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Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students




*Invasion (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel)* by Jon S. Lewis- young adult book review
 
Invasion (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel)
by Jon S. Lewis
Grades 7+ 336 pages Thomas Nelson January 2011 Hardcover    

Invasion is a young adult rollercoaster ride into the world of science fiction, conspiracy, action and thrills with characters who will appeal to both genders. Jon S. Lewis is a veteran of the comic book industry (he is also the author of the Grey Griffins trilogy and Grey Griffin Clockworks Chronicles), and that experience adds to the plot and the visuals as he tells the story of a displaced surfer kid named Colt who learns his parents are not entirely who he thought they were.

In this book, lead character Colt’s adventure begins when a tragic crash takes the lives of both his parents. Colt leaves Southern California’s beaches to live with his grandfather in Arizona. Soon he begins to uncover information that leads him to believe that his journalist mother was about to expose a huge and powerful company called Trident Industries, and that both his parents may have been murdered because of what she knew.

Colt, along with old friends Oz and Dani and some new friends he makes in Arizona, is drawn into an even bigger mystery when he is recruited by a secret organization and learns that Trident Industries may be much more than just a sinister corporation. A doorway between realities has been opened, an invasion is underway, and - well, let’s put it this way: it’s not an invasion that will benefit human beings in any way, shape or form.

That invasion and the gateway between worlds add the fun elements of cryptozoology and shapeshifters to the mix, and there is plenty of action as Colt finds his normal life turned completely “paranormal” as he attempts to get to the truth, both about his parents’ deaths and about Trident Industries and their real agenda.

The writing is fast-paced and fun, although I was a bit confused by the abrupt introduction into the story that made me feel more like I was reading Book Two in the series rather than Book One, and the rather abrupt ending. Nonetheless, there is clearly enough here to appeal to kids from tweens to late teens.

The characters are developed just enough to appeal to this age group but would probably fall short for adults looking for a new Harry Potter-style series to latch onto. For the readers for whom it is intended, Invasion is a great first entry in what I am sure will be a successful series as more and more young adults discover the joys of becoming a part of an ongoing book experience.

It seems that perhaps the days of the singular novel are over, as more and more writers take on the series approach. Invasion will no doubt prove that this is a trend that plans to invade bookstores for quite awhile.
 
Young adult book reviews for ages 12 and up - middle school and high school students

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  Marie D. Jones/2011 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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