A light interplanetary adventure with a mild Starfleet-esque flavor.
In Berger’s middle-grade SF sequel, 23rd-century adolescents find themselves in danger on a plague-ridden planet.
In this follow-up to The Captain’s Daughters (2021), space-faring siblings Diane and Robin Marsh lost their parents in infancy to an intergalactic war and have been brought up by their uncle, the stalwart Capt. William Marsh of the League of Universal Planets starship Polaris. Now, in 2298, the girls are aboard that vessel when it undertakes a mission to the planet Lasusia, which is divided by civil conflict. There, another Marsh brother seeks a cure for a mysterious, fatal flulike virus that only seems to be ravaging one side of the political divide. Both the plague and political strife are being secretly manipulated by the Klingon-like Frazons, alien warlords and foes of the LUP intent on gaining a foothold on Lasusia. A camouflaged Frazon warship, commanded by Capt. Marsh’s longtime enemy, Gen. Malon, is in the vicinity, and when Diane and Robin—disobeying orders, as they have before—transport to the planet with their new friend, a lonely, teenage Lasusian princess named Jannel, the villain sees a chance to exact revenge against Marsh. In a subplot, Diane and Robin make the uncomfortable discovery that Capt. Marsh may be rekindling an old relationship. Even casual readers of this series installment will note that Berger’s fictional universe is one that’s very much in the tradition of Star Trek (“Standing in the transporter room waiting to transport down, Marsh handed his brother a phaser”), although it’s reengineered for a younger demographic, with horses and horseback riding as recurring themes. The pacing, prose, and action are well attuned to the narrowly targeted readership; if one especially liked the Wesley Crusher–oriented episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, they’ll likely enjoy this spinoff, which clearly falls into a similar tradition.
A light interplanetary adventure with a mild Starfleet-esque flavor.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-7365421-2-5
Page Count: 270
Publisher: PolarisPrint
Review Posted Online: April 28, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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