ALIEN INVASION & OTHER INCONVENIENCES

The little green men have conquered the world in ten seconds, preserving as slaves those people receptive to telepathic communication. Four teens meet in the slave quarters and realize that their telepathic talents are growing. One begins to dream-walk, which leads him and his friends to attempt an escape from the compound near Austin, Texas, looking for a rebel force further west. Lord Vertenomous’s communiqués and journal entries supplement Jesse’s first-person narration and help to provide a full picture of both sides of the story—a technique that produces effective worldbuilding. Plot is primary here: It’s carefully constructed for maximum suspense and the major literary characteristic in this certifiable page-turner. Character development plays second fiddle, with only enough information provided to support readers’ suspension of disbelief. The climax is exciting and guaranteed to please readers, while the resolution is loose enough to suggest possible sequels. Buy this for readers of Ann Halam’s Siberia (2005) and J.B. Stephens’s Big Empty series, boys and girls alike, although the male narration may have more appeal for the guys. (Science fiction. YA)