Under Alien Stars

Jason resents his mother's friendliness toward the military commander of the alien forces that have subjugated Earth, until he finds himself and the commander's teenage daughter fighting on the same side against another, much deadlier alien race invading the solar system.Jason resents his mother's friendliness toward the military commander of the alien forces that have subjugated Earth, until he finds himself and the commander's teenage daughter fighting on the same side against another, much deadlier alien race invadingthe solar system

Grade 7 Up-- This fast-moving science - fiction thriller opens almost a decade since Earth was gobbled up by the alien Tsorian empire, which needed a military foothold from which to observe and attack its enemy, the Hykzoi. The story is told from the points of view of arrogant Aryl, daughter of the military commander of the occupation, who sports the maroon skin, ash-gray hair, and claws of her race; and teenage (human) Jason, chafing under a full decade of domination and secretly ashamed that his mother works for the enemy. Scenes at Tsorian headquarters provide an interesting picture of alien bureaucracy, internal politics, and power struggles. A sudden Hykzoi invasion puts the two young people on the same side, and their reluctant partnership and begrudging admiration for each other are well portrayed. Unexpected humor comes from two batty old ladies living next door to the country cabin in which the Tsorian commander is being held; the final portion of the book combines well-paced action with further character development--the two races recognize their prejudices and acknowledge what they have in common. The ending is thought provoking and not too pat, as a Tsorian victory over the Hykzoi leaves Earth still part of the Tsorian empire but with more say in its own future. --Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.