The Pioneer

Gr 9 Up—A top-notch space opera full of fresh world-building and nuanced depiction of the ethical pitfalls of exploration and discovery. Cadet pilot Joanna has always known that she and her family will become space pioneers. It's 2117, and Earth's ecosystem is all but destroyed, forcing humanity to scout new planets for settlement. When their ship is hit by a solar flare just before departure, Jo's brother sacrifices himself to save everyone on board. She is left with survivor's guilt and a heart condition that prevents her from piloting a ship. Jo is further shaken when they arrive on Tau—a paradise covered in dazzling mountain ranges and tufted trees—only to discover that their surveys were full of redacted information about the planet's existing inhabitants. Embroiled in a complex and deadly conflict, Jo must decide whether the future of the human race is worth compromising her moral compass and betraying the world that she dreamed of calling home. Tyler's debut is action-packed, introducing unique life forms and appealing uses of current technology (3-D printing features heavily). While some side characters aren't fully fleshed-out, Jo is a bright and critical protagonist who recognizes the many ways in which her arrival on Tau has unintentionally disrupted and disempowered its existing societies. The tightly woven plot is weakened only by an unnecessary romance and the magical healing of Jo's heart condition.