The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4

The Softwire #4

by P.J. Haarsma

Johnny Turnbull now knows that his sister, Ketheria, is the Scion -- a long-awaited being who will bring understanding and healing to the universe. But what about him? As the Scion’s protector and guardian, JT is expected to start training to become a Space Jumper, a mercenary soldier who can jump through time and space. And he’s not happy about it, especially as he promised his girlfriend, Max, he would never take on that dangerous role, which could take him who-knows-how-far away. Can anything -- or any one -- guide Johnny to his true calling? And as new trouble brews on Orbis, will even Space Jumper skills be enough to help JT protect his sister and his friends?

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Aliens, Dystopia

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

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

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luckily I've seen the author post that he was writing a new book in the series, because this ending was.. missing. The last 100 pages are awesome. But the rest of it drags the book down a lot.

Also, JT was insufferable for most of it. All of the other characters are great. Especially the one I can't talk about.

[P.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

No wait - this one was my favorite.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book in the softwire series was good. But I don’t have a closure feeling and I feel there is more left.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book 4 conclusion to The Softwire series is an enjoyable science fiction read that is not only good for adults, but late elementary school to junior high kids will also enjoy - the author did change from Books 1-3 and added a few obscenities which were not in Books 1-3 which may concern some parents. 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.

Throughout the series, 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; there are a few strange sections of this one, and at times it seemed to drag just a little bit. As is typical with the series, however, 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.

This was billed as the final of the Softwire series, but the author did leave it open with his conclusion for a sequel: here's hoping there is a sequel as I felt there were some major things that need closure. Overall, this was a good science fiction series.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this the end

I hope the adventures of JT aren't over. This one left me with questions that need to be answered. Enjoy the ride.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. Definitely worth reading although it won't be getting any awards.

[Apricotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and series thoroughly, I just guess I wanted some more closure? But I think that was kind of the point and it's on me to get over it so idk it's my problem I guess lmao

[Constance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Biggest letdown I have ever seen. Justice for Max!

[Vinnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book, but I don't really like the fact that Max died.

[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.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4 (The Softwire #4) by PJ Haarsma is the series conclusion as protaginist JT learns the truth about his destiny on the Rings of Orbis. JT is a softwire, a human who can communicate telepathically with computers. Ketheria, his sister, is the Scion - a long awaited being who is to bring understanding and healing to the universe. JT is expected to becone a Space Jumper, mercenary soldiers able to leap through space and time. His girlfriend Max disapproves. JT learns more about his father and why he came to Orbis. (There is a Rings online game.)

I read the first three books some time ago, all which I enjoyed, and need to re-read and review them here. I thus had to rack my memory at times to follow the plot, which contains many characters, and in this book, many factions (knudniks, Keepers, Council, Trust, etc.). The book is intriguing and a page turner. The central characters continued to be interesting. Yet I had some disappointments. I was not happy with the tragedy at the end. JT was rather whiny at times. The ending seemed a bit anticlimactic and left a few questinos unanswered. For those reasons I am giving it just a three, though after rereading the first three books I may revisit that rating. I do however recommend the series. I wonder if there will be a Space jumpers series to follow?

For science fiction fans, YA reluctant readers, and fans of PJ Haarsma.

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

For creating a really interesting fictional world, this series is outstanding. Same for character development. JT really struggles with accepting his destiny because it seems to interfere with his relationship with the girl he loves (which is indeed the case. The social themes & social psychology are well-developed. The spiritual themes, only hinted at in the first book & gaining prominence as the series goes on, becomes central in the finale. The spirituality does differ from Christianity. I question the coherence of a seemingly impersonal cosmic force having a purpose through the creation of what are called "scions" & "tonants." With JT's sister being the scion, as discovered in Book 3, JT is the tonant with the job of protecting her. They hint that in our world, Jesus was a scion for our planet. Interestingly,the New Testament gives no indication as to who Jesus' tonant might have been. (Peter?) If Jesus did have a tonant, he purposely forebore his protection (& Peter did want to save Jesus from his fate)& died on the cross voluntarily.
SPOLIER ALERT

I think the enlightenment of the troubled society happens too quickly to be realistic. More realistic would be for the spiritual force released by Ketheria's final awakening to begin a dramatic turnaround that needs time to unfold.

[Jarrett Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the great third installment of the Softwire series, I expected this one to try to one-up it on every level. Unfortunately what I got was lots of build up and an abrupt ending that happens within a few pages.

There's something I don't really understand about the ending. Throughout the series, the protagonist, Johnny Turnbull (JT) thinks to himself about how he is his own person and just wanted to make a life for himself. Long story short, he is told that he was specifically designed to be the Tonat, the guardian of the Scion. After four books of buildup of him saying that he's going to be his own person no matter what people say he is meant to do, he gives in and becomes the Tonat about five pages before the book is over.

This is what I don't understand. I thought the major message in these books were that you don't have to be what everyone says you have to be? I must have misinterpreted things somewhere down the line. JT was bullied, ordered around, and treated like trash by all of these factions for the entire series only to turn around and do what they want?

I must identify myself with Switzer a lot more than JT, because I found his whole outlook on everything a lot smarter than JT's.

Just my two cents.

[Dear Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I think this is one of those rare books that I just found myself really hating the main character (JT in this case) because he was so amazingly stubborn and selfish. Each time he just thinks of himself and get others into trouble I feel like going into the book and strangling the life out of him. But I think that's probably this book's greatest edge. The main character is annoying because, well, he's just a kid. He's a kid who had dreams and goals to achieve in life, and then suddenly he was told that everything he believed was not what it really seemed to be, and then he was given such a big big responsibility that he's not yet ready to handle. What a fine book. What great character development!

This book is the BEST of the four series. If you think you couldn't get enough of the first three, the fourth one just blows you away! I can't say I was happy with the ending though. Okay, fine, the bit NEAR the ending made me tear up a bit, but the real ending was a kind of bittersweet. I'm really hoping for a sequel. It can't just end there!! Please, I need more!

[Denae Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like that JT often did not know what was going on, and that it was unclear which was the right side and which the wrong. I also didn't like not knowing what everyone was up to, and not knowing what everyone's motives were. I also could not keep track of all the factions (Trust, Keepers, Council, Knudniks...etc).
I did like some of Switzer's role, and I liked how JT became a leader, though not how whiny he was a lot of the time. I liked that he was trained how to use his powers, though I didn't like the methods. I liked the society-changing rebellion and Ketheria's role. I liked most of the end except the tragedy. I didn't like finding out the true purpose of the Renaissance, though I did like learning JT and Ketheria and Switzer were meant for a bigger purpose.
I didn't like how selfish JT was.
OK conclusion to the series. Seemed like it left some loose ends, though.

[MacKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

in a way, this book was as bad as Mockingjay. i checked this book out from the library expecting a great action and since-fiction epic as the last book in the series. Instead, I got JT's sister as the "Sicon" and JT throwing himself pity-parties in the local city dump. I wanted a strong charecter that took charge and did what was best for his sister. not some weak excuse of a main character that was EXACTLY like Katniss in Mockingjay. When FINNALY JT stepped up and excepted his role of his sister's protecter, it was because he had no other choice. So to sum this book up I would put
Awakening on Orbis 4=Mockingjay. and guess what? In Orbis 4 there is also a war, though it wasn't the whole book, like Mockingjay. And the author REALLY doesn't conclude it well. I was highly disappointed with this book and was hoping I could get to the end soon so I could start a new book.

[Greg McClay · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were times when I was reading this and the previous volume and thinking it was shades of The Celestine Prophecy, a spiritual awakening megaseller from the 90's. It certainly feels like Haarsma is trying to promote a certain philosophy. The story itself was a little disjointed with some bizarre turns; entertaining but I was having a hard time trying to figure out what I was supposed to be rooting for. There's a lot I still like about the Rings and the universe that's been created, even if The Awakening concept seems a little shallow. There's a 4 issue comic series just coming out called Spectrum which seems to be related to this universe and I believe Haarsma will be writing more full-blown novels as well so I look forward to seeing some of these characters again.



*possible spoilers*
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If there's no body its possible she isn't dead. Otherwise I'd be kinda disgusted.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books have a really interesting premise and exciting places to explore, and cool people to explore with. I fancy this book especially as Dune-lite, and finishes up the series strong.

Well it was a good book and he *SPOILER* became a space jumper so I was happy. But sometimes it was like WHAT? and there were a few grammar errors "What had they he done to my friend?" It also ended really strange-ly and I'm wondering if he's going to do another series about the Scion and more of JT's whiny adventures as he tries to find her as a Colaut or whatever they're called.Seriously, I love JT and how he tries to make the world his. But sometimes he's so annoying. When Swizter was telling him to go with the flow, I was like "YEAH!"

[Mark Haury · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is somewhat formulaic but very enjoyable. The biggest problem I have with it is the predictable and tired falling out of major characters - that's a plot device that is much overrated and overused (I didn't care for it in the Harry Potter series either). There are a few plot holes and continuity problems, but they are fast-paced and hard to put down. They are aimed at the young adult reader. The first three are great but I was a little disappointed with the final installment - I found it a bit anticlimactic and the resolution was unsatisfying for me. That said, I still recommend the entire series.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, as I have all The Softwire books. The ending is quite exciting and interesting. In some ways, though, I was disappointed in the ending, gets a little too close to deus ex machina for my taste. There are also some twists and developments in some of the main characters which worked well (and some that didn't...I'm trying to avoid any spoilers here). I am tempted to get back in the Rings online game (but time commitments prevent me). But fans of the books should check the game out if they haven't already.

[H.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending to an excellent series. These characters will stay with you for a while. Their struggles become your struggles, their trials your own. I like to alternate my series reading but my recommendation with these books is that you pick up all four, put them in a pile, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the ride.

[coolhwhip · Rating 5 out of 5]

the whole seris to me was great the charecter was a little stupid but it had alot of action. i couldnt stop reading it.i dont know why no one reads it there's even a computer game based on this book this is the 4th book in the seris.

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember reading this series in middle school. I enjoyed them a fair bit at the time, but I do remember that one of the characters- JT's girlfriend I think - literally falls in a hole and dies at the end of this book. There didn't even seem to be much of a reason for it. That really bothered me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series that is written with adolescent characters, but with enough universal angst that adults can easily enjoy it too.

[Jake Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really didn't like the ending. That's why it is only three stars but i loved it other than that.

[Ledawn]

not enough closure for me. Not gonna lie...kina dissapointed :(

[Sophie Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished the book, I was sad the series was over. The book was a very good ending to the series and I really enjoyed it.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this book compared to the previous three.

[SoAmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Spawn 1's favorite series. The free online game doesn't hurt the appeal, either.

[Heather]

Very interesting series. A nice easy read and good for teens as well.