Vermilion Sunrise by Lydia P. Brownlow describes how Leigh, age seventeen, awakened from cryosleep and learned that she was a member of the first human colony outside of our solar system. The cryosleep causes partial amnesia and kills anyone over twenty. Therefore, only teenagers were sent, and they arrived with no memory of volunteering to be shipped off to a new solar system. They landed on a planet covered in water, but their technology did not function. While they struggled to survive, they found pieces of metal washed ashore that looked as if they were from a shuttle. Leigh and a small group of adventurers set out across the open ocean in search of answers with just a flimsy raft and scant provisions. But Leigh, who has been lying to everyone since she arrived, may find the truth to be more than she bargained for.

Vermilion Sunrise by Lydia P. Brownlow is compelling and riveting. I was completely engaged from the beginning of the book and appreciated the compassion and understanding of the teenagers. I was part of the world-building and the mysteries associated with their struggle for survival. The characters were brilliant, and they worked together well in challenging circumstances. I learned about each of them in turn. Even though the characters were plagued by tragedy, a lack of technology, insufficient medical supplies, and harsh weather, the thread of love and hope never broke. The story is brilliantly written, and teenage anxiety, compassion, and love were handled with skill.

Vermilion Sunrise by Lydia P. Brownlow is a young adult science fiction story about a large group of teenagers from Earth who have been placed on a faraway planet to colonize it. The teens are on a small island surrounded by an endless ocean. There is much mystery as to why each was chosen for the mission. When new colonist Leigh arrives, she begins asking questions the others have ignored. Then, strange objects start washing up on shore, suggesting they may not be alone on the planet. Without contact from those who sent them to live there, the teens are forced to make difficult decisions. Should they venture off the island to find answers or stay put and wait for some sign that Earth hasn’t abandoned them?

Vermilion Sunrise features a large cast of diverse characters. Author Lydia P. Brownlow is a natural at exploring how teenage boys and girls relate to each other and their unusual situations. She’s given each character specific personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses. She’s also done a great job of creating a world full of mystery and intrigue around her characters. The island they are forced to call home is both a tropical paradise and a death trap. What makes this book work so well is how the author has given us strong, relatable characters, thrust them into a bizarre situation, and allowed readers to watch how they deal with it all. The author has done a fantastic job of slowly cranking up the tension until the reader has no choice but to keep reading to discover what will happen to these wonderful characters. I highly recommend Vermilion Sunrise.