In this well-crafted and convincing world with fresh, relatable characters, the young scientists’ work is disrupted when Dr. Michael Duncan and Professor Scott McClellan join the secret government Project Avalon investigating the discovery beneath the Lunar surface of a mysterious metal beam manufactured on Earth but carved with symbols that could be from an earlier unknown settlement or be extraterrestrial. Time is running out for humanity when a series of earthquakes demolish Earth, the lunar base suffers a rash of deadly mental breakdowns, and the scientists must decide whether to stay on the moon or search for survivors on Earth.
This young adult sci-fi adventure rewards readers with young love, mysteries, little reveals, a diverse cast, and a welcome sense of humanity. Wilkerson uses the sci-fi setting to compassionately explore young adult issues like young love, growing up, facing your past, and being ready to achieve great things in the future, along with adult concerns of survival and cataclysmic planetary events. Eager readers will appreciate Tamar’s sassy, take-charge attitude and will enjoy the drama, romance, team-work, thrills, and suspense as the story builds to a surprising ending that answers some (but not all) questions.
Takeaway: Well-crafted YA SF adventure romance on the moon.
Comparable Titles: Natasha Preston’s The Island, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
