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The Exo Project
On a future Earth ravaged by solar radiation, 17 year-old Matthew, desperate for money to save his sick mother, agrees to participate in the Exo Project, a government plan to save the human race by flying across the galaxy in search of a habitable planet for resettlement. He thinks he’s been given a death sentence: 100 years in cryostasis, followed by a quick death on some barren world. But then he lands on Gle’ah, discovering the strange, beautiful creatures who live there, including Kiva, the captivating teenage girl who leads her planet’s matriarchal society. Kiva views Matthew as a threat and for good reason—if he tells Earth that he’s found a suitable planet, it will mean the end of her people’s way of life. But then Kiva and Matthew discover an emotional connection they never expected—and as they begin to delve into the secrets of Matthew’s mission and the dark truth behind the seeming paradise of Gle’ah, the choices they make will have consequences for both of their worlds.
455 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
14 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 5, 2017
THE EXO PROJECT is, at first glance, a typical sci-fi about alien planets and colonization. But once you begin turning the pages, it quickly becomes apparent that there's more here than sci-fi tropes -- rather, it tackles philosophy, international relations, complex social dynamics, and brings characters to the table who are filled with heart *and* flaws.
The story is fast-paced, strongly character-driven, and I've been surprised (in the best way) to discover that elements of this story will pop into my mind from time to time and I find myself thinking about it. That, for me, is the mark of a great story.
The story is fast-paced, strongly character-driven, and I've been surprised (in the best way) to discover that elements of this story will pop into my mind from time to time and I find myself thinking about it. That, for me, is the mark of a great story.
May 24, 2018
This book makes you think. Fun and compelling read for anyone, girl/ boy, young/ old. Our world does not take care of ourselves or each other - this book shows you what could happen if we continue to treat the world and each other the way we do. The story ends with just enough hope for humanity that you want to try and save our earth and the people around us.
March 25, 2018
What an interesting take on YA apocalyptic. I really enjoyed this book. Maybe 4.5 stars.
Fascinating questions about the tension between individual and collective responsibility; the good of the few vs. the many. I really enjoyed the contrasting social structures of the different communities the world. There was a lot more going on here than other-worldly fiction.
There were times when it seemed to grow-up beyond the YA category that gave the believability some slippage. But other than that, it was a vibrant story and a welcome take on a familiar theme.
Fascinating questions about the tension between individual and collective responsibility; the good of the few vs. the many. I really enjoyed the contrasting social structures of the different communities the world. There was a lot more going on here than other-worldly fiction.
There were times when it seemed to grow-up beyond the YA category that gave the believability some slippage. But other than that, it was a vibrant story and a welcome take on a familiar theme.
April 16, 2017
Fantastic. I don't read a lot of science fiction, but THE EXO PROJECT grabbed me from page one. Told from multiple POVs, this is a smart, engaging story. (And one that I would have read a lot faster if my 13-year-old son hadn't kept sneaking it into his backpack. He finished before I did.)
April 13, 2017
Loved it! It was fun, interesting, surprising, and thoughtful. Highly recommend it to everyone!
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January 30, 2018Normally not a fan of YA. I liked this book however.
December 16, 2016
On the surface, THE EXO PROJECT is a gripping, page-turner, sci-fi YA novel that I read in two nights.
On deeper reflection, THE EXO PROJECT grapples with the philosophical question: Imagine you are trapped in a burning building with your sibling and five strangers. You know that you can get out safely, but you can only rescue one group. Who would you save?
Now imagine that burning building is the Earth. You're probably safe, but do you choose to rescue humanity? Or an innocent and peaceful alien civilization? Matthew, the protagonist, has to make that choice while dealing with his growing feelings for Kiva, the leader of the alien society. With lots of wonderful world building and twists, it was easy to follow Matthew and Kiva on their journeys.
On deeper reflection, THE EXO PROJECT grapples with the philosophical question: Imagine you are trapped in a burning building with your sibling and five strangers. You know that you can get out safely, but you can only rescue one group. Who would you save?
Now imagine that burning building is the Earth. You're probably safe, but do you choose to rescue humanity? Or an innocent and peaceful alien civilization? Matthew, the protagonist, has to make that choice while dealing with his growing feelings for Kiva, the leader of the alien society. With lots of wonderful world building and twists, it was easy to follow Matthew and Kiva on their journeys.
January 18, 2017
I loved this book. It is a fast moving, classic sci-fi story where desperate people are sent out to find a a new planet for the dying human population. What Matthew finds is a very complex and unique planet with a matriarchal society. The author absolutely nails the voices of both characters. The world building sucks you in, both the solar radiation ravaged Earth and the beautiful Gle’ah (where everything isn’t what it seems). This is a compelling, one-sitting read.
June 5, 2018
The Exo Project by Andrew DeYoung is full of relatable life issues and making hard choices. The book is has a down to earth character and is over a really good book for people who like sci fi. I personally loved how the book turned out as it didn't leave on a cliff hanger and you can understand why he did what he did. The book was full of generic sci fi stuff but it makes them into its own thing. He finds a way of balance and makes it more than ust another generic sci fi novel.
During the entire book Mathew always has a conflict inside himself. It always showed the hardships and was really relatable making it more enjoyable because he wants dealing with problems that are way beyond us in the real world. For example when he has to decide whether he wants to lie to protect his friends from what they did. This relates because when you and your friends do something stupid and get in trouble most kids usually lie and say no one did it or you take the blame yourself if its your parents. Also another is when he met the natives of the planet he thought they were weird because of his own standards but when he got to know them more they were actually really good people. This is also ho wit is in real life like when you move to a place and you met new people you might think they are a little weird from your other friends but when you get to know them they are actually really good people.
Near the end of the book it you get to understand why everything is still working properly but Mathew in the end has to make a big decision. At the End mathew has to decide to save his family and the human race while sacrificing himself or rat his friends out and they take the punishment. This is really relatable because sometimes you need to do things that are overall better for the bigger picture than what you want personally. Another example was when he had to decide to go on the actual project at the beginning. “His mom was in stasis due to cancer and he had to take care of his sister but he couldn't do that with his funds so he had to go out and get money and he decided to get rewards money from going entering the project. For a lot of people this could be related because they have to go out and work to support their family.
Over all the book is probably one of my favorites that i've read this year. It had a good sci fi story which i almost always like. And it had relatable issues even if they are a bit larger they are still the same concept. I personally think that Andrew DeYoung takes this beyond what i thought it would be. When i picked it up i thought it was going to be a generic sci fi novel but for the entire time i was sucked in which almost never happens with a book for me. So if you area sci fi over like me you would definitely enjoy The Exo Project
During the entire book Mathew always has a conflict inside himself. It always showed the hardships and was really relatable making it more enjoyable because he wants dealing with problems that are way beyond us in the real world. For example when he has to decide whether he wants to lie to protect his friends from what they did. This relates because when you and your friends do something stupid and get in trouble most kids usually lie and say no one did it or you take the blame yourself if its your parents. Also another is when he met the natives of the planet he thought they were weird because of his own standards but when he got to know them more they were actually really good people. This is also ho wit is in real life like when you move to a place and you met new people you might think they are a little weird from your other friends but when you get to know them they are actually really good people.
Near the end of the book it you get to understand why everything is still working properly but Mathew in the end has to make a big decision. At the End mathew has to decide to save his family and the human race while sacrificing himself or rat his friends out and they take the punishment. This is really relatable because sometimes you need to do things that are overall better for the bigger picture than what you want personally. Another example was when he had to decide to go on the actual project at the beginning. “His mom was in stasis due to cancer and he had to take care of his sister but he couldn't do that with his funds so he had to go out and get money and he decided to get rewards money from going entering the project. For a lot of people this could be related because they have to go out and work to support their family.
Over all the book is probably one of my favorites that i've read this year. It had a good sci fi story which i almost always like. And it had relatable issues even if they are a bit larger they are still the same concept. I personally think that Andrew DeYoung takes this beyond what i thought it would be. When i picked it up i thought it was going to be a generic sci fi novel but for the entire time i was sucked in which almost never happens with a book for me. So if you area sci fi over like me you would definitely enjoy The Exo Project
May 5, 2021
I bought this book on a whim at a new local bookstore. At home I learned that it's from an emerging Minnesota author.
Without spilling the beans, this book centers around a young man who volunteers himself for a one way voyage to an exo-planet in the hope to finding a future for mankind. Earth is dying and finding a new home is humanity's last hope. There is a volunteer/lottery system which selects people to man light speed spacecraft to selected exoplanets and report back instantaneously via "quantum transceivers."
Scientifically, this may be possible someday and sounds good for the story. But the author's scientific breakdown occurs when Matthew, the main character, along with two others, is cryrongenically frozen for 100 years in order to complete their trip to a planet 100 light years distant. The author may be somewhat knowledgeable with quantum entanglement, but obviously not with Relativity. At light speed, it would not take someone 100 years to get to a destination 100 light years away. It would take far less time with most of it being the time to accelerate to speed and then decelerate near the destination. It only takes 100 years from the vantage point of the observer, someone back on Earth. From the voyagers time perspective, it would be near instantaneous once light speed is reached.
With such an important mission, why choose these 3 for this most important voyage? Matthew, although seemingly well adjusted and stable, is just a kid. Another crew member is a 60 year old lady who serves as the science officer. And the other is an unlikeable teenager who makes knee jerk decisions and puts the rest of the crew in jeopardy. Of all of the people back on Earth, why choose some seemingly random people for this mission?
All this aside, the book is well written, the characters not too deep, and it's a good story with a possible moral message. I would recommend this book for any age reader and would like to read the authors next book.
Without spilling the beans, this book centers around a young man who volunteers himself for a one way voyage to an exo-planet in the hope to finding a future for mankind. Earth is dying and finding a new home is humanity's last hope. There is a volunteer/lottery system which selects people to man light speed spacecraft to selected exoplanets and report back instantaneously via "quantum transceivers."
Scientifically, this may be possible someday and sounds good for the story. But the author's scientific breakdown occurs when Matthew, the main character, along with two others, is cryrongenically frozen for 100 years in order to complete their trip to a planet 100 light years distant. The author may be somewhat knowledgeable with quantum entanglement, but obviously not with Relativity. At light speed, it would not take someone 100 years to get to a destination 100 light years away. It would take far less time with most of it being the time to accelerate to speed and then decelerate near the destination. It only takes 100 years from the vantage point of the observer, someone back on Earth. From the voyagers time perspective, it would be near instantaneous once light speed is reached.
With such an important mission, why choose these 3 for this most important voyage? Matthew, although seemingly well adjusted and stable, is just a kid. Another crew member is a 60 year old lady who serves as the science officer. And the other is an unlikeable teenager who makes knee jerk decisions and puts the rest of the crew in jeopardy. Of all of the people back on Earth, why choose some seemingly random people for this mission?
All this aside, the book is well written, the characters not too deep, and it's a good story with a possible moral message. I would recommend this book for any age reader and would like to read the authors next book.
May 21, 2020
Well to start off I would rate this book a 10/10 I loved it. I would recommend to anyone into sci-fi books. It was a year far from now Matthew figures out that the Earth is dying and he decides to give his life away for the cash settlement to save his family. He can only get this cash by joining the Exo Project, a theory that thousands of lightyears away there is a planet such as Earth that exists that is near perfect for life. But there's a downside, the planet is already inhabited and the humanoids there don't real take well to intruders. Matthew and heir leader Kiva want to make a peaceful connection but they're not sure, with their whole planets existence literally in their hands, if they can make that happen. Both Matthew and Kiva are young children, who would be cable to survive a while out in that distant planet, so they can research and help save all of humankind. again 10/10 recommend and anyone who likes sci-fi, or semi fiction stories. since there is a realistic part to this book I say semi fiction. A cool quote I found in the books stats, "And Earth- did they believe Matthew when he said that they shouldn't come to Gle'ah? Would they stay away, or were they planning a new expedition even now?" this likes says a lot did Earth give up on this project knowing it wouldn't work at a certain point, and are they going to try something new. to try and save their dear Earth. I think it helps me see what it means to be American. Matthew was selfless with his life to save his own families. willing to basically send himself off to his death in order to one possibly save humankind, but if not everyone at least his family for a short time.
February 28, 2020
I believe The Exo Project is one of the best books I have ever read. The basic plot is that Earth is a wasteland and in order to survive, you need a radiation suit, or you're deader than dead. The only way for you to leave Earth is through The Exo Project, a project that has three people to find a planet that can contain human life. The only thing is that it takes hundreds of years to get to the planets, so the crew is put in cryo pods to extend their lives and to find a new home. Most, if not all expeditions end with the crew taking suiside pills, for they have failed their mission. For the main character, Cole, he and many other valentered to go on an expedition, but only a couple would be chosen to man the expedition's. The only reason that people volunteer is the volunteer's family gets 100,000 thousand dollars, which is enough to cure the “sun cancer” that has been cropping up all around the globe. Cole has been chosen to go into the abyss of space.
The book is overall well written and is something I can believe happening to earth, when the atmosphere breaks and Earth is a wasteland. The book has a good timeline and is good at revealing the different things over time in the story. I would recommend the book who has a love for sci-fi, or “realistic” fiction, and I use realistic very loosely. But I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading in general.
The book is overall well written and is something I can believe happening to earth, when the atmosphere breaks and Earth is a wasteland. The book has a good timeline and is good at revealing the different things over time in the story. I would recommend the book who has a love for sci-fi, or “realistic” fiction, and I use realistic very loosely. But I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading in general.
May 14, 2018
This was a good science fiction YA story. I really appreciated the fact that the plot was obviously science fiction without needing to figure out how to pronounce character names that are 37 characters long and made from all of the rare consonants used in the English language. I also appreciated that the plotline was obviously science fiction without creating too much confusion for me as the reader. Science fiction is not my favorite genre, but I felt as though this book dabbled in the waters of sci-fi.
It's a wonderful story of two teens who have to face difficult decisions that will affect each of their people. Kiva is the Vagra, the female leader of her people who hears and sees visions from the Ancestors. She sees a vision of Strangers coming to her land, but they come in peace.
Matthew has volunteered to become an explorer of other planets, a very dangerous but well-paid endeavor. As Matthew and his crew land on Kiva's planet, the story becomes quite interesting.
It's a wonderful story of two teens who have to face difficult decisions that will affect each of their people. Kiva is the Vagra, the female leader of her people who hears and sees visions from the Ancestors. She sees a vision of Strangers coming to her land, but they come in peace.
Matthew has volunteered to become an explorer of other planets, a very dangerous but well-paid endeavor. As Matthew and his crew land on Kiva's planet, the story becomes quite interesting.
June 1, 2023
This book was definitely something special. I think it could've been a little more exciting in some sections but I believe it was a great read overall. The start was very captivating, it caught my attention and had me hooked almost instantly. That could just be my love for science fiction talking though. There was so many unexpected twists and turns in this novel, I never knew what to expect next. It was like everything I expected to happen, the opposite did. Towards the end I think is when it started getting a little less exciting, almost feeling like filler. The ending just felt wrong to me. It didn't feel like it fully made sense in comparison to the rest of the book, but that could just be me griping. Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot but the ending is the only reason I don't give this title 4 stars.
June 17, 2017
The Exo Project is a story about the future earth dying. Man has finally destroyed it to the point where it can't sustain life anymore. Corporations have the money so they build quite a few spaceships to send scouts in all directions looking for a new world that humanity can move to. The volunteers are put in deep freeze for the time that it takes to travel between the stars. So far, the only spaceship that finds a habitable world contains Dunne, Sam & Matthew. Now comes the big choices. This world is inhabited already. Mankind has always destroyed what he touches. Will this world be treated the same way ? Will Matthew's & Kiva's friendship have to die ? This was a well written book that made the reader feel like you were there with them.
August 12, 2023
This is an absolutely must read if you’re into these kinds of science fictions—this particular one is about a group of folks who can’t afford a certain something, and are tricked (later found out) into doing a science project for the government in return of receiving a lot of money, in which each person would choose a person of the family to receive once they were frozen, and shipped off to their destination, in which their entire family will have been LONG GONE. But it isn’t the case, there is actually NO money, they freeze the families for blackmail, and these people have been sent to maybe death sentences all to find a livable planet, because of course, earth has failed and is no longer one. Amazing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2017
This is a wonderful sci-fi story with well-developed world building and an adorable romance to boot! It's a coming-of-age story for Kiva, the head of a young matriarchal society on a distant planet, and Matthew, a boy cryogenically frozen and sent 100-light-years away to scout out potential planets for a dying Earth to colonize. The twist at the end is what this book was really about for me. It beautifully depicted that our present is a direct result of our past, and with just a little bit of humility and understanding, we may avoid sacrificing our present at the expense of all that's come before us.
Well done Andrew!
Well done Andrew!
May 16, 2017
This book ended up being really good, in the last 50 pages. The first 390 or so, was just a lagging story that was predictable and boring. Of course I still needed to finish the book because that's just how I work with book. But in the end, it was a good end and it made me happy to finish. I just wish the beginning was more interesting or shorten the beginning and so you get to the good stuff faster. I think the book would have been best without the whole Kyne rebellion. I thought it was a waste of pages, but other than that, 4 out of 5 stars!
August 21, 2017
The Expo project: 17 year old Matthew has to make one of the most difficult decisions of his short life. In doing so, he either stays to care for his sister or leaves her, to save her life. On another planet, young Kiva, a female, has her own life altering experiences. I enjoyed the concept, a combination of dystopian earth, romance, sci-fi and alien cultural experiences. Any young "true" sci-fi reader will enjoy this novel.
August 24, 2023
this book was so good!! i’m not a big science fiction person, but the story kept me engaged and the writing was very well done. i don’t think i’ve read anything like this before, and i think that’s pretty amazing especially in an era where someone has already written something similar. my only criticism is that there were moments when the story wasn’t moving very quickly, but there were other parts that i think moved too fast. small things, though. i really recommend this book!
June 14, 2017
Great hook since I can definitely picture the earth becoming too hot and full of dangerous radiation in the not too distant future, and I liked Kiva's story and world. But the instant romance connection thing kind of bugged me, and the middle of the book seemed to bog down a little bit. In any event, pretty intriguing sci-fi with a twist that I didn't see coming.
September 14, 2019
This was a bit of a slow burn for me because I was initially less interested in Matthew's POV than in Kira's POV (which I was very intrigued in), I think I maybe would have liked more if we had more of Kira initially, but I did very much enjoy the world-building used to create a new world from within the storyline.
January 28, 2020
Avatar (the film) meets Star Trek: Insurrection. Fairly predictable in its beats, characterizations, and sci-fi tropes; does not push its characters far enough. Harmless enough. I would recommend this book to someone who’s into first-contact stories as well as apocalyptic sci-fi, but who isn’t too familiar with other texts that utilize these same tropes.
October 5, 2024
the ending of this book was leagues better than the story and it was really disappointing that it took until the very end for it to become a commentary on colonization and the inherent violence of men raised to be nothing but angry and hateful. instead it was a cheap and boring romance on which matthew and kiva did absolutely nothing that interested me
March 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how I never knew what was going to happen next. I didn't want to put the book down. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I just didn't want it to end. I was always on the edge of my seat.
April 27, 2018
I rated this book two out of five stars simply because once I got into the book I realized that the topic/idea of the book really wasn't for me. I didn't mind the writing overall but I wasn't a huge fan of the story itself.
January 20, 2020
I tore through this book. It's apocalyptic without being morose, mystical (but scientifically so), and full of thematic resonance with today's issues, sans directly addressing them. A fabulous read for all tweens and above that would inspire some complex futuristic and ethical discussions.
June 16, 2024
Good book has great pacing and was able to keep me interested and had a romance subplot that was fun to follow. The only thing I would change is I wish there was more interaction with Matthews family while they were separated
June 3, 2017
I'm not typically drawn to Science Fiction, but this book was great. I highly recommend it!
June 14, 2017
Good story and a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews