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THE ORPHAN ARMY by Jonathan Maberry Kirkus Star

THE ORPHAN ARMY

From the Nightsiders series, volume 1

by Jonathan Maberry

Pub Date: May 19th, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4814-1575-0
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Ever since the alien invasion, 11-year-old Milo has suffered from nightmares, but when a voice in his dreams tells him the world needs a hero, he has a hard time believing it could be him.

It’s been six years since the Dissosterin, a race of giant, buglike creatures, invaded Earth, knocking out communications, destroying cities and decimating the human race. The surviving population has banded together into small nomadic groups, intent on surviving and on finding a way to strike back at the evil extraterrestrial swarm. During a routine scavenging trip, Milo and his friends Shark, Lizabeth and Barnaby stumble upon the Nightsiders, magical creatures who are staging their own battle against the interlopers. This riveting, sci-fi tale of the Earth’s last stand is enhanced by the addition of fantastical elements, which fall into place seamlessly. A fast-paced and explosive plot is enriched by strong characters, amusing dialogue and impossible odds. Maberry’s prowess in fiction as well as comic books is evident in his well-crafted story, which balances over-the-top battle scenes with the quiet moments between characters that give substance to what could be a heartless thriller.

This first book in an explosive new series is the perfect mix of science fiction and magic.

(Fantasy/science fiction. 8-12)