Dark Energy by Robison Wells

Dark Energy by Robison Wells

Dark Energy

Author: Robison Wells

Length: 293 pages

Release Date: March 29, 2016

Content Notes: Appropriate language and content for all audiences

“You can't have a heart attack and leave me an orphan. You know I'd just blow all our money on drugs and rock'n'roll."

"All the best heroes are orphans," Dad said. "You'd be in good company, if you went on a quest or something." He looked at the other girls. "You're not orphans, are you?"
"Not me," they both answered.
"You'll never amount to anything....” 

Brief Synopsis: 

A huge alien spaceship has crash landed on Earth. Alice's dad, as NASA's director of special projects, has to go to the site to work more or less around the clock. Therefore Alice is enrolled in a boarding school nearby. She expects to make new friends and watch the spaceship news on TV like everyone else. However she is soon right in the middle of an alien adventure. 

My thoughts:

I checked this book out of the library to read while I waited for the book I really wanted. I read it because it is a stand alone book, and I am already in the middle of several series and can NOT handle getting into another set of books! I am so glad I read this book. I really needed a change of pace and something fun to read. AND, this book is pure fun.  When I first saw the title DARK ENERGY (said in a scary voice), I thought it would be a dark alien adventure. But, that is not the case. This book has narrator Alice, a typical teen, who witnesses a huge alien ship crash across America's heartland and her big problem is that she will have to move across the country and start a new school (a boarding school of all things!)  because her dad is a NASA employee in charge of such things. WOW! The alien thing takes a back seat to her adventures in her new school...at first. Then, not only does the action come to her school, but her dad seeks her help in studying the crash site. I will not spoil any of the plot but it is an entertaining and  different sci-fi story that is a bit short on sci-fi and and happily a bit long on fun. 

Alice and her dad are an interesting duo. The two of them have a great relationship of respect and witty bantering. I enjoyed seeing this parent-child relationship. 

Alice tells the story and seems to take the idea of a huge spaceship crashing across the continent in stride. She mentions the death it causes and the potential problems that arise, but she goes on with her teen-age life making new friends. Then, when asked to help with the whole alien thing, it is not really a big deal to her. She jumps into action when needed.

Alice's new friends are intelligent and, as students of a gifted and talented school, add plenty of smart and interesting aspects to the story. Her roommates, Rachel and Brynne, are supportive and there is none of that "mean girl" stuff going on and that is refreshing. Kurt has Alice's attention in a slightly romantic way, but there is no cheesy teen relationship and that is refreshing too!

The alien characters and what goes on with them in Alice's world reminds us of how we protect the innocent and each other. Read this book if you want escape, fun and smart dialogue, and an interesting ending that you will just have to read for yourself. HEY this digital book is only $2.99 on Amazon. Or do like I did, get it from the library for free . It is a quick and easy read. Young teens should love it.