Step into the thrilling cosmos of Remnants, where humanity’s last hope clings to a rickety spaceship hurtling through a post-apocalyptic universe! Written by K.A. Applegate and Michael Grant under the pen name K.A. Applegate, this 14-book young adult science fiction series, published from 2001 to 2003, dives into a gritty tale of survival, leadership, and what it means to stay human when Earth is just a memory. With its blend of heart-pounding action, eerie body horror, and raw human drama, Remnants hooks readers with a story that’s as unsettling as it is unforgettable.
Picture this: an asteroid the size of a small moon is about to obliterate Earth. Eighty people—scientists, families, and a few stowaways—board the Mayflower, a retrofitted shuttle with experimental tech, in a desperate bid to escape. What follows is a wild ride through alien ships, bizarre mutations, and moral dilemmas that test the survivors’ humanity. Ready to explore this overlooked gem? Let’s blast off!
How Remnants Began
K.A. Applegate, already a household name for her Animorphs series, teamed up with Michael Grant to craft Remnants as a darker, more intense follow-up. Inspired by their love for science fiction and post-apocalyptic themes, the duo wanted to explore what happens when humanity faces extinction—and the messy, often horrifying choices that follow. Published by Scholastic, Remnants hit shelves in 2001, capitalizing on the early 2000s’ fascination with apocalyptic narratives while pushing boundaries with its graphic violence and psychological depth for a young adult audience.
The Heart of Remnants
The series kicks off with The Mayflower Project, where Jobs, a tech-savvy teen, and his family join the chosen few fleeing Earth’s doom. Chaos erupts as some fight to steal spots on the shuttle, setting a tense tone. In Destination Unknown, the survivors awaken 500 years later aboard an alien ship controlled by a deranged AI called Mother, facing deadly worms and strange alien races. Survival, book 13, shifts focus to Tate, a teen grappling with a monstrous mutation called 'the mouth,' delivering a standout narrative praised for its emotional depth. Finally, Begin Again wraps up the saga as the Remnants return to a transformed Earth, rebuilding from ashes.
Remnants shines through its themes of survival, leadership, and identity. The series doesn’t shy away from dark topics—think body horror like Tate’s mutation or Billy’s telekinetic torment after 500 years awake in hibernation. Characters like Jobs, the reluctant leader, and Mo’Steel, the thrill-seeking optimist, navigate group politics and moral gray areas, making readers question what it takes to stay human. The setting, from the claustrophobic Mayflower to the surreal alien ship, amplifies the eerie, high-stakes vibe, blending sci-fi with psychological thriller elements.
Why Remnants Resonates
Though less famous than Animorphs, Remnants carved a niche for fans of gritty sci-fi. Its unflinching look at human nature under pressure resonates with readers who love complex characters and moral dilemmas. The series’ cult following praises its bold risks, like killing off major characters and exploring taboo topics, which pushed the boundaries of young adult fiction. In 2021, Applegate and Grant regained the rights, hinting at potential re-releases, sparking renewed interest among nostalgic fans and new readers craving unique post-apocalyptic tales.
- Publication Years: 2001–2003
- Number of Books: 14
- Authors: K.A. Applegate and Michael Grant
- Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Grab The Mayflower Project and dive into Remnants’ wild, post-apocalyptic universe! Whether you’re a sci-fi fanatic or just love a good survival story, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat.