Monday, December 9, 2024

Skyfleet ~ Book Review

 

When the skies turn deadly, a young heroine must rise from the ashes...

Twelve-year-old Amberley Jain has faced incredible challenges since the crash that took her parents and paralysed her legs. Now, with her best friend Ricardo Lopez about to be sent away and a swarm of mutated insects closing in on the Skyfleet base, the stakes have never been higher. Something monstrous is driving the mutabugs north from the contaminated meteor site known as the Cauldron, and the only plane capable of stopping it - the Firehawk - lies in pieces in the hangar.

Determined to honour her parents' legacy, Amberley hatches a daring plan. With Ricardo's help, they stow away on a supply train, trading his most treasured possession for the parts needed to repair the Firehawk. After secret test flights, the legendary jet is ready for action. Now, Amberley and Ricardo must confront the deadly swarm and save their home, discovering their inner strength and the true meaning of friendship along the way.

Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs is a thrilling tale of adventure and resilience, perfect for middle-grade readers.

Skyfleet
MG | Sci-Fi
Adventure
24 October 20204
198 Pages

My Rating ~ 3 bites and a nibble




Amberley Jain and her best friend Ricardo Lopez are what my generation would refer to as: little stinkers. LOL Twleve years old and getting into things they really shouldn’t be, but with good intentions in their hearts. Along with a bunch of colonists from the Old World, the kids are just trying to survive on a planet turned hostile after a meteor strike releases radiation and turns bugs mutant. Or, as they call them, mutabugs. When something else even worse than the mutabugs rises up from the Cauldron (site of meteor strike) it’s all hands on deck. And that includes the kids though the adults don’t know that. Yet.


I had a hard time connecting with the kids. Not sure why really. I’ve enjoyed all of this author’s works previously, so it may just be me. After the first few chapters though I got it into gear and strapped in for a terrifying ride. Mutabugs. Gross! Bugs don’t usually bother me, but even I would probably have a hard time with ginormous bugs that can regenerate. Wut?! That’s just crazy talk! Anyway, the kids are resourceful and clever and they have help from a few rebelish adults. The plot moves fast and is entertaining so that the grand finale is upon you before you know it. If you like MG Sci-Fi Adventure then be sure to pick this up.


Victoria Williamson grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and has worked as an educator in a number of different countries, including as an English teacher in China, a secondary science teacher in Cameroon, and a teacher trainer in Malawi.

As well as degrees in Physics and Mandarin Chinese, she has completed a Masters degree in Special Needs in Education. In the UK she works as a primary school special needs teacher, working with children with a range of additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities and behavioural problems.

She is currently working as a full time writer of Middle Grade and YA contemporary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, with a focus on creating diverse characters reflecting the many cultural backgrounds and special needs of the children she has worked with, and building inclusive worlds where all children can see a reflection of themselves in heroic roles.

Victoria’s experiences teaching young children in a school with many families seeking asylum inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of redemption and unlikely friendship between Glaswegian bully Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website.




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