The Orpheus Plot
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
A rebellion in space pits one boy’s past against his future in this gripping science fiction adventure from the critically acclaimed author of In the Red! This out-of-this-world story about fighting for what’s right, chasing your dreams, and believing in yourself is perfect for fans of Kevin Emerson, Yoon Ha Lee, and D. J. MacHale.
Lucas Adebayo grew up on a small mining ship in the asteroid belt, but wants to join the Navy and become the best pilot in the galaxy. The Navy has never accepted a Belter cadet before, but Lucas’s skills secure him a place at the prestigious space academy aboard the training ship, the Orpheus.
Life in the Navy couldn’t be more different than life in the Belt, and Lucas struggles to find his place. As a Belter, he’s an outsider hero among his peers; as a Navy cadet, he doesn’t quite fit in at home anymore, either. Lucas is caught between the worlds of his past and his future when a Belter rebellion puts everyone’s lives at risk. Only he can lead the way to peace.
Praise for In the Red
“It will leave you breathless.”—New York Times bestselling author D. J. MacHale
“A non-stop, pulse-pounding adventure!”—Kevin Emerson, author of Last Day on Mars
“Stunning descriptions and harrowing feats of survival.”—Booklist
What will it take for one boy to unite two worlds on the brink of war?
Space Opera Action: When a rebellion breaks out, Lucas must pilot his ship and his conscience through a battle where the lines between friend and foe are blurred.Coming of Age Story: The first Belter ever accepted to the academy, Lucas must prove he belongs while caught between his heritage and his dreams.Found Family: Lucas must learn to trust his new Navy bunkmates, even when his own adopted sister, Tali, is hiding dangerous secrets.Starship Pilot: Experience thrilling starship maneuvers and daring pilot decisions as Lucas puts his Belter-honed skills to the ultimate test.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Though the Naval Academy has never accepted a cadet from the Asteroid Belt, Lucas Adebayo, 13, a crack pilot who grew up on his father's mining ship, dreams of joining his adoptive sister Tali Chen, 16, who was accepted because of the lack of discrimination against Mars-born applicants. When Lucas is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend, he accepts wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, he's subjected to anti-Belter prejudice and bullying, constantly forced to justify his presence. Worse, to protect her own reputation, Tali pretends not to know him. With the aid of his roommates—tall, blonde Elena, who cannot tell a lie, and Rahul, who uses corneal implants to overcome astral vertigo—Lucas perseveres. But when the academy teaching ship Orpheus is drawn into the middle of a miner-led uprising, Lucas must decide where his loyalties lie, especially when torn between duty and conscience. Though themes surrounding marginalization feel poorly wrought, Swiedler (In the Red) offers a fast-paced tale about defying expectations; the novel's focus on character dynamics and scientific plausibility makes this a read reminiscent of Robert Heinlein novels. Ages 8–12.
