[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Walden Pond Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Leo and his brother, Gareth, live on board a science vessel called the Beagle with their father, Dr. Fender. At least, they did, before the Djarik came. They took Dr. Fender along with the fuel for the Beagle and stranded the rest of the crew in space. They don’t even leave anything pirates would want. Leo knows this because after the Djarik leave, the ship is attacked by pirates.
But those pirates give Gareth an idea. If the boys could stow away on the pirates’ ship, they could sneak off when they landed and find help for the Beagle. But the pirates’ hold only has room for one, so he sends Leo off to find help.
It doesn’t take long for the pirates to find Leo. And after some deliberation, they decide not to just push him out into space. But what started as a plan to look for help for Gareth and the Beagle becomes a fight for their lives. Leo might be with the pirates longer than Gareth had planned….
Review
I enjoyed this latest story from John David Anderson. Leo is a great kid, and I was rooting for him the whole time. I enjoyed the science fiction story and the ragtag group Leo finds himself with.
There are a lot of flashback scenes and moments of remembering for Leo. And while at times that filled the backstory in nicely, other times they interrupted the flow of the story and the momentum of the action. I think I would have liked fewer flashbacks – or maybe shorter ones. The action with Leo and the quest to find his family held my attention better.
I wasn’t sure I would read a sequel to this one, but the epilogue is great and sets up book two really nicely. There are some predictable developments here, but they were all enjoyable. I’d happily adventure with Leo and friends again.
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good +