The Loneliest Girl in the Universe
A taut and addictive romantic thriller set in space, with a shocking twist - perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and survival stories
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books
Age 14+
Science Fiction Romance & Relationships Stories Adventure Stories
A science fiction romantic thriller with a killer twist, perfects for fans of E. Lockhart, Holly Jackson and Becky Chambers.
"A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for air." Scotsman
“James is a genius.” SFX Magazine
"The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is shocking and brutal and has the best twist I've ever read." Alice Oseman
"This book moves at full throttle from beginning to end. James isn’t just headed for the stars – they're already there." Samantha Shannon
Can you fall in love with someone you've never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?
Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.
Their only communication is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.
But what does she really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean? Sometimes, there's something worse than being alone...
Creators
Wren James is the Carnegie-longlisted British author of many young adult novels, and was previously published under the name Lauren James. Their books include Last Seen Online, Green Rising, The Quiet at the End of the World and The Next Together, and they have sold over two hundred thousand copies worldwide in eight languages. They are a RLF Royal Fellow and the story consultant on Netflix’s Heartstopper (Seasons 2 and 3).
Wren is the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League and works as a consultant on climate storytelling for museums, production companies, major brands and publishers, with a focus on optimism and hope.
Wren was born in 1992, and has a Masters degree from the University of Nottingham, where they studied Chemistry and Physics. They run a Queer Writers group in Coventry. Follow them on Instagram at @wrenjameswriter.
Reviews
“Gripping psychological thriller with a very relatable heroine.”
The Bookseller
“The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is shocking and brutal and has the best twist I’ve ever read. The sinister realism of Romy’s situation is as terrifying as it is gripping, and I was rooting for her from beginning to end.”
Alice Oseman
“This book moves at full throttle from beginning to end. James isn’t just headed for the stars – they’re already there.”
Samantha Shannon
“Romy’s plight resonates on a deeply primal, unsettling level […] James is a genius at building tension […] A fantastic slow-build drama.”
SFX magazine, 5 star review
“The Loneliest Girl is a page-turning science fiction thriller with some terrific twists.”
Philip Reeve
“She’s [Romy] strong, clever, logical and a fantastic role model for young adults; inspiring them to be strong and independent but to be unafraid of anxiety and having flaws. […] This book draws you into a false sense of security and warmth and then rips the floor out from under your feet when you least expect it. The story is compelling and I became completely absorbed in it as I flipped through the pages at warp speed on my various tube journeys over two days. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe should definitely be on the top of you TBR and I’m sure you’ll race through it in no time. […] I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s layered and emotional and the perfect read to get you out of a slump!”
Liv’s Bookish Life
“James captures both an adolescent voice and mentality accurately, but the plotting and pacing is really where they excel. By the final third of the book it is impossible to stop turning the pages, desperate to know what happens next.”
The Irish Times Weekend
This is a tense psychological thriller that will suck you into the claustrophobic interior of Romy’s ship and leave you gasping for air.
Scotsman
This is a tense psychological thriller that will suck you into the claustrophobic interior of Romy’s ship and leave you gasping for air.
The Scotsman
A uniquely thought-provoking, space-set page-turner with an unforgettable main character whose strength and resolve will leave readers reeling in admiration. […] To say the twists are unexpected is an understatement. This is one of those rare reads that defies classification. Smart sci-fi; gripping thriller; coming-of-age epic – it’s all this and more.
Joanne Owen, LoveReading
“[…] wow! This is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year.”
albainbookland.com
“Don’t let this romantic edge fool you – this is a gripping fast-paced, psychological thriller that, unsurprisingly, has been a huge hit in the charts and would make a brilliant stocking filler.”
Country Life
“A science-fiction novel with a strong female lead character that keeps the reader guessing and hoping for the best from the word go […] Romy demonstrates a true strength of character to become an independent and courageous role model.”
The School Librarian
