Do You Dream of Terra-Two?

by Temi Oh

A century ago, scientists theorised that a habitable planet existed in a nearby solar system. Today, ten astronauts will leave a dying Earth to find it. Four are decorated veterans of the 20th century’s space-race. And six are teenagers, graduates of the exclusive Dalton Academy, who’ve been in training for this mission for most of their lives.

It will take the team 23 years to reach Terra-Two. Twenty-three years spent in close quarters. Twenty-three years with no one to rely on but each other. Twenty-three years with no rescue possible, should something go wrong. And something always goes wrong.
source: https://www.simonandschuster.net/books/Do-You-Dream-of-Terra-Two/Temi-Oh/9781471180767

• ISBN10: 1534437401
• ISBN13: 9781534437401
• Publish Date: 13 August 2019 (first published 10 January 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: S&s/Saga Press
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 544
• Language: English

Reviews

[kalventure]

Holy crap, I am so mad at myself for letting my copy languish on my bookshelf since February! This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I loved it all the same. This is a character-driven and captivating story that kept me thoroughly engaged until the very end. If you've ever dreamt of exploring the universe, Do You Dream of Terra-Two? is a must-read!

The book is told from the perspectives of the six teenagers chosen to embark on a critical mission: travel to the habitable planet - known as Terra-Two - to lead the colonization efforts. Because it will take 23 years to even reach their new home, they are leaving everything and everyone they have ever known on Earth for the hope of a better tomorrow.

"We're leaving behind a world where slavery happened. Two world wars. Genocide A world where people have used atomic bombs. Terra-two will be different. Better. We will make it better."

I know what it is like to work really hard towards a goal, only to realize that it might not be what I want after all once I achieve that. Can you imagine agreeing to leave Earth and all your loved ones behind forever? Oh does a really good job of depicting the uncertainty and second-guessing that people in this situation would not doubt experience. Homesickness, depression, and personality clashes quickly crash in as the reality of their decision sets in.

"It occurred to Astrid, in a disembodied instant, that already this moment was accelerating away from her. In a second, being young and full of laughter and standing with all her friends on Earth would only be a memory. Nothing more than a memory ever again."

The conversation about lasts teared me up. So much of this book is really a reflection on life and its experiences, the little things that we all take for granted that we inevitably miss the most when they are gone. Sure, leaving Earth behind to colonize a new planet to ensure the survival of the human race thing is an extreme most of us will never experience... but you know.

I was expecting a book about the mission itself and creating the new world for humanity. But this is really about the journey, not the destination. Do You Dream of Terra-Two? is a character-driven story, following how each member of the Beta copes with their new reality in tight quarters hurtling through space with nine other people for 23 years.

As a Type A person, I really connected personally with Jesse. Oh nailed what it's like to be a smart kid among smart kids, whose self-worth and identity is wrapped up in your intellect. All of the characters are so well-developed and feel like real people, and I feel like I became friends with them through reading the book. All of Astrid's fond memories are of food, and that's a freaking mood. Harry is the most Privileged White Boy you will read about, and we all know someone like Harry. (We don't like Harry.)

The writing is engaging and beautiful. Despite not a lot actually happening in the book, it not only held my attention but held it in its clutches. I was totally just along for the ride, like a stowed away eleventh member of the team. I feel for each of the characters... well, except for Harry.

"In the darkness every fear has a face."

The one thing that I didn't like is the ending: it kind of came up out of nowhere and felt very anticlimactic to me. I was so invested in the characters and their journey, so it was a little disappointing to have the book end as it did. I would have loved another 50 to 100 pages to wrap things up a little nicer. Because let's be honest: the book covers a few months. What does the future hold? Why is this left open? I get it's probably because it's about the journey but come on... we only got a few months of the journey!

The way depression is handled in the book made me a little sad, too. I think Oh did a good job depicting how in tight quarters with few people, everyone would slowly lose their patience and snap. I imagine being stuck on a spaceship with nine other people hurtling through space would be difficult, and someone laying in bed ignoring their chores for weeks would drive anyone mad. But they are friends and it makes me sad to see people struggling get tough loved as if depression can be cured with a good attitude. Like they knew this was a risk, why didn't they bring SSRIs on the mission or something? Especially considering what happened right before takeoff. It really makes the reader question whether or not these kids were prepared for this journey. That the UK Space Agency rushed things to get a team on Terra-Two first, putting their crew at risk. I am bothered that the four older members of the crew didn't intervene more.

Do You Dream of Terra-Two is an impressive and beautifully written debut novel that delves into some heavy topics. This is a book about humanity, exploration, and survival, and one I definitely recommend. This book made me cry, it made me think, and it made me want to dream of Terra-Two - a fresh start for humanity.

4.5 stars ✨ You can read my live reaction thread on Twitter.

Representation: biracial rep, black rep, Indian rep, Muslim rep, poverty rep
Content warnings: depictions of grief, depression, sexual abuse (and lack of consent), suicide

I received a finished copy from the publisher, Simon and Schuster UK, in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion nor the content of my review.

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[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight .
4.5*

Shoutout to Jeann @ Happy Indulgence for putting this one on my radar! It published in Australia (and UK) first, but I was lucky enough to get to read a review copy here! (Though I won't lie and pretend I wasn't deeply tempted to buy it from one of those other countries first hah.) And I will say this: if you are expecting 500 pages of intense action, that isn't what you'll find here. It's very character driven, which is fine by me, but a heads up. That said, there is a lot that happens during the course of the book- I didn't find it to be only character driven, that is.

I absolutely loved reading each character's personal journey, what led each of them to pursue this life in space. It did take me a couple chapters to get the hang of who everyone was, but it wasn't as overwhelming as I'd assumed. Each character was so well developed that it was easy to decipher who was who. And they (as well as their motivations for leaving planet Earth behind) were so different that I found it wildly interesting. Because this book begs the question, would you leave everything behind to become a space pioneer?

I thought that the author did a great job of making daily space life seem really authentic. Because sure, everyone probably dreams of all the exciting parts, like the launch, and finally landing on their new planets and such, but most of it is really mundane. People were homesick, scared, sad, even depressed. And some people became physically ill, just as they would on Earth. It felt very realistic without being boring. And when the time came for action, wow did that deliver!

My only minor complaint is that I do wish we knew a bit more about what happened next. There is certainly room for a sequel (or seven) but I also found it sort of fitting, since this was truly a book about life in space rather than a space adventure itself. But please do note that I am here for literally any further slice of these characters' lives that Temi Oh would like to bestow upon us.

Bottom Line: A very character driven space exploration novel that made me feel all the things for all the characters. And also if I too could ever be a space cowboy.