The Beast of Cretacea by Todd Strasser

Book: The Beast of Cretacea

Rating: 4 stars 

Review Writer: James S.

The Beast of Cretacea by Todd Strasser is a sci-fi adventure about a dying Earth. The main character, Ishmael, is trying to earn enough credits to save his foster parents. When Ishmael learns that the Earth is dying from a family friend named Old Ben, Ishmael sets out to Cretacea,  a planet full of life and money, on the Pequod, a fishing ship, along with a new set of sailors named Gwen, Pip, and Queequeg. As the ships captain, Ahab, chases the elusive and mythical White Terrafin, an incredibly dangerous stingray like creature that is larger than normal, he is pulled further into madness during the voyage. When I read the book it was monotonous for the first 300 pages or so, but afterwards it was very interesting within the last 100 pages. Even so, I really liked how Strasser describes each and every minute detail from the islanders to the ocean’s creatures. I also loved how he described all of the character’s looks, feelings, and actions whenever he needed to. I also like how he described everything in a mix of third and first person throughout the book in order to emphasize certain details. The Beast of Cretacea is a book that is very similar to The Martian because both are about saving the main character from almost certain death. In the end, I think that The Beast of Cretacea is a great book and I give it 4 stars out of 5. 

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud

Book: The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud 

Rating: 4 stars 

Review Writer: James S.

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud is a fictional book set in Great Britain in the future after an event called the Cataclysm where there are only a couple of surviving towns. The Faith House is a group that “cleanses” the surviving towns of “defective” people. As the outlaw, Scarlett McCain helps Faith House prisoner Albert Browne escape to the Free Isles, or a fractured London, where he can escape from Dr. Calloway, a Faith House operative. I especially like how Dr. Calloway is so mysterious when it comes to her identity and character. I also liked how the book started with one character and slowly grew to a large number. I also liked how Stroud describes his settings based off of actual places and regions in Great Britain. I don’t like how the book ends in a cliffhanger and that it doesn’t elaborate too much on other characters other than the main ones. It is also introduces a set of creatures called the Tainted and never expands on the idea with only one encounter in the entire book. The book is very similar to The Infernal Devices and Harry Potter because all three books are set in London with elements of magic.

*Librarian note: A sequel to this book was recently published, The Notorious Scarlett and Browne.