Title: The Planet Thieves
Author: Dan Krokos
Release date: May 21, 2013
Publisher: Starscape
Pages: 256
Source: Publisher
Reading level: MG
Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.
But routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.
With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that’s left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.
Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn’t a war left to fight.
Dan Krokos’ debut young adult novel, False Memory, threw me for a loop and had me reading late into the night. The Planet Thieves, his debut middle grade novel, was very similar for me. I’m pleased to say that while middle grade is not always my thing, Dan Krokos’ future middle grade novels will definitely be on my TBR!
Dan Krokos’ action packed storytelling transfers amazingly well from young adult to middle grade. The Planet Thieves starts off strong and will have readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The Planet Thieves is full of twists and turns and things I never saw coming. Also, while I know there are other space adventures like The Planet Thieves, the story was new to me and it was a really refreshing read. It’s unique and fun and definitely something different from what’s currently out there.
The characters are pretty easy to love from the get go. Mason is a thirteen-year-old boy so he is a bit immature but I expected that and it didn’t bother me all that much. The other cadets are much the same way. They are young so they can be a little irritating but with the fate of their world resting solely with them, they’re forced to mature a little quicker than most kids. They all have secrets and they all have flaws and every one of those things is put on display in the battle to save the SS Egypt. It was a lot more than I expected from The Planet Thieves and I loved that.
The writing isn’t anything super spectacular but my favorite thing about it was that it wasn’t dumbed down for younger readers. This may be a middle grade novel but there is nothing to stop older readers (such as myself) from enjoying it. Dan Krokos has an easy writing style and it helps hook readers in addition to the awesome story.
Overall, The Planet Thieves is a must read for middle grade fans and also for readers who loved Dan Krokos’ young adult book. Dan Krokos is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine and I look forward to continuing this series!
What others have to say about The Planet Thieves:
Awfully Big Reviews’ review:
“It’s kinetic and very visual, and any kid who loves science fiction or superheroes is going to adore it.”
Series:
The Planet Thieves (#1)
Other reviews for this author:
About the author:
Dan Krokos is the author of False Memory, a young adult science fiction trilogy, and The Planet Thieves, an upcoming middle grade duology. Dan put himself through college by pumping gas for nine years, and now writes full time. When he isn’t writing, Dan enjoys watching TV, playing MMORPGs, and drinking coffee.
Thank you. Enjoyed Katie’s Book Blog, and the book tour of, The Planet Thieves. You have given me ideas for a blog tour for my novel, Foxden Acres. I have a dedicated website for it, but I will definitely add a blog tour now. Again, thank you. Madalyn Morgan
Thank for the review! I really loved False Memory and can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel and, now, his Middle Grade stuff as well!
I’m glad this is a compelling read! I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I saw it recommended for Star Trek fans
I really liked his YA series – there was a lot of uniqueness to it, and the characterization was very good. Romance too!! Which I didn’t expect from a guy author writing scifi – but it was very well done.
It’s no surprise his MG was so good 🙂
Lovely review 🙂