THE WORLD FORGOT

This conclusion to the Ever-Expanding Universe trilogy takes Elvie and her friends out to a junkyard in space.

The evil Dr. Marsden still has designs on winning control of the universe for his alien race. Elvie, separated from her baby daughter, Olivia, travels with her rather stupid boyfriend, Cole, and her friends, stealing a space shuttle despite warnings from people who know better. It’s nonstop action as she breaks up with Cole, unsuccessfully tries to stay inconspicuous in a space bar where the locals speak a cleverly written pidgin English, and does her best to avoid the perilous Devastators. A series of mishaps leads to capture by Marsden and encounters with new characters who bear unexpected connections to the teens. All the while, Byron, Elvie’s grandfather, an alien who really was the famous poet as well as the actor James Dean, lends assistance. Leicht and Neal continue the sarcastic banter that lent most of the comedy to the first two books, but it never slows the action down. Despite the underlying lighthearted nature of the book, consequences are real and sometimes fatal, lending the adventure both suspense and gravitas.

A worthy conclusion to an enjoyable sci-fi romp.