The Fuzzy Apocalypse

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian #1

by Jonathan Messinger, Aleksei Bitskoff (Illustrator)

Explorer Troop 301 tries to save an exploding planet from a fluffy bunny and a devious alien.

Eight-year-old Finn is the first kid born in space and he spends his days looking for a new planet to call home with his three best friends and his robot, Foggy.

He’s used to wild, galaxy hopping adventures. But when Explorer Troop 301 gets stuck on a planet that’s about to explode, Finn and his friends will have to face giant aliens, a leader with mind control powers, and one evil, fluffy bunny rabbit in order to save the planet . . . and themselves.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2020

About the author

Co-publisher of Featherproof Books, books editor of Time Out Chicago, founder of The Dollar Store Show, Boston native, Chicago dweller. Don't trust anyone with more friends than books.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a Middle Grade, and this is the first book in the Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian series. I found this book ok, but I did not see the point of this book. The audiobook was ok, but not great. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (HarperCollins) or author (Jonathan Messinger) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Blake the Book Eater · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kid I babysit loves this book.

I thought it was fine.

I know it’s a kid’s book but I really felt like it relied on the reader already having listened to the podcast it was based on, because it did like no character introductions and expected the reader to just KNOW. The story itself was fun and silly and the kid loved it but I think there’s much better kid’s content out there.

[Gabriel (Gabriels_universe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy! The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian #1 is the first book of this series which is based off a podcast. I have not listen to this podcast but after reading this book I definitely will! Finn Caspian, Foggy, Abagail, Vale and Elias are on a mission to stop the planet from exploding which leads them to some evil aliens. This book was super funny from the start! It had me hooked and cant wait to read more from this series!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been listening to the Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian podcast with my own kids for years ,and I was THRILLED to see that books are finally being made from these stories. Thank you Net Galley for the digital copy. I loved the new adventure that was written for Finn and his friends in this first book. I turned to my husband at one point and commented on how the humor/silliness from the podcast resonated in the book. Loved it! I cannot wait to share these with my students. I have already introduced some of my first grade students to the podcast and they enjoyed Finn's story. It is not always easy for them to access podcasts as I work in a Title I school so I am excited that they will be able to engage with these awesome characters in book form. These will definitely be on my school library's shelves the moment they come out!

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently this is based on a podcast. I don’t know if the podcast explains everything or what, but I feel like I was missing a lot from this book.

How old are these kids? If they get a robot on their 8th birthday, and only one of them has a robot, are they all 7-8 years old? And their parents send them to investigate planets?

The ending was also confusing because the parents seemed to know where the bunnies were and who Doug was without the kids explaining. The whole book was like that, where I thought I had maybe missed reading a page, but I hadn’t.

Oh well. Maybe kids would still like it. I feel like there are not a lot of sci-fi beginning chapters books.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh - it was fine. I had to check to make sure it was actually the first in the series because I felt like it started with the assumption that I already knew the characters and setting. Might be better for kids who listen to the podcast. Short and to the point. Probably a good choice for action loving kids who are moving out of readers but aren't quite ready for full length novels. Best for grades 2-3.

[Lindsay Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! I've never listened to the podcast this is based on, but I love the concept. I wish the beginning had a little more context, as it jumps into the action pretty immediately...but I imagine that's totally fine if you've listened to the podcasts and are familiar with the characters. Overall- funny, fast action, and cute illustrations. I definitely have some kids who will enjoy this!

[Shannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my 2nd grader and it is every bit as enjoyable as the podcast from which it originated (though this book is original and not one of the podcast episodes). We read the paperback edition but I’m sure the audio version is wonderful. Very well done and enjoyable for kids with a lot for adults if reading along to appreciate as well.

[Dest · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was completely distracted by one detail that I read in a review of this book. It's that Finn says everyone gets a robot on their eighth birthday. He's the only one with a robot, so does that mean that everyone else in his group is seven years old?! That is, the group of children that's sent to scout planets without adult supervision? Just wild.

[Geeket · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves the podcast so this was a win from him. He loved it. Thought it was engaging and funny. We are so excited about this series. It’s wonderful when you fond books your child wants to read.

[Marta-Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four friends and a robot learn what it means to be a team as they explore an uncharted planet meeting aliens and a white fluffy bunny along the way. Fun early chapter book for grades 1-3. Recommend to fans of funny stories, adventure stories, aliens, or Captain Underpants.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book to rate, as I am not the intended audience (as was the case with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid). Yet the adventure along with the goofiness will have broad appeal for 3rd and 4th graders. One description calls this podcast-based series "Scooby Doo in space", which sounds about right.

[Mike & Brittni Holverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children love the podcast this book series is based off of, so exploring this written series was a given. The story was good and held the attentions of all who listened. While the spirit of the podcast was definitely present, and the illustrations provided a new dynamic to the already-established characters my kids have come to love, the book just didn’t quite land on the enjoyment/excitement scale of the audio format. I do wonder how this book would be perceived by one unfamiliar with the podcast, but my bias contributes greatly in my overall review. - M

This book was read aloud to children ages 5 and 7. They did not find it difficult to follow.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can think of plenty of kids who'll enjoy this, think it'll appeal to those who've outgrown fly guy.

I'm still really annoyed at the whole look yet another story with ONE female character.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Dog Man or Captain Underpants!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty silly, but I think kids will enjoy it.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son has been listening to the Finn Caspian podcast for over half his life at this point and so we were pretty excited to read the first book. It definitely held his interest since he's so familiar with the characters at this point.

[Jill CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

My students will enjoy this Sci-Fi adventure story. I found the writing random, but I know they will enjoy it. Grades 2 -4

[Sybra Dacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read aloud. My 6 year old loved it!

[Willa]

Hi! This is based on one of my favorite podcasts, "The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian".

P.S:Has anybody heard of this?

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

C. fiction, children's fiction, grade 2; humor, science fiction, space, astronaut children, silly; series (Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian, #1)

[OjoAusana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* cute and funny, space themed kids book love the idea of fin and im sure the other books in this series are just as good!

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful rump in space with some kids that are trained to explore space. It was fun and exciting.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Not bad, not great. A little funny.

[Lydia Gunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like my nephews would like this. 😄

[Jennybeast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty goofy. I liked the evil bunny, and the subtext of colonialism. There were an awful lot of casual planet explosions, but it it did seem necessary to the plot line.