
Two friends stranded on Mars must survive a solar flare's deadly aftermath.
Michael and Lilith defy the rules, venturing onto Mars' surface in a stolen rover. When a solar flare cripples their systems, they're left stranded, battling time and dwindling resources. Can they survive the perilous journey back to safety, or will Mars claim them? The clock is ticking, and every decision could be their last.
A harrowing, pulse-pounding race for survival that New York Times bestselling author D. J. MacHale says “will leave you breathless.”
Michael Prasad knows he shouldn’t go out on the Mars surface alone. It’s dangerous. His parents have forbidden it. And the anxiety he feels almost every time he puts on a spacesuit makes it nearly impossible for him to leave the safety of the colony.
But when his best friend, Lilith, suggests they sneak out one night, he can’t resist the chance to prove everyone–including himself–wrong.
As the two ride along the Mars surface in a stolen rover, miles from the colony, a massive solar flare hits the planet, knocking out power, communication, and navigation systems, and the magnetic field that protects the planet from the sun’s deadly radiation.
Stranded hours from home with an already limited supply of food, water, and air, Michael and Lilith must risk everything if they’re to get back to the colony alive.
What families may want to know
Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.
Language
A few uses of "hell" and "Oh my god."
Sex
A group of older kids are amused as a boy changes into his spacesuit. He is behind a bush and out of sight.
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Top contributors: The Goodfather · Elaine R.