The Orpheus Plot - by Christopher Swiedler (Paperback)

"Stunning descriptions and harrowing feats of survival."--Booklist

• Space Opera for Kids: From the dusty asteroid belt to the polished corridors of the military training ship Orpheus, Lucas must navigate two worlds that are heading for war.
• Sibling Conflict: Lucas dreams of following in his adopted sister Tali's footsteps, but she's a senior cadet who believes a Belter has no place in the Navy--and seems determined to prove it.
• Found Family: As the first Belter ever accepted, Lucas is an outsider among his fellow cadets. To survive, he'll have to earn the trust of his bunkmates and forge new alliances in the stars.
• Coming-of-Age Adventure: When a rebellion threatens to tear the galaxy apart, Lucas is caught in the middle. He must choose between the family he was born into and the one he's fighting to join.

Review Quotes

Praise for In the Red: "Hang on to your helmets. Christopher Swiedler takes you on a nail-biting, sci-fi adventure where every page holds unexpected peril for his bold heroes. He makes the impossible seem plausible in a universe where strolling on Mars can be normal, wondrous and at times, terrifying. It will leave you breathless." - D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author

"In The Red is a thrilling combination of wide-eyed imagination and gritty real science, starring courageous young heroes using their smarts to battle impossible odds. A non-stop, pulse-pounding adventure!" - Kevin Emerson, author of Last Day on Mars

"Swiedler offers a fresh take on heroism through an honest portrayal of the emotional struggle of overcoming anxiety. The friendship between Michael and Lilith feels real and grounded. Readers will be left breathless by stunning descriptions and harrowing feats of survival." - Booklist

"Michael and Lilith are well-written characters. Their teamwork and ingenuity in the face of danger are admirable. This is a wonderful adventure novel filled with many twists and turns. The story manages to invoke a real sense of danger. The writing is reminiscent of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet and Andy Weir's The Martian--it maintains a skillful blend of science and survivalism to keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome." - School Library Journal

"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." - Publishers Weekly

"Josh Hurley's youthful and enthusiastic narration is the perfect match for this fast-paced science fiction adventure that will be enjoyed by fans of Orson Scott Card and Marissa Meyer." - Booklist Online (review of audio edition)