The Unspeakable Unknown

Nikola Kross #2

by Eliot Sappingfield

Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in this wild, warm-hearted, and hilarious sci-fi companion to A Problematic Paradox.Nikola Kross has battled aliens and won. But her father, who was kidnapped by evil extraterrestrials, is still missing, and now it's up to Nikola and her friends to find and rescue him before it's too late. He could be anywhere in the known universe, and they have little to go on except a desperate secret communication--"Kindly rescue me at your earliest convenience"--and an unhelpful clue that he's in a secure facility somewhere deep underground. But the extraterrestrials are still determined to capture Nikola. And if she gets abducted, she won't have to wonder where her father is . . . because she'll already be there. In this funny and exciting sequel, Nikola and her friends discover new and unexpected allies and come face-to-face with a strange and mysterious enemy, one so powerful and so dangerous, they dare not speak his name.

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2019

About the author

Eliot Sappingfield was last seen wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants in the vicinity of his home in Missouri. He is known to appreciate stories, science, and various other geeky things. He may or may not be accompanied by his wife, his two daughters (when they don’t have anything better to do), or a goofy basset hound. He is considered unarmed and not terribly dangerous.

His first novel, "A Problematic Paradox" will be out March 13, 2018 from Putnam Young Readers.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikola now knows for sure that the Old Ones are after her in addition to having kidnapped her father. But she doesn't quite know why. Life at school continues to enchant and intrigue her. She kind of feels a little bad for having such a great time finally being challenged in classes, learning all sorts of things she never dreamed possible, and finally making friends while her father is a captive somewhere. But they still don't have any clue where he is...just somewhere underground. In the meantime, new adventures for Nikola and her friends pop up on a school field trip when they make a friend they probably aren't supposed to make. But how much trouble could it cause?

I'm so glad I had this book on hand to devour right after the first one. They are both extremely readable. The School is full of such wildly imaginative classes and happenings. Nikola's friends are constantly entertaining. The new friend they make provides for some questions that will get readers thinking, and there's finally more plot with Nikola's father in this one. I really enjoy the smart scifi and the touches of humor, and I like the further lessons on friendship and kindness in this book. Hand this to imaginative readers, boarding school story fans, smart scifi fans, and wacky humor fans. (And I really hope there's a book 3 in this series coming.)

Notes on content: About 3 mild swear words. No sexual content. Again, there's some violence but thanks to the medical advancements of the school they can restore you from just about any accident and you're fine and dandy a few hours later.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. Funny!! Was sad when it was over. He left enough room for a sequel without a bunch of unfinished business or cliff-hangers—thank you, Eliot Sappingfield!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is funny and sarcastic and literal ("And then it hit me. A water balloon landed on my head.") Nikola is one of the better heroines I have read in the last year.

[Sean Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I really enjoyed the first of these, and this follow-up is just as good. No risk of Sappingfield running out of juice, the science and the technology are just brilliant, and I eagerly await the next adventure.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the Nikola Kross series -- first was A Problematic Paradox. Goofy and fun sci-fi, with a very strong female lead. Great for both genders, and a breath of fresh air for female sci-fi fans (like myself) looking for female role models in the genre for their daughters.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed the first book over Christmas last year as a Brainy Girl Favorite. The sequel does not disappoint.

We last left Nikola at the Plaskington International Laboratory School safe and sound, but we knew the Old Ones were coming for her, especially after thwarting Tabbabitha's cunning plan and, well, killing Tabbabitha (ouch!).

On cue, in steps Jakki, the relentless Old One Queen who tracks down Nikola and takes over her brain, even as Nikola sneaks out to find another Old One who mysteriously doesn't smell disgusting -- she smells like freshly baked bread. And, she isn't a total narcissistic psychopath. She works part-time at the Dairy Shed and is just trying to support herself. The real question is, is she trustworthy -- unlike all her sisters -- and will she help Nikola and her Dad escape Jakki's clutches before their brains turn to mush?

I won't spoil how it ends, or the plot set-up for a third book at the end (which takes a decidedly nasty turn, but you knew that was possible -- the Old Ones aren't exactly nice), which was truly divine. We enjoyed this read immensely.

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Andy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book!

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[vlntpt · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked the first book better but tbf i was like 12. will re-read soon!

also i am still waiting for the third book (pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease)

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is rlly good

[Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start a book club just so I can aggressively recommend this book to everyone. This series is equal parts hilarious, thrilling, mind-bending, and absolutely heartwarming. It’s also ridiculously underrated, it should be considered criminal. I’ve never written any reviews before, but my love for this book and all its characters is too overpowering. (Also, is this how you write reviews? I’m not so sure). Eliot Sappingfield is a phenomenal writer with a beautiful, amazing, insanely imaginative brain. I cannot with the life of me imagine what other splendid works are up his sleeve, but I know that it’ll knock my socks off and that I’ll love it as much as I love the past two books.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! I forgot why I liked the first one so much, but now I remember. It's absolutely hilarious! It was fun all the way through.

[Fredric Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free read from the public library, and despite being a children's book, it was adventure enough to be appealing.

[Ava :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a lot like the middle book of a trilogy, not the final book of a duology :/