Orphan's Journey (Jason Wander, 3)

The first book in this series was interesting so I got the next books. Each was more disappointing than the last! Every chapter gets the main character into an impossible situation only to find the most ridiculous way to get out of the jam. And then the next chapter or two and the author does it again - and again! If other folks like this stuff I have to wonder at their age or reading maturity. Maybe considering what passes for reality TV these days….

I promised myself I would sleep on the plane. After a late night, I needed the sleep. I pulled out Orphan's Journey while standing in line at security. I was tired, but I wasn't in the air yet. "I can finish a chapter or two before these TSA folks get to me," I told myself. At the terminal, I slumped into a chair. I had thirty minutes before they started boarding. How many pages could I read before then? I resolved to find out. Why stop while shuffling to my seat? Seriously. My peripheral vision could guide me! Buckled in, I knew I wouldn't be able to stay asleep during the din of takeoff. One more chapter. OK, now my eyes are hurting. I've been awake too long - gotten too few hours of shut-eye - but I can't possibly close the book now! Would I like something to drink? Yes, but hold the caffeine. I've got my thumbs wrapped around pure adrenaline! Two hours later, Orphan's Journey made a liar out of me. I didn't sleep a wink, but I was done. And I loved it. Journey takes the Orphanage series to a new level. Think "Land of the Lost" meets "Starship Troopers." This is by far Buettner's most mature material yet - unique and fully realized. Enjoy!

I love his books, this is his 3rd book in the series and i cant keep my eyes off it. Buettner's books are the only books i can read for longer than 10 minutes heh. Ive spent 3 hours reading page after page and still am interested. He knows how to keep a person reading or at least a person like me :) -Ethan

This book is brilliant in its use of overwhelmingly human characters, their blunders and their heroism. Orphanage and its following two novels (including Orphan's Journey) enhance the science fiction genre with unpredictable events, a conceivable and edge-of-your-seat story line, and a sense of adventure that inspires readers to devour the book's printed words. I highly and strongly recommend this book to all lovers of science fiction and to those who enjoy watching human character unfurl before them.

I loved the first book in this series, especially because the main character, Jason, was a wise guy infrantryman who screwed up a lot. In this,third, book, he's grown into a thinking man's wise guy, but he still screws up a lot which continues the entertainment. The other thing that has grown in this book is the scope of the story. It intorduces new worlds, cultures, and characters, and it does so with twists I didn't expect. That's what takes this book to a higher level than the first one. I think you can pick this book up without the background of the first two and it will read just fine, but if you do, you'll probably be hungry to go back to them, anyway. It's a fine addition to a fine series, and, according to the flyleaf, there are at least two more books to come in a few months.

As an advisor to the Tibetan rebels, General Jason Wander had orders not to fire at the Chinese troops unless he came under fire from them. However, he could not let the rebels he trusted die in combat so he disobeys a direct order. To keep him out of further trouble the brass exiles him to the New Moon resort station where scientists work on figuring out how to fly a space ship captured from a Slug with engine powered Cavorite at its core. The ship was captured during the most recent hostility. Jason is on the station to get his godson Jude to power it up with reflexes only he has and which are needed to interface with the engine starting up. Jason persuades Jude they need it done so they can fly back to earth together, but something goes wrong; the Cavorite fueled ship takes off from the station and travels through a black hole before landing on the planet Bren. For a millennium they have mined Cavorite and given it to the Slugs so they will be left alive and alone to fight amongst themselves. However, when Jason and his crew touch down, the Slugs decide to eradicate all humans except those they need as drones and slaves. Jason has to unite the feuding clans, who have been at war with one another for years, if they hope to extricate the Slugs from Bren for that is the only way they will survive. Adding to his dilemma is the Slugs are breeding so his chances of winning are nil unless he can come up with a dramatic Hail Mary. Whatever happen he is responsible because the clan leaders named him Commander. The latest Jason Wander military science fiction thriller (see ORPHANAGE and ORPHAN'S DESTINY) is a great space opera reminiscent of the early Heinlein sagas. The protagonist still struggles with accepting that in war there are casualties including collateral damage of the innocent. He detests that he sends men to their deaths, but understands the greater good. He is sensitive and willing to disobey orders if he feels they are wrong. However, what makes this tale so strong is the insight into Bren culture where Homo sapiens fight one another with nineteenth century equivalent technology while avoiding a confrontation with the Slugs. Harriet Klausner