Thursday, December 1, 2011

Planesrunner-Ian McDonald

Planesrunner


Ian McDonald

PYR, Dec 20 2011, $16.95

ISBN 9781616145415



Fourteen year old Everett Singh belongs to the Divorcedads.com forum where children swap tales of embarrassing dad stories. Knowing his dad is different after all he named him after a dead scientist, on a rainy cold December night in London Everett follows his quantum physicist father Tejendra with both riding their bikes. The teen notices a black car following his dad with no attempt to pass him. Suddenly three men get out and abduct Tejendra to the shock and fear of Everett. He tells his mom, the police and his dad’s boss at the lab, but no one seems disturbed by the kidnapping except the victim’s son.



Not long after his father was snatched, Everett, a math prodigy, receives a complex digital map, the Infundibulum, which enables him to plot an infinite number of alternate worlds. He realizes his dad was kidnapped because the leaders of Ten Known Worlds alliance and others want the Infundibulum. The lad flees to an electro-punk Britain where Sen, the adopted daughter of Captain Anastasia Sixsmyth of the Everness dirigible, tries to steal the infinity map, but fails. Soon these two people from different worlds become friends and allies as enemy agents hunt for Everett and the Infundibulum.



The first Everness young adult science fiction thriller is a terrific tale starring a brave, intelligent teenage Planesrunner who adapts too easily to whatever he goes up against. The storyline is fast-paced from the opening abduction and never slows down. With a nod to Time Bandits, filled with plenty of action, a vivid alternate realm, plenty of humor, and a precocious teen hero, fans will want to join Everett and the crew of the Everness in their rescue attempt.



Harriet Klausner

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