Clones vs. Aliens

The Clone Chronicles #4

by M.E. Castle

Aliens join in the fun in this fourth book of The Clone Chronicles, a series that "strikes just the right balance between over-the-top adventure and real-life middle school drama," mixing Alex Rider, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Michael Buckley's NERD series to create an "action-packed success."

Fisher, Two, Amanda, and Veronica are happy to spend their holiday break at Fisher's parents' new amusement park. But when aliens crash-land on Fisher's favorite roller coaster, mistaking it for their home planet, it spells the end of R&R for our heroes. Meet the Gemini: not only are all the aliens identical twins, they're also all beautiful girls. If Fisher and Two already thought girls were hard to understand, wait until they meet alien girls. Now Fisher, Two, Amanda, and Veronica must convince the aliens that Earth is the worst place ever and help them fix their ship. The crew decides the best way to encourage the Gemini girls to vacate the stratosphere is to give them a taste of middle school. And Wompalog Middle School tastes pretty disgusting. But Fisher and his crew learn quickly that the Geminis are not to be messed with, not when they might literally explode at any moment. That's right, the Geminis are like puberty times one million. They can seem sweet as pie, but when they turn on you, they're deadly.

Genres: Middle Grade

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

M.E. Castle is a writer and actor working in the glorious center of the universe, New York City. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2008 with a degree in Theatre and has written a number of short stories, only a handful of which have ever been seen by an audience wider than his closest friends.

Throughout his college years, he was one of the leading writers of the noir detective radio drama The Dead Hear Footsteps, to which he also lent his vocal talents.

Popular Clone is his first novel.

Reviews

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another science-inspired addition in this out-of-this-world (literally in this case) children's series. I would be quick to recommend The Clone Chronicles series to any hesitant 8-12 year-old readers. Overall 3/5 stars; I enjoyed the other books in the series more.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average kids book overall, though the first half was incredibly funny and witty. My 11 year old self would have loved the first half of this book for its zany humor and references to technology. However, around the 150 page mark (once the mystery of the aliens is out and F-16s are involved,) the book turns into a standard let’s-fight-aliens story, complete with an ending cut-and-paste from Independence Day (only the grand finale takes place during Thanksgiving Day.) I did not like the introduction of the lobster-like “bad” alien race, which seemed to dilute the plot, almost as if the author realized “wait, it’s unethical to murder teenage girls, even if they are alien.” However, this book is better than some contemporary kids stories I’ve read, because the main characters Fisher and Alex (who are clones) are funny and down-to-earth. The antics with the Gemini aliens was also hilarious. I will admit I have not read any other books from this series, so perhaps that is why I felt detached to Dr. X’s hasty introduction in this plot.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book arguably wasn’t necessary, since the third book felt like the grand finale of a trilogy. But then I read this book, and I liked it a lot. The aliens were cool, and they seemed like the next step up from clones. This book has some very creative science fiction concepts in it.

The first aliens to appear are the Gemini, who are shapeshifting goo aliens who appear as pairs of human teenage girls. Their portrayal is slightly problematic and stereotypical, but they are still an interesting concept and combine lots of other sci fi concepts as well. And then there’s the Mechastaceans, robot lobsters who are less creative but still make good threats.

I like this book for the weird freaky aliens. Fisher and Alex (the former Two) are good in this one. So, for some reason, I like this tack-on book better than the main series. I don’t understand why, but it’s either because of the aliens or because the writing got better.

[Tori Bang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's science fiction novel features the adventure of Fisher, Two, Amanda, and Veronica, four young kids on their holiday break from school. They are all spending the time at Fisher's parents' new amusement park. They are all excited to be there until aliens crash-land on one of the roller coasters. The aliens (aka Geminis) who are all identical, beautiful, young girls thought they were landing on their home planet and start to create problems for the kid. Fisher, Two, Amanda, and Veronica have to try their best to get the aliens to leave Earth by telling them it is a terrible place, but they soon learn that the aliens are not easily messed with. This is because they can literally explode at any moment.

This sci-fi book plays off the role of scientific principles through the topic of cloning and aliens or other life forms. It also definitely relies heavily on setting. It is set on Earth, where life is going as normal and aliens invade. Although this book does have the stereotypical aliens and spaceships, it is different because it can address a young audience.

[Deepika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great

This book is truly wonderful. I strongly recommend that people who like science fiction should read this wonderful, amazing book.

[Denise]

Over the top fantasy. Just the kind of book a 12 year old would like. Liked the mix of typical teenage angst with unbelievable events. Amazing how a teen's mind works.