Every so often on Bookworm for Kids, I present a book, which is categorized in the adult category, because parents like to read too. These books do not contain any content, which is 'worse' than the average young adult novel. In other words, these are books which don't need to be hid in the back of a closet or underneath the bed. These books can easily be read by the young adult audience and enjoyed as well.
But my readers, which love to visit because of the younger audience end...have no worries! Later today, I also have a super cute (and I mean amazingly adorable) picture book to share with you, too.
Today's read slides into a fantasy/science fiction direction and explores a world, which is coming to an end and how the race plans to continue to survive...or so, that's the gist I'm getting from the blurb. It's been getting lovely reviews, and since I haven't had a book in this direction for awhile, I wanted to give it a read.
Ready to head into an apocalypse?
ARK OF THE APOCALYPSE
The Magellan II Chronicles
Book One
by Tobin Marks
Boyle and Dalton
Science Fiction
300 pages
Earth is on the verge of becoming a dead planet.
The polar ice caps melted long ago, and it's been decades since the last raindrop fell. Ocean levels rise a dozen meters, and forest fires rage on a global scale. Eleven billion people dying of thirst wage water wars against each other as extinction looms.
Humanity needs a new planet. As Earth deteriorates, the nation states desperately work together to build a mechanism for recolonization. And so the Magellan II is born, the first starship capable of interstellar travel.
The future of the human race is tasked to ten thousand colonists-now homeless but for the vastness of space and the decks of Magellan II. A distant planet offers hope of survival, but it's a strange, watery world inhabited by giant reptiles.
Humanity is starting over, but survival isn't guaranteed.
The polar ice caps melted long ago, and it's been decades since the last raindrop fell. Ocean levels rise a dozen meters, and forest fires rage on a global scale. Eleven billion people dying of thirst wage water wars against each other as extinction looms.
Humanity needs a new planet. As Earth deteriorates, the nation states desperately work together to build a mechanism for recolonization. And so the Magellan II is born, the first starship capable of interstellar travel.
The future of the human race is tasked to ten thousand colonists-now homeless but for the vastness of space and the decks of Magellan II. A distant planet offers hope of survival, but it's a strange, watery world inhabited by giant reptiles.
Humanity is starting over, but survival isn't guaranteed.
MY TIDBITS
With strong world-building, this book takes the Earth to meet its end and explores the struggles survivors have to continue mankind's survival on another planet.
Unlike many dystopian books, this one starts long before the world ends and the spacecraft sets off to find a new planet for the colonists. It begins in the 1930's and works its way quickly through history to make sure the necessary background and foundation is laid. The death of Earth takes time and so do the plans of those involved in its end. Everything is carefully laid out, creating a rich plot and story line. The processes are easy to follow and understandable, giving lots of food for thought before the journey into space even begins. So, this is definitely a well-planned and well-written novel.
For my taste, though, it was a bit slow. While the general pacing is steady, the journey of the colonists doesn't really take place until about 2/3rd's through the book. But considering this is the beginning to a series, that's not necessarily a problem. It just isn't completely my type of read. The author uses various points of view from differing positions and experiences to allow the reader to gain a well-woven understanding and view of what happens and how its handled. While it was very interesting, it also made many of the characters remain at an arm length's away, since their thoughts and feelings didn't really come into play. So, while the tale was intriguing, it was hard to gain an emotional connection, at times.
The pacing picks up when the colonists launch into space. When they arrive at the strange world, there are intriguing problems to be faced and the book seems to jump into a slightly different direction...as if two books have formed one. I enjoyed the mix of science fiction with hints of fantasy, and found the entire setting original. The basis for future books in the series is well laid during this part as well.
While this isn't completely my type of read, it's very well done and is sure to delight readers who enjoy rich worlds, well-laid out plots, and look forward to being invited to ponder situations long after the book is laid down.
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