This is exciting -- the release of the first in the new "Shadowside" series for YA (teen) readers. The book is called TRION RISING, and the "Trion" refers to the name of a three-star solar system. Can you tell this is sci-fi? It's also fantasy, I suppose, with a dose of biblical allegory. The idea is to capture the imagination of young readers who enjoy this kind of story, while not overwhelming them with too much sci-fi flavor. Sci-fi lite, perhaps.
In any case, this is the story of Oriannon, a 15-year-old girl who lives on a planet where one side is perpetually in the light, and the other side always in the dark. She and her friend Margus live a life of privilege, without too many challenges in life, until a very different music teacher arrives to literally rock her world. The allegory will become evident to Christian readers, while non-believers will enjoy the story, too.
This is a full-length, 342-page, all-out adventure and I'm very excited about it. Book 2 is due out in the fall, while Book 3 is scheduled for release next May. If you know any teens who are looking for good reading alternatives, please let them know. Or hey, maybe you'd like a good sci-fi adventure, yourself!