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essrich's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This is a fun and adventurous first book in a younger middle grade series. Filled with high-tech gadgets and virtual reality(ish) simulations of distant lands, it’s sure to capture readers’ imaginations. At the end of the book, there’s even some real-world discussion of innovations that could lead to the many different types of tech in the book—I loved that real-world tie-in. Cruz’s virtual “journeys” to different lands were interesting—I especially loved the trip to the butterfly conservation area in Mexico—and they always had a bit of excitement thrown in as well. Kids will appreciate the diverse cast (especially the Scottish character, whose distinct phrases are really fun), and the fact that they can learn some interesting facts throughout the book without feeling like they’re learning. I’m guessing this book would have been a big hit with my kids a few years ago.
Be forewarned that this is very much a setup to a series—the book introduces the Explorer Academy and sets up the mystery of what happened to Cruz’s mom. It also introduces a set of clues that Cruz must follow in future books. Still, my daughter (a few years ago, when she would have been the right age for this book) wouldn’t have minded this, I don’t think. There was enough story to keep you interested and a resolution to at least one issue that was brought up in the book (though that issue was introduced relatively late). I think it would be enough to keep a younger middle grade reader interested and wanting to read more.
One other note: I don’t usually talk about the actual construction of a book, but I have to say that this book is beautifully made. The pages are thick and it has colored illustrations throughout. The whole thing feels like a National Geographic book—like a smaller version of one of their coffee table books. I was super impressed with the quality and thought it really set this book apart.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This is a fun and adventurous first book in a younger middle grade series. Filled with high-tech gadgets and virtual reality(ish) simulations of distant lands, it’s sure to capture readers’ imaginations. At the end of the book, there’s even some real-world discussion of innovations that could lead to the many different types of tech in the book—I loved that real-world tie-in. Cruz’s virtual “journeys” to different lands were interesting—I especially loved the trip to the butterfly conservation area in Mexico—and they always had a bit of excitement thrown in as well. Kids will appreciate the diverse cast (especially the Scottish character, whose distinct phrases are really fun), and the fact that they can learn some interesting facts throughout the book without feeling like they’re learning. I’m guessing this book would have been a big hit with my kids a few years ago.
Be forewarned that this is very much a setup to a series—the book introduces the Explorer Academy and sets up the mystery of what happened to Cruz’s mom. It also introduces a set of clues that Cruz must follow in future books. Still, my daughter (a few years ago, when she would have been the right age for this book) wouldn’t have minded this, I don’t think. There was enough story to keep you interested and a resolution to at least one issue that was brought up in the book (though that issue was introduced relatively late). I think it would be enough to keep a younger middle grade reader interested and wanting to read more.
One other note: I don’t usually talk about the actual construction of a book, but I have to say that this book is beautifully made. The pages are thick and it has colored illustrations throughout. The whole thing feels like a National Geographic book—like a smaller version of one of their coffee table books. I was super impressed with the quality and thought it really set this book apart.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
levidenbow's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
retiredlibrarylady's review
5.0
Reading the first in a series is only satisfying if there is some resolution to the story contained in th3 book. If I never read another of these, I still thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's a sci-fi story sponsored by National Geographic, about a future where young teens are selected to go to Explorer Academy in DC. Cruz Coronado lives in Hawaii, where he and his father moved after his mother's death. She worked at the Academy, as does his aunt, and died in an accident there. As Cruz settles in, mysterious events lead him to the knowledge that his mother's death was no accident. He also learns that she has left him clues around the world to the solution of who? Wonderful depiction of future learning and teaching. Exciting adventure and friendship story.
melissakristofferson's review
4.0
[ Read aloud with Kellan ]
(from Kellan, 8) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ While it has a bit of a slow start, this book was full of adventure, interesting scientific & engineering ideas and mystery (who or what is Nebula?). There are quite a few ups and downs in the book. I’d recommend it for ages 7-10.
(from Kellan, 8) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ While it has a bit of a slow start, this book was full of adventure, interesting scientific & engineering ideas and mystery (who or what is Nebula?). There are quite a few ups and downs in the book. I’d recommend it for ages 7-10.
thelilbulldozer's review
5.0
Alex Rider meets Greenhouse Academy.
What more do you need?
Granny's Rating: 4.5
What more do you need?
Granny's Rating: 4.5
cauchemarlena's review against another edition
3.0
See raamat oli vaimustav ja põnev ning ma arvan, et nooremale lugejale meeldib see ka. 12-aastane Cruz on üks neist vähestest väljavalitutest, kes võetakse vastu Avastajate Akadeemiasse, kus nutikatest noortest tuleviku avastajaid tehakse. Nagu ühele seikluslikule raamatule kohane, on ka siin teoses üks suur pahalane, kes teatud põhjusel peategelase suhtes kurje plaane haub.
Mulle pahalane ei meeldinud, kohe üldse mitte, ning tema motiiv ka mitte, aga mis teha. Lastele ehk sobib selline lahendus väga hästi.
Mulle pahalane ei meeldinud, kohe üldse mitte, ning tema motiiv ka mitte, aga mis teha. Lastele ehk sobib selline lahendus väga hästi.
kittymamers's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Potteri ja Morrigan Crow austajatele väga tore maiuspala, maagia asemel on teadus (või, ütleme, žanriks on fantaasia asemel teadusulme?), aga muidu sama lugu. no kuni sinnamaani välja, et ühel hetkel olin ühe tegelase kohta sunnitud ohkama "ah siis selline Quirrell seekord". ja eks ikka saab teismeliste trio uue kooliga kohaneda, sõprusi sõlmida, õpetajate/lapsevanemate maitse jaoks liigagi palju seiklusi läbida ja eeldatavasti pikapeale ka maailma päästa, ehkki selle viimaseni siin sarja esimeses osas veel päriselt ei jõutud. samas, milleks neid avastajaid seal akadeemias kasvatatakse. eks ikka selleks, et lapsed saaksid täiskasvanute pekkikeeratud maailma kuidagi jälle joonele ajada, ma usun.
siin seiklust ja teadust lajatatakse kohe sellise hooga, et tegelaste väljaarendamise aega jääb veidi väheks ja ma tegelikult ei saanud päris täpselt aru, milliste teadmiste ja omaduste najal peategelane Cruz nii edukas ja kiidetud on (arvestades, et maagilisi talente kellelgi ei avaldu ja teadusalaseid tundub ta sidekickidel pigem rohkem olevat). aga see vast siis tasapisi selgub järgmistes osades, mida võimalusel kindlasti lugeda plaanin. viienda tärni hoiangi varuks selle ootuses, et tegelastele veel mõned mõõtmed juurde tekiksid.
teadusosa kindlasti ongi selle sarja eelis ja erinevus võrreldes juba mainitud ja kõigi ülejäänud konkureerivate lasteseiklustega. tõesti põnev, haarav, eriline ja üpris usutavalt kirja pandud, ja mulle meeldis lõpus antud nimekiri pärismaailma päristeadlastest, kes samu või sarnaseid probleeme juba lahendavad ja tehnoloogiaid välja arendavad. (peaks küsima, kas 11-aastane, kes mulle seda raamatut silmade põledes soovitas, ka selle osa läbi töötas.)
siin seiklust ja teadust lajatatakse kohe sellise hooga, et tegelaste väljaarendamise aega jääb veidi väheks ja ma tegelikult ei saanud päris täpselt aru, milliste teadmiste ja omaduste najal peategelane Cruz nii edukas ja kiidetud on (arvestades, et maagilisi talente kellelgi ei avaldu ja teadusalaseid tundub ta sidekickidel pigem rohkem olevat). aga see vast siis tasapisi selgub järgmistes osades, mida võimalusel kindlasti lugeda plaanin. viienda tärni hoiangi varuks selle ootuses, et tegelastele veel mõned mõõtmed juurde tekiksid.
teadusosa kindlasti ongi selle sarja eelis ja erinevus võrreldes juba mainitud ja kõigi ülejäänud konkureerivate lasteseiklustega. tõesti põnev, haarav, eriline ja üpris usutavalt kirja pandud, ja mulle meeldis lõpus antud nimekiri pärismaailma päristeadlastest, kes samu või sarnaseid probleeme juba lahendavad ja tehnoloogiaid välja arendavad. (peaks küsima, kas 11-aastane, kes mulle seda raamatut silmade põledes soovitas, ka selle osa läbi töötas.)
dswhite's review
4.0
Solid mystery/adventure book about a 12 year old boy who goes away to a special school for explorers/scientists.