THE ANSWER IS 17

When a lethal extraterrestrial race wreaks havoc, a Michigan teen and her dog must make the dangerous trek to a safe zone over 100 miles away in Ash’s YA SF novel.

In 2034, aliens invade Earth to plunder its supply of fresh water. Addie Moore, a bullied and friendless 17-year-old with perfect recall, is with her parents and her trusty Brittany bird dog, Gibson, at their vacation house in Manistee, Michigan. The aggressive aliens, known as “Nubees,” are tall and gray-skinned with insectile wings and doglike faces. Addie’s father, an extraterrestrial technology specialist for the U.S. Department of Defense, has planned ahead, making sure that the Moores have a well-equipped bunker. But their supplies aren’t unlimited, and 16 days in, he leaves to assess the state of things. When he doesn’t return the next morning, Addie’s mother leaves to look for him. About 10 days after that, the oxygen-pumping generator runs out of power, and Addie, carrying a backpack containing such supplies as a first aid kit and hydration packs, ventures outside with Gibson. Her goal is to make it to the safe zone in Midland, about 130 miles away. The problem is that Nubees are seemingly everywhere, and they’re fearsome hunters who kill some humans and take others captive. Addie runs into Sawyer Thompson, the son of her parents’ friends; despite their rocky start, the two decide to travel to the safe zone together. But then Sawyer is taken by the Nubees, and Addie decides that she must risk it all to save him—and possibly others. Ash’s latest novel is, at its heart, a fast-paced and gripping coming-of-age story about survival and resilience. The protagonist and her loyal, protective dog are both compelling point-of-view characters, and the author shows great skill at characterization, with even minor players engaging and distinctive. Readers will be especially intrigued—and terrified—by the Nubees, who are delightfully vicious. Devotees of survival-focused SF will also appreciate that the aliens aren’t the only threat to Addie’s and Gibson’s lives; their encounters with other humans often prove to be just as dangerous.

An expertly written SF tale that keeps the stakes high.