Nyxia Unleashed

May 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-After starting off with a bang, this series continues with a nice round of fireworks. Continuing exactly where Nyxia left off, there is no time to regroup as the action stays on track. The Genesis survivors must immediately make their way to a safe zone where they are greeted by the Adamites, the indigenous species of the planet. Emmett and the others soon realize that things are not at all what they were told, promises will clearly be broken, and dual agendas make their mission one of continued life-and-death struggle. Friendships and alliances created on the training ships are tested as some members fracture off, intent on harming others within the group. A dangerous but beautiful environment shows Emmett, Morning, and the others what they are made of, whom they can trust, and pushes them to their limits physically, emotionally, and mentally. This is an amazing continuation of a solid first installment. New characters are introduced and serve a strong purpose in propelling the story forward. There is nonstop action with new discoveries on every page. Familiarity with the previous book is imperative in order to feel the action's full effect, and to have enough background knowledge to appreciate the game of cat and mouse that is played within. VERDICT Purchase this extremely well-written series title.-Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford College, TX

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May 15, 2018
Emmett Atwater and his team journey to the planet Eden after a series of interstellar competitive trials that led to the deaths of some of their team members. Most of the teens joined the Babel competition for the lucrative compensation offered to their families on Earth, an appealing incentive for Emmett, who was raised on the poor side of Detroit. Having landed, their one job is to mine nyxia, a very expensive resource. Upon landing, Emmett and his crew meet the planet's inhabitants, the Imago, a race of humanlike beings who seem amicable and willing to share information about their planet and species. The Imago are, however, headed for extinction due to a shortage of females in their world. When one of Emmett's team members discovers she is pregnant, she becomes a valuable asset for the Imago. Meanwhile, Emmett learns that his employer has stashed away marines--people frozen in hidden cryogenic chambers, set aside for battle. Many questions arise: Why are the marines there? Will the team get to go back home to Earth as promised when the mining is complete? If there is a secret battle plan, which side will Emmett and his team join, Babel's or the Imago's? The diverse characters are a refreshing aspect of this tale; however the worldbuilding of the planet Eden falls short.A story with potential; perhaps the next installment will deliver more imagination. (Science fiction. 14-18)

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