Set in an alternate timeline Earth where the space race really didn't stall, but kept on going to the stars. The Moon, Mars and Europa have all been explored and now humanity is racing towards a new home Terra Two. The British have set up an academy to train potential astronauts and six young teens are selected for a 23 year mission to Terra Two. They will be the first to arrive with their four adult companions on a new world. Right before launch tragedy strikes and a member of the team is dead. A substitute is immediately pushed through but this changes the dynamic of the team. How will they cope with their grief from not only losing their friend but from leaving behind everything they know and love?

That is the central question of this book. It is a hard one to describe. It is a space drama, but it is more about the people and the psychological effect this long journey to a new home has on them. There is not a lot of action (though there is some), but there is a lot of conflict between the characters as they work through the process of grieving their losses. The six teens are each unique and each bring their own sets of baggage along on the journey. It is an interesting look at how space travel can affect you mentally and physically. It is also a journey to the core of who each of these characters are and what their true strengths and weaknesses are.