When shes hired as a governess aboard the mysterious Rochester (does the name ring a bell?
The book is due for a May 1 release and should leave fans of its genre swooning.
Read on below, and visit Donneswebsiteto learn more about the self-described Ravenclaw author.
Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers
Excerpt from Brightly Burning, by Alexa Donne
Chapter One
The gravity stabilizers were failing again.
I glanced up from my sketchpad to see globules of liquid dancing up from my drinking glass.
They shimmered red, like droplets of blood, though I knew it was just cherry-flavored nutri-drink.
HMH Books for Young Readers
Dammit,thats my protein ration for the day wasted.
They would be calling me any minute.
A moment later, right on time: Stella Ainsley, c’mon report to Area Twelve.
The speaker crackled and popped, as it had done for years.
Ward Z was the domicile of theStalwarts lowliest; why squander precious electricity on waste specialists and mechanics?
Most of the ships light energy was diverted to the fields.
TheStalwartwas the single largest provider of food in the fleet.
I made a note to fix the light later, nonetheless.
There you are, Jatinder greeted me, wiping a sweat-slicked hand against an equally sweaty forehead.
Small droplets floated up from the tips of his fingers.
I could barely hear him above the grind of the engines.
You couldnt call Karlson?
I asked, bouncing over to the secondary systems panel.
I have to lead class in less than an hour.
Thats more than enough time.
And if it takes longer, Ancient Earth Sciences will wait.
I need you and your lovely, tiny hands.
Did you already try hitting it?
I asked Jatinder, who grunted in the affirmative.
Nevertheless, I gave the thing a good smack before resorting to more invasive techniques.
But still I floated.
Jatinder attempted small talk as we worked.
You heard about any of your applications?
Two still pending, I said.
Its hard to find engineering positions, as you know.
My hand slipped noisily against a pipe.
You must think me completely naive.
I played dumb, though heat rose to my cheeks at being caught in my lie.
Jatinder knew me too well after more than three years of working together.
We both know you arent applying anywhere as an engineer.
I opened my mouth to reply, but he kept going.
Your third round of applications?
My cheeks burned furiously hot, from embarrassment, anger, and just a bit of despair.
Jatinder was pessimistic and pedantic to a fault, but he wasnt wrong.
The last ship that had deorbited over a year ago hadnt been heard from since.
Crew probably all froze to death.
Plenty of ships need teachers, I offered, my voice small.
He threw me a look that dripped with pity.
Stella, you know the good private ships dont take on governesses from the likes of theStalwart.
Youre even less likely to get off this place as a governess than you are as an engineer.
Unless that family of yours wants you back, youre stuck here.
I am happy to see the back of you.Those were her parting words to me.
No, I was sure my family did not want me back.
Squaring my shoulders, I set to fixing the gravity stabilizer with extra verve.
I hope your brother gets back soon, I said sharply.
Jatinder, barely older than I, was only temporarily in charge until Navid returned from a resource mission.
I knew comparisons to his older sibling always chafed.
He said hed venture to get me a new tablet while he was away.
Mine has been on the fritz.
I dont know why you bother.
Theres nothing to paint but gray walls and billions of stars.
I use my imagination.
You should try it sometime.
I found a relatively clean corner and wiped my greasy hands off as best I could.
Ill see you next shift, Jatinder.
I rushed to get up to the school deck in less than fifteen minutes.
Considering theStalwartwas several miles long and eight levels deep, that was no easy feat.
I knew that look.
I asked, ignoring the little flip my stomach did as George hovered close.
Ardens mom, he said with a sigh.
Med bay couldnt do anything for her.
Of course they couldnt.
Jatinders brother, Navid, was considered on the older side at the ripe age of thirty-four.
George and I werent the only orphans on board, though we were two of the onlysinglealmost-eighteen-year-olds left.
Half our class was already married.
George settled a large, warm hand over my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
See you at dinner later?
I nodded, and George smiled just a bit, making me melt.
I turned, crossing with a slight hesitation over the threshold into the room.
Oh, Arden, I said, engulfing her in a hug.
What should I say?
Something about Gods will, and how at least now thered be two fewer mouths to feed.
While a pragmatic person, I wasnt heartless.
you might skip todays lesson if you want.
She nodded solemnly, retreating to a shadowy corner where the recessed lighting in the ceiling didnt quite reach.
Who can tell me how a volcanic explosion can lead to an ice age?
A hand shot up.
Carter, one of my eagerest pupils, always reading ahead for the pleasure of it.
Despite the melancholy, I caught more than a few kids rolling their eyes in Carters direction.
I called on him, knowing failure to do so would send him into a tizzy.
When a supervolcano explodes, all the dust it releases into the air blocks the sunlight, he said.
Competent enough for an eleven- year-old.
Thats just one part of it, I said, but good job.
And how long can an ice age last?
Carters hand flew up again, but this time I waited a beat longer.
A boy named Jefferson took the bait.
Not the big one, I said.
I was thinking more of how long this current one is predicted to last.
Because there was no point in making a roomful of children panic.
Two hundred years, a girl in the second row called out.
Thats what were hoping, I said.
Your assignment for today is to write a short story about your ancestors who left Earth.
What do you think they thought about the supervolcano?
I pointedly didnt mention all those who had been left behind.
It was possible for human beings to survive an ice age; history indicated as much.
But the percentage would be paltry; the casualties high.
I tried not to think about all who had perished, though it was hundreds of years ago.
The students set to writing it would be a class with a lot of downtime.
I decided to seek out Arden, lest she be left too long to her own thoughts.
I found her huddled in the back, crying over a potted plant.
I dont understand, she sniffled, her voice hoarse.
I crouched down to her level, laying a comforting hand on her back.
But I watered it and everything!
Arden gestured at the plant, which, now that I considered it, was looking a bit droopy.
she let out in a string of breathless words, then snapped a hand over her mouth.
Im so sorry, Stella, I didnt think
Its okay.
Engineering isnt all that bad, but I know its not for everyone.
It was barely for me, but Id take it over farming, personally.
Arden, however, came from a long line of farmers everyone on theStalwartdid and I understood her angst.
Did you put it under the sunlamp?
She nodded in the affirmative.
Okay, then how much did you water it?
What do you mean?
Well, you might water a plant too much, effectively drowning it, I said gently.
I used my water rations to give it more.
I thought it would help.
Drinking your daily water ration is very important.
Especially with all the tears shed be expending over the coming weeks and months.
She greedily sucked it down, offering me her first smile of the day.
So I veered into safer territory.
Youre really bright, Arden, one of my best students.
What dont you like about engineering?
And George didnt say anything.
Its actually not that dark down there, I reassured her.
But you shouldnt be afraid of the dark, either.
Dont you like the stars?
After I lost my mum and dad, I started talking to the stars, I said.
I dont know if its true, but it brings me comfort.
Maybe you’re able to talk to the stars too.
Thanks, Stella, Arden whispered, leaning heavily against my side.
And then she turned and was gone.
