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Drone Racer
An action-packed novel that brings drone racing to life!
Carson and his friends love racing drones, and they can't believe their luck when they stumble across a discarded one at a junkyard. But this new find is full of surprises.
When they power the drone up, it starts talking! And it's fast. Really fast. They could win big prizes in the racing leagues. Trouble is, someone wants their incredible drone back, and they'll stop at nothing to get it.
How can three kids protect their new friend?
Carson and his friends love racing drones, and they can't believe their luck when they stumble across a discarded one at a junkyard. But this new find is full of surprises.
When they power the drone up, it starts talking! And it's fast. Really fast. They could win big prizes in the racing leagues. Trouble is, someone wants their incredible drone back, and they'll stop at nothing to get it.
How can three kids protect their new friend?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Andy Briggs
82 books63 followersAndy is a screenwriter, graphic novelist, author and conservationist – writing on movie projects such as “JUDGE DREDD” and “FREDDY VS JASON” and “FOREVERMAN” for Paramount Pictures, Spiderman creator Stan Lee and legendary producer Robert Evans. He has worked on TV projects for Syfy, Netflix, ITV and Amazon and is working extensively between the UK, US and China.
Andy went on to work on Warner Bros.’ animated “AQUAMAN” – while at the same time landing an eight-book deal with Oxford University Press for “HERO.COM” and “VILLAIN.NET”. His comics and graphic novels include MADISON DARK, RITUAL and DINOCORPS.
He wrote and Executively Produced the UK/Chinese movie – LEGENDARY – starring Scott Adkins and Dolph Lungdren. In 2018 his latest movie, CROWHURST (directed by Simon Rumley, Dist. Studio Canal),was released this year to critical acclaim. SUPERVIZED (directed by Steve Barron, starring Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges )was released in 2019. In 2020 his latest theatric drama-documentary, THE BASTARD KING was release in France to huge critical acclaim.
He has rebooted the classic character TARZAN, with a series of contemporary books TARZAN: THE GREYSTOKE LEGACY, TARZAN: THE JUNGLE WARRIOR and TARZAN: THE SAVAGE LANDS. His latest series of middle grade novels – THE INVENTORY – and DRONE RACER – are published by Scholastic. 2019 saw his debut novel for adults, CTRL+S, published by Orion.
His latest venture, The Shingle Media, is a new production company that will make theatre, TV and film, and it already has an exciting slate of projects…
Andy went on to work on Warner Bros.’ animated “AQUAMAN” – while at the same time landing an eight-book deal with Oxford University Press for “HERO.COM” and “VILLAIN.NET”. His comics and graphic novels include MADISON DARK, RITUAL and DINOCORPS.
He wrote and Executively Produced the UK/Chinese movie – LEGENDARY – starring Scott Adkins and Dolph Lungdren. In 2018 his latest movie, CROWHURST (directed by Simon Rumley, Dist. Studio Canal),was released this year to critical acclaim. SUPERVIZED (directed by Steve Barron, starring Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges )was released in 2019. In 2020 his latest theatric drama-documentary, THE BASTARD KING was release in France to huge critical acclaim.
He has rebooted the classic character TARZAN, with a series of contemporary books TARZAN: THE GREYSTOKE LEGACY, TARZAN: THE JUNGLE WARRIOR and TARZAN: THE SAVAGE LANDS. His latest series of middle grade novels – THE INVENTORY – and DRONE RACER – are published by Scholastic. 2019 saw his debut novel for adults, CTRL+S, published by Orion.
His latest venture, The Shingle Media, is a new production company that will make theatre, TV and film, and it already has an exciting slate of projects…
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 2, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Andy Briggs and his MG books. I've previously read his Inventory series which, unsurprisingly, features some pretty amazing technology. It's also no surprise that Andy has turned his writing towards drone racing as it's gaining in popularity, and fast!
Carson and his friends, Trix and Eddie, are known as the Carsonators and are amongst the youngest drone racers in their local league. When their current drone gets smashed up by a fellow competitor it would seem it's all over for them. A trip to the local scrap yard changes all that, when Carson makes an amazing discovery, thanks to a savage dog and a fall into a pile of scrap. What follows is a high adrenaline, blood pumping adventure for the three 12-year-olds as they race their new drone, start winning some races, and make some startling discoveries!
As with all his books, Drone Racer's central theme is about friendship. Carson, Trix (aka Tracy) and Eddie - don't ever call him Edward - are best friends with a shared love of drone racing. Carson is the pilot, Trix is the engineer and Eddie is the tech advisor, look-out and anything else that might need doing type. Together they work as a team to win races, earn some money, discover just who is breaking into competitor's houses, and start to notice that there seems to be an awful lot of security around for a local drone racing league.
Carson is not only drone racing though. He is also dealing with the death of his mother, and his fractured relationship with his father. Like most children, he naively assumes that his father is pulling away because he blames Carson in some way. Naturally, this is not the case, and Andy deals extremely sensitively with the issues of grief and trying to move on after losing a parent.
With some wonderful friendships and furious fast-paced writing, Drone Racer is a great MG adventure with action spanning two continents, a blackmailing but bewildered older sister and some seriously death-defying stunts. It's easy to picture the action that takes place thanks to Andy's screenwriting experience, and I think Drone Racer would make an amazing children's movie or even a television series. It's a page-turner that you'll be hard-pushed to put down unless you're forced to and although it's not completely obvious from the ending whether there are more adventures for the Carsonators to come I would definitely read more adventures in drone racing.
Carson and his friends, Trix and Eddie, are known as the Carsonators and are amongst the youngest drone racers in their local league. When their current drone gets smashed up by a fellow competitor it would seem it's all over for them. A trip to the local scrap yard changes all that, when Carson makes an amazing discovery, thanks to a savage dog and a fall into a pile of scrap. What follows is a high adrenaline, blood pumping adventure for the three 12-year-olds as they race their new drone, start winning some races, and make some startling discoveries!
As with all his books, Drone Racer's central theme is about friendship. Carson, Trix (aka Tracy) and Eddie - don't ever call him Edward - are best friends with a shared love of drone racing. Carson is the pilot, Trix is the engineer and Eddie is the tech advisor, look-out and anything else that might need doing type. Together they work as a team to win races, earn some money, discover just who is breaking into competitor's houses, and start to notice that there seems to be an awful lot of security around for a local drone racing league.
Carson is not only drone racing though. He is also dealing with the death of his mother, and his fractured relationship with his father. Like most children, he naively assumes that his father is pulling away because he blames Carson in some way. Naturally, this is not the case, and Andy deals extremely sensitively with the issues of grief and trying to move on after losing a parent.
With some wonderful friendships and furious fast-paced writing, Drone Racer is a great MG adventure with action spanning two continents, a blackmailing but bewildered older sister and some seriously death-defying stunts. It's easy to picture the action that takes place thanks to Andy's screenwriting experience, and I think Drone Racer would make an amazing children's movie or even a television series. It's a page-turner that you'll be hard-pushed to put down unless you're forced to and although it's not completely obvious from the ending whether there are more adventures for the Carsonators to come I would definitely read more adventures in drone racing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2019
Considering this is completely not my kind of book, I really enjoyed this. I thought the story was quite sweet, the characters were very easy to like, especially Vanta.
I think the level of writing keeps it quite accessible for most middle grade readers, even with the advanced technology of the drones, I think most kids would be able to understand it.
Drone Racer is about The 'Carsonators' who are a young drone racing team on the verge of bankruptcy after losing several drone races, Carson is the pilot, Trix is the engineer and Eddie is the manager. Carson crashes their last drone in the first pages, just as Vanta is being introduced to a military by her creator as a peacekeeping technology. Sadly, it doesn't go to plan.
Carson, digging through the junk yard to find spare parts comes across a runaway Vanta, and together they take the UK drone racing scene by storm. Vanta's high spec tech coupled with Carson's piloting abilities mean they find themselves in a world championship, which means getting noticed by people Vanta doesn't want to be found by.
This story tests the kids' friendship and abilities whilst a bond between them and Vanta develops, it's a sweet and endearing story that would appeal to all kids I think.
I think the level of writing keeps it quite accessible for most middle grade readers, even with the advanced technology of the drones, I think most kids would be able to understand it.
Drone Racer is about The 'Carsonators' who are a young drone racing team on the verge of bankruptcy after losing several drone races, Carson is the pilot, Trix is the engineer and Eddie is the manager. Carson crashes their last drone in the first pages, just as Vanta is being introduced to a military by her creator as a peacekeeping technology. Sadly, it doesn't go to plan.
Carson, digging through the junk yard to find spare parts comes across a runaway Vanta, and together they take the UK drone racing scene by storm. Vanta's high spec tech coupled with Carson's piloting abilities mean they find themselves in a world championship, which means getting noticed by people Vanta doesn't want to be found by.
This story tests the kids' friendship and abilities whilst a bond between them and Vanta develops, it's a sweet and endearing story that would appeal to all kids I think.
October 12, 2018
This was a fast paced action packed novel for middle grade readers centering around drone racing. I really love a book that makes you want to continuing reading the next chapter. It contains elements of sci fi and secret government agency bad guys, but also touched nicely on family relationships and friendships, and being part of a team.
I feel that this book is ever so slightly aimed more towards the boys, just from the book cover and the content, but is definitely not a boys only read. Girls will love this too.
I feel that this book is ever so slightly aimed more towards the boys, just from the book cover and the content, but is definitely not a boys only read. Girls will love this too.
July 16, 2019
Drone Racer is a very exciting book by a very talented author - Andy Briggs. It is an extremely eventful novel that has many twists and turns that will keep you reading for hours without end.
The book is quite a quick read: I finished it within two days of almost constant reading. This is because of its riveting story and amazing character development.
I would recommend this book for children and those with bright imaginations, as its ambiguous ending leaves you envisioning numerous possibilities - creating a whole new adventure inside your head.
The book is quite a quick read: I finished it within two days of almost constant reading. This is because of its riveting story and amazing character development.
I would recommend this book for children and those with bright imaginations, as its ambiguous ending leaves you envisioning numerous possibilities - creating a whole new adventure inside your head.
March 18, 2020
My son asked me to read this as it is "the best book he has ever read". I was not disappointed.
It is enjoyable, with a fast paced plot and likable characters. The author does a good job during the races, it can't be easy to write a ten lap race and make it exciting but it works. It's a bit "short circuit meets robot wars", but that's not as a criticism.
4 stars as although it was a fun book, I wouldn't reread although I would happily read more from this author.
It is enjoyable, with a fast paced plot and likable characters. The author does a good job during the races, it can't be easy to write a ten lap race and make it exciting but it works. It's a bit "short circuit meets robot wars", but that's not as a criticism.
4 stars as although it was a fun book, I wouldn't reread although I would happily read more from this author.
January 4, 2020
Really excited read but in tears by the end, only because it was a drone!
January 2, 2022
Drone racing, friends, surprising opportunities and running from undercover government and powerful organisations. What more could you wish for in an action book?
I feel that in this book, Andy Briggs has really developed an understanding of friendship between characters and working together for an end goal.
It has a good satisfyingly complicated plot, but just like in the inventory series, I felt like characters were not developed enough as individuals (and were instead treated as one unit).
This may be because I am mostly a long series reader, and therefore characters are more defined as their own complicated personalities
I feel that in this book, Andy Briggs has really developed an understanding of friendship between characters and working together for an end goal.
It has a good satisfyingly complicated plot, but just like in the inventory series, I felt like characters were not developed enough as individuals (and were instead treated as one unit).
This may be because I am mostly a long series reader, and therefore characters are more defined as their own complicated personalities
January 11, 2019
Not read such a vibrant, fast-paced action book for ages. Authors tend to shy away from tech as it gives a book a short shelf life. This book has a sense of immediacy. AI, drones...its like Robot Wars meets Ready Player One.
November 30, 2020
Great young persons book
October 15, 2024
4.5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews