Operation Inferno

The Resisters #4

by Eric S. Nylund

Million-copy bestselling Halo author and game developer Eric Nylund brings action-packed science fiction to a young audience with the fourth book in the Resisters series. As Ethan and the other Resisters explore Titan Base, they learn more about human technology prior to the alien Ch'zar's conquering of Earth. But before they can fully understand the weapons now at their disposal, the Ch'zar find their new base! The Resisters have just one chance left—if they can destroy the aliens' huge industrial complex, they can buy themselves some time. But to do it, they'll have to infiltrate the Ch'zar collective and risk being absorbed by the hive mind.

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction

288 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

HI MY DUDES IT'S NEARLY ONE IN THE MORNING AND I SHOULD BE SLEEPING BUT I COULDN'T RESIST (WINK) READING THE BOOK WHILE BRUSHING MY TEETH. AND I FINISHED IT. Yes, I'm a tad bit too old for this book so since I'm not the targeted audience, this book isn't really made to appeal to me, of course. But I read it anyways. Quick backstory: My dad bought the first book in the series for me when I was back in wee old elementary school and they had scholastic book orders that I love. Yeah, and I never knew you could google the book series. And I didn't know how to request books from the library. So basically, I gave up on the series. Which was too bad because it's actually pretty dope. SCIENCE FICTION, WE'RE TALKING. CHILDREN'S BOOK WITH SOME MIld violence and romance. The entire plot is well thought out with all the aliens, adults, underground, ICE's, yaddaya. Cool. Puberty and brain changes? Even more thought provoking! You get my point. The story is so interesting (although the battles are a bit long so I would take a break during those times since it got a slight bit boring and redundant) and it definitely kept me reading. But. WHAT ABOUT ETHAN'S PARENTS???? THE BOOKS KEPT HINTING AT THEIR SURVIVAL AND RESISTANCE AGAINST THE MIND CONTROL. THEY EVEN LEFT HINTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO FIND THAT UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS! YOUD THINK IF THE AUTHOR DOES THAT, HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADD IN THE OFFICIAL PARENTS' FATE. BUT NOPE HE DID NOT. So now I am very upset that the parents are now, presumably, dead. And so is Paul Hicks. I have a sweet spot for that guy because he seems so misunderstood and always getting the brunt of the punishments while Ethan gets off scot free. I get that he's the antagonist, but did you really need to kill him off? I wish there was more character development. Honestly. They all seem to be the same person by the end of the series. Madison and Ethan? So much more hinting, but nothing is disclosed about their ending? Also Jack's (?) squadron died. The entire thing. Ethan does not feel very much remorse for them, for the seed bank (had they actually all died), or Paul. Which, to be honest, kind of pissed me off. He really has little to no connection with the other characters. I personally thought that the bond between the pilots and the ICE's would've been stronger, but nope, they were not good enough to be a living animal for the kids. AND THAT 'BOOK' Ethan got from the unfortunately deceased civilization (which I must admit was super cool) was never really used. I wish he explored those stuff more and ya know just history in general. At least he wasn't a perfect character. He seems pretty arrogant and full of himself. Ha, at least he hasn't gotten through puberty yet. I never really learned as much about Emma and Angel as I wanted to, which left me pretty wary of them. Angel was cool, but underrated. ALSO WHY WAS ETHAN AND EMMA SO DIFFERENT FROM TRH OTHER KIDS?? WHY WONT THEY TELL US WHY? GIVE US SOME MORE STORY, WILL YA? And to wrap this up, I have only three stars because: character development, untied ends, made for younger audiences, failed to see 'connection' between the characters. Ethan's a pretty solo guy. The end. Thank you for bearing with me. Good night everyone. PS I'm not so sure about this part, but.....was Felix's beetle ever featured on the cover of the books? I never saw it :( which is strange since he's pretty important in the first book. Also, Madison's natural hair isn't blonde. And yet the two times she's shown in the cover, she's shown blonde.

[Jamie Beirne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Inferno is a science fiction chapter book for children 14 years and older. This book takes place at a base where resisters (to an alien force) are taking refuge before an alien invasion. After discovering weapons in the base that have the ability to disable their enemies, the kids must strategize and plan a way to deploy the weapons within the desired range. Without the help of a commanding officer who had been leading them in their first three missions, the kids are on their own protecting themselves, learning to work effectively as a team, and fighting the enemy. This chapter book requires a higher level of vocabulary understanding. There isn't an overwhelming amount of new vocabulary in the book, but enough that to understand the plot students would need to understand the vocabulary. There are also some made-up words and difficult to read names within the story. There is a lot of action in this story and a lot of suspense. This provides a great opportunity for instruction on story-lines. There is also some great material for beginning conversations on character development throughout a story. It is a very entertaining book that will hook the students who choose to read it.

[Author Paul E. Petty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wait, that’s it? That’s the end?

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nylund, Eric Operation Inferno (The Resisters Books #4) 288 pgs. Yearling, 2013. $12.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

In this 4th book we find the alien Ch’zar presence on Earth at an all-time high, they appear to be harvesting more of our resources than ever. Ethan in charge of ragged group of Resisters have survived and fled the destruction of their all-important seed bank base. Luckily they are semi-safe at an old military installment, which is full of technology and interesting things to discover, like food! Things are at their most desperate with the resistance, and Ethan comes up with a wild plan that may cost him his life.

Oddly enough, I have now read book #2 and Book #4 in the series, despite this disjointedness I really enjoy them. This one can’t quite stand as a read-alone at this point. The dystopic alien invasion scenario is really appealing and popular right now. Students will love the plot component that adult minds can be corrupted by alien influence, leaving only the children to do the fighting back. This book is fairly heavy on battles and military tactic, less on the character development, but it is still worth adding it to your collection.

EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.