3.79 AVERAGE


The end definitely took a turn for the unexpected. But I’m intrigued enough to want to read the sequel! I enjoyed the characters and the unique elements this book brought to the table.
adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was a lot of fun to read. I was intrigued by all the characters and the plot kept me wanting to know where the story would go. I wasn’t expecting the ending and am definitely interested in what the final book has in store for the characters and their story.
adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the competition aspect of the book and a no-nonsense protagonist (they don't all need to be no-nonsense, but sometimes it's quite refreshing to not constantly be shaking your head at the dumb things the MCs do). Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.

adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I liked the drive of Cass and the idea behind the story. The characters were well developed and related in a true to life way. The idea of a young person traveling into space is not a new idea, but competing for a spot gave the story a good twist. 92
adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I read in someone's review of some book years ago they get pulled out of a book set in the future when the food is as is now. Or maybe it was food in books in general? Anyway, it's the year 2043, are we gonna eat bacon and eggs for breakfast? No real word on climate change? This book is from 2017, but still. Medium-sized lovestory vibes for a book with an asexual protagonist. When Luka came back I laughed, in the very last chapter!??! Really? Sequel, anyone? Made me consider reading mono-thematically, like a year (month? half a year?) of only space books. I didn't feel Cassie was well set-up before the space camp thing, but the story had enough going on that I got over it. Not a super deep read, but definitely an enjoyable one.
tiasian06's profile picture

tiasian06's review

4.0
adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Dare Mighty Things is a fast-paced story that takes place at the Johnson Space Center twenty-five years from now. Cassie, a seventeen-year-old genetically engineered Indian-American is competing with sixty-two young, smart, and fit young people for a chance to go on a top-secret space mission.

"I wanted to be a pioneer. To dare mighty things. What was out there would forever call to me, and the things I could do for history were more important than my one little life."

The diverse cast is refreshing. Emilio is latino, Hanna's German, Mitsuko is a married Japanese-American bisexual. Cassie's biggest competition is Luka, the son of a UN Ambassador. These characters are well fleshed out, with distinct personalities, desires, fears, strengths and flaws. The female rep is fantastic - strong, smart, confident.

"I’m so curious about the universe-we know so little and I want to learn it all, see it all-there are so many wonders out there that humans have never dreamed possible. I want to help us get there. I want to discover. I want to know. Don’t you?"

This space story is all about self-discovery, being grateful for our planet, forgiveness, facing your fears and following your dreams.

The romance is not insta-love, which is nice, however, I feel like it was completely unnecessary, especially when Cassie identified as asexual. I don't know a lot about gender identity, but I feel like if she's identified herself as asexual there should have been more internal conflict of her feelings towards a certain someone.

Kaczynski is a talented writer, and I'm excited to read more from her. If you liked Cinder, Illuminae, Hunger Games, or Divergent then I think you'd like Dare Mighty Things. A great young adult novel for Sci-Fi fans, but also to those who enjoy a character-driven story with a big twist ending.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall: 4.3/5 Rounded down to 4 on Goodreads