Pod

March 8, 2010
Debut novelist Wallenfels delivers an intense novel of humanity's reaction to an alien invasion. When the PODs—hovering alien balls that obliterate any humans who venture outdoors—appear, 15-year-old Josh and his father are trapped inside their house in a small Washington town. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Megs is trapped in a parking garage in California, waiting for her mother to return. The story alternates between each protagonist, as Josh faces internal struggles over his isolation and his father's increasing depression, and Megs deals with a dangerous group that has taken over an adjacent hotel. Wallenfels isn't afraid to take risks, often yanking hope away from the characters in the most painful ways, and it usually pays off. By focusing on the humans and keeping the aliens' motivations shrouded in mystery, he creates a tense environment for readers. There are some bits that fall flat—Megs's adventures, in particular, seem to be artificially extended over the 28 days of the story, and rely too often on conveniently overheard conversations, but, overall, the book is fast-paced and engrossing. Ages 10–up.

Starred review from May 15, 2012

When the swarm of black spheres appears without warning in the sky, all the people caught out in the open beneath the "pods" disappear in a flash of light. While animals are able to move around freely, humans are trapped indoors without Internet or telephone and with only the supplies they have on hand. Teenager Josh must deal with a father whose survivalist reaction to the pods grows stranger as days pass without relief. Megs, a young girl abandoned in a hotel parking garage, forages for supplies while evading a gang of brutal thugs who bully and steal from everyone they encounter. VERDICT Wallenfels's fast-paced debut, first published as an ebook to critical acclaim, examines modern society's dependence on technology and tendency to avoid planning for the future. While the main characters are young and, in their own ways, appealingly sympathetic, this is primarily a book for adult (and mature YA) readers, as it contains disturbing events appropriate to the plot. Reminiscent of Stephen King's early novels, this sf horror tale could adapt easily to film.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.