I liked the idea behind the book. Humans finally get to pluto, where they find a mysterious statue. Meanwhile in the asteroid belt a family is surveying an asteroid for possible mining operations, where they find a new element that enables near-light speed travel. Unfortunately, the find kills the parents and sends their ten year old son hurtling through space at near light speed only to stop at Pluto less than 5 hours later. The experience leaves young Alex with amazing powers that several antagonists try to exploit.



The problems with the book were numerous. First, the science was really bad. It seems the author researched his physics and that is good. However, he failed to continue past high school physics. When dealing with space travel and the science needed for such a venture it is kinda necessary to go past the elementary physics. Newtonian physics only applies to objects on earth. While some of the basics still apply in space i.e. Newton's three laws still apply to human and human sized objects. Very large and Very small objects do not necessarily follow the same rules. Thats where Quantum Mechanics come into play.



Secondly, the storytelling was very flat. The use of language was advanced but it was not put in a way to make me care or follow along with whats going on. Its like the author just throws out big or unusual words to make himself better. There were many instances of vocabulary and grammar structure that people just don't read very often anymore.



Thirdly, the characters were really flat. There was no empathy brought to the characters. I finished reading this book just before writing this and have already forgotten the main characters (ten year old boy) full name. They aren't memorable. One of the Antagonist was all kinds of powerful at the start of the book and had his minions all scared of him, but is taken down with a single paragraph on the "EarthMesh". I get the feeling that the author just didnt know what to do with that character and rushed it. His demise isn't even described. The reader is left to assume that he is taken down. The ending was little rushed too. There is a huge chunk of information that is missing.



I won't be reading the next in the series.