The Pioneer

A 2020 LITA Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Book!

Packed with action and unexpected twists, this addictive page-turner is perfect for fans of Illuminae and Defy the Stars!

When Jo steps onto planet Tau Ceti e for the first time, she’s ready to put the past behind her and begin again. After all, as a pioneer, she has the job of helping build a new home away from Earth.

But underneath the idyllic surface of their new home, there’s something very wrong. And when Jo accidentally uncovers a devastating secret that could destroy everything they’ve worked for, suddenly the future doesn’t seem so bright.

With the fate of the pioneers in her hands, Jo must decide how far she’s willing to go to expose the truth—before the truth destroys them all.

• Teen Sci-Fi Thriller: On a new world that seems too good to be true, seventeen-year-old Jo Watson discovers that the greatest threat to humanity isn’t in the stars, but waiting for them on the ground.
• A High-Stakes Survival Story: When a hidden danger emerges, the mission to build a utopia becomes a desperate fight for survival, forcing Jo to confront the lies that brought them to Tau Ceti e.
• Devastating Secrets: The idyllic planet holds the truth about a lost expedition and a cover-up that reaches the highest levels. Exposing it could save everyone—or doom them.
• An Unforgettable Space Adventure: Perfect for readers who love fast-paced action, complex world-building, and a strong female character facing impossible choices.

“Briskly paced action, lively dialogue, and a vividly imagined world…a solidly entertaining sci-fi novel with a strong-willed heroine [and] an unexpected cliff-hanger.” - ALA Booklist

“Beautifully captures the wonder of discovery while building plenty of suspense… A stellar adventure.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A top-notch space opera full of fresh world-building and nuanced depiction of the ethical pitfalls of exploration and discovery.” - School Library Journal