Gr 9 Up-Jeth's parents were the preeminent scientists of the Confederation until their final mission ended in tragedy and they were suddenly charged with treason and executed. Since then, Jeth has been in the forced employ of an interstellar crime lord, aboard the Avalon . It is a ship specially designed by Jeth's parents to navigate and explore the Belgrave, a sector of space that gives off inexplicable power fluctuations; many consider it haunted. Jeth is finally given the opportunity to captain the Avalon when the crew are sent into the Belgrave to salvage a stranded Confederation ship said to hold a dangerous weapon. Little does he know that this mission will set off a chain of events that could have far-reaching consequences and fundamentally challenge his understanding of his own family's history. This is an exciting piece of science fiction that keeps up its energy from beginning to end. Fans of the short-lived but beloved Joss Whedon television show Firefly will find this book especially enjoyable, and it is sure to be one of the most popular releases in the genre this year.— Ryan F. Paulsen, New Rochelle High School, NY

Arnett's fast-paced space western combines S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders (1967) with television's Firefly in what appears to be the beginning of a promising series. We meet a motley crew of renegade orphan teen mercenaries who form their own family by choice. Their mission is to steal metatech, the mysterious force that allows interplanetary travel faster than the speed of light. Seventeen-year-old Jeth leads the gang of teen metatech thieves, who work for the villainous Hammer Dafoe. Jeth and his 13-year-old sister, Lizzie, lost their space-surveying parents seven years ago, when the Interstellar Transit Authority executed their parents for unspecified treason. Jeth's primary objective is to buy the family's legendary spaceship, the Avalon, from Hammer, escape his despotic reign, and establish a quiet existence away from Hammer and the Interstellar Transit Authority. But nothing is going to come easy, and the appearance of a strange, possibly alien child and a beautiful, fierce teen scientist further complicate matters. It's not a deep read, but it's a riveting one, and sci-fi fans will gulp it down in one sitting and ask for more.

Jeth has one last job to complete before he can buy back his parents' spaceship from a crime boss. But the ship he was sent to find carries a deadly cargo that everyone in the galaxy wants. The strong bond between Jeth and his humorously motley crew of teenage mercenaries outshines the predictable plot and will appeal to Firefly-esque space-opera fans.

Jeth Seagrave, referred to as Boss by the teenage mercenaries whom he leads, is working towards earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, the Avalon. His most recent job, however, presented some complications that have him second-guessing himself and his hopes for a better future. Immediately upon his return from the job that changed his thinking, Jeth and his crew are sent to complete another job, but this time they are headed into the Belgrave Quadrant, a dangerous dungeon-like place where many unexplainable things have happened, and where his parents disappeared years ago. Though with reservation, Jeth and his crew trod on, keeping in mind the goal of getting back the Avalon, but what they discover in the Belgrave Quadrant leads to even more questions and distrust.Secrets, betrayal, family, team work, and love are all at the heart of Arnett's book. It is a plot-filled story with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing about what will come next. Still, a more detailed description of this sci-fi world Arnett has created would have allowed for a livelier and more interesting reading experience. Additionally, too much explaining of dialogue and not enough character development prevent connection with characters on a deeper level. Avalon is suitable for readers who enjoy science fiction and action stories.Nicola McDonald.