The Unknown Before Us
by J.L. Butterworth
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Apr 21 2026 | Archive Date Apr 30 2026
Talking about this book? Use #TheUnknownBeforeUs #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
A brilliant scientist. A soldier out of time. And a very judgmental cat.
Arcadia Lyra is a world hopping xenobiologist who follows the beat of her own drum. Blaze Forsyth is a military popsicle until one adventurous, green haired scientist finds him in a smoldering stasis pod on an alien planet. Thrust together by the universe and bound to each other by consequence, this mismatched pair embark on an adventure of wild alien animals, sarcastic AI, butthole trashcans, mood enhancing mushroom trips, and a very insistent tuxedo ship cat.
Equal parts absurdity and heart, join these neurodivergent explorers as they learn to work together and come to terms with their newfound partnership while working through grief and parental trauma.
Because sometimes, the strangest worlds help us find what we’ve lost — and who we really are.
The Unknown Before Us is a cozy new adult sci-fi book that explores what it means to find your place in a universe teeming with life, full of wonder and discovery. Join autistic scientist Arcadia and ADHD soldier Blaze with a cavalcade of side characters as they explore the unknown, and find what matters amongst the stars.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
quotes from readers:
“The Unknown Before Us is a sci-fi adventure full of heart and joy, and completely took me by surprise. Imaginative and yet rooted in reality, I lost myself amongst unique planets, fell in love with Arcadia's straitforwardness and related a little too much to Blaze's chaos. This is a must read for anyone who would love to journey beyond the stars.”
“I loved the build up and look towards our future in the stars!”
“This is not just an adventure story about exploring the unknown in outer space; it's a deeply moving chapter about exploring the unknown depths of the human heart, finding self-worth, and forging emotional connections.”