Valkyrie Missile - Angels & Airwaves

The Comet's Curse
Galahad, Book 1

Author: Dom Testa
Pages: 236
Publisher: Tor

Brief Summary:
When a comet starts heading towards the earth, everyone freaks out, afraid that it will strike the planet. When they determine that it will not, everyone settles back to enjoy watching Comet Bhaktul pass. But soon after the comet goes by, everyone over the age of 16 starts getting sick and dying. The symptoms vary and scientists are making no headway in combating the illness. How will mankind survive the disaster? Ship 251 kids from 13-16 into space alone, that's how! Drama and danger is definitely going to be part of this mission to save the human race.

Review:
The story is told from the point of view of the super advanced computer, nicknamed Roc. This storytelling device really didn't work for me. For one thing, he (I know he's an it, but whatevs) wasn't present for everything he describes, which can be explained by people having told him later but would have worked better in a normal omniscient narrator scenario (especially since Roc makes sure to point out that he can't be everywhere and see everything). The other problem with Roc is that, much as all the characters love him and as much as he adores himself, I find him exceedingly irritating. His insertions into the narration, denoted by italics, always made me want to punch his computery face, especially the one in the last chapter.

Roc aside, the book was fairly predictable and standard. There's a love triangle, which, frankly, is the most absorbing part of the plot. The mystery of who is causing trouble on the ship is so obvious for most of the book that it provides little excitement. And, the final showdown cannot be that worrisome if you know there are two subsequent books. The writing is okay, but not inspirational

The most interesting aspect of the novel is the set up of the dystopia. There aren't too many environmental ones, which I am somewhat glad of after having read Life as We Knew It (shudder!). You have probably figured out how much I love dystopias by now, especially if they cover some new territory.

I recommend this to fans of Life as We Knew It and Gone (which I actually have yet to read, but I'm fairly confident that they're readalikes), young teens looking for an easy science fiction read or dystopia enthusiasts.

"This is so strange,
I want to wish for something new,
This is the scariest thing I've ever done in my life,
Who do we think we are?"