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TURBO Racers: Trailblazer: The First Middle Grade Racing Series for Kids (Ages 8-12) Featuring Transforming Cars, Jets, and Submarines
In Turbo Racers: Trailblazer, twelve-year-old Mace Blazer gets the chance to pilot a state-of-the-art vehicle that transforms at the touch of a button from race car to jet plane to single-person sub, in the biggest race in the world.
The roar of the crowd, the glow of the spotlight, the thrill of the race—Mace Blazer dreams of going TURBO.
TURBOnauts thrive on the thrum of trimorphers’s rocket engines as the vehicles morph from super-powered race cars to speeding jet aircrafts to torpedo-fast submarines, while they race full-throttle around every bend. And Mace believes he’s got what it takes to join their ranks—he only needs the chance to prove it.
So when a reclusive retired racer chooses Mace to try out to be part of the next generation of TURBOnauts, Mace knows that this is his moment to show what he can do. But the path to his big shot means facing down the best and the brightest from around the world. Mace will have to live more fearlessly, hone quicker reflexes, be revolutionary—but will it be enough?
Mace quickly realizes that everything he’s ever hoped for comes at a price. He’ll have to decide between what is right and what is easy. Every morph counts in the first book in this exhilarating new adventure series by the acclaimed author of The Islands at the End of the World, Austin Aslan.
This is the first title in a high-stakes middle-grade two-book series!
The roar of the crowd, the glow of the spotlight, the thrill of the race—Mace Blazer dreams of going TURBO.
TURBOnauts thrive on the thrum of trimorphers’s rocket engines as the vehicles morph from super-powered race cars to speeding jet aircrafts to torpedo-fast submarines, while they race full-throttle around every bend. And Mace believes he’s got what it takes to join their ranks—he only needs the chance to prove it.
So when a reclusive retired racer chooses Mace to try out to be part of the next generation of TURBOnauts, Mace knows that this is his moment to show what he can do. But the path to his big shot means facing down the best and the brightest from around the world. Mace will have to live more fearlessly, hone quicker reflexes, be revolutionary—but will it be enough?
Mace quickly realizes that everything he’s ever hoped for comes at a price. He’ll have to decide between what is right and what is easy. Every morph counts in the first book in this exhilarating new adventure series by the acclaimed author of The Islands at the End of the World, Austin Aslan.
This is the first title in a high-stakes middle-grade two-book series!
- GenresScience FictionChildrens
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2018
14 people are currently reading
1069 people want to read
About the author
Austin Aslan
10 books126 followersAustin Aslan's debut novel, The Islands at the End of the World, was named a Best Book of 2014 by Kirkus Reviews. It was ranked by The Guardian as a top-ten climate fiction read, and is listed by BookRiot as a top 100 must-read book in the category of young adult science fiction. His latest novel from HarperCollins, TURBO Racers: Trailblazer, will hit bookstores on January 1, 2019.
Austin earned a master’s degree in tropical conservation biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. His research on rare Hawaiian plants located on the high slopes of Mauna Loa won him a pair of destroyed hiking boots, a tattered rain jacket, and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. He has lived in deserts, jungles, and cloud forests. He has traveled to all seven continents, and is fluent in Penguin and several dialects of Cave Bat. When he’s not busy child-raising, you can often find him stargazing. Austin lives with his family in the snowy mountains of northern Arizona, a stone’s throw away from the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Austin earned a master’s degree in tropical conservation biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. His research on rare Hawaiian plants located on the high slopes of Mauna Loa won him a pair of destroyed hiking boots, a tattered rain jacket, and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. He has lived in deserts, jungles, and cloud forests. He has traveled to all seven continents, and is fluent in Penguin and several dialects of Cave Bat. When he’s not busy child-raising, you can often find him stargazing. Austin lives with his family in the snowy mountains of northern Arizona, a stone’s throw away from the edge of the Grand Canyon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 31, 2018
This story is so much fun at any age (I had a blast with it, as did my 13-year-old and my 9-year-old). Mace is an immediately sympathetic protagonist, struggling to pursue his dreams in the face of typical middle school angst plus a family dynamic that's complicated by poverty and Deaf parents. His upbringing, though, has given Mace an uncanny ability to understand machines, and he can "talk" to his TURBO racer in a way that propels him into a fast-paced world of secret racing. The action is heart-thumping and the characters are endearing. And the moral dilemmas have led to some fascinating family conversations in my house. What a fun read! Can't wait for more.
March 25, 2019
I think this book is very exiting. I believe this because in the book it relates to what I like. It tells about a 12 year old that is winning a race. He realizes that who he is working for (Quasar) wanted to be rich. So she pulled of dirty tricks. Mace the main character goes against Quasar. This ends in mace winning the golden glove
April 26, 2019
My name is Mace, and I have a chance to become an actual Turbo Racer. Apparently, somebody noticed I have the highest video game score in the world and invited me to compete to become a real racer. I've met the other three kids, and they're pretty cool. Except for Henryk. That guy's a jerk and cannot be trusted. However, I feel forced to do some dishonest things myself. I already have one strike in this competition, so I can't finish last in another trial. Tempest is actually teaching us different ways to cheat, although she says it's just bending the rules to our advantage. I always believed it's possible to compete as friends, but Tempest doesn't think that way. She thinks we must win at any cost. Becoming a Turbo Racer will change my life, but am I willing to pay the price?
While the central problem was the competition to drive the Turbo Racer, the actual conflict was a huge clash in ethics and Tempest's secret motives. Also, the kids were underage, so their identities needed to stay "cryptic". Tempest believed the kids should do anything to win, even if it endangered the lives of other racers. Mace was very disturbed with that mindset, although he felt pressured to surrender his own morals. Two losses in the trials and he would be sent home. Consequently, it was hard for any of the characters to form close bonds, and the first half of the book became a story of individuals. Some important changes occurred in the plot, and the second half became more of a team effort. The trimorpher was at the center of everything. These racers could travel on land, water, and air at incredible speeds. Races were held all over the world, and the drivers became celebrities. This book may not appeal to everyone, since it involves a lot of racing. The author describes mechanical details of the racers and driving strategies. I liked it more than I expected, and I'll probably check out the sequel.
While the central problem was the competition to drive the Turbo Racer, the actual conflict was a huge clash in ethics and Tempest's secret motives. Also, the kids were underage, so their identities needed to stay "cryptic". Tempest believed the kids should do anything to win, even if it endangered the lives of other racers. Mace was very disturbed with that mindset, although he felt pressured to surrender his own morals. Two losses in the trials and he would be sent home. Consequently, it was hard for any of the characters to form close bonds, and the first half of the book became a story of individuals. Some important changes occurred in the plot, and the second half became more of a team effort. The trimorpher was at the center of everything. These racers could travel on land, water, and air at incredible speeds. Races were held all over the world, and the drivers became celebrities. This book may not appeal to everyone, since it involves a lot of racing. The author describes mechanical details of the racers and driving strategies. I liked it more than I expected, and I'll probably check out the sequel.
December 31, 2018
This first novel in a new series takes place in an alternate reality where JFK is never assassinated and MLK becomes President. The world is obsessed with TURBO Racing and twelve year old Mace dreams of becoming a TURBOnaut. TURBOS are vehicles that can transform instantly from roadster to jet to submarine. The only problem for Mace though, is he’s not old enough.
To me the story is sort of a mash-up between the Transformers and the 1984 movie, “The Last Starfighter.” With a blistering pace this taut thriller is all about learning to trust your instincts, doing the right thing and pursuing your dreams. I think middle-grade readers will get a thrill reading this novel, especially those who like technology and racing.
To me the story is sort of a mash-up between the Transformers and the 1984 movie, “The Last Starfighter.” With a blistering pace this taut thriller is all about learning to trust your instincts, doing the right thing and pursuing your dreams. I think middle-grade readers will get a thrill reading this novel, especially those who like technology and racing.
January 4, 2020
This book is so much better than expected. I got this in exchange for a real review. None of my students wanted to read it, so I did so with reluctance and SURPRISE l liked it. Will have to sell this one but I think it is worth the effort.
September 7, 2019
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
Yes, it's a YA novel. Yes, it's also very good. Fast-paced,. Entertaining. Fun. Great world-building.
Just a complete delight to read.
Yes, it's a YA novel. Yes, it's also very good. Fast-paced,. Entertaining. Fun. Great world-building.
Just a complete delight to read.
December 30, 2019
TURBO Racers is an action packed zoom across the world of Mace Blazer, a 12 year old kid in a world where Martin Luther King Jr. is president and John F. Kennedy was never assassinated. The world is obsessed with TURBOnauts, and every kid's dream is to win the golden glove, the ultimate racing trophy. When a mysterious benefactor suddenly take notice that Mace is the top racer in all arcade simulation games, he must choose between winning, or protecting the sport and the friends and family he cares about. This book is great if you like plot twists, action, friendship, and hard choices.
page count: 336.
page count: 336.
October 25, 2019
Have you ever wanted to feel like your racing in cars that can fly and become a boat? Then Turbo Racers Trailblazer is for you, the extreme feel of the four kids competing to make it to the pros really gets your blood rushing, you will not want to stop reading. The book starts out with a kid named Mace, his parents are deaf so he has to work hard to understand them, also he goes to the local arcade daily playing a Turbo Racer game. Then one day, while Mace was leaving the arcade the employ there, gave him a flyer that said,¨ The event horizon, fully restored!-on display now!¨(`page 7 Aslan) Mace couldn't wait, he had even planned a brochure on it. He missed it. He couldn't believe it, he even failed his brochure. The Turbo Racer car was being brought back for a race, it was at the airport. Since his dad worked at the airport and he was deaf Mace snuck into his car and when his dad parked and left Mace got out of the car and looked for the Turbo Racer, he found it there it was, It was just like the arcade. Mace got in it and the seat hugged him. He knew how to dive it and started going, he morphed to a boat, speeding up he lifted off, by this time he was being chased by the police and flew to Denver, he asked the smart assistant where he should go it lead him to a hanger and lost the police. He was met by the greatest racer of all time and she told him that he was being watched and they wanted him to race along with three other kids who know how to race. If they lose in anything that gets a strike, if someone gets two strikes they have to go home. The racers were Dex, Mace, Henryk, Aya, and Ahmed. Dex was the first one out and mace almost killed Aya faking her out by saying¨My port alienron is jammed. I cant compensate! There's a fire. I'm gonna crash!¨ by him saying this he fakes out everyone and causes them to focus on him, they didn't know it was all part of his plan. BOOM, Aya crashed and Amhed rushed to her but Mace won the race, he wasn't going home. Overall this was a great book and truly recommend this to everyone who wants a real rush. I also recommend this to people who like drama, it has a good amont of fighting and sad moments.
November 25, 2019
THIS was the highlight of my son's summer reading! Multiple times he pushed it at me, saying, "This is pretty good. You should read it next."
I have to admit, the cover reminded me of...well, Power Rangers, right? And we never did get into Power Rangers (it always seemed a bit too corny). So I was reluctant to read, but once I did pick it up (after no small amount of pestering by my son), it was FANTASTIC! I laughed and the characters, despite their ages, were believable and got into and out of their scrapes in a totally believable way.
Mace Blazer (yeah!) scores the highest on the TURBO racer arcade game, like he always does, then races home on his bike to avoid getting caught ditching school to defend his ranking. He wishes more than anything he could train to be a real TURBOnaut, but his parents are deaf, and his father's wages barely cover the bills.
Then a retired, mysterious pilot whose face no one's ever seen picks Mace (based on that high score) to train to race in the real-life TURBO Trimorpher Gauntlet Prix. Mace's parents are told he's won a prize for his arcade game simulation excellence and the chance to become a real TURBOnaut, and let him go off to train.
Mace must forge alliances and yet prove he's the best TURBOnaut against three other kids: Aya, Dex and Henryk. But their mentor keeps asking them to cut more and more corners, pitting them against each other in a most dangerous game.
This was a lot of fun to read, and I loved that Mace did the right thing at the end, even it meant ...ah, well, I won't spoil it. Enjoy the ride! I mean read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
I have to admit, the cover reminded me of...well, Power Rangers, right? And we never did get into Power Rangers (it always seemed a bit too corny). So I was reluctant to read, but once I did pick it up (after no small amount of pestering by my son), it was FANTASTIC! I laughed and the characters, despite their ages, were believable and got into and out of their scrapes in a totally believable way.
Mace Blazer (yeah!) scores the highest on the TURBO racer arcade game, like he always does, then races home on his bike to avoid getting caught ditching school to defend his ranking. He wishes more than anything he could train to be a real TURBOnaut, but his parents are deaf, and his father's wages barely cover the bills.
Then a retired, mysterious pilot whose face no one's ever seen picks Mace (based on that high score) to train to race in the real-life TURBO Trimorpher Gauntlet Prix. Mace's parents are told he's won a prize for his arcade game simulation excellence and the chance to become a real TURBOnaut, and let him go off to train.
Mace must forge alliances and yet prove he's the best TURBOnaut against three other kids: Aya, Dex and Henryk. But their mentor keeps asking them to cut more and more corners, pitting them against each other in a most dangerous game.
This was a lot of fun to read, and I loved that Mace did the right thing at the end, even it meant ...ah, well, I won't spoil it. Enjoy the ride! I mean read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
January 28, 2019
** I won a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. **
This is a very enjoyable futuristic sports book perfect for a younger audience. While I would have liked more emphasis on the connection between the main character and his vehicle, that's probably because I love fantasy a bit more than sports! The characters were very well written and the tensions/friendships between them felt real. The plot was well-paced and there was plenty of action/adventure to keep your interest. Definitely recommended for readers who enjoy action/adventure or sports novels. I also believe this would be a good book for reluctant readers as the pace is quick and it is a quick read.
This is a very enjoyable futuristic sports book perfect for a younger audience. While I would have liked more emphasis on the connection between the main character and his vehicle, that's probably because I love fantasy a bit more than sports! The characters were very well written and the tensions/friendships between them felt real. The plot was well-paced and there was plenty of action/adventure to keep your interest. Definitely recommended for readers who enjoy action/adventure or sports novels. I also believe this would be a good book for reluctant readers as the pace is quick and it is a quick read.
February 9, 2019
This book was really good. It takes place in an alternate universe one may say. Its about when JFK died except in this book he doesn't. He is paralyzed but as a consequence they try to save JFK and they advanced in technology and now have transforming vehicles in the 21st century. This book is about when a young boy wants to be a racer that races these transforming cars and his dream comes true but with a very long journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2019
This is a fun and entertaining read. At times, as an adult, portions got a little tedious. But adults are not the primary audience! I can only imagine that an older elementary or middle school child will have a blast reading this novel, particularly if they are fans of racing and machines. I can't wait to share this book with my 7th grader.
May 9, 2019
I think this a good book. I see how kids can be anything when they put their mind to something they want and beat the simulators and try to do everything they can to do to become their dream and chases it people told me "If you want to do something when you grow up and try everything that you can do for it... Life is short so live is the best that you want"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, considering there are a lot of action/racing sequences that aren't usually my jam. The writing was good, and I can imagine it keeping children engaged.
There was some Deaf representation that I didn't agree with, although most of it was good and introduces different ideas about d/Deaf culture in a positive way. The negative parts were Mace's thoughts and opinions about his parents' abilities, mostly toward the start, so I kept expecting him to learn a lesson or change his mind at the end, but it never really came, although he does have positive interactions with his parents later on. Overall I found 90% of the Deaf representation to be good, there were just those moments. If you want a few spoilers (these all happen toward the start):
- Mace makes an excuse about why he's late to class by saying he was at the front desk and they were having trouble getting in touch with his mom, and you know how hard that can be.. he really played it up, and while he did feel guilty for lying, it still gave the impression that having Deaf parents makes his life difficult.
- He mentioned a couple of times that he likes the noise of the arcade and racing because he's so tired of all the silence. He's a 12 year old hearing child that goes to school, how quiet is his life? Do his parents restrict him from listening to music or watching TV at home or something? His mom voices for him when she talks to him too. It just felt like he was again making his life with Deaf parents come across like a sob story.
- And then there was a part where he lost his hearing for a few moments during a fight, and he panicked: "Deafness. A wave of panic overtook him." And after it returned he was so relieved: "At least he could hear." It was such strong negative emotions about being deaf, considering he has two deaf parents. If this was a story about him becoming a musician or something, I could understand the panic, but it just felt so unnecessary to add this panic about becoming deaf, other than to instill that he considers his parents to be "disabled" or something, which it doesn't seem like is the case later in the book.
Later on there were lots of cool moments, and I also know that his Deaf parents weren't the focus of the story, although it was a big enough part that I thought it was going to come into play in some way during the climax, but the most we got was: "You've been trained your whole life to listen to the world around you in different ways. No wonder you could speak to Event Horizon and hear what she had to say." Which was a nice moment.
There was some Deaf representation that I didn't agree with, although most of it was good and introduces different ideas about d/Deaf culture in a positive way. The negative parts were Mace's thoughts and opinions about his parents' abilities, mostly toward the start, so I kept expecting him to learn a lesson or change his mind at the end, but it never really came, although he does have positive interactions with his parents later on. Overall I found 90% of the Deaf representation to be good, there were just those moments. If you want a few spoilers (these all happen toward the start):
- Mace makes an excuse about why he's late to class by saying he was at the front desk and they were having trouble getting in touch with his mom, and you know how hard that can be.. he really played it up, and while he did feel guilty for lying, it still gave the impression that having Deaf parents makes his life difficult.
- He mentioned a couple of times that he likes the noise of the arcade and racing because he's so tired of all the silence. He's a 12 year old hearing child that goes to school, how quiet is his life? Do his parents restrict him from listening to music or watching TV at home or something? His mom voices for him when she talks to him too. It just felt like he was again making his life with Deaf parents come across like a sob story.
- And then there was a part where he lost his hearing for a few moments during a fight, and he panicked: "Deafness. A wave of panic overtook him." And after it returned he was so relieved: "At least he could hear." It was such strong negative emotions about being deaf, considering he has two deaf parents. If this was a story about him becoming a musician or something, I could understand the panic, but it just felt so unnecessary to add this panic about becoming deaf, other than to instill that he considers his parents to be "disabled" or something, which it doesn't seem like is the case later in the book.
Later on there were lots of cool moments, and I also know that his Deaf parents weren't the focus of the story, although it was a big enough part that I thought it was going to come into play in some way during the climax, but the most we got was: "You've been trained your whole life to listen to the world around you in different ways. No wonder you could speak to Event Horizon and hear what she had to say." Which was a nice moment.
January 21, 2023
Plot
Mace Blazer is twelve and a wiz at the TURBO simulator in the arcade. He can morph quickly through the vehicles from car, helicopter, to submarine, and blast by any opponent. When he's recruited by a secretive retired racer to be a TURBOnaut, Mace is excited. He is ready to take down his opponents around the world.
Unfortunately, the retired racer who recruited him and a few other tweens from around the world isn't quite honest with the team. The racers are not legally allowed to compete at their ages, but their sponsor isn't worried about breaking rules. They want the competition not only beaten but terminated, and Max isn't sure what he should do.
Review
I rolled my eyes SO many times in the beginning that I turned the audiobook off. Then, I decided to give it another chance, found the kid was in a racing simulator and that made it a little better. This is Fast and the Furious mixed with the Transformers. OR a modern version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang without Dick Van Dyke doing a bad accent.
I was mixed on how bored I was with all of the racing talk, and being interested in the mystery adventure happening. This book is okay overall, and I think students will enjoy the fast paced adventure.
Mace Blazer is twelve and a wiz at the TURBO simulator in the arcade. He can morph quickly through the vehicles from car, helicopter, to submarine, and blast by any opponent. When he's recruited by a secretive retired racer to be a TURBOnaut, Mace is excited. He is ready to take down his opponents around the world.
Unfortunately, the retired racer who recruited him and a few other tweens from around the world isn't quite honest with the team. The racers are not legally allowed to compete at their ages, but their sponsor isn't worried about breaking rules. They want the competition not only beaten but terminated, and Max isn't sure what he should do.
Review
I rolled my eyes SO many times in the beginning that I turned the audiobook off. Then, I decided to give it another chance, found the kid was in a racing simulator and that made it a little better. This is Fast and the Furious mixed with the Transformers. OR a modern version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang without Dick Van Dyke doing a bad accent.
I was mixed on how bored I was with all of the racing talk, and being interested in the mystery adventure happening. This book is okay overall, and I think students will enjoy the fast paced adventure.
April 4, 2020
This was a fun book! I found it because I was searching for books with Deaf characters. I put off reading it for a while because I thought the racing and car stuff would be boring. When I got to the parts with Deaf characters, those kept me hooked in the beginning.
But I didn't even need that to keep me hooked! This is a good story with great writing. I'm hardly interested in racing or cars or sports, but I still enjoyed this book, including the races.
This book reminded me of the Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library series.
But I didn't even need that to keep me hooked! This is a good story with great writing. I'm hardly interested in racing or cars or sports, but I still enjoyed this book, including the races.
This book reminded me of the Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library series.
December 19, 2019
Such a unique context and a very reto fell might be a good connection for fans for Ready Player One, does feel a little repetitive at times, opens up a lot for sequels.
April 19, 2019
Great book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews