Monday, January 4, 2010

Review: Explorer X-Alpha


This is a YA Sci-Fi novel by L M Preston.

Book Blurb:

After receiving a camp immunization needed for travel to Mars, Aadi finds that the immunization is the catalyst of an insidious experiment. Lucky for him, he was engineered to survive, thrive, and dominate. Without realizing he is being trained to conquer worlds, and manipulated under the guise of a camp, he unfolds the plot too late for a change of fate.

Aadi's world is shaken upon the revelation that life before camp was not what it appeared. This solidifies his plan to save them all from the company that seeks to control him, only for his rescue to end abruptly due to a freak accident on a field trip to Mars.

The full experiment is set in motion when he and his co-pilot crash in a distant galaxy called Shrenas, where they change and realize the full extent of their power. Holding onto his humanity, in the midst of turning into the unknown is Aadi's biggest battle yet.

This book was submitted for review and I retain my copy of the book. :)

Explorer X-Alpha is a good read - but not for younger children.

I have to say that I was honestly disturbed by the amount of violence in this book. These kids are supposed to be in middle school and the amount of hand to hand fighting that occurs during the course of this story is staggering - to say the least.

Now in the books defense - some of this fighting takes place in a virtual world - but still the fighting is there and it is graphic. I would not feel comfortable giving this book to any child under the age of 13.

I understand that the violence stems from the experiments that were done on the children - but I don't know that all 10 year olds would grasp that concept.

That being said - I did enjoy Explorer X-Alpha. The concept of the book is great. The story ended on a cliff hanger and I am very interested in finding out what happens next with Aadi and his friends. :)

I give Explorer X-Alpha 3 out of 5 stars.

M

Explorer X-Alpha
ISBN: 978-0-9841989-0-0
LCCN: 2009907784
YA- Science Fiction Novel
Ages: 10 years +
Author: L M Preston
Publisher: Phenomenal One Press

2 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

yes perhaps it would be better suited for older children.
Nice review Michelle

Michelle Greathouse said...

Thanks B. :)