Amethyst (Ammy) Antares has always dreamed of joining the elite Surface Trials. Coming from a poor, much-maligned mining planet known for producing Mindbreakers – individuals capable of manipulating people’s emotions – Ammy’s chances have always seemed remote. Her people are feared, and often hated. Yet she’s spent years watching the Trials on screens, imagining herself among the competitors.
The Surface Trials are a high-stakes, televised event that draws the best candidates from across the galaxy. It’s a gruelling three-day challenge on an unknown planet, where teamwork, resilience, and quick thinking are key to winning the ultimate prize – a coveted place in Starquest and the promise of a vastly better life.
This year, excitement peaks with the participation of Rian Amalthea – heir to the oldest and most powerful dynasty. He’s hidden in disguise to prevent bias during the selection process, and everyone is wondering: which team is he on?
Ammy finds herself in the thick of it, dressed in her adaptigear and moments away from landing on the surface with her team. Cameras embedded in their collars begin streaming every word and movement live to the entire galaxy. One misstep, one wrong sentence and assessors can pull them out instantly.
The story kicks into gear as the team touches down and is thrust into a series of challenges – decoding goals, battling hostile terrain, solving puzzles, and surviving attacks from monstrous, wasp-like creatures and aggressive flora. Every second counts as they race to reach the extraction point.
The Surface Trials is a fast-paced, gripping read. The competition, great characters, and the thrilling climax are all expertly crafted. While it may draw comparisons to The Hunger Games, this story stands on its own, offering a fresh take on the survival trial genre.
Highly recommended for young fans of sci-fi and adventure.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 10+
READ AN INTERVIEW WITH H M WAUGH ABOUT The Surface Trails
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
H M Waugh is a children’s author, educator and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places and outdoor adventures. She has been kidnapped twice, handled dragons for a job, and dreams of one day blasting into space. Her books mix humour, danger and friendship with a dash of science and imagination.
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