
The Unknown Before Us
J. L. Butterworth(Author)
Kim Young(Editor)
Two-Toned Books (Publisher)
Published on 21. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
340 pages
979-8-9954700-2-1 (ISBN)
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.Some 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."
"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."
More details
Edition
Large type / large print edition
Language
English
Edition type
Large type / large print edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
553 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-9954700-2-1 (9798995470021)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
I am a full member of the SFWA and a mid-40s AuDHD father of three whose midlife crisis was therapy. My writing is heavily influenced by my work volunteering with grieving children and my interest in how neurodivergent people navigate rigid systems. I published my first book in 2013 and found a surprising amount of success with over 1,000 copies sold in the first year, but life hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn't write anything else for over a decade. Now I'm back with a focus on turning writing into a career with no end of stories to tell and characters pouring out of my head.