Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Wallam-Crane Press
Published: 2018
Reviewer Rating: 
Reviewer: SJ Higbee
Have you rad this book?
Why not rate it! 
Loading...
I have been a solid fan of Edwards’ writing–see my review of Scavenger Alliance, here. So when she contacted me to ask if I would like an arc of her latest novella, Earth and Air, which is a spin-off from her popular Earth Girl series–see my review of Earth Girl here–I was delighted to accept in return for an honest review
2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else uses interstellar portals to travel between hundreds of colony worlds, 17-year-old Jarra is among the one-in-a-thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, abandoned by her parents to be raised a ward of Hospital Earth, she lives a regimented life in one of their impersonal residences.
Jarra is spending the summer at New York Fringe Dig Site with her school history club. While her friends search for lost treasures on the ground, Jarra is airborne in a survey plane and hoping to become a qualified pilot, but the sprawling ancient ruins of New York contain the lethal legacies of the past as well as its treasures.
It was a real treat to re-bond with Jarra, the chirpy disaster-magnet who is the main protagonist in Edwards’ popular Earth Girl series. I had forgotten just how effective Edwards’ writing style is when depicting the alliances and frictions between a group of young teenagers. It could so easily become tedious or petty, but never does. The other standout feature of this entertaining series is the fascinating backdrop–a ruined Earth, where buildings are lethally unstable yet packed with archaeological treasures and discoveries eagerly awaited by populations scattered across the stars.
Novellas are not generally my favorite reads–too often, I have just become engrossed only to find the story abruptly finishing. Only a handful of my favorite writers can, in my opinion, adequately control the pacing and narrative arc so that the ending isn’t an unpleasant jolt. Edwards is one of them.
At no time did I feel I was being short-changed with either the characterization, setting or the storyline, which contains plenty of adventures and shocks. The other outstanding quality of Edwards writing, particularly with this series, is the chirpy, upbeat tone that pervades most of the story. Unlike so many YA books, I get the sense that most of the people are trying to do the best they can most of the time.
This is definitely one I will be introducing my granddaughter to next time she comes to visit–I think she will love it. With the absence of bad language or gratuitous violence, it is an ideal read for young teens–as well as those of us a lot longer in the tooth. This one is far too good to leave just to the youngsters. Recommended for fans of adventure and science fiction.
Share
Follow
