Horizon

My next novel is the first in a seven-book series called Horizon. It comes out soon: January 17, 2017. (It’s already out!)

Horizon is about a group of kids who are in a mysterious plane crash. When they step from the wreckage, they find themselves stranded, at odds, and in a jungle full of strange and terrible creatures.

Basically, it’s a mix of Lost, Hatchet, and Lord of the Flies. Explosions! Survival! Who will lead them home?

horizon-animated-cover-smallThe cover is pretty cool. My name, the title, and the “heat vision” layer are on a transparent jacket that you can take off. There’s another jacket under that, with the unblemished photo. And below that is another top-secret image on the hardback itself!

(Update: that cover didn’t work, production-wise, so we went with a beautiful foil jacket. Same art though.)

Horizon one of Scholastic’s multi-author, multi-platform series, like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, which means three things:

1) The series comes with a big digital side: a community area for discussion and a game version for computers, phones, and tablets. You can sign up for the forum now, and read the first chapter!

2) If you’re still in school, you’ll be able to buy it in Scholastic’s book clubs and fairs. (Slightly cheaper. Less fancy cover.)

3) I developed the series, wrote the first novel, and outlined all seven of the books, but six other authors will write the rest. The second installment is by Jennifer A. Nielsen, with the other authors secret for now. (Trust me. There are some cool people involved!)

It was really cool, coming up with seven books’ worth of stuff, while also knowing I didn’t have to write them all. It’s kind of like juggling, except after I throw the balls up, someone else has to catch them. (Heh. Suckers.)

I’m a gamer from way back, in that I used to play D&D in the 1970s, so the game part of it has been a blast to work on. My characters are mostly members of a robotics club, a lot of whom are based on the smart, nerdy kids I first met around the gaming table.

Note that this book is middle grade, so it’s closer in age and feel to my Uglies books than, say, Zeroes.

Here’s some more about the series from Publishers Weekly.

50 thoughts on “Horizon”

  1. Will you make another book about Horizon because I really like your books and its itching to know if the charectures come back alive.

  5. OMG I JUST FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK I WAS FREAKING OUT YELLING WHYYYYYYYYY.THERE BETTER BE SEQUEL!Yas I loved the book I dont want a 7 book series I want an 100 book series I love this book

  8. I’m on chapter eighteen. I’m loving this book SO much, very interesting. It’s kind of a mysterious book. But I love a good book. Keep up the good work Westerfeld.

  11. I just can’t what for the sequel to come out I dying to now what happens next and what the message is on the front.

  12. “Note that this book is middle grade, so it’s closer in age and feel to my Uglies books than, say, Zeroes.”

    I’m not sure what you mean here. Are you saying Horizon is more adult or more YA? (will read it either way!)

    Thanks

  20. I love this series so much! I want to know what’s at the other side of the rift and if more than one person will survive! I also got the app. IT IS AWESOME!!! Thanks!

  22. What is Mr. Keating’s first name? when was captain Frank Benoit, first officer Alexis Card, and flight attendant Pete Meriwether birth dates? Also what is Molly Davis’s, Javi Perez’s, Anna Klimek’s, and Yoshi Kimura’s middle names?

  24. These are the first books my son has ever really WANTED to read. He has been a reluctant reader bit with this series he is constantly asking when the next book will be out. Since he finished book 3 he asks nearly every day when book 4 will be out. Yay for a story my son can’t wait to read ?

  29. I read the book, it so FUN to read!!!! i wish 100 books came out instead of 7 lol. But yes, it was super fun to read. and even tho i finished it, i still read it cuz its that fun!!

  31. This series is AWESOME!!!!!! I only finished the second book so far?… but it’s still AWESOME!!!!!!

  33. Hello! I’m a huge fan of the books, but I have a question. Okay, so this says there will be seven books, however the fifth one just came out and after reading it it seems like that is the final one. I’m just curious, are there still going to be seven?

  38. I love the books so much! Horizon is my favourite series! I’ve read all 5 that have come out so far; when are the other 2 coming out? The fifth one seemed so final… If so, will the sixth book be released this year? When will the next authors be announced?

  39. I just finished the whole book series for like the tenth time. I love it so much and I know that you said there is gonna be seven books but it seems like the fifth book ended the series and I cannot find any information about book 6. I HATE reading, but this book is actually my favorite book in existence. (But basically I hate every other book in existence that i’ve Read but..) I just want to know if there truly is a 6th book coming out and maybe if you can tell me when it is coming out. Thank you so much!

  41. Wow I just finished reading the 5th book of the Horizon series. This series is one of the best I’ve ever read. It is so unique. The fifth book sounded like the final book, but Horizon is supposed to be a seven book series. Will there be more books coming out, and if so when?

  44. I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS. I have 5 of the books in the series but I’m still on book 1. My sister introduced me to it, and I’M OBESSED.

  48. Isnt this supposed to be a 7 book series?
    When are the 6th and 7th book coming out??
    I love this series and i cant find any information about the other books. Its been 4 years since the 5th book came out. Please make the 6th and 7th books.

  50. Hey, I’ve read the first two books but have been struggling to find the rest, could you give me any pointers? I absolutely LOVE the series.
    Thanks

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