Devastation Class

An annihilation force of invading aliens. Human civilization on the brink of extinction. Earth?s only hope-seven cadets and the legendary starship they were never meant to command. No matter the cost, they will stop at nothing to survive. No matter the odds, they will fight to save their future.The distant future. Earth?s Alliance forces have emerged victorious from a brutal nine-year war with the mysterious Kastazi-a vicious, highly advanced alien race. In the dawn of a new peace, the Alliance Devastation Class starship California embarks on a mission of science and learning with a skeleton crew of seasoned officers, civilian students, and inexperienced military cadets in tow.For JD Marshall and Viv Nixon, gifted cadets and best friends, the mission holds special meaning: It offers an opportunity to prove themselves and begin to escape the long shadows of their legendary war hero parents.Suddenly ambushed by a second wave of invading Kastazi forces, JD and Viv make the impossible decision to spearhead a mutiny to save the California and everyone on it. In command and quickly out of options, they are forced to activate the ship's prototype Blink Reactor-an experimental technology they expect to send them to the safe, distant reaches of space. When their escape transports them to a reality they don?t recognize and reveals unimaginably terrifying secrets, they must fight their way home to save not just everyone they love but also humanity itself. Standing in their way are an insurmountable enemy, saboteurs from within, a mystery eons in the making, and the fabric of time and space itself. From School Library Journal Gr 8 Up-A thriller reminiscent of Star Trek, this is set in the far future when humans, nearing extinction as a species, hurtle through space fighting alien enemies. Humans are threatened by an alien race called the Kastazi. Teen protagonists JD Marshall and Viv Nixon are overshadowed by the deeds of their famous parents, but they hope to carve out separate identities of their own as cadets on the Alliance Devastation Class starship California. JD and Viv are up-and-coming heroes who are waiting for a chance to prove themselves, and they get that chance when they are forced to mutiny and perform a dangerous teleportation maneuver by activating the ship's Blink Reactor. The themes of self-discovery and eventual disillusionment with reality are classic ones in YA novels, and they are well-placed here. Much attention is paid to keeping the adrenaline level high and the plot moving, leaving character development slightly lacking. As is usual in science fiction set in the distant future, there is some tech-speak to learn-Zipper and Mongeon build a world where space travel, realistic simulations, teleportation, and conversing with alien beings is the norm. Some secondary characters' hair color is noted, but JD and Viv's appearances are notably never described. Readers will not be surprised to learn that the movie rights for this novel have already been sold. VERDICT A futuristic adventure that packs in the action but may leave fans feeling flat; recommended for teen Trekkies looking for something fast and furious.-Shannon O'Connor, Unami M.S., Chalfont, PA?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review 'Devastation Class has everything I look for in a book--great characters, action, humor, and a lot of heart. Sci-fi fans across the spectrum are going to love it. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.' Gregory Jacobs, producer of Contagion and Edge of Tomorrow -- Gregory Jacobs, producer of Contagion and Edge of Tomorrow'Zipper and Mongeon seamlessly weave the thrills and starry-eyed imagination of Star Trek with the introspective heart and humor of a John Hughes film--it's a total blast.' --Seth Grahame-Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- Se