Crescent: A Helium-3 Novel, Book 2

Gr 9 Up—Although this is the second sci-fi title (Thomas Nelson, 2013) in Hickam's series, it can stand on its own. From the opening dialogue to the very last scene, listeners will be captivated by the nonstop action, the intergalactic adventure, and the techno-drama. Adam Verner does an excellent job of portraying the various main characters: Crater, the Colonel; Crescent, his 'jillie"; and the killers who are hunting them down. Crater, who worked as a miner on the moon, has had to fight the crowhoppers (programmed mercenaries sent to wage war on the miners and individuals currently residing on the moon), and he has grown weary of the battles. When Crater defies his orders and captures a small crowhopper named Crescent and brings her home, he finds that his efforts to save her make him an outlaw. Listeners will be enthralled with the thrilling exploits of the protagonists as they flee murderous assassins to a lunar ghost town and try to survive. The combination of action and romantic intrigue will hold listeners' attention. Sci-fi fans will be attracted by the 100-years-in-the-future technology and science, with robotic creatures and machines that contain artificial intelligence. The CDs include a guide for readers' clubs in PDF format.—Sheila Acosta, Cody Public Library, San Antonio, TX