Sunday, January 11, 2015

Killer Species: Menace from the Deep

"Unnatural Selection"
Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Emmet has just moved to Florida but it is not his first choice of homes and almost being eaten by an unknown species of crocodile on the first day confirms it. But his scientific father is caught up in the strange discovery of this new animal and they are not going anywhere. The designer of the new crocodile is furious that the Everglades is being destroyed by snakes and tourist and will do anything to protect the land, including breaking the law and setting loose his creations. As Emmet settles in to his new home and gets to know Calvin,  son of his father's co-worker, his father gets into trouble and will have to find a way to save him while not getting eaten.

Author - Michael P. Spradlin

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 12 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers*

Personal Opinion - Killer Species was a pretty good read (but the intended age group will enjoy it more than an older one). Emmet and Calvin were distinct characters and personalities, one jumpy but determined and the other quiet but knowledgeable. The situation was extreme but believable with the antagonist and his desire to save the swamp yet having scientifically engineered crocodiles produced to carry out that plan. Emmet's various names for the creatures were fun. It was interesting how the boys turned to the adults for help so much because that is not always a common characteristic in middle grade or young adult books today and is a positive element. The only thing that I wish had been different is, at the beginning of some chapters, stuff was summarized, even before it happened, so the reader didn't get to discover it with the characters when it happened. The summaries weren't detailed but took away some of the surprise. Besides swearing to God once, this seems like a good middle grade adventure, science fiction book for readers.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Other Book Reviews for this Author - The Youngest Templer Trilogy

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm
 
Chew on a good book today!

No comments:

Post a Comment