Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, James Patterson

Lexile 680



James Patterson begins this science fiction novel with a normal scene.  A 4-year old boy playing with Play-Dough, his mom calling him for dinner.  Of course, no science fiction novel stays normal for long.  Daniel's parents were shortly after killed by a large human-sized praying mantis, who goes by the name The Prayer.  Daniel is also not a normal 4 year-old boy, unless you call a boy capable of turning himself into a tick normal.  He escapes the same fate his parents suffered.  Now, it is his mission to complete his parents work- hunting aliens on Earth.  Daniel is very lonely moving from place to place killing disgusting aliens and dodging cops and truancy officers. When he goes after #6 on his list he has met his match-really more than he can handle.  In Daniel's darkest days, he finds truth about who he is and friends that can help him in get through his dangerous days. 

I loved the how quick paced this book is.  Science Fiction is not my favorite of genres, but I found Daniel's character very compelling.  I wanted to root for him, care for him, befriend him.  The short chapters send you through the plot's twists and turns at a fever pitch.  James Patterson is the master of suspense and urgency, this book lives up to that reputation. 

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