Look 'N Up Invasion

FINALIST - THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS

HONORABLE MENTION IN 3 CATEGORIES: SCI-FI FANTASY,  NOVEL and YOUNG ADULT  from STORY MONSTERS INK

It's Baput's 12th birthday. The battle begins today,

While fighting the circadian predators that decimate their population every 3 years, the green-skinned royal family of an isolated, primitive world are accidentally transported to the Look'N Up Pomegranate Ranch in present-day California, where they are hired as immigrant farm workers by a particularly empathetic family who were once penniless farm workers themselves, and who carry a hideous genetic deformity. They believe in the Look' N Up Way: "It means you pull your head out of wherever you like to tuck it and look around at the people around you. Feel them. Think about them. Consider them. How do these green people feel?"

Guided by empathy, the two families explore each other's cultures in a richly woven story of religion vs. science; theocracy vs. democracy; women's rights; racism; otherization; castigation and the shocking psychological effects of living in a world with no otherwhere.

When they find that the predators have followed their green-skinned prey, and are hibernating on the ranch, waiting to attack an unsuspecting Earth, they must combine their very diverse talents to defeat them.

 "Entertaining and enlightening. ...Look 'N Up Invasion takes a modern and unique approach to the sci-fi genre as it tackles a complex array of themes, most notably the concepts of empathy amidst cultural diversity. This fantasy is at once thrilling and thought-provoking, exploring real-world issues of racism and sexism, religion and theocracy — all while tackling the impending threat of alien monsters." Katie Bloomer, Book Trib

"Enthralling....A cleverly plotted mix of fantasy, family drama, and cultural debate. Highly recommended!" The Wishing Shelf

"The perfect read for those who enjoy a young adult, sci-fi and fantasy driven drama that also explores complex moral questions. The physical threats that the characters face is expertly woven into the moral and psychological trauma that each face as their worlds grow. Thought-provoking, thrilling, and entertaining, Look 'N Up Invasion is a must read genre fiction narrative that readers won't be able to put down." Christina Avina, Pacific Book Review.

"I recommend Look 'N Up Invasion to readers who enjoy drama filled thrillers and sci-fi. ...A thrilling book with lots of plot twists, drama, and action. The vivid description and detailed narration made the reader visualize the events. The storyline flows perfectly, and the reader gets to enjoy each character. I like that with Janice Carr Smith's writing, you get to choose your hero and not rely on the author to select heroes and villains for the reader. Most of the main characters have a balance between their strong sides and weaknesses, and that makes them fascinating." Aaron Washington, Hollywood Book Reviews.