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Weird Space
"A. M. Wiley's novel, Weird Space, is a very unique and fresh approach to science fantasy. It's a must read."
-Howard Kazanjian, Producer of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark
Ever wonder what else is out there? So does twelve-year-old Drew Shipley, a daydreamer whose only fear is growing up. To escape his present and avoid his future, Drew and his friends roam their small town playing night tag, fantasizing about aliens and spaceships, and exploring the haunted Gladhill barn. But Drew’s fantasies become reality when a starfighter from another dimension crashes in the cornfield behind his Sheela Vestril, commander of the Dimension Warriors and last hope in a galactic war to save their world from the vile Lord Malgore. As Drew learns more about Sheela, he and his friends band together to help her complete her mission and keep her a secret from their parents, a suspicious deputy, and a ruthless gang of bullies. But this isn't a game, and Drew and his friends have no idea what they’ve signed up for. Who is this girl and what's chasing after her? Are Drew and his friends really cut out to save the universe? Is this Drew's chance to escape the realities of his life, or will those realities follow him no matter what galaxy he's in? Time is running out, and growing up is no longer a It's a matter of life and death.
-Howard Kazanjian, Producer of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark
Ever wonder what else is out there? So does twelve-year-old Drew Shipley, a daydreamer whose only fear is growing up. To escape his present and avoid his future, Drew and his friends roam their small town playing night tag, fantasizing about aliens and spaceships, and exploring the haunted Gladhill barn. But Drew’s fantasies become reality when a starfighter from another dimension crashes in the cornfield behind his Sheela Vestril, commander of the Dimension Warriors and last hope in a galactic war to save their world from the vile Lord Malgore. As Drew learns more about Sheela, he and his friends band together to help her complete her mission and keep her a secret from their parents, a suspicious deputy, and a ruthless gang of bullies. But this isn't a game, and Drew and his friends have no idea what they’ve signed up for. Who is this girl and what's chasing after her? Are Drew and his friends really cut out to save the universe? Is this Drew's chance to escape the realities of his life, or will those realities follow him no matter what galaxy he's in? Time is running out, and growing up is no longer a It's a matter of life and death.
270 pages, ebook
Published October 12, 2023
43 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Wiley
4 books37 followersAndrew Michael Wiley grew up in a town eerily similar to Warfield (Weird Space)—minus the interdimensional monsters (probably). A self-proclaimed movie buff, rollerblader, and nostalgia junkie, he spends his time digging through the crypts of local used bookstores or reminiscing to his wife and three sons about the “good ol’ days.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 23, 2025
The Goonies meets The Last Starfighter
This book is awesome! This book brings the nostalgia of Stranger Things, the camaraderie of The Sandlot, the heroics of John Carter, with the mystery of the X-Files. It is so, so good.
The characters are spectacular. The setting is immersive. The plot is somehow familiar yet still original. But the pacing is perfect: foot on the gas when it needs to be, and slowed down when we are really connecting with our characters.
Also, the audiobook RULES! Now, I only listened to one chapter (just to see what it was about) and read the rest, but it is FAN-TASTIC!
On top of it all.....it's clean. I would be very comfortable handing this to my 12-year-old without worrying about any of the content, and I know he'd have a great time with it. As a matter of fact, he plans to read it next!
Guys, do not sleep on this book! I'll be picking up book 2 very, VERY soon!
This book is awesome! This book brings the nostalgia of Stranger Things, the camaraderie of The Sandlot, the heroics of John Carter, with the mystery of the X-Files. It is so, so good.
The characters are spectacular. The setting is immersive. The plot is somehow familiar yet still original. But the pacing is perfect: foot on the gas when it needs to be, and slowed down when we are really connecting with our characters.
Also, the audiobook RULES! Now, I only listened to one chapter (just to see what it was about) and read the rest, but it is FAN-TASTIC!
On top of it all.....it's clean. I would be very comfortable handing this to my 12-year-old without worrying about any of the content, and I know he'd have a great time with it. As a matter of fact, he plans to read it next!
Guys, do not sleep on this book! I'll be picking up book 2 very, VERY soon!
February 27, 2024
For someone’s first published novel, A.M. Wiley’s Weird Space is an impressive start.
Other than the books fun premise, the standouts are the characters that are so likable they entirely carry the whole story.
Its influence is a little bit transparent (biggest similarities being Stranger Things and Star Wars) but it honestly adds enough of its own ingredients to feel like its own thing.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things especially season 1 then definitely check this book out.
Other than the books fun premise, the standouts are the characters that are so likable they entirely carry the whole story.
Its influence is a little bit transparent (biggest similarities being Stranger Things and Star Wars) but it honestly adds enough of its own ingredients to feel like its own thing.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things especially season 1 then definitely check this book out.
December 3, 2023
Okay, so this is my husband and it would be easy to assume I like it simply because he wrote it. However, this is his best work to date. And I've read A LOT of his books! This isn't even my particular genre of choice. With 3 boys at home and a career of teaching teenagers, this book is a great read for anyone.
April 29, 2025
A.M. Wiley's Weird Space is one of the more enjoyable books that I've read recently and one that filled my nostalgic heart.
Coming of age? Check. Kids on bikes? Check. "Alien crashlanding"? Check. Subtle references to pop culture? Check. A.M. Wiley has created a story that might feel familiar, but one that took me back to the days of enjoying the thrill of Star Wars speeder chases and ET trying to phone home.
I particularly enjoyed the characters here. Each with their own unique personality, regardless which dimension they were from or what age they were. These characters felt real and it was great to read a story that I could connect with. The interactions between characters were typical 80s-coming-of-age and were handled great. The plot itself may seem pretty basic. Unknown crash-lands on Earth and seeks help for a larger purpose. Towards the end, the stakes really are raised to the point I wanted to delve into book two immediately.
I do wish that the book as longer. I think it could have benefitted from longer dialogue, or setting the scene but for a debut novel A.M. Wiley has started something special. If you're craving a nostalgic ride through the cosmos, this is the book for you.
Coming of age? Check. Kids on bikes? Check. "Alien crashlanding"? Check. Subtle references to pop culture? Check. A.M. Wiley has created a story that might feel familiar, but one that took me back to the days of enjoying the thrill of Star Wars speeder chases and ET trying to phone home.
I particularly enjoyed the characters here. Each with their own unique personality, regardless which dimension they were from or what age they were. These characters felt real and it was great to read a story that I could connect with. The interactions between characters were typical 80s-coming-of-age and were handled great. The plot itself may seem pretty basic. Unknown crash-lands on Earth and seeks help for a larger purpose. Towards the end, the stakes really are raised to the point I wanted to delve into book two immediately.
I do wish that the book as longer. I think it could have benefitted from longer dialogue, or setting the scene but for a debut novel A.M. Wiley has started something special. If you're craving a nostalgic ride through the cosmos, this is the book for you.
May 5, 2025
“Weird Space” is a hidden gem of an indie debut novel from A.M. Wiley, and I absolutely loved it! It has the nostalgic vibes of Stranger Things, E.T., and Star Wars all wrapped into one. Think summer break, small town, baseball games, carnivals, sneaking out, crushes, best friends, discoveries — all the magic of growing up. But what stood out most was its heart. The characters and their relationships completely pulled me in; I felt like I was right there alongside the crew on their adventure. I was cheering with the crew as they were cheering, and I was feeling the heartbreak when they did. I cannot wait to see where Wiley takes this story in book two. This novel deserves far more recognition, so please give it a chance — I had such a blast reading it!
"Weird Space" is a nostalgic, heartfelt adventure that captures the magic of growing up — you won’t want to leave this crew behind and luckily for us...this is just the beginning!!
"Weird Space" is a nostalgic, heartfelt adventure that captures the magic of growing up — you won’t want to leave this crew behind and luckily for us...this is just the beginning!!
June 24, 2024
For his first published book, this is a great start for A.M Wiley. It puts you on the edge of your seat thinking about what books he might write next. It sucks you into the book so much that you read for hours (trust me, I know this from experience). It is so action packed that you don’t want to put the book down. I like the characters and the plot and how the author builds up the ending throughout the whole book, which really puts the book in the back of your head making you want to go finish the book as fast as possible as possible, so you can get to the ending. The problems that the characters face range from aliens, to problems that a ten year old kid might have (Bullies, getting grounded, etc.). Long story short, if you like action, GET THIS BOOK! I can’t wait until the second book comes out!
April 15, 2024
This is one of the most enjoyable fiction books I've read. The "kids on bikes" subgenre is probably my favorite subgenre because so much can be done with it, and A.M. Wiley understands this completely. The characters were truly three-dimensional (even if their physical descriptions were lacking, save for Sheela) and I especially loved what Wiley did with Steve, the father of the main character Drew. The scale of this book kept growing as the story progressed, not unnaturally so but the stakes were so incredibly high at the end. Also, a quick side note, but it was refreshing to see small-town religion not ignored or glossed over, as far as the community's activities and especially Steve's faith.
The only real critique I have is that the experienced reader can tell that this is A.M. Wiley's first novel, because there were some technical issues. Sometimes it's unclear who said what dialogue, scene transitions were occasionally too abrupt, and as I mentioned briefly above, more detailed descriptions of the teens/kids and of the antagonist creatures that they fought would have been great. I found it difficult to provide my imagination a clear picture of these kids 100% of the time, save for Sheela and Drew.
An undoubtedly memorable story set in an era dear to my heart. Speaking of endings, this has got to be one of my favorite endings I've read/seen in modern fiction in the last ten years. I was not expecting it; it was real, raw, and hopeful. If you don't like cliffhangers, maybe stay away from this one. I sure hope Wiley has the Weird Space 2 in the chamber because I'm anxious to get hit by the next round.
Someone with big money needs to adapt this series to a TV show because my word, this has such potential to hit everyone with the best feelings. A story like this is one people can rally around in an emotional way.
The only real critique I have is that the experienced reader can tell that this is A.M. Wiley's first novel, because there were some technical issues. Sometimes it's unclear who said what dialogue, scene transitions were occasionally too abrupt, and as I mentioned briefly above, more detailed descriptions of the teens/kids and of the antagonist creatures that they fought would have been great. I found it difficult to provide my imagination a clear picture of these kids 100% of the time, save for Sheela and Drew.
An undoubtedly memorable story set in an era dear to my heart. Speaking of endings, this has got to be one of my favorite endings I've read/seen in modern fiction in the last ten years. I was not expecting it; it was real, raw, and hopeful. If you don't like cliffhangers, maybe stay away from this one. I sure hope Wiley has the Weird Space 2 in the chamber because I'm anxious to get hit by the next round.
Someone with big money needs to adapt this series to a TV show because my word, this has such potential to hit everyone with the best feelings. A story like this is one people can rally around in an emotional way.
July 20, 2025
Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Format: E-Book (provided by the author for an honest review)
Spoilers: No
Weird Space is one of the most fun books I’ve read in a long time, and is all the more impressive that this is Wiley’s debut book.
Weird Space is a coming of age sci-fi story that will hit 90’s kids with big time nostalgia. I have seen others compare it to Stranger Things and Star Wars. It will definitely remind you of stories about friend groups (Stranger Things, The Goonies, Stand by Me, It, etc.), but it was a very unique story in its own. There is a lot of comedy, some fun battle scenes, and a couple twists in the plot that really kept things moving.
I was also impressed with the emotional depth of this story. There are interesting topics that get covered that I didn’t expect, including grief, loss, love, sacrifice, and managing parental expectations. Being a debut novel from an independent author, it is of course not perfect, but it is an excellent story, great vibes, and a ton of fun.
This is the first book in a trilogy, with the second book already released and the third coming out in the next year or two. As noted above, the author provided this for me to read, however I immediately bought this, the sequel, and a horror novel Wiley has published, all available on Amazon in multiple formats. I cannot wait to read book two, and I would highly encourage you to check Weird Space out!
Format: E-Book (provided by the author for an honest review)
Spoilers: No
Weird Space is one of the most fun books I’ve read in a long time, and is all the more impressive that this is Wiley’s debut book.
Weird Space is a coming of age sci-fi story that will hit 90’s kids with big time nostalgia. I have seen others compare it to Stranger Things and Star Wars. It will definitely remind you of stories about friend groups (Stranger Things, The Goonies, Stand by Me, It, etc.), but it was a very unique story in its own. There is a lot of comedy, some fun battle scenes, and a couple twists in the plot that really kept things moving.
I was also impressed with the emotional depth of this story. There are interesting topics that get covered that I didn’t expect, including grief, loss, love, sacrifice, and managing parental expectations. Being a debut novel from an independent author, it is of course not perfect, but it is an excellent story, great vibes, and a ton of fun.
This is the first book in a trilogy, with the second book already released and the third coming out in the next year or two. As noted above, the author provided this for me to read, however I immediately bought this, the sequel, and a horror novel Wiley has published, all available on Amazon in multiple formats. I cannot wait to read book two, and I would highly encourage you to check Weird Space out!
March 25, 2024
Fantastic
A fantastic read, cant wait for the next book in this series! Exciting, coming of age story with all the fun elements of inter-dimensonal travel, aliens, the bonds of friendship and intergalactic war!
Absolutely loved this one.
Would recommend for any age- young adult and even appropriate for younger teens/ pre-teens with some violence and scary moments but nothing overly terrifying or graphic. Wonderful story with characters to love and hate- this one is definitely a must read.
A fantastic read, cant wait for the next book in this series! Exciting, coming of age story with all the fun elements of inter-dimensonal travel, aliens, the bonds of friendship and intergalactic war!
Absolutely loved this one.
Would recommend for any age- young adult and even appropriate for younger teens/ pre-teens with some violence and scary moments but nothing overly terrifying or graphic. Wonderful story with characters to love and hate- this one is definitely a must read.
May 13, 2025
A Lovechild of Netflix's "Stranger Things" and Stephen King's "Stand By Me."
.
Drew Shipley and his group of friends are what some would say, a bunch of nerds just looking for something that will catapult them to “cool kids” status. So, when they discover that a spaceship, yes, something from beyond and out of their wildest dreams has landed in their quiet neighborhood, they immediately become acquainted with its young female captain, Sheela Vestril, and vow to aid her in her mission to battle the villainous Malgore and his evil army. Sheela is from the planet Orel and claims Malgore has complete control of the adults there who she and those of her age (teenagers) are battling to set free.
.
Reaction:
This book is the first in a 3-part book series that felt like a lovechild of Netflix’s Stranger Things and Stephen King’s Stand By Me. It will captivate the reader (assuming that he or she is a sci-fi fan) with its outer-spacey ingredients and small-town characters reminiscent of Disney cartoon Recess’s TJ Detweiler and friends. The book’s first half is slow-paced and deliberate and I think this is the author’s way of worldbuilding to familiarize/inform the reader of his characters and help readers grasp the essence of the story he’s trying to tell.
.
Based on my brief experience with it, I recommend this hidden treasure to those who are seeking a book about teamwork among friends; a read that features family dynamics, particularly a son and his dad; and a first part in a promising trilogy where the vibes are futuristic and old-fashioned all at the same time.
.
As a closure, if you crave a book that is MG horror/sci-fi; YA contemporary, and YA romance, then I can assure you that this gem has all of those elements. Because I avidly collect and read Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins; Martin’s BSC; Stine’s Goosebumps; and Applegate’s Animorphs series, I am glad to say that this book will satisfy your cravings for those. So, get it and enjoy!
.
Drew Shipley and his group of friends are what some would say, a bunch of nerds just looking for something that will catapult them to “cool kids” status. So, when they discover that a spaceship, yes, something from beyond and out of their wildest dreams has landed in their quiet neighborhood, they immediately become acquainted with its young female captain, Sheela Vestril, and vow to aid her in her mission to battle the villainous Malgore and his evil army. Sheela is from the planet Orel and claims Malgore has complete control of the adults there who she and those of her age (teenagers) are battling to set free.
.
Reaction:
This book is the first in a 3-part book series that felt like a lovechild of Netflix’s Stranger Things and Stephen King’s Stand By Me. It will captivate the reader (assuming that he or she is a sci-fi fan) with its outer-spacey ingredients and small-town characters reminiscent of Disney cartoon Recess’s TJ Detweiler and friends. The book’s first half is slow-paced and deliberate and I think this is the author’s way of worldbuilding to familiarize/inform the reader of his characters and help readers grasp the essence of the story he’s trying to tell.
.
Based on my brief experience with it, I recommend this hidden treasure to those who are seeking a book about teamwork among friends; a read that features family dynamics, particularly a son and his dad; and a first part in a promising trilogy where the vibes are futuristic and old-fashioned all at the same time.
.
As a closure, if you crave a book that is MG horror/sci-fi; YA contemporary, and YA romance, then I can assure you that this gem has all of those elements. Because I avidly collect and read Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins; Martin’s BSC; Stine’s Goosebumps; and Applegate’s Animorphs series, I am glad to say that this book will satisfy your cravings for those. So, get it and enjoy!
September 15, 2025
Weird Space felt like The Sandlot + Stranger Things + Star Wars all wrapped up in a 90s small-town summer. Drew (our main character) and his friends stumble across a crashed starship, meet a mysterious girl from space, and quickly realize the adventure is way bigger (and way more dangerous) than they bargained for. The book closes on a cliffhanger that tees things up perfectly for book two.
For me, the biggest strength here is how well Wiley nailed the target audience. This is absolutely a middle-grade/YA-style adventure — fast-paced, full of friendship and humor, nostalgic callbacks (yes, even candy cigarettes!), and an underlying sense of wonder. If I’d read this in middle school, I probably would have devoured it and begged for the sequel right away.
As an adult reader who’s been leaning into darker, higher-stakes fantasy and sci-fi lately, it didn’t completely scratch that itch for me — but that doesn’t mean the book fell flat. Quite the opposite: Wiley set out to write a Star Wars meets Goonies nostalgic space adventure, and he succeeded.
Special shout-out to the audiobook: Wiley narrates it himself, and it’s basically a “graphic audiobook” with sound effects, music, and energy that makes it feel cinematic. Honestly, it elevated the whole experience.
So, while it wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal reading lane right now, I can confidently say it’s a really fun, well-written ride for the right audience — especially younger readers or anyone craving that 90s-kid adventure vibe with aliens thrown in. Honestly, it’s way better written than a lot of short “fun adventure” books from big-name authors I’ve read lately.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
For me, the biggest strength here is how well Wiley nailed the target audience. This is absolutely a middle-grade/YA-style adventure — fast-paced, full of friendship and humor, nostalgic callbacks (yes, even candy cigarettes!), and an underlying sense of wonder. If I’d read this in middle school, I probably would have devoured it and begged for the sequel right away.
As an adult reader who’s been leaning into darker, higher-stakes fantasy and sci-fi lately, it didn’t completely scratch that itch for me — but that doesn’t mean the book fell flat. Quite the opposite: Wiley set out to write a Star Wars meets Goonies nostalgic space adventure, and he succeeded.
Special shout-out to the audiobook: Wiley narrates it himself, and it’s basically a “graphic audiobook” with sound effects, music, and energy that makes it feel cinematic. Honestly, it elevated the whole experience.
So, while it wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal reading lane right now, I can confidently say it’s a really fun, well-written ride for the right audience — especially younger readers or anyone craving that 90s-kid adventure vibe with aliens thrown in. Honestly, it’s way better written than a lot of short “fun adventure” books from big-name authors I’ve read lately.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
November 9, 2025
I loved this book! The audio was fantastic.
If you're looking for something that will transport you back to the 90's within the genre of Space/Sci Fi then this is perfect. It reminded me of The Goonies & The Sandlot. It imitates nostalgic feelings very well, similar to how Stranger Things does.
At first I was unsure of what the target age was. Gradually some heavier topics popped up and our main character evolves throughout the plot. A true coming of age story. Including topics such as grief, loss, struggles of being a kid, failure, & friendships.
This was still very fun, adventurous, at times funny, and a true escape from reality. There are also some really cool space creatures and the plot continued to get better! Things end on an exciting cliffhanger. I'm eager to read book 2!
If you're looking for something that will transport you back to the 90's within the genre of Space/Sci Fi then this is perfect. It reminded me of The Goonies & The Sandlot. It imitates nostalgic feelings very well, similar to how Stranger Things does.
At first I was unsure of what the target age was. Gradually some heavier topics popped up and our main character evolves throughout the plot. A true coming of age story. Including topics such as grief, loss, struggles of being a kid, failure, & friendships.
This was still very fun, adventurous, at times funny, and a true escape from reality. There are also some really cool space creatures and the plot continued to get better! Things end on an exciting cliffhanger. I'm eager to read book 2!
November 16, 2025
This was a such a fun book to read! Fans of Stranger Things will really enjoy this fast-paced story!
October 31, 2023
Aliens. Kids. Adventure. Nostalgia.
A.M. Wiley debuts with a nostalgic romp suitable for kids and adults alike. Think Goonies meets science fiction and you begin to get the gist. Very much looking forward to the evolution of this story in the next chapters.
A.M. Wiley debuts with a nostalgic romp suitable for kids and adults alike. Think Goonies meets science fiction and you begin to get the gist. Very much looking forward to the evolution of this story in the next chapters.
November 15, 2024
I listened to the audio version of this book with my son and I must say.. For me, this book embodied nostalgia, imagination, wanderlust, and adventure! For my son, it was a coming of age tale that included mystery, camaraderie, love, and friendship. There’s another piece I’d like to mention about this book that I think brought a lot of value to this story. The dealings with loss and grief. As a single father trying to teach his son how to navigate this world, handling loss is a hard subject to teach because it isn’t something that happens everyday. No one looks forward to losing someone they love, but when they do, grief sets in. In the words of Hemingway, John Green, Mark Twain, and many other authors who’ve used variations of this quote to describe decent, “[grief] happens slowly, then all at once.” Witnessing a character process the grief of losing his mother was a valuable experience for my son who is about the same age as Drew Shipley. Listening/reading this book can be edifying.
Though, this is his first published book, you can tell that A.M. Wiley has been sharpening his pen for a while now, and, MAN, what a way to jump on the scene! Can’t wait to read the next one!
Though, this is his first published book, you can tell that A.M. Wiley has been sharpening his pen for a while now, and, MAN, what a way to jump on the scene! Can’t wait to read the next one!
April 3, 2025
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment:5⭐️
Total Average: 4.25⭐️
Wow! This was such a fun read. A. M. Wiley brilliantly conveys the setting of the small-town vibe and writes wonderful young characters. This is a great story for all ages. It has science fiction, mystery, a tiny bit of found family, and creepy creatures.
I picked this up quite some time ago. I got about 40% through when I found out the author would produce and narrate the audiobook. I decided to put it down until that was released. Unfortunately, I took a while to get back into the world of Weird Space. Do not miss this incredible well produced, immersive audio telling of the book. I highly recommend that you listen to it in tandem with reading.
I very much enjoyed the setting and the character development. You can tell that A. M. Wiley took inspiration from those classic coming-of-age and sci-fi stories, and I am here for it.
4.25⭐️ all the way and ready for book 2!
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment:5⭐️
Total Average: 4.25⭐️
Wow! This was such a fun read. A. M. Wiley brilliantly conveys the setting of the small-town vibe and writes wonderful young characters. This is a great story for all ages. It has science fiction, mystery, a tiny bit of found family, and creepy creatures.
I picked this up quite some time ago. I got about 40% through when I found out the author would produce and narrate the audiobook. I decided to put it down until that was released. Unfortunately, I took a while to get back into the world of Weird Space. Do not miss this incredible well produced, immersive audio telling of the book. I highly recommend that you listen to it in tandem with reading.
I very much enjoyed the setting and the character development. You can tell that A. M. Wiley took inspiration from those classic coming-of-age and sci-fi stories, and I am here for it.
4.25⭐️ all the way and ready for book 2!
September 23, 2025
I DEVOURED this book. Maybe a HINT below 5 stars, but this story gave me all the fells I could imagine. Equal parts Stranger Things, Goonies, ET, and Flight of the Navigator…this story of a kid who finds an inter-dimensional spacecraft crashed in a cornfield, in his town, is pitch perfect for an 80s kid like me. I LOVED it. It is simple, but in the best way…the way kids see their world. Even though there is a crashed ship and a pretty girl-alien involved, there are still other girls, bullies, friends, parents, and small town life to contend with. Absolutely fantastic and I cant wait to read book 2!!!
March 19, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable novel! Intriguing plot and good character development. Its broad appeal makes it perfect for readers of all ages, from middle grades to adult. Having taught 10-year-olds for 30 years, I think this book would be enjoyed by even the reluctant reader. And the promise of a continuing story—even better! What a great first novel from a promising new author.
December 24, 2023
This book was so much fun! It's wildly imaginative and vividly descriptive. It's a page turning story of coming of age, grief, belonging.... And of, course, aliens. Plus, the 90s references are spot on.
October 21, 2023
I love this story! Weird Space is a refreshing return to the classic fun storytelling that we've all been missing. An epic tale of sci-fi fantasy, with a touch of horror. Can't wait for book two!
November 17, 2023
Worth the read. Tons of fun.
February 25, 2025
Fantastic book! I couldn't put it down!
February 2, 2024
A Christmas gift that I have come to adore. This 80s sci-fi action novel is a mix of the Goonies and Stranger Things. I absolutely loved this from start to finish. A.M. Wiley did a fantastic job, bringing me back to when I was kid riding my bike, finding adventures, and of course saving the world.
Twelve-year-old Drew Shipley and his friends stumble upon a crashed starfighter in their small town of Warfield, setting off a chain of events that lead them into a galactic war. The mysterious pilot, Sheela Vestril, reveals herself as the last hope in the battle against the vile Lord Malgore. As Drew and his friends help Sheela, they find themselves entangled in a perilous mission while facing challenges from their parents, a suspicious deputy, and ruthless bullies. The line between fantasy and reality blurs, forcing Drew to confront the harsh truths of life in a race against time.
This book had ALL the call backs that brought out all my feels. I mean Toys R Us, the ball pit at McDonalds, and even tree forts. Wiley did a fantastic job transporting you into the story of this small town and an intergalactic war. This will become a series or a movie in the next 10 years. Each of the characters remind me of my friends in my neighborhood growing up. I think I am going to have a hard time getting over this book and starting another.
This novel really is a fun and fast paced adventure. I am a completist so the ending leaves you with a lot to think about, and I am hoping Wiley will write a sequel to close out this most awesome tale. Another great thing about this book is that the characters all bring some emotional baggage to the book. But the baggage is written so well that it is subtle and not overtaking the theme of the book. The world building is done gracefully in this small town. When someone mentions a street and a barbershop it makes it feel homey. I will tell you that if you need a break from a longer read or a genre, please go buy this book from a new author.
Twelve-year-old Drew Shipley and his friends stumble upon a crashed starfighter in their small town of Warfield, setting off a chain of events that lead them into a galactic war. The mysterious pilot, Sheela Vestril, reveals herself as the last hope in the battle against the vile Lord Malgore. As Drew and his friends help Sheela, they find themselves entangled in a perilous mission while facing challenges from their parents, a suspicious deputy, and ruthless bullies. The line between fantasy and reality blurs, forcing Drew to confront the harsh truths of life in a race against time.
This book had ALL the call backs that brought out all my feels. I mean Toys R Us, the ball pit at McDonalds, and even tree forts. Wiley did a fantastic job transporting you into the story of this small town and an intergalactic war. This will become a series or a movie in the next 10 years. Each of the characters remind me of my friends in my neighborhood growing up. I think I am going to have a hard time getting over this book and starting another.
This novel really is a fun and fast paced adventure. I am a completist so the ending leaves you with a lot to think about, and I am hoping Wiley will write a sequel to close out this most awesome tale. Another great thing about this book is that the characters all bring some emotional baggage to the book. But the baggage is written so well that it is subtle and not overtaking the theme of the book. The world building is done gracefully in this small town. When someone mentions a street and a barbershop it makes it feel homey. I will tell you that if you need a break from a longer read or a genre, please go buy this book from a new author.
February 28, 2025
A.M. Wiley’s debut novel is a fantastically enjoyable YA Sci-fi/Fantasy adventure, and now I look forward to the sequel!
‘Drew and his friends roam their small town playing night tag, fantasising about aliens and spaceships, and exploring the haunted Gladhill barn. But Drew’s fantasies become reality when a starfighter from another dimension crashes in the cornfield behind his house: Sheela Vestril, commander of the Dimension Warriors and last hope in a galactic war to save their world from the vile Lord Malgore!’
Picked this up on a whim after seeing the audiobook being advertised for free over on Wiley’s booksta page and I had a really fun time with it! A perfect blend of 80’s/early 90’s nostalgia with a fresh twist that is firmly rooted in the “kids on bikes” sub-genre. It casts a group of extremely likeable kids, has plenty of heartfelt family/found-family moments and is a coming-of-age tale at its core. The sci-fi adventure tale being the backdrop has some extremely exciting moments. If you’re a fan of movies like the Goonies, Flight of the Navigator, E.T, and more recently shows like Stranger Things then you are sure to like this. A story that’ll capture Gen-X and Elder-Millennial’s hearts. Be sure to check out the audiobook over on the author's YouTube channel, it’s really immersive!
‘Drew and his friends roam their small town playing night tag, fantasising about aliens and spaceships, and exploring the haunted Gladhill barn. But Drew’s fantasies become reality when a starfighter from another dimension crashes in the cornfield behind his house: Sheela Vestril, commander of the Dimension Warriors and last hope in a galactic war to save their world from the vile Lord Malgore!’
Picked this up on a whim after seeing the audiobook being advertised for free over on Wiley’s booksta page and I had a really fun time with it! A perfect blend of 80’s/early 90’s nostalgia with a fresh twist that is firmly rooted in the “kids on bikes” sub-genre. It casts a group of extremely likeable kids, has plenty of heartfelt family/found-family moments and is a coming-of-age tale at its core. The sci-fi adventure tale being the backdrop has some extremely exciting moments. If you’re a fan of movies like the Goonies, Flight of the Navigator, E.T, and more recently shows like Stranger Things then you are sure to like this. A story that’ll capture Gen-X and Elder-Millennial’s hearts. Be sure to check out the audiobook over on the author's YouTube channel, it’s really immersive!
November 14, 2025
I'm a sucker for nostalgia, and WEIRD SPACE absolutely felt like the perfect book for me.
WEIRD SPACE follows a group of kids in the 90s as they find a girl who has crash landed in their little town. They quickly discover that she's from another dimension and the story quickly evolves into the best kind of kids-on-a-bike adventure.
A.M. Wiley really captured what it feels like to be a kid, from the relationships between boys and girls, the adventure of the unknown, and the uncomfortable reality of coming-of-age. In addition to all of this, there's an adventure story that is steeped in nostalgia and reminds me of all the great movies I watched growing up.
The characters were brilliant, and with Wiley's writing, I was able to picture each character and know who they were. There's also an emotional depth to this book that I wasn't expecting but I found myself really falling for.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
WEIRD SPACE follows a group of kids in the 90s as they find a girl who has crash landed in their little town. They quickly discover that she's from another dimension and the story quickly evolves into the best kind of kids-on-a-bike adventure.
A.M. Wiley really captured what it feels like to be a kid, from the relationships between boys and girls, the adventure of the unknown, and the uncomfortable reality of coming-of-age. In addition to all of this, there's an adventure story that is steeped in nostalgia and reminds me of all the great movies I watched growing up.
The characters were brilliant, and with Wiley's writing, I was able to picture each character and know who they were. There's also an emotional depth to this book that I wasn't expecting but I found myself really falling for.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
June 18, 2025
Weird Space by A.M. Wiley took me back to the childhood I always wanted. The ensemble cast of kids led by Drew and Sheela each had something special that made me smile when reading their exploits. Drew’s relationship with his father while coping with loss gave the character a touching level of depth. Sheela’s outsider looking in perspective on dealing with kids from Earth offered a refreshing insight of how even a young person can have an old soul.
I loved how action packed the story was. The books pace never let up, and the ending left me wanting more. The aliens in the story were imaginative, and the author did an amazing job building suspense in just the right spots to keep the reader engaged. While this book may have been written for a younger audience I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing what Mr. Wiley comes up with next.
I loved how action packed the story was. The books pace never let up, and the ending left me wanting more. The aliens in the story were imaginative, and the author did an amazing job building suspense in just the right spots to keep the reader engaged. While this book may have been written for a younger audience I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing what Mr. Wiley comes up with next.
October 7, 2025
Goonies meets the Last Starfighter with a dash of Stranger Things. A highly original evocative coming of age tale that is a promising start to this independently published series. While it stars a group of kids, the author delves deep into their emotions and lives, showing real development in their story arcs. We see the main cast go from starry eyed kids to teenagers wrestling with heavy themes and life issues. The sci-fantasy world with multiple dimensions is richly imagined with lots more to explore. The technology was inventive and very original. One star deducted for bleak shift at the end and oddly descriptive bathroom scene in that section. The bleakness did serve as the catapult of them discovering their inner strength and lead to enjoyable conclusion that leaves one exited for the next installment. But the tonal shift was jarring and made the finale less enjoyable.
May 25, 2025
I had such a fun time reading Weird Space! A. M. Wiley delivers a fast-paced blend of sci-fi, coming-of-age, and adventure that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The story is full of charm and creative world building, with just the right mix of humor, heart, and adventure. The characters feel nostalgic and relatable, especially the main protagonist, Drew, who navigates being a strange kid growing up in the 90s while dealing with grief.
Wiley balances high-stakes action with emotional moments that give the story dynamic depth and vivid imagery. I could see this being an amazing movie or Tv series! It’s one of those books that’s hard to put down and even harder to stop thinking about once it’s over. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series to see what comes next for the Dimension Warriors!
Wiley balances high-stakes action with emotional moments that give the story dynamic depth and vivid imagery. I could see this being an amazing movie or Tv series! It’s one of those books that’s hard to put down and even harder to stop thinking about once it’s over. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series to see what comes next for the Dimension Warriors!
June 2, 2025
As a kid of the 1980’s, Weird Space by A.M. Wiley was a time warp back to my childhood. My mind was flooded with those wonderful memories of friendship, adventure, and even the innocent awkwardness we all experience.
But Weird Space is much more than nostalgia for Generation X. It is an exciting, well-written, tale of adventure that readers of all ages will love to read or listen to. A straight-up, Sci-Fi, thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seats. Putting the book down is nearly impossible.
WARNING: Weird Space may cause your kids to ditch their smartphones and gaming systems for some bike riding, fort building, flashlight wielding adventures.
I’m can’t wait to start reading Weird Space 2: Dawn of the Warriors.
But Weird Space is much more than nostalgia for Generation X. It is an exciting, well-written, tale of adventure that readers of all ages will love to read or listen to. A straight-up, Sci-Fi, thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seats. Putting the book down is nearly impossible.
WARNING: Weird Space may cause your kids to ditch their smartphones and gaming systems for some bike riding, fort building, flashlight wielding adventures.
I’m can’t wait to start reading Weird Space 2: Dawn of the Warriors.
August 27, 2025
4.25/5⭐️
Thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age sci-fi novel! Felt like a story that would hit for middle grade all the way to adults, as it had a lighthearted tone but a fast paced story with some deep themes around loss, grief, friendships, and purpose!
The character work is the shining star here, but the plot and theming was also very well done. I’m very excited to get to book two of the series. I will be purchasing a copy of this series for my daughter, as well as some of my students, because it is very clean while having moments of heaviness that take the story to another level.
For fans of Stranger Things, coming of age novels, and explorations of grief 💪🏼
Video review soon!
Thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age sci-fi novel! Felt like a story that would hit for middle grade all the way to adults, as it had a lighthearted tone but a fast paced story with some deep themes around loss, grief, friendships, and purpose!
The character work is the shining star here, but the plot and theming was also very well done. I’m very excited to get to book two of the series. I will be purchasing a copy of this series for my daughter, as well as some of my students, because it is very clean while having moments of heaviness that take the story to another level.
For fans of Stranger Things, coming of age novels, and explorations of grief 💪🏼
Video review soon!
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