Student Saturday: The Cassini Code by Dom Testa

Student Reviewer:  Isaac
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

The Galahad crew are on their way out of the solar system through the Kuiper Belt, a massive ring of several objects orbiting the sun. With thoughts an alien they contacted the Cassini might be helping humans fight Bhaktul disease. Many have started to decide to go against the idea of heading to the solar system Eos. The council members will have to make hard choices between right and wrong.

In the story, some crew members go against the protagonists. I’ve felt like this when some of my friends have been rude to me sometimes. I’d recommend this to readers who like drama and conflict.

Each book in the series has its own atmosphere and plot, another great book!

Down the Wormhole by Ana Franco

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Ana Franco has created a story for all ages.  She has taken mythology and turned it on its head.

For fans of the Percy Jackson series they will find a friend in this book.  You have two orphanages separated by gender.  When Kitty shows up at the girls orphanage and is accepted in, she learns a fantastic secret about the teens you will meet in this book.  Although they have everyday names like Andrew, Anna, Natalie and Thomas they are in reality gods and goddesses.  The author has combined several different myths to create this story. You have of course a couple of gods who are up to no good.  There were some liberties taken with the gods in her story.  I like that.  I hate having the same thing rehashed in different stories.  For those who are not familiar with the different myths some back story would have helped.  That would be my only suggestion.  Over all I really enjoyed the book and can say with all honesty that this is an author I will recommend to students and one I will be watching for more great books.

Elijah Hael: The Genetic Code - Steve Goodwin

Genre:  Adult, Christian Fiction
Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
A dazzling, thought provoking, combination of faith versus secular beliefs, science fiction, spiritual warfare, action adventure and romance.

Yesterday’s gone. Tomorrow is a distant hope. Now means everything…

Nya struggled to believe her accomplishment. Nearly a decade’s work was all coming together. This was her moment. The Nobel Prize would be hers for the taking. Her work was going to change the face of bio-science forever.

The only problem was someone with an exceptionally dark desire wanted to twist her work for sinister purposes that would change the face of life on earth forever. And he was prepared to go to any lengths to get it.

Thus began a chain of startling events that would force Nya to place her trust in an unknown man whom she discovered from archived news reports … had died years ago.

Journey with Nya, a believer, as her faith is tested. Join Isaac, a non-believer, who questions his existence. Discover how they face death together in a remarkable adventure. An emotionally rich, adventure story which will delight those who quest personally challenging and thought provoking reads.

My Thoughts:
The characters in the story are very real, very believable. We have your good versus evil. Humans are unaware that a battle between demons and angels are taking place around them. Humans are the pawns caught in the middle.  Nya is sick.  She has been working on a DNA project for over a decade and now someone else is trying to steal it.  I thought it great naming this person Cain.  You immediately get the idea that he is working for the wrong side.  He is actually trying to he a group of demons called "The Shadows".
The angels, Elijah, Castiel and Sophia have been tasked with protecting Nya and her boyfriend Isaac.

This is not your typical angel versus demon book.  This is not the first book in the series, yet I was able to get right in and enjoy it.  I will definitely need to read the first book to see what I had missed.

About the Author:
After a difficult childhood Steve developed a fascination with the natre of the supernatural, spiritual and physical words and how they affect the lives around us. This led him on a journey spanning two decades of studying, experiences and discovery. As well as demonstrating a profuound respect for faith and the battles of doubt, he seamlessly mixes reality with creativity, inspired by Biblical concepts and personal understandings, constructing worlds, dimensions, events, and stories that are relatable.  Steve is inspired by authors such as J.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of  Narnia) who mix fantasy and reality while promoting Christian values.