Ready for some crazy science fiction? I'm pretty sure today's read is going to shoot out of this world in many ways, especially since I reviewed the second book in this trilogy about this same time last year (see the post HERE). That book definitely danced to its own tune while offering tons of excitement. And this book sounds a little less quirky...and even more fun.
So, let's sit back and see what these notes play!
THE BAND FROM ANOTHER WORLD
An Alien Survival Guide Novel #3
by Kevin Garone
Temor Press
Middle Grade Science Fiction
182 pages
ages 8 to 12
COMING SEPTEMBER 8th!!!
When Marv traces a mysterious transmission to an abandoned house, he’s ready to finally uncover proof of an otherworldly invasion. But when he and his friends sneak inside, they don’t find aliens.
Instead, they find a dusty basement full of musical instruments.
To Marv’s friends, this means one thing: instant rock band. But Marv was right to be suspicious. Strange shadows reach from the walls. Faces flicker in the dark. Worst of all, his friends start acting off. Like they’re not entirely themselves anymore.
And it’s happening to Marv, too.
Suddenly, he can play guitar like a total legend—no practice, no lessons, no explanation. But every note pulls him in deeper. The thoughts in his head aren’t all his. And the music doesn’t want to stop.
Can Marv uncover the truth behind the transmission before he loses himself completely?
Because something else is listening to the broadcast. And it’s not here for the music.
Instead, they find a dusty basement full of musical instruments.
To Marv’s friends, this means one thing: instant rock band. But Marv was right to be suspicious. Strange shadows reach from the walls. Faces flicker in the dark. Worst of all, his friends start acting off. Like they’re not entirely themselves anymore.
And it’s happening to Marv, too.
Suddenly, he can play guitar like a total legend—no practice, no lessons, no explanation. But every note pulls him in deeper. The thoughts in his head aren’t all his. And the music doesn’t want to stop.
Can Marv uncover the truth behind the transmission before he loses himself completely?
Because something else is listening to the broadcast. And it’s not here for the music.
MY TIDBITS
This is an exciting mix of scifi, mystery, humor, and even some spooky nods to darker chills.
After the other adventures, Marv is definitely on the lookout for aliens, especially since he picked up a signal with a voice buzzing something about a homing device. As far as he can tell, it's coming from an abandoned house...the perfect hideout for aliens. While investigating the house with two friends, a fall through the floor reveals a basement with an entire collection of instruments for a band. There's also a noise from the sky, which can only mean one thing. Aliens. But there's nothing really there, so he can't be 100% sure. His friends, who aren't as alien-orientated as he, are excited to find the instruments, and the moment they pick them up, they can play like professional musicians. Marv is sure it's still alien related, especially since his amp keeps giving that same homing message, but the others strike it off as hobby CB signals gone wrong. When a new member joins the band, who is just as alien focused as he is, he's not sure what to think. Plus, something isn't right with the entire band thing. He even calls in a ghost-hunting team to see if they can help figure things out. But none of that ends well or brings him a step further, and he can hardly go against his friends. So, when a contest for bands arises, the entire group is ready to show their talent. And that is when everything goes completely out of control.
And yes, the blurb I just gave only warms up this adventure. So to say that his is a very, fast-paced tale, is an understatement. It dives forward the entire way through without ever losing a beat and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what in the universe will happen next. This is science fiction, but it's also so much more, and I can easily see non-scifi gurus enjoying this one...as long as they love fast-paced, quirky adventure with a dose of paranormal directions and even creepy vibes. In other words, it's a bit of a genre bender. Marv is a very energetic kid with a huge imagination, which isn't really just imagination since he has been battling insane, alien situations in the first two books of this trilogy (and no, it's not necessary to read those before diving into this one since each can be seen as its own adventure). His thoughts can be a bit sporadic and his decisions unexpected, but this kid has experience. It adds a hectic fun, which reminded me a tad bit of The Goonies. The darker tones also fit, in a different way. But there is still tons of science fiction, too, and that pushes belief in quirky and enjoyable ways.
Readers who love the unexpected, nonstop action, a little heart, the possibility of rocking it as a band, and strange situations will want to give this one a go.
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