Skyboy: A Sci-Fi Action Adventure Novel by Adam Aresty

This book was listed on Net Galley with middle-grade releases even though Amazon indicates it’s for ages fifteen and above. Although the main characters are in high school, the story doesn’t contain anything inappropriate or too complicated that middle-graders can’t enjoy it.

What worked:

The book is relevant to some current and past health and social issues. Konstant (short for Konstantine) is the main character and he carries the MX-13 virus that has killed people around the world, including his mother. The pandemic forces those showing symptoms to be confined in guarded areas while Konstant wears a pin showing he has the virus without showing any signs of it. An inoculation exists to stop the disease but only the wealthy can afford it. Konstant’s uncle and sister carry MX-13 so his uncle is forced to work in a mine and his sister attends a technical school instead of college. The rich make money from new discoveries while workers struggle to make ends meet.

The owner of Metronome Logistics holds a national contest to discover creative solutions for the world’s problems. Konstant is inspired by one of his mother’s ideas but must break the law to make it work. Unfortunately, he’s been bullied by a classmate named Marcos for years and this kid reveals Konstant’s secret. Being expelled from school eliminates him from the competition until he gets help from an anonymous source. These events heighten the conflict between Konstant and the bully so readers know there will be sparks when they’re forced to work together. The finalists are invited to Metronome Logistics headquarters in New York City but Konstant learns a spy is likely among them. Konstant is asked to watch for the spy and his immediate suspicions are directed at Marcos. Readers will wonder if that’s too obvious to be true.

Konstant’s difficulties working with others are due to his MX-13 diagnosis and his mother’s opinions about teamwork. The red pin he’s required to wear makes people keep their distance from him and non-carriers aren’t allowed to work with him in school. He’s used to working alone. He’s proud of his heritage from an East-European country but his mother carried bitterness from working with others there. Rose, the daughter of the Metronome owner, is about Konstant’s age and has a mind of her own. She’s doing things behind the scenes to protect her father and the company but she’s unaware of his huge covert project. Rose and Konstant will eventually team up to defeat an enemy hiding within the company.

What didn’t work as well:

The winner of the contest will be announced on May 6, 2036. It’s clear the story takes place in the future but the advancements in technology aren’t believable to readers. It’s hard to imagine these significant changes can happen within twelve years of the book being published.

The final verdict:

The first half of the book describes Konstant’s efforts to enter the Metronome competition but the second half is an exciting, action-packed adventure. The author saves a shocking revelation for later as the story builds to a dramatic climax. I highly recommend you give it a shot.

The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland by M.L. Florez

What worked:

Roland is Maci’s loyal dog, but the author’s creative writing elevates him to an important character. Roland can’t talk but the narrator presents his thoughts as though he can communicate. Maci speaks to Roland as though he can understand human speech, and his actions give the impression that she’s correct. He has a stubborn streak and tends to negotiate for things he wants. Maci enters him into the town’s hero competition, which requires him to complete several difficult tasks; pie eating is not one of the hard ones. Roland gets frustrated or distracted at times and won’t get focused again until Maci offers him rewards. It’s not hard to imagine that Roland is smart enough to manipulate Maci into handing out more rewards.

Maci enjoys dark, gloomy things and she’s happiest being alone. Or is she? She begins to realize she’d like to have a friend (other than Roland) but her love for gothic things makes it more challenging. She learns that baking cookies is harder than she thought, and the cheer she writes for cheerleading tryouts isn’t well-received. Maci’s character is forced to reflect on the person she’s becoming and decide if she needs to change. Living in a colorful town with joyful, positive citizens presents challenges for Maci’s happiness. Luckily, she has an open mind and is willing to make changes in her life. However, she eventually learns that she must be true to herself.

What didn’t work as well:

The story moves at a good pace, so readers can finish it fairly quickly. However, it also means that character and plot development aren’t as detailed as they might be. Readers may miss learning more about Maci’s new friendships and the changes she undergoes.

The final verdict:

This is an emotional tale of a young, gothic girl trying to fit in. Roland is the most entertaining character as he supports Maci’s transformation. Overall, this book will appeal to dog lovers and young readers trying to find their way, and I recommend you give it a shot.

Keeper of the Rend by Lisa Maxwell

What worked:

Although not the most glamorous conflict, Xavier’s relationship with his family is strained. His father loses his job so the family is forced to live with his aunt in the country. Xavier has mixed emotions when his father wants to start spending time with him. Xavier likes the surprising attention but he’s unsure how to navigate these uncharted waters. The activities his father suggests always include his older brother, which is a problem. Xavier’s brother is a bully and harasses Xavier whenever he gets the chance. His parents aren’t helpful or supportive so Xavier is forced to deal with his brother alone. His mother is always busy working on the computer and she’s not happy to be disturbed.

Xavier is a bird LOVER but his family doesn’t understand his obsession with them. Many chapters begin with words written by Milton Von Wipple II, Xavier’s naturalist hero. These words sometimes hint at what’s to come although some parts disparage children. The ensuing chapters begin with humorous apologies and explanations for what Von Wipple says. Xavier soon meets Clem, a girl living on the farm next door, and he likes that she gets him. However, she can be abrasive and Xavier is annoyed that she always calls him Fletch; she says he looks more like a Fletch than a Xavier. Clem informs him about the Rend, a tear in the sky between two worlds, and Carriers that bring Crumbs into the world. The Carriers must be stopped immediately or the Crumbs will eventually allow dark and cold from the Nether to take over the world. The Nether will suck the warmth and life out of every living thing.

The Carriers are most intriguing because they appear to be normal birds. This fits perfectly with Xavier’s passion for birds although he doesn’t notice the difference right away. Actually, he stops Clem from killing a Carrier he thinks is a bird and inadvertently escalates the problem. Xavier and Milton Von Wipple inform readers about birds and nature in general while Clem shares her knowledge of Carriers. The peacefulness of the countryside and the beautiful innocence of birds contrast sharply with the impending gloom and danger of the Carriers. Xavier is averse to killing things and Clem’s slingshot has its limits. How are these two kids going to stop the Nether from invading through the Rend?

What didn’t work as well:

The book doesn’t have a great hook. Also, some parts of the story are repetitive and become noticeable. Clem describes how the world is in danger and the Carriers are becoming a bigger problem than she’s ever seen. In response, Xavier constantly asks if it’s time to notify her father but Clem always quashes those ideas.

The final verdict:

The wonderfully written book shares the complicated issues of family life, friendship, and saving the world. The climactic ending helps the characters grow into more understanding people. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker by Heidi Heilig

What worked:

The book opens with Natalie (she’d rather be called Cincinnati since that’s where her “Pops” lives) stealing an artifact from the museum where her mother works. However, her cousin Sebastian steals it from her so Cincinnati will need to get it back to break a family curse. Readers can imagine there are many curses to exorcise since Pops stole hundreds of relics from their original sites. It’s Cincinnati'’s intention to retrieve all those artifacts from museums around the world and return them to their countries of origin. It seems like an insurmountable task for a twelve-year-old seventh-grader.

Cincinnati’s never been too concerned about making friends since she has a scholarship to a private school of students with wealthy parents. Who cares about a bunch of snooty kids? Her best friend is Sebastian, the son of another museum worker. Sebastian is highly knowledgeable with a talent for creating replicas of ancient relics. Cincinnati comes to the aid of another anti-social student named Parsley and she surprisingly wants to be Cincinnati’s friend. Parsley would like to keep her family life secret but Cincinnati’s impulsiveness makes that a challenge. The unlikely trio band together to help Cincinnati break her family’s curse.

The Spear of Destiny creates the challenge that drives the adventure. Cincinnati’s initial plans to break her family’s curse are a complete flop so finding the spear may be the solution. This challenge is even more difficult due to other relic hunters competing with her plus it’s almost impossible to keep it a secret from her mom. The identities of the hunters may surprise Cincinnati but she’s shocked to discover one of them is willing to kill. The Spear of Destiny holds its own curse that’s confounded relic hunters since the time of Christ. The spear’s holder may get all of their wishes fulfilled but its downside might ruin their life.

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers might be bothered by Cincinnati’s friendship with Parsley. Too often, Cincinnati uses Parsley’s resources to further her treasure hunting so the foundation of their friendship is questionable. Parsley is looking for adventure in her life but Cincinnati’s sincerity toward her friend feels wrong. However, Cincinnati’s behavior provides room for her to grow as a person.

The final verdict:

This book will appeal to lovers of ancient relics and folklore. The livers of Cincinnati and her mother are centered around archaeology and Cincinnati’s main motivation is resolving the curses that have plagued her family for years. It’s a fast-paced adventure and I recommend you give it a shot. 

Quest for the Wishing Stone (Dungeoneer Adventures 3) by Ben Costa & James Parks

What worked:

Coop Cooperson leads a ragtag team of students as they learn exploring skills at the Dungeoneer’s Academy. The world is threatened by a group of dropouts and expelled students called the Elites who’ve been misled by Rake Lazler. He’s searching for the last shard of the Wishing Stone which will make him unstoppable. Coop thinks the greatest dungeoneer ever, Shane Shandar, will stop the Exiles until he realizes Shane may be in trouble. Coop’s Green Team embarks on a quest into the Abyss to rescue their hero and find the last piece to the Wishing Stone before Rake.

The story includes character relationships, like Coop’s crush on one of his teammates. He’s overwhelmed with emotions when he tries to talk to Daz so he doesn’t know if she feels the same way. A former bully named Zeek offers another conflict when he tries to change his ways.  Most of the other students doubt his sincerity but Coop believes everyone deserves a second chance. This creates friction when Zeek wants to join the quest and Coop’s best friend Oggie is especially upset. Oggie and Coop were the main targets of Zeek’s bullying and Oggie isn’t so quick to forgive.

A wide variety of creatures comprise the cast of characters with Coop being one of the few humans. Readers don’t need to be overly concerned about remembering their characteristics since illustrations can be found on most pages. The most unique descriptions are that Oggie is very large and Mindy can fly. The Abyss reveals impressive monsters to threaten the dungeoneers. A giant worm can eat its way through stone, another monster is made of rocks, and the Exiles fly atop huge bat-like beasts. The characters believed many of the monsters were extinct so Daz is just as excited to see them as she is being terrified.

What didn’t work as well:

The series seems to come to a satisfying end until questions are asked about two of the Exiles. The questions open the door for a sequel even though it sounded like everything was wrapped up only pages earlier.

The final verdict:

Readers can enjoy this adventure even if they haven’t read the previous two books in the series. Coop’s positivity, trust, and ability to see the good in people are highlighted, and share kind thoughts with readers. Oggie says Coop is the best of them and he’s willing to stand by people even when it isn’t easy. Readers who enjoy adventures and strange creatures will enjoy this book and I highly recommend you give it a shot!

Someone's Been Messing With Reality by John Hearne

What worked:

Readers aren’t sure what’s happening early in the book so it’s fun to wonder where the plot will go. On a yard camera, Martin sees his father flying from the roof of their house. Martin’s friend Tina has all kinds of wild ideas and she’s convinced his parents must be aliens. I hadn’t read the book’s synopsis yet so I didn’t know she was correct. Readers will become engrossed in the story as Martin tries to figure out why his parents have gone missing. Tina still has all kinds of theories and makes a drastic decision by a tower that dramatically alters the plot.

Enda is a fascinating character even though he barely says a word. He used to do everything with Martin and Tina until he fell from a cliff and damaged his brain. Tina and Martin can still guide him around but he can’t talk to them. He spends much of his time in the shed behind Martin’s house engrossed in a model train set. He doesn’t seem to make any matches when playing the Memory card game even though Martin senses there’s a pattern to his choices. Readers will suspect there’s more to Enda’s character than they see and they’ll anticipate the moment his secrets are revealed.

The author masterfully uses words and language to create moods that will captivate readers. They’ll experience Martin’s shock and confusion when he learns about his father’s talent and his parents’ disappearance. Martin discovers a message from them that creates hope and uncertainty. The author captures the claustrophobic feelings of climbing through narrow mine tunnels and the dark, damp surroundings. Readers feel haunted house emotions when Martin and Tina enter a huge cavern full of alien life. The plot ramps up to a thrilling climax full of terror and exhilaration.

What didn’t work as well:

As with some other books, the synopsis shares more information than it should. The author stimulates readers’ imaginations in the early chapters but the synopsis undermines the possibilities.

The final verdict:

This book works for me. The plot feels fresh and new even though it contains familiar elements of science fiction books. Martin is a sympathetic character as he gets thrown into the middle of a worldwide crisis. This book will appeal to lovers of aliens and action and I recommend you give it a shot.

The Gatekeeper’s Daughter by Susan Reimer

What worked:

This book presents a message that may evoke thoughts of our world today. Legend says, that many years ago people became greedy and took more from the sea than they needed. The Creator decided to separate the humans into four separate communities and the Gatekeeper controls who can enter the sea. People can breathe and talk as they do on land which may surprise some readers; it surprises some characters! Maira, daughter of the Gatekeeper, discovers the cavern mentioned in the synopsis and she fears it may be what created problems before. Of course, she keeps it a secret until strangers come to town. But. has she waited too long to stop disaster from returning?

An internal conflict is found in Maira as she begins to question whether she wants to become the next Gatekeeper. Many readers may relate to problems that come from parental expectations and traditions. Maira’s mother is dead so Maira is happy to help her father. However, gatekeeping and tending to the house don’t leave much time for herself and she wonders what she might be missing in the world. She also fears it’s getting harder to remember her mother. Maira knows the Gatekeeper is vital in guarding the sea but why does it need to be her?

The secret in the Cavern of Light is similar to some other books but it’s also innovative. It shows how greed can blind people to making bad choices and not foresee the consequences. The story addresses how humans sometimes need to protect nature from other humans before it’s ruined beyond repair. Maira takes charge of guarding the cavern although she learns it’s okay to ask for help. In the end, readers will see how Maira displays compassion and forgiveness when the town considers punishment for one of its citizens.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s hard to distinguish life in the sea and life on land since people can talk and breathe in both places. Kids play above and below the water and people garden on land and at the sea bottom. Mental images may be confused unless Maira visits the Cavern of Light.

The final verdict:

Readers can admire Maira’s honesty, caring, and bravery as she struggles in her role as the Gatekeeper’s daughter. Discovering the Cavern of Light creates different levels of conflict but Maira overcomes them in an exciting climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.