Paralyzed in a skiing incident, Matt Raimey is facing life as a helpless cripple, trapped in a hospital bed, until a man comes to him with a radical offer: undergo an experimental procedure and be reborn as one of the Qanska, a race of manta-like beings living in the atmosphere of Jupiter. Give up everything he’s known for a chance at mobility once again, or stay safe and never enjoy life again. Matt takes the deal, knowing full well that it’s a one-way street, and that he’ll likely never see Earth again. And so he experiences a rebirth of body and soul, becoming the perfect blend of human and Qanska. Little does he know that certain people back home plan to usurp Project Changeling, convinced that the secret to the stars lies with the alien Qanska, and he’ll be forced to make some profound decisions regarding his life, his loyalties, and his future. Even those few people in the space station orbiting Jupiter that might be his allies can’t help him make the final, most vital choices. The stars await, but only for those bold and brave enough to trust in the unknown.

Manta’s Gift exemplifies some of the most important themes in YA fiction: conflicting loyalties, hard choices, and maturation. Forced to adapt to an entirely new lifestyle, Matt finds he has a lot of growing up to do. This is a coming-of-age story set in a fascinating new environment, richly imagined and creatively detailed, and a particularly strong offering from Zahn, a Hugo-winning author best known for his Star Wars novels. Though not marketed as a young adult book, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manta’s Gift released through Starscape or Tor Teen someday.