Ecksdot

by J Washburn

It all began with a nightmare I had one night. A nightmare--or a vision. It was almost too strange to not be real. A being from some other dimension--I don't know what to call it exactly, a ghost robot, I guess--well, it told me to knock on the door of a house down my street--a green old house covered in trees and mystery. It took me awhile to get the courage (and I got a little help from my "slow" friend Danny), but I knocked on that door. And the scariest part of what we found was the message: The old lady told me that if I would draw a certain Japanese tattoo on my arm, I could cross that barrier between reality and dreams and find out what the being wanted. So I had the choice: to back away and get out while I still could, or to go deeper, to take a chance on Japanese witchcraft, to dare my way into the unknown. I made my choice. That's what this book is about. Maybe you'll think I chose wrong, I dunno. What would you have done?

Genres: Young Adult

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2013

About the author

J Washburn is the author of smart scifi and fantasy novels, including the acclaimed STARCHILD space opera books! He co-hosts the Start Writing podcast. And if you're wondering out his first name, check out
www.jwashburn.com !

Reviews

[Adam Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It kept me engaged and excited about the story. I wish it had been around when I was in middle school - it is especially appropriate for the YA audience, being told through the eyes of one, but is still great reading for adults. Buy it, read it!

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One epic adventure and journey into what could happen, maybe happening, and certainly an interesting and compelling read. I loved it!!!!! With the rise of hi technology comes benefits and disasters not expected and some that are depending on the mindset of the maker. Get your copy today!

[Trent Mikesell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really can't remember who told me to read this book. I think someone had posted it on Facebook because their brother or cousin or someone had written it, and something about struggling artists just gets to me, so I thought I would check it out.

For me, it started out poorly. It was confusing and hard to follow. Then I really actually got into it and started to wonder how this other world works and looked forward to reading the end so I could get all my questions answered. Well, the end was a HUGE disappointment. He does not answer any questions. I don't think the author needs to lay it all out especially if he or she is planning on a trilogy or something, but really there was no information given about the other "world" and it was a huge let-down. Throw me a bone or something!

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for fans of young adult action-adventure. It's a story of an ordinary boy in an ordinary neighborhood that has an extraordinary adventure. This book was a fun read for me because I could really relate to it; I grew up in similar neighborhood setting and I played the same games as Nate. The supernatural world that Washburn creates is definitely original. I plan to read the next one.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! Other than three swear words, I loved pretty much everything! It's a very original story and it is well written.

[SHARON LUCILLE ALEXANDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative, intriguing, and fun!

You wouldn’t believe the odd path that brought me to this author. Suffice it to say I am glad I took that path. I am looking forward to many more of ‘our’ books. Thank you, J Washburn, for nurturing your curiosity and creativity. We all win!
This is a great G-rated (no profanity, no immoral behavior). This is a great PG-rated book (some bullying and fights).
This is a great PG 13-rated book (death, metaphysical thought processing).
This is a great book (period—unlike J :^)

[Sherry Torgent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, prepare to take a wild ride…

Ecksdot, pronounced X-dot, is one creative adventure. The main character is a six-grader named Nate, who loves to spend time in his imagination. He dreams about being a superhero and is bored by the mundane routine of school and his new neighbor, Danny, who is uncool and trying to be his friend. “I wanted to be a hero. That’s all I wanted in the whole world. But I was surrounded by stupid every-day sort of stuff. Like school. And friggin Danny.” I was blown away with how Washburn nailed the mind of a six-grader. It was simply fantastic. You will be a kid again, reading this book. I know I was.

Nate develops a love-hate relationship with Danny. Danny loves the pictures Nate draws of robots and likes to pretend with Nate that the robots are real and on a special mission. But at the same time, Danny is kinda weird, and Nate worries about his reputation among the other kids at school.

In alternating chapters, we are made aware of an actual group of invisible, human-like robot beings called “Andbots”. One of the Andbots, Eckdot, wants to make contact with Nate, even though it has never been done before. Humans can’t see or hear Andbots. He believes Nate might be able to help. The Andbots don’t know why they are on earth, or how they got there, but someone, an enemy, is infecting them one by one with a deadly virus. When Nate falls asleep one night, Ecksdot enters the nightmare Nate is having and tries to talk to him, showing him a barn and an object that he will find if he goes to the barn. Nate remembers the robot from the dream and drags a willing Danny to explore a big white barn near his home. Nate realizes the barn is the exact one from his dream, and after some drama from being caught breaking into the barn, they eventually return and get inside, finding the exact object the “robot man” had shown him. Nate’s dreams were becoming reality -“My dream is real.”

The book takes Nate and Danny further and further into discovering the Andbots and the evil they are fighting against. Washburn uses some hand drawn illustrations to enhance the story (think “The Book Thief”). There’s other cool stuff, like how each Andbot got its unique name (ie; Ecksdot, Jeepers). You’ll discover how they are powered by invisible purple crystals that grow on earth, how the red virus infects and spreads in the Andbots, changing them into something dark.

I want to say more, but I simply don’t want to spoil the discovery that comes from reading it. I guess only the next book will explain all the mysteries that we are left with at the end. Mainly, who are the Andbots, what are the Andbots, and where did they come from? And what part will Nate and Danny ultimately play in their future?

Any age will enjoy this book, but middle school boys in particular need to get excited about this one!

[Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!