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Summary
Summary
Milo's Louisiana bayou is overrun with alien bug invaders and magical creatures in this start to a breathtaking series from bestselling author Jonathan Maberry.
In a world filled with Bugs--monsters that ceaselessly ravage the Earth--Milo Silk has a hard time keeping his dreams separate from reality. So he keeps them locked up in his dream journal and hopes they'll never come to pass. But too often, they do--like when his father disappeared three years ago. Lately, the Witch of the World has been haunting his dreams, saying he is destined to be the hero who saves everyone. But all Milo can think about is how he fears the Bugs will attack his own camp, and bring something even more terrible than ever before.
What Milo doesn't know is that the Earth is already fighting back with its own natural power in the form of Nightsiders, magical creatures who prefer shadows to sunlight and who reside in trees, caves, and rivers. And the Nightsiders are ready to find an ally in Milo...
Author Notes
Jonathan Maberry was born on May 18, 1958. His early books dealt mainly with martial arts and self defense. He then wrote a number of books on the folklore and beliefs of the occult and paranormal including Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us and Hunger for Us, Zombie CSU, and They Bite. His first novel, Ghost Road Blues, won the 2007 Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His other works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, the Joe Ledger series, and the Rot and Ruin series. He is also a freelance comic book writer.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Milo Silk is not a hero. This mantra of Milo's, repeated throughout much of this series opener, couldn't be further from the truth. In a slightly futuristic world, where ruthless insectlike monsters are exterminating humans and the Earth itself, Milo discovers secrets that change the tides of war in a serious way. The Nightsiders are a group of mystical beasts leading the fight to defend Earth and its inhabitants from the maleficent Bugs, led by the fantastic Evangelyne Winter. This story is told with all of the skill that Maberry brought to his "Rot & Ruin" series (S. & S.). Readers will instantly take to Milo, as well as Evangelyne and the other Nightsiders. The story flows well, and though it ends with a cliff-hanger, it is satisfying. Underlying themes center on conservation and bravery. VERDICT A must-have for fans of Maberry's previous books and middle grade sci-fi.-Chad Lane, Easton Elementary, Wye Mills, MD (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this opening installment of the Nightsiders series, Maberry (the Rot & Ruin series) mixes genres to admirable effect. Six years after the alien Swarm invaded Earth, the remaining free humans exist as nomadic refugees and rebels, scavenging to survive while plotting ways to fight back. Eleven-year-old Milo Silk belongs to one such group. Troubled by recurring dreams in which the so-called Witch of the World exhorts him to become the hero Earth needs, Milo is astounded to discover that creatures of myth and legend-werewolves, faeries, spirits of wood and stone-exist and are also fighting the Swarm. Humans and monsters must form an uneasy alliance to recover the missing Heart of Darkness, a powerful magical artifact, before their alien foes evolve into an even greater menace. Maberry skillfully blends postapocalyptic warfare with supernatural adventure, presenting memorable characters and a tense narrative. Excerpts from Milo's dream journal provide extra insight into the bizarre circumstances as they occur. It's a strong start to what looks to be a highly entertaining story line. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
In a dystopic America ravaged by monstrous alien Bugs, eleven-year-old Louisiana boy Milo teams up with also-beleaguered magical creatures such as werewolves, dryads, and witches (the Nightsiders) to challenge the invaders. The pace and plot are uneven: at times overly talky and descriptive, at others full of action. But the mix of science fiction and fantasy is original, and Milo is a character worth following. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Ever since the alien invasion, 11-year-old Milo has suffered from nightmares, but when a voice in his dreams tells him the world needs a hero, he has a hard time believing it could be him. It's been six years since the Dissosterin, a race of giant, buglike creatures, invaded Earth, knocking out communications, destroying cities and decimating the human race. The surviving population has banded together into small nomadic groups, intent on surviving and on finding a way to strike back at the evil extraterrestrial swarm. During a routine scavenging trip, Milo and his friends Shark, Lizabeth and Barnaby stumble upon the Nightsiders, magical creatures who are staging their own battle against the interlopers. This riveting, sci-fi tale of the Earth's last stand is enhanced by the addition of fantastical elements, which fall into place seamlessly. A fast-paced and explosive plot is enriched by strong characters, amusing dialogue and impossible odds. Maberry's prowess in fiction as well as comic books is evident in his well-crafted story, which balances over-the-top battle scenes with the quiet moments between characters that give substance to what could be a heartless thriller. This first book in an explosive new series is the perfect mix of science fiction and magic. (Fantasy/science fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Six years ago, the alien Swarm terrifying, humongous robotic bugs invaded Earth. Now, 11-year-old Milo Silk, his mom, friends Lizabeth and Shark, and the Earth Alliance are trying to survive and fight back. In the meantime, Milo's eerie dreams of worsening Bug attacks, his missing dad, and the cryptic Witch of the World are becoming increasingly prophetic. Then Milo meets the Nightsiders, supernatural beings also battling the Bugs, including feisty and mysterious Evangelyne, wood spirit Oakenayl, sprite Halflight, and stone boy Mook. All intensifies when Milo's camp is viciously attacked, and Milo encounters the Huntsman, a human-alien-insect hybrid with sinister schemes. With much at stake for themselves and others, Milo and the Nightsiders must unite and enact a dangerous plan before it's too late. In this fast-paced, compelling blend of old-school sci-fi, magic, environmental themes, and hero's quest, Maberry introduces an everyday, likable protagonist who develops courage, confidence, and skills in a good-versus-evil battle. Interspersing Milo's Dream Diary entries, exciting action and suspense, and hints of continuing adventures, this Nightsiders series launcher will draw fantasy and sci-fi fans, who'll anticipate the sequel.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2010 Booklist