Synopsis

A cynical high school graduate must overcome otherworldly odds with a group of fellow misfits if they hope to survive an alien invasion at summer camp. The Outsiders meets Annihilation.

Myles Harper’s transition to adulthood couldn’t be more disturbing.

After celebrating his high school graduation, his stepfather tells him he needs to get a job. The cynical Los Angeles native, more concerned that climate change will affect his life than his lack of a career, grudgingly applies to Camp Friendly Forest, where he is hired to work as a counselor for the summer. Soon Myles has more responsibilities than he bargained for. Supervising a cabin of boys in the mountains means that he must prioritize the needs of others over himself.

Even worse, vicious cosmic canines, Kiaskis, have crash landed off the coast and quickly overrun Southern California. As the situation at camp deteriorates, Myles and a group of fellow misfits, his new friends, realize they must work together if they hope to survive a horrifying nightmare.

A science-fiction horror novel involving humanity’s first contact with a violent extraterrestrial race, exploring notions of youth, masculinity, and morality during a time of crisis.

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Review

Are you ready for an invasion?

The multiple story line novel blends science fiction, fantasy, and some horror into the intriguing tale. The year is 2036, and there is an invasion that is not going well for those in California. Many are losing friends and family members, but this could have been avoided if they had listened to Alice. She foretold this event, but no one wanted to believe her. Now, the aliens have invaded and are killing people left and right.

Myles recently graduated from high school and is trying to figure out his life. What better place to do it than as a counselor at a summer camp? I think Myles was my favorite character because he seemed down to earth and might have had a few things together compared to the other counselors.

We also have Gus, a hacker, who is accompanied by Mr. Pootin, a bobblehead that isn’t one that I would want to own or have in my home. The bobblehead has knives that retreat from the fingers and seems to have a mind of its own. I thought the bobblehead was distracting, and I wasn’t sure of his purpose. He seemed like a keeper for Gus since it was a gift from the Russians, and he had no problem trying to hurt Gus.

The story brings in other characters from other books by this author. I haven’t read anything else, and while there was a little backstory I was missing, I didn’t feel like it hindered reading this book.

The ending of the book was a huge surprise. What a way to twist the plot!

My only “complaint” is that the storylines would change within a chapter with no warning. It was somewhat jarring to switch gears so quickly.

If you enjoy sci-fi, check this book out. We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Ryan Hyatt was born in Tucson in 1976. He was raised in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Copenhagen before returning to his hometown and graduating from the University of Arizona in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in history, psychology and creative writing. Hyatt spent much of his twenties working as a reporter and columnist for newspapers such as the Apache Junction Independent and Santa Monica Daily Press.

In addition to the Terrafide series, he is author of the modern western, The Death of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and editor of the satirical sci-fi news site, The La-La Lander, as well as Not Your Father’s Bedtime Stories, children’s tales he creates with his daughter. He holds a master’s degree in education from California State University Northridge and develops and manages literacy intervention programs for Los Angeles schools.

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