Explorer X-Alpha
LM Preston
Publisher: Phenomonal One Press
Release Date: February 7th, 2010
Pages: 400

Rating: 3 stars

For most kids, a trip to space camp is the trip of a lifetime for Aadi it was life altering. After receiving a camp immunization needed for travel to Mars, Aadi finds that the immunization is the catalyst of an insidious experiment. He realizes what is happening too late for a change of fate. The full experiment is set in motion when he and his co-pilot, Eirena, crash in a distant galaxy called Shrenas, where they change and realize the full extent of their power. This turn of events forces him to grow up quickly, accept his change, and to decide to save a world, or to do what he was trained to do dominate it. His power is coveted by the warring leaders of Shrenas, and he is forced to choose sides a decision that may prove just how much humanity he has left.

Explorer X-Alpha was a perfectly enjoyable read. It was fairly unique, had a intriguing premise, and great characters.

It had a great premise! The story was very interesting, but was a bit slower. There was a lot of description, and that slowed down the story a bit. The last 1/3 of the book really picked up though, and was more fast paced. It really made the story seem whole and everything made more sense. One thing I wasn’t crazy about was all the violence. There was so much! I really enjoyed the setting. It was something new, which I liked.

Some parts of Explorer X-Alpha were almost a bit unbelievable. It seemed as nothing could get in Aadi’s way, and everything went his way. There was also the fact at how everyone trusted each other so easily. I found that a little hard to believe.

As the book went on, the characters grew drastically. I liked the characters in the beginning, but I liked them much more as the book went on. I loved Eirena and Raiko both. Everyone expected them to be weak girls, and they handed it to the boys numerous times! That was one of my favorite aspects of the books – that the girls were weak and boring.

I found myself confused at different points in the book. Explorer X-Alpha switched to different characters’ stories at random times without any noting of it. You would be reading about one character, then all at once you were reading about another.

Explorer X-Alpha was a fun read, and I can’t wait to hear more of the story!