Alienation

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