With all the political strife out there right now in real Earth time, this hits on what it means to be human; what we fight for, live for and die for. It contains rich, character driven plots, prophecies, and has enough twists and turns like a great mystery novel. Nothing is predictable. "The Legend of Zero" held me captive to the events, emotions and possibilities that unfold from the very first page, everything wanted when I read a really great book, here's why.
Usually science fiction books take a while to settle into, not this one. Miss King's visualization grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn't let go. It begins with the numbness and mind-freeze that we all experienced at the devastation of 9-11. No, I am not trying to compare that to this book, just the FEELING. Earth is invaded; people glued to their TV's, dumbstruck as their nations bow to this nightmare, this alien takeover. They call themselves Ooreiki, tens of thousands of the "War of the Worlds", nasty kind. Fourteen year old Joe Dobbs in an attempt to keep his little brother from the aliens grasp finds himself captured; thrown onto an alien ship along with 98% of Earth's children, then transported across the universe.
Forcibly recruited by the alien army, Joe is chosen to lead a ground-team band of misfits: Maggie, Monk, Lizzy, Elf and Scott. Everything they once knew is gone; mom, dad, home and fruit loops for breakfast. In its place is an alien army boot camp, where learning to work together as a team is a matter of survival.
The strong characterizations of both the children and their captors constantly evolve and shift. The fact that nothing is predictable makes it wonderfully unique. You KNOW them, FEEL for them, SEE them becoming adults before their time. It is dark at times, but when 5 and 10 year olds are taking on the lives and responsibilities of full grown adults, it would be. I was glad, however, that Miss King put in some of her classic milk-thru-the-nose moments where you do laugh, relate, and nod your head in approval of a sequence of events or the antics of childhood pranks. Such as this example of the children learning what's for dinner in their new alien surroundings...
***
"The cafeteria itself was filled with rows of long ebony tables made of the same glossy black material as the rest of the ship. Ahead, dozens of kids stood in line to receive big white bowls of food an alien took from the nozzle of a humming metal box. The food machine was the first piece of furniture Joe had seen that wasn't made of the strange black stuff, but it was creepy in its own right. The blue metal had an iridescent sheen to it, making it shimmer and glow like ice. It reminded him of the thing around his ankle.
"Everybody here?" Joe asked, glancing behind him.
Scott made a face. "Might as well not be. This stuff is gross."
Joe eyed the alien serving the recruits their food. "I haven't tasted it yet." Too busy racking up extra time on my enlistment.
"It's green," Maggie said, atop his shoulders. "And it tastes like the dog bowl."
Elf wrinkled his nose. "Ew[...]"
"Maggie drinks from the dog bowl!" Monk laughed.
"No she doesn't," Joe said, as they continued to shuffle slowly down the line towards the humming food-machine. He cocked his head up at her. "Do you, Mag?"
He could feel Maggie's pout when she said, "It tastes better than the fish bowl."
"Ewwww!" Elf screeched.
"Quiet!" Joe said, catching the eye of one of the aliens. "They're watching us."
That silenced the others immediately."
Descriptions in the "The Legend of Zero" were incredibly vivid; I could see them in my mind very clearly, feeling as if I, too, were there. When they are stumbling in learning the new language, heck I related to that too, and have even called someone a "furg" since reading this book. They become the kids who could live down my street. This storyline was like a fine filament that kept unraveling more and more. Before I knew it, I had an alien tapestry before me drawn with rich characters both good and bad. At first I hated them, those Ooreiki, but as the story evolved I begun to see some of them not as aliens anymore.
GASP! I liked them and even wanted to call a few friends by the end.
OR
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Next 5 for you in this series
See full series
Total Price:
$38.95
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
You have GOT to READ THIS SERIES!!!
I tried to write a review and it seems to have gone off into the cyberspace abyss. Oh well, here is my second attempt.I started to read this series solely based on how the summarized story line piqued my interests. WOW! Was I ever rewarded!Sara King has a penchant for telling stories that are so descriptive and engrossing that it plays like a movie in your mind. I don't truly believe I read the entire series, I feel like I lived it!Truly a gifted writer, she has yet to disappoint. I'm about to begin reading her "Millennium Potion" series in hopes of carrying on with new characters that are easily relatable and relevant. I am now a true fan of this author and have read every book in this, "The Legend of Zero" series and am anxiously awaiting the fourth book, (albeit the sixth actual book) in this series.Kudos to Sara and kudos to those authors not in the mainstream of today's publishers. I'm glad that she has remained an independent writer.Michael
Top reviews from other countries
MadEnoughNoMore
So good I had to buy it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2022
