Book Review: MiNRS by Kevin Sylvester
MiNRS
Series: MiNRS #1
Author: Kevin Sylvester
Published: September 22, 2015
336 Pages
Reviewed By: Cristina
Book Description:
A boy and his friends must find a way to survive in the mining tunnels after their new space colony is attacked in this gritty action-adventure novel, which School Library Journal called “a solid survival story.”
In space. Underground. And out of time.
Christopher Nichols and his family live on a new planet, Perses, as colonists of Melming Mining’s Great Mission to save the earth. Dozens of families like Christopher’s have relocated, too, like his best friend Elena Rosales.
A communications blackout with Earth hits, and all of Perses is on its own for three months. It’s okay, though, because the colonists have prepared, stockpiling food and resources to survive. But they never prepared for an attack.
Landers, as the attackers are called, obliterate the colony to steal the metal and raw ore. Now in a race against time, Christopher, along with a small group of survivors, are forced into the maze of mining tunnels. The kids run. They hide. But can they survive?
Cristina’s Review:
It all started when Melman Mining figured out how to mine small planetoids in the solar system. Earth is almost out of mineral resources, and Perses, a small planet on the outer edges of our solar system, is full of precious minerals. Christopher is 12 years old, and along with his classmates and friends, is part of the first colony on Perses. Everything is going well–until the colony is attacked. Not aliens. Other humans. Christopher and a few of his friends are the only survivors of the initial attack. Can they survive in the mining tunnels long enough for help to arrive? Or will they have to defend the only home they’ve ever known on their own?
Kevin Sylvester has written one thrilling science-fiction adventure with MINRS. It is NOT a book for squeamish young readers. There isn’t a “happy ending.” There isn’t any gore, but there are injuries, and death, and an intense setting that might be too much for younger readers. He also did the research for the scientific parts of the story which makes it feel all the more real. The character development is good, and the twists in the story are hard to see coming. This is the first book in a trilogy, so the cliff-hanger ending is perfect. If your reader loves non-stop action and intrigue, this is a great series for them. Just be prepared–you may want to check out the entire trilogy at once. Oh, and maybe have some tissues on hand. There are some very tender moments between the kids amid all the action.
Book Review: Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison
Make Room! Make Room!
Author: Harry Harrison
Published: 1966
288 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 3 stars
Book Description:
Kim’s Review:
Ok, I think I’ve come to a conclusion: Old book to film adaptations are so ridiculously different from modern ones. This is the second one that I’ve read where the film is actually miles better than the original book! I’m weirded out! I showed Ivan Soylent Green last year and I was reminded how brilliant it was. I mean, Charlton Heston, but even aside from him! That movie is terrifying and so well done! I noticed that it said it was based on a novel, so naturally, I looked it up. I finally bought it and read it … and it wasn’t that great at all!
I don’t want to spoil Soylent Green cuz everybody should watch it, but very little of the story from the book was put into the movie. And the story in the movie is so much better! Some of the concepts were the same; overcrowding, lack of resources, extreme classism, etc. and the setting was well done. I liked Andy Rusch, but mainly because I was picturing Heston the whole time. Overall, I’m glad I read it, but I’d quickly recommend the movie to anyone else!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale
Series: The Handmaid’s Tale #1
Author: Margaret Atwood
First Published: 1985
314 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now . . .
Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and tour de force.
Kim’s Review:
What an intense read! Like Orwell and Bradbury, Atwood is great with the cautionary tales! It does take a little while to get going and figure out what is happening, but then it takes off! I realize that as a woman, my perspective is going to be different. Listening to Offred comparing her life in Gilead to her life during the Anarchy, I was terrified. Leaving abortion out of it (I’m not going to start a political fight, we all love each other too much to do that), all the rights and freedoms pulled from women are the kinds of things that we’re even seeing today for everyone! Thankfully, it hasn’t gotten nearly as far as Gilead, but like I said, Atwood is all about a cautionary tale. Is it as good as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451? I won’t say that. I’ll also say that maybe it could have used a little more action. However, it’s and engaging and scary read and I think the majority of Americans should read it!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
