Alienation

November 1, 2011
In this sequel to Invasion (2010), Lewis continues the series opener's breakneck pace, fascination with gadgetry, improbable alien creatures and comic-book logic. Young hero Colt is back with pals Oz and Danielle, only this time they're headed to the CHAOS Military Academy (Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural). Colt's Grandpa, a World War II hero, is the real-life basis for the Phantom Fighter, a comic-book character, and life often imitates the comics here, as when Grandpa's car suddenly sprouts Gatling guns on each side of the hood, among other modifications. Early on, Colt learns through a memory extraction that he has been injected with the blood of the Thule, aliens who resemble six-armed walking reptiles. According to their legends, he is the "Betrayer." The omniscient narration is usually filtered through Colt's perspective, but there are interludes in which the stories of others are followed. Presumably this is meant to heighten suspense, but it simply manages to push the plot beyond credibility. The romance that leavened the first book is missing, and such gadgetry as "concrete foam," two-way radio transceivers implanted in the auditory canal and clothing constructed with nanotechnology overtake the plot. The illustrations that would be integral to actual comics are sorely missed, and the simple descriptions of such improbable doings leave a lot to be desired. The ending is open for further adventures, with the Thule still threatening. Action? Yes. Sense? Not hardly. (Thriller. 10-15)

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June 1, 2012

Gr 6-8- Alienation follows Invasion (Thomas Nelson, 2011) and leaves the door wide open for book three. Teens Colt, Oz, and Danielle have been singled out by the Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural (CHAOS). Colt's parents have been killed, and a blood transfusion might eventually make Colt "the Betrayer" by turning him into a Thule, a race of intelligent reptiles that can shape-shift into any form. After a fight (rocket packs versus giant armored wasps) and a plane ride (private jet versus giant flying jellyfish), the trio arrives at CHAOS headquarters to finish high school and train to "save the world." These boys, girls, and friendly aliens don't just carry guns and drive fast cars. They carry Sig Sauer P230s and HK MP5 submachine guns, and they ride in Mercedes R350 Crossovers and G550 SUVs. All this firepower is necessary to fight the Thule, "war mongers" determined to eradicate human life and make Earth their home. Lewis spins screenplay-ready descriptions of exotic life-forms, hoverboards, and technological weaponry, and while this is no Ender's Game (TOR, 1985), it will appeal to kids who like this type of story. They'll happily overlook the plot holes in favor of the fast-paced action with comic-book flair.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.