Paradox by A. J. Paquette (review)

Emerging from her space capsule on a barren alien planet, sixteen-year-old Ana Ortez has no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. A brief exploration of her surroundings reveals the presence of a gigantic wormlike creature with rows of pointed teeth and a fellow explorer, Todd, who claims to have no memory as well. Ana and Todd make their way across the rough terrain in search of a colony or other signs of life, along the way trying to piece together what's happening. As the monstrous worm closes in and the timers on their wrists tick down to zero, Ana and Todd grow closer to each other, but soon Ana begins to realize that Todd may know more than admits and that what she's experiencing may not even be reality. This novel eschews overly descriptive prose and relies instead on the character's actions to slowly reveal the layers of secrets surrounding Ana's quest. Despite occasional clues in the form of news reports interspersed between chapters, readers' knowledge of the mystery is limited to what Ana herself knows, so those who like to puzzle out the truth on their own will find themselves intrigued by Ana's journey. The story's premise and short length limit the possibility for thorough character development, but Ana still manages to emerge as a strong, resourceful fighter, a perfect balance for the more intellectually driven Todd. SF fans looking for a brief but intense read will find themselves devouring this inventive stand-alone survival story.