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The Pioneer #2
The Survivor
Earth is uninhabitable. Tau is our home now.
With that terrifying message, Jo and her family learned the truth: They are trapped forever on Tau Ceti e.
But the planet’s current occupants—the Sorrow—are not interested in sharing. The fragile peace Jo negotiated abruptly shatters, and soon a bloody battle is raging between the Sorrow and the Pioneers. As tensions rise, the survival of everyone Jo cares for seems less likely by the second.
When a betrayal that shocks Jo to her core threatens to wipe out both Sorrow and human life, Jo must find the strength to speak up once more—and bridge the gaps between all the warring factions—or lose forever the only home left to her.
With that terrifying message, Jo and her family learned the truth: They are trapped forever on Tau Ceti e.
But the planet’s current occupants—the Sorrow—are not interested in sharing. The fragile peace Jo negotiated abruptly shatters, and soon a bloody battle is raging between the Sorrow and the Pioneers. As tensions rise, the survival of everyone Jo cares for seems less likely by the second.
When a betrayal that shocks Jo to her core threatens to wipe out both Sorrow and human life, Jo must find the strength to speak up once more—and bridge the gaps between all the warring factions—or lose forever the only home left to her.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2020
9 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Bridget Tyler
4 books87 followersI grew up in Berkeley, California in a house filled with books. I started telling stories before I could read, so my mother took dictation until I learned how to turn the words in my head into words on a page. She knew I was going to be a writer when I grew up, but it took me a while to catch up.
THE PIONEER is about a young woman struggling to deal with the loss of her beloved big brother while her family fights to survive on a brand new planet. It will be published by HarperTeen in March of 2019.
These days, I live in Oregon with my husband, a Robotics professor at Oregon State University, and my daughter, a toddler who loves to sing.
THE PIONEER is about a young woman struggling to deal with the loss of her beloved big brother while her family fights to survive on a brand new planet. It will be published by HarperTeen in March of 2019.
These days, I live in Oregon with my husband, a Robotics professor at Oregon State University, and my daughter, a toddler who loves to sing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 10, 2020
Such a good duology, I loved how alien the other species were, and the conflict between 2 races trying to protect their future. Sentient alien plant species will never not be cool, especially when one is phytoraptors 🦖🌻
March 30, 2020
I like this series so much. I hope there's going to be another one. If you're a fan of Lost In Space on Netflix, you'll love getting lost with Jo and her companions. Danger! Danger!
February 23, 2020
I've used the opening of this book as an example for creative writing workshops. That's how good Tyler is at setting a scene, building character, and delivering action all at once.
The Survivor has everything The Pioneer had (read my review here) and more. With a clever flipping of stakes at the beginning, a new baddie with a complicated relationship to Joanna, a steamroll of a plot that hooks you and doesn't let go--this one builds on what began in Pioneer and then takes it up a notch. The gang is back (shout out to my favorite BF Jay and Jo's mom, hard-pressed commander) grappling with their new position as refugees and sole survivors of the human race on an alien planet. Human-Sorrow relations are explored with nuance and depth as tensions escalate; the moment the young people reject their elders' pessimism for a better solution is a fist-pump of a moment. This one is breakneak and also thoughtful, heartclenching and also fun. Don't miss.
The Survivor has everything The Pioneer had (read my review here) and more. With a clever flipping of stakes at the beginning, a new baddie with a complicated relationship to Joanna, a steamroll of a plot that hooks you and doesn't let go--this one builds on what began in Pioneer and then takes it up a notch. The gang is back (shout out to my favorite BF Jay and Jo's mom, hard-pressed commander) grappling with their new position as refugees and sole survivors of the human race on an alien planet. Human-Sorrow relations are explored with nuance and depth as tensions escalate; the moment the young people reject their elders' pessimism for a better solution is a fist-pump of a moment. This one is breakneak and also thoughtful, heartclenching and also fun. Don't miss.
September 16, 2020
I really liked this book, and found it a solid sequel to The Pioneer with a satisfying ending for this duology, as it seems unlikely there’ll be more in this series.
My biggest and pretty much only complaint is all the distracting editorial errors, especially in the first half of the book! Errors like typos, missing words, and misspellings yank me right out of the story, which sucks when you want to be immersed in the world an author has created! Makes me really curious about the editorial process, too, bc these errors are so incredibly glaring to me that it’s hard to believe they were missed.
Enough of that. These two books are solid sci-fi offerings for teens of all ages. There’s minimal language, no sex (though some steamy kissing), and plenty of adventure, along with fascinating aliens and situations that give rise to many philosophical debates about morality, colonization, survival, species/races coexisting, power, leadership, following and rebelling... good stuff!
My biggest and pretty much only complaint is all the distracting editorial errors, especially in the first half of the book! Errors like typos, missing words, and misspellings yank me right out of the story, which sucks when you want to be immersed in the world an author has created! Makes me really curious about the editorial process, too, bc these errors are so incredibly glaring to me that it’s hard to believe they were missed.
Enough of that. These two books are solid sci-fi offerings for teens of all ages. There’s minimal language, no sex (though some steamy kissing), and plenty of adventure, along with fascinating aliens and situations that give rise to many philosophical debates about morality, colonization, survival, species/races coexisting, power, leadership, following and rebelling... good stuff!
April 10, 2020
I read The Survivor in one sitting. It was that good! I loved Tau so much, so coming back to this world was definitely fun and the way the characters not only fight for humanity but the definition of what humanity means, it was truly beautiful. The unitity between the species, the theme of everything happens for a reason and just when I thought I'd seen all of Tau, I was mind blown as the author opened the door to some truly scary yet insanely intersting plant life and gave us even more of the breathtaking world. It was all so beautifully written!
I was so emersed in the story, I lost track of time as I flew through the pages. Also, I never listen to music while I read, but I listened to the Interstellar soundtrack on a loop while I read and it was the perfect soundtrack to listen to while reading this book!
I was so emersed in the story, I lost track of time as I flew through the pages. Also, I never listen to music while I read, but I listened to the Interstellar soundtrack on a loop while I read and it was the perfect soundtrack to listen to while reading this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
Soooo good. Please write more sci-fi, Bridget? 🙏🏻
April 19, 2023
Book Review: The Survivor Book 2 by Bridget Tyler
Tears: 💧
Overall Rating: ♥️♥️♥️
In The Survivor, we begin with the shocking news that Earth is gone, no longer inhabitable, and the surprise entrance of Joanna’s grandfather, the admiral. With the uneasy truce with the Shadow hanging in the midst, 10,000 people are waiting to be awoken and transported to Tau Ceti E. With new arrivals, come new expectations and challenges. Their goal: how do you find peace on a planet with natives that want you gone and an ecosystem that is out to kill you?
Character Analysis (The following sections DO contain SPOILERS for the book):
Joanna Watson
Even though book two continues directly after book one, I still feel as though Joanna’s character has aged a few years. She doesn’t feel like the adventure-craving teen that she was. I feel that we get a closer look into how the events of book one are starting to affect her and a majority of the other characters. Even though The Shadow healed her disability physically, she struggles emotionally throughout the book, especially with Grandpa’s decisions later in the book. I wanted to see more of her relationship with Jay.
Mother (Commander Watson)
I feel that Mom’s personality took a huge turn from book one. In book one, she seemed to be a very confident, and logical woman that was able to completely shut out emotion to do what she needed to do even if it seemed to be wrong or deceptive. In book two, she closed herself out and is forced to let go of control. I found this fact to be very sad! She put so much hard work and effort into creating a fraction of peace with the phytoraptors and the Shadow. In a way, we are able to see glimpses of reality in a science fiction/fantasy novel. I feel that Commander Watson became one of my favorite characters in this book because the author was able to make her into a relatable character that has been too strong for too long. She saw the outcome of the choices she had made AND was willing to stand up and accept these consequences. Mom’s farewell message to Joanna and Beth at the end of the book KILLED me. I didn’t find this book to be very emotional, but I was definitely sad at that moment.
Grandpa
Where do I begin?
I started out thinking that Grandpa was going to be the mediator and the hero of this story that would find a way to create peace between the native species and the humans. I even thought I saw this hope in quotes like, “I need to see this world through your eyes. To understand it so that I can build a place for us here.” (page 65) Although, in hindsight, I can see that his whole intention was to LITERALLY create a new place for them, which included annihilating the natives while… permanently . . . (and) fatally. . . removing anyone who disagreed with him. The fact that Grandpa LIVES after trying to kill his own family STILL bothers me! I guess this is where I expect too much logic in a science fiction book.
Shelby
Shelby irritates me.
I was very indecisive about my opinion of her throughout the ENTIRE book! Like, no joke up until the last 5 or so chapters. I do not like her jobs and slang terms for the native species on the planet. I also didn’t like that she was showing off her soldiers and military powers within the first few chapters. I do have to say, she loved her soldiers dearly and cared for them, even to a fault. She was willing to do ANYTHING for them, which included blindly aiding a crazy old man in trying to kill the only family left in the universe. DESPITE ALL THIS, I love how the author allowed this character to come full circle at the end of the story. This was one of the few story arcs that I felt were closed by the end of the book.
Tarn
I wanted more of Tarn. I was so moved by his ability to mourn with Joanna at the news of the destruction of Earth and it bothered me that NO ONE including Joanna picked up on this. I understand that She was uncertain about how he would react, but I thought she would have valued their history in book one enough to see that he cared for her enough to NOT KILL HER! I LOVED the hints and Nor and Tarn’s developing relationship. I want MORE! I savored any crumb of fluff or bubbling romance I could get. Alas, this was a story arc that was introduced but never pursued. Speaking of unfinished arcs, the bombshell news of Tarn possibly being challenged was scary as a reader (especially knowing the author’s love for plot twists). But, again, I didn’t get the resolution I was hoping for.
Why my score of 3/5?
I love this duology and REALLY wish it were a trilogy. I feel that this book was set up more as a second book to a trilogy rather than the ending of a duology. There were several story arcs that didn’t receive the conclusion I was hoping for (or a conclusion at all) and it felt as though the book was left on another cliffhanger. This worked great for book one (The Pioneer) because there was another book following it, however, we don’t have the promise of a book three.
Tears: 💧
Overall Rating: ♥️♥️♥️
In The Survivor, we begin with the shocking news that Earth is gone, no longer inhabitable, and the surprise entrance of Joanna’s grandfather, the admiral. With the uneasy truce with the Shadow hanging in the midst, 10,000 people are waiting to be awoken and transported to Tau Ceti E. With new arrivals, come new expectations and challenges. Their goal: how do you find peace on a planet with natives that want you gone and an ecosystem that is out to kill you?
Character Analysis (The following sections DO contain SPOILERS for the book):
Joanna Watson
Even though book two continues directly after book one, I still feel as though Joanna’s character has aged a few years. She doesn’t feel like the adventure-craving teen that she was. I feel that we get a closer look into how the events of book one are starting to affect her and a majority of the other characters. Even though The Shadow healed her disability physically, she struggles emotionally throughout the book, especially with Grandpa’s decisions later in the book. I wanted to see more of her relationship with Jay.
Mother (Commander Watson)
I feel that Mom’s personality took a huge turn from book one. In book one, she seemed to be a very confident, and logical woman that was able to completely shut out emotion to do what she needed to do even if it seemed to be wrong or deceptive. In book two, she closed herself out and is forced to let go of control. I found this fact to be very sad! She put so much hard work and effort into creating a fraction of peace with the phytoraptors and the Shadow. In a way, we are able to see glimpses of reality in a science fiction/fantasy novel. I feel that Commander Watson became one of my favorite characters in this book because the author was able to make her into a relatable character that has been too strong for too long. She saw the outcome of the choices she had made AND was willing to stand up and accept these consequences. Mom’s farewell message to Joanna and Beth at the end of the book KILLED me. I didn’t find this book to be very emotional, but I was definitely sad at that moment.
Grandpa
Where do I begin?
I started out thinking that Grandpa was going to be the mediator and the hero of this story that would find a way to create peace between the native species and the humans. I even thought I saw this hope in quotes like, “I need to see this world through your eyes. To understand it so that I can build a place for us here.” (page 65) Although, in hindsight, I can see that his whole intention was to LITERALLY create a new place for them, which included annihilating the natives while… permanently . . . (and) fatally. . . removing anyone who disagreed with him. The fact that Grandpa LIVES after trying to kill his own family STILL bothers me! I guess this is where I expect too much logic in a science fiction book.
Shelby
Shelby irritates me.
I was very indecisive about my opinion of her throughout the ENTIRE book! Like, no joke up until the last 5 or so chapters. I do not like her jobs and slang terms for the native species on the planet. I also didn’t like that she was showing off her soldiers and military powers within the first few chapters. I do have to say, she loved her soldiers dearly and cared for them, even to a fault. She was willing to do ANYTHING for them, which included blindly aiding a crazy old man in trying to kill the only family left in the universe. DESPITE ALL THIS, I love how the author allowed this character to come full circle at the end of the story. This was one of the few story arcs that I felt were closed by the end of the book.
Tarn
I wanted more of Tarn. I was so moved by his ability to mourn with Joanna at the news of the destruction of Earth and it bothered me that NO ONE including Joanna picked up on this. I understand that She was uncertain about how he would react, but I thought she would have valued their history in book one enough to see that he cared for her enough to NOT KILL HER! I LOVED the hints and Nor and Tarn’s developing relationship. I want MORE! I savored any crumb of fluff or bubbling romance I could get. Alas, this was a story arc that was introduced but never pursued. Speaking of unfinished arcs, the bombshell news of Tarn possibly being challenged was scary as a reader (especially knowing the author’s love for plot twists). But, again, I didn’t get the resolution I was hoping for.
Why my score of 3/5?
I love this duology and REALLY wish it were a trilogy. I feel that this book was set up more as a second book to a trilogy rather than the ending of a duology. There were several story arcs that didn’t receive the conclusion I was hoping for (or a conclusion at all) and it felt as though the book was left on another cliffhanger. This worked great for book one (The Pioneer) because there was another book following it, however, we don’t have the promise of a book three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2021
I really liked the first book, I read it in one sitting, but this one took me a lot longer to get through. I didn’t agree with a lot of the choices being made by the characters at the beginning and just like didn’t see a satisfying end in sight. But once I finished it there were parts I ended up liking, especially the discussions of grief and redemption.
I also liked the sentiment that each choice of kindness or harm we make has implications that radiate into the future and influence the choices of others. The book was also a good depiction of just the depths a person can fall to to maintain power and a public image/to keep a secret. The story really captures the awkwardness of young love, which had its good and bad sides.
I still really like way the story is shaped by trauma and I enjoy the emotional landscape of the other species. The book definitely doesn’t make war look good. I also think it’s sweet how much faith this book has in young people.
That’s kind of all I have to say on it, not a bad book, but just found it tough to get into for a while, and struggled with connecting with the characters for a good chunk of it. There’s a fair chance I’d like this book more on the reread, now that I know how things worked out.
I also liked the sentiment that each choice of kindness or harm we make has implications that radiate into the future and influence the choices of others. The book was also a good depiction of just the depths a person can fall to to maintain power and a public image/to keep a secret. The story really captures the awkwardness of young love, which had its good and bad sides.
I still really like way the story is shaped by trauma and I enjoy the emotional landscape of the other species. The book definitely doesn’t make war look good. I also think it’s sweet how much faith this book has in young people.
That’s kind of all I have to say on it, not a bad book, but just found it tough to get into for a while, and struggled with connecting with the characters for a good chunk of it. There’s a fair chance I’d like this book more on the reread, now that I know how things worked out.
November 26, 2020
Eat dust, Amie Kaufman!
As a duology (apparently not a real word) instead of a trilogy, the story stayed tight and action packed the whole time. (At least, I’m assuming it’s only two books... I could totally go for a third.)
Some new angles and different elements to the space opera/colonization-of-another-planet plot line made the story fresh.
And yet at the same time, there were some moments where I was thinking “Get real. Like anyone can save the world that many times in a day,” while being fully engaged in that suspension of disbelief that gave it absolute credibility.
Of all the books I’ve read like it, this is the series that actually might translate pretty well on film. It’s got that sort of cheesy, human interest vibe where the audience sees the possibly dire ramifications of society in our current trajectory, but leaves happy and satisfied because the power of the human spirit will always come through in the end. You’re eating it up like a whole bag of tasty potato chips, trying to justify it because they’re from a vegetable. So dumb, but sooo good. I guess the term I’m looking for here is guilty pleasure. Delicious!
As a duology (apparently not a real word) instead of a trilogy, the story stayed tight and action packed the whole time. (At least, I’m assuming it’s only two books... I could totally go for a third.)
Some new angles and different elements to the space opera/colonization-of-another-planet plot line made the story fresh.
And yet at the same time, there were some moments where I was thinking “Get real. Like anyone can save the world that many times in a day,” while being fully engaged in that suspension of disbelief that gave it absolute credibility.
Of all the books I’ve read like it, this is the series that actually might translate pretty well on film. It’s got that sort of cheesy, human interest vibe where the audience sees the possibly dire ramifications of society in our current trajectory, but leaves happy and satisfied because the power of the human spirit will always come through in the end. You’re eating it up like a whole bag of tasty potato chips, trying to justify it because they’re from a vegetable. So dumb, but sooo good. I guess the term I’m looking for here is guilty pleasure. Delicious!
May 19, 2020
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did The Pioneer (and I'm still wondering how much of that was the reading on my phone element), but this is still a great scifi adventure! Things become even more complicated on Tau with the arrival of Earth's last survivors - and Joanna's grandfather. This was a great adventure with lots of 'living on another planet' dangers that the characters had to navigate. And not all of the dangers actually came from said planet. This book took a turn, focusing more on humanity, right & wrong and the broader impacts of colonialism as well. Still, a LOT of adventure, with characters having to make often difficult choices.
My only complaint is that I wanted just a little MORE of an ending... but I can live with that.
This is definitely a duology I will be recommending often, and one I can see YA readers devouring.
My only complaint is that I wanted just a little MORE of an ending... but I can live with that.
This is definitely a duology I will be recommending often, and one I can see YA readers devouring.
January 29, 2022
I really enjoyed the first book (hence reading the 2nd in the duology). It was a terrific debut, but this one is even better.
It's action-packed and exciting, and it still managed to confront moral dilemmas while showing the reader to keep striving for a better world and better solutions. The characters and situations were complex and multifaceted. And while it was not happily-ever-after, it did come to a satisfying ending.
It's a book that will stick with me.
(I think the author writes believably because she is a robotics professor.)
Some quotes I liked:
"Consequences suck!" (page 61)
"You're a child," he snarls. "You don't know the meaning of the word atrocity. I do. God help me. But you...You. Know. Nothing." (page 266)
"I know we can do better than this."
(Tarn) "But wearing this mantle means I must do what is right for my people. That isn't always the same as what is right." (page 280)
(Jo) "But you're not going to help us because it's right. You're going to help us because it's better."
It's action-packed and exciting, and it still managed to confront moral dilemmas while showing the reader to keep striving for a better world and better solutions. The characters and situations were complex and multifaceted. And while it was not happily-ever-after, it did come to a satisfying ending.
It's a book that will stick with me.
(I think the author writes believably because she is a robotics professor.)
Some quotes I liked:
"Consequences suck!" (page 61)
"You're a child," he snarls. "You don't know the meaning of the word atrocity. I do. God help me. But you...You. Know. Nothing." (page 266)
"I know we can do better than this."
(Tarn) "But wearing this mantle means I must do what is right for my people. That isn't always the same as what is right." (page 280)
(Jo) "But you're not going to help us because it's right. You're going to help us because it's better."
January 22, 2022
This book was more violent than the first one, but more fun to read. The healing abilities of the humans made this more repetitive though. The different natives of Tau get explored a lot more. Including the non-intelligent ones. The "bad guy" has enough depth to be interesting. I like that Ord was a well fleshed out character.
I enjoyed reading how they make use of 3D printing. Being able to travel with loads of "raw" and instantly recycle it is great. Although the idea of not cleaning dishes and printing them each time seems like a waste of energy.
Like the previous book it wrapped up nicely and then had another last minute ending. This one wasn't a cliffhanger though.
I enjoyed reading how they make use of 3D printing. Being able to travel with loads of "raw" and instantly recycle it is great. Although the idea of not cleaning dishes and printing them each time seems like a waste of energy.
Like the previous book it wrapped up nicely and then had another last minute ending. This one wasn't a cliffhanger though.
April 10, 2020
I think the real problem I have with this series it that NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE RECOGNIZE HOW AMAZING IT IS!
Seriously. Action packed, quick paced, you can't put it down, unique, absolutely everything you want in a series. Things just flooded back to me from the first book as I read it, and I want more. Now. People go buy this book so something crazy doesn't happen like the author not getting to write absolutely whatever she wants whenever she wants.
My apologies for just now reviewing it when I read it as soon as I got it the week it came out.
Seriously. Action packed, quick paced, you can't put it down, unique, absolutely everything you want in a series. Things just flooded back to me from the first book as I read it, and I want more. Now. People go buy this book so something crazy doesn't happen like the author not getting to write absolutely whatever she wants whenever she wants.
My apologies for just now reviewing it when I read it as soon as I got it the week it came out.
June 18, 2020
An explosive second book in this incredible space opera. The beginning starts with a life or death situation where our heroine must repair a ship before it explodes into Tau and causes an extinction level event. Joanna is tough, but she's also traumatized after everything that happened to her brother, to her family, and on Tau. Can she overcome her fears and mistakes to become who she needs to be? To save the human race? To save the indigenous creatures of Tau?
A fantastic duology with high level stakes, excellent plotting, and the perfect amount of romance.
A fantastic duology with high level stakes, excellent plotting, and the perfect amount of romance.
April 28, 2024
A great finish with such a good conclusion! Where the first one dragged and got bogged down a tad this one was non stop action! The resolution was perfect, Joanna is a beautiful written character and Tau seems just as amazing to us readers as she thinks it is. The only thing that is slightly funny is Shelby. Her dialogue is a bit hilarious and cringey but hey every charter can’t be amazing. A solid finish and I enjoyed this duology!
April 7, 2020
A dandy, often violent finish to this two book series. Book one created an interesting universe, even more interesting species, and a very likable protagonist. This one solidified all that while hauling readers through some toe-curling situations, leaving the protagonists facing more than one 'just in the nick of time' situations. A fine story with a great ending.
May 3, 2021
This sequel to The Pioneer was fast paced and full of surprises. Jo, her family, and the other survivors of Earth are stuck on the planet Tau Ceti e. The main problem is that the natives of the planet are hostile and do not want them there. Jo has to make hard decisions of who to trust and how far to go to ensure the safety of everyone.
December 18, 2022
I completely enjoyed this duology! I very much love colonization stories but it's so hard to find ones that aren't overly preaching. This one struck up the right amount of nuance in every way... it showed the faults of humanity but also their ingenuity. It didn't make the aliens this perfect race that understood everything and were in complete harmony with nature... it was nice.
April 20, 2020
After loving the first book, this fell flat for me. There's none of the tension of the first book as all conflict feels incredibly manufactured in this one? It also feels like Tyler wants to salvage every character they've created instead of creating a villain, making things ring a little false.
August 5, 2020
Actually better than the first book?? Went way more into the ethical implications of living on this world and interacting with the inhabitants. It finished well, but there's space for another sequel and I'm really hoping to get one!
January 1, 2021
An absolutely phenomenal sequel I’m not embarrassed to say this one really made me cry. A testament to the pain, fear, and horrors humanity is capable of, this novel opened my eyes to the truth of human nature.
April 10, 2020
This was an okay follow up. I felt like the plot went round and round a bit and overall the story dragged.
May 6, 2020
Unputdownable! This sci-fi adventure features vivid world building, powerful suspense, and a compelling, nuanced heroine. Strongly recommended!
November 8, 2021
I absolutely love this duology. It was so fun and Jesse Vilinsky always delivers in her audio performance.
April 14, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this
July 25, 2024
dnfed at page 68 and i wont be picking it up . i just lost interest altogether
February 27, 2021
The fragile peace Jo negotiated abruptly shatters, and soon a bloody battle is raging between the Sorrow and the Pioneers. As tensions rise, the survival of everyone Jo cares for seems less likely by the second.
May 15, 2022
I picked the first book of this series on the recommendation of an on-line influencer, mother of middle school and high school aged boys. She claimed the boys could not put the book down and neither could she. I love me some JA dystopian sci fi (Hunger Games, anyone?) but this was not as awesome as many others in this genre. However, the book does not shy away from true moral conundrums, and in this sequel the female protagonist is less self-centered, irritating and unlikeable. Instead, her character matures a bit, likely largely due to the serious moral dilemma she uncovers in the first book. How she tries to navigate between two very compelling narratives which of course dictate contradictory decisions is admirable. Like the first book, the set up is contrived but the book's strength is getting the readers (junior adults - an impressionable age) to think about difficult issues surrounding colonialism, indigenous rights and impossibly irreversible situations.
February 11, 2024
Fantastic follow up to Pioneer. I have to say I loved The Survivor every bit as much as the first novel. Tyler elevates the story she so captivatingly began in The Pioneer, exploring the depths of human resilience, the complexities of leadership, and the delicate balance between survival and stewardship.
As Tyler delves deeper into the moral quandaries of colonization, she also makes the story more personal to Jo, and through her to Tyler's readers. The arrival of a new ship from Earth introduces a fresh set of challenges beyond Jo’s control that will force her to break a promise she wants desperately to keep. Jo finds herself once again at the heart of the storm, her goals and beliefs tested by the competing interests and ideals of the newcomers, her friends, and the Sorrow. The ethical dilemmas, the tension between the needs of the many and the few, and Jo’s quest for harmony simultaneously make you think and break your heart.
The world Tyler has built expands beautifully in this sequel, offering a richer exploration of the deadly alien landscape that only adds to the complexities of the story. Jo and her friends must deal with the ethical dilemmas they encounters while also struggling to survive. Only thing I missed was an opportunity to see continued development of the phytoraptors.
In the end, The Survivor is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the importance of family, and the unyielding human drive to seek a better world and future, not just for ourselves but for others. Bridget Tyler has crafted an example of young adult science fiction at its best; an essential read for those who look to the stars and dare to dream of better.
As Tyler delves deeper into the moral quandaries of colonization, she also makes the story more personal to Jo, and through her to Tyler's readers. The arrival of a new ship from Earth introduces a fresh set of challenges beyond Jo’s control that will force her to break a promise she wants desperately to keep. Jo finds herself once again at the heart of the storm, her goals and beliefs tested by the competing interests and ideals of the newcomers, her friends, and the Sorrow. The ethical dilemmas, the tension between the needs of the many and the few, and Jo’s quest for harmony simultaneously make you think and break your heart.
The world Tyler has built expands beautifully in this sequel, offering a richer exploration of the deadly alien landscape that only adds to the complexities of the story. Jo and her friends must deal with the ethical dilemmas they encounters while also struggling to survive. Only thing I missed was an opportunity to see continued development of the phytoraptors.
In the end, The Survivor is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the importance of family, and the unyielding human drive to seek a better world and future, not just for ourselves but for others. Bridget Tyler has crafted an example of young adult science fiction at its best; an essential read for those who look to the stars and dare to dream of better.
August 15, 2023
Fantastic sequel, I loved everything that happened, the various moral dilemmas. Such a great read and end to the duology!
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