Nyxia

Follow Emmett Atwater as he ships off into space with nine other teens, expecting a cash prize at the end of the long journey. Each teen enters the Genesis 11 with the understanding they will receive a large lump sum from the company Babel for completing the mission: mining nyxia from the planet Eden. However, the mood quickly shifts as these disadvantaged teens with complicated home lives realize that not all of them will receive the prize at the end of the ride. This is the first book in the series, and without giving too much away, much more is at stake than money: their very lives are in danger if they fail to perform during the challenges on the spaceship. Reintgan’s book Nyxia is much like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins; however, where Reintgan succeeds is in the themes conquered during this first novel. While Collins and others imposed a corrupt government or cynical villains on the protagonist, Reintgan hurls a new idea into the sphere as these kids try to fight for money. This greedy fight stems from each of their poverty and individual need for the money, from sick parents to an inability to pay the bills to just wanting to escape their current living situation. This fresh challenge alongside action-packed chapters alleviates some of the cliche nature of writing something like The Hunger Games. The diverse cast, issues dealt with, and fast plot keep the reader hooked and interested throughout.