Terraformer is a young adult science fiction/ dystopian novel by Colleen Houck. Terraformer is not like the typical books that I normally read. I don't read too many science fictions stories anymore, but I enjoyed this book, and it makes me want to venture outside of my comfort zone and read more dystopians and sci fis. (leave me recs of your favorites in the comments below!)

In Terraformer, our main character Astra boards a ship with her parents to travel to a distant planet, Crillain IV. The planet was supposed to be barren when they arrived, but instead they found it full of all kinds of plants, and covered with a lush forest. The world descriptions were interesting. The book is set in the future and there are heavy themes of pollution and waste that have destroyed our planet. But they were in for a big surprise on Crillain IV. The plant aspect of the story felt a little reminiscent of the movie, The Happening. (but don't worry, I enjoyed Terraformer a lot more than The Happening) When Astra wakes her parents are both gone and she is on this foreign planet pretty much by herself. (her brother is also there but he was acting strange pretty much from the moment that Astra wakes up.)

The romance starts pretty quickly in this story, which you all know I appreciated. There is a love triangle in Terraformer, between Astra, Thane and Jax. It seemed like everyone in this cast of characters had their own secrets. Some were surprising and some felt a bit contrived, but I enjoyed seeing how the secrets would fit into the overall plot. Terraformer is a science fiction, with some mystery elements woven in. The mystery of the planet, the mission they were on, and why people were turning up dead was what kept me reading. I also enjoyed the romance, but it didn't capture my attention as some of the other plotlines. Overall, this book was fun and felt like a good young adult science fiction that is all too relevant with the environmental themes. This was a good book. I enjoyed stepping out of my norm and now I am in the mood for some more young adult sci-fi with strong romantic elements.

Bottom line: If you are a fan of science fiction and romance, you will enjoy Terraformer.