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Intraterrestrial
Adam Helios is a bully magnet without many friends. When he starts hearing a voice that claims to come from the stars, he fears he’s losing his mind, so he withdraws even further. On the way home from a meeting at the school, he and his parents are involved in a horrible car crash. With his skull cracked open, Adam’s consciousness is abducted by the alien who has been speaking to him for months. After surviving the wreck with only minor scratches, Camille Helios must deal with her guilt over the accident that left her husband badly injured and her son in a coma. When the doctor suggests letting Adam go, Camille refuses to stop fighting for her son’s life. Lost among galaxies, Adam must use his imagination to forge a path home before his body dies on the operating table. But even if he does return to Earth, he may end up locked inside a damaged brain forever.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
51 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Conley
16 books55 followersNicholas Conley is an award-winning Jewish American author, journalist, playwright, and coffee vigilante. His books, such as Knight in Paper Armor, Pale Highway, Clay Tongue: A Novelette, and Intraterrestrial, merge science fiction narratives with hard-hitting examinations of social issues. Originally from California, he now lives in New Hampshire.
www.NicholasConley.com.
www.NicholasConley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 18, 2020
This started out great and then petered out for me. I think it's more for younger teens, although some of the descriptions of
May 29, 2018
Adam Helios (which is just the coolest name ever if we’re being honest) is reserved and quiet, he has better relationships with the characters in his comic books than he does with his real life peers, and it seems like all his parents do is fight. As if those things weren’t bad enough for a kid in junior high, now he’s hearing a strange voice in his head that claims to be from the stars. On the way home from a visit to the principal’s office, where he’s sent after a run in with a bully, Adam and his family are involved in a terrible car accident. Adam suffers a traumatic brain injury, and that’s where the real action begins.
While laying on an operating table, brain matter spilling out of his head, Adam’s consciousness is taken over by the alien voice that has been talking to him. He follows a bright light and finally meets the being behind the voice, now to be known as The Consciousness, who explains that a dark and evil force has stolen something from them, and without Adam’s help, they’ll all be destroyed. Adam ultimately agrees to help, despite feeling terrified and incredibly unqualified to assist with such a gargantuan and foreign task.
Up until this point, I was completely sucked in. Conley really is a phenomenal writer, and has a way of engaging the reader from page one with relatable characters and realistic world building. That being said, I felt like this part of the plot could have really benefited from some more fleshing out. The quest Adam goes on felt very much like the search to find an destroy all of the horcruxes in the final Harry Potter book. In the case of Harry Potter however, readers get 6 books leading up to the finale, each providing context and motivation regarding the criticality of the task at hand. Everything happens so quickly after Adam’s accident that I had a hard time understanding not only why he agreed to help the aliens, but why it mattered if he was successful. And I do not mean that this is a plot hole, because everything is explained, but I found it hard to believe.
I also had a hard time determining who the intended audience for this book is. Adam is thirteen, so it makes sense that his observations are very juvenile in nature. However, the book itself has very adult imagery and deals with adult themes in an adult way. The juxtaposition of Adam’s immature inner monologue set against such gruesome descriptions was jarring and brought me out of the story.
One of my favorite aspects of Intraterrestrial was the dueling narratives of Adam and his mother, Camille. She has walked away from the accident with very minor injuries, but as the driver, has been left with immense guilt as she finds herself facing the possible deaths of both her husband and son. While Adam’s consciousness is away having an imaginative interstellar adventure, Camille is being pulled between the two, unsure of what will happen with either of them. Just like in Pale Highway, Conley’s gift for writing humanity shines in these chapters. I enjoyed the whole book, but found myself looking forward to the chapters written from Camille’s perspective.
After a crazy, at times terrifying, action packed, and heartfelt ride, Intraterrestrial comes to an exciting and satisfying conclusion, and I’m still thinking about these characters days after finishing. Overall, I would highly recommend this one for fans of science fiction. Conley’s style will appeal to anyone who appreciates good writing, but much of the plot is too fantastical for readers who normally stick to general fiction. I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I’m beyond grateful to have had a second chance to read and review Conley’s work. His books are so thought provoking and creative and he’s a genuinely nice guy.
While laying on an operating table, brain matter spilling out of his head, Adam’s consciousness is taken over by the alien voice that has been talking to him. He follows a bright light and finally meets the being behind the voice, now to be known as The Consciousness, who explains that a dark and evil force has stolen something from them, and without Adam’s help, they’ll all be destroyed. Adam ultimately agrees to help, despite feeling terrified and incredibly unqualified to assist with such a gargantuan and foreign task.
Up until this point, I was completely sucked in. Conley really is a phenomenal writer, and has a way of engaging the reader from page one with relatable characters and realistic world building. That being said, I felt like this part of the plot could have really benefited from some more fleshing out. The quest Adam goes on felt very much like the search to find an destroy all of the horcruxes in the final Harry Potter book. In the case of Harry Potter however, readers get 6 books leading up to the finale, each providing context and motivation regarding the criticality of the task at hand. Everything happens so quickly after Adam’s accident that I had a hard time understanding not only why he agreed to help the aliens, but why it mattered if he was successful. And I do not mean that this is a plot hole, because everything is explained, but I found it hard to believe.
I also had a hard time determining who the intended audience for this book is. Adam is thirteen, so it makes sense that his observations are very juvenile in nature. However, the book itself has very adult imagery and deals with adult themes in an adult way. The juxtaposition of Adam’s immature inner monologue set against such gruesome descriptions was jarring and brought me out of the story.
One of my favorite aspects of Intraterrestrial was the dueling narratives of Adam and his mother, Camille. She has walked away from the accident with very minor injuries, but as the driver, has been left with immense guilt as she finds herself facing the possible deaths of both her husband and son. While Adam’s consciousness is away having an imaginative interstellar adventure, Camille is being pulled between the two, unsure of what will happen with either of them. Just like in Pale Highway, Conley’s gift for writing humanity shines in these chapters. I enjoyed the whole book, but found myself looking forward to the chapters written from Camille’s perspective.
After a crazy, at times terrifying, action packed, and heartfelt ride, Intraterrestrial comes to an exciting and satisfying conclusion, and I’m still thinking about these characters days after finishing. Overall, I would highly recommend this one for fans of science fiction. Conley’s style will appeal to anyone who appreciates good writing, but much of the plot is too fantastical for readers who normally stick to general fiction. I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I’m beyond grateful to have had a second chance to read and review Conley’s work. His books are so thought provoking and creative and he’s a genuinely nice guy.
October 3, 2018
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Thirteen-year-old Adam Helios has been the object of bullies his whole life. Lately he’s been hearing a voice in his head, one he calls the Star Voice and it has given him the confidence to fight back. He beats the crap out of his nemesis, Joe Sanderson, and after his parents and Joe’s have a yelling conference with the principal, they drive home. Or attempt to. A horrific car accident puts Adam in a coma, severely injures his dad, and his mom, who was driving, walks away with only a few bumps and scratches. That’s when Adam’s journey with the Star Voice truly begins.
Wow. This is one trippy story. And quite creative. After Adam’s skull is cracked open in the car accident, the Star Voice takes Adam’s consciousness to space (?) and there Adam must decide whether he wants to help his new friends fight against a crippling illness wrought by the Destroyer or just sink back to his badly damaged body and leave them to die. Of course Adam decides to help and off he goes across the galaxy on an adventure like none other. The story is told from both Adam’s and his mother’s POV, so you get the fanciful action of Adam and the practical and heart wrenching decisions of his parent who has no idea her son’s essence is out there in space on a quest to save some alien beings. By the end, you wonder, was all of this real? Or did Adam imagine it all? I think the author lets the reader decide.
Thirteen-year-old Adam Helios has been the object of bullies his whole life. Lately he’s been hearing a voice in his head, one he calls the Star Voice and it has given him the confidence to fight back. He beats the crap out of his nemesis, Joe Sanderson, and after his parents and Joe’s have a yelling conference with the principal, they drive home. Or attempt to. A horrific car accident puts Adam in a coma, severely injures his dad, and his mom, who was driving, walks away with only a few bumps and scratches. That’s when Adam’s journey with the Star Voice truly begins.
Wow. This is one trippy story. And quite creative. After Adam’s skull is cracked open in the car accident, the Star Voice takes Adam’s consciousness to space (?) and there Adam must decide whether he wants to help his new friends fight against a crippling illness wrought by the Destroyer or just sink back to his badly damaged body and leave them to die. Of course Adam decides to help and off he goes across the galaxy on an adventure like none other. The story is told from both Adam’s and his mother’s POV, so you get the fanciful action of Adam and the practical and heart wrenching decisions of his parent who has no idea her son’s essence is out there in space on a quest to save some alien beings. By the end, you wonder, was all of this real? Or did Adam imagine it all? I think the author lets the reader decide.
January 12, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic version of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those speculative fiction books whose actually genre is hard to pin down. Though the medical issues lend a realistic air to the story, the adventure Adam embarks on feels more like science-fantasy than traditional science-fiction. At times, I even considered whether I'd misinterpreted the back cover description and that I was actually enjoying magical realism instead. But when one of the major story point of views is an unreliable narrator due to his traumatic brain injury (TBI), you're forced to sit back and enjoy the epic ride rather than analyzing the story's structural supports.
Are the Star Voice/alien/journey through outer (and inner) space real, then? It doesn't matter. The author's stunning use of imagery brings both the fantastical space scenes and the harsh reality of the hospital to life. At times, however, some lovely turns of phrase feel more like authorial insertion than the realistic point of view of a 13-year-old boy, even an exceptionally smart and nerdy one.
On occasion, the more other-worldly scenes got oddly meta when the aliens refer specifically to Adam's TBI. It came close to pulling me out of the story when I was no longer sure whether the "imagination" conceit was literal rather than metaphorical. But the action and pace always dragged me back in right away.
The scenes with Adam's mother Camille should have seemed boring and dull in comparison to Adam's journey. On the contrary, her character arc and voice were just as engrossing. The ending to both character's journeys tied up neatly, but still packed a satisfying emotional wallop.
This is one of those speculative fiction books whose actually genre is hard to pin down. Though the medical issues lend a realistic air to the story, the adventure Adam embarks on feels more like science-fantasy than traditional science-fiction. At times, I even considered whether I'd misinterpreted the back cover description and that I was actually enjoying magical realism instead. But when one of the major story point of views is an unreliable narrator due to his traumatic brain injury (TBI), you're forced to sit back and enjoy the epic ride rather than analyzing the story's structural supports.
Are the Star Voice/alien/journey through outer (and inner) space real, then? It doesn't matter. The author's stunning use of imagery brings both the fantastical space scenes and the harsh reality of the hospital to life. At times, however, some lovely turns of phrase feel more like authorial insertion than the realistic point of view of a 13-year-old boy, even an exceptionally smart and nerdy one.
On occasion, the more other-worldly scenes got oddly meta when the aliens refer specifically to Adam's TBI. It came close to pulling me out of the story when I was no longer sure whether the "imagination" conceit was literal rather than metaphorical. But the action and pace always dragged me back in right away.
The scenes with Adam's mother Camille should have seemed boring and dull in comparison to Adam's journey. On the contrary, her character arc and voice were just as engrossing. The ending to both character's journeys tied up neatly, but still packed a satisfying emotional wallop.
January 9, 2018
Intraterrestrial follows a young, introverted geek as he deals with bullies, a horrific accident, and healing.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it is not without some issues, at least for me. I picked the story up without looking at anything telling me who the target audience is, so that my impressions would be without any prejudice. However, I cannot really say that there is one particular audience for this tale. While reading, I felt that the audience was mostly younger, perhaps teens, because of the lessons in life it was uncovering though the experiences -- success and failure -- of the youngster, Adam. But the sophisticated language of the book (and the science and concepts) argued otherwise.
Based on these impressions, I would say that the details of the journey that Adam took seemed a bit shallow and unsophisticated (even comic-bookish), yet the "real world" experiences were fairly complex and, in places, gruesome.
This difference bothered me, and thus the 3-star rating.
The underlying message was a very good one, the story was unique, but the delivery needs some polish to get adults to buy in. The message really needs to get out to children and parents, and the adult readers don't need to feel like they are being preached at, rather entertained.
I hope that Nicholas Conley continues to explore the merging of brain function and science fiction. I do recommend this story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it is not without some issues, at least for me. I picked the story up without looking at anything telling me who the target audience is, so that my impressions would be without any prejudice. However, I cannot really say that there is one particular audience for this tale. While reading, I felt that the audience was mostly younger, perhaps teens, because of the lessons in life it was uncovering though the experiences -- success and failure -- of the youngster, Adam. But the sophisticated language of the book (and the science and concepts) argued otherwise.
Based on these impressions, I would say that the details of the journey that Adam took seemed a bit shallow and unsophisticated (even comic-bookish), yet the "real world" experiences were fairly complex and, in places, gruesome.
This difference bothered me, and thus the 3-star rating.
The underlying message was a very good one, the story was unique, but the delivery needs some polish to get adults to buy in. The message really needs to get out to children and parents, and the adult readers don't need to feel like they are being preached at, rather entertained.
I hope that Nicholas Conley continues to explore the merging of brain function and science fiction. I do recommend this story.
January 15, 2018
Adam Helios is a super smart and awkward 13 year old boy. He's being bullied at school, his parents are always arguing, and he is dealing with being adopted and his feelings about that. When he and his parents are involved in a serious car accident in which Adam is not wearing his seat belt, he ends up in critical condition with a TBI. While his body is in a coma, his mind is on an amazing adventure through space with his new alien friends and enemies, learning how much he is truly capable of. These aliens teach him that life on Earth is all about perception and how we choose to respond to what we perceive.
I love books that make me think, and Intraterrestrial definitely did that. Conley's descriptions are beautiful and disgusting and perfect. I could see Adam's inner most landscape in detail as I journeyed alongside of him. For me, this felt like a deeply spiritual book in a way nothing I have read before has been. It connected the scientific and the innermost soul. Our lives are what we make of them. Courage is fear and fear is courageous.
I did have a few minor issues with continuity and things that just didn't make sense to me- but it is a sci-fi/surreal/speculative book so- whatever. I want to make readers aware that Adam's is a transracial adoption and that does play into his self esteem issues- but I think this could have probably been dealt with in a better way. It feels sort of like it's blown off. The problems all get worked out through his near death experience because everyone is just so thankful to be alive sort of thing.
This book deals with thoughts surrounding "being stuck in your body", unable to communicate or control your movement. It could be traumatic for anyone that has dealt with a loved one that experienced this type of situation. It talks about how the parents would not want their child to be in a nursing home for the rest of their lives and how Adam would not want to live that way. I think these are all very real concerns and fears but I also think that perhaps certain portions of the story could be considered ableist. I am able-bodied, so I don't feel that I can adequately review these types of things.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading this book, but I recognize that privilege plays a part in that. I think Conley is a very talented writer, and I look forward to checking out his other works.
I love books that make me think, and Intraterrestrial definitely did that. Conley's descriptions are beautiful and disgusting and perfect. I could see Adam's inner most landscape in detail as I journeyed alongside of him. For me, this felt like a deeply spiritual book in a way nothing I have read before has been. It connected the scientific and the innermost soul. Our lives are what we make of them. Courage is fear and fear is courageous.
I did have a few minor issues with continuity and things that just didn't make sense to me- but it is a sci-fi/surreal/speculative book so- whatever. I want to make readers aware that Adam's is a transracial adoption and that does play into his self esteem issues- but I think this could have probably been dealt with in a better way. It feels sort of like it's blown off. The problems all get worked out through his near death experience because everyone is just so thankful to be alive sort of thing.
This book deals with thoughts surrounding "being stuck in your body", unable to communicate or control your movement. It could be traumatic for anyone that has dealt with a loved one that experienced this type of situation. It talks about how the parents would not want their child to be in a nursing home for the rest of their lives and how Adam would not want to live that way. I think these are all very real concerns and fears but I also think that perhaps certain portions of the story could be considered ableist. I am able-bodied, so I don't feel that I can adequately review these types of things.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading this book, but I recognize that privilege plays a part in that. I think Conley is a very talented writer, and I look forward to checking out his other works.
February 21, 2018
Intraterrestrial offers the reader a literary smorgasbord: science fiction, metaphysics, suspense, and pathos seasoned with the power of love and determination.
The story of Adam Helios is more than the tale of a boy fighting to win back his sense of self after a traumatic brain injury. It is an examination of what makes a human being human. It's a story of friends, family and the strength derived from knowing the importance of both.
There are a lot of weighty issues addressed in this thoroughly captivating story of one family's struggle to get through a horrific event and yet, it falls lightly on the eye of the reader, never weighing you down, but always uplifting you with the possibilities of life. It's a page-turner that will appeal to readers ranging from young adult to new adult to veteran readers like me.
The story of Adam Helios is more than the tale of a boy fighting to win back his sense of self after a traumatic brain injury. It is an examination of what makes a human being human. It's a story of friends, family and the strength derived from knowing the importance of both.
There are a lot of weighty issues addressed in this thoroughly captivating story of one family's struggle to get through a horrific event and yet, it falls lightly on the eye of the reader, never weighing you down, but always uplifting you with the possibilities of life. It's a page-turner that will appeal to readers ranging from young adult to new adult to veteran readers like me.
January 24, 2019
I loved Pale Highway so much, I was excited to see that Nicholas had a new novel coming out. I'm ashamed to say it took me several months to get to it. Nic has a fantastic imagination and a voice that carries in his storytelling that is very enjoyable to read. Imagination was put in the forefront of this story, Intraterrestrial. If the title itself didn't draw you in, the excellent cover design should do the trick. Once inside, once the story gets a hold of you, and it will, in that very opening chapter, it'll never let go. Even through parts in which the story felt too much, the emotions (especially those of self doubt) being prolonged or the sometimes muddy dialogue (or maybe that's how preteens talk?), none of that will matter much, the story, where it takes you, makes all the difference. And I enjoyed the mystery too, the nagging self doubt of my own if what Adam was experiencing was coma dreams or if it was truly an intraterrestrial journey. Overall, I loved this new story, even more than Pale Highway (if that's possible). There were lots of dark imagery, but also a lot of heart and bright moments I like to call hope.
February 2, 2018
Intraterrestrial
Though decisions, and a weird kind of journey…
Adam Helios has finally snapped and punched his bullie's nose into his face. But all this pales into insignificance, when, on the way home from a fraught interview with the Principal, he and his parents are involved in a major car collision. His father is hurt, but Adam is flung from the car and sustains major head trauma. As his mother worries over her husband and son, Adam lays in bed unresponsive. Adam is barely aware of what has happened, but next he is visited by aliens who steal his 'ghost' away. They are in trouble and they want his help.
In this sci-fi/fantasy Nicholas Conley takes the reader on a strange journey. The book is partly narrated partly from the perspective of his mother and partly from Adam's point of view. The mother's story reveals the trauma, the guilt and the anguish, that survivors can face. She must endure the fact that her loved-ones could die, and on top of that she must make important decisions about their care. Conley handles this human interest part of the story well. We get a real sense of Camille's (Adam's mother's) mental state. Adam's part of the story is interesting and exciting. His journey is metaphorical of his own recovery. Be prepared for some mind-bending stuff here. While this is certainly action adventure, Adam's story is also dream like imagining. Anything can happen here.
At 234 pages the book is an average read, but the chapters are bit size, so you can pick the book up and put it down quickly if you have a hurried, busy life. There are certainly no dull bits in the book and for the most part Conley avoids being predictable. This is certainly a quest book, so of course there are comparisons with other books, but Conley for the most part has managed to create his own original world. The book will appeal to both teenagers and adults: the teenagers will of course relate to Adam and the adults will sympathize with Camille.
Adam, while quiet and not so self-assured, has courage and good humour, and is the type of guy that many teens would like to have as a friend. He shows how introverts can conquer life. Camille faces the problems that most parents face. She is loving, but not perfect: she makes mistakes and must suffer for it. But at heart Camille is a good person, and most women will take her as a kindred spirit.
This book is about having the courage to make decisions, to try your best even though things may be hard. Few people think of themselves as heroes, indeed many of us are quite self-critical, but we all have the potential to meet what life gives us, even in extreme circumstances. This book celebrates the human spirit.
I certainly was glad I read this book and it kept me entertained for quite a while. It encouraged me. I am happy to award this novel 5 stars.
February 13, 2018
Intraterrestrial takes the reader on an interesting journey inside the mind, based as it is on an intriguing premise.
Read this and more Book Reviews at It's Good To Read
Intraterrestrial centres around 13-year-old Adam Helios , an adopted kid of Indian parentage, growing up in the US. The backstory leading up to the book is that he is the new kid in school, he is a tech geek, low on self-esteem and with confidence issues, his Indian heritage and lack of knowledge around his biological parents is problematic for him, and is being bullied physically and verbally by Joe Sanderson. He’s actually a nice kid, whose main interest is Space and his telescope, and fixing up bikes, and when he was younger, “Jupiter Man”.
Oh - and he hears Voices, which he thinks come from the stars.
Adam eventually bites back, and batters holy hell out of said Joe, when Joe begins to harass Chandra, a girl Adam is beginning to like. Cue being brought to the office, where we encounter Adam’s adoptive parents. His mother is a termagant, and his dad the polar opposite.
They leave the office, and on the way home get involved in a car-crash that sets us on our way. His mother escapes without physical injury, but gains a new perspective on life as the book progresses, and she is faced with choices. His dad gets injured. Adam, however, ends up with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Adam “follows the light” while in a coma, and meets up with the owner of the Voice. He is entrusted with a high-risk, winner-takes-all mission to save the “spark’ of six aliens, while battling a powerful negative energy. At the same time, the aliens are actually saving him.
There are two main voyages of discovery, of Adam and separately but in parallel, his mother. Adam has an out-of-body experience journey, although he is trapped inside his skull. Camille, the mother, goes through a real metamorphosis of character. You find yourself rooting for these two, though at times the mother is a little too much, to the extent of being somewhat unbelievable/unacceptable in her approach to anyone outside her immediate family.
There is some Descartes-ian philosophy thrown in here too, which is always fun, and the medical scenarios seem to be plausible enough. The language may cause some parents to pause before giving it to kids, but for me it was perfectly acceptable for early teen (13 and on).
Overall, a four-star, because in spite of these small limitations it IS a very good read. Definitely one for the holiday bag, as it will entertain and amuse, as well as provoke a little thought about where do people with TBI go?
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to the author Nicholas Conley for sending me a free copy to review, in return for an honest opinion.
Read this and more Book Reviews at It's Good To Read
Intraterrestrial centres around 13-year-old Adam Helios , an adopted kid of Indian parentage, growing up in the US. The backstory leading up to the book is that he is the new kid in school, he is a tech geek, low on self-esteem and with confidence issues, his Indian heritage and lack of knowledge around his biological parents is problematic for him, and is being bullied physically and verbally by Joe Sanderson. He’s actually a nice kid, whose main interest is Space and his telescope, and fixing up bikes, and when he was younger, “Jupiter Man”.
Oh - and he hears Voices, which he thinks come from the stars.
Adam eventually bites back, and batters holy hell out of said Joe, when Joe begins to harass Chandra, a girl Adam is beginning to like. Cue being brought to the office, where we encounter Adam’s adoptive parents. His mother is a termagant, and his dad the polar opposite.
They leave the office, and on the way home get involved in a car-crash that sets us on our way. His mother escapes without physical injury, but gains a new perspective on life as the book progresses, and she is faced with choices. His dad gets injured. Adam, however, ends up with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Adam “follows the light” while in a coma, and meets up with the owner of the Voice. He is entrusted with a high-risk, winner-takes-all mission to save the “spark’ of six aliens, while battling a powerful negative energy. At the same time, the aliens are actually saving him.
There are two main voyages of discovery, of Adam and separately but in parallel, his mother. Adam has an out-of-body experience journey, although he is trapped inside his skull. Camille, the mother, goes through a real metamorphosis of character. You find yourself rooting for these two, though at times the mother is a little too much, to the extent of being somewhat unbelievable/unacceptable in her approach to anyone outside her immediate family.
There is some Descartes-ian philosophy thrown in here too, which is always fun, and the medical scenarios seem to be plausible enough. The language may cause some parents to pause before giving it to kids, but for me it was perfectly acceptable for early teen (13 and on).
Overall, a four-star, because in spite of these small limitations it IS a very good read. Definitely one for the holiday bag, as it will entertain and amuse, as well as provoke a little thought about where do people with TBI go?
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to the author Nicholas Conley for sending me a free copy to review, in return for an honest opinion.
January 18, 2018
Thirteen-year-old Adam is shy, quiet, and a bit of a nerd. He loves looking at the stars through his telescope and building his own bike, while thinking about the mysteries of the universe, but doesn’t really feel like he belongs in his own life. The voice he keeps hearing in his head isn’t helping. When a run-in with a school bully lands him in trouble, it brings the conflict between his parents and himself into sharp focus.
The auto accident changes everything.
Adam ends up with a Traumatic Brain Injury, hovering on the edge of life and death. While his body is fighting to survive, Adam’s mind, his imagination, is in outer space, where he meets a group of aliens fighting against the Nothing that wants to destroy them—and Adam. Adam is the only one that can save them, but to do that, he must fight his way through the darkness that threatens to take away his future.
Intraterrestrial deals with some heavy topics: brain injury, bullying, and finding your place in the world when you’re different than everyone else. Adam is from India, and this makes him feel different from his adoptive parents and everyone else he knows. He struggles with this “differentness” in the first part of the book, as well as bullying and his response to being bullied.
After the accident, Intraterrestrial is both more complex and fantastical. What Adam experiences is imaginative and intriguing—is it really happening, or is his brain struggling to deal with the injury?—yet his reactions and observations sometimes border on childlike. He’s 13, so that makes sense for the character, but I’m undecided on if this novel is geared more towards a YA/middle grade audience, or an adult audience. The subject matter is older, but Adam himself is younger, so it could go either way. I enjoyed the novel very much. It is as creative as the author’s other works, and I look forward to reading more.
(Galley provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
The auto accident changes everything.
Adam ends up with a Traumatic Brain Injury, hovering on the edge of life and death. While his body is fighting to survive, Adam’s mind, his imagination, is in outer space, where he meets a group of aliens fighting against the Nothing that wants to destroy them—and Adam. Adam is the only one that can save them, but to do that, he must fight his way through the darkness that threatens to take away his future.
Intraterrestrial deals with some heavy topics: brain injury, bullying, and finding your place in the world when you’re different than everyone else. Adam is from India, and this makes him feel different from his adoptive parents and everyone else he knows. He struggles with this “differentness” in the first part of the book, as well as bullying and his response to being bullied.
After the accident, Intraterrestrial is both more complex and fantastical. What Adam experiences is imaginative and intriguing—is it really happening, or is his brain struggling to deal with the injury?—yet his reactions and observations sometimes border on childlike. He’s 13, so that makes sense for the character, but I’m undecided on if this novel is geared more towards a YA/middle grade audience, or an adult audience. The subject matter is older, but Adam himself is younger, so it could go either way. I enjoyed the novel very much. It is as creative as the author’s other works, and I look forward to reading more.
(Galley provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
April 8, 2018
Intraterrestrial - Written by Nicholas Conley - Reviewed 4/8/18 - Read 3/21-22/18
Out of Body space travel!!!!
Adam Helios is a bully magnet without many friends. When he starts hearing a voice that claims to come from the stars, he fears he’s losing his mind, so he withdraws even further. On the way home from a meeting at the school, he and his parents are involved in a horrible car crash. With his skull cracked open, Adam’s consciousness is abducted by the alien who has been speaking to him for months. After surviving the wreck with only minor scratches, Camille Helios must deal with her guilt over the accident that left her husband badly injured and her son in a coma. When the doctor suggests letting Adam go, Camille refuses to stop fighting for her son’s life. Lost among galaxies, Adam must use his imagination to forge a path home before his body dies on the operating table. But even if he does return to Earth, he may end up locked inside a damaged brain forever.
What did I like? This was such an interesting read. I loved Adam, he was like many little boys that had problems growing up and then when he made his mark that caused his mom to come to the school, he felt like he couldn’t live with that pain. His mother was in pain too, but she wouldn’t give up. What a story! Then add the alien into the picture and you have an awesome read.
What will you like? A very developed storyline that has so many twists and turns with lots of emotional ups and downs. The characters are amazing and intricate with lots of problems that make this remarkable story stimulating and thought-provoking. The storyline about Adam and the corresponding story of his parents will take you on a breathtaking adventure. This will be a favorite among the science fiction/fantasy readers with the expansiveness of imagination that Adam has. The author competently spun a great story as I was addicted from page one! I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Out of Body space travel!!!!
Adam Helios is a bully magnet without many friends. When he starts hearing a voice that claims to come from the stars, he fears he’s losing his mind, so he withdraws even further. On the way home from a meeting at the school, he and his parents are involved in a horrible car crash. With his skull cracked open, Adam’s consciousness is abducted by the alien who has been speaking to him for months. After surviving the wreck with only minor scratches, Camille Helios must deal with her guilt over the accident that left her husband badly injured and her son in a coma. When the doctor suggests letting Adam go, Camille refuses to stop fighting for her son’s life. Lost among galaxies, Adam must use his imagination to forge a path home before his body dies on the operating table. But even if he does return to Earth, he may end up locked inside a damaged brain forever.
What did I like? This was such an interesting read. I loved Adam, he was like many little boys that had problems growing up and then when he made his mark that caused his mom to come to the school, he felt like he couldn’t live with that pain. His mother was in pain too, but she wouldn’t give up. What a story! Then add the alien into the picture and you have an awesome read.
What will you like? A very developed storyline that has so many twists and turns with lots of emotional ups and downs. The characters are amazing and intricate with lots of problems that make this remarkable story stimulating and thought-provoking. The storyline about Adam and the corresponding story of his parents will take you on a breathtaking adventure. This will be a favorite among the science fiction/fantasy readers with the expansiveness of imagination that Adam has. The author competently spun a great story as I was addicted from page one! I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
February 7, 2018
Adam Helios is 13 year old that has been bullied at school and has had enough of it. He stands up for himself and this leads to a parent teacher conference. On the way home from the conference, Adam and his parents are in a bad car wreck. Adam suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While in a coma, Adam learns that aliens have been talking to him for months and they have an adventure for him.
This book has some tough situations in it. Adam is adopted and is bi-racial. Although this shouldn’t matter in life, we all know how kids use this to bully others. Adam is bullied and has serious self-esteem issues. It just breaks my heart to see him go through this. But he has an outer space adventure that will help him grown, if he can survive the coma back on Earth.
At the same time you see his mother Camille. She came through the car wreck nearly unscathed and now has to fight for her husband and son. Doctors are trying to get her to let Adam go, not wanting to have to have her child suffering or never being about to communicate, locked in his broken body.
This is a very good story. It has several tough issues that are discussed and will make you think about if you were in the same situation. I liked Adam’s adventures although the further you go on I did question if he was really on an adventure or if it was his poor brain trying to reboot and come back. Intraterrestrial is a great read and one that should be checked out.
I received Intraterrestrial from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This book has some tough situations in it. Adam is adopted and is bi-racial. Although this shouldn’t matter in life, we all know how kids use this to bully others. Adam is bullied and has serious self-esteem issues. It just breaks my heart to see him go through this. But he has an outer space adventure that will help him grown, if he can survive the coma back on Earth.
At the same time you see his mother Camille. She came through the car wreck nearly unscathed and now has to fight for her husband and son. Doctors are trying to get her to let Adam go, not wanting to have to have her child suffering or never being about to communicate, locked in his broken body.
This is a very good story. It has several tough issues that are discussed and will make you think about if you were in the same situation. I liked Adam’s adventures although the further you go on I did question if he was really on an adventure or if it was his poor brain trying to reboot and come back. Intraterrestrial is a great read and one that should be checked out.
I received Intraterrestrial from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
April 4, 2018
The story begins- ‘The boy in the bathroom mirror had a purple shiner for a left eye, and oddly enough, that boy was him.’
Adam Helios, a young Indian adoptee and self-proclaimed ‘scrawny bookworm,’ faces bullies more and more due to his Indian heritage, when a sudden shift in fate sees him fighting for his life.
The bulk of the novel was a curious mix of Fantasy and reality, which I found quite refreshing. We see Adam go on an incredible journey, where he fights for his life, while dreaming of anthropomorphized versions of his deepest, darkest fears.
There is a lot of self-blame felt throughout the story- namely felt by Adam and his mother regarding the car crash that caused Ada to go into his coma. It’s the relationship dynamic between Adam and his mother that I found myself envying: his mother is the strong, nurturing type that I could imagine kissing his ouchies better.
‘Like every other conscious being in the known multi-verse, you always have a choice, and that choice is what defines you.’
The sheer amount of wise and inspiring quotes used is phenomenal. I found myself inspired at every turn, unable to fathom the vast nature of Conley’s exquisite imagination.
Through Adam Helios, we experience exactly what it means to be human- to be an immortal spirit trapped within a feeble, mortal form. This tale captivated me from beginning to end and resonated well with me, emotionally.
I would definitely recommend you read this, no matter what your genre preferences.
Rated 5 stars.
Adam Helios, a young Indian adoptee and self-proclaimed ‘scrawny bookworm,’ faces bullies more and more due to his Indian heritage, when a sudden shift in fate sees him fighting for his life.
The bulk of the novel was a curious mix of Fantasy and reality, which I found quite refreshing. We see Adam go on an incredible journey, where he fights for his life, while dreaming of anthropomorphized versions of his deepest, darkest fears.
There is a lot of self-blame felt throughout the story- namely felt by Adam and his mother regarding the car crash that caused Ada to go into his coma. It’s the relationship dynamic between Adam and his mother that I found myself envying: his mother is the strong, nurturing type that I could imagine kissing his ouchies better.
‘Like every other conscious being in the known multi-verse, you always have a choice, and that choice is what defines you.’
The sheer amount of wise and inspiring quotes used is phenomenal. I found myself inspired at every turn, unable to fathom the vast nature of Conley’s exquisite imagination.
Through Adam Helios, we experience exactly what it means to be human- to be an immortal spirit trapped within a feeble, mortal form. This tale captivated me from beginning to end and resonated well with me, emotionally.
I would definitely recommend you read this, no matter what your genre preferences.
Rated 5 stars.
January 29, 2018
"Intraterrestrial" by Nicholas Conley is a fascinating and unique read, combining the trauma of a severe brain injury with the adventure of outer space exploration--with a twist. That's because the "outer space" exploration is, in reality, an "inner space" journey, deep into the mind and essence of the thirteen-year-old protagonist, Adam Helios.
When Adam, along with his parents, is the victim of a terrible car accident that, literally, cracks open his skull, the result is a kind of limbo, where he hovers between life and death, and where he must overcome his demons in order to survive. A bookish, nerdy boy with a love of outer space, Adam's journey within, while he lies on a hospital bed, half-alive and half-dead, morphs into an incredible sojourn through the stars, as he must vanquish "The Destroyer" and bring all the various aspects of Consciousness, his consciousness, together. This dualistic inner/outer journey makes "Intraterrestrial" a truly unique reading experience. Combined with the parallel story of Adam's mother and father, and their recovery from the crash, the thrust of the action carries you along in multiple directions, creating a page-turning adventure.
For lovers of science fiction, fantasy, the unlimited power of the imagination (which is, in many respects, the "hero" of the novel), and just good storytelling skillfully woven, I highly recommend "Intraterrestrial."
When Adam, along with his parents, is the victim of a terrible car accident that, literally, cracks open his skull, the result is a kind of limbo, where he hovers between life and death, and where he must overcome his demons in order to survive. A bookish, nerdy boy with a love of outer space, Adam's journey within, while he lies on a hospital bed, half-alive and half-dead, morphs into an incredible sojourn through the stars, as he must vanquish "The Destroyer" and bring all the various aspects of Consciousness, his consciousness, together. This dualistic inner/outer journey makes "Intraterrestrial" a truly unique reading experience. Combined with the parallel story of Adam's mother and father, and their recovery from the crash, the thrust of the action carries you along in multiple directions, creating a page-turning adventure.
For lovers of science fiction, fantasy, the unlimited power of the imagination (which is, in many respects, the "hero" of the novel), and just good storytelling skillfully woven, I highly recommend "Intraterrestrial."
January 5, 2018
I received this ebook from the author to read in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Intraterrestrial by Nicholas Conely. Adam is a 13 year old boy that was bullied and stood up for himself winning a fight that will forever change his future. Headed home from the dreadful parent conference that probably caused more damage than good, Adam and his family are in a terrible accident. During the accident Adam suffers a head injury that may result in human death. However, during Adam's earthly absence, his imagination must push him through emotions, realities, false reality, and evil. If he can not survive the gauntlet set before him then he may have to live forever trapped in a place of unconsciousness. This book had me trapped from page one. Your angry, happy, sad, and the entire time rooting for Adam. Real life issues of how to handle self esteem, anxiety, and overcome obstacles while still being a teenager mixed in with medicine, science, and fantasy. It is not overwhelming with statistics and facts but enough information is given to keep you wanting more. This book is to be released on January 16, 2018. Thank you @nicholas.conley and Red Adept Publishing for sharing! Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Library Thing, Go Read, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com
January 8, 2018
*I received an ebook copy via the @kidlitexchange for review purposes.
A 13-year-old boy, Adam, is involved in a terrible car accident and receives a traumatic brain injury. As Adams family hears about his bleak prognosis, they could never imagine the battle Adam is facing in his own mind.
If you have seen the movie or read the novel "What Dreams May Come" by Richard Matheson, then you would know what to expect in INTRATERRESTRIAL. Adam's battle is very dark, almost creepy. The end of the book is uplifting, but the dark side throughout most of the book was hard for me to get through. Author Nicholas Conley is a master at providing the reader with vivid images, sometimes almost hard to read. This isn't necessarily my personal preference or the types of books I choose to read, but if you enjoy this type of book, you will love Intraterrestrial. I would recommend it for grades nine and up.
A 13-year-old boy, Adam, is involved in a terrible car accident and receives a traumatic brain injury. As Adams family hears about his bleak prognosis, they could never imagine the battle Adam is facing in his own mind.
If you have seen the movie or read the novel "What Dreams May Come" by Richard Matheson, then you would know what to expect in INTRATERRESTRIAL. Adam's battle is very dark, almost creepy. The end of the book is uplifting, but the dark side throughout most of the book was hard for me to get through. Author Nicholas Conley is a master at providing the reader with vivid images, sometimes almost hard to read. This isn't necessarily my personal preference or the types of books I choose to read, but if you enjoy this type of book, you will love Intraterrestrial. I would recommend it for grades nine and up.
January 23, 2018
Ecopy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Although it is a very interesting story unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. The biggest issue being the dialogue. The characters to me were not likable because of how they talked and communicated with others, for example Adam’s mom with her foul language and the way she talked to the principal of Adam’s school, no mom would do that. I am a mom so I understand some of it but it was not handled appropriately. Also the way she talked to the Dr wasn’t appropriate, no adult talks like that to another.
Also the story seemed for a very young audience but I wouldn’t actually give it to children to read because of the bad language used on the story. If the story is targeted to an adult audience then it needs to be changed a little to make it more interesting.
To be honest if the dialogue would get a bit polished the story would be great since the plot is quite interesting.
Although it is a very interesting story unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. The biggest issue being the dialogue. The characters to me were not likable because of how they talked and communicated with others, for example Adam’s mom with her foul language and the way she talked to the principal of Adam’s school, no mom would do that. I am a mom so I understand some of it but it was not handled appropriately. Also the way she talked to the Dr wasn’t appropriate, no adult talks like that to another.
Also the story seemed for a very young audience but I wouldn’t actually give it to children to read because of the bad language used on the story. If the story is targeted to an adult audience then it needs to be changed a little to make it more interesting.
To be honest if the dialogue would get a bit polished the story would be great since the plot is quite interesting.
January 24, 2018
Creatively mingling reality and science fiction, Nicholas Conley crafts a mind boggling, intense story. It left me soul searching, a little heart broken, and overwhelmingly in awe of the way he weaves not only Adam’s story but that of his mother, Camille. I won’t give spoilers but I will say, as a parent, I could identify with parts of Camille’s behavior while at other times I disliked her immensely. Adam is a pretty cool kid and I truly enjoyed the arc his story took. It stayed consistent throughout, not making him into some kind of immediate superhero, yet showing the growth of the character. I can’t even get into the aliens because it would give so much away. If I could give it ten stars I would in a heartbeat. Fantastic book! The author gave me a copy of this book and this review is my honest opinion. ***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG***
January 23, 2018
Adam Helios is bullied. When he hears a voice claiming to come from the stars, Adam feels he's going crazy.
The family has a car accident. Camille, mom to Adam has minor injuries, but her husband and son aren't so lucky.
Camille is left to deal with the Doctor suggesting to let Adam go. She refuses.
Adam goes toward the voice, toward outer space and gets an adventure of a lifetime.
This book reminded me of my childhood. I grew up behind a gas station. My playground was a shed in the back of the station. It was used for car parts, old radios and such. With my spacecraft set up, I blasted into outer space.
I love the character arcs in this book. Especially Adam becoming Galaxy Seeker.
The family has a car accident. Camille, mom to Adam has minor injuries, but her husband and son aren't so lucky.
Camille is left to deal with the Doctor suggesting to let Adam go. She refuses.
Adam goes toward the voice, toward outer space and gets an adventure of a lifetime.
This book reminded me of my childhood. I grew up behind a gas station. My playground was a shed in the back of the station. It was used for car parts, old radios and such. With my spacecraft set up, I blasted into outer space.
I love the character arcs in this book. Especially Adam becoming Galaxy Seeker.
May 23, 2018
I wasn't sure if I was going to get into a story about aliens, but I wanted to try it because it dealt with traumatic brain injury and consciousness. It blew me away! Very well written and a wonderful story! Earns the title of my favorite book!
Intraterrestrial blew me away! The story is so amazing and thought provoking! The characters are relatable and well written. The scenes are very detailed and descriptive-- this is just an awesome book all around!
I look forward to reading more books from this author!
link: Read my full review here
Intraterrestrial blew me away! The story is so amazing and thought provoking! The characters are relatable and well written. The scenes are very detailed and descriptive-- this is just an awesome book all around!
I look forward to reading more books from this author!
link: Read my full review here
January 26, 2018
This story is about 13 years old Adam who was adopted at a young age. One day on his way home from a visit at the Principal’s office, Adam, and his family was in a very bad car accident that changed his life forever. This story tells how Adam suffered a very bad head injury and had an out of body experience.
Very good story. I enjoyed Intraterrestrial by Nicholas Conley very much. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys extra-terrestrial books. I also enjoyed Pale Highway by this same author.
I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Very good story. I enjoyed Intraterrestrial by Nicholas Conley very much. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys extra-terrestrial books. I also enjoyed Pale Highway by this same author.
I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2019
Preface: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This one is difficult to review, mostly because it's so unique and confusing. Most of it takes place within the main character's head after he suffers a traumatic brain injury. He is told several aliens need his help in defeating the darkness that is attempting to destroy them. Adam then meets every alien in turn and attempts to collect their sparks. Only be uniting all 6 sparks can the aliens be healed.
A simple enough premise (if out there), but the execution is where it falters. The story operates on a peculiar sort of dream logic that has no real rhyme, reason, or progression to it. Things just sort of happen because they happen. Adam is supposedly growing throughout the story, but he honestly seems exactly the same after every trial, and even up through the end. The other aliens have little to no presence and only a handful of lines each (aside from the Optimist, who is great). Adam is continually injured and even suffers what should be life-ending injuries throughout the story, but because it's all in his head, he just kinda powers through over and over.
That last point is another thing that makes this story confusing - I have no idea who the audience for this is supposed to be. Adam is 13 years old, and the plot running on "imagination" being the ultimate power seems to indicate the story is intended for a younger audience. However, there is a looot of brutality and gore in this book. Adam suffers tons of injuries, and sees all sorts of horrible visions. At one point a baby bites the moldy nipple off his deceased mother (it...doesn't really make sense even in context). It would be wildly inappropriate for a young person to read, but there's so much kiddy stuff in it too that I don't think most adults would be interested. It's very strange.
The ultimate conflict resolution is also fairly unsatisfying. Imagination being a big theme usually goes hand-in-hand with love conquering evil, so I sort of expected Adam to overcome the villain by accepting it as a darker part of his nature - after all, it's a piece of him. It ends up being a lot more blunt and violent, which is especially jarring considering what happens to the bully character at the end. It really just ends up clouding the theme/audience of this book even further.
The book does have some good points. The parent characters are fleshed-out and sympathetic. You feel genuine worry for Adam, as he could end up being basically a vegetable for the rest of his life even if he succeeds in his quest. The story never gets written off as it all being in his head and thus inconsequential. Most importantly, as I mentioned earlier, the Optimist is easily the most interesting/likable of the aliens, and he does say some genuinely deep, thought-provoking things throughout. There's a lot of philosophic, cerebral ideas throughout the story - nothing too original, but still enough to make you think, especially if you haven't read a lot of sci-fi previously. This would again make you think it's intended for younger readers, but....
Overall, I had very mixed feelings about this book. I don't know who it's intended for. I'm not really sure what the message is. But I'm happy for Adam at the end, and I guess that's the point. I can't honestly say whether I recommend this or not - I suppose if the synopsis hooks you, you might be the sort of person this is intended for. If it sounds like a mess, you might want to steer clear.
This one is difficult to review, mostly because it's so unique and confusing. Most of it takes place within the main character's head after he suffers a traumatic brain injury. He is told several aliens need his help in defeating the darkness that is attempting to destroy them. Adam then meets every alien in turn and attempts to collect their sparks. Only be uniting all 6 sparks can the aliens be healed.
A simple enough premise (if out there), but the execution is where it falters. The story operates on a peculiar sort of dream logic that has no real rhyme, reason, or progression to it. Things just sort of happen because they happen. Adam is supposedly growing throughout the story, but he honestly seems exactly the same after every trial, and even up through the end. The other aliens have little to no presence and only a handful of lines each (aside from the Optimist, who is great). Adam is continually injured and even suffers what should be life-ending injuries throughout the story, but because it's all in his head, he just kinda powers through over and over.
That last point is another thing that makes this story confusing - I have no idea who the audience for this is supposed to be. Adam is 13 years old, and the plot running on "imagination" being the ultimate power seems to indicate the story is intended for a younger audience. However, there is a looot of brutality and gore in this book. Adam suffers tons of injuries, and sees all sorts of horrible visions. At one point a baby bites the moldy nipple off his deceased mother (it...doesn't really make sense even in context). It would be wildly inappropriate for a young person to read, but there's so much kiddy stuff in it too that I don't think most adults would be interested. It's very strange.
The ultimate conflict resolution is also fairly unsatisfying. Imagination being a big theme usually goes hand-in-hand with love conquering evil, so I sort of expected Adam to overcome the villain by accepting it as a darker part of his nature - after all, it's a piece of him. It ends up being a lot more blunt and violent, which is especially jarring considering what happens to the bully character at the end. It really just ends up clouding the theme/audience of this book even further.
The book does have some good points. The parent characters are fleshed-out and sympathetic. You feel genuine worry for Adam, as he could end up being basically a vegetable for the rest of his life even if he succeeds in his quest. The story never gets written off as it all being in his head and thus inconsequential. Most importantly, as I mentioned earlier, the Optimist is easily the most interesting/likable of the aliens, and he does say some genuinely deep, thought-provoking things throughout. There's a lot of philosophic, cerebral ideas throughout the story - nothing too original, but still enough to make you think, especially if you haven't read a lot of sci-fi previously. This would again make you think it's intended for younger readers, but....
Overall, I had very mixed feelings about this book. I don't know who it's intended for. I'm not really sure what the message is. But I'm happy for Adam at the end, and I guess that's the point. I can't honestly say whether I recommend this or not - I suppose if the synopsis hooks you, you might be the sort of person this is intended for. If it sounds like a mess, you might want to steer clear.
June 30, 2019
Oh, my gosh, what a story! The author has such a vivid imagination and such a creative way of thinking to even be able to conceive of such a story! The book is very well written. All of the characters have unique voices, and the important ones have super unique character arcs. I love speculative fiction, but this one ratchets it up a notch or 100. After the accident that literally cracks open Adam's world, the book actually follows two storylines, one about what's happening with Adam and his intraterrestrial journey and the other about his parents as they cope with their own injuries and try to deal with Adam’s. Camille in particular is a complex and very well done character. She acts just like one would expect a mother to act in this situation, as one grappling with her son’s traumatic brain injury and his subsequent battle to remain alive, at times a crusader and at other times a woman who is grappling with too much. This can make her unlikable at times, and I think it is actually brave of the author to write the character this way. I don't want to give too much away about Adam's story arc, but it definitely is both an inner and outer journey for him. Brilliantly done all the way around. If you're looking for a speculative fiction book is completely different from anything you've read, but still is very human, you should definitely check out this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other book reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other book reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
March 13, 2019
A beautiful and thought provoking piece of work.
Adam Helios, born in India and adopted by American couple John Helios and his wife, is a boy of slight build and high intelligence who is constantly made fun of by his peers. The things he thinks about are perhaps like those of the great thinkers of the past, but are either totally boring or completely crazy to his classmates, so he’s learned to be quiet and is rather socially inept. What distinguishes him from the rest of humanity is a combination of his amazing imagination and the unwitting set of circumstances in which he finds himself one day. He starts hearing a voice in his mind and a week or so later is in a dire car crash with his adoptive parents, where he suffers severe injuries which include brain damage. While the medical professionals strive to save his life, Adam finds himself on and interstellar journey of his own to help free alien entities from a Destroyer. That isn’t to say that his parents don’t undergo their own challenges, fighting for their relationship and family life while Adam; they help ground the story in biting reality.
All in all, this is one gem of a book.
Adam Helios, born in India and adopted by American couple John Helios and his wife, is a boy of slight build and high intelligence who is constantly made fun of by his peers. The things he thinks about are perhaps like those of the great thinkers of the past, but are either totally boring or completely crazy to his classmates, so he’s learned to be quiet and is rather socially inept. What distinguishes him from the rest of humanity is a combination of his amazing imagination and the unwitting set of circumstances in which he finds himself one day. He starts hearing a voice in his mind and a week or so later is in a dire car crash with his adoptive parents, where he suffers severe injuries which include brain damage. While the medical professionals strive to save his life, Adam finds himself on and interstellar journey of his own to help free alien entities from a Destroyer. That isn’t to say that his parents don’t undergo their own challenges, fighting for their relationship and family life while Adam; they help ground the story in biting reality.
All in all, this is one gem of a book.
August 21, 2018
I couldn’t finish this novel. It had promise, was unusual, but it is both unpolished and preaches, rather than teaches, about life.
The main character Adam seems quite shallow and childish, so I assumed the book was for 10-13 year olds, but the concepts of the book are quite advanced. This jarred me.
The themes about focusing on what’s important in life, having courage, optimism etc are good things. My problem is the style and method the book takes to share those messages. They are too obvious, the preachiness is overwhelming. The constant flip flopping between Adam believing he is worthless, then worthwhile and back again really irritated me.
This book needs more development, a good editor and a decision made about who the target audience is. This unusual and unique idea deserves time and polishing.
The main character Adam seems quite shallow and childish, so I assumed the book was for 10-13 year olds, but the concepts of the book are quite advanced. This jarred me.
The themes about focusing on what’s important in life, having courage, optimism etc are good things. My problem is the style and method the book takes to share those messages. They are too obvious, the preachiness is overwhelming. The constant flip flopping between Adam believing he is worthless, then worthwhile and back again really irritated me.
This book needs more development, a good editor and a decision made about who the target audience is. This unusual and unique idea deserves time and polishing.
February 3, 2019
Without reiterating the plot of the book, Intraterrestrial is a middle-grade story reminiscent of some of Madeleine L'Engle's work, examining some of the same themes as A Wrinkle in Time. Well-written for the most part, although in some places I found the dialogue a bit unrealistic. Difficult choices must be made, and the story examines feelings of guilt, low self-worth, and responsibility within its structure. A solid story which should generate meaningful discussion between children and adults.
September 24, 2018
What makes us who we are.
An amazing depiction of who we really are as an individual in the universe. A truly unique view of humanity.
An amazing depiction of who we really are as an individual in the universe. A truly unique view of humanity.
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