The Surface Trials - by H M Waugh (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Kids join an intergalactic, televised survival contest to secure their futures, only for the competition site--a hazardous, uninhabited planet--to quickly gain the upper hand in this pulse-pounding middle grade sci-fi adventure.

Starquest Academy only admits the smartest and most daring kids in the galaxy--the ones who win the Surface Trials. Broadcast to millions, this cutthroat competition brings squads of academy hopefuls to an uninhabited planet where they have three days to solve the clues and reach the finish line.

For Amethyst Antares, Starquest Academy offers an escape. After her planet's radiation gave some people dangerous mental powers, her home world feels like a prison, and admission to the academy is one of the few ways out. For Rian--the uber-famous and expertly-disguised heir to the universe's two greatest dynasties--failure at the Surface Trials is absolutely not an option. And Deneb? Well, he's an outlier.

But this year, not everything goes to plan, and Amethyst and her squad find themselves playing for more than Starquest admission. To survive, they'll have to outsmart carnivorous creatures, share dangerous secrets, maintain trust, and embrace the most shocking truth in the galaxy.

Review Quotes

"Nuanced characters grapple with conflict and reconciliation as they cultivate steadfast friendships and strive to build better futures for themselves. Evocative and imaginatively described worldbuilding fuels a tense, action-driven plot, while fraught subject matter is lightened by breezy and accessible narration. The result is a satisfying gateway to science fiction thrills."--Publishers Weekly "8/31/2026"

About the Author

H. M. Waugh is a children's author, educator, and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places and outdoor adventures. She has been kidnapped twice, handled dragons for a job, and dreams of one day blasting into space. Her books mix humor, danger, and friendship with a dash of science and imagination.