Tyrean Martinson is a short story writer, novelist, and poet who teaches writers by the South Sound in Washington state, reads as many books as possible each week, loves to daydream about flying with a griffin, and podcasts with her church. For those curious about her first name, yes, it's her real birth name, and the last syllable is pronounced the same way you would "read" a book, and rhymes with "bean."

Lift Off by Tyrean Martinson

A spaceship in disguise, an Earth girl searching for a sense of home, and a Thousand Years' War between alien races collide on a summer afternoon.

Amaya, a young teen girl longing for a sense of home, falls into a false sense of security in a comforting old movie theater exuding the irresistible scent of popcorn and licorice. Yet, during a seemingly ordinary matinee screening, the movie screen suddenly goes dark, and the theater shudders. Amaya has been kidnapped into the heart of an ancient extraterrestrial conflict.

As anger and fear grip her, Amaya becomes entangled in a life-altering bond with Sol, a young alien who withholds crucial information. Together, they must evade relentless adversaries while struggling to find common ground. In this fast-paced tale, readers will be captivated by a sweet YA narrative that blends elements of Skyward's adventure, Cobra Kai's intensity, and the cosmic expanse of Guardians of the Galaxy.

CURATOR'S NOTE

I wanted to include a more YA galactic mystery adventure in this bundle, and Tyrean Martinson's Liftoff fitted the bill perfectly. It's a lively, fun read that slips down quickly and takes the reader off from our world to follow Amaya into the dangers and excitements of an ancient galactic conflict. There's a second book in this series, Nexus. – Simon Kewin

 

REVIEWS

  • "This series has the potential to become a new-classic, space opera series."

    – Toinette Thomas, Children’s Author

  • "This is a fast-paced story for teens. There's plenty of adventure and excitement wrapped in an intriguing world of galactic proportions... A great escapist mix."

    – Elle Cardy, YA Fantasy Author

  • "Fast-paced and full of adventure. A nail-biter when the reader gets involved in a space battle, and then the suspense continues... I can't wait to read the next installment."

    – Cathrina Constantine, YA Author
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

A flickering red light appeared in the corner by the exit door, revealing the edges of the nearest escape. It wasn't the exit sign, but a separate bulb encaged in metal. Amaya had seen it before, but had never seen it lit. Was it their emergency backup system?

The flashlight beam piercing the darkness revealed Sol Anderson. Tall, with wavy midnight hair and olive skin, Sol was already the subject of many conversations among the girls. He could even make the dorky movie theater uniform look good.

He beckoned with his hand. "Let's get out of here, all right?" Instead of leading them toward the lobby, he led them toward the exit under the alarm light.

"Why this way?" Amaya asked, remembering how the back exit went out into a small, ugly parking lot overgrown with scrubby bushes and trash.

"Trust me," Sol said. His voice oozed charm, which seemed at odds with the dark theater.

"I don't like this," Amaya whispered to her friends.

"Two steps from here and you'll be through the back door and in the summer sunshine," Sol said. He stepped forward and threw open the exit door. Sunlight blazed into the theater.

Jessi let go of Amaya's hand and bolted out the door, with Natalie right behind her.

Amaya stared at Sol, noticing the rips on the front of his uniform for the first time. "What happened?"

"Don't worry about me." Sol took his hand off the door. At that moment, the theater lurched to the side.

As the world spun and dipped around her, Amaya stumbled sideways into Sol's solid chest and clutched his arm. She trembled when the air rippled. "What's happening?"

"I'm sorry." He wrapped his other arm around her waist and held her close as the ground rocked beneath them again.

"What?" Amaya pushed at his arm. "Let go of me!"

"I can't do that. It's not safe." He pulled her back a step, gently but firmly guiding her.

Amaya had to get to the door. She thought for a moment she might be able to make it out.

The theater tilted, and the old, scrubby lot fell away. Amaya fought back a scream. She caught a glimpse of Natalie and Jessi in the parking lot, shouting and pointing up at her.

Amaya broke free from Sol and stepped toward the opening, but Sol moved in front of her and pulled the door firmly shut, locking it in place. "We can't have that door open for liftoff."

As Amaya's glimpse of her friends and her world disappeared, she glared at Sol. What did he mean by liftoff? Had he held her back to keep her safe? She just didn't know. Her mom would tell her to assess the situation.

Sol reached out for her, and she backed up. The darkness surrounding her represented a possible hiding place, and she scrambled toward the direction of the seats under the flickering alarm beacon.

Sol clicked his flashlight on again, and the beam swept over her as she crawled up the first step to the seats.

"Amaya, where do you think you're going?" He followed her easily into the seating area.

"Away from you!" She vaulted over the railing between the seats and the exit hallway that led out into the concessions area.