I was looking forward to reading this one so I was delighted to be approved. Do You Dream of Terra-Two? was a really character-driven book, with more focus on the effects of a mission to a new planet on those that were undertaking it than anything else. I was interested to see what would happen, but I found my interest was waning the further in I got. It’s quite a long book, and while some things happen that accelerate the tension, I just found it a bit hard going at times, that being said, it’s well written and it was an interesting concept. I enjoyed it!

There was a lot to like about this novel: interesting characters and a fresh take on the generation ship story. However, I felt that the story did slow considerably after the first 100 pages, and given the number of POVs you never got as much time with the really interesting characters, Juno, Polly and Eliot, as I wanted. I also felt that the characters arc’s were largely internal, so some of their decisions felt under explained.

If you enjoyed this you’d probably also like Noumenon by Marina Lostetter, The Loneliness of Distant Beings by Kate Ling, Journey into Space by Toby Litt and The Wanderers by Meg Howrey.

I was curious about this book since the moment I read its blurb. I enjoyed joining Juno, Henry, Poppy and all the others on their trip to Terra Two. I especially liked how the reader could really understand all the teenagers' feelings and thoughts as the story is told from changing perspectives. All the characters are written really well and the whole scenery, especially inside the space ship Damocles, makes the reader feel like he's right next to them, travelling into space too. Reading this book made me think if a scenario like this might not happen some day. The end was quite open and we only know what happens to Astrid and Henry but not to the rest of the crew, which leaves space for your own imagination.
All in all, I can definitely recommend this book.

I loved this book. I enjoyed the concept and I would have loved to have been chosen to venture into the stars to another planet. I enjoyed reading about the characters, Although it did ramble on a bit and feel it could have been edited further. Having said that, the story will stay with me for a long time into the future. Great.

Do You Dream of Terra-two succeeds both as a great sci-fi story and a brilliant drama. The novel is told from the perspectives of all of the young characters as they develop and mature on their adventure. The young people are the Beta, part of a manned mission to colonize an earth-like planet. The trip will take 23 years and they will take over from the older Alpha crew to establish the settlement on Terra-two. Each one has been picked after a rigorous selection process that has pitted them against each other. Within the Beta, there are Alphas.
The journey is possible through new technology that allows the ship to travel at high speeds. The 23 year long voyage , however, has a magical dreamlike quality. The planet was discovered by a mysterious eccentric who had weirdly accurate dreams about it. The sci-fi takes a back seat to the relationships between the protagonists, allowing the reader to experience the weirdness and claustrophobia of the trip. Even though you expect things to go wrong in this story, they still wrong foot you when they do, and take the story in new and exciting directions.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to the inevitable movie.

You know when you get near the end of a book and you’re just so in love with the characters and so invested in their journey and you have to keep putting it down so it’ll last longer and you don’t have to say goodbye? That’s what happened to me with Terra-Two.

An epic character driven sci-fi, we join six teenagers who have been selected to join four veteran astronauts on a 23 year long journey to a new earth. The science in the book is so well researched (I was not surprised to find out the author did a neuroscience degree) but it never becomes overwhelmingly technical or difficult to follow. The reality of space travel is incredibly intense but this is balanced perfectly with some really in depth character driven drama. I fell a bit in love with everyone on board, from the prickly doctor to the apparently arrogant Harry. I don’t want to say more for fear of ruining the book but I highly recommend this, the characters are all so well-rounded and diverse and I rooted for all of them on this most epic of journeys.

(Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

A great story told in a clever way, and a brilliant read.

In some ways it's difficult to review this book without spoiling the surprises and discoveries for other readers, Set in a version of 2012 that is not hugely removed from historical fact has allowed the author to make the story relevant to the immediate present whist accounting for the technological changes that are needed to move the story forward. This is a very clever move that lets the readers grasp the world these characters live in as our own, but allows for the development of the story. The basic premise is of a small group of young people heading to a an earth like planet along with experienced astronauts, to act as an advance party for larger colonisations. It concentrates very much on the interactions of the characters rather than the technology, and how they react to each other in a stressful environment.

For me, a lot of the characters were inherently dislikable. However, as the story moves on it's very obvious that this is deliberate, and the complicated and flawed nature of the crew becomes more and more obvious as the book moves on. It's only towards the end that the reader can see why the character act the way they do, why they decided to give up their normal lives for this mission and why they were selected to undertake it. By the end of the book my opinion of each person had changed, and I each one had undergone a dramatic change that seemed natural as the story progressed.

I don't want to say any more for fear of spoiling it, but it's a fascinating character study and a thought provoking read. I hope the book does well and I get to read more from Temi Oh.

I’m in love with this book.

It is a hugely compelling character driven drama, from the feet on the ground to the start of an epic journey through space, by the time you come to the end of this gorgeously immersive debut you will almost certainly be dreaming of Terra-Two.

Mere children still when they start their training, Harry, Jesse, Juno, Astrid, Aria Eliot and Poppy have different feelings and reasons for their determination to be part of the beta crew who will spend over two decades in space attempting to colonise a new earth. Revered by the nation, thrown into the spotlight, all of this has an affect on their psyche. Temi Oh is a brilliantly descriptive writer when it comes to characterisation and interaction- you will be absorbed into their world, living and dying with them through every up and down.

As alliances grow and develop, as actions and consequences abound in various ways, as this small gang of pioneer’s go from being classmates among many to only having themselves and each other to rely on, you’ll be hooked, emotional and devouring every page. Do You Dream of Terra-Two is a very human story, in a lot of ways the fact that it is set in space is almost a secondary concern.

What it does is give the author a unique set of challenges and moral dilemma’s to throw at her group dynamic and within that explore every aspect of humanity and personality.

It is a beautiful, sprawling, literary delight with an unforgettable cast undertaking an unforgettable journey.

Completely brilliant, insightful and melancholy, this is a stunning debut and I adored every damned fine moment of it.

Highly Recommended.