School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 9 Up-As a biracial girl with autism, Denise has never been very comfortable in her own skin. Six months ago, when the world wasn't ending, her only real relationships were with her sister, Iris, and the cats in the animal shelter where she worked after school. Now, Denise's only chance for surviving the comet that threatens to destroy all human life on Earth is to earn a spot on a generation ship, a vessel that will transport colonists to another habitable planet across the galaxy. While coping with the complete disruption of her daily routines, as well as continuing threats of natural disasters, Denise must prove herself useful enough to save not only her own life but those of her sister and her drug-addicted mother. But even if her family is lucky enough to escape, what about the rest of the families in her home city of Amsterdam? What about those across the rest of the world? Duyvis expertly employs real science and vivid imagery to bring to life the most terrifying villain of all: Mother Nature. But it is the author's talent for writing about human nature that sets this book apart. Insightful, suspenseful, and unsettling in its plausibility, this novel is sure to stick with readers long after the last page has been turned. VERDICT A high level of believability and excellent writing make this diverse apocalyptic novel a recommended selection for any young adult collection.— Liz Overberg, Zionsville Community High School, IN

ALA Booklist

A comet is coming, and the world as Denise knows it is probably going to end. Civilians have been informed to take shelter, close down their houses, and stay as safe as they can. On the predicted day of the event, Denise's perennially high and easily distracted mother waits too long for Denise's sister, Iris, and they end up instead aboard a generation ship skills-based space station community sent to colonize other planets. The ship must leave before impact, but Denise worries she won't be determined useful enough to stay, and her autism makes the shattered world and the rules aboard the ship ever harder to parse. She tries to help the crew of the ship and, along the way, has to keep herself safe. Denise's fear is palpable throughout, which helps to push this sci-fi novel into thriller territory. Though this is unlikely to convert science fiction doubtfuls, Duyvis' attention to detail and strong descriptions will recommend this to fans of the genre.

Horn Book

Running late to reach the shelter that will shield them from an apocalyptic comet, autistic teenager Denise and her drug-addicted mother find temporary safety on a generation ship, which will soon leave to colonize another planet. The ship is full; however, Denise learns that those with useful skills may gain passage. A cast of diverse, fully realized characters populate this story of surviving a world-ending disaster.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A biracial, autistic teenager and her drug-addicted mother take shelter in a temporarily grounded generation ship as a comet threatens life on Earth; they must prove their usefulness to earn a spot on the Nassau or risk getting left behind to fend for themselves. Told from the perspective of 16-year-old Denise, the story examines the aftermath of the cataclysmic event and her search for her transgender sister, Iris, among the wreckage near Amsterdam while raising important questions about social issues that are as applicable today as in the not-so-distant future of 2035. On the ship, stringent rules and regulations attempt to define who is worthy of supplies and survival while Denise struggles to find a way to belong and weighs the risk of sneaking her mother on board. Readers are immersed in the tics and tactile aspects of Denise's condition as Duyvis (Otherbound) skillfully incorporates an exploration of complex mental conditions, addiction, and gender identity into her narrative. It's a riveting apocalyptic thriller with substantial depth. Ages 13-up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Mar.)

Voice of Youth Advocates

There is a comet heading directly for Earth in this apocalyptic science fiction story. It is the year 2034, and the main protagonist of the book, Denise, is autistic, half-Surinamese, and living in Amsterdam. She has family issues that are devastating her world already. Her transgender sister, Iris, is missing, and her mother is addicted to drugs. She and her mother have to evacuate their apartment for an assigned shelter, but her mother is causing a delay in those plans. Once she and her mother are on their way in their car, Denise spots a former teacher whose partner is in need of medical attention. Her former teacher, however, is not going to an assigned shelterthey are leaving Earth in a generation ship, the Nassau. Everyone on board has earned a spot due to their expertise or usefulness. Denise wants to be useful and is trying to find a way to keep herself and her mother on board, but her mother is a liability and is ultimately what sends them off the ship after the comet hits and devastates their surroundings. They end up seeking refuge in the abandoned airport nearby, and Denise saves other teens looking for supplies in the airport from the ship after she is alerted that a tsunami is heading their way. Once back on board the Nassau, her mother is forced to go back to the airport. Denise remains focused on finding her sister, and the ship's engineers model a 3-D raft for her. She ends up getting hurt after a waterjet hits her raft and meets two fellow survivors, to whom she cannot reveal there is a ship. They end up giving her one of their waterjets after she promises to return each day. On one of her many excursions away from the ship with the waterjet, she ends up finding Iris. Denise still has to figure out a way for Iris to earn a spot on the ship and for their mother to be allowed back on board.The story is action packed, and the tension builds toward the conclusion, which is surprising. The insights the author gives to Denise and her autism allows the reader to have an understanding of how she has learned to overcome or cope with the moments when she knows she might spin out of control, yet she proves to be fully capable of leading this story to its satisfying ending.Pat Clingman.