The Exo Project by Andrew DeYoung (review)

The Earth is dying, and Matthew decides at least he can help his family with the cash settlement they’ll get when he joins the Exo Project and heads off into unknown space, along with shipmates Sam and Dunne, to look for a habitable planet. A hundred light years away, one such planet exists, except there are already humanoids living there, and they don’t take kindly to visitors, especially armed and aggressive ones like Sam. Unlike his crewmate, Matthew wants to make a peaceful connection, and the nearby leader, a teen girl named Kiva, seems to feel the same way, but with their populations at odds it’s not clear if they can make a success of peace—or of their budding love. The world building is impeccable, with backstories fully developed for both planets that show the folly and weaknesses of humanity even across the galaxies. Matthew and Kiva are united by their youth and optimism, but they are wildly different from each other, appropriate given their completely separate cultural/planetary upbringings. The complexities of warring loyalties are played out through the accessible perspectives of Matthew and Kiva, who are young and pliant enough to still be open to change. This will be a treat for sci-fi fans looking to settle into a lengthy novel and really explore a futuristic plot.