The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1

The Softwire #1

by P.J. Haarsma

Thirteen-year-old Johnny Turnbull has always known there was something different about him. It turns out he's the first-ever human softwire -- able to enter and communicate with computers with his mind. Now that JT and two hundred other orphans have been put to work in alien factories on the first ring of Orbis, things are going very wrong. The "perfect" central computer is malfunctioning, and suspicious eyes are turning to JT. Could he be the one responsible?

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Science Fiction Fantasy

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

A lot about The Softwire comes from my own experiences growing up. No, I never traveled on a seed-ship to Orbis but I did feel like I was a slave working in my parents ceramic factory as a teenager. In the summer I would slug 50lbs+ molds around while standing in a room with kilns firing at 1400 degrees. It wasn't fun and at the time I really resented my parents for it. I felt used and not in control of what I wanted. Probably like a lot of other kids my age then but hey, what did I know, I was fourteen.

Besides writing The Sofwire series I also created Kids Need to Read, a literary charity I founded with actor Nathan Fillion and friend Denise Gary.

When I have nothing else to do, I create online games based on young adult literature. I created the Rings of Orbis for The Softwire as well as the Card Soldier Wars for Frank Beddor's Looking Glass Wars trilogy.

Currently I am working on a fantasy series titled The Wandchasers.

Play The Softwire's online game:
http://www.ringsoforbis.com

Reviews

[Denae Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was amazing except for a few things that were left out. Kids wouldn't look for them, wouldn't need them, but I felt there wasn't enough detail about the rings and Orbis 1. Half the time, even when JT was awake, it felt like he was dreaming because there didn't always seem to quite be enough concrete objects to identify with and anchor me to the setting. Just IMHO.
I loved the way his abilities were defined and how they grew. I liked how something new was always being revealed, and I liked how it seemed liked the bad guys were about to take over, and yet JT never lost complete control.
"Argh! Humans!" I agree.
I also enjoyed the different types of aliens, especially Vairocina. I liked how some communicated with noise, and others not, and how they acted differently and were different sizes.
I do think all the people were a little too friendly, in general, except for those who were supposed to be bad. Even the other Keeper who seemed kind of rude was too nice.
I did like the added vocabulary and new words that fit right in with the new world. It shows how much an author works to make a convincing reality in a story if he/she is willing to go through the trouble of coming up with all those details.

EDIT: series is not worth finishing. Book 1 is still quite fun, though.

[Jaime the Wizzard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to be completely honest with y’all: the only reason I downloaded and read this book is because Nathan Fillion tweeted about it. If I can’t trust Captain Tightpants to recommend good books who can I trust?

Anyways, this book was really engaging right from the get-go. If you’ve ever played a board game called ‘Starfarers of Catan’ then some of the back-story may look a little familiar (it did to me anyways) but that made it more enjoyable for me. We start off on a ship with 200+ kids running around with no adults and we follow them and our main character Johnny for the rest of the story.

I really liked this book the characters where fleshed out and had personality, the world-building was interesting, and it had lots of non-humanoid aliens which is always a plus! I haven’t been this intrigued by a YA hard Sci-Fi since I finished the Dragon and Thief series by Timothy Zhan. You do see the plot holes that other reviewers mentioned, but the ride is so fun you give it a pass. I will definitely finish this series!

[Robb Rugeroni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haarsma, PJ. The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 (2006).
Have you ever felt like you have a sixth sense, like being able to sense danger before it happens or knowing exactly which flavor of ice cream you want out of 31 choices? JT Turnbull has felt like that his entire 13-year old life and in this first of four truly young adult novels he discovers why. JT, his sister Ketheria and their fellow child shipmates have been raised by a computer in their seed ship as it traverses the universe to the first of the Rings of Orbis, alien built objects that surround a wormhole. There, the children must serve out a period of service on behalf of their parents, who first agreed to the arrangement but died in transit, in order to enjoy the freedom they have been dreaming about. Once, however, his new foster parent, or Guarantor, learns of JT’s unique “softwire” sense, he is forced to confront a variety of alien manipulators attempting to profit from, gain power with and ultimately change forever JT’s ability to connect and protect those he cares for most. He even deals with a - GASP! - virus!
This novel is similar to running a marathon: stamina and determination are required to push oneself to achieve the accomplishment of completing a tremendous challenge. The plot is multi layered serving on the surface as a coming-of-age tale set in space while also requiring the reader to wrestle with ethical dilemmas throughout. Though the writing is accessible to a middle school reader, the book’s rising action becomes heavier with each chapter, adding more plot and character entanglements to sort out, but ultimately provides a satisfying climax and lead-in to the next book. Target audience: 7th and 8th grade voracious readers.

[Ky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I think I read this book back in middle school when the author came to visit my school, and my husband has been a huge fan of the series ever since then (we both went to the same school.)

I had just finished a book and didn’t know what to pick up next, and after repeatedly begging me to read the entire series I decided to pick it up.

I have literally been phasing out of my YA book phase but this pulled me IN and it made me so excited to be able to share my thoughts with my husband and watch him light up about all my theories and questions.

Would absolutely recommend this to peeps needing a good, quick read.

[Grant]

Only thing I remember about it is that it was rad as heck

[Waffles - Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveling is the best. You get to see different views, seek new life forms, and when you are traveling in a spaceship through the stars, the vastness of space is something to die for.

Except the children aboard a spaceship heading towards a Ring called Orbis didn't except their parents to die. The only parent the children aboard the spacecraft is the ships computer called Mother. Only thing is Mother is quite quiet to the children....all except one.

Johnny Turnbull, a 13 year old kid, can communicate with the ships computers with just thinking about it. Not quite knowing how he can, he is known as a freak aboard the ship. If it wasn't for his sister and his only two friends he would be all alone with Mother. But he can't think about what the other kids think or want....he is looking forward to a new life aboard one of the rings that surrounds the planet Orbis.

Except, he wasn't looking forward to becoming a slave!

The parents knew they were expected to work for them and their families to stay on the planet Orbis, but the parents and the alien species on the ring wasn't prepared for the parents to die. The duty of servitude is now passed down to the children. Thinking they are in good hands Johnny thinks things can't be too bad.

That is until the alien race figures out what he can do the computers. That his mind isn't exactly like the other children. Johnny is a Softwire. A being that can reach into the computer and actually control it, think like it, communicate with it like no one can. Johnny is very popular among the alien race, but also disliked by them as well. Johnny is just trying to be normal but how can you be normal when you can "see" inside the computer.

Thinking all he has to do is buckle down and do what he is told everything will be alright for him and his sister. That is until the machines start breaking down. The all powerful computer starts making mistakes. And the only person to see what is really going on is Johnny.

Can Johnny communicate with this new "virus" in the computer and stop it from destroying his new home?

A great new sci-fi series for kids and adults to enjoy. Virus on Orbis 1 is the first installment of the Softwire series.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welp, this was interesting.

I mean, it's not high science-fiction by any stretch of the imagination: the characters are wooden, the plot feels contrived in some places, and overall it's just not an exciting novel to read at all. I found myself skimming over some parts (especially the dreams) and wondering why they had to be so long when they were barely relevant.

Mind you, I'm hardly the target audience.

No matter who you are, I wouldn't recommend this book: it's not atrocious, but there are better-written books out there that you could be spending your time on.

In terms of a more detailed response, some things I did enjoy were the way the book started (many protagonists get downtrodden, but I can't think of any who had that experience with a bare foot on their face) and some of the minor characters. I would've loved to have more detailed descriptions of all the places on Orbis: not just the opening square but also their quarters. Hopefully, there will be more detailed descriptions and more intelligent dialogue in part two!

[CuriousLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is wonderful to see hard sci-fi being written for children again. It is something that is seen to rarely these days. This book is interesting and competently done, and I would recommend it to children in grade 4-7.

However, as a caveat to that, it is certainly a flawed book. First it wears its influences on its sleeves, though children won't know that. Plus a major plot twist at the end comes out of nowhere. It's the kind of thing that really needed foreshadowing to be satisfying, and that really didn't happen.

But, as there is little out there like this anymore, and it is done well enough, it it still recommended. It will probably go on my children's "best list" for my 2008 reads in my library so I can point interested children towards hard sci-fi.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 Book Review
The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 by PJ Haarsma is a science fiction story about a human boy with the ability to interact with computers using his mind. This novel can be considered an “underdog” story because although at the beginning many view Johnny Turnbull as insane due to his ability, but by the end he is revered because he saves their home, Orbis, using his power. The major themes in this novel include family, perseverance, and compassion. This novel entrances the reader and provides many context clues which compel the reader to continue reading.
The main reason this novel is gripping is due to the extensive and ever-expanding plot. The overall storytelling was very impressive although the story lacked unique word choice. The story was told fluently and provided easily understandable grammar which helps with the reader’s comprehension of the story. In this book they used a third person limited point of view, “I had never seen her this happy before. I didn’t want the spoke to end. I don’t know why, but I felt comfortable. Maybe this was all there was supposed to be: good friends, something to talk about, nothing more”(Haarsma 185). The use of the third person limited point of view was perfect for this book because it helped convey the main character’s thoughts as well as more insight into what was happening.
The other reason why this story is so fascinating is that it has an ever-changing plot which helps to invest the reader in what is happening to the characters in the story from one moment to the next. During the novel, it would often go from one conflict to another keeping the reader interested in what would happen next. “ ‘Why do you think the little girl in your dreams has something to do with the computer malfunctions?’ Max asked while I helped Ketherina onto the space way”(Haarsma 189). One of the main conflicts was between Johnny and the little girl in the computer, Vairocina, Vairocina was in the computer and thought to be causing harm to it, and Johnny was blamed for her actions. Another conflict in the novel was between Johnny and Madeem Lee, “ ‘... I’ll have an army of these creatures in here before the cycle is done. And then I can control everything from here’ “(Haarsma 252). There were also many other conflicts that helped to draw in the readers.
The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 was a very intriguing high-quality book with captivating events. The book had a great plot, many conflicts, and an action-packed climax. This book will remain a favorite to many due to its scheme, it is also part of a book series. Therefore if the reader would like to continue on with the saga that unfolds in the first novel then he or she can. I recommended this book due to its entrancing plot and dynamic characters.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this middle grade science fiction story, all the adults died on the spaceship that was taking them to Orbis. That left two hundred embryos. The computer - Mother - brought them to birth in two batches. Johnny, or JT as he's known to his friends, is the only one who has a younger sister who was part of the second batch. JT is also the only one who can talk to Mother without being at a computer terminal.

When they ship arrives at Orbis, the kids find out that they are going to be slaves for a variety of aliens until they have paid off their debt. Orbis is an interesting society which is managed by a supercomputer. After JT and the other kids arrive, the computer begins experiencing glitches. Because JT has been identified as a softwire - someone who can communicate with computers without an implant - many want to blame him for the glitches.

The kids all find that they have landed in a complex political situation. There are traders who manage businesses and Keeper who monitor travel, create the rules for Orbis, and grant citizenship. It is supposed to be a balanced system but someone is trying to tip the balance.

This was an exciting science fiction story. JT's talent lets him go inside the supercomputer where he finds an alien who might be the one causing all of the glitches. He also has to deal with the possibility that the Keepers will make him live in the computer forever and let his body die. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without friends and enemies. HIs best friend is his little sister Ketheria but he he is also good friends with Max who is a girl who is a good hacker and Theodore who is his roommate. The resident bully is Randall Switzer who delights in picking on JT and making trouble for him. I enjoyed the variety of aliens in this story from the two-headed Keepers to Weegin who is the scavenger who buys up some of the kids' contracts and has them picking junk.

This is the first book in a four book series.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

P.J. Haarsma’s The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 follows thirteen-year old Johnny Turnbull and a whole group of teenagers on The Renaissance, a generation ship on a course for the rings of Orbis after an accident left the passengers of The Renaissance orphaned and alone. JT isn’t like the other kids, though. JT is a “softwire”, an individual who has the power to communicate with computers telepathically! After The Renaissance arrives on the ring of Orbis 1, the children are sold into mundane labor under aliens known as Keepers. When Orbis’ central computer system begins to malfunction, all eyes turn towards JT, and he’s thought to be the one behind the malfunctions. Now, Johnny must clear his name and get to the bottom of the computer’s strange behavior.
This novel holds quite a bit of sentimental value to me as it’s one of the books I read when I was pretty young (maybe around seven or eight) that got me into science fiction. Going back to reread this novel after over a decade was like visiting an old friend. I think my eight-year-old self loved this book much more than my twenty-one-year-old self, but there were still a lot of things I appreciated while reading this book, specifically the world building and JT’s power. After rereading Virus on Orbis 1, I can very clearly see the impact it’s made on me as far as my preferred stories and writing style goes. This novel would be great for young readers who are very imaginative and looking to get into science fiction or even stories with fun worldbuilding in general.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable science fiction read that is not only good for adults, but late elementary school to junior high kids will also enjoy. It's unusual (at least for me) to find a book the whole family can enjoy without one set feeling as if it is too "dumbed down" for the younger set to understand and annoy the parents, nor too detailed or technical that the younger set will get frustrated.

The author does a good job of quickly getting you into the story as well as lots of action that has you eagerly waiting to turn the page. Your heart will race a little bit during some of the action scenes, and you get a feeling of actually being a part of the story vs. just someone reading a tale. I enjoyed this one quite a bit as did my children, now I'm off to purchase book 2 in the series.

[Sean Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw nothing wrong with this fantastic book. It just clicked to my mind! It was so detailed, the characters were amazing! The thing about this book, I love these types of books. I read it in 1 day. It was amazing! The characters had perfect emotions and details, which helped for the voices that I thought for them in my head. I loved the characters, funny, awesome, and creative. Theylor being my favorite. Overall, I loved this book so much! Easy to read as well and the story is so clean and awesome. The settings were so interesting and awesome, as I was easily able to think of what they may have looked like! Thanks for writing this book! Perfect! 5/5!!!

[Tom Malinowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more successful sci-fi books for younger readers. Aboard Johnny's ship, all the parents have died due to an accident, and the ship enabled the embryos to be hatched, so all their lives the children have never known any authority except, their ship, Mother. When they finally reach the fabled rings of Orbis, their lives are thrown in upheaval. Johnny is known as a softwire, he can communicate with machines with his mind. This power is coveted by the many aliens and factions on Orbis 1.

My second time reading this and I forgot 95% of it. Well, that's the price of memory for you. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Leah]

DNF, no rating

Started this as a buddy read with Maria, but it didn't take long for us to lose interest and move on to greener pastures. The premise was interesting, but the writing really ruined it for me. Initially, I congratulated the author for mimicking a child's style so well, but the longer I read, the more grating it became. The setting tried to be unique and alien, but I lost interest with the cruel master trope and the hero being bullied by a nasty kid. We needed to take a break, and when we were ready to come back neither of us cared enough to continue.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I kept putting it down for months at a time and picking it up again. I still remembered the story and it would hold me for the times I read it. (I do that with fiction - all at once or over many years.) I never wanted to not know what was going on in this world. It is very visual and suspenseful without being absolutely terrifying. I don't feel the need to continue in the series though.

[Marianne]

This was a decent book but I didn't enjoy it enough to hold on to it. The ending didn't get me.

I could see it's story of kids raised by a computer and managing on their own, with the resulting crazy of kids making the best of a situation, being pretty cool if I were a young reader.

I'm not rating with stars because I'm not sure how I should rate with these two opposing needs.

[Darin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Started it 3 times but got distracted by other things. Glad I finished it.

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed that! After that ending, I'm very excited for part two.

This year has been awesome! Not a single dud yet.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children travel across the universe to learn about the wonderful world of indentured servitude.

[Scott Geddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 in a young adult Sci-Fi series. Kept my attention but not enough to find and read the rest of the series.

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of this year I read was Virus On Orbis 1 by P.J. Haarsma. The book was about a group of kids that are born on a spaceship headed for the rings of Orbis, which is where their parents were meant to be going but died on the way there. One of the kids on the spaceship was the first human softwire; a being who can access any computer using just their minds and being close to them. Throughout the book are adventures and peril, as you follow JT on his travels.
The thing that I liked about the book was how Haarsma included many details that enhanced the main story. For example, JT is sent to a "testing lab", there another human talks to him. After that, he shows the growing friendship between the two humans.
I would recommend this book to middle schoolers or older kids/teens. The reason being the story, in some parts, is like being in jail. An example being, JT and the other kids are separated and are given to aliens, as a result of this they are forced to wear the same uniform as everyone else and work every day. Another reason is it is based in space and it is action packed. Some kids don't like this kind of book so I wouldn't recommend it to them. All in all this book is amazing and will definitely be reading the rest in the series. Hope you write more books P.J. Haarsma I will love to read them.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as a free download on BN.com. Free is good, and free in YA/sci-fi seemed like a great find to me. But I'm actually surprised by all the good reviews this is getting. I found it to be just passable. The story had promise, but it just didn't deliver.

Here's the deal: JT and 200 other kids have traveled to Orbis 1 on a ship that looked after them after all their parents died. (The kids never knew their parents, btw, they were all sort-of hatched on the ship after an accident.) Upon their arrival at Orbis, they are put to work to fulfill the contractual obligations of their parents, who signed up to work in exchange for citizenship (though I'm not quite sure what the draw was there).

It turns out that JT is special; as a Softwire he is able to connect to computers with his mind. That is a pretty cool trick. But when things start going wrong with the planet's central computer, he comes under suspicion as being the one making trouble. Can he figure out what's really going on? Can he stop the little girl in the computer and save his friends and sister with all the aliens set against him? (Cue dramatic music.)

The author has a lot of imagination with his book world, the problem I had with the story was execution. The writing is stilted and forced, the kids are not remotely believable as 13 and 8 year olds, and there's lots of plot holes and problems. For example, JT has a little sister he looks after. For some reason they are the only two siblings out of 200 kids. His sister never talks, and just kinda hangs around. We are told at one point that she loves food. Not a specific food, mind you, she's just a lover of food in general. Wow, I love food, too! I didn't know anyone else ever did! Now I can totally identify with her! That's character building! :-P

There's also a lot of things that get set up and then dropped. JT has a rivalry with another kid on the ship, but eventually we stop hearing about him. JT is trying to access some super duper secret files about his parents, but his chance to do so ends up literally flying out the window. At first everyone is sure he is causing the problems with the computer on Orbis, but then later he's just kinda left alone (even by the evil character that eventually gets revealed) to push through the computer and figure everything out. I'm not buying it.

I also had trouble with the setup on Orbis; the kids basically become slaves since their parents were obligated to work once they arrived. But it's not real slave labor. The kids instead pick thorough garbage while their mean master deducts worthless money from them and gives them time off to play and explore. Oh, he also educates them. It's more like a babysitting service than any understandable business enterprise.

And how was everyone so surprised to see these kids arrive? Is there no communication in space to let them know about the death of the adults and the arrival of the kids? Even if not, the ship was trying to teach the kids everything about what to expect of life on Orbis, so how is it that they had no idea they would be forced to work, or that they would get implants to translate languages and interface with computers, etc.? Mother ship really let ya'll down, kids.

Maybe I just wasn't having fun getting into the story. It just felt choppy and inconsistent to me. I never cared much about the kids. JT has two friends: Theodore, who counts everything all the time, and Max, who I had to keep reminding myself was not a boy. At one point they are trying to hide things from a character who can read minds, but they just wait until she's out of sight to devise a whole plan. Because, for telepaths, out of sight, out of your mind I guess.

I know this book is made for kids, but I don't think YA stories need to be dumbed down for young people. I can forgive fudging some of the scientific stuff and simplifying things a bit, but kids aren't stupid and you don't have to write down to them to have them read a story. Everything was either too spelled out or too glossed over.

Apparently there's a game based on the universe created for this book series. It looks like way more fun than reading the books.

Conclusion: An abundance of ideas disappointingly written. OK to pass the time as a free read, but there's a lot of much better sci-fi for and about young people out there.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a big science fiction reader but I definitely think this book will appeal to my upper Primary school readers. There is lots of action, an intriguing protagonist who can enter and manipulate files in a computer, aliens, futuristic technology, live in a different galaxy and more. On top of all the protagonist, Johnny Turnbull, is a very likable character who has his heart in the right spot, supported by a spirited group of friends and his little sister.

[Jennifer Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit that my speed reading days for books left me in college. Even with my fun books that I read, it can take me a several days to finish one. So when I went through the Softwire Series in roughly a week, you know it’s got to be amazing! Oddly enough, I have to thank Nathon Filion for tweeting a link for a free digital copy of the first book (Virus on Orbis 1).


The brief synopsis from P.J. Haarsma’s site really hooked me in too.

Thirteen-year-old Johnny Turnbull has always known there was something different about him, even before he and two hundred other kids landed on the first ring of Orbis. But once their spaceship lands, he is identified as the first-ever “softwire” — a human with the ability to enter and communicate with computers through his mind — and becomes the focus of intergalactic intrigue. Johnny and the rest of the refugee orphans are put to work in alien factories, and very quickly things go very wrong. When the all-knowing, all-controlling, and technologically “perfect” central computer starts malfunctioning, suspicious eyes turn to Johnny. Is he the one responsible? This action-packed, fast-paced sci-fi novel will keep kids on the edge of their seats.

For this computer geek, the direct interface into a computer hooked me in instantly. Through the first book you’re introduced to this amazing new world, with aliens that have been around forever, a few factions within them. The book takes you on a very fun adventure, and really captures the mystery and adjustment to a world completely different than your own.

But by the end of Book 1, you realize that everything isn’t quite as Utopian as you would like them to be. Through the next 3 books, you’re taken deeper and deeper into the Rings of Orbis, its deep history, and how Johnny (JT) and his sister play into it. You’re also taken into a lot of turmoil and grief that the “knudnicks” on Orbis are subjected to. The entire series does a great job at working through the struggles of class divisions between the elite and the poor.

On top of this is the transformation of JT himself. Starting out as a bright eyed, energetic 15 year old, he’s quickly given a large amount of responsibility because of his talents. He also has the entire universe looking over his shoulder, which causes a lot of struggles. But JT’s struggles go even deeper, dealing with free will vs. fate, sacrifice, and a whole range of emotions. There was so much going on by the fourth installment that I wasn’t sure how Haarsma would resolve it all, and do it in a manner that stuck with the whole of the story. He did it amazingly well. There was even a small amount of romance and tragedy mixed in to the whole story that fit perfectly.

My mind is still racing from all of the tech, adventure, and thought provoking things this book brought out. Softwire is targeted for the 10 and up, but it is written so well that adults (or really big geeky kids like me) will enjoy it thoroughly.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

I'm the first to admit that science fiction has never been my favorite genre, but I wanted to give VIRUS ON ORBIS 1 a try. I have to say that I'm very glad I did. Besides having an interesting and entertaining story, the true beauty of the book, at least for me, is the fact that I never felt so overwhelmed with the new world the author created that I wanted to give up. There weren't a thousand crazy names I had to figure out how to pronounce, or a million-and-one gizmos and gadgets that made no sense. With this book, Mr. Haarsma has created a world that even young teens will relate to, and that adult fans of science fiction are sure to enjoy, as well.

Johnny Turnbull, thirteen, is a resident of the seed ship Renaissance, along with his eight-year-old sister, Ketheria, and about two hundred other children. Children, and no adults, since all of them died and left the children as orphans. In Johnny and Ketheria's case, their parents had signed a contract to work on the Rings of Orbis (four rings surrounding a wormhole) for four years. Unfortunately, since the children have been on a ship with only a computer called Mother supervising them, no one knows what will happen once they finally arrive at the Rings of Orbis. They do know, though, that they'll be at the mercy of its citizens.

There's a problem, though, as there usually is. Johnny has recently discovered that he's a human Softwire - the very first human able to directly communicate with any computer using just his mind. He's been trying to warn the citizens of Orbis that a virus is attacking their central computer, but few are willing to listen. Actually, few are willing to even take the fact of his being a Softwire seriously at all. But it is that fact that could possibly be the only thing that will spare Orbis -and its inhabitants, including the orphans - from destruction.

VIRUS ON ORBIS 1 is the first book in THE SOFTWIRE series, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes Johnny next. The majority of this story features him battling both the Trading Council and Orbis's rulers, the Keepers. After reading this great first installment, you'll definitely be ready for the next book in the series. I know I am, and I'm not even a science fiction fan!

[Jex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of kids, raised on a spaceship by a computer program, have finally reached their new home of Orbis 1 only to find out that their destiny is to be enslaved in order to pay off their parents’ debt. While trying to make the most of the life that’s been thrown at them, JT comes to find that he has a special gift that is not only rare to anyone, but has never before been seen in a human. JT is a softwire. He can communicate with machines in a way that no one else can: by physically up-linking his mind without any cords or interface. However, as JT arrived on Orbis 1, so did the problems with the central computers causing many of the citizens to turn on him, the only softwire and the only one that could be ruining their precious computer. It is up to JT, with the help of some of his friends, to figure out what is causing all the computer glitches and stop it before Orbis 1 is taken down.

I downloaded this book when it was offered for free on amazon.com and didn’t expect too much based on the length, and well, the fact that it was free. I was pleasantly surprised when I began to read and found the topic riveting. Just think of how much you could do in life as we know it now if you didn’t have to use a mouse/keyboard to do anything on a computer. Instead you simply thought of what you wanted to do and it was done. The ability to interface with a computer in that fashion could bring all kinds of opportunities, not to mention free up so much time in our day. Main topic of the book aside, I truly enjoyed getting to know the various characters and species found on Orbis. I think the author has a real thing for slime covered/goey aliens, because they seemed to come up a lot in the story. I loved Keithera’s character, even though she couldn’t speak her personality truly shined. She got quite a few chuckles out of me as I pictured her chasing her toy or getting excited when offered food. I was glad to see she played a bigger role in the end (don’t worry I won’t say what it is).

This was a very quick read, but I liked it a lot. I’m going to have to go out and get the next three books in the series.

[Alexis DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that this book had me from the start! It was really an enjoyable read, one that I wish I had been able to come across as a teen reader. And what’s also awesome about it? It’s FREE on Kindle (click the image to get there).

So, The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is a sci-fi novel, that, although it is considered a young adult novel, appeals to all ages. I really found the characters highly relatable and very interesting. As soon as I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.

The novel centers around a young boy, J.T., and his fellow human children. The group is traveling on a seed-ship to a remote place called Orbis, their new home. We find out early in the novel that there are no adults on the seed-ship, the Renaissance, and that they all mysteriously perished. They were originally headed to Orbis, to work one year on each of its rings. The children arrive to find out that they must work off the agreement their parents made as, sort of, a bunch of indentured servants.

J.T. is one of the older kids and he is a tough one. We find out he can talk to the computer by just thinking. The aliens on Orbis call people with this talent Softwires. J.T. doesn’t take too kindly to being singled out. Who could blame him?

The world of Orbis is described with great wonder. I really wish I could see this place. It seems awesome. J.T. has a few friends, and a silent sister, that follow him around and help him out during their time on Orbis 1. Just as they arrive, however, things start going wonky with the central computer – a supposed infallible piece of technology. Many of the citizens blame J.T.

You’ll have to read to find out who the culprits are behind this, but it is full of plenty of intrigue and information regarding a fully developed world. I really want to know more, and I have already purchased the second novel, The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad read at all. It was one of the books I listened to on my Kindle on my way to and fro from Nashville to Atlanta. It had a good premise, fairly gripping from the beginning, and had a lot of things that you remembered in passing and had a HUGE part in the story towards the end. That was more of a con since I was listening to my Kindle read it, but I don't think it's a big deal if you're ACTUALLY reading it.

Johnny is a great character, but Ketheria was my favorite. I might just have a thing for silent but strong characters, but to me, though she didn't say a word, she was the best. His friends Max and Theodore were okay, but I was more interested in the ability he has and why he has it. Pushing into computers was described so that I could literally feel what that might be like. It wasn't like four to ten pages of description, but tiny bits comparing it to normal senses humans have really made the whole process real.

The world was an interesting blend. It didn't come to life for me quite like some other books have, but then again, the world wasn't what J.T. was exploring; it was the characters he encountered. They were done well, twisted even. The bullying got a little old, I must admit, but this book is aimed for children who are probably experiencing something like it not for college students who are die hard sci-fi fans.

All in all, I thought the world was done well and the characters were likeable. Not awesomely loveable, but you can't expect to love every book you come across. Story moved fairly well too. The end seemed just the tiniest bit rushed, but was satisfying. Took me about 6 hours to listen to the whole thing.