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.
A New World with Dark Secrets: Tau Ceti e was supposed to be a paradise, a fresh start for humanity. But a previous colony ship mysteriously vanished, and uncovering why might be the last thing Jo ever does.A Reluctant Hero: Jo Watson trained her whole life to be a pilot, not a detective. But when she stumbles upon a cover-up that goes to the highest levels of the ISA, she’s the only one who can expose it.High-Stakes Survival: On an alien planet where the official survey reports are full of lies, every step could be fatal. Jo and her friends must fight for their lives against unknown threats in a seemingly perfect world.Found Family: With her own family fractured by tragedy, Jo must trust her ex-best friend Leela and a cocky marine named Jay when danger closes in. On Tau, survival means relying on the people you least expect.