The Surface Trials

An epic page-turner full of twists you won't see coming, set on an alien planet where, under the watch of a galaxy-wide TV audience, Ammy Antares and her fellow competitors must complete a challenging quest to gain entry into an elite interplanetary academy.

Three days, three clues, one hungry planet.
Constant surveillance.
The entire universe watching every move.
Some will shatter. Most will fail.
A select few will make it through, instant celebrities.

Welcome to the Surface Trials. The only way into Starquest Academy.

For Amethyst Antares, Starquest Academy offers an escape from the prison of her home planet. For Rian - the uber-famous and expertly-disguised heir to the universe's two greatest dynasties - failure to get into his own academy is not an option. And Deneb? Well, he's an outlier...

But this year not everything goes to plan, and Amethyst and her squad find themselves playing for more than Starquest admission. To survive, they'll have to outsmart carnivorous creatures, share dangerous secrets, maintain trust and embrace the most shocking truth in the galaxy.

Set on a fascinating yet hostile alien planet, this pulse-pounding, high-stakes, elimination-quest novel will have readers on the edge of their seats.

'H.M. Waugh writes completely unputdownable stories that will keep you up late - if she's writing it, I'm reading it.' - Amie Kaufman, NYT bestselling author

'A contest, a journey, a mysterious artefact, this novel never lets up the pace or thrills. I loved it! It's the kind of book I longed for as a child. Full of thrills, mysteries and kids out there kicking it!' - Bren MacDibble, bestselling author of HOW TO BEE and THE DOG RUNNER

'It has everything I love in a story: high stakes, dangerous secrets, and smart kids facing overwhelming odds. Plus space! A wonderfully exciting new book from HM Waugh.' - Lian Tanner, bestselling author of MUSEUM OF THIEVES

'Brilliant! Original, riveting and hugely fun.' - Jaclyn Moriarty, bestselling author of the KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES series

About the Author

HM Waugh is a children's author, educator and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places and outdoor adventures. She has been kidnapped twice, handled dragons for a job, and dreams of one day blasting into space. Her books mix humour, danger and friendship with a dash of science and imagination.