You know when you get near the end of a book and you’re just so in love with the characters and so invested in their journey and you have to keep putting it down so it’ll last longer and you don’t have to say goodbye? That’s what happened to me with Terra-Two.

An epic character driven sci-fi, we join six teenagers who have been selected to join four veteran astronauts on a 23 year long journey to a new earth. The science in the book is so well researched (I was not surprised to find out the author did a neuroscience degree) but it never becomes overwhelmingly technical or difficult to follow. The reality of space travel is incredibly intense but this is balanced perfectly with some really in depth character driven drama. I fell a bit in love with everyone on board, from the prickly doctor to the apparently arrogant Harry. I don’t want to say more for fear of ruining the book but I highly recommend this, the characters are all so well-rounded and diverse and I rooted for all of them on this most epic of journeys.

(Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

A great story told in a clever way, and a brilliant read.

In some ways it's difficult to review this book without spoiling the surprises and discoveries for other readers, Set in a version of 2012 that is not hugely removed from historical fact has allowed the author to make the story relevant to the immediate present whist accounting for the technological changes that are needed to move the story forward. This is a very clever move that lets the readers grasp the world these characters live in as our own, but allows for the development of the story. The basic premise is of a small group of young people heading to a an earth like planet along with experienced astronauts, to act as an advance party for larger colonisations. It concentrates very much on the interactions of the characters rather than the technology, and how they react to each other in a stressful environment.

For me, a lot of the characters were inherently dislikable. However, as the story moves on it's very obvious that this is deliberate, and the complicated and flawed nature of the crew becomes more and more obvious as the book moves on. It's only towards the end that the reader can see why the character act the way they do, why they decided to give up their normal lives for this mission and why they were selected to undertake it. By the end of the book my opinion of each person had changed, and I each one had undergone a dramatic change that seemed natural as the story progressed.

I don't want to say any more for fear of spoiling it, but it's a fascinating character study and a thought provoking read. I hope the book does well and I get to read more from Temi Oh.

I’m in love with this book.

It is a hugely compelling character driven drama, from the feet on the ground to the start of an epic journey through space, by the time you come to the end of this gorgeously immersive debut you will almost certainly be dreaming of Terra-Two.

Mere children still when they start their training, Harry, Jesse, Juno, Astrid, Aria Eliot and Poppy have different feelings and reasons for their determination to be part of the beta crew who will spend over two decades in space attempting to colonise a new earth. Revered by the nation, thrown into the spotlight, all of this has an affect on their psyche. Temi Oh is a brilliantly descriptive writer when it comes to characterisation and interaction- you will be absorbed into their world, living and dying with them through every up and down.

As alliances grow and develop, as actions and consequences abound in various ways, as this small gang of pioneer’s go from being classmates among many to only having themselves and each other to rely on, you’ll be hooked, emotional and devouring every page. Do You Dream of Terra-Two is a very human story, in a lot of ways the fact that it is set in space is almost a secondary concern.

What it does is give the author a unique set of challenges and moral dilemma’s to throw at her group dynamic and within that explore every aspect of humanity and personality.

It is a beautiful, sprawling, literary delight with an unforgettable cast undertaking an unforgettable journey.

Completely brilliant, insightful and melancholy, this is a stunning debut and I adored every damned fine moment of it.

Highly Recommended.