Thrive

March 1, 2021
This is the moment teens Seth, Anaya, and Petra have both been anticipating and dreading ever since aliens called cryptogens began attempting to colonize the Earth: the chance to defend their planet. In an earlier volume, Seth, Anaya, and Petra began growing physical characteristics that made them realize they were half alien. Seth has wings, Petra has a tail, and Anaya has fur. They also have the power of telepathy, which Anaya uses to converse with Terra, a cryptogen rebel looking for human allies who could help stop the invasion of Earth. Terra plans to use a virus stored in the three teens' bodies to disarm the flyers, which are the winged aliens that are both masterminding the invasion and enslaving the other species of cryptogens known as swimmers and runners. But Terra and her allies can't pull any of this off without the help of Anaya, Seth, and Petra. Although the trio is anxious about their abilities, they don't have much of a choice--the entire human race is depending on them for salvation. Like its predecessors, this trilogy closer is fast-paced and well structured. Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, the story is fundamentally character driven, and it is incredibly satisfying to watch each protagonist overcome their inner battles within the context of the larger human-alien war. Main characters read as White. A thrilling conclusion to a beautifully crafted, heart-stopping trilogy. (Science fiction. 11-14)

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March 26, 2021
Grades 7-10 Oppel closes out his Overthrow trilogy with this fast-paced, suspenseful finale. The three alien-human hybrid teens--Anaya, Petra, and Seth--have connected with a small crew of rebel aliens, who have a plan to help the humans drive off the invasion led by the flyers, a powerful cryptogen species. The rebels encoded a virus within the hybrid teens that they hope will disable the flyers' sonic-based weapon, leaving them vulnerable to an uprising. The hybrid teens, the rebel cryptogens, and the military must work together, but trust among the various factions is fragile, especially once their intricate plan needs global support. Almost too much happens in this exciting volume, with the most complicated and fraught plot yet, as multiple characters are pulled away into danger while coordinating a massive defense of Earth, but it's capably handled. Oppel again balances action and introspection well, as the three protagonists struggle to do the right thing despite their fears, insecurities, and beliefs being tested by conflicting information and loyalties. A satisfying conclusion.

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June 1, 2021

Gr 5-7-This conclusion to the dynamic "Overthrow" trilogy picks up where Bloom left off, with teen Anaya making contact with alien forces that threaten to destroy Earth. Anaya believes the foreign voice she keeps hearing in her head belongs to a small faction of rebel soldiers. She doubts her judgment when a flyer cryptogen emerges from the alien spaceship the faction allowed to land. Eventually forming a tentative bond with cryptogen runner Terra, Anaya convinces her fellow hybrid friends to join forces in fighting the takeover of Earth. Introduced in the first installment of the series, Seth is a hybrid human and flyer; Petra is part human and a swimmer; and Anaya is a blend of human and runner. The teens continue to come to terms with their unique alien DNA, and their struggles to reconcile with their hybrid nature give realistic voice to this engaging narrative. Relationships ring true especially with Seth, who has spent much of his life feeling rejected as an orphan and thus gravitates to a new friend whom the girls do not trust. As in the other two books, action is well paced. There are equal amounts of hardships and successes, and the overarching battle reaches epic proportions. Characters predominantly present as white or alien. VERDICT A satisfying, edge-of-your-seat conclusion to Oppel's trilogy that pits three hybrid human/alien teens against forces determined to destroy Earth. This is not a stand-alone but is well worth the investment of purchasing the full series.-Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elem. Sch., Gastonia, NC

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