What do you think?
Rate this book
Jason Hunter #1
The Talisman of Elam
When twelve-year-old Jason Hunter and his two friends discover a spaceship in the woods behind his home, his world is turned upside down. Suddenly, he and his two friends are forced to flee for their lives.
Learning to pilot the ship by fits and starts, they embark on a desperate mission to rescue Jason's abducted parents and prevent an alien invasion of Earth. The journey takes him halfway across the galaxy, where he must confront bizarre and deadly creatures, escape from a toxic region of space called the Vuhndalac Pit, and evade capture by a powerful alien leader intent on destroying him.
Hidden somewhere among the stars is device of great power, the remnant of an ancient, long-dead civilization whose technology is so mysterious it works as if by magic. Jason must find this talisman -- before it is too late. If he is the Heir of Elam, the one person in the entire universe who can claim it, he will be able use it to rescue his parents and save his planet.
If he is not, touching it will be the last thing he ever does!
Learning to pilot the ship by fits and starts, they embark on a desperate mission to rescue Jason's abducted parents and prevent an alien invasion of Earth. The journey takes him halfway across the galaxy, where he must confront bizarre and deadly creatures, escape from a toxic region of space called the Vuhndalac Pit, and evade capture by a powerful alien leader intent on destroying him.
Hidden somewhere among the stars is device of great power, the remnant of an ancient, long-dead civilization whose technology is so mysterious it works as if by magic. Jason must find this talisman -- before it is too late. If he is the Heir of Elam, the one person in the entire universe who can claim it, he will be able use it to rescue his parents and save his planet.
If he is not, touching it will be the last thing he ever does!
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Jim Mastro
10 books3 followersJim Mastro has rescued wild dolphins, trained seals and sea lions, scuba-dived in the gloom under 15 feet of ice, done stand-up comedy, directed plays, and spent winters in Antarctica. He’s been a biologist, professional dancer, laboratory manager, college professor, drummer in a band, professional diver, research assistant, photographer, surfer, and water skier. Now he writes full time. He recently finished the Jason Hunter science fiction trilogy: Jason Hunter and the Talisman of Elam, Jason Hunter and the Hand of Osiris, and Jason Hunter and the Treasure of Hathor (re-titled from what was originally the Children of Hathor trilogy). Originally from San Diego, Jim now lives in New England with his wife, son, and a crazy little fuzzmuffin of a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 8, 2011
Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:
The Talisman of Elam, the debut novel in Jim Mastro's Children of Hathor trilogy, is a fun action filled sci-fi adventure that had me hooked from the first paragraph. With wonderful characters, a thrilling non-stop plot line, and a universe filled with possibilities fans of 'Harry Potter' will love this book!
Much like in the famous wizarding series, this novel follows a young group of friends as they get dragged into an intergalactic plot to steal not only the Earth, but the council that governs the universe as well. The unique premise is what instantly grabbed my attention. Yet, with any novel focusing on 12 year olds you have to worry that they won't be all that highly developed, or that the plot would end up being merely cheesy. In this case, have no fear because the plot, the characters and the worlds housed within these pages are all wonderfully developed.
From the first paragraph this novel really drew me in. The quirky characters reminding me of old sci-fi movies about alien invasions with amusingly odd beings lurking around in neighborhoods studying the 'locals'. But, it doesn't stay amusingly mundane for long, instead becoming a roller coaster adventure as the harrowing adolescents are thrust into a battle to save the Earth, the universe and Jason's parents. The worlds the group visit are all wonderfully built, from a brief overview of the history of the planets and its inhabitants to the lush descriptions that bring the settings to life. The creativity and easily imagined locales really add an aspect I hadn't counted on giving it a greater depth and believability. The premise itself is never veered from, the focus of the novel never shifting randomly to focus on alternate planets or other random and meaningless topics. This was also something I rather enjoyed because it would have been all but too easy to have the story drift leaving much of the plot forgotten. Instead, you taken from point A to point B and beyond as the characters methodically accomplish their goals. That's not to say that there aren't a lot of the unexpected situations the group must persevere through because it's these unforeseen situations that helps to keep the reader on their toes.
The characters themselves are all nicely developed as well, but the true enjoyment comes from the ensemble and not merely the individuals. Their emotions, thoughts and fears are all wonderfully explored as they grow and learn to push the boundaries of what they consider to be possible. The companionable bond between them gives the novel a nice air of camaraderie and trust, the group supporting the individuals helping them all to overcome immeasurable and impossible odds. In truth, their relationship is a bright spot in the otherwise dark situations they find themselves in, the connection giving strength and will when they otherwise would have none. I also have to love the individual quirks of the group and how these 'talents' help aid the troop on their journey. For instance, Kevin is an admitted nerd who loves video games, especially those that simulate flight. Without this particular skill, the group would not have been able to easily pilot the ship through unbelievable odds. Or Amelia and her gift of languages, without which the explorers would often be stuck in dire circumstances. Without a doubt the ensemble cast all play their roles in the plot, helping in their own ways to aid Jason in his quest for the Amulon Talic.
Over all this novel was masterfully written with a nice mix of perspective, atmosphere, characterization and adventure. The plot development and growth of the characters is simply first rate with a fast paced plot that keeps you reading, wanting to know what will happen next. I for one will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next installment, The Hand of Osiris.
The Talisman of Elam, the debut novel in Jim Mastro's Children of Hathor trilogy, is a fun action filled sci-fi adventure that had me hooked from the first paragraph. With wonderful characters, a thrilling non-stop plot line, and a universe filled with possibilities fans of 'Harry Potter' will love this book!
Much like in the famous wizarding series, this novel follows a young group of friends as they get dragged into an intergalactic plot to steal not only the Earth, but the council that governs the universe as well. The unique premise is what instantly grabbed my attention. Yet, with any novel focusing on 12 year olds you have to worry that they won't be all that highly developed, or that the plot would end up being merely cheesy. In this case, have no fear because the plot, the characters and the worlds housed within these pages are all wonderfully developed.
From the first paragraph this novel really drew me in. The quirky characters reminding me of old sci-fi movies about alien invasions with amusingly odd beings lurking around in neighborhoods studying the 'locals'. But, it doesn't stay amusingly mundane for long, instead becoming a roller coaster adventure as the harrowing adolescents are thrust into a battle to save the Earth, the universe and Jason's parents. The worlds the group visit are all wonderfully built, from a brief overview of the history of the planets and its inhabitants to the lush descriptions that bring the settings to life. The creativity and easily imagined locales really add an aspect I hadn't counted on giving it a greater depth and believability. The premise itself is never veered from, the focus of the novel never shifting randomly to focus on alternate planets or other random and meaningless topics. This was also something I rather enjoyed because it would have been all but too easy to have the story drift leaving much of the plot forgotten. Instead, you taken from point A to point B and beyond as the characters methodically accomplish their goals. That's not to say that there aren't a lot of the unexpected situations the group must persevere through because it's these unforeseen situations that helps to keep the reader on their toes.
The characters themselves are all nicely developed as well, but the true enjoyment comes from the ensemble and not merely the individuals. Their emotions, thoughts and fears are all wonderfully explored as they grow and learn to push the boundaries of what they consider to be possible. The companionable bond between them gives the novel a nice air of camaraderie and trust, the group supporting the individuals helping them all to overcome immeasurable and impossible odds. In truth, their relationship is a bright spot in the otherwise dark situations they find themselves in, the connection giving strength and will when they otherwise would have none. I also have to love the individual quirks of the group and how these 'talents' help aid the troop on their journey. For instance, Kevin is an admitted nerd who loves video games, especially those that simulate flight. Without this particular skill, the group would not have been able to easily pilot the ship through unbelievable odds. Or Amelia and her gift of languages, without which the explorers would often be stuck in dire circumstances. Without a doubt the ensemble cast all play their roles in the plot, helping in their own ways to aid Jason in his quest for the Amulon Talic.
Over all this novel was masterfully written with a nice mix of perspective, atmosphere, characterization and adventure. The plot development and growth of the characters is simply first rate with a fast paced plot that keeps you reading, wanting to know what will happen next. I for one will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next installment, The Hand of Osiris.
July 4, 2011
I have a theory that if philosophy and religion hadn’t already attacked this question ad nauseam, the current academic conceptualization of the determinism vs. free will debate might be packaged as “Star Wars vs. Harry Potter.“ That is, we have the gasping and hoarse “Luuuke, it is your deessttinny” vs. Dumbledore’s passionate argument that Harry isn’t to be ruled by a prophecy; his reactions, rather, determine the course of his life (e.g. choice, though I suspect Rowling came up against a philosophical conundrum in that she discovered a few books in that they were a tad deterministic and then had to dig her way out through Dumbledore, which she did quite brilliantly).
Anyway. The reader at this point will probably say something like “fine, but what does this have to do with The Talisman of Elam?” To which I would respond that my first reaction to the book was that it initially places itself firmly in the realm of expansive, futuristic sci-fi, but also firmly within the more entrenched lines of patriarchy and destiny. That is, main character Jason Hunter finds out that he is the Heir of Elam, and therefore has a role and a duty to perform in relation to saving the Earth, his parents, and the universe. This role was set in place prior to his birth, knitted in his DNA. It made me question the good/bad nature of things in the novel; after all, we’ve seen how well this sort of thinking worked out for Charles and Diana. How is it in sci-fi that the characters are so sure they are on the right side, or that there ever is a right side? Yet, they inevitably are, because we as viewers or readers could not back them unless they were. So I found myself uncomfortably on the side of determinism and patriarchy, at least in the first half of the book, because I certainly could not be for the awful Oruq and the Thothians. Yet at the same time I was incorporating a beautifully conceptualized, unique universe/landscape. This required me to walk a bit of a line. If the universe is expanding and contracting, so was my mind as I read this book – back and forth between history and the future, structure and lack of structure, tradition and new ground, archetype and stereotype.
I was very engaged. I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it, wondering where the characters would go next (although I had no doubt they would come out on top). Certain situations seemed unbeatable, and I was charmed by the clever and unexpected ways the characters worked their way out of them. Mastro pays good attention to details such as physical sensations and smells, so I felt like I was experiencing what the characters were experiencing. With profound regrets to its legions of fans, I did not particularly care for Dune, because the book never felt alive to me, and Elam does not have that problem.
As I don’t wish to put too many spoilers in my review, I’m happy to say that the patriarchal problem seems to dissipate at the end of the book. I almost cheered, quite honestly, because the appearance of De Orlanean helped me to resolve some inner conflicts created by the book (in that a hero with a thousand faces always seems to have a male face). The ending came in a whirlwind, and as Jason works through the puzzle of how to accept who he is and also learn how to put it to use, I found myself reading well into the night in order to see how it would end. The foreshadowing of an unexpected romance doesn’t hurt either, and I will certainly be seeking out the next book in this series.
Plot: Three kids, main character Jason Hunter and his friends Kevin Hayashi and Amelia Reis, start to notice some odd things happening in their New England town. They discover a spaceship, which they initially take for a sort of joyride, but then are convinced by aliens that they need to go on a journey to save the Earth, and then to find the Amulon Talic. In this journey, they must escape several alien chases, visit many bizarre planets, try new foods, and meet other people from other planets, all of whom have agendas of their own.
Setting: Many different planets of the universe, as Stevie Nicks might say, and the universe itself. Largely, spaceships of many different kinds, and Mastro does a good job of showing both their similarities and their differences, and grounding us in their divergent technologies.
Characters: I liked the characters and felt connected with them. Jason is a prototypical hero: thoughtful, determined, kind, good. I think his personality is his predominant trait – he doesn’t seem to have a particular skill other than being the Heir and able to hold the Talic, unlike Amelia who is good at languages and Kevin who is a brilliant flier. The chemistry and energy between the characters was fun, and Shalan in particular grows through the book and becomes far more interesting at the end than she is in the beginning. I loved Takkadian Pheno the giant spider, and Bob the orb – both of whom I hope reappear in the next books. My only concern surrounds the character of Ardemesius. I’m smelling a Gandalf rising (free associate here to the Doors song) and am hopeful Mastro either doesn’t do this or he does it in a unique way. I might add that I loved the names in this book. It’s a gift to cleverly coin both outer-worldy and domestic names well.
Style: Nicely done, well straddling the middle reader genre and sci-fi. A few very minor typos (parent’s instead of parents’, very minor things like that). Engaging throughout, and it left me looking forward to the sequel.
Overall Impression: Four stars. A highly enjoyable trip through the universe, with imaginative, likeable and unique characters and interesting challenges. Perhaps a bit too clearly good-and-evil. I’d love to see some shades of gray start coming out between the two sides, and I think a good place for that would be in the book’s suggestion that some of the anger directed at Earth is due to Earthers’ carelessness with environmental stewardship. I’d recommend this book to any lover of either middle reader fantasy or sci-fi.
Anyway. The reader at this point will probably say something like “fine, but what does this have to do with The Talisman of Elam?” To which I would respond that my first reaction to the book was that it initially places itself firmly in the realm of expansive, futuristic sci-fi, but also firmly within the more entrenched lines of patriarchy and destiny. That is, main character Jason Hunter finds out that he is the Heir of Elam, and therefore has a role and a duty to perform in relation to saving the Earth, his parents, and the universe. This role was set in place prior to his birth, knitted in his DNA. It made me question the good/bad nature of things in the novel; after all, we’ve seen how well this sort of thinking worked out for Charles and Diana. How is it in sci-fi that the characters are so sure they are on the right side, or that there ever is a right side? Yet, they inevitably are, because we as viewers or readers could not back them unless they were. So I found myself uncomfortably on the side of determinism and patriarchy, at least in the first half of the book, because I certainly could not be for the awful Oruq and the Thothians. Yet at the same time I was incorporating a beautifully conceptualized, unique universe/landscape. This required me to walk a bit of a line. If the universe is expanding and contracting, so was my mind as I read this book – back and forth between history and the future, structure and lack of structure, tradition and new ground, archetype and stereotype.
I was very engaged. I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it, wondering where the characters would go next (although I had no doubt they would come out on top). Certain situations seemed unbeatable, and I was charmed by the clever and unexpected ways the characters worked their way out of them. Mastro pays good attention to details such as physical sensations and smells, so I felt like I was experiencing what the characters were experiencing. With profound regrets to its legions of fans, I did not particularly care for Dune, because the book never felt alive to me, and Elam does not have that problem.
As I don’t wish to put too many spoilers in my review, I’m happy to say that the patriarchal problem seems to dissipate at the end of the book. I almost cheered, quite honestly, because the appearance of De Orlanean helped me to resolve some inner conflicts created by the book (in that a hero with a thousand faces always seems to have a male face). The ending came in a whirlwind, and as Jason works through the puzzle of how to accept who he is and also learn how to put it to use, I found myself reading well into the night in order to see how it would end. The foreshadowing of an unexpected romance doesn’t hurt either, and I will certainly be seeking out the next book in this series.
Plot: Three kids, main character Jason Hunter and his friends Kevin Hayashi and Amelia Reis, start to notice some odd things happening in their New England town. They discover a spaceship, which they initially take for a sort of joyride, but then are convinced by aliens that they need to go on a journey to save the Earth, and then to find the Amulon Talic. In this journey, they must escape several alien chases, visit many bizarre planets, try new foods, and meet other people from other planets, all of whom have agendas of their own.
Setting: Many different planets of the universe, as Stevie Nicks might say, and the universe itself. Largely, spaceships of many different kinds, and Mastro does a good job of showing both their similarities and their differences, and grounding us in their divergent technologies.
Characters: I liked the characters and felt connected with them. Jason is a prototypical hero: thoughtful, determined, kind, good. I think his personality is his predominant trait – he doesn’t seem to have a particular skill other than being the Heir and able to hold the Talic, unlike Amelia who is good at languages and Kevin who is a brilliant flier. The chemistry and energy between the characters was fun, and Shalan in particular grows through the book and becomes far more interesting at the end than she is in the beginning. I loved Takkadian Pheno the giant spider, and Bob the orb – both of whom I hope reappear in the next books. My only concern surrounds the character of Ardemesius. I’m smelling a Gandalf rising (free associate here to the Doors song) and am hopeful Mastro either doesn’t do this or he does it in a unique way. I might add that I loved the names in this book. It’s a gift to cleverly coin both outer-worldy and domestic names well.
Style: Nicely done, well straddling the middle reader genre and sci-fi. A few very minor typos (parent’s instead of parents’, very minor things like that). Engaging throughout, and it left me looking forward to the sequel.
Overall Impression: Four stars. A highly enjoyable trip through the universe, with imaginative, likeable and unique characters and interesting challenges. Perhaps a bit too clearly good-and-evil. I’d love to see some shades of gray start coming out between the two sides, and I think a good place for that would be in the book’s suggestion that some of the anger directed at Earth is due to Earthers’ carelessness with environmental stewardship. I’d recommend this book to any lover of either middle reader fantasy or sci-fi.
January 21, 2011
Article first published as Book Review:The Talisman of Elam: Children of Hathor-Book I by Jim Mastro on Blogcritics.
Something is happening in young Jason Hunter’s life that he does not understand. He is seeing some very odd things and when he discusses them with his parents they just nod and smile. He is determined that he is being followed and is in danger, but he is not able to get them to believe him. He finally talks to his friend Kevin Hayashi with whom he now shares everything. They are the best of friends ever since Jason saved Kevin from being beat up at school. As Kevin is trying to get more information from Jason about an object he found in the woods, another student shows up, Amelia Reis. She too is a friend of Kevin’s and although has heard all about Jason, she has never met him.
Amelia does not fit in with the in crowd in school and is more like Jason and Kevin than anyone else. When Kevin invites her to listen in on the stories he is hearing from Jason, she is intrigued. Because she constantly has her camera with her and is a very curious person she is a good fit for adventure, and has the making of a great new friend.
Once she has left, Jason gets Kevin to come over so that he can help him follow his neighbors, whom he has dubbed the freaks. These are the very same people that seem to be following him, so he and Kevin decide to follow them into the woods. As night breaks, and the freaks leave their house for the woods, Kevin and Jason are right behind, they have every intention of finding out what is happening. When they run into Amelia in the woods, Jason is a bit upset, but she is adamant. She too is following these freaks, and will not leave.
Finding a hidden space ship is the very last thing that any of them expected. Even worse, they find that not only have these neighbors been following Jason, but that his real parents have been kidnapped and only he can save them. He must travel to space and find an ancient talisman, both to prevent destruction of the earth and to save his parents from death. As his friends finally agree to help him in this quest, little do they know that they will learn secrets about themselves unknown to all, and that not only the earth is in danger but the entire galaxy itself is in jeopardy. They find strengths within that make them the perfect foil for Jason, who discovers that he is the Heir of Elam. With the help of Shalan, one of the freaks as he calls them, he becomes someone he does not recognize, and yet it is what he needs in order to survive.
In The Talisman of Elam, Jim Mastro has put together a story of adventure and suspense, a tale that can only be dreamed of. The story is strong and bold, delivering an impression of realism, with characters that walk right off the pages. Jason has to grow up quickly, and he steps up and takes the challenge. Kevin is bright and very much into gaming, and with his background he is able to guide the space ship through dangerous situations, saving the group on several occasions. Amanda, with her background in languages, is very adaptable and picks up new languages easier, but is also the most human, wanting to be home, while the boys are enjoying the situations as they occur.
Shalan starts out as an unknown and while she is still very introspective throughout the first part of the book, when she finally breaks out of her shell she is courageous and very intelligent. She knows the information that will be needed, and when she is injured and almost killed, it takes everything that Jason, Kevin and Amanda have to keep her alive. She is their only link to both where they are going as well as their homes on earth and they need her.
The pace is quick and flowing, with strange and unique individuals, different and dangerous travel, and an exciting type of magic, which is imbued only to the owner of the Talisman.
This is a great young adult book, but with a strong story for anyone that is an enthusiast of science fiction. This is a first in the series of this young group of travelers, and I look forward to hearing more about them.
This book was received as a free copy from the Author. All opinions are my own based of my reading and understanding of the material.
Something is happening in young Jason Hunter’s life that he does not understand. He is seeing some very odd things and when he discusses them with his parents they just nod and smile. He is determined that he is being followed and is in danger, but he is not able to get them to believe him. He finally talks to his friend Kevin Hayashi with whom he now shares everything. They are the best of friends ever since Jason saved Kevin from being beat up at school. As Kevin is trying to get more information from Jason about an object he found in the woods, another student shows up, Amelia Reis. She too is a friend of Kevin’s and although has heard all about Jason, she has never met him.
Amelia does not fit in with the in crowd in school and is more like Jason and Kevin than anyone else. When Kevin invites her to listen in on the stories he is hearing from Jason, she is intrigued. Because she constantly has her camera with her and is a very curious person she is a good fit for adventure, and has the making of a great new friend.
Once she has left, Jason gets Kevin to come over so that he can help him follow his neighbors, whom he has dubbed the freaks. These are the very same people that seem to be following him, so he and Kevin decide to follow them into the woods. As night breaks, and the freaks leave their house for the woods, Kevin and Jason are right behind, they have every intention of finding out what is happening. When they run into Amelia in the woods, Jason is a bit upset, but she is adamant. She too is following these freaks, and will not leave.
Finding a hidden space ship is the very last thing that any of them expected. Even worse, they find that not only have these neighbors been following Jason, but that his real parents have been kidnapped and only he can save them. He must travel to space and find an ancient talisman, both to prevent destruction of the earth and to save his parents from death. As his friends finally agree to help him in this quest, little do they know that they will learn secrets about themselves unknown to all, and that not only the earth is in danger but the entire galaxy itself is in jeopardy. They find strengths within that make them the perfect foil for Jason, who discovers that he is the Heir of Elam. With the help of Shalan, one of the freaks as he calls them, he becomes someone he does not recognize, and yet it is what he needs in order to survive.
In The Talisman of Elam, Jim Mastro has put together a story of adventure and suspense, a tale that can only be dreamed of. The story is strong and bold, delivering an impression of realism, with characters that walk right off the pages. Jason has to grow up quickly, and he steps up and takes the challenge. Kevin is bright and very much into gaming, and with his background he is able to guide the space ship through dangerous situations, saving the group on several occasions. Amanda, with her background in languages, is very adaptable and picks up new languages easier, but is also the most human, wanting to be home, while the boys are enjoying the situations as they occur.
Shalan starts out as an unknown and while she is still very introspective throughout the first part of the book, when she finally breaks out of her shell she is courageous and very intelligent. She knows the information that will be needed, and when she is injured and almost killed, it takes everything that Jason, Kevin and Amanda have to keep her alive. She is their only link to both where they are going as well as their homes on earth and they need her.
The pace is quick and flowing, with strange and unique individuals, different and dangerous travel, and an exciting type of magic, which is imbued only to the owner of the Talisman.
This is a great young adult book, but with a strong story for anyone that is an enthusiast of science fiction. This is a first in the series of this young group of travelers, and I look forward to hearing more about them.
This book was received as a free copy from the Author. All opinions are my own based of my reading and understanding of the material.
November 13, 2015
The Talisman of Elam is a fast-paced, adventure-filled, action-packed journey through the cosmos. The three main characters, Jason, Kevin, and Amelia, are highly personable and Young Readers will instantly bond with them. The fascinating storyline will keep a Young Reader absorbing pages late into the night wondering how Jason is going to get out of the mess that he finds himself in.
As I read this book, the writing style reminded me of all of the early Science Fiction books written by Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. Those books written in the 1940's and 1950's were some of the best Science Fiction stories ever written . . . in my mind. There were tales about kids visiting strange planets, space rangers, adventures in space, and so much more. The authors didn't always get everything right, like the idea of an asbestos suit (that still makes me laugh), but a lot the concepts they wrote about back then are true today. The Talisman of Elam reminds me of those old-style, space adventure books that made Science Fiction and major genre sixty years ago.
As for the bad guys, the Thothians, my, aren't they a nasty piece of work? Here they are on Earth working to destroy our environment and thereby proving to the Council that humans cannot take care of their own planet. If they are awarded the planet, all humans will be wiped out. Jason knows that the fate of the planet and every human being rests upon his thin shoulders. I found this to be a lot of pressure for a boy of twelve years old and I liked the way Jason handled it. With the help of his two new friends, Kevin, who can fly a space ship because of all the video games he has played, and Amelia, who is documenting their adventure in space with her camera, he cannot lose, can he? Well, he could easily be destroyed by the Talisman of Elam if he isn't the Heir of Elam. After all, others have tried before . . . and none have returned. Plus, he is just a kid, and no child has ever been an Heir of Elam before, especially not one from a backwater planet like Earth.
You know, it is hard not compare this book a little to the Harry Potter series. The formula these days seems to include a boy with a talent and two sidekicks, both a male and a female. But that is where the comparison ends. This is not a Fantasy tale of magic, it is a Science Fiction romp though space. Are there some parallels, sure, but it doesn't really matter. This story works, plain and simple.
I found this story to be high interesting. As the kids in the saucer travel through wormholes from planet to planet looking for clues as to the location of the Talisman of Elam, I couldn't help but picture the wormholes on the television series Stargate SG-1. Cool, who doesn't want to travel through a wormhole to another part of the galaxy? I know I do. Jim Mastro has created a masterpiece of Science Fiction that Young Readers will thoroughly enjoy and should not be missed by any kids that loves a good adventure.
Overall, The Talisman of Elam is an excellent read that I had a hard time putting down. When I wasn't able to read the book during the day, I found myself thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. You know, that is what makes a fantastic book. If the reader is constantly thinking of the book while they are not reading it, the author has succeeded in their endeavor. So, if you are looking for a wonderful story, pick up a copy of this book today. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book in this series, The Hand of Osiris.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
As I read this book, the writing style reminded me of all of the early Science Fiction books written by Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. Those books written in the 1940's and 1950's were some of the best Science Fiction stories ever written . . . in my mind. There were tales about kids visiting strange planets, space rangers, adventures in space, and so much more. The authors didn't always get everything right, like the idea of an asbestos suit (that still makes me laugh), but a lot the concepts they wrote about back then are true today. The Talisman of Elam reminds me of those old-style, space adventure books that made Science Fiction and major genre sixty years ago.
As for the bad guys, the Thothians, my, aren't they a nasty piece of work? Here they are on Earth working to destroy our environment and thereby proving to the Council that humans cannot take care of their own planet. If they are awarded the planet, all humans will be wiped out. Jason knows that the fate of the planet and every human being rests upon his thin shoulders. I found this to be a lot of pressure for a boy of twelve years old and I liked the way Jason handled it. With the help of his two new friends, Kevin, who can fly a space ship because of all the video games he has played, and Amelia, who is documenting their adventure in space with her camera, he cannot lose, can he? Well, he could easily be destroyed by the Talisman of Elam if he isn't the Heir of Elam. After all, others have tried before . . . and none have returned. Plus, he is just a kid, and no child has ever been an Heir of Elam before, especially not one from a backwater planet like Earth.
You know, it is hard not compare this book a little to the Harry Potter series. The formula these days seems to include a boy with a talent and two sidekicks, both a male and a female. But that is where the comparison ends. This is not a Fantasy tale of magic, it is a Science Fiction romp though space. Are there some parallels, sure, but it doesn't really matter. This story works, plain and simple.
I found this story to be high interesting. As the kids in the saucer travel through wormholes from planet to planet looking for clues as to the location of the Talisman of Elam, I couldn't help but picture the wormholes on the television series Stargate SG-1. Cool, who doesn't want to travel through a wormhole to another part of the galaxy? I know I do. Jim Mastro has created a masterpiece of Science Fiction that Young Readers will thoroughly enjoy and should not be missed by any kids that loves a good adventure.
Overall, The Talisman of Elam is an excellent read that I had a hard time putting down. When I wasn't able to read the book during the day, I found myself thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. You know, that is what makes a fantastic book. If the reader is constantly thinking of the book while they are not reading it, the author has succeeded in their endeavor. So, if you are looking for a wonderful story, pick up a copy of this book today. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book in this series, The Hand of Osiris.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
January 20, 2011
Finding good science fiction is hard. Finding good science fiction for a middle-grade audience is even harder. But now seekers of space thrills need not look any further. The Talisman of Elam is what every young Star Wars geek (I say that with love) can hope for in a book, and I absolutely adored it!
The Talisman of Elam is classic science fiction with a modern twist. Mastro takes the reader on an amazing adventure as his characters pinball back and forth across the galaxy, encountering strange creatures at every stop as they search for the talisman. The plot is incredibly fast-paced (as Jason and his friends are constantly on the run), never leaving the reader with a dull moment. However, this doesn't mean that Mastro sacrifices the time to give enough background information or planet-related history to explain what's going on. As a matter of fact, I was a little surprised at how skillfully information is released throughout the story. Exactly the right amount of information is given at exactly the right time to completely construct the universe this plot takes place in and avoid confusion. Though the science fiction and fantasy elements of this novel are intelligent and complex, they are easy to understand because everything is grounded in some level of reality. If you could see me right now, you'd see that I have a big smile on my face. It's so hard to find good middle grade science fiction that isn't dumbed down or just plane silly-cute for the sake of amusement, and I had a blast learning about the universe's history according to Shalan.
I loved getting to know the characters as well. For 12-year-olds, Jason and his friends handle the situation that they've been dragged into like champs. They're brave, rational, and trusting of each other while still maintaining the uncertainty and excitement that 12-year-olds are expected to have. Oh, and did I mention that they balance each other out? Jason, Kevin, and Amelia each bring something different to the team, and Mastro capitalizes on their unique talents to move the plot forward. Even without one, the team wouldn't have succeeded in any of their quests. In fact, just about every character mentioned plays an important role in some way, shape, or form, even if they don't return in the end. It was nice to realize that any name I had to memorize wasn't without reason, and it was nice to see Jason's friends weren't just there to support him as cheerleaders.
Though The Talisman of Elam may not be for everyone, those who do decide to pick it up will enjoy its heroes, exciting plot, and masterfully constructed environment. This is exactly the kind of book that the middle-grade science fiction section needs, and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on the next book! For those of you who are interested at taking a peek at the first few chapters of The Talisman of Elam, Mastro has been kind enough to post them on his website. For more information, or to read The Talisman of Elam, go to http://www.talismanofelam.com/. I highly recommend it!
-----
For the full review, please visit my blog: http://oktopusink.blogspot.com/2011/0...
The Talisman of Elam is classic science fiction with a modern twist. Mastro takes the reader on an amazing adventure as his characters pinball back and forth across the galaxy, encountering strange creatures at every stop as they search for the talisman. The plot is incredibly fast-paced (as Jason and his friends are constantly on the run), never leaving the reader with a dull moment. However, this doesn't mean that Mastro sacrifices the time to give enough background information or planet-related history to explain what's going on. As a matter of fact, I was a little surprised at how skillfully information is released throughout the story. Exactly the right amount of information is given at exactly the right time to completely construct the universe this plot takes place in and avoid confusion. Though the science fiction and fantasy elements of this novel are intelligent and complex, they are easy to understand because everything is grounded in some level of reality. If you could see me right now, you'd see that I have a big smile on my face. It's so hard to find good middle grade science fiction that isn't dumbed down or just plane silly-cute for the sake of amusement, and I had a blast learning about the universe's history according to Shalan.
I loved getting to know the characters as well. For 12-year-olds, Jason and his friends handle the situation that they've been dragged into like champs. They're brave, rational, and trusting of each other while still maintaining the uncertainty and excitement that 12-year-olds are expected to have. Oh, and did I mention that they balance each other out? Jason, Kevin, and Amelia each bring something different to the team, and Mastro capitalizes on their unique talents to move the plot forward. Even without one, the team wouldn't have succeeded in any of their quests. In fact, just about every character mentioned plays an important role in some way, shape, or form, even if they don't return in the end. It was nice to realize that any name I had to memorize wasn't without reason, and it was nice to see Jason's friends weren't just there to support him as cheerleaders.
Though The Talisman of Elam may not be for everyone, those who do decide to pick it up will enjoy its heroes, exciting plot, and masterfully constructed environment. This is exactly the kind of book that the middle-grade science fiction section needs, and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on the next book! For those of you who are interested at taking a peek at the first few chapters of The Talisman of Elam, Mastro has been kind enough to post them on his website. For more information, or to read The Talisman of Elam, go to http://www.talismanofelam.com/. I highly recommend it!
-----
For the full review, please visit my blog: http://oktopusink.blogspot.com/2011/0...
February 27, 2011
Jason Hunter’s got your typical problems. His parents relocated him to a new city, where he promptly made bad by coming to the aid of a geeky boy and getting himself on the jock “hit list.” Speaking of his parents, they’ve been acting a little, well, distant lately, and then there’s the question of the crazy new neighbors who seem to be spying on him. When he chooses to follow them one night, he makes a discovery that forevers changes what he thinks of himself, his friends, and his family.
A middle grade novel by Jim Mastro, this book has action and adventure that holds particular appeal for its intended age group. Jason is a believable 12-year-old boy who finds strengths he never knew he had as he pulls together with his friends to find his parents and, basically, save Earth. The adventure takes us into space to visit other planets with advanced civilizations, and introduces us to a federation we never knew existed. The three children in this book, Jason, Kevin and Amelia, are engaging and nicely developed. Each has a distinct personality, and each is valuable to the storyline in his or her own way. Jason may be the star of the story, but his two friends are equally important to the outcome. Shalan, one of the aliens who has a particular interest in protecting Jason, fades a little into the background, which may be fitting for a book geared towards pre-adolescents. The kids are really the stars, and the adults have their place, but are truly secondary.
Nicely paced, the storyline flows fluidly through several settings and builds up to its finale, which is really just the beginning of the planned trilogy. Although it's just the first installment, the book provides closure, while still setting the stage for the next adventure. One theme in this book relates to the power of children, and this theme is something I always enjoyed when I was in this age group. The idea that an unpopular pre-teen actually has the power to change the world, to do amazing things, and to be so important is an idea that empowers and excites those in this age group. It's the classic story of the underdog making good, in ways that may surprise any who didn't believe in him. This is the first novel for the author, who has been writing predominantly non-fiction for decades. It's a great first jump into a trilogy that is sure to find fans in all age groups. The writing is appropriate for the age level, overall. There were a few instances where the dialogue was a little awkward or unbelievable, but it seemed to ring true for the most part. Some of the adults are more two-dimensional and less believable, but that only puts the spotlight even more on the kids. The ending seemed slightly rushed and perhaps a tad confusing after all the build-up in the story, but it didn't detract from the overall experience.
Very kid-friendly, this book is sure to appeal- especially to those interested in science fiction and space travel.
@MotherLode blog
A middle grade novel by Jim Mastro, this book has action and adventure that holds particular appeal for its intended age group. Jason is a believable 12-year-old boy who finds strengths he never knew he had as he pulls together with his friends to find his parents and, basically, save Earth. The adventure takes us into space to visit other planets with advanced civilizations, and introduces us to a federation we never knew existed. The three children in this book, Jason, Kevin and Amelia, are engaging and nicely developed. Each has a distinct personality, and each is valuable to the storyline in his or her own way. Jason may be the star of the story, but his two friends are equally important to the outcome. Shalan, one of the aliens who has a particular interest in protecting Jason, fades a little into the background, which may be fitting for a book geared towards pre-adolescents. The kids are really the stars, and the adults have their place, but are truly secondary.
Nicely paced, the storyline flows fluidly through several settings and builds up to its finale, which is really just the beginning of the planned trilogy. Although it's just the first installment, the book provides closure, while still setting the stage for the next adventure. One theme in this book relates to the power of children, and this theme is something I always enjoyed when I was in this age group. The idea that an unpopular pre-teen actually has the power to change the world, to do amazing things, and to be so important is an idea that empowers and excites those in this age group. It's the classic story of the underdog making good, in ways that may surprise any who didn't believe in him. This is the first novel for the author, who has been writing predominantly non-fiction for decades. It's a great first jump into a trilogy that is sure to find fans in all age groups. The writing is appropriate for the age level, overall. There were a few instances where the dialogue was a little awkward or unbelievable, but it seemed to ring true for the most part. Some of the adults are more two-dimensional and less believable, but that only puts the spotlight even more on the kids. The ending seemed slightly rushed and perhaps a tad confusing after all the build-up in the story, but it didn't detract from the overall experience.
Very kid-friendly, this book is sure to appeal- especially to those interested in science fiction and space travel.
@MotherLode blog
December 28, 2010
My Thoughts: To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this story or not. This is a middle grade young adult novel which may not appeal to everyone. The main characters: Jason, Kevin, and Amelia are in middle school and are only 12 years old. I wasn’t sure if this was going to have more of a childish flair to it. I mean, how mature can 12 year old really be? I really do try to read all kinds of books because really how else are you going to know if you like it or not, unless you read it? Well, I love to be proven wrong! What fun this story was! Not once did I feel like the characters we too immature. Given the circumstances these characters where put in; I’d say they handled themselves very well.
Things I liked about this book:
* Story has a classic science fiction feel with lots of modern day twist and turns.
* Love that even though Jason didn’t know his new found friends very long he is very loyal and trusting.
* It just wouldn’t be the same if Amelia didn’t have her camera with her at all times to take pictures of every unique thing or have the ability to learn the language of other species from other planets so easily.
* You shouldn’t even consider stealing a spaceship unless you or your friends bedroom is fully equipped with a home entertainment system, 90 inch high definition TV and the ability to play Space Annihilator or Air Combat Simulator when you’re not doing your homework or hanging out with friends.
* Made me pause and give the moon a little more thought and wondered what it really would be like if we could all travel through space like the Aliens do…even if it is for pretend! How awesome would that be?!
Jim Mastro takes you on an amazing adventure across the galaxy describing space travel as if it’s part of our everyday life. While we’re on our journey we make stops on planets in other galaxies, see their many moons, meet many unique characters along the way. We get to travel through space tunnels that allow the traveler to travel hundreds of light years in a matter of seconds. I thought it was all very fascinating and Mastro did a wonderful job at describing the detail of it all; from the atmosphere on other planets to the controls of the spaceship.
I thought the plot was very face paced and I defiantly wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. The characters were very likable. I wasn’t sure if I liked Shalan very much in the beginning but it didn’t take very long to understand her and like her too.
I’m excited that this is a trilogy and I look forward to seeing what journey Mastro has in mind next for Jason, Kevin and Amelia and I hope to see the return of a couple of characters I was quite fond of. I definitely recommend you checking this series out, it was such a fun read.
Things I liked about this book:
* Story has a classic science fiction feel with lots of modern day twist and turns.
* Love that even though Jason didn’t know his new found friends very long he is very loyal and trusting.
* It just wouldn’t be the same if Amelia didn’t have her camera with her at all times to take pictures of every unique thing or have the ability to learn the language of other species from other planets so easily.
* You shouldn’t even consider stealing a spaceship unless you or your friends bedroom is fully equipped with a home entertainment system, 90 inch high definition TV and the ability to play Space Annihilator or Air Combat Simulator when you’re not doing your homework or hanging out with friends.
* Made me pause and give the moon a little more thought and wondered what it really would be like if we could all travel through space like the Aliens do…even if it is for pretend! How awesome would that be?!
Jim Mastro takes you on an amazing adventure across the galaxy describing space travel as if it’s part of our everyday life. While we’re on our journey we make stops on planets in other galaxies, see their many moons, meet many unique characters along the way. We get to travel through space tunnels that allow the traveler to travel hundreds of light years in a matter of seconds. I thought it was all very fascinating and Mastro did a wonderful job at describing the detail of it all; from the atmosphere on other planets to the controls of the spaceship.
I thought the plot was very face paced and I defiantly wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. The characters were very likable. I wasn’t sure if I liked Shalan very much in the beginning but it didn’t take very long to understand her and like her too.
I’m excited that this is a trilogy and I look forward to seeing what journey Mastro has in mind next for Jason, Kevin and Amelia and I hope to see the return of a couple of characters I was quite fond of. I definitely recommend you checking this series out, it was such a fun read.
December 2, 2013
On the outside, Jason Hunter was an ordinary kid with ordinary problems- his parents had just moved him from sunny California, where he used to surf every day, to dreary New Hampshire, where he was stuck as far away from waves as was humanly possible. He had one or two friends, he had a normal house, and normal-looking parents. But that's where normality ended for Jason. Because while things looked fine on the surface, they certainly weren't once you looked more closely; for instance, what mother made her child eat cereal with blue cheese dressing instead of milk for breakfast? And how many kids were being staked out by the mysterious neighbors next door? And how many small towns had numerous sightings of UFOs?
We're not left to wonder for long, as The Talisman of Elam gets of to a rollicking start when Jason and his friends Kevin and Amelia accidentally hijack a flying saucer. We're soon introduced to Shalan and Londro, aliens who explain that Jason is the hope that will unite the universe. Its up to him to retrieve a relic that will save the Earth from destruction- oh, and rescue his parents who have been kidnapped, and replaced with clones, of course, because really, what mother would serve her child cereal with salad dressing?
Book 2 of the of the series, The Hand of Osiris, gets off to an even faster start, this time with Jason and his friends being kidnapped in daylight, in a park, in full view of everyone. This time Kevin and Amelia have an even bigger role in saving the day as the team hops from world to world trying to evade the bad guy and find more relics.
These middle grade books are great fun, full of constant action and good characters. Jason, Kevin, and Amelia are a good team, but also realistic kids who are smart, sassy, and brave and I think they'll appeal to readers.
These books, however, are not meant for reluctant readers: they are thick and the vocabulary is not for the faint-hearted. Even some adults would quail at a few of the words used, especially in the second book. And the names of people, races, and planets (while clearly based on ancient earthly civilizations) in typical sci-fi fashion are unpronouncable.
We leave Jason and his friends in a cliffhanger of course, because there is a book 3 on its way, The Treasure of Hathor, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
If these seem like books you'd like, visit my friend Betsy's blog, where she talks about Mastro's other book and where she's giving copies away: http://elizabethmarroblog.com/2013/10...
We're not left to wonder for long, as The Talisman of Elam gets of to a rollicking start when Jason and his friends Kevin and Amelia accidentally hijack a flying saucer. We're soon introduced to Shalan and Londro, aliens who explain that Jason is the hope that will unite the universe. Its up to him to retrieve a relic that will save the Earth from destruction- oh, and rescue his parents who have been kidnapped, and replaced with clones, of course, because really, what mother would serve her child cereal with salad dressing?
Book 2 of the of the series, The Hand of Osiris, gets off to an even faster start, this time with Jason and his friends being kidnapped in daylight, in a park, in full view of everyone. This time Kevin and Amelia have an even bigger role in saving the day as the team hops from world to world trying to evade the bad guy and find more relics.
These middle grade books are great fun, full of constant action and good characters. Jason, Kevin, and Amelia are a good team, but also realistic kids who are smart, sassy, and brave and I think they'll appeal to readers.
These books, however, are not meant for reluctant readers: they are thick and the vocabulary is not for the faint-hearted. Even some adults would quail at a few of the words used, especially in the second book. And the names of people, races, and planets (while clearly based on ancient earthly civilizations) in typical sci-fi fashion are unpronouncable.
We leave Jason and his friends in a cliffhanger of course, because there is a book 3 on its way, The Treasure of Hathor, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
If these seem like books you'd like, visit my friend Betsy's blog, where she talks about Mastro's other book and where she's giving copies away: http://elizabethmarroblog.com/2013/10...
April 6, 2011
Jason Hunter has troubles. New school, new friends, weird neighbors, weird parents. The next thing he knows, he's escaping evil aliens, riding in a flying saucer, and zipping off to the other end of the galaxy in order to save the planet. Along the way, he meets several memorable characters and has adventures on numerous worlds, with barely a moment to catch his breath. It's been a long time since I've read any YA science fiction, and this was a very fun return to the genre. The setting, though clearly inspired by such SF giants as Stargate and Star Trek, is detailed, plausible, and fairly original - and best of all, not dumbed down. My favorite character, by far, was Takkadian Pheno. Scary, hilarious, and all-around awesome. I do hope he shows up again sometime. Now, I will admit to having a pretty good idea of how the other two books in the trilogy will play out (there's reason Jason brought two friends with him, after all), but I'd still like to read them, if only to revisit the universe of these stories. I can see this series becoming very popular among junior high school SF fans.
February 27, 2012
This post was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com.
At first I didn't feel like I was going to like this novel as I normally stay away from young adult fiction but there was something about this book that caught my eye. The more I read of it the more intrigued I became and I found myself finishing this book in a day. I felt that this story had all the points of a sci-fi classics but it had a bit of a modern twist to the plot.
This novel is fast paced and will keep the reader turning the pages till the end. I found that all the characters had been well written and this a credit to the author. All the characters are very like able and I feel like the reader can really relate to these characters.
This book is an excellent young adult book that I feel and hope will be enjoyed by many people. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and would recommend this to people that want to read a fun and enjoyable book.
A copy of this book was received for free and all opinions expressed are my own through reading this book.
At first I didn't feel like I was going to like this novel as I normally stay away from young adult fiction but there was something about this book that caught my eye. The more I read of it the more intrigued I became and I found myself finishing this book in a day. I felt that this story had all the points of a sci-fi classics but it had a bit of a modern twist to the plot.
This novel is fast paced and will keep the reader turning the pages till the end. I found that all the characters had been well written and this a credit to the author. All the characters are very like able and I feel like the reader can really relate to these characters.
This book is an excellent young adult book that I feel and hope will be enjoyed by many people. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and would recommend this to people that want to read a fun and enjoyable book.
A copy of this book was received for free and all opinions expressed are my own through reading this book.
August 31, 2015
What I think is entirely biased, because I wrote the book. So I will leave it to others to review and comment.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews