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Daniel X #2
Daniel X: Watch the Skies
Daniel Watch the Skies [Hardcover] Patterson, James
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
228 people are currently reading
5119 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 429 reviews
June 2, 2012
Watch the Skies Daniel X by James Patterson and Ned Rust is the second book in the Daniel X series. My son Nick and I read it together becaue we both loved Daniel X so much in the first book.
This time Daniel X is fighting a new alien from The List, Number 5. This alien is filming a reality tv show on Earth to entertain his home planet. His minions are torturing humans by making them do silly stunts and then killing them for the tv show. The aliens in the audience love the tv show, and Alien 5 is sure they will get incredible ratings back home. The aliens are spreading the love by impregnating the women of the town who ate the free sardine samples they found in their mailboxes. Daniel X has to figure out how to help the pregnant women in his town and stop Alien #5 before he becomes the headline act of the new reality show.
I liked this book almost as much as the first one, but Nick was disappointed in the new alien. He felt that Alien Number 5 wasn't as developed as Seth was in the first book. He also felt that Daniel wasn't as funny as he had been in the original novel. Although he didn't like it as much as the original book, he still liked it a lot.
This book has short chapters which added to the excitement of the book. You feel like you are rushing headlong into every experience Daniel experiences. Daniel has a sarcastic sense of humor that had both of us giggling nearly every night we read. It is a quick read and one that you don't want to stop reading. I recommend this book for reluctant readers, especially boys.
This time Daniel X is fighting a new alien from The List, Number 5. This alien is filming a reality tv show on Earth to entertain his home planet. His minions are torturing humans by making them do silly stunts and then killing them for the tv show. The aliens in the audience love the tv show, and Alien 5 is sure they will get incredible ratings back home. The aliens are spreading the love by impregnating the women of the town who ate the free sardine samples they found in their mailboxes. Daniel X has to figure out how to help the pregnant women in his town and stop Alien #5 before he becomes the headline act of the new reality show.
I liked this book almost as much as the first one, but Nick was disappointed in the new alien. He felt that Alien Number 5 wasn't as developed as Seth was in the first book. He also felt that Daniel wasn't as funny as he had been in the original novel. Although he didn't like it as much as the original book, he still liked it a lot.
This book has short chapters which added to the excitement of the book. You feel like you are rushing headlong into every experience Daniel experiences. Daniel has a sarcastic sense of humor that had both of us giggling nearly every night we read. It is a quick read and one that you don't want to stop reading. I recommend this book for reluctant readers, especially boys.
July 30, 2009
After absolutely hating the first Daniel X book, I'm really not sure why I even picked this up. I guess I was holding out hope that it might be a little better (it would be hard for it to be worse...). Besides, Patterson changed collaborators this time around, so there was a CHANCE it would be different. And they are such fast reads that it wouldn't take THAT much time out of my life even if it really did suck.
All that said, it was okay - maybe just a bit better than the first book. The problem I had with it is less in writing style, and more with the actual premise. He can basically do whatever he wants just by imagining it - including hanging out with his deceased parents, and a whole posse of imaginary friends. What gets me is, these imaginary people can apparently affect reality, because he can summon them, have them build something, and then be using it later when they're not around (i.e. they are creating something with a physical form). Daniel can come up with whatever weapons he wants, etc., and yet he still has a tough time with these alien battles. I guess I just think the premise is ridiculous.
On top of that - what the HECK kind of Alien Hunter goes on a date when there is a nasty alien killing people by the...well, by the tens at least, all around him? I feel that when the bodies are piling up (well, this is inaccurate as they are puddles of goo) like they were in this situation, the one person with any hope of stopping it should NOT BE GOING ON A DATE.
Whatever, Daniel X. Who knows if I'll be sticking around to see what you do in book 3.
All that said, it was okay - maybe just a bit better than the first book. The problem I had with it is less in writing style, and more with the actual premise. He can basically do whatever he wants just by imagining it - including hanging out with his deceased parents, and a whole posse of imaginary friends. What gets me is, these imaginary people can apparently affect reality, because he can summon them, have them build something, and then be using it later when they're not around (i.e. they are creating something with a physical form). Daniel can come up with whatever weapons he wants, etc., and yet he still has a tough time with these alien battles. I guess I just think the premise is ridiculous.
On top of that - what the HECK kind of Alien Hunter goes on a date when there is a nasty alien killing people by the...well, by the tens at least, all around him? I feel that when the bodies are piling up (well, this is inaccurate as they are puddles of goo) like they were in this situation, the one person with any hope of stopping it should NOT BE GOING ON A DATE.
Whatever, Daniel X. Who knows if I'll be sticking around to see what you do in book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
As always Milo Ventimiglia's narrating is a 10 out of 1o!
September 14, 2020
As always, James's writing continues to flow out off of the pages, crafting an endless wide world of adventure, fun, excitement, and thrill. Continuing my rant about the disgustingness of #5's plan...
Evil alien using and mind controlling women to carry baby egg duplicates of himself so that he can take over the world, turns out to be a computer system that took over a catfish's body, turning it into an alien who can travel through devices, anything more twisted than that? Even though it's really gross to imagine all of the disgusting evil aliens, I still love this series and can't wait to start the next book!
Evil alien using and mind controlling women to carry baby egg duplicates of himself so that he can take over the world, turns out to be a computer system that took over a catfish's body, turning it into an alien who can travel through devices, anything more twisted than that? Even though it's really gross to imagine all of the disgusting evil aliens, I still love this series and can't wait to start the next book!
June 7, 2011
I paid $19.99 for the hardback (published by Hachette Book Group), a sum the average teen would be hard-pressed to part with for a book that didn’t also slide neatly into the slot of his Wii.
As a woman squarely in middle-age (depending on how you calculate my potential life-span), I am clearly not the target audience for this testosterone-fueled romp, but I liked it nonetheless. Each short chapter ended in a mini-cliffhanger that kept me turning the page, much like a snowball rolling down a steep slope, picking up whatever is in its path and flinging bits of detritus to the wind.
If I were a teenaged boy, I’d eat this stuff up, assuming my usual diet was filled with stomach-turning descriptions of slimy aliens and the nasty ways they kill and devour people. It almost felt like I was reading the script for a television show on Nickelodeon, you know, except for the graphic violence. Although, given the average Spongebob episode, even the violence isn’t that bad—for a teen thoroughly inured to it, as I suspect most these days are.
This is the second in the Daniel X series (I haven’t read the first). [Plot summary/spoilers ahead!] I had a hard time pegging the exact target-age the authors were going for, especially after the huge, blobby fish-alien antagonist has impregnated all the unfortunate women in a small American town with its wriggling tadpoles. It’s meant to be horrific in a humorous way, and it is. Only—as the mother of a young boy who is an advanced reader—the objectification of these zombified pregnant gals gave me a twinge of concern if the reader happened to be, say, a fifth-grader who isn’t even clear on how babies are made. I’m not here to start a debate on what’s appropriate in a young adult novel. In this book, people are forced to carry alien progeny, and people die hideously; it’s all in good fun.
As I continued reading, I found myself wondering: if Daniel has the imaginary power to point his finger with his thumb cocked like a gun and blow a hole a mile deep into the ground, turn himself into a mosquito, or teleport himself away from danger, where’s the room for a plot to even develop? He should be able to breeze in and out, enemies smoking in a burnt-out crater behind him—but no. Daniel wants to know what the bad guys are up to, and his snooping ways let the creepy-crawlies get the jump on him. This allows for moments in the storyline where the reader is *almost* tense at the outcome (if I’m a thirteen year old boy, then I probably *am* tense). Will Daniel succeed? Will his imaginary friends get hurt or killed, and if they do, how long until he simply brings them back to “life?” The story is told in first-person point of view in Daniel’s voice, and I kind of felt like he wasn’t being honest with the reader. He’s got the power to do virtually anything with his mind. He’s young and his powers are just developing, but does he know he’s going to win; is he just playing with the bad guys like a cat toys with a cricket? Of course, his parents were killed by the topmost baddie on the most-wanted aliens list when Daniel was three, but we don’t know (maybe the first book answers this question) if his parents had the same powers as he does. If so, then Daniel’s mom-and-dad-slaying nemesis would have to be invincible indeed, and the reader can assume Daniel and this super-villain will definitely clash in a sequel near you.
Sprinkled throughout the narrative are some not-so-hidden messages for the reader, as if the authors couldn’t resist tossing in a few political opinions about our broken school systems (what better platform than a bunch of pre-voting adolescents?) These messages are not preachy; on the contrary, they are quite amusing, like when Daniel’s imagined mother provides the school with sarcastic lists of why he’ll be absent on successive days (“Dr. I. M. Trubbell is assessing the state of his bureaucratic mumbo jumbo allergy.”)
All-in-all, Daniel X qualifies as a “good” read in my book, but it’s probably an “awesome” read to its target audience, red-blooded teenage boys who’d like nothing better than to be like Daniel; whipping out the biggest gun, smearing alien guts all over the place, getting the coolest, prettiest girl—anything he imagines.
[Review originally posted to Booksquawk]
As a woman squarely in middle-age (depending on how you calculate my potential life-span), I am clearly not the target audience for this testosterone-fueled romp, but I liked it nonetheless. Each short chapter ended in a mini-cliffhanger that kept me turning the page, much like a snowball rolling down a steep slope, picking up whatever is in its path and flinging bits of detritus to the wind.
If I were a teenaged boy, I’d eat this stuff up, assuming my usual diet was filled with stomach-turning descriptions of slimy aliens and the nasty ways they kill and devour people. It almost felt like I was reading the script for a television show on Nickelodeon, you know, except for the graphic violence. Although, given the average Spongebob episode, even the violence isn’t that bad—for a teen thoroughly inured to it, as I suspect most these days are.
This is the second in the Daniel X series (I haven’t read the first). [Plot summary/spoilers ahead!] I had a hard time pegging the exact target-age the authors were going for, especially after the huge, blobby fish-alien antagonist has impregnated all the unfortunate women in a small American town with its wriggling tadpoles. It’s meant to be horrific in a humorous way, and it is. Only—as the mother of a young boy who is an advanced reader—the objectification of these zombified pregnant gals gave me a twinge of concern if the reader happened to be, say, a fifth-grader who isn’t even clear on how babies are made. I’m not here to start a debate on what’s appropriate in a young adult novel. In this book, people are forced to carry alien progeny, and people die hideously; it’s all in good fun.
As I continued reading, I found myself wondering: if Daniel has the imaginary power to point his finger with his thumb cocked like a gun and blow a hole a mile deep into the ground, turn himself into a mosquito, or teleport himself away from danger, where’s the room for a plot to even develop? He should be able to breeze in and out, enemies smoking in a burnt-out crater behind him—but no. Daniel wants to know what the bad guys are up to, and his snooping ways let the creepy-crawlies get the jump on him. This allows for moments in the storyline where the reader is *almost* tense at the outcome (if I’m a thirteen year old boy, then I probably *am* tense). Will Daniel succeed? Will his imaginary friends get hurt or killed, and if they do, how long until he simply brings them back to “life?” The story is told in first-person point of view in Daniel’s voice, and I kind of felt like he wasn’t being honest with the reader. He’s got the power to do virtually anything with his mind. He’s young and his powers are just developing, but does he know he’s going to win; is he just playing with the bad guys like a cat toys with a cricket? Of course, his parents were killed by the topmost baddie on the most-wanted aliens list when Daniel was three, but we don’t know (maybe the first book answers this question) if his parents had the same powers as he does. If so, then Daniel’s mom-and-dad-slaying nemesis would have to be invincible indeed, and the reader can assume Daniel and this super-villain will definitely clash in a sequel near you.
Sprinkled throughout the narrative are some not-so-hidden messages for the reader, as if the authors couldn’t resist tossing in a few political opinions about our broken school systems (what better platform than a bunch of pre-voting adolescents?) These messages are not preachy; on the contrary, they are quite amusing, like when Daniel’s imagined mother provides the school with sarcastic lists of why he’ll be absent on successive days (“Dr. I. M. Trubbell is assessing the state of his bureaucratic mumbo jumbo allergy.”)
All-in-all, Daniel X qualifies as a “good” read in my book, but it’s probably an “awesome” read to its target audience, red-blooded teenage boys who’d like nothing better than to be like Daniel; whipping out the biggest gun, smearing alien guts all over the place, getting the coolest, prettiest girl—anything he imagines.
[Review originally posted to Booksquawk]
September 30, 2013
"Daniel X: watch the skies" is a compelling read of an alien boy who now lives on Earth. This is the story of a sixteen year old alien hunter named Daniel who must fight the fifth most powerful outlawed alien on Earth using his unusual powers i can't really explain because of its wide variety of abilities. But in his quest he must protect his friends, family, but most of all Earth and everything we know on it.
The setting of this book is beautifully written. Daniel lives in a nice pent house in Hollywood,California with no one but himself. This boy's house is where he trains himself,works on tech, and lives. But there's more than meets the eye with this house its also a fortress to protect himself from aliens that might have a problem with him.
The plot of this story was intricately made. As a three year old boy his alien hunter parents were slaughtered by Number One the most powerful alien on Earth a.k.a The Predator for something he was trying to steal called The List. His parents had had and which he now has The List ( a list of all the outlawed aliens on Earth that stays updating all the time). The List is a thing all outlawed aliens would die to get there hands on. But they had hidden it to well. Fortunately Daniel also hid well or he would have been killed by The Predator without a second thought. Now that Daniel's older he's jumping around the list from alien to alien killing which ever one is closest to him until he's strong enough to get his revenge on the Predator.
This is a great book of fantasy, fiction, and adventure. Any young adult who loves action will love "Daniel X: watch the skies". This book will leave you on the edge of your seat. Even with all of Daniel's amazing powers will he be able to destroy the evil Number Five.
The setting of this book is beautifully written. Daniel lives in a nice pent house in Hollywood,California with no one but himself. This boy's house is where he trains himself,works on tech, and lives. But there's more than meets the eye with this house its also a fortress to protect himself from aliens that might have a problem with him.
The plot of this story was intricately made. As a three year old boy his alien hunter parents were slaughtered by Number One the most powerful alien on Earth a.k.a The Predator for something he was trying to steal called The List. His parents had had and which he now has The List ( a list of all the outlawed aliens on Earth that stays updating all the time). The List is a thing all outlawed aliens would die to get there hands on. But they had hidden it to well. Fortunately Daniel also hid well or he would have been killed by The Predator without a second thought. Now that Daniel's older he's jumping around the list from alien to alien killing which ever one is closest to him until he's strong enough to get his revenge on the Predator.
This is a great book of fantasy, fiction, and adventure. Any young adult who loves action will love "Daniel X: watch the skies". This book will leave you on the edge of your seat. Even with all of Daniel's amazing powers will he be able to destroy the evil Number Five.
January 25, 2018
The book Daniel x Watch the Skies is about a teen named Daniel who is an alien hunter who hunts done intergalactic alien that threaten to destroy Earth. In this book Daniel goes up against an intergalactic entertainer that has his own TV show of destroying and taking over worlds. The thing that I like about the book is the way Daniel acts thought the book. The way that he acts is relatable to me he is sarcastic and he always finds a way to make any situation funny and enjoyable. The only thing that I disliked about the book is that there was not interplanetary travel because that was one of my favorite parts of the first book. Overall I would recommend the book to anyone who loves SI-FI and and enjoys a good laugh every once and a while.
February 17, 2020
i really like how in the story James had incorperated the near death of the characters, it really grabbed my attention and made me feel more intrested in the story line. I also like how in the first book, at the end, James had put a preview of the third book. i liked it because when i got the tird book (15 mins or so after finishing this book) i could perfectly find where i had left off. I dont like how in the third and 4th book it goes back up the list rather than following the path down to the prayer. i think it makes the books more interseting but i dont like it only because now it is out of order.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2018
I loved this book better than #1. I felt the whole situation with number 5 impregnating all the females in the town with alien babies was a massive plot point that really drove the story. The fact that he did it so easily by getting them to eat caviar meant that his population would increase rapidly so quickly therefore take over the town/ world was pretty cool. I also liked the romance with Judy, but was so bummed at the end when he erased her mind so he could leave without hurting her! Onto book 3!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2019
Daniel X is a good alien on a mission of protection. Does he succeed? I definitely am a bit older than the target audience for this book. While some YA are just as appealing to an older reader, this is not one of them. The writing was good, and it was a quick read, but I will leave the rest of this series to the targeted audience.
July 26, 2024
Milo Ventmillio did an amazing job reading this audio book.
There was a lot of creative action in this book. I like this series a lot.
There was a lot of creative action in this book. I like this series a lot.
November 28, 2012
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Daniel is the coolest alien out there! Don't take my word for it...pick up DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES and find out for yourself.
This is the second installment in James Patterson's science fiction series aimed at the younger reader.
This time, Daniel is determined to take on number 5 on The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma. Daniel's father was the keeper of the list, but was murdered when Daniel was very young. He's determined to carry on in his parents' footsteps and become the best Alien Hunter out there.
Number 5 on the list is a horrible creature that has begun to brainwash humans into starring in his intergalactic TV show. After they serve their purpose, Number 5's henchbeasts liquefy the humans and eat them. (I know, lovely, right?) Number 5's actions are actually carried out by Number 21 on the list. So Daniel has his work cut out for him.
Daniel has many amazing abilities; the coolest is being able to materialize friends and his dead family to assist him. It takes all their help and all his cunning to devise a way to beat both Number 21 and Number 5.
DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES can be a bit gory at times in the descriptions used. But the story is definitely aimed at boys, and the guts and gore in the story will definitely appeal to the intended readers. With short, quick chapters (two or three pages are the norm), the book flies by with page-turning speed. The action is consistent and continually builds until the final battle Daniel faces with Number 5.
DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES is actually a refreshing change from Mr. Patterson's usual murder mystery genre. He does a wonderful job handling science fiction and creating a likeable boy that all the humans on earth can cheer for.
Daniel is the coolest alien out there! Don't take my word for it...pick up DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES and find out for yourself.
This is the second installment in James Patterson's science fiction series aimed at the younger reader.
This time, Daniel is determined to take on number 5 on The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma. Daniel's father was the keeper of the list, but was murdered when Daniel was very young. He's determined to carry on in his parents' footsteps and become the best Alien Hunter out there.
Number 5 on the list is a horrible creature that has begun to brainwash humans into starring in his intergalactic TV show. After they serve their purpose, Number 5's henchbeasts liquefy the humans and eat them. (I know, lovely, right?) Number 5's actions are actually carried out by Number 21 on the list. So Daniel has his work cut out for him.
Daniel has many amazing abilities; the coolest is being able to materialize friends and his dead family to assist him. It takes all their help and all his cunning to devise a way to beat both Number 21 and Number 5.
DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES can be a bit gory at times in the descriptions used. But the story is definitely aimed at boys, and the guts and gore in the story will definitely appeal to the intended readers. With short, quick chapters (two or three pages are the norm), the book flies by with page-turning speed. The action is consistent and continually builds until the final battle Daniel faces with Number 5.
DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES is actually a refreshing change from Mr. Patterson's usual murder mystery genre. He does a wonderful job handling science fiction and creating a likeable boy that all the humans on earth can cheer for.
July 31, 2009
I loved the first Daniel X book and I was eagerly awaiting the newest one. So I was thrilled to receive this as a review copy from Miriam Parker at Hachette books.
The second installment doesn't disappoint, it has Daniel back facing 2 new nemesis aliens from The List. I love his secondary characters who are from his imagination. His interaction with them is fascinating. This book also brings in interaction with a new real character and possible love interest. This added a new dimension to the book.
The background happenings and the reason Daniel is after 2 aliens on the list makes and interesting story line and it catches your attention and you don't want to put the book down.
It's a quick, fun read and I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. These books are rocket science, they really don't require much thought, just time to read for genuine enjoyment.
The second installment doesn't disappoint, it has Daniel back facing 2 new nemesis aliens from The List. I love his secondary characters who are from his imagination. His interaction with them is fascinating. This book also brings in interaction with a new real character and possible love interest. This added a new dimension to the book.
The background happenings and the reason Daniel is after 2 aliens on the list makes and interesting story line and it catches your attention and you don't want to put the book down.
It's a quick, fun read and I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. These books are rocket science, they really don't require much thought, just time to read for genuine enjoyment.
April 29, 2018
Link to blog: https://thatreadhead1.wordpress.com/2...
I have to say Number 5 was incredible sneaky with his plan to take over the world! The caviar was a rather good idea, I have to say.
I would feel seriously unnerved if I found out that he'd been watching basically my whole life. Super paranoid!
Once again, I really liked the friendship dynamic of this, but I think I appreciated the romantic side more (for once). I just disagree with Daniel and Dana.
I love the way he just materializes his parents without even thinking about it.
And Lucky was such a cute addition to the story!
The short chapters really help me to fly through :D Got this book read in an hour and a half, thanks to reading along with my 3x audio. It was my second-last book in the readathon.
I have to say Number 5 was incredible sneaky with his plan to take over the world! The caviar was a rather good idea, I have to say.
I would feel seriously unnerved if I found out that he'd been watching basically my whole life. Super paranoid!
Once again, I really liked the friendship dynamic of this, but I think I appreciated the romantic side more (for once). I just disagree with Daniel and Dana.
I love the way he just materializes his parents without even thinking about it.
And Lucky was such a cute addition to the story!
The short chapters really help me to fly through :D Got this book read in an hour and a half, thanks to reading along with my 3x audio. It was my second-last book in the readathon.
November 9, 2010
The second Daniel X book follows the first in being a YA book and almost a graphic novel without the graphics. Very simplistic, quick moving plot easily read and dismissed. Recommended only for the intended audience. YAs who aren't into more meaty and thoughtful fare.
January 8, 2012
24th - 2011
Waktu kecil, karena aku tinggal di Jl. Holis Bandung, aku sering menuliskan alamat Holiswood di halaman buku-bukuku. Eh, setting cerita di buku Daniel X yang ini namanya Holliswood.
Itu saja.
Waktu kecil, karena aku tinggal di Jl. Holis Bandung, aku sering menuliskan alamat Holiswood di halaman buku-bukuku. Eh, setting cerita di buku Daniel X yang ini namanya Holliswood.
Itu saja.
April 30, 2018
Terrible almost non-sensical rubbish book the second in a series that is apparently marketed at the teenage area but is just so badly put together it just feels like an idea to make some extra bucks out of that bulging market.
May 20, 2022
In this book, Daniel fights his most dangerous enemy yet.The No. 5 alien on the galaxy’s most wanted list. He is also a film director, who uses humans to perform dance routines and act out scenarios. He uses his cybernetic enhancements to make sure they do what he wants and don't remember him. He then kills the humans while filming for the purpose of broadcasting these shows to other aliens. He calls this “endertainment.”
Daniel follows No. 5 to a town called Holliswood, where he finds a diner that has been destroyed by the No. 5. All that's left behind are the remains of some vaporized police and an unconscious waitress named Judy ”the poor girl was collapsed by a ragdoll on the floor next to the counter”(20).
Daniel helps Judy get up and clean up the diner ”like somebody had pressed the x8 button on my remote”(20). Daniel leaves the diner and enters the local store, where he notices that almost all the women in town are pregnant. He follows several women into another building and finds the alien’s henchmen filming. When Daniel and the aliens start fighting, Daniel is knocked out. But to his surprise, he is not killed and is left to safely recover.
After Daniel uses his power to summon his family and friends who help him investigate No. 5’s activities. He discovers that the local TV station has been sending packages of caviar to all the adult women in Holliswood which is very strange to Daniel “Caviar from the local news station? Well go ahead and chalk up mystery number 112 for me to solve.”(47), so he goes to the television relay station to learn more. On the way Daniel and his friends see that the windows of every house glow with the blue flicker of TV or computer screens. They discover that aliens have taken over the TV station and are using its signal to stream No. 5’s “endertainment”
Daniel returns to the diner to talk to Judy. Once inside, he notices some of No. 5’s henchmen in disguise, so he throws hot coffee on them and runs into the parking lot. The henchmen unleash a creature with the body of a lion and the head of an ant. The creature has been trained to hate Alparians, which happens to be Daniel’s species, so it attacks him. After Daniel turns himself into a giant creature himself, he subdues the ant-lion with a giant spider web and reprograms the creature to hate No. 5’s henchmen instead.
Noticing that the townspeople are staggering toward the farm as they stare at their cell phones or other devices. They follow them which takes them back to the farm No.5 is when Daniel's friends attack No. 5 and his henchmen. Daniel starts fighting No. 5 after he sees him. At first, Daniel and his friends hold their own, but they soon realize that the aliens outnumber them, so Daniel surrenders. No. 5 tells Daniel that his death will entertain trillions of aliens.
Just as Daniel tries to figure out what his next step is, one of his friends, Emma, comes charging in with the ant-lion and a pack of dogs from the animal shelter. During the commotion, Daniel asks No. 5 to show him his father’s necklace, which Daniel joins with his own. Daniel cries, and as No. 5 embraces him, Daniel holds up the silver necklaces and attracts a bolt of lightning, overloading No. 5’s circuits and killing him. With No. 5 dead, and with the help of the dogs and the large ant-lion, Daniel wipes out No. 5’s army. While driving back home from the fight in the aftermath of the fight they make a checklist to make sure the day is well and truly saved.”caviar one hundred percent confiscated, all female residents checked to ensure no alien habitation, and all dogs from holliswood pound safely adopted.”(242)
This book was a lot like the first one in the series other than that Daniel seems a bit more mature in this book to me which makes sense after the things he's gone through. The new characters that are introduced are interesting and I liked the possibilities of a cybernetically enhanced villain. The content of the book is surprisingly graphic at times especially for a book that seems to be targeted at younger audiences. For me, it was not a problem, but I could see a parent taking issue with their child reading that. Overall, I would recommend this book just make sure to read the first installment, first.
Daniel follows No. 5 to a town called Holliswood, where he finds a diner that has been destroyed by the No. 5. All that's left behind are the remains of some vaporized police and an unconscious waitress named Judy ”the poor girl was collapsed by a ragdoll on the floor next to the counter”(20).
Daniel helps Judy get up and clean up the diner ”like somebody had pressed the x8 button on my remote”(20). Daniel leaves the diner and enters the local store, where he notices that almost all the women in town are pregnant. He follows several women into another building and finds the alien’s henchmen filming. When Daniel and the aliens start fighting, Daniel is knocked out. But to his surprise, he is not killed and is left to safely recover.
After Daniel uses his power to summon his family and friends who help him investigate No. 5’s activities. He discovers that the local TV station has been sending packages of caviar to all the adult women in Holliswood which is very strange to Daniel “Caviar from the local news station? Well go ahead and chalk up mystery number 112 for me to solve.”(47), so he goes to the television relay station to learn more. On the way Daniel and his friends see that the windows of every house glow with the blue flicker of TV or computer screens. They discover that aliens have taken over the TV station and are using its signal to stream No. 5’s “endertainment”
Daniel returns to the diner to talk to Judy. Once inside, he notices some of No. 5’s henchmen in disguise, so he throws hot coffee on them and runs into the parking lot. The henchmen unleash a creature with the body of a lion and the head of an ant. The creature has been trained to hate Alparians, which happens to be Daniel’s species, so it attacks him. After Daniel turns himself into a giant creature himself, he subdues the ant-lion with a giant spider web and reprograms the creature to hate No. 5’s henchmen instead.
Noticing that the townspeople are staggering toward the farm as they stare at their cell phones or other devices. They follow them which takes them back to the farm No.5 is when Daniel's friends attack No. 5 and his henchmen. Daniel starts fighting No. 5 after he sees him. At first, Daniel and his friends hold their own, but they soon realize that the aliens outnumber them, so Daniel surrenders. No. 5 tells Daniel that his death will entertain trillions of aliens.
Just as Daniel tries to figure out what his next step is, one of his friends, Emma, comes charging in with the ant-lion and a pack of dogs from the animal shelter. During the commotion, Daniel asks No. 5 to show him his father’s necklace, which Daniel joins with his own. Daniel cries, and as No. 5 embraces him, Daniel holds up the silver necklaces and attracts a bolt of lightning, overloading No. 5’s circuits and killing him. With No. 5 dead, and with the help of the dogs and the large ant-lion, Daniel wipes out No. 5’s army. While driving back home from the fight in the aftermath of the fight they make a checklist to make sure the day is well and truly saved.”caviar one hundred percent confiscated, all female residents checked to ensure no alien habitation, and all dogs from holliswood pound safely adopted.”(242)
This book was a lot like the first one in the series other than that Daniel seems a bit more mature in this book to me which makes sense after the things he's gone through. The new characters that are introduced are interesting and I liked the possibilities of a cybernetically enhanced villain. The content of the book is surprisingly graphic at times especially for a book that seems to be targeted at younger audiences. For me, it was not a problem, but I could see a parent taking issue with their child reading that. Overall, I would recommend this book just make sure to read the first installment, first.
August 29, 2023
This is a goofy (to me) teen Sci-Fi novel about a young teen alien on Earth who has become an Alien Hunter (that is, hunting criminal aliens). Along the way he creates his own family and friends who seem to act real and are solid because he can manipulate matter and reform it, but are actually made from his memory of them or his imagination. There are various jokes scattered throughout the story but not too bad. Unfortunately, every time the hero got into a sticky situation his escape would seem amazingly improbable even for an alien who could transform himself into anything. Each time I would think, "
deus ex machina
", the plot cliché, not the video game, Deus Ex.
I've read three of these novels. There are several more, but I am going to stop. They seem to be variations on a theme. The author kept me interested but not enough. Perhaps teenagers would be more interested.
FYI, I usually read teen and children's novels well into a series because I've discovered that some authors can develop really inappropriate themes for teens and children later in a series. I am looking at you, Scott Westerfeld. "Uglies" was excellent for teens. The next book, "Pretties" was ok until the end when it introduced "cutting". The third book, "Specials" was almost entirely about cutting as if it was a good thing. That is why I will read into a teen series more than just the first book.
I doubt I will return this novel unless I decide to read the entire series.
I've read three of these novels. There are several more, but I am going to stop. They seem to be variations on a theme. The author kept me interested but not enough. Perhaps teenagers would be more interested.
FYI, I usually read teen and children's novels well into a series because I've discovered that some authors can develop really inappropriate themes for teens and children later in a series. I am looking at you, Scott Westerfeld. "Uglies" was excellent for teens. The next book, "Pretties" was ok until the end when it introduced "cutting". The third book, "Specials" was almost entirely about cutting as if it was a good thing. That is why I will read into a teen series more than just the first book.
I doubt I will return this novel unless I decide to read the entire series.
November 6, 2018
"Daniel X: Watch the Skies", the continuation of "The Dangerous Days of Daniel X", was bland, to say the least. The novel starts with young alien hunter Daniel X entering a small unknown town that has mysterious things occuring. Daniel soon realizes that these things are occuring due to Number 5 of Daniel’s hunting list. He soon finds himself trying to defeat Number throughout the entire book. This would not be so bad if the plans of Number 5 weren’t so ridiculous. The ways that the author writes the plans makes the book seem very childish and uninteresting.
The author introduces new plot lines in what seems to be every chapter. Number 5 filming a TV show that is broadcast to space is not compelling enough to read about. Introducing another unrequited “love” interest in the alien themed action novel is a bit too tacky to be interested in. Especially when that does not even provide much plot in the first place.
Along with the plot struggles, a lot of the humor and dialogue felt forced to try and be modern, which did not work. As much as the author wanted to be relatable the references they used were hard to follow for today’s culture.
Finally the book did have some upsides; however, as readers come to what they think is the end, it is just reopened by another plot twist; this ends within another few pages. This takes away from the original satisfaction of the first ending. As easy as it was to read a book of this genre it seemed as though the author tried to introduce too much stuff within a small limit.
The author introduces new plot lines in what seems to be every chapter. Number 5 filming a TV show that is broadcast to space is not compelling enough to read about. Introducing another unrequited “love” interest in the alien themed action novel is a bit too tacky to be interested in. Especially when that does not even provide much plot in the first place.
Along with the plot struggles, a lot of the humor and dialogue felt forced to try and be modern, which did not work. As much as the author wanted to be relatable the references they used were hard to follow for today’s culture.
Finally the book did have some upsides; however, as readers come to what they think is the end, it is just reopened by another plot twist; this ends within another few pages. This takes away from the original satisfaction of the first ending. As easy as it was to read a book of this genre it seemed as though the author tried to introduce too much stuff within a small limit.
December 12, 2017
This book was amazing. The book is science fiction.It is a medium challenging read. This book changes it’s point of view a lot. It is about an alien hunter named Daniel X. He is young and resilient. He is killing aliens as a way of revenge for them killing his family. The one alien that is on Daniels top spot to kill is Number Five. This book grabbed my attention because it has many strong words throughout the book. He and his family try to kill of all the aliens. His family is not real. He brought then into the world with his powers. My favorite character from the book is Daniel X. He is my favorite because he doesn’t stop hunting down the aliens. He faced many tough challenges like taking down the big alien at the diner. This book takes place in a town called Holliswood. It is not a real city. It is in a mostly realistic city other than the fact that Daniel X and his family are from another world. The setting is very clear to see in my mind. The author draws me into the setting very easily by adding a lot of little details into the book. I really liked this book. I think readers would enjoy the book because it is a good, fun read to do. I believe there is no certain age for reading this book. If you like to read science fiction books, this one is perfect. This book made me laugh sometimes The author’s style is engaging in my opinion. I felt that the book is complete. This is my first science fiction read. It was a fun and interesting read. My favorite parts in the book were when they discovered something important about the aliens because it added tension to the storyline. I would like to read the other books in the series soon. There are no pictures in the book. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in science fiction books or looking for a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2017
I read Daniel X, watch the sky’s I rated this book a 5 out of 5 because it gets you hook from the beginning. I was hooked on the series from the first book. This book is better than the first. Every page is packed with action and leaves you wanting to read another. This book is for people who want mystery and action. I would recommend it to people who don’t read a lot but want to. Or for people that want a good series, this series has six books.
About this book, it starts off with Daniel on his way back to earth from defeating number 6 on the list. When he gets back he is looking for another alien to take off the list and decides to take on number 5. This alien has the ability to control the minds of humans through technology. Number 5 is a TV director of a inter galactic TV show that finds killing humans funny. His goal is to kill everything on earth and repopulate it with his own species all while make inter galactic TV history.
Daniel has a really hard time stopping him because number 5 has this ability to see everything that Daniel is doing. How is number 5 doing this, how is he always one step ahead, and how does Daniel stop him? You have to read the book to find out.
About this book, it starts off with Daniel on his way back to earth from defeating number 6 on the list. When he gets back he is looking for another alien to take off the list and decides to take on number 5. This alien has the ability to control the minds of humans through technology. Number 5 is a TV director of a inter galactic TV show that finds killing humans funny. His goal is to kill everything on earth and repopulate it with his own species all while make inter galactic TV history.
Daniel has a really hard time stopping him because number 5 has this ability to see everything that Daniel is doing. How is number 5 doing this, how is he always one step ahead, and how does Daniel stop him? You have to read the book to find out.
October 11, 2019
Daniel X is by far one of my favorite series. It has a fantastic story that doesn't get boring. In each book daniel gets closer to his ultimate goal, killing the one who killed his parents,the number one most dangerous alien in the universe, also known as the The Prayer. One of my biggest fears is something happening to my family, that's why i think i liked this book the best. So in the Daniel X series there are multiple authors so sometimes the writing is a bit different. But i do really like it. It is a different experience though. It was a really good book, the plot and setting was perfect. Daniel had a very important role in everybody's lives, he really saved the earth. But even with having all these problems and all this authority he even makes time for his family. Daniel can create anything he wants and he chooses to create his family. Some teenagers aren't close with their parents at all. And this shows even though you have a ton on your plate you always have time for your family. Well anyways i do really like this book it was great. Daniel x is a good read
April 15, 2024
I hated this series. I was forced to read it in middle school with some friends that hate me now because they heard me curse. Doesn't this crap ever get old, James Patterson. They really need to give teens and young adults real science fiction classics really bad instead. This suggestion of Daniel X was downright cold man. So avoid this series with all you got. I'm not saying this is bad because they don't recommend science fiction classics of the 50s to teens and young adults. NO that's only half of it. Their science fiction recommendations for teens are just plain old crap now. Even back then as a teenager I actually didn't mind reading 2001: A Space Odyssey at all, as I really loved it. I would rather watch the grass grow for the next 4 years than have to read this about Daniel X again.
May 6, 2022
For some unknown reason disgusting aliens are making movies about the people in Holliswood. The towns people are "cast" to act out silly dances as their antics are broadcast out into the alien world. The worst thing is no one survives. It's called endertainment. The giant fish like leader "director" is number 5 on Daniels list. It's a list of the top bad aliens and it's Daniels job to get rid of them. But number 5 seems to be one step ahead at all times. Daniel can't surprise him. And he's powerful. He's controlling people somehow, making them into sort of zombies doing his bidding. This is a tough foe for Daniel but with the help of his "imaginary" friends and family maybe he can stop number 5's reign of terror.
April 12, 2019
I really didn't like this book. I thought that the references were poor and inconsistent. For instance, the book assumed I knew who Aaron Spelling was but not Jane Goodall. I'm glad I didn't read this book when I was fifteen because it takes part in the glorification of boys with no personality (your favorite book is Catcher in the Rye? Cool.) and it would've set me back like a whole other year. The love triangle is stupid and boring. The villain isn't great. There is no striving for depth. Literally the only saving grace of this book is that Milo Ventimiglia reads the audiobook and that is the only thing that got me through this novel.
Bluh.
Bluh.
Read
January 22, 2022The second book in James Patterson’s new young adult series, featuring Daniel X “Alien Hunter”. It was a fun little book, quick read, about Daniel hunting his next alien – #6 – who plans on taking over the world by creating clones of himself.
Daniel also meets a new girl who likes he just the way he is, is not a monster, or a figment of his imagination. It was interesting reading this adventure with Daniel X, his new troubles.
I don’t know what Patterson has up his sleeves for the next edition but it sounds pretty interesting. At this rate there sounds like there will only be about 6 books if Daniel continues to go after the top aliens before taking out the smaller ones first.
Daniel also meets a new girl who likes he just the way he is, is not a monster, or a figment of his imagination. It was interesting reading this adventure with Daniel X, his new troubles.
I don’t know what Patterson has up his sleeves for the next edition but it sounds pretty interesting. At this rate there sounds like there will only be about 6 books if Daniel continues to go after the top aliens before taking out the smaller ones first.
November 11, 2017
Ok, this is the second book, but I feel like the whole series is a ripoff of Ben 10 (the original). I know that sounds immature, but honestly James Patterson needs to stop. For example, Maximum Ride was great. Six books ago. I love the guy, but seriously, come on! Releasing, like, seven books a month is getting old! I'm sorry, but it's killing me!!!
The only thing I like is the fact that Daniel is a alien. Mr. Patterson, give us some time to breathe, then you're more then welcome to release a few more books.
The only thing I like is the fact that Daniel is a alien. Mr. Patterson, give us some time to breathe, then you're more then welcome to release a few more books.
June 16, 2018
Even though I'm giving this book three stars because it's not that well-written in my opinion, this is such a guilty pleasure. The main character, Daniel, is so overpowered it's ridiculous, and the super short chapters make it cut off so suddenly that everything feels unnecessarily suspenseful. This is consistent across the whole series, but I love all these books for it.
The antagonist in this one is a little odd for his TV obsession, but they still nonetheless get the job done for Daniel to just go completely overpowered.
The antagonist in this one is a little odd for his TV obsession, but they still nonetheless get the job done for Daniel to just go completely overpowered.
September 22, 2021
I was fascinated when I read Daniel x watch the skies by James Patterson and Ned rust. It is thrilling and there is so much action in this book. It has suspense that builds up and this makes it interesting for you as a reader. Daniel's story interests you because he is a protector of the earth. The book is so creative and imaginative. It makes you feel like your watching a movie in your mind as you read more and more. Even if you don't like reading, this book will interest you till the end.
-Daniel Balseca
-Daniel Balseca
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