Sci Friday - Upcoming Middle Grade and YA

Welcome back to Sci Friday!

Today I'd like to highlight a few titles that I've recently received. I adore Macmillan, and I'm always happy to give their newest science fiction and fantasy a push on my blog.

(If you like reading about science fiction for middle grades and young adults, check out my other reviews in my Sci Friday feature)

Coming in January:

The Lost Planet
by Rachel Searles (Goodreads Author)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Feiwel & Friends
ISBN 1250038790 (ISBN13: 9781250038791)

(from Goodreads)

This is what the boy is told:
• He woke up on planet Trucon, inside a fence he shouldn't have been able to pass.
• He has an annirad blaster wound to the back of his head.
• He has no memory.
• He is now under the protection of a mysterious benefactor.
• His name is Chase Garrety.

This is what Chase Garrety knows:

• He has a message: "Guide the star."
• Time is running out.
Here's one that looks amazing! It is for middle grade readers (the back indicates grades 4th-9th). The cover makes it look action packed. Perhaps this could hook some brand new science fiction readers? Those who have already posted reviews are making comparisons to Heinlein (his books for younger readers), Star Wars, and Star Trek.... color me intrigued!




Coming in February:


Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)
by Marissa Meyer (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover, 560 pages
Expected publication: February 4th 2014 by Feiwel & Friends
ISBN 0312642970 (ISBN13: 9780312642976)
(From Goodreads) Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.
Recommended for 12 and up - Young Adult.
EVERYONE has been telling me to read this series, and it is completely in my pile. When I received my advanced copy of Cress, though, I bumped them all up the list. When I get hooked, I prefer to just devour a series whole. I'm looking forward to some quiet time during fall or winter break to dig in.






Tin Star
by Cecil Castellucci (Goodreads Author)

Expected publication: February 25th 2014 by Roaring Brook Press
ISBN 1596439149 (ISBN13: 9781596439146)

(From Goodreads) On their way to start a new life, Tula and her family travel on the Prairie Rose, a colony ship headed to a planet in the outer reaches of the galaxy. All is going well until the ship makes a stop at a remote space station, the Yertina Feray, and the colonist's leader, Brother Blue, beats Tula within an inch of her life. An alien, Heckleck, saves her and teaches her the ways of life on the space station.

When three humans crash land onto the station, Tula's desire for escape becomes irresistible, and her desire for companionship becomes unavoidable. But just as Tula begins to concoct a plan to get off the space station and kill Brother Blue, everything goes awry, and suddenly romance is the farthest thing from her mind.

Traveling through space? Check. Aliens? Check. This upcoming young adult novel looks like a lot of fun. It's relatively short (231 pages) which may also help it pull in readers new to the genre. Can't wait to give this one a read!

This post is part of a marvelous blogging event! 

Sci-Fi Month is brought to you by Rinn Reads. Check out the full schedule of Sci-Fi Month posts! There are reviews, discussions, give aways, and more!