This Splintered Silence - by Kayla Olson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the author of The Sandcastle Empire comes a sci-fi thriller that's equal parts Illuminae and One of Us Is Lying.

Lindley Hamilton has been the leader of the space station Lusca since every first generation crew member on board, including her mother, the commander, was killed by a deadly virus.

Lindley always assumed she'd captain the Lusca one day, but she never thought that day would come so soon. And she never thought it would be like this--struggling to survive every day, learning how to keep the Lusca running, figuring out how to communicate with Earth, making sure they don't run out of food.

When a member of the surviving second generation dies from symptoms that look just like the deadly virus, though, Lindley feels her world shrinking even smaller. And as more people die, Lindley must face the terrifying reality--that either the virus has mutated, or one of their own is a killer.

• Murder Mystery in Space: Lindley Hamilton has a station to run and a killer to find. Paranoia is spreading as fast as the body count, and no one is safe.
• One of Us Is a Killer: With the adults gone, the surviving teens are all suspects. The closer Lindley gets to the truth, the more she realizes the killer might be someone she trusts.
• Reluctant Teen Leader: She never wanted to be commander this soon. Now, Lindley must fight to keep her crew alive while battling her own grief and self-doubt.
• Claustrophobic Atmosphere: Trapped on the space station Lusca millions of miles from Earth, every shadow could hide a threat and every quiet corridor echoes with suspicion.

Review Quotes

"Olson's writing is haunting and devastating, and she expertly captures the raw emotions of her characters. [She] does an excellent job portraying grief in all its forms." - Booklist

"Olson's setting is the perfect backdrop for this plot. The characters have plenty of room in which to explore, keep secrets, and break the rules... Teens running a community with no adults is bound to lead to some excitement. A great addition to any YA sci-fi collection." - School Library Journal

Praise for The Sandcastle Empire: "The Maze Runner meets Lost in this near-future sci-fi thriller that twists and turns all the way to the heart-pounding end!" - Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe series and A World Without You

"The novel is in turns wistful and poetic. Filled with interesting characters and difficult scenarios, this debut is designed to leave readers thinking." - Kirkus Reviews

"First-time author Olson creates a memorable mix of social upheaval, survival story, and trust issues." - Booklist

"Readers will enjoy sinking into the thoughtfully constructed details of Olson's ravaged future Earth, as well as a number of terrifying action sequences that build to a game-changing twist." - Publishers Weekly

"Readers who enjoy stories of adventure and exploration will appreciate the trials that Eden must endure as she explores the island." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"Both poetic and pulse-pounding, This Splintered Silence weaves intrigue, mystery, and romance into an unputdownable sci-fi thriller." - Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying