.

What makes this story particularly engaging is the way the simple but stellar imagery bring the floating city of Venus to life. The descriptions of the greenhouse, where Leah is assigned to work, are lush and captivating, grounding the futuristic setting in something relatable. Leah’s personal struggle, especially with her asthma and hidden identity, makes her a character readers can root for.

The writing flows effortlessly, and despite the brevity of the novel, it manages to convey a lot of emotion and world-building without overwhelming middle-grade readers. The vocabulary is accessible, making it an excellent pick for reluctant readers while still offering them complex themes to ponder.

However, the story leaves many unanswered questions, for readers who crave closure, this may be a bit frustrating. Still, this open-mindedness may spark curiosity and deeper reflection, making it a great discussion starter in a classroom setting.

There are those books you don't know how much you need them until you actually read them and this was one of those.. I absolutely love it, the way it was written the message it send, everything, it was amazing, it was my first book from this author and I'm not disappointed

Going in, I did not know this was a verse story, but was rather expecting a novel, so with that in mind, I didn't enjoy it as much. The premise was absolutely intriguing, but there wasn't enough time to fully experience it or feel immersed. The world is so vast, there is no way to get all the information you need in order to fully understand or enjoy it. The characters were great, but you don't know enough about them to feel any kind of connection or sense of depth. Some things felt too easy, while others needed more development and you are left with more questions than answers. It felt weird how instantly Rose and Leah were in love with each other without really knowing much about each other. Same with Rachel and Angus, who we know next to nothing about. It also doesn't make any sense to me why you wouldn't have the people with asthma sent up when they can be cured or at least symptoms would slowly start to deteriorate like Leah. Ultimately, the futuristic dystopian space concept was not the problem, it was the fact that it was too short to really get into and appreciate, given the big themes and concepts that needed more time to develop.

Genre: Young Adult Science-Fiction/HiLo/Poetry/LGBTQ+
Rating: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Maija Barnett for the opportunity to read Reaching for Venus in exchange for an honest review.

Reaching for Venus is a Hi-Lo novel-in-verse making for a very quick read. The idea of space travel and options for humanity after Earth adds to the fast-paced intrigue of this novel.

The Earth is becoming more and more uninhabitable due to pollution, and one day, it will no longer be livable. With the current world government, called Terra, there is an opportunity to escape to a new life. Terra hosts a contest for eligible 16-year-olds to apply for a spot on the ship to Venus where they can live a new and safe life in an artificial environment. They take 50 boys and 50 girls each year.

This year, Rachel turns 16. Leah is older, but she couldn't qualify due to her asthma. But her younger sister has a plan: sign up as Leah, take the tests for her, and send her to a better life! Leah just cannot get caught with an asthma attack or any identifying DNA tests, as that would be the biggest law-breaking scheme in history.

Leah makes it to the new world, a biosphere called the Floating City, where she assists with horticulture. When she meets Rose, they grow close, and Leah isn't sure how much longer she can keep secrets from her newfound loved ones.

This is a very fast-paced sci-fi that explores a possible end-of-world scenario with the kind of space travel and space-living that we currently dream of as a solution to some of Earth's current issues. The exploration of these ideas is fun for a young adult audience who may need to find a solution in their lifetime, and may even see something like this in their future. The aspect of hidden identity adds a nice dash of drama as well.

Reaching for Venus is a quick novel any young adult reader will enjoy. Readers will leave with questioning the world they live in as well as the future they want to see for themselves, their children, or their grandchildren. This novel is truly mind-bending and eye-opening in a contemporary scientific way.

The book’s verse format was a refreshing and unique approach. It felt like a blend of poetry and storytelling, which made the reading experience both enjoyable and effortless. The language is straightforward and accessible, which was pleasantly surprising given the verse structure. Although, I'm used to expecting more complex language in such formats.

As a fan of dystopian fiction, this book immediately caught my interest. The dynamic between the siblings, Rachel and Leah, who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for each other, was particularly compelling. Adding a sapphic romance into the mix only enhanced my enjoyment.

Fun and quick read, definitely recommend if you're looking for something unique.

Reaching for Venus is my second sci-fi novel-in-verse and I'm glad I got to experience more verse novels in other genre than contemporary. However, it is too short to contain its vast worldbuilding so some parts feel missing, and too short to follow the progress so Leah's departure feels easy, Leah's and Rose's relationship feels quick to happen, and the ending leaves me hanging.

Rachel, Leah's little sister, registers herself to a Venus colony program contest held by the government in which only one healthy person per family can enter, then gives the place to Leah so Leah must be in disguise as Rachel. Leah has asthma from Earth's bad pollution, and is told that Venusian air will heal her. She arrives on Venus to be stationed at the garden and becomes a tender with Rose, her mentor. From that, love blossoms, but one incident threatens Leah's real identity to be exposed.

There's so much I want to know about the world Leah and Rachel live in, yet so little page to describe it. And if Terra's air is so bad and there are proofs Venus' atmosphere is better, why don't they send the ones who suffer from asthma instead? Venus is described like Earth, there's little information about the change of gravity, air pressure, or length of day and night. I would like to learn about how Floating City succeeds and why the one similar in Mars failed, how they adjust their life and why medical, architecture and building, and agriculture platforms are their primary concern. I would like to learn how dystopian the world is and how Rachel and Leah keep strong this far.

When Leah poses as Rachel, there's no preparation for Leah being as Rachel as possible. The contest only takes 100 people to be sent to Venus, and the checking process must be very meticulous, yet Leah and Rachel are not twins albeit very lookalike so how can she convince the authority? Rose's reaction to Leah's confession is not something I expect from someone who loves her (thankfully she makes it up later). Also, it's not fair for Henry. And after the ending... how are they going to survive? Or is there a sequel in the making? The more I think about it, the more I need details.

I still think this story is meant to be told as a novel-in-verse, but with longer word count. I also want to know what happens with Rachel and Angus on Earth after Leah is sent away—will Rachel change her identity too if people finally notice? Maybe it's not for me who's used to sci-fi prose novels, but it's definitely a good choice for those who wants to read sci-fi for the first time.

This is a YA novel in verse about some teenagers in a dystopian future where pollution is killing huge numbers of people and the lucky few get to go to another community on Venus. I liked the idea behind this book, and it was engaging. The action started from page 1.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't love the writing style (not the fact that it was in verse, I typically love that, just the tone). I also felt like it was overly angsty. For me, I felt like it was written more for someone's idea of what a teenager wants to read, more than what they actually do.

That being said, I am obviously in the minority! It was a fast-paced dystopian story, and it might be for you! Thanks to NetGalley, Maija Barnett, and Rosen Publishing for the chance to read and review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading a novel written in verse, and it was definitely unique. The format was concise but also left me feeling like the story ended too abruptly. I wasn’t expecting it to wrap up so quickly, and that left me wondering if the story was just too short.

While the book didn’t evoke any particularly strong emotions from me, I did appreciate Leah’s journey and was glad to see her end up in a place where she could finally breathe. However, I can’t help but feel that maybe I’m not the intended audience for this kind of work. It’s hard to rate because while I didn’t dislike it, it didn’t leave a lasting impact on me either.

Overall, it was an okay read—just not one that resonated with me as much as I’d hoped.

This book is so good omg! Reaching for Venus is such an incredible story. I wasn't expecting the final plot but it was perfect! I rated it 4 stars.

Thank you so much to West 44 Books/ Rosen Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Leah and Rachel are now orphans after both their parents died, Living in a polluted earth that makes Leah’s asthma even more difficult. Rachel is turning 16 and is eligible to apply to be one of 50 girls taken to Venus to start a new safer life, but she tricks them so that Leah can take her place instead. Leah works in the gardening domes and finds love with Rose, but if she’s caught it’s the end for her.

What an incredible, futuristic dystopian space story, I was honestly hooked into it I wasn’t sure what to expect honestly I’m not the most into space stories but no this was incredible. It was all dystopian this new world being segregated into groups of people doing different jobs that are assigned, a list of rules you must obey, people controlling and watching everything you do, It was so good.

Leah’s a great protagonist and I loved following the journey with her, she was supposed to save her sister, but her sister saved her instead. She stopped struggling with her asthma found so much love for the way of life there, for the sameness, the growing of crops in the greenhouse. I really liked seeing her adjusting to this new world that she was given the luxury of experiencing and her and Rose was one thing I never saw coming but it was so beautiful, seeing how they lived and cared for each other even after it got difficult.

If you love space stories, dystopian stories then this will be something you would love so much. I loved it and found it such a gripping story, I was reading it so quick as I was hooked wanting to know what was going to happen, how she was able to stay safe and not get caught and seeing her new life in this new world, it was so well created and you can visualise this whole wondrous world.

Reaching Venus was the first novel I’ve read which is written in verse. Initially, I was hesitant but I loved it!

When our planet is overcome by pollution, each year, 100 healthy sixteen-year-olds are chosen to make the journey to Venus so that the human race can continue. Rachel is healthy and intelligent - everything the Venus mission want aboard. Her sister, Leah, has asthma, denying her a spot aboard the ship. When Rachel is chosen, she gives up her spot for Leah (who then has to live as Rachel aboard, hiding the fact she is asthmatic). What happens when Leah falls in love? Can she continue hiding the truth?

Reaching Venus is incredibly easy to read. The writing flows beautifully and, while the vocabulary is simple, the imagery is stellar.

I adore novels in verse, and this was such a quick sci fi read that would be great for young adults.

Leah has asthma, which disqualifies her from being selected to go live in the Floating City. Her sister, however, is totally healthy and tricks the system to send Leah in her place.

The writing is very accessible while still painting vivid imagery. I wish the story had been a little more developed overall, as it felt rushed in some places. There was so little development between Leah and Rose that I didn't understand why Rose would throw away everything for Leah. Interesting concept, lovely world building. Definitely recommend to people who enjoy Sapphic young adult sci fi.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

In the future, Earth is becoming increasingly unlivable. Leah and her sister Rachel struggle to survive on their own after their parents' death. Leah struggles from asthma and Earth's air will likely be the death of her soon.
Rachel is a talented gardener and she is chosen to go live in a human colony on Venus. However, in order to save Leah, she makes her sister go in her stead. But how long can Leah lie to everyone about her identity on Venus, especially when a girl named Rose steps in the picture...

I loved this book so much. I don't usually read verse novels as I feel they're too short to really do anything for me, but Reaching for Venus completely ate. Not only was the storyline great, but the worldbuilding was vivid and the page formatting gorgeous. I could not put it down before I'd devoured this book whole.

Reaching for Venus is a beautiful, relevant and layered story. It's amazing how great an impact the author managed to deliver with such few words. My only complaint about the book is that I wanted more.  I'll definitely be reading Reaching for Venus again, and making my friends read it too. Highly recommend.

I will just say it first that I got to read a pdf file, and on my kindle that means, what I got access to, wasn't the finished product, and it came with the problems that reading a converted pdf entails. But that being said, I did enjoy the story, I didn’t feel like it was poetry, but it was showed like if it was poetry.

Leah and her sister Rachel lives in a dying earth, and instead of trying to solve earth problems humanity is seeking refuge in Venus, and in here, if you’re healthy when you’re 16 years old, you can be tested and if chosen travel to venus in the new hope for mankind… but to tell you the truth… while the book seems light and innocent, Rachel the younger sister, is very protective of Leah, maybe because their father had already died of the same health problem that affects Leah, and she does all she can to send her sister in her place to venus, there’s so many things that can go wrong, you feel the dread growing with each passing page… utopia? Maybe much more like a dystopia… but that folks, is for me to know and for you to find out…

I really enjoyed this book, it was a very short read, I went from start to finish in less than 40 minutes, and I did like the story, it was like a small bite desert.

Thank you Netgalley and Rosen Publishing Group | West 44 Books, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Amazing book . Love the plot line and how the characters interact. I love the cover . Best book I read this year . Will definitely recommend it to my friends and family

Reaching for Venus is a hi/low novel written in verse and it did that well. The story never slows down and the language is easy to understand. Because it is written in verse it is also a rather quick read, which I think is great for new readers.
I also love that it is sci-fi because that genre is normally more on the inaccessible side with overcomplicated language. So if you are a new/young/non-native english reader and want to read something different than the typical contemporary/school drama this is great!
Of course because of the length you do not get the time with the characters you might need to truly get to know them and feel for them but this book still does a good job to make the characters feel distinct from each other.