Turn Right at the End of the World

Robert B Watkins

Jun 2026 · Sullivan Maclaurin

About this ebook

“WHEN ON A QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THE HUMAN SOUL—TAKE YOUR BEST FRIEND WITH YOU.”

Written by an MIT-trained physicist.

“ROCKETS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT…” So begins the globe-hopping adventure of Lux and Max, accompanied by Lux’s pet bird Ushtey, with whom Lux shares a special mind-to-mind connection. As they embark on a mission against a dangerous madman halfway around the world, never could they have anticipated the twists, turns and high stakes that await.

Beautifully illustrated, both in the main story, and the extensive SCIENCE SECTION that explains some of the methods employed by Lux and Max.

Perfect for homeschooling—geography, Egyptian mythology, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and other history, languages (English, Russian, Arabic, Latin, French, German, Norwegian), science (physics and astronomy in particular), sociology, and zoology.

Why Readers Will Love This Book:

Science-Based Detective Story: Perfect for readers who love smart, witty, intrepid protagonists, forensic clues, and solving puzzles alongside the main character.

Globe-Hopping Adventure: A Raiders of the Lost Ark-style fast-paced international journey featuring vivid settings, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural backdrops.

A thrilling Young Adult adventure for lovers of: Indiana Jones, Andy Weir, Percy Jackson, the Gideon Crew series by Preston and Child, and classics by Jules Verne, Homer (The Iliad and The Odyssey), Edgar Rice Burroughs, and H.G. Wells.

Clever Escapes on the Fly: Packed with bone-crushing pressure and pulse-rushing action sequences where the heroes must use MacGyver-style innovations to avoid being captured.

Written in the great literary tradition of: Fact-based thrillers and mysteries, with fantastical and romantic elements. A masterfully woven narrative with a climax you won't see coming.

Ratings and reviews

Fantastic unique adventure story! Lux and Max are amazing teenagers who follow a “hunch” from Lux’s pet bird Ushtey, with whom she has a strange mind connection. They visit a bunch of different places in the world. It’s so different from most adventure novels, I guess because the characters seem so real, or maybe because they are actually smart without being pretentious. I loved it.

This is a great adventure, very moving and romantic, and it's great for elementary education (including homeschooling) because of the science section, which I thought was very accurate and well-explained. Max brings the science, and Lux brings the intuition. Together they go on a truly global mission. Ushtey is Lux's pet bird, and he (yes, her pet bird!) makes surprising discoveries on his own, without realizing it, due to long-ago memories. No one knew he had them! Excellent book!!!

A fun story full of unexpected twists and turns! It’s much more human-centered, funny, and science focused than most adventure stories, and it really requires you to use your brain.

About the author

Robert B Watkins holds a B.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Virginia. He lives in New York City.