Their 125-year journey was a promise. Now, trapped in the void, it's a death sentence-thanks to their own Chief Engineer.A massive explosion cripples the UNCS Jens Andersen's life support and leaves the vital radiation shield dysfunctional, turning the long colonization voyage into a guaranteed killer for the hundreds aboard. Their doom is fixed: a lethal stellar flare is hurtling directly toward their flight path.Brilliant but rebellious engineering cadet Erin devises the only audacious solution that can save them. But Chief Engineer Manik-a man wrestling with severe PTSD and career-crushing imposter syndrome-sees her radical plan as a personal indictment of his authority and a permanent stain on his career.Manik's internal anguish quickly escalates. Rather than admit his own failure to prevent the disaster, his obsession with stopping Erin's solution transforms him from a professional opponent into a desperate, violent saboteur. He skulks between decks, attacking personnel, and laying traps designed to doom the entire ship.Can Erin outwit the brilliant engineer consumed by his own inner demons and repair the radiation shield before the Andersen's last hope-and its last chance at colonization-is destroyed by a man determined to save himself from his past?If you enjoy these books, you'll love Defiance:Fans of The Expanse's morally complex characters and Martha Wells' damaged-but-brilliant protagonists will find themselves at home aboard the Andersen.Those who enjoyed Andy Weir's work will appreciate Defiance's focus on scientific problem-solving under extreme pressure, echoing both Project Hail Mary and The Martian.Becky Chambers fans of To Be Taught, If Fortunate will appreciate the focus on the crew's interpersonal dynamics under pressure. A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet has the same found-family feeling of a diverse crew on a long journey through space. Recommended for adults and mature teens. Content advisory: Contains violence and mature psychological themes. Reader discretion is advised. ELIZABETH BYRON isn't shy about admitting she writes to escape and that her best characters "live" in her head. A few years ago a fully-formed 13-year-old character popped in and wanted Elizabeth to write a story about her. She said her name was Erin. Elizabeth, thinking this was perhaps a Young Adult book Erin had in mind, suggested they "age her up" to 15. Erin was adamant. "No! I am 13!" There was no arguing with her, and 13 she stayed. Elizabeth ignored Erin for a while but every once in a while she would pop in again and ask about the book. Finally Elizabeth sat down to write Erin's book, and Defiance was born. Apparently satisfied, Erin then left!But Elizabeth wasn't done. She had a series in mind. Stay tuned for Book 2, Intercept, coming in early 2026. The climatologists have discovered that Earth is on track to become like Venus-uninhabitable within about 50 years. Leaders on Earth turn to the UN to organize an Exodus Fleet: five ships carrying people and banks of sperm and eggs from those staying behind. It's not enough to evacuate all 13 billion inhabitants, but it might be enough to enable humanity to continue on a new planet. Their motto: "We're not refugees, we're colonists."
