Pod
Stephen Wallenfels, . . Namelos, $1.95 (214pp) ISBN 978-1-60898-010-9
Debut novelist Wallenfels delivers an intense novel of humanity's reaction to an alien invasion. When the PODs—hovering alien balls that obliterate any humans who venture outdoors—appear, 15-year-old Josh and his father are trapped inside their house in a small Washington town. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Megs is trapped in a parking garage in California, waiting for her mother to return. The story alternates between each protagonist, as Josh faces internal struggles over his isolation and his father's increasing depression, and Megs deals with a dangerous group that has taken over an adjacent hotel. Wallenfels isn't afraid to take risks, often yanking hope away from the characters in the most painful ways, and it usually pays off. By focusing on the humans and keeping the aliens' motivations shrouded in mystery, he creates a tense environment for readers. There are some bits that fall flat—Megs's adventures, in particular, seem to be artificially extended over the 28 days of the story, and rely too often on conveniently overheard conversations, but, overall, the book is fast-paced and engrossing. Ages 10–up.
Reviewed on: 03/08/2010
Genre: Children's
Hardcover - 212 pages - 978-1-59078-655-0
Hardcover - 214 pages - 978-1-60898-011-6
Mass Market Paperbound - 304 pages - 978-1-937007-43-0
Open Ebook - 304 pages - 978-1-101-56903-0
Open Ebook - 288 pages - 978-2-01-202548-6
Other - 152 pages - 978-1-84877-394-3
Other - 272 pages - 978-1-74269-399-6
Paperback - 312 pages - 978-84-246-3740-8
Paperback - 297 pages - 978-1-84877-389-9