 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Firestorm: The Caretaker Trilogy: Book 1
- By David Klass
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Violent ecological time-travel thriller for teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a futuristic fantasy novel, but there is some gritty violence here (the teen main character is held down to have his pinky finger cut off with a knife for example, and there's lots of fighting, both with and without weapons, and injuries and deaths). Also expect some sexual references, though nothing explicit beyond kissing. Some teens may also be disturbed by the graphic description of deep water reef trawling. But even reluctant teen readers will be quickly sucked in to all the action here -- and this book could be used to
talk about a wide range of topics, including dystopian novels, fantasy
violence, ecological issues, etc.
What's the story?
Jack's life comes crashing down after he wins his high school football game and is featured on the local news. Suddenly he is being hunted by strange creatures, who kill his parents just after he finds out they aren't really his parents, for reasons he doesn't understand. After nearly being killed again in New York, he takes up with a large, telepathic dog and flees down the Eastern Seaboard, pursued all the way and never knowing whom to trust. Gradually he discovers that he is from 1000 years in the future, when the earth is an ecological wasteland; that the Turning Point, beyond which the disaster can't be stopped, is coming up; and that he has been sent back according to a prophecy to find something called Firestorm, which can stop the coming catastrophe. If only he knew what it was, or where.
Is it any good?
The story rockets along with pulse-pounding action and gritty violence,
and even reluctant teen readers will be quickly sucked in. And then in
the second half, after they can't possibly put the book down, they get
a good-sized dose of ecological information and messages. Jack is a
likable enough protagonist, and his gradually emerging abilities are
satisfying, and the story features time travel (a sort of Terminator
for the teen set), a ninja babe who teaches Jack to fight (after
beating him up repeatedly), paranormal abilities, and a climax worthy
of a Bond movie. What's not to like? Well, there is internal inconsistency, and some might be bothered by Klass's irritating writing style. Mostly though, readers will be clamoring to find out what happens next.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about books set in the future. How does this one compare to other future fantasy stories you've read or watched? Can these kinds of stories impact how we live today?
There is a lot of violence here, but it takes place in a sci-fi fantasy. Does that make it different than reading about it in a realistic context?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I really enjoyed this book. I don't care what people say about the short, choppy sentences, I liked how it set the pace. There was violence, but nothing too bad. I wouldn't recommend this book to younger kids, but I would recommend it to anyone 11 or 12 and up.
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AGE
amzing
this was a really good book really descriptive and a lot of detail and acton.
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AGE
Smart, Suspensful and Sexy- Firestorm is a #1 selling for Teens!
I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS BOOK! It is a great action book that will keep the pages turning for your teen male. Although there is violence, it is covered up with facts about the ocean and creates a great message. Although has some sexual mentions in it, half the time in the story you are just trying to keep up with this senior who doesnt even have a clue whats going on! ITS THE PERFECT SUSPENCE NOVEL SERIES! It even has small chapters so it makes you think you are going through the book, fast... which you are! Firestorm and the other Caretaker trilogy books are a total #1 for any teen who likes blood, violence, sexual inuendos, futuristic findings, talking dogs, transforming mega foxy awesome hot women, ninja girls, sailing, telepathy, harry potter, some educational value, the environment, a dark lord, the oceans, a guy named Jack, and did I mention a TALKING DOG (or at least its supposed to be)! Buy this book now, because i can guarentee you that your teen will love it! ***NOT FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (14+)
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AGE
it IS OK but time to time has a little use of sexualness but they can skip those parts
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AGE
Not enough action, Too corny, Too much sex, to much description of sex
It was corny, it is not for 12-16, its not for anyone. The author carefully slips in sex, immoral thoughts, etc..its trash, go read Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson and the Olmypians, Eragon, or something else.
ITS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME!
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AGE
Very good....
I rather liked the choppy sentences. I did think the book was really sad. Although I enjoyed reading it, I'm not sure whether I would read it again. It's excellently written and it's very interesting.
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AGE
It's not that Bad
Personally, I feel that every writer should have their own style - in this case, since it is written in a first person perspective, I believe that including abit of the character's thoughts and background (Choppy Sentences or whatever) might attract the reader better to the storyline, and of course, naturally, when you "know" more about a person/character, you would be alittle more inclined to reading it and understanding the storyline. I also find the Eco-Related theme gives a very good view on the author's 'Far-Thinking' perspective (For the future generations). The "Sexual Scene" (Though it was only a brief description once or twice) was more than fine, considering the fact the readers ARE HUMAN, and the very fact the human has sexual feelings might thrill them alittle; afterall, there weren't any direct elaboration at all. The so called "gory scenes" aren't that gory, mainly just chopping off his finger, of which there was not much elaboration (Constantly bleeding/Blood Squirting out/Finger felled onto floor wriggling). In fact, there wasn't even much talking about the cut-off finger in the other 2 books! Personally, I feel the Intro, body and climax extremely well written. However, David Klass could ahve spent more time to develop a better explanation for the characters appearing all of a sudden, and a better explanation on why they managed to come back in book 2. In a nutshell, the book is a worth reading book!
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AGE
This is an amazing book.
I'd just like to say..whoever rated this first made it sound like the Book of Satan or something, and they were wrong. It was a great book. There is a bit of sex, but it's not lude. Violence is present, of course - it IS a book about preventing the end of the world, after all. I'd say wait until you're at least about nine or ten to read it, but after that it's really up to maturity levels.
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| Author: | David Klass |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 289 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 13 |
| Read alone: | 13 |
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