This one’s a page-turner.
Combining a love of science fiction with modern technology and some very original thinking, this novel takes a look at some of society’s preconceived notions from a slightly off-kilter view.
Biracial English 15-year-old Ani Lee is used to taking care of herself: her Vietnamese mother is hospitalized in a mental institution after a horrible suicide attempt, and her white father is off pursuing some shady business ventures. For Ani, hacking into restricted websites is both easy and good fun, though her best friend and hacking partner is someone she’s never met. But when he sends her a secret .wav file, Ani finds out how alone in the world she really is, because now men with guns are trying to kidnap her for that file. It’s only by chance that she runs into 17-year-old Joe Dyson, a white American living in London, at an underground concert. Joe is an operative for the Youth Enforcement Task Initiative, a secret section of British Intelligence, who goes where only teens can blend in. Together, they have to solve exactly what the .wav file is, who wants it, and what makes it so important. Too many lives are at stake and someone’s pulling the strings, using music to gather the world’s youth into one massive, mindless army. But whose? The third-person narration alternates between Ani and Joe, weaving both psychological back story and futuristic sci-fi elements through the story. Though it takes its time, it never drags, parceling out plot details and worldbuilding in classic thriller fashion.
This one’s a page-turner. (Thriller. 12 & up)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5107-0404-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
The second book of the Clone Codes (Clone Codes, 2010) focuses on Houston Ye, the teen cyborg who helped the clone Leanna escape the government forces seeking her in fulfillment of its policy of discrimination against any deemed not completely human. Houston’s life was saved by technology, but his nonhuman status resulted in abandonment by his family. Now he finds himself on a hijacked spaceship with Leanna and a boy genius heading for the Moon to look for the protection of his guardian, another cyborg, who had been a friend of his father. The Moon, away from the attention of the Federation, has become a place where Firsts (fully human), cyborgs and clones can get along. The Federation decides to clamp down further on cyborgs, triggering a wave of protests modeled on the Civil Rights movement. The McKissacks continue to successfully draw parallels between a futuristic world that tries to control those considered different and historic racial struggles. The characters are drawn without much complexity, but the worldbuilding is intriguing, there is plenty of action and ethnic diversity in a science-fiction tale is welcome. (Science fiction. 12 & up)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-439-92985-1
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 29, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Dedicated fans of the series will appreciate it, but it probably won't win new converts. (Science fiction. 12 & up)
The fourth installment in Testa’s teen saga of space exploration, the Galahad Series.
A year into their mission to establish a new home for humankind beyond the edge of the known universe, the crew of the Galahad has had their share of trials. There hasn’t been much time to deal with the usual issues of teen angst and first loves, but that doesn’t mean these aren’t part of the mix. Dealing with relationships is the central issue in this outing, from friendship to love to loss. Most importantly, how does the team build a relationship with a new species? Vulturelike creatures appear, pace and then attach themselves to the outer hull of the ship. Are they a threat? Mere observers? Perhaps they are messengers…but from whom and from where? The Council has to put aside their personal considerations to resolve the best course of action—for the ship and the crew, their mission and all that remains of humanity. Slow to start, this book regains momentum halfway through to race toward an open conclusion. With only two more books in the series, the next installment should pick up the pace.
Dedicated fans of the series will appreciate it, but it probably won't win new converts. (Science fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7653-2110-7
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Tor
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2011
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