These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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The Starbound Trilogy, bk 1. Allen & Unwin, 2013. ISBN: 9781743318522.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Lost in space. The nightmare of a society ever curious about space travel.
Stranded on what appears to be an abandoned planet after the Incarus, luxury space-liner falls out of hyperspace mid-journey, Tarver Merendsen must once again prove his worth as a soldier in order to survive and keep Lilac LaRoux, daughter of the leader of one of most influential corporations of the age, safe from harm. The planet appears to be in the final stage of terraforming but something is different, the usual flora and fauna introduced during terraforming are supplemented by unknown, and possibly dangerous plants and creatures. Tarver Merendsen has his work cut out for him as he attempts to lead Miss LaRoux across jungle and mountains to the site of the Icarus's crash where there are surely rescue teams scouring the wreckage for survivors. Despite her airs, Tarver soon learns that Miss LaRoux is more than just another dainty upper-class girl as she uses her ingenuity to keep both herself and Tarver alive. Their fate rests on a desperate hope of rescue before the madness of the planet can set in.
Written for a mature audience These Broken Stars is a romantic science fiction with remarkably vibrant descriptions and sophisticated language use. I would highly recommend this to young people over the age of sixteen with even a remote interest in either genre. Focusing on the main idea of trust in oneself and others, it also conveys a message of doing what is right despite the consequences.
Kayla Gaskell (age eighteen)

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