Earth Star by Janet Edwards
Synopsis:
Eighteen-year-old Jarra has a lot to prove. After being awarded one of the military’s highest honors for her role in a daring rescue attempt, she finds herself—and her Ape status—in the spotlight. Jarra is one of the unlucky few born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Derided as an “ape”—a “throwback”—by the rest of the universe, she is on a mission to prove that Earth Girls are just as good as anyone else.
Except now the planet she loves is under threat by what could be humanity’s first ever alien contact. Jarra’s bravery—and specialist knowledge—will once again be at the center of the maelstrom, but will the rest of the universe consider Earth worth fighting for?
Review:
Jarra and her boyfriend are living and studying Earth’s history as before their heroic rescue, quietly and happily. But when Earth is approached by an alien entity, Jarra is suddenly called to help the military – on a whirlwind fast track. And Jarra’s first-hand knowledge and field of study proves invaluable.
Earth Star is the second installment in the Earth Girl trilogy. Written for young adults and adults, the central character is a resilient, “handicapped” young woman set in the far future. This sequel is just as exciting and dramatic as before. Edwards’ characters are vivid and engaging. And she has created a fascinating future of instantaneous travel between worlds, where the unlucky “handicapped” are unable to leave Earth. I certainly look forward to the next in this exceptional series.