Starbounders: Rebellion by Adam Jay Epstein

   A Brilliant Sequel

  Surely, after saving the universe once, Zachary Night deserves a break. Sadly, the answer seems to be absolutely not. Even with the outer galaxies safe, Zachary and his friends still have to contend with the secret message from Professor Olari and it seems someone else wants this information too. So, when the clues line up, and a conspiracy begins to appear, things get ominous. Soon, Zachary and his friends are dodging assassins and avoiding giant viruses. Not to mention, they still haven't decoded the message! Is a Starbounder's job ever done?

If you think you'll enjoy a book about a boy and his friends saving the universe, this book is for you. For those readers who remember Starbounders fondly, prepare for more of the same, with a little more intensity. This sequel contained all the elements of the previous book, although the comic relief was lessened in exchange for more intrigue. A wonderful story, I thought this book linked perfectly with its predecessor. Epstein's writing style makes this book perfect for readers of many ages and I thought that the plot was well thought out and easily followed without being predictable. Personally, I missed some of the humor of the first book, but I still enjoyed this one all the same. I gave this book five stars for a great plot and wonderful writing style.

Wildwood: Imperium

  

A Perfect Finale

Wildwood is on the verge of collapse. The magical borders of the wood are in danger, threatening to break and let loose the magic trapped within. Meanwhile, outside, a group of orphans and saboteurs gather to take down an industrial titan. Two worlds are about to collide and only one girl can stop the destruction of both worlds. Prue must gather the remaining bandits, former Wildwood Irregulars and friends to combat a growing evil or all will be lost. It’s a big job for a little girl, and she just might be too late.

    My first impression of this book was that it had some unbalanced literary elements. There was not enough comic relief to counteract many of the action scenes. It seemed to me that every second I kept reading, the world became in greater danger of destruction and some new calamity befell Prue and her friends at each turn. It could have used some comic relief to release the buildup of tension in the story. However, the writing content was laudable and my compliments go to the author for maintaining the writing style created in first book in the third book, unlike many other series I have read. The core plot was acceptable and it concluded the series well. The plot was a fitting finale, as it connects the events of the first book in a very final manner that doesn't leave room for more development. Overall, I gave this book four and a half stars for an admirable writing style, despite a lack of comic relief.

Secret Agent Gadget Battle

                                                                Could Have Been Better

              When a urgent message from their mother arrives, warning siblings Nick and Tesla  of a  dangerous spy nearby, their already-chaotic world is thrown into even more disrepair. Being that their eccentric Uncle Newt couldn't catch a elephant if it walked in front of him, they will have to fend for themselves.  So, when mysterious strangers start showing up, the siblings' detective skills will be put to the test. In a world where nothing is what it seems to be, no one is who they say they are, and cameras are hidden everywhere. Can even the most brilliant sleuth succeed?

                This book is excellent reading for younger children. I would estimate the age range for this book at  6 - 10 years old. If the book's vocabulary and complexity were to be developed more, and the plot extended, the age range could be increased. I applaud the use of hands-on projects in the book, but I thought they could have been removed from between chapters  and put in an index instead. Every project is related to the plot of the chapter that preceded it, and while this is good for readers who intend to follow along with the book and do each chapter's project after reading the chapter, I thought it disrupted the story's flow.  I gave the book three stars for having great potential for further development, a good basic plot, and for attempting to educate readers through a entertaining story.

Constable and Toop

                                            A Supernatural Thriller

Sam is not your average boy. After all, what other eleven-year-old boy runs errands for ghosts that only he can see? Sam's gift does not always seem like a gift to him. When ghosts make Sam run through London all day completing their unfinished business, it most certainly feels like a curse. Then, the ghosts evaporate without a word of thanks, leaving Sam both disgruntled and exhausted. However, when ghosts start disappearing this triggers a chain reaction that looses a serial killer and a hellhound upon London. Sam must rise to the occasion and save both the ghostly world and the human world from a sinister menace.

                While a ghost, a boy, and a murderer may seem like completely unrelated things, in the hands of a talented author, anything can be made to seem related. By that definition, Gareth P. Jones is most certainly a talented author. He succeeds not only in making the above three things connect, but he also succeeds in running three parallel plots, each with its own main character: Sam, Tanner, and Lapsewood. The book plots the adventures of these three simultaneously while carefully leading the characters towards a junction at the end of the book. Transitions from subplot to subplot are seamless, while remaining obvious, so as not to confuse readers. The combination of action and intrigue keep readers motivated. Despite the excellent storyline, because some of the murder scenes can be a bit graphic, I would not suggest this book for readers under 12 years old. I gave it five stars for good plot and laudable writing.

The Jupiter Pirates: Hunt for the Hydra

                                                         A Novel Idea

    Piloting starships is most definitely not a normal occupation for 12-year-old boys. However, for Tycho Hashoone, flying spaceships and privateering are all in a day's work. He and the entire Hashoone family are privateers who spend their lives commandeering Earth's cargo ships and ransoming cargo and crew, an illegal operation on Earth. That is why they joined the Jovian Union. The Jovian Union is an anti-Earth nation that is spread across Mars and the far reaches of the galaxy. However, when a mysterious diplomat appears on a dingy cargo ship, some eyebrows are raised. While this may not seem like much, the fact that the diplomat in question looks more like a thuggish pirate than an urbane peacemaker adds to the mystery. Soon, the Hashoone family is deeply entangled in a conspiracy that will plunge them into danger and refresh some old rivalries. Will they make it out in one piece?

      This book interested me from the start. I appreciated the mix of piratical and sci-fi elements. Although I have read other sci-fi pirate stories, I enjoyed the variety of character personalities in the story. I appreciated the mix of action and humor providing just the right tone to keep me reading. I liked the heavy intrigue that this story employed. The mysterious twists in the story kept the plot satisfyingly unpredictable. I would recommend this to anyone that likes action, adventure, and laser guns.