Graphic Novel Review: Outpost Zero

Outpost Zero by Sean McKeever

Outpost Zero: The Complete Collection
by  Sean McKeever, Alexandre Tefenkgi (Illustrator), Jean-François Beaulieu (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars

Alea has grown up in the Outpost, a massive spaceship that crash-landed on a frozen planet generations ago. So much time has passed that Alea’s generation has forgotten how to use most of the technology their ancestors had, and much of the spaceship is inaccessible because it’s buried underground. Alea believes that her society needs to push themselves to do more than just survive in the frozen wastelands of the planet. She wants to explore and find new innovations so that society can thrive. But people are afraid. Alea’s friends are struggling too. Some have given up, seeing no hope in the future. When one of Alea’s friends commits suicide, she knows she has to find out the truth about the Outpost.

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Book Review: A Confusion of Princes

A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix

A Confusion of Princes
by Garth Nix (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Khemri is one of thousands of Princes in the empire, all fighting to become the next Emperor. He is biologically enhanced to make him faster, smarter, and stronger than regular humans. When Khemri comes of age, he begins to realize just how brutal the fighting between Princes can be. He narrowly escapes several assassination attempts with the help of his loyal servant, the Master of Assassins. However, the empire has specific plans for Khemri, and he is sent on a secret mission where he learns what it truly means to be human.

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Graphic Novel Review: New Masters

New Masters by Shobo Coker

New Masters
by Shobo Coker,Shof Coker (Illustrator), Francesco Segala (Colorist), Harrison Yinfaowei (Colorist)

3.5 out of 5 stars
Ola is a young teen determined to find scraps of obsidium to sell on the black market. She explores the dangerous ruins of crashed spaceships in the wilderness looking for obsidium. She hopes to make a better life for her family. Her parents have other ideas about how to make a better life; they lead a crew of thieves and conmen who steal from the rich, but they also try to assist the poor by finding inventive ways to provide water and power for poor neighborhoods.

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Book Reviews: Roswell High #9-10

The Dark One by Melinda Metz

The Dark One (Roswell High, #9)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 of 5 stars

In this book, Isabel starts to go through an alien time of change, and she worries that she will end up like Max did when he went through his alien change. She turns to Michael to help her, and they have to avoid Max. Alex is undergoing a change of his own, in his social status at school. Suddenly he is popular and has more dates than he knows what to do with. Maria worries that his new popularity will change who he is and separate him from his old friends.

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Book Review: Roswell High The Vanished

The Vanished by Melinda Metz

The Vanished (Roswell High, #7)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Max is distracted and distant, worried about Alex who is stranded on an alien planet. Liz feels the distance growing between herself and Max. She tries to keep a friendly demeanor with Adam, knowing that he has a crush on her. But Adam feels himself increasingly drawn to her, and they are often together. The group of friends are all searching for a way to bring Alex home, but there are enemies hidden in plain sight.

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Book Review: Roswell High The Intruder

The Intruder by Melinda Metz

The Intruder (Roswell High, #5)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Michael has been captured by Sheriff Valenti and is being held as a prisoner in a secret compound. The rest of the gang are trying to come up with some kind of plan to rescue Michael. Just when they think they might have some answers, another alien brings all their plans to a crashing halt. Isabel keeps wondering if her relationship with Alex is really what she wants, or if her connection to Michael means something more.

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Graphic Novel Review: Everyday Hero Machine Boy

Everyday Hero Machine Boy by Irma Kniivila

Everyday Hero Machine Boy
by Irma Kniivila, Trí Vương

4 out of 5 stars

A mysterious robot boy crash lands in a city, and soon his programming detects a threat. The programming goes into combat mode, attacking bystanders and accidentally destroying a grocery store greenhouse. But when a little bird is hurt, his programming seems to awaken a consciousness and the boy becomes aware of his actions. He looks around and realizes that the devastation is his own fault. He tries to make amends and rebuilds the greenhouse. He is adopted by a sweet lady, who he begins to call his grandmother. Gradually he learns to be human and fit in with society. But there are those who would use his robot programming for their own selfish ends.

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Non Fiction Review: Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture

Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture by David Lemmo

Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture
by David Lemmo

3 out of 5 stars

The fictional character of Tarzan heralded the beginning of the superhero archetype in literature. A man who is more than a man; stronger, faster, smarter, and capable of super-human deeds of courage and glory.

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Book Review: The Watcher

The Watcher by Melinda Metz

The Watcher (Roswell High, #4)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

In this fourth book of the series, Max is worried that he might be dying from a strange alien condition. His only chance is for them to find the alien ship that crashed decades before. Liz will do anything to save him. The group of friends spend their days scouring the desert, looking for a clue to the whereabouts of the crashed ship. Maria admits her true feelings for Michael, and Alex stands up to his father. Isabel feels a special connection to Max and Michael as they explore what it means to be human or alien. Each character is growing in different directions, but they all unite around Max when he needs their help.

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Book Review: The Philosophy Resistance Squad

The Philosophy Resistance Squad by Robert Grant

The Philosophy Resistance Squad
by Robert Grant

3 out of 5 stars

Milo begins the school year at his new school, one of the highest ranking schools in the world. He and his two best friends are thrilled to have been accepted into this elite school until they meet the headmaster, Dr. Pummelcrush. The older students act like mindless zombies, going to classes, eating the disgusting food, and never breaking any rules. Milo begins to suspect that they might be brainwashed. He discovers a garden hidden away on the school grounds. In the garden, he meets a teacher who used to teach philosophy (before the school banned the class because it made students think for themselves). Milo and his friends start to learn all they can about philosophy, hoping that an open mindset will help them to resist being brainwashed.

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