The Orphan Army
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4.3 • 7 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Milo’s Louisiana bayou is overrun with alien bug invaders and magical creatures in this start to a breathtaking series that’s “the perfect mix of science fiction and magic” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) from bestselling author Jonathan Maberry.
In a world filled with Bugs—monsters that ceaselessly ravage the Earth—Milo Silk has a hard time keeping his dreams separate from reality. So he keeps them locked up in his dream journal and hopes they’ll never come to pass. But too often, they do—like when his father disappeared three years ago. Lately, the Witch of the World has been haunting his dreams, saying he is destined to be the hero who saves everyone. But all Milo can think about is how he fears the Bugs will attack his own camp, and bring something even more terrible than ever before.
What Milo doesn’t know is that the Earth is already fighting back with its own natural power in the form of Nightsiders, magical creatures who prefer shadows to sunlight and who reside in trees, caves, and rivers. And the Nightsiders are ready to find an ally in Milo…
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this opening installment of the Nightsiders series, Maberry (the Rot & Ruin series) mixes genres to admirable effect. Six years after the alien Swarm invaded Earth, the remaining free humans exist as nomadic refugees and rebels, scavenging to survive while plotting ways to fight back. Eleven-year-old Milo Silk belongs to one such group. Troubled by recurring dreams in which the so-called Witch of the World exhorts him to become the hero Earth needs, Milo is astounded to discover that creatures of myth and legend werewolves, faeries, spirits of wood and stone exist and are also fighting the Swarm. Humans and monsters must form an uneasy alliance to recover the missing Heart of Darkness, a powerful magical artifact, before their alien foes evolve into an even greater menace. Maberry skillfully blends postapocalyptic warfare with supernatural adventure, presenting memorable characters and a tense narrative. Excerpts from Milo's dream journal provide extra insight into the bizarre circumstances as they occur. It's a strong start to what looks to be a highly entertaining story line. Ages 8 12.
