Wow, it's been a while since a YA title had a story and characters that didn't make me feel like I'm just getting too dang old to read about annoying teenagers. 4.5 out of 5! 

Star Splitter is a great sci-fi novel that reads exactly like it was written for its target audience, unlike a lot of YA novels these days. The story itself follows Jessica Mathers, who is reluctantly teleporting to join her parents out in space as they prepare to spend a year exploring and researching on a new planet. Only something goes wrong out there, because of course it does. 

I really enjoyed a lot about this novel. The exploration of the self vs body, the exploration of Jessica's complicated relationship with her parents, the way Jessica struggles with self-determination and self-worth and survival, it's all great. It's earnest.

There are two narrative timelines - a present and past - but that didn't bother me. One timeline went exactly as I thought it would; the mystery of what happens doesn't really feel like it's terribly mysterious. The second timeline, however, absolutely surprised me in a fantastic way. I wasn't expecting it to go where it did and explore the themes and story that it did, and I really liked it.

Star Splitter is a great pure sci-fi space and survival story that is perfect for teens, and I think enjoyable for any adult sci-fi reader as well.