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The Young Astronauts #3
Space Blazers
Finally on their way to Mars, the young space explorers stop at an orbital space platform, but when a cable snaps during a routine space walk, their entire mission is threatened
157 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 31, 2024
I've been rereading this series that I loved as a middle schooler, when I was obsessed with the space program and spent a lot of time fantasizing about being an astronaut. I didn't think the books would hold up, but despite some issues I really enjoyed the first two. This third installment, which takes place on a space station as the kids build their ships and prepare for the Mars voyage, was never my favorite as a kid. And now I can see why. It feels like filler, partly because they've s ask ready gone through the big hoops to get chosen to go to Mars. But they haven't started their voyage. It's a waiting game, as they perform menial labor to construct the ships and grumble about things like snacks, MTV, the bland decor of their surroundings. It feels like we are in between two stories, in an aimless episode of a TV show mid-season. The next book, which covers their actual voyage to Mars, was my favorite as a kid. I think it would have been smarter to spend two books on the voyage, or three on Mars itself, and drop this entirely.
Though there's a mysterious life and death situation, the stakes feel low. Strangely low. I mean, life and death usually is a big deal. But it doesn't seem possible that the author will let anyone be killed off, or have the station as a whole in real peril. And there's answers telegraphed early on, and we'd I'm sure I picked up on as a kid too. Other conflicts include the kids wanting access to MTV, which they're being denied, despite other tons of other media from Earth being available. The lack of MTV, and other media that would appeal to teens, movies oriented to teens, comics, etc, seems like an unfair oversight, or adults actively thinking things like MTV are less important than movies or shows that they would enjoy. It makes the adults look petty and out of touch, a very YA book thing to do. But it's just such a dull conflict, that even though I thought the kids were absolutely right, I struggled to care.
Though there's a mysterious life and death situation, the stakes feel low. Strangely low. I mean, life and death usually is a big deal. But it doesn't seem possible that the author will let anyone be killed off, or have the station as a whole in real peril. And there's answers telegraphed early on, and we'd I'm sure I picked up on as a kid too. Other conflicts include the kids wanting access to MTV, which they're being denied, despite other tons of other media from Earth being available. The lack of MTV, and other media that would appeal to teens, movies oriented to teens, comics, etc, seems like an unfair oversight, or adults actively thinking things like MTV are less important than movies or shows that they would enjoy. It makes the adults look petty and out of touch, a very YA book thing to do. But it's just such a dull conflict, that even though I thought the kids were absolutely right, I struggled to care.
December 15, 2015
I remember reading this series as a teenager and thoroughly enjoying them.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews