Paradox

April 15, 2013
The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance in this unorthodox science-fiction thriller. She wakes in restraints with no memory of where or even who she is. Learning her name is Ana from a name tag, she discovers a handwritten letter telling her that she's awakening from suspended animation in a rocket on a new planet, Paradox. She has a limited amount of time to get to a specific place on an electronic map, and she's also been provided supplies to get there. Hoping that answers to her missing memory lie at the intended destination, she sets out across a barren landscape only to be attacked by a giant, monstrous worm. Escaping it, she discovers Todd, who appears to have also come from the rocket, and before long, they meet Ysa and Chen. The group trek through dangers, but Ana is beset by memories of a very different life...and then she wakes again. The odd construction of Paquette's present-tense thriller can leave readers feeling as confused as the main character. The often slow-moving, descriptive main text is punctuated by news articles about the discovery of the planet and subsequent missions to it and by the off-puttingly melodramatic memories of an Earth scientist. The reveal is interesting if wholly unbelievable. The science behind this fiction is ludicrous, but patient fans of the genre may enjoy the twists. (Science fiction. 9-14)

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October 1, 2013

Gr 7-10-Ana wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who she is or why she is wearing a timer that is counting down. She finds a letter informing her that she is on the way to planet Paradox and has undergone surgical amnesia. She meets Todd, who tells her that the timer is how long they have to reach a safe colony and also claims to have had his memory wiped. They eventually meet Chen and Ysa, who have their memories. They know Ana, but refuse to tell her anything about her past. A giant worm with rows and rows of razor sharp teeth that stalks them through their expedition only exacerbates their treacherous journey. In addition to Ana's story, there is also a smattering of newspaper clippings that helps readers understand why Ana and the others have been sent to this planet. Through these pieces, they learn Earth is falling apart due to a virulent infection that starts by targeting difficult memories and spreads quickly. The story moves slowly at times, and many of the events are rushed. Parts of the plot aren't particularly strong, including a forced love story. Most of the characters seem more like caricatures than actual people, except for Ana.-Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2013
Grades 7-10 Ana wakes up aboard a spaceship on an unfamiliar planet with a note informing her that she has surgical retrograde amnesia. Indeed, as she begins to explore, she finds she has no idea who she is or why she is therethough her muscle memory indicates that she has experience rock climbing and fighting. Soon she meets up with three other teen voyagers, all of whom are aware that they have 27 hours to reach a human colony on the coast before something dreadful happens. Their treacherous journey is further complicated in two ways: Ana begins to experience slivers of memory about a superflu brought back by the first explorers of this planet, and the teens are being pursued by a gigantic, sharp-toothed worm: Long white teeth raging out of a cloud of reddish-brown dust. Paquette's main characters and primary action feel a bit perfunctory. However, the backstory, initially revealed through interspersed newspaper articles, presents the intriguing notion of memories as a kind of infection. The result is a delayed, but eventually worthwhile, payoff.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)