Red Star Rebels

by Amie Kaufman

8 HOURS TO STOP AN EXPLOSION... 8 HOURS TO FALL IN LOVE.

From the NYT bestselling co-author of Illuminae and Aurora Rising comes a high-stakes, high-chemistry sci-fi romp about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the galaxy, racing the clock to outwit a gang of mercenaries.

It’s 2067, and the Graves family has transformed Mars from lifeless rock into a chaotic patchwork of settlements—and everybody wants a piece.

Enter Hunter Graves: handsome, ambitious, and with spectacularly bad timing. He shows up at the United Nations base just as an emergency evacuation sends everyone scurrying for safety. Except he’s left behind. Uh oh.

Also stranded: Cleo, a sharp-tongued stowaway with no intention of dying today, and even less patience for overconfident trust fund boys. But the enemy of your enemy might just help you survive, so here we are.

Turns out the evacuation was just a cover for the mercenaries who came next, and they plan to blow up the base—and every trace of their crime—in eight hours.

Now, Hunter and Cleo have one shot to stop the explosion, escape alive, and deal with the inconvenient fact that they’re falling for each other.

The clock is ticking.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Space, Fiction, Young Adult Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Amie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and is in development for film and TV. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution. She lives in Melbourne with her husband and daughter, their rescue dog, and an extremely large personal library. She is the host of the podcasts Amie Kaufman on Writing, and Pub Dates.

You can sign up for her newsletter to see what she's working on, hear when she releases a new book, and be automatically entered for giveaways: https://amiekaufman.substack.com/

Reviews

[Elliot A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are we actually back in space?? I loved that era when YA was set in space. I miss it so much. And if this book is actually set in space and has just an ounce of the vibes Kaufman’s other space opera books as, then I am truly a happy gal!!!

[Tzeyi Koay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love everything by Amie Kaufman and I'm so excited to see we're returning to space!!!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amie Kaufman writes some of my favorite sci fi books and I’m so glad I got to read her newest release early! I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed Hunter and Cleo as characters. They have very different backgrounds so it was interesting to see what brought them to Mars and how both of them dealt with the situation.

The plot is counting down until eminent destruction so of course that added a sense of urgency to the story. The plot was very fast paced and also had some humorous moments as well (very reminiscent of The Illuminae Files, cowritten by this author). There were some interesting twists and turns to the plot; some I suspected and some I did not. Since this takes place over a single day (8 hours to be exact) the romance was quite instalovey and also attraction based (Cleo drooled over Hunter’s body constantly) but it made sense for the story and didn’t bother me.

Overall I’d definitely recommend this one. If you’ve read and enjoyed this author’s other sci fi books, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

[Azra Aydın · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Star Rebels follows Hunter Graves, the richest boy in the galaxy, and Cleo, a stowaway, as they’re left stranded on a UN base on Mars when an evacuation sends everyone fleeing. But the evacuation was just a cover for mercenaries to take over the base. Hunter and Cleo have eight hours to stop them before they’re blown up.

This was SUCH a fun read. It’s the perfect little sci-fi romp with so much humour. I loved the writing style. Especially Cleo’s chapters. She was really amusing and fun to read from her perspective. I also really enjoyed Hunter. He had a very traumatic upbringing and getting to see him work through that was fun. Him and Cleo were great together. They have such good chemistry and all the flirting and banter was top notch.

As fun as the book is, it’s also SO tense. They have such a short window to stop everything and so the pacing was really well done. The book reminded me of Gemina a lot in terms of their station being taken over by mercenaries. That’s one of my all time favourites so this was really fun to read another book in a similar vein. I really love Amie Kaufman’s sci-fi and just had the best time reading this!

If you love Amie Kaufman or sci-fi romances with tension and banter, I’d highly recommend this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Teen CA for the arc!!

[Quill&Queer]

we're finally dropping kristoff? let's GO

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe spent months getting there to avoid her debts and mother's betrayal on Earth. Mars was her last option in a game of survival. She's learnt the hard way, moving swiftly from one hustle to another. The red planet was supposed to be an easy mark, with so many people on the UN Base. Things haven't quite worked out as easy as she imagined.

Hunter's family practically owns Mars, at least his family were the first ones to settle and claim their large chunk, two generations before. Ruthless and ambitious, his family toss anyone aside who doesn't fit their expansion plans for domination. A twin, Hunter was unfortunately one of those left behind, leaving him to find his own way in life.

When they both find themselves on a base that is fatally malfunctioning, and with no seat in the emergency evacuations, they must work together to live. Especially when they realise the malfunction is a lie, and a small group of mercenaries have plans for the future of the UN Base.

Chloe hates Hunter on sight. He is part of the Graves family that rules Earth and much of Mars and is responsible for so much hurt in her past. She also hates the fact that he is gorgeous, respectful and saves her life. Swinging from wanting to use him as a bargaining chip with the invaders, or wanting to kiss him, Chloe uses all the tech skills her father taught her, and everything she has learnt as a stowaway to Mars and then on base, to keep them both alive.

Hunter is unaware that she is a Hitcher - a person who doesn't belong there. A person who is part of the crowd that killed his father. He believes she is an Engineering student, which explains how she knows so much about the base. A growing respect soon builds for her however, along with an attraction that includes her complete disregard for his family name.

Time is running out as they learn what the mercenaries want. Working together, they do all they can to survive - all the while feeling more and more between them. Both viciously hurt before by loved ones, they fight the attraction by doing what they have always done - looking out for number one.


An effortlessly written, fast paced action thriller, woven through with an enemies to lovers premise and a twisty plot to keep readers hooked.

Whatever can go wrong does, with some shocking revelations along the way. The Scifi base setting isn't over-explained (which can slow down a story for me), the characters are sassy and smart, banter funny, and tension winding tighter and tighter as eight hours count down to the character's doom.

I'd love to see Red Star Rebels as a movie too, as it has everything that it would need. The Mars setting is intriguing, because who knows where human kind is going with that idea? There is just enough background threaded into the 1st person dual viewpoints to tug at our hearts, not to mention rising heart beats as the characters face one threat after another.

I loved the tech.. A brilliant way to kick off 2026!


Author - Amie Kaufman

Age - 13+


Publisher – Allen & Unwin (OUT 28 JAN in NZ / AUST)

Set in – 2067 / Mars / United Nations Base

Viewpoints – 1st person - Main characters Hunter & Cleo

Orphan? – Lost Fathers

Violence – Threat of with guns present

Real Life – Possible in our future?

Fantasy – No

Sex - No (Attraction only)

Blend – YA Thriller / Sci-Fi


(2026, Allen & Unwin, Sci Fi, Humour, Funny, Ambition, Loss, Twins, Multiple Viewpoints, Ticking Bomb, Countdown, Tension, Romance, Thrilling, Twists, Future, Mars, Planet, Power, United Nations, Banter, Quick Witted, Loners, Coding, Technology, Science, Fast Paced Action, Betrayal, Family, Sibling Rivalry, Murder, Crime, Attraction)

[Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

RED STAR REBELS by Amie Kaufman is a standalone Young Adult Sci-fi novel set over eight hours in the United Nations' Base on Mars. This book was such a delight to read! It was pacey, had two great POV characters, and kept me guessing about what would happen next. It was like reading a YA version of Home Alone but in space, with romance, and with bigger stakes. Before I gush on more, let me tell you what it's about.

Meet Hunter Graves, the son of the wealthy family responsible for the first settlement on Mars and the exploitation of many people on Earth through GravesUP's overpriced technology and medicine. He wants to prove to his mother that he's ready to pick up the leadership mantle at GravesUP, but his surprise visit to Mars couldn't come at a worse time. He shows up at the United Nations base on the way to his family's GravesUP compound just as everyone who's officially registered as being there legally evacuates. They didn't have time to register him, so there's no available seat for him on any of the getaway rovers. If he can't get safe, once they vent the station, he'll die.

Meet Cleo, a stowaway on that very same United Nations' base who's prepared for the venting of the station. She has her thermal suit, her helmet, and some oxygen. After successfully surviving without discovery here for months, she's not going to let a little evacuation ruin her hideaway. Then she hears a Mayday call over comms and realizes that she's not alone. Fighting her survival instincts, she rushes to help, surprised that the boy she's helping is part of the very family that ruined hers.

Together, they discover that the evacuation order was fake and that some mercenaries are there to blow up the base and cover up evidence of their crimes. The mercenaries' plan will be completed in eight hours.

Will Hunter and Cleo be able to stop them before it's too late? Will they be able to successfully get through this without risking their hearts and their lives? Read this entertaining and fantastically paced novel to find out.

What I loved most about this book:
- Hunter Graves. Yes, I know he's a spoiled rich boy, but hear me out. He's got a good reason to have that chip on his shoulder. He's been manipulated and mistreated, and he's got his heart in the right place. His character arc was heart-warming.
- Cleo (not sure we ever learned her last name, but this is likely a miss on my part). I'm always going to side with a feisty, dare I say it? heisty heroine who, despite being through such difficult times down on Earth, is willing to fight for what is right.
- The slow burn romance was the perfect blend of curiosity, pining, shared looks, and *sigh*. While insta-love sometimes frustrates me, this didn't feel like insta-love, despite the short timeframe. There were true moments of connection and understanding between Hunter and Cleo.
- Tropes that I squealed about: royalty, Strip down to your underwear!, Hunter's Save the Cat moment, space setting, creative caper, sharing food
- The secondary characters: I'm looking at you, Sabrina, and you, ******* (removed for spoiler).
- The well-written villain(s) with motivations that are gradually fully revealed. Some great twists!
- The world-building was top notch. I'm no expert on space, but I feel like Amie did a great job building the world on Mars for this novel. The garden/greenhouse was probably my favorite setting. I could practically smell that fresh, earthy scent.

What didn't work:
- I honestly can't think of anything that didn't work. I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep track of who was who for the villains, but I didn't struggle at all. This is a matter of preference: I would have liked an epilogue to see what happened with some of the secondary characters as well as the POV characters. I think it shows incredible authorial trust in the reader to give us a chance to image what might have happened. Maybe some bonus content, dear author?

RED STAR REBELS is an enjoyable romp with twists, romance, and tension with a well-crafted sci-fi world and compelling characters you can't help but cheer for. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to pre-order! I know I will (checks). Yeah, I already have.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers, and the author for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Home Alone took place on Mars...and also the consequences of failing were death by explosion?

Red Star Rebels is Amie Kaufman's return to YA sci-fi in space, and it just confirms what I already knew: I will read anything she writes. From The Illuminae Files to Aurora Rising and now, finally, to Red Star Rebels, she's explored a wide variety of YA space stories, which is great because it's one of the subgenres I haven't seen expanded to its full potential. As far as Kaufman's books go, this one falls closer to the top for me, although the Illuminae series will probably forever be my favorite. I will say that it reads a little on the younger side of YA than some of her other series, but that could also be me and my age at the moment.

Hunter Graves - heir to GravesUP (which is basically SpaceX) - and Cleo - a stowaway with a will to live and a grudge to hold - are stranded alone on the Pax station on Mars. Not the best situation, but it isn't the end of the world...until a band of mercenaries shows up with a plan to blow the station to pieces with Cleo and Hunter inside. The book is extremely fast-paced, which makes sense considering it takes place in less than 8 hours, and the stakes are relatively high throughout the entire story. I didn't always feel the weight of them, I think because I knew it was lower YA, but if I read this when I was in my early teens, I would've gone crazy over some of the twists. A lot of the plot is spent "pranking" these mercenaries in a Home Alone-esque fashion; the humor might have also lessened the impact of the stakes a bit for me. I don't say this often, but I almost wish the pacing were slower or the book were longer because it didn't feel like I had enough time to truly enjoy the story as much as I could. That being said, I liked the fast pacing and elevated stakes. The ending was satisfying, which is good for a standalone, although if Amie Kaufman chose to expand the world, I would read more.

The story is mostly focused on Cleo and Hunter, so it's good that they're enjoyable to follow, and their banter is top-tier. I liked Cleo a lot; her sense of humor was fun, and her morals and internal conflict made her an intriguing protagonist to follow. I liked Hunter, too, but that isn't surprising since I like the playboy with a serious side type of character. His backstory felt a bit overdramatic at times, but again, I would've eaten it up as an early teen. Most of the side characters were comparatively shallow, but I didn't mind because they weren't the main focus of the story. My only gripe with Hunter and Cleo was that their relationship felt rushed. The banter was hilarious, and there were some great heart-to-heart moments, but at the end of the day, the book took place over the course of 8 hours... Sure, it felt like longer, and the chemistry was there, but it felt like we progressed through months of relationship building in a matter of minutes. It didn't bother me too much, mostly because the book felt like days rather than hours.

Red Star Rebels is Amie Kaufman's new YA sci-fi standalone with nail-biting stakes, laugh-out-loud humor, and loveable characters that will appeal to both new and old readers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

4/5

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, Knopf Books for Young Readers, and Amie Kaufman for the opportunity to read Red Star Rebels in exchange for an honest review.

The story of Red Star Rebels takes place over the course of a single day (approximately eight hours) and follows the alternating first-person perspectives of Hunter and Cleo.

Hunter is the son of the family who owns GravesUp, a major corporation that initially settled on/terraformed Mars, initiated by his grandfather. After his father's death and not hearing from his mother and sister for years after his parents split, Hunter finds it's time to head to Mars and reclaim his rightful place as head of the corporation. He just...has to sneak his way there.

Cleo has a history of crime. She smuggled her way onto Mars, living illegally at Pax station. Only the rich are able to live on Mars, and she believes that Mars living opportunities should be more equal. Also, she hates GravesUp because they are (technically) responsible for the death of her father, which sent her and her mother into sprawling debt.

When an evacuation order is initiated on Pax due to an air contamination risk, Hunter finds himself unable to flee because he isn't registered in the Pax system, therefore he cannot get onto one of the shuttles. Cleo is there illegally, but she has street smarts to keep her alive. She is on her way out in a space suit when the call for help comes in, and it's the rich young son of the GravesUp corporation. She sees it as a chance at money or perhaps a request for registration on Mars.

As the two aim to escape, they see people entering the base, and there's some kind of countdown. The evacuation is not what it seems. The two must work together to outsmart the criminals, save the base, and stay alive. And over the course of eight hours, the two might grow closer than they anticipated.

Leave it to Amie Kaufman to execute the span of a novel in the course of eight hours and still have phenomenal storytelling craft, exquisite characterization, and plenty of twists and turns in the plot. The story is well-written, full of action, and thoroughly engaging. Building the kind of relationship that Kaufman does with Cleo and Hunter in the span of time they are together takes exceptional skill, as there are many time-frame plots that are similar that generally fall flat. This was extremely well-rounded and made for a fun and engaging adventure. Plus, space! It was fun to see the scientific elements that are well researched in the astrophysics, as is Kaufman style.

While the novel is certainly self-contained as a stand-alone, I feel like there is enough established that there could be a whole new novel afterward. Maybe there will be. Who knows? All I know is this is a must-read for science-fiction action lovers, and I cannot wait for Kaufman's next novel.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm sorry. I manage, taking the cookie, and turning it over in my hand. "I just realized we're sitting here in some random family's bedroom, talking about our two-person rebellion against a crack mercenary team, while we eat cookies. We're not action heroes. We're insane."

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the ARC!

This is a fun, quick romp into a futuristic world where Martian settlements are ruled by a mega-corporation and outposts of the UN. Hunter, an out-of-place rich boy, and Cleo, a stowaway or "hitcher," escaping Earth's slums, must work together to survive in a race against time.

I'm a huge fan of the Illuminae series and the Aurora Cycle Three Book Box Set that Kaufman penned with co-authors. If you are looking for the same complexity and world-building that those series have, you will be disappointed.

However, this book did remind me of the Unearthed duology with its simpler plot, cut to the chase action, and roguish villains. It is also reminiscent of the excellent Starflight series by Melissa Landers, with its rich boy to poor girl dynamic, though not as satisfying (for reasons I outline below).

The good:
-Home Alone-like antics with clever and humorous twists and turns
-Action-packed (the plot is exciting from the get-go)
-Witty banter and dialogue

The bad:
-Instalove between Hunter and Cleo; it makes their chemistry and connection less believable and satisfying
-Very simple plotline. This felt like a novella. I would have loved for the characters to form a rag-tag team of space pirates and have more adventures (with Sabrina as their ring leader!)
-The book ended suddenly without resolving what happened to some of the secondary characters.

If you are looking for a quick, humorous weekend read, I do recommend it.

[Melissa Kincaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = 4 stars!

No one drops you into a YA sci-fi adventure quite like Amie Kaufman. After swimming in romantic fantasy for a while, I was craving something a little different, and this was exactly the palate cleanser I needed!

Set on Mars, the story follows Cleo and Hunter, two very unlikely allies who end up trapped in an evacuated colony with a group of dangerous mercenaries. Cleo is a hitcher, scraping by and dreaming of a better life while staying firmly off the authorities’ radar. Hunter is the heir to the family that essentially owns Mars, weighed down by expectations, family tension, and the need to prove he is more than his name. When their paths collide, survival becomes the priority, and what follows is a fast, clever, Home Alone–style game of cat and mouse through an abandoned space colony, all while the clock ticks relentlessly towards a catastrophic explosion.

Kaufman’s writing is sharp and effortlessly paced. The sci-fi setting is woven in just enough to ground you without slowing the story, the dialogue crackles with wit, and the tension tightens page by page until the truly explosive finale. The story stays closely focused on Cleo and Hunter, which works beautifully because they are such a joy to follow. Their banter is top-tier, funny and full of spark. Cleo quickly became a favourite for me, with her humour, strong moral compass, and internal conflict making her a compelling protagonist. Hunter balances his playboy reputation with a softer, more serious side, and I enjoyed peeling back his layers as the story progressed.

What to Expect:
🚀 First Person POV
⭐ Mars setting
💥 Witty banter
🚀 Explosive action
⭐ Sci-fi adventure
💥 Romance
🚀 Opposites attract
⭐ Unexpected twists and turns

My only small gripe is that Cleo and Hunter’s relationship felt just a touch rushed, likely due to the shorter length. With a few extra high-stakes moments, their connection could have been explored a little more deeply. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the lighter romance and how it fit the overall tone of the story.

Red Star Rebels is a YA sci-fi standalone packed with high stakes, laugh-out-loud humour, and loveable characters. It is an absolute treat for both new readers and longtime Kaufman fans, and anyone who loved The Illuminae Files or Aurora Rising will devour this in one sitting. 🚀✨

Thank you SO much to Allen & Unwin Australia for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m so very grateful! ❤️ I am happily, and voluntarily, leaving my review!


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[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thanks to YABC for providing an ARC and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Classic space-opera-esque YA science fiction is back baby!

Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman is a YA science fiction novel that condenses a space-opera narrative in the span of eight hours. 8 HOURS TO STOP AN EXPLOSION... 8 HOURS TO FALL IN LOVE. From the NYT bestselling co-author of Illuminae and Aurora Rising comes a high-stakes, high-chemistry sci-fi romp about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the galaxy, racing the clock to outwit a gang of mercenaries. It’s 2067, and the Graves family has transformed Mars from lifeless rock into a chaotic patchwork of settlements—and everybody wants a piece. Enter Hunter Graves: handsome, ambitious, and with spectacularly bad timing. He shows up at the United Nations base just as an emergency evacuation sends everyone scurrying for safety. Except he’s left behind. Uh oh. Also stranded: Cleo, a sharp-tongued stowaway with no intention of dying today, and even less patience for overconfident trust fund boys. But the enemy of your enemy might just help you survive, so here we are. Turns out the evacuation was just a cover for the mercenaries who came next, and they plan to blow up the base—and every trace of their crime—in eight hours. Now, Hunter and Cleo have one shot to stop the explosion, escape alive, and deal with the inconvenient fact that they’re falling for each other. The clock is ticking.

I have loved Kaufman's work since she co-wrote Illuminae, Aurora Rising, and These Broken Stars (with a clear favoritism towards the latter over the former). But I am glad to see she is publishing a science fiction novel solo. And I hate to admit it, but I think Red Star Rebels is 100 times better than Illuminae and Aurora Rising combined. The vibes are there, the characters are amazing, the plot is tight knit and cohesive, and the setting is unlike anything I've read. I highly enjoyed it, and can't wait to see what else Kaufman will put out without a coauthor attached.

One thing that did bug me about Red Star Rebels, is just how short it was. Sitting at a meager 288 pages (I saw begrudgingly after finishing Alchemised's 1000 pages in under three days), Red Star Rebels doesn't have the room to properly world build or explore plot lines beyond survival and romance. Which is to expected from a YA space opera, yet I wish that we got just a little more meat to the story without making it expand much past the 350 page mark. Not every science fiction novel needs to be over 500 pages long (I'm looking at you, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars).

Regardless, Red Star Rebels is a fantastic starting point for any reader looking for a quick and easy to understand science fiction novel. And here's to me, anxiously waiting to read more Amie Kaufman in the next few years.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Amie Kaufman's writing and the Aurora Rising trilogy holds a special place in my heart so when I heard about Red Star Rebels, I was beyond excited! Welcome back to YA sci-fi Amie Kaufman! Red Star Rebels is a fun, fast-paced YA novel set in space and it was everything I'd hoped it would be and more.

Thank you Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and Hot Key Books for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Pretty much the second my Netgalley request was approved, I dropped everything and read this book in one sitting! From the get go, I felt like I'd returned home. A timeline with a humorous commentary on events, an ominous countdown, two characters in the wrong place at the wrong time and stakes that escalate FAST! What more do you want?

Red Star Rebels feels a little like Home Alone meets The Expanse in terms of episodic plot sequencing and confined setting meeting the epic worldbuilding of privatised space travel and planetary colonisation. I liked that the technicalities and realities of living as a human on another planet and how that might affect the body were a focus and not side-lined, that the characters had to think of creative solutions and how they were both challenged on their beliefs.

Amie Kaufman's storytelling keeps you turning the page, her character development is authentic and believable and the expansive worldbuilding achieved in effortless strokes that build a bigger picture is masterful. These are two characters from completely different ends of the spectrum in terms of life experience and yet they have both learnt they can only rely on themselves, not to trust others and they're both incredibly lonely in different ways. When they find themselves left behind in an evacuation and the stakes become life or death, they form an unlikely bond relying on their shared skills, determination and slowly developing trust for one another to ensure their mutual survival against steadily worsening odds.

Highly recommend this one and I'd love to read more in this world! Only criticism: the book ended so fast I felt like I had whiplash! I will retract that comment if there's another book released in the future. Fingers crossed!

[Lynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe Red Star Rebels is the tenth book I've read that was written (or co-authored) by Amie Kaufman and I enjoyed every minute of her latest space adventure. To be fair, most of Kaufman's books do follow a pattern. A young person is somehow stuck in space. The circumstances may or may not be of their own making, there is danger of some variety, and there is another young person and inevitable love interest that they will need to rely in of they want to live through the impending danger or disaster.

Red Star Rebel is more of the same, this time following Cleo, a young woman stowing away on a Mars space station, and Hunter Graves, the heir to the family who initially colonized Mars who has a chip on his shoulder and is trying to prove to his family that he has what it takes to take over the family business. As the United Nations base is evacuated for an emergency, Hunter and Cleo get left behind - because, of course they do - and must rely on each other to survive and escape the mercenaries who forced the evacuation.

Red Star Rebels is action from the first page and never stops. It's a short book, under 300 pages, and it reads quickly because of all the action. I found myself reading later than usual into the night because there is never a good time to put this book down! I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. I loved Cleo and Hunter and how they worked together. Even when plot points were predictable, I didn't mind watching them play out.

Most of Kaufman's novels are series, so I don't know if this one will be, but if this is a standalone, it truly is a complete story. I could see more opportunities for storytelling though so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a sequel in the works. Either way, I recommend Red Star Rebels, especially for YA science fiction fans.

Thanks to Random House Children's Books, Knopf Books for Young Readers, NetGalley and of course Amie Kaufman for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Red Star Rebels will be published on February 10, 2026.

[Em ☽✦ღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had SUCH a good time with Red Star Rebels. Picking this up instantly sent me straight back to binging Amie Kaufman’s earlier sci-fi books, and honestly? I loved being back in that space. It felt like coming home.

This book is FUN. It’s fast, cinematic, and full of that signature Kaufman blend of high-stakes action, big feelings, and characters you get attached to way quicker than is emotionally sensible. There’s rebellion, danger, secret agendas, space politics, and constant movement, and I was absolutely along for the ride.

Cleo and Hunter are such a great dynamic as well. The banter between them is top tier, and the loyalty that starts to form under pressure???? Yes. Inject it into my veins. I am always here for a scrappy group (or duo in this case) of people choosing each other while trying to survive impossible odds.

And can we talk about the nostalgia for a second??? Because reading this genuinely made me feel like I was back in lockdown again, staying up too late to finish “just one more chapter” of an Amie Kaufman sci-fi book. That sense of wonder, adrenaline, and emotional investment came rushing right back, and it made the whole experience even better.

Is it subtle? No. Is it trying to be? Also no. It knows exactly what it is and leans into it HARD, and that confidence is part of why it works so well. I didn’t want it to slow down. I wanted the chaos. I wanted the danger. I wanted the characters making wild choices and dealing with the fallout.

By the end I was buzzing, a little emotional, and already thinking about how badly I want more. If you love rebellious energy, space action, found family, and that addictive, bingeable sci-fi feeling, this is such a win. And if you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and go and enjoy the rest of Kaufman’s sci-fi works (the aurora cycle is one of my faves ever!!)

Thank you so much to Amie Kaufman, Bonnier Books, and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Aurora deTag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic YA space novel! Every time I thought I had the next part predicted another plot twist got thrown in my face which was so good. I really felt for the characters and was invested in their survival. The usage of the dual POV in this book was fantastic, so great to see their differing thought processes throughout and better understand their choices and reactions to each new obstacle thrown their way! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci fi space stories or high stakes scenarios.

The only parts I didn’t love was because I was so attached to the characters that I just wanted more! Especially with the ending, I wanted to see more of what happened to various characters so I would have loved a good “one year later” type of epilogue. I think that would have given me far more closure on the story. I also would have loved a bit more detail into the character backstories that are shared but enough detail was shared to understand them, I just am dying to know more!

Finally, I’ve seen that others think the romance was also a bit fast to start up, but I disagree. Considering the high stakes traumatic situation, and the age of the characters, I think it could be very realistic! Personally, I’ve never been trapped in a space base ready to explode so I don’t know how long it would take to fall for someone in that scenario!

Overall, this book was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend it to almost anyone! As a YA book, the romance is very appropriate and the sci fi elements were interesting but easy to understand. If you liked The Martian or similar stories, this is perfect for you. Please go get this amazing book when it releases Feb 10, 2026!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, Knopf Books for Young Readers, and Amie Kaufman for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the future, there is a land grab for settlements on Mars. The largest settlement is owned by the Graves Family that got to Mars first. Hunter Graves, dark sheep, has secretly arrived at the United Nations settlement to show up and get back to in his Mom's good graces. Before he is even registered on planet, an evacuation occurs leaving him the only one left with the place about to decompress.

However, everything is not as it seems. Cleo is still there too. Because she hitchhiked to Mars a few months ago and is also not in the system. Hunter and Cleo join forces and soon find out that the evacuation was a smoke screen for mercenaries to invade and mess around the UN's system for their own goals and then blow the settlement, so no one knows they were ever there.

Can two young adults accidently left behind save their own lives? Even if that involves finding out what the mercenaries are up to and stopping them?

Amie Kaufman is one of the few authors that I will read that writes YA. Most of the time I want to throw the book out the window if there is any reference to that genre. There were a lot of things I typically roll my eyes out that still made it into the book. Lots of angst. I would also think that a book that takes place in only about 8 hours wouldn't have so much time to overanalyze feelings, but it definitely still happened. Did love the space aspect. Loved the smart and resourceful characters. I think it's a solid 3.5 stars, I just don't think I would reread it in the future which is why I can't bump it to four.

[chloecanread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Hot Key Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was good, but I did have a few issues with it. This is a fast-paced read, and I did read the book quite quickly. I really liked the worldbuilding the author managed to fit into the story, and I found the countdown format great.

But I think this book suffers from what I'm calling Six of Crows syndrome. This is a Young Adult book, so the characters are naturally young. However, when I read that the male main character supposedly started acting as CEO of a branch of his family's company at FOURTEEN? He was calling the shots at FOURTEEN? I totally understand that a young adult book is going to have young adults as the main characters but why would you write that a fourteen year old is running his family company? This is probably a me thing but I cannot take it seriously when a young teenager is supposedly playing CEO and running gangs or whatever.

I also understand that this was a romance book but I also find it a bit ridiculous that these two meet, and then within 8 hours they are head over heels in love and cannot live without each other. I think if the author had toned down on this, just a little, I would've enjoyed the book a lot more. I think the romance could've been written without being so overwhelming.

Overall, I did like this book apart from the issues I had. I think it could've been better, but I do recommend picking this one up if you are after a quick fast-paced read and some neat worldbuilding.

[Katielase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was so much fun, I loved every moment of it. It was fast-paced and brilliant, funny and moving, a real treat of a book that I read in one sitting.

The book takes place in a world where a private corporation was the first to claim Mars, and in this future Mars has become the preserve of the rich and influential, while those with less privilege remain trapped on Earth.

Cleo and Hunter come from very different worlds, Cleo's world fell apart when her father couldn't pay his medical bills and she hitch-hiked to Mars to escape the debt collectors. Hunter is the grandson of the man who first made it to Mars, his family own the corporation who owns the majority of Mars. A series of unfortunate events and unfortunate timing leaves them both stranded in an empty station, which is under attack, with a countdown on the clock until the whole thing blows. They have to find a way to work together to save each other.

What follows is sort of Home Alone in space, I could have enjoyed this section of the story for a whole entire book it was so fun. But before long secrets begin to come out and the situation becomes a lot more serious.

This was just a pact, enjoyable, wild ride. If I had any criticism it would be that the book ended too quickly, I would've enjoyed even just another one or two chapters tying up the ending. But I'm optimistic that the abrupt finish means there might be more coming in this fictional world and I'd certainly be very here for that!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘴 is a thrilling young adult adventure on Mars!

When hideaway Cleo and wealthy heir Hunter find themselves stranded on a United Nations base on Mars, they're forced to work together against the mercenaries threatening an explosion to cover their attack.

The story is fast-paced, providing edge-of-your-seat action conveyed in a humorous tone and fun writing style. The characters are crafty, resourceful, and compelling, and the politics at play make readers think.

Hunter and Cleo are both lonely and grieving losses, and they are quickly intrigued by and are drawn to each other. Their tight bond and tentative trust amidst the danger was tender and swoon-worthy! Their adaptability was entertaining, especially the hijinks reminiscent of 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 antics; I thoroughly enjoyed Hunter and Cleo outsmarting a group of adult criminals in space.

In fact, I loved the plot, setting, and characters so much that I wish 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘴 was longer, diving deeper into scene immersion and yearning. It felt so short, and the ending has me desperate for more! I would absolutely love to return to this world and see what's next for Hunter and Cleo - and I think there's enough unanswered questions or opportunities to explore plotlines and relationships! Amie Kaufman, this is me begging for an encore!

Thank you so much to Random House, Knopf Books, and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!

[Olivia Kow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️
A thrilling space adventure against the clock, with a bit of romance, that calls out greed and evil billionaires and class systems? Yes please. There are so many things to like about this book that just made it a solid read.

The concept of this book is genius. A locked-room, timed, good-vs-evil in SPACE made for such a fun read. The writing matched the theme well, the pacing was great and the stakes felt just enough to make you want to continue reading.

Cleo was such a sarcastic badass hilarious sucker-punch of a character. I loved her little quips as if she were telling this story to you, and her sarcastic comments were funny! Hunter was slightly flat compared to Cleo, but I still was rooting for them in the end.

I will say, the overall villain in the story is very cartoonish. Like, it’s hard to believe the motivation behind everything, and that’s all I can say so as to not spoil anything. But, it did lead to an action-packed, intriguing ending, so there’s that!

I really did enjoy this book, I just never found myself particularly *eager* to pick it up. When I would pick it up, I’d have a good time, but it was never a book that stayed with me after closing it. Which is okay! I do appreciate a book that’s fun at the time!

Overall I do absolutely recommend this book— it is a solid YA thriller with romance set in space that was a thoroughly fun time. Thank you to NetGalley and penguin teen Canada for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleo is an illegal hitcher on a United Nations base attempting to dodge loan sharks who are after her to pay for her late fathers exorbitant medical bills, Hunter is the rich handsome son of the billionaire capitalists who are colonising space for themselves. Both get trapped on the base when an emergency evacuation happens and their unregistered status means there's no escape pod for them. Soon they realise the evacuation was staged by a criminal faction whose up to god knows what and all Cleo and Hunter have to help them survive is each other.

This was such a fun easy read! Pretty much the only sci-fi books I read are Amie's (and Jay's) and I always enjoy them so much, every time I vow to read more sci-fi after and then never do lol.

Really easy to get into, some fantastic age appropriate commentary on capitalism, class inequality, corrupt corporations etc plus a cute little romance on the side!

Thank you to Allen & Unwin and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

[diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.

"She’s fascinating, and I don’t want to look away.”

This was so good. Will-read-it-again good. It’s way too short. I’m devastated that it’s over. But there’s going to be a sequel, right? RIGHT?!?

I love Amie Kaufman’s space adventures. They never fail to keep me entertained and so wholeheartedly obsessed. I hope she’ll write more.

I love Cleo’s sass and big brains. I am in love with Hunter’s gentle charisma and his desire to be honorable. I really wish there’s going to be a sequel. I want more adventures with these two. And I would love to see them in their lover’s era. What can I say? I love love.

I ADORE this book. I stayed up late finishing it and every second was worth it. I already miss Cleo and Hunter. I guess I’ll just read it again…

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Hot Key Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve loved Amie Kaufman’s writing ever since Illumicrate, and this definitely had vibes of that mixed with Artemis by Andy Weir. The heist aspect was very fun and a good pace, and I liked how skilled Cleo and Hunter were because it made their attempts as sabotaging the intruders so much more believable.

They were really lovely characters to be inside the heads of, flawed in their own ways, maybe a little simplistic or stereotypical rather, but only a dash and not enough to reduce my utter enjoyment at their story.

I blasted through this book in around three days, which is great for me, the action and the stakes kept me coming back. It felt like that thing where you feel like the story will go on without you if you’re not there witnessing it. And I really enjoyed witnessing it!

If you love a good heist movie and a good Sci fi read, this is definitely for you.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good. I was really looking forward to this since I first ran across it while browsing upcoming books, and it did not disappoint.

Science fiction, Mars base, action, adventure, romance, and a ticking clock. I'm not sure if this counts as "space opera" but it had the feel of a good space opera to me. Great character development banter, and chemistry. Fun and fast paced (especially the second half).

Dual POV, which I don't always like, but in this instance it worked really well.

This is not a romance book pretending to be Science fiction, this is science fiction with romance. I want to point that out because I think there is a big difference between romance that happens to take place in a science fiction setting, and science fiction that also happens to contain a great love story. I think one of the benefits here is that I expect this book could easily appeal to both romance fans as well as scifi fans.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: Red Star Rebels by @amiekaufmanauthor published by @allenandunwin and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 28 January 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What happens when Die Hard meets The Martian and you throw in two seventeen year olds from opposite sides of society? Well you get this fast paced YA sci-fi book with a side of romance.
This book is go, go, go. Mars has been inhabited by humans and corporations for a few decades when Cleo becomes a stowaway and an illegal immigrant at the UN’s station, Pax. On the day that rich boy Hunter arrives at Pax, at an alarm goes off starting the evacuation of Pax Station. In an unlikely turn of events, Cleo and Hunter are the only two humans left alone on Pax as a countdown begins….or so they think.
I enjoyed the pace of this book (would make a great movie!) and getting to know both Cleo and Hunter, both with their own flaws but who you come to love.

[Hallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always have fun reading sci-fi from Amie Kaufman, and this was no exception. Quick, easy, fast-paced, action-packed, and fun. The story is told in dual-POV from our main characters, Hunter and Cleo, one of the wealthiest teens in the galaxy, and a broke criminal who illegally hitched a ride to Mars, respectively. It takes place over the span of about 8 hours as the United Nations Pax base on Mars undergoes an emergency evacuation, leaving Hunter and Cleo behind. They quickly realize, however, that they're on a race against the clock as a gang of criminals takes over the abandoned base with plans to destroy it, and other nefarious things. Hunter and Cleo, two people from opposite sides of the tracks, so to speak, have to work together to save their skins. This was a ton of fun to read.

Netgalley and Random House provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mrs. Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The United Nations base has an emergency, and everyone evacuates. Everyone except Hunter and Cleo. Hunter is rich and entitled … Cleo is snarky and used to living under the radar. Eventually, they learn that the evacuation was a cover-up for a group that plans to blow up the base. Neither one wants to die, but they have 8 hours until an imminent explosion. They don’t want to work together, but they must learn to trust each other if they want to survive.

Red Star Rebels is a stand-alone science fiction novel with a splash of romance. Although there is space travel and other sci-fi elements in this story, it is not science-dense and will appeal to a wide reader base. Kaufman has created two characters that are easy to relate to and a situation that is easy to understand, even if we will not find ourselves on a Mars colony. A fun sci-fi escape that is also a quick read.

[Danielle Hilliard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whelp...my month is not going great so far.

This was a highly anticipated read for 2026 because I absolutely loved the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files but sadly this does not deliver. It kinda feels like a rip off of Gemina in some ways but without the banter, humour, depth and soul. We have the mercenaries that hijack a space base (hehe that rhymes) and our two feisty MCs go all guerrilla warfare to stop them. There's a mention of The Art of War and even the pop song playing over the radio on repeat.

I might have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just done a reread of the Illuminae files and this wasn't all fresh in my mind grapes but alas I did, it was and now we are here with this less than kind review.

I will give it points for getting straight into the action and being quick - which the quickness saved it from being a DNF because I knew it was going to be over soon.

The ending was so quick, it felt anti-climatic. Speaking of anti-climatic, I didn't really feel much of a spark between Hunter and Cleo and honestly, while I can see what the author was trying to do, there wasn't much depth of character either. Also I really didn't enjoy Cleo's occasional breaking of the fourth wall to speak to the reader. Again this feels reminiscent of the Illuminae Files with the briefing notes but falls flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for the eARC and because I am currently sobbing into my space flakes in disappointment, I have left an honest review.