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March 10, 2014
Fine (the Guards of the Shadowlands series) joins movie producer and first-time author Jury to deliver a high-octane thriller, first in a duology, about a young man trained from birth to uphold a family responsibility he knows nothing about. When 16-year-old Tate Archer swipes a mysterious invention from his father’s lab, he inadvertently sets off a multi-faction hunt with devastating results. It seems that aliens live among us and actually make up a significant portion of the populace; this device can identify who’s human and who’s “H2.” With humans and aliens desperate to obtain the device, Tate and his companions, including his girlfriend Christina and his long-absent mother, are thrust into an intense, paranoid situation where no one can be trusted. Tate, a polyglot martial artist skilled in making improvised weapons, is the ideal teen action hero, and Christina is no slouch herself. The story starts strong, but weakens once the heroes find temporary safety in a remote compound filled with human survivalists. However, the cinematic approach and constant action make this a satisfying page-turner, albeit one with a cliffhanger. Ages 12–up. Agent: New Leaf Literary & Media.

April 1, 2014
Tate Archer stumbles into a secret intergalactic conflict. Frederick Archer insists that his son learn multiple languages, math, science and self-defense--all in the name of some mysterious family responsibility. Tate rebels by sneaking into his father's lab and borrowing an invention, a scanner. The next thing Tate knows, he and his girlfriend are on the run from police and secret-agent types. His father--before paying the price for Tate's mistake--spills the family secret: Aliens indistinguishable from humans invaded 400 years ago, systematically infiltrated powerful positions and are outbreeding humanity. Only one-third of the population is biologically human. Indeed, most aliens think they're human; their central organization ruthlessly guards their secret. The Archers are part of a coalition of human families in the know trying to preserve humanity. Tate puzzles out his father's scanner while dodging aliens and discovering other coalition members' unpleasant truths. Untrustworthy adults force Tate to solve his own problems--his skill with improvised, household-materials chemistry allows him to do so explosively, alongside his competent, quick-thinking girlfriend. The chemistry applications are delightful, but bio-geeks might be skeptical about the mechanics of the invasion. The prose sometimes overnarrates, pairing showing with redundant telling, but action keeps the plot moving. The resolution casts doubt on everything Tate and readers think they know, setting up for a sequel. Car chases, explosions and action galore--awesome. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Typical teen Tate consistently argues with his dad about not being able to have a normal life: Why can't he have a girlfriend? Why did he start learning chemistry at age five? Why must he learn so many languages? One day he breaks into his father's super secret lab and finds a cool, scanner-like gadget that glows blue when he waves it over himself and red for his girlfriend. Bringing the contraption to school results in being attacked by crazy strangers and the death of his father who was trying to protect him. With his dying breath, the scientist reveals that the human race has been infiltrated by aliens who have been breeding with humans, and few "pure" humans are left, including Tate himself. Now the teen is on the run, not sure who to trust. With the help of his mother, possibly alien girlfriend, and the advanced skills in science and fighting he has acquired over the years, the protagonist tries to figure out the secret behind his father's invention. This is a fast-paced, very readable sci-fi novel solidly aimed at young adults who aren't into "bug-eyed aliens" tales but love good suspense stories. Jury and Fine place the narrative firmly in our universe with vague hints of otherness and lots of fights, explosions, and the occasional tame love scene. Readers know only what Tate knows and will enjoy the fun of trying to figure out the mystery. A fun, escapist novel with a cliffhanger ending. A solid choice for reluctant readers.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2014
Grades 9-12 TV star MacGyver lives on for a new generation in this cinematic thriller. When Tate steals a high tech gadget from his father's lab, he never imagines that his little stunt will leave his father dead, much less start an intergalactic war. Now Tate is on the run, one of a few people who know humanoid aliens have been taking over the world for centuries, and he has got the only piece of technology that can differentiate the species. To survive, Tate will have to stay one step ahead of the aliens and figure out whom he can trust; even The Fifty, a secret organization of families with pure human lineage who are dedicated to fighting the invasion, are not all they appear to be. The science isn't always clear, and some plot points are murky, but readers will be so caught up in the tension-filled chase scenesand Tate's ability to create volatile weapons from oranges and lighter fluidthat they won't notice. The cliff-hanger ending will have readers clamoring for the next installment in this exciting series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)