Author: Lauren James
Publication: HarperTeen (July 3, 2018)
Description: A surprising and gripping sci-fi thriller with a killer twist
The daughter of two astronauts, Romy Silvers is no stranger to life in space. But she never knew how isolating the universe could be until her parents’ tragic deaths left her alone on the Infinity, a spaceship speeding away from Earth.
Romy tries to make the best of her lonely situation, but with only brief messages from her therapist on Earth to keep her company, she can’t help but feel like something is missing. It seems like a dream come true when NASA alerts her that another ship, the Eternity, will be joining the Infinity.
Romy begins exchanging messages with J, the captain of the Eternity, and their friendship breathes new life into her world. But as the Eternity gets closer, Romy learns there’s more to J’s mission than she could have imagined. And suddenly, there are worse things than being alone….
My Thoughts: This was an incredible science fiction story about a young girl who is alone on a ship on its way to a far distant planet. It wasn't intended that she'd be alone. In fact, it wasn't intended that she would even be born. Her father and mother were supposed to be the first caretakers of the ship and stay awake for five years before waking the next pair of astronauts from torpor and entering torpor themselves until the many year journey is complete.
After the torpor system failed and all the other astronauts died, Romy's mother entered a deep depression. When she began to violently destroy the stored embryos, Romy's father attempted to stop her and was accidentally killed. Then her mother put herself in torpor leaving Romy alone at age eleven. Her only contact for the last six years has been a therapist at NASA named Molly.
When she is sixteen, Molly tells her that a newer faster ship has been launched with the intention of joining up with The Infinity. Romy is excited that she won't be alone but anxious about not being alone too. She begins sharing emails with the commander of the second ship. J seems like a wonderful person and Romy might be falling love with him.
But then she loses contact with Molly, learns that NASA has fallen in a war, and that the new government wants to make some changes to her ship. Romy goes through all kinds of harrowing trials like power failures, limited access to light and water, and cooling temperatures. She is more and more eager for J and The Eternity to catch up to her.
But all is not as it seems. Romy has to untangle the truth from the lies if she wants to stay alive. I couldn't put this one down. I was so caught up in Romy's story and the rising tension in the story. Fans of science fiction won't want to miss this terrific book.
Favorite Quote:
This whole journey is a balancing act based on faith. We're all just hoping the The Infinity will eventually be able to reach somewhere safe. And for what? To satisfy the great human spirit of exploration?I received this one in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.
My life is a gambling chip thrown carelessly across the universe in the hope it'll land somewhere my descendants can survive.
Wow, this sounds like a fascinating read. It's been years since I've read any science fiction, but this could get me interested again. Good review.
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