The Obsidian Blade: The Klaatu Diskos, Book 1
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Obsidian Blade presents an odd mixture of science, fantasy, and religious themes. Tucker Feye's clergyman father actively rejects God, and Tucker's mother becomes mentally ill. There's not much strong language (a few instances each of "damn," "hell," and "dick"), and only the barest hint of sexual content. There's some violence (a stabbing, a fist fight, the killing of one of Tucker's allies), but more disturbing to some readers may be the scenes from real-life tragedies, such as the fall of the World Trade Center towers and the crucifixion of Jesus.
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What's the story?
Fourteen-year-old Tucker Feye sees a mysterious disc hovering over the roof of his house, and when his father, the Rev. Feye, climbs up to investigate, the older man mysteriously disappears. Rev. Feye returns a few hours later with a strange young girl in tow, and from that point on, Tucker's life is never the same. His father rejects God, his mother becomes mentally unbalanced, and the girl, who calls herself Lahlia, is adopted by neighboring farmers. Tucker's troubled parents eventually abandon him, and he sets off on a quest across time to bring them back safely.
Is it any good?
Although it deals with some familiar themes from science fiction, this book puts an original spin on the time-travel tale, mixing history, religion, and seeming fantasy in unpredictable ways. Tucker, his parents, his uncle, and the mysterious Lahlia are complex and interesting characters, and author Pete Hautman puts them all in extraordinary circumstances for maximum conflict and suspense. It's hard to know from this opening volume exactly where this saga's headed, but most readers will recognize that they're in capable hands and look forward to the next installment.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why time travel us such a popular theme in science fiction and other genres. What other time-travel books have you read?
What are some signs of mental illness? How can people with mental illness get the help they need?
How would you feel if your parents' religious beliefs changed drastically, virtually overnight? Would you argue with them? Go along with their new beliefs?
Book details
- Author: Pete Hautman
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship, History, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: April 10, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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