The Obsidian Blade (The Klaatu Diskos, #1)

Mar 31, 2012 Phoebe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: intergalactic-academy-reviews, sci-fi, young-adult, middle-grade, religion

Full review at The Intergalactic Academy.

In the hours since I finished reading The Obsidian Blade, I’ve contemplated several times what a possible inroads to a review might be. Most novels declare their theses clearly and easily: this is a story about adventure, or about defining oneself in a new world, or about coming of age. What’s most unusual about the opening book in the new “Klaatu Diskos trilogy” (and it’s a very unusual novel) is that it defies easy definition. And so I’m forced to resor...more Full review at The Intergalactic Academy.

In the hours since I finished reading The Obsidian Blade, I’ve contemplated several times what a possible inroads to a review might be. Most novels declare their theses clearly and easily: this is a story about adventure, or about defining oneself in a new world, or about coming of age. What’s most unusual about the opening book in the new “Klaatu Diskos trilogy” (and it’s a very unusual novel) is that it defies easy definition. And so I’m forced to resort to summary:

Fourteen-year-old Tucker’s preacher father climbs up to the roof one day and disappears. Several hours later, he appears on the road that leads to their house, several years older, and with a young blond girl in tow. That night at dinner, his father announces that they’ll no longer be saying grace because he’s lost faith in God. Life proceeds–Lahlia, the girl, is adopted out to a local family. But the strangeness continues. Lahlia’s cat never ages. Tucker’s mother becomes obsessed with Sodoku, and then is diagnosed as autistic. And then Tucker comes home one day to find his parents gone–his father has taken his mother away in search for a cure.

This initial section of The Obsidian Blade is perhaps the most “normal.” In many ways, it feels like a farewell to a suburban childhood–Tucker and his friends make trouble, play pranks, set up rope swings. But it’s also plenty unsettling. The suburban landscape feels right out of The Twilight Zone–colorless and chilly and vaguely upsetting. Hautman’s matter-of-fact tone just underscores the melancholy story.

The book just grows stranger from there, as Tucker and his Uncle Kosh begin to travel between times through the shimmering diskos–long-abandoned portals between significant human events. There are journeys to the far-future and to the past. Tucker witnesses 9/11 and the crucifixion of Jesus (rendered in stunning, gory detail). He’s rebuilt by future humans and loses several years of his life in some kind of manual labor camp. When he returns, his characterization is unchanged but he’s suddenly sporting a beard.

As the novel proceeded, I found myself wondering about its intended audience. Candlewick is advertising this as a title for audiences age twelve and up; several other reviewers have mentioned that this feels more like a middle grade than young adult novel. I can understand this; Tucker is a very young-seeming fourteen (at seventeen or eighteen, and characterized in much the same way, he frankly kind of creeped me out) and the novel is a chaste one, without any hint of sex and only the shadow of romance. But it’s also spooky, with several scenes that I’d easily call High Octane Nightmare Fuel–a giant maggot, for example, travels through time and eats people. A bunch of nanobot ants rapidly consume a corpse. Jesus’s crucifixion is depicted in gory detail. In light of that, this isn’t a book I’d give to a ten-year-old.

The religious themes, inventive world building, and time hopping reminded me of both A Wrinkle in Time and The Golden Compass. But Tucker is neither a Lyra or a Meg Murry. He’s a bit of an anonymous everyboy, and I wonder if, because of this, the novel might give some YA readers pause. He never felt quite vividly enough defined for me. Yes, he’s young, and mischevous, but beyond that, he’s not particularly well-characterized.

In fact, I think The Obsidian Blade would best suit adult sci-fi fans with literary inclinations. The first section is a beautiful, nostalgic, and stirring look at the last moments of childhood. The most vividly-drawn character is Kosh, Tucker’s middle-aged, once-wild uncle. The religious themes that follow are nuanced and sophisticated. Unfortunately, even under this framework The Obsidian Blade doesn’t quite satisfy. It ends on a cliff-hanger, with more questions raised than addressed. Deep down, I wish this had been a hefty single volume rather than the first of three, likely-slim ones.

However, all that being said, Hautman’s prose is masterful. It inspired a confidence in me that the overall experience of the trilogy will be a satisfying one, and I’ll definitely seek out the sequels. It was an iminently interesting book, evocative in a way that few novels–young adult or adult–truly are. In the hands of a less competent writer, The Obsidian Blade would have fallen flat. But even though I ended the novel puzzled, I’m very glad I read it.(less)

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Aug 27, 2012 Pricky rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3rd-person, dazed-and-confused, library-owned, read-in-2012, reviewed, sci-fi, strange, time-travel, ya

As seen on Zombie Mommies.

There is a delicate balance between a story that is too simplistic and a story that leads to information overload. Too simplistic and the reader falls asleep; too complex and the reader is left in the dust wondering what just happened. Unfortunately, The Obsidian Blade falls into the latter category.

I should have known from the first chapter that I was heading into a bad mix of Star Trek vs The Twilight Zone. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both. I'm just not sure they work...more As seen on Zombie Mommies.

There is a delicate balance between a story that is too simplistic and a story that leads to information overload. Too simplistic and the reader falls asleep; too complex and the reader is left in the dust wondering what just happened. Unfortunately, The Obsidian Blade falls into the latter category.

I should have known from the first chapter that I was heading into a bad mix of Star Trek vs The Twilight Zone. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both. I'm just not sure they work well together...well, at least in this setting.

At the start, we are given a brief historical account of the Klaatu Disks (or time portals) invented by one discorporeal being in the postdigital age but made by Boggsian corporeals. Is your head spinning yet? It took me a few minutes to come to grips but I had to put that aside because then comes Tucker and his Reverend dad who finds themselves drawn to these time portals. And well...the ~~adventure~~ confusion begins.

From there, we discover that the Reverend has lost his faith and his wife is slowly heading into mental instability as a result of playing Sudoku. (Beware all you Sudoku fans!) The Reverend wants to cure his wife and disappears into the disks. But Tucker suspects this and eventually follows them.

In his journey, he meets such bizarre beings as futuristic autistic medical attendants (medicants) who use you in their product assembly line, futuristic priests who sacrifice pure girls to the disks, the last day of earth with a single mysterious woman who has secrets, a retelling of the crucifix of Jesus (who instead of dying and returning to earth, actually got delivered to the medicants: repaired and returned in 3 days), discovers that the Reverend got "cured" of his belief in God, references to the Digital plague, maggot disk eaters, and then being reintroduced to the Reverend as now Father September who will somehow return every one to a state of grace (from technology).

Wait a minute, I was under the impression I was going to read a time travel novel. Instead, the time traveling aspect is just a set up for introducing new bizarre circumstances. From what I can gather, the point of the story is about how we eventually become corrupt from technology...but why all the religious references? Is there a subtext I'm not understanding here. It's just all too complex and unrealistic; is there such a thing as unrealistic science fiction?

Sadly, I felt like I was reading a foreign language. I didn't feel anything for the characters and the story was just bizarre. Then a few days ago I was watching "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and ironically discovered that the main character is named Klaatu... coincidence? Why name the disks after one of the most popular sci-fi characters? I'm not sure, but I'm already too confused to think about it any further.

Sadly, a recommendation I can't make to anyone. If anyone has suggestions on a true time traveling novel, please let me know.(less)

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Dec 02, 2012 Katy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really wanted to like this book, but I don't think it was for me.

I'm extremely fascinated with the diskos and its time-traveling abilities, and it was cool to read (or in my case hear) about Tucker's travels to other time periods, even during the time of Christ. But even though the storyline had potential, to be quite honest, I kind of struggled to pay attention to what was going on. I couldn't really connect with Tucker and kind of felt indifferent toward him.

And when it was all said and done...more

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May 18, 2012 Kelly Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: speculative-fiction, sci-fi, time-travel, how-do-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the

Two haunting words: Digital Plague. Mentions how the Bible foreshadowed this catastrophic ruination of humanity. And the same message is woven obscurely throughout this tome. Technology seems to be sucking the life out of people, zombifying them. Turning society into veritable mouse potatoes. And this book touches upon this very subject in a very obscure way. Aside from what I drew from this novel, it centers around the yummy topic of time travel and actually does it justice.

What else can I say...more Two haunting words: Digital Plague. Mentions how the Bible foreshadowed this catastrophic ruination of humanity. And the same message is woven obscurely throughout this tome. Technology seems to be sucking the life out of people, zombifying them. Turning society into veritable mouse potatoes. And this book touches upon this very subject in a very obscure way. Aside from what I drew from this novel, it centers around the yummy topic of time travel and actually does it justice.

What else can I say about this delicious book? Well, a few other choice words about The Obsidian Blade that pop into my head are: Gripping. Compelling. Hmm, what else? There are diskos, or portals, suspended midair throughout the small town of Hopewell. Each diskos catapults unsuspecting “travelers” to certain times in history. Times of monumental events, i.e., the crucifixion of Christ, 9-11, right before the Twin Towers crumbled to the ground. Let’s see, there are beings named Boggsians. They're a cross between Hasidic Jews and the Amish as far as appearance. Having advanced technology at their disposal, they travel around history, much like the Observers in the brilliantly awesome and highly addictive Fringe. There are the Medicants - an advanced group of humans who can heal/cure practically anything. At a cost. A high price one pays to be healed. Definitely can't wait to learn more about them and their oh so creepy ways.

And there’s a cat that no one seems to know anything about. Yet this friendly feline remains faithfully by the side of one mysterious girl, Lahlia, whose story I’m so very interested in learning about.

So Goodreaders, I highly recommend this novel. Especially if you’re keen on time travel. Only draw back, it’s way too short. Coming in at a mere 308 pages. And the worst part - it’s a trilogy and there’s not any other mention here on Goodreads about book 2 and 3. What’s up with that? So how long must I wait for the sequel? For this book ended on a cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. I need my fix stat!(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Evie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Books that engage both your mind and your heart, make you question the real world, and inspire you to ponder the meaning of life, freedom, destiny and faith are many. Not many of them, however, are done right, and even fewer have the power to literally blow your mind to pieces. The Obsidian Blade is one of the best, most intriguing reality bending books I had the pleasure of reading, and not just in YA genre, but in literature in general.

I loved the concept behind this book. Time travel and al...more Books that engage both your mind and your heart, make you question the real world, and inspire you to ponder the meaning of life, freedom, destiny and faith are many. Not many of them, however, are done right, and even fewer have the power to literally blow your mind to pieces. The Obsidian Blade is one of the best, most intriguing reality bending books I had the pleasure of reading, and not just in YA genre, but in literature in general.

I loved the concept behind this book. Time travel and alternative realities mixed in with a thought-provoking examination of religion and its impact on the history of human kind, and a deeply affecting family drama - all that (and more!) makes for a compulsively readable story, and one that I sure had a hard time putting down. The Obsidian Blade has everything a great science fiction novel should have: a well-realized, fascinating world, convincing characters, intriguing ideas, an exciting plot, and themes that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It's intensely captivating, often moving, and at times even heartwarmingly funny (especially Tucker's conversations with his wild Uncle Kosh). The concept of Klaatu discos is not only interesting and unique, it is also exceptionally well-developed and well-explained, complete with information about their origin and history. I especially appreciated the encyclopedia-like commentary at the beginning of each part of the book that provided valuable info about the discos and their creators, the Klaatu. These brief notes were insightful and in my opinion quite essential to fully understanding the plot.

As much as I loved the science fiction aspect of this book, what I loved the most about it was the heartfelt, emotionally engaging storyline. The lead character, Tucker, was amazing and I quickly warmed up to him. He is a sweet, clever and brave boy, who - faced with an impossibly difficult family situation - tries his best to do the right thing. When his father, reverend Adrian Feye, magically disappears from the rooftop of their house, and then comes walking up the driveway an hour later, accompanied by a weird-looking girl, Tucker's world begins to change. It starts with his father announcing that he no longer has faith in God, followed by his mother's increasingly weird behaviour. Emily, Tucker's mom, slowly sinks into her private world of ghosts and obsessive-compulsive behaviour (polishing silverware over and over again, flipping light switches on and off, etc..). She becomes more withdrawn and disconnected from reality with every passing day, and no one - not even the family doctor - knows what's causing her sudden mental breakdown. When one day both his parents disappear, Tucker is shipped off to live with his uncle, Kosh. It's there that he begins to suspect that their sudden disappearance must have had something to do with the shimmering disk he spotted right above the rooftop of his home. And when he finally gathers the courage to step into it, he finds himself in the middle of a crazy time-travelling adventure that will take him to places he never even imagined existed, launched on a dangerous adventure that will change his life - and the history of the entire human kind - forever.

Lahlia (the girl brought brought home by Tucker's dad) is a very mysterious character and, though we don't see a whole lot of her in the first book, whenever she's present something interesting/dangerous happens. She's a wild and unpredictable creature, and she seems to know a lot about the Klaatu and their discos. I liked her sassy nature, though sometimes she appeared to be rather uninterested in other people's affairs. I'm looking forward to learning more about her and the role she has to play in this story.

Now, I'm not big on comparing authors and books, but to me Pete Hautman's novel is like a curious mix of Stephen King and Robert Sawyer, for teens and adults alike. The Obsidian Blade is a fantastic piece of speculative fiction, packed to the brinks with exciting adventures, complex (often provocative) theories, and mind-blowing plot twists. It's also deliciously dark and atmospheric. Hautman's writing style is quite straight-forward, occasionally humorous (in a dark, Stephen King-ish way), and attention-grabbing. Encompassing an array of thoughts and ideas that are bound to resonate with its readers, and re-examining important events in the history of humankind and their ripple effect on our lives, it's a thoughtful, elaborate and absolutely unforgettable story. And most definitely one of my top favourite reads this year.

I can't wait for the next book in the Klaatu Discos series. If you like your books intelligent, stimulating and just a tiny little bit provocative - this is the book for you. And if you prefer your characters real, flawed, and achingly human (as opposed to the invincible macho-hero stereotype) - this is the novel you should be reading next. Make sure to check it out!(less)

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Nov 21, 2012 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-buy

A thought-provoking science-fiction thriller that will leave your head spinning and your mind grappling, as it tries to hold onto the reality of what you know and what it is seeing on the pages of the book you hold.

That's how I would sum up my whole review for this book.

Summary:

There are diskos scattered around different geographical areas and time periods, and recently, Tucker and his family have been running into a lot of them in their small town of Hopewell.

Review:

I enjoyed reading this book...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Erin Forson rated it 2 of 5 stars

Candlewick
The Obsidian Blade
By Pete Hautman
2 Scribbles
Tucker is thirteen when he sees his father, the devout Reverend Feye, disappear through a hazy disk-shaped area just above the roof of his house. When his father, the Good Reverend, returns a few hours later, he is much changed. Suddenly, everything Tucker knows and thinks he believes begins to change, and his family stability begins to shatter.

At first glance:
It is difficult to evaluate this novel on sheer surface entertainment value. Th...more
Candlewick
The Obsidian Blade
By Pete Hautman
2 Scribbles
Tucker is thirteen when he sees his father, the devout Reverend Feye, disappear through a hazy disk-shaped area just above the roof of his house. When his father, the Good Reverend, returns a few hours later, he is much changed. Suddenly, everything Tucker knows and thinks he believes begins to change, and his family stability begins to shatter.

At first glance:
It is difficult to evaluate this novel on sheer surface entertainment value. There is a great deal of confusion involved for the reader as Tucker, his father, his uncle, even his mother, travel to and from different historical and futuristic periods. That does keep the reader engaged to some degree because it is impossible not to want to know how everything turns out for Tucker and his family. So from a tension and action standpoint, the novel moves forward rather quickly. Also, there are some interesting characters in the novel, for one, Reverend Feye—a man of unshakable faith whose faith is shaken. Awn, a Yoda-like character who (ironically) seems untouched by time, and Lahlia, whose presence in the novel (and soon to be series) is as of yet unclear. The flaw in the novel is unavoidable, the reader is faced with paradox after paradox, and so it is challenging for the reader to organize and make sense of the reading experience in our linear minds. Additionally, the work is planned as a series and the resolution of this first book is unsatisfactory.

Digging beneath the surface:
From an intellectual perspective the story is mesmerizing. There is a great deal going on in this text thematically. It seems that the disks, or "discos" as they are called, enable a person to travel back and forth into different times. In fact, according to Awen "time is not symmetrical," and with this idea some themes emerge in the story. First, time travel seems to create all of mankind’s mysteries; if humans understood and believed that time travel is real then we would not see mysterious events like alien visitations, ghostlike apparitions, or the Resurrection of Christ so mysterious or important. Secondly, despite the historical era or geographical location in the Universe, all humans are at their core evil, and so they leave evil in their wake. And lastly, beings that are not human (aliens) exist and at times do interact with humans.

Peppered throughout the text are also symbolic references that are hard to miss. For instance, Feye literally translated means, "destined to die," which is true for all of us. In this story it is doubly true because characters that travel well into the future, like Tucker and his father, are already dead when they go forward in time. Paradox, no? The Feye might also be a reference to the fairy folk who could trap people in their fairy land while time passed more quickly on Earth. People might spend what seemed like a day in the fairy world to return to an Earth where forty years have passed just like in this book. Father September, another character (sort of) in the text, also has a symbolic name. The beginning of September is the start of the Ecclesiastical Year in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church. And given the events in the story, this cannot be coincidence.

Overall, I probably just scratched the surface of what is an incredibly dense and perplexing read. I asked a reader-friend of mine, John, to read the book with me. As he said, "if you like Star Trek and the Bible, you may like this book." If you have read the book and would like to comment on my review, please do! (less)

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Jan 17, 2012 Erin (Bookish in a Box) rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I finished this book, I paused for a moment and then flipped back through to make sure I hadn't missed a few pages at the end. "What? That's it? No! I need more!" flashed through my mind, mostly because The Obsidian Blade is so gripping but partially--and I have to be honest--because the conclusion felt like the end of a chapter, not the end of a book. Talk about leaving me hanging!

As you may know by now, I'm not a huge fan of male narrators, but I actually didn't mind Tucker (and coming fr...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Eric Townsend rated it 4 of 5 stars

From time travel to ghost-like beings, from the worst disasters in history to cats that shouldn’t have ever existed, The Obsidian Blade has it all. The cat thing is reason enough to read this if you haven’t already, freaky! Anyway, I received a copy of The Obsidian Blade from the amazing people at ARCycling and finally got around to reading it and I’m very glad I did. If you’ve been following my reviews you’ve seen a TON of fantasy so it seemed like it was time to divert a bit, in this case to s...more From time travel to ghost-like beings, from the worst disasters in history to cats that shouldn’t have ever existed, The Obsidian Blade has it all. The cat thing is reason enough to read this if you haven’t already, freaky! Anyway, I received a copy of The Obsidian Blade from the amazing people at ARCycling and finally got around to reading it and I’m very glad I did. If you’ve been following my reviews you’ve seen a TON of fantasy so it seemed like it was time to divert a bit, in this case to sci-fi.

The most interesting and compelling element of The Obsidian Blade is definitely the setting/world-building. Due to the crazy amount of time transportation and dimension jumping it is vital that each new “time” is well developed, often very quickly. Somehow, and I give major credit to him for pulling it off, Hautman manages to make each time frame seem realistic and complex, and most importantly unique. You have forests in the distant future, an ancient city, and everything between. However, while many science fiction writers seem adept at creating these alternate times/realities/worlds, etc. it is even more impressive that Hautman’s writing makes our own seem just as interesting as the rest.

As for the plot, that was understandably a bit scattered. With all of the time jumps you have to make sure and follow closely to where the main character, Tucker is and what dangers lurk in that new place. The main goal of The Obsidian Blade seems to be centered on Tucker’s desire to bring his family back together, but that feeling doesn’t really resonate. While his focus does remain singular the story itself bounces around with seemingly no end in sight. Don’t get me wrong, each new “time” is interesting in its own right, but without having a strictly linear fashion to it the story is just…a bit disjointed.

Tucker as a main character was good if not overly memorable. The Obsidian Blade seems more interested in sharing all of these awesome new times and places with the reader then to create a stellar MC. Tucker is fun, a bit annoying with his incessant questioning, but overall enjoyable. While I enjoyed one of the other main characters, Lahlia, to a certain degree just because of her weird mannerisms and odd sense of humor, she is the only one that stood out. The rest I could take or leave really. Some of the beings in the book though? Really cool.

As this is the first book in the series I feel like there is definite potential in its continuation. The creepy/cool beings known as Klaatu could certainly be expanded on. I don’t really care that much about Tucker, but I’ll gladly give The Cydonian Pyramid a shot in order to read more about Lahlia. Besides, I can’t resist more “time” jumping through dimension holes, what nerd-geek can? Overall I enjoyed The Obsidian Blade and it is a solid read for any sci-fi fans.

Rating: 4/5(less)

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Jan 05, 2013 James rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

As this first book in a projected trilogy opens, we meet beings in the far future who appear to control time. They accompish this through a series of disks that allow one to travel through time and space. From there, we quickly jump to the present and meet young Tucker Feye. Tucker has just turned thirteen. His father, Reverend Feye, has climbed on the roof to make a repair when he simply vanishes. He reappears an hour later looking older and worn, with a strange girl named Lahlia in tow. As the...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Becca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-read-in-2012, mid-grade-dabblings, running-through-mud, 2012-release

I started confused and ended pretty much the same way, but with some guesses about what turns this series will take. I don't think I'll read on in this series, simply because it wasn't my kind of story.

Goods: this story is tightly written. There is A LOT going on all at the same time, yet it is brought together pretty seamlessly. The small details that take a good book to great were present, the small things in conversation and seen in passing that later become important parts of the story. Lik...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Roger rated it 5 of 5 stars

To describe a world of time travel mixed in with a fictional aspect is what Pete Hautman was able to accomplish.

The book Obsidian Blade is a fictional adventure involving this boy named Tucker Feye who was just an ordinary 13 year old boy that is until his father mysteriously vanishes and returns a couple hours later with a strange girl and acting strange. Not only does his attitude change but his fathers belief in god had changed, he had seen something but Adrian the father wouldnt tell Tucker...more To describe a world of time travel mixed in with a fictional aspect is what Pete Hautman was able to accomplish.

The book Obsidian Blade is a fictional adventure involving this boy named Tucker Feye who was just an ordinary 13 year old boy that is until his father mysteriously vanishes and returns a couple hours later with a strange girl and acting strange. Not only does his attitude change but his fathers belief in god had changed, he had seen something but Adrian the father wouldnt tell Tucker. It isnt until later on in the book does Tucker really get involved. Tuckers mother Emily mysteriously starts acting crazy and one day when Tucker gets home his mother and father are gone and His father's brother comes to watch him.

The book is basically about these spiritual apearrance type being's called the Klaatu. These beings invented these portal type things called diskos to be able to go through time in certain places and watch and experience what the humans were. These very same diskos is what causes the father to mysteriously vanish and come back. In the time paradox the portals create you go in the same spot but in the future or past. As Adrian goes through the portal he is gone for a long time but in the current time only a couple of hours. So basically this book is about time travel, ghostly beings, and hardships that you will have to find out when you get a chance to read this book.

This book really kept my eyes glued to the page and i couldnt stop reading it. I enjoyed the fictional aspect mixed with time travel. There are parts in this book that really cause you to be at the edge of your seat. It is a really entertaining book that anyone that enjoys fiction should read. I really enjoyed this book and the way Pete Hautman portrays it will draw you to it as well.

The book is beutifully crafted and well thought out It brings emotion and adventure in one piece that will keep you reading. It is the book you would want to read. I really liked how they incorporated ghosts and basically called them klaatu giving the name a pizaz. The author knew what he was doing and should keep up his work. I hope his next booksto come would be as good or better than this one.

So to wrap it up if you want a book that never gets boring, keeps you at the edge of your seat wanting more, then this is the book for you. I give this book 4 to 5 stars for the performance. IF you want to read it im sure you will enjoy it.

(less)

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Sep 07, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

A wonderfully age appropriate science fiction young adult novel. Some parents might have an issue with the plot as it puts an interesting spin on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the basic premise - non-corporeal beings creating disks allowing time travel to view historic events, including 9/11, is a fast paced read that keeps the reader entranced for beginning to end. I read it in one setting on the train from Cardiff to London. My biggest disappointment was pushing next page on my ki...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Octobercountry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Last night I stayed up MUCH too late reading The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman. This was one of those books that I started and then simply didn't put down until I had finished.

Wow, where to start. This is one of those time-travel stories that ties your mind into knots---but in a good way!--- as you try to figure out just what is happening and how the time streams affect one another. I thought it was fascinating, but how to describe it. Hmmmmm... well, perhaps you can combine bits of Margaret J

...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, sci-fi, ya, not-graphic

Somehow this one manages to be both fast-paced, direct, and thrilling and philosophical, perplexing, and complicated. Tucker is lost and confused without compass or anchor, running because he has to keep moving, but not sure where's he's coming from or where he's going. The world is not what it seems, and every moment brings more change.

The camel, the walled city, the way people were dressed all added up to his being somewhere in Africa or the Middle East. He wished he'd paid closer attention in...more Somehow this one manages to be both fast-paced, direct, and thrilling and philosophical, perplexing, and complicated. Tucker is lost and confused without compass or anchor, running because he has to keep moving, but not sure where's he's coming from or where he's going. The world is not what it seems, and every moment brings more change.

The camel, the walled city, the way people were dressed all added up to his being somewhere in Africa or the Middle East. He wished he'd paid closer attention in his geography and history classes because, he thought with a sour smile, you never know when you might be magically transported halfway around the world and hundreds of years into the past. But the bigger question than Where? or When? was Why? Awn had said that the Klaatu Diskos led to interesting times. What made this place so interesting?

It all starts when Tucker is thirteen, living a quiet, normal life in Minnesota. One day Tucker's dad, a pastor, disappears into thin air while repairing the roof of their house. He stumbles back home an hour later, looking tired, older, and changed, and bringing a strange girl with him. The Reverend refuses to talk about what happened, except to announce before dinner that there will be no more praying in his house since, "It's all lies," and, "There is no God." Things almost go back to normal after that, except Tucker's parents become distant from both him and each other and he starts spending as much time outside as possible. That's why it was several months before he realized that his mother was losing her mind.

Things finally get so bad that Tucker's dad disappears again one day--unobserved--and this time takes his mom with him, leaving Tucker in the care of an uncle he's never met. Except Tucker figures out after a couple more accidents that his dad disappeared not into thin air, but into a nearly invisible time-travel portal called a Disko. He decides to follow, and finds himself hopping crazily through time, meeting people he knows at different times and ages as they do the same. The future is a far stranger place than anyone has imagined, and much more dangerous. Tucker gains insight into his dad's loss of faith, but no clear answers as to his whereabouts. Tucker just wants to go home again, live a happy life with his normal family, but that may no longer be possible--they've discovered how to go back in time, but not how to make their lives go backwards.

Because he is writing a series, Hautman opens many doors and raises many questions, then leaves it all up in the air. By the end of the book we--like Tucker--know more about the Klaatu and their Diskos than we did at the beginning, but don't really know anything at all and are more confused than ever. I can't wait for the next one.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Alyssa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sadly enough, I won't be continuing on with these books. I liked the ideas, the basics of the plot, and some of the characters.

I didn't feel that the story was put together too well. At times, I was hungry for information. At other times, I was on information overload. I didn't get an in-between.

The story was also way to "out there" for me. The time travel wasn't explained well (nothing really was, in my opinion.)

The cover is good...but the title? Really? You don't even know what it's referring...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Ms. Yockey marked it as to-read

Candlewick
April 2012
Ask John

Booklist starred (February 15, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 12))
Grades 8-12. Hautman, one of YA literature’s most versatile authors, opens a new sci-fi trilogy in this story of Tucker Feye, son of a small-town Minnesota preacher. After a quick prologue that explains how a future race of sorta humans constructed a series of “diskos” to travel in time and witness important moments in “an ancient and largely discredited discipline once known as History,” we return to the present...more Candlewick
April 2012
Ask John

Booklist starred (February 15, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 12))
Grades 8-12. Hautman, one of YA literature’s most versatile authors, opens a new sci-fi trilogy in this story of Tucker Feye, son of a small-town Minnesota preacher. After a quick prologue that explains how a future race of sorta humans constructed a series of “diskos” to travel in time and witness important moments in “an ancient and largely discredited discipline once known as History,” we return to the present day as Tucker Feye begins noticing shimmering diskos hovering in the air. Hoping to find his missing parents, he steps through one and is wormholed through time, skipping around as far back as Jesus’ crucifixion at Golgotha and forward through multiple civilizations and even to the vanishing point of humanity, with serious reverberations felt among all points along the way. Hautman isn’t afraid to tackle massive complexities—how faith in God can be either demolished or cemented by witnessing the death of his “son,” the inherent paradoxes of time travel, the possible ramifications of our digital revolution—in rapid succession and with crystal clarity. And while it would be easy enough to coast on the killer premise, he makes sure to carefully craft his characters and construct a tight-fitting plot for them to shoot around in before toying with readers’ heads. This fast-paced opener to the Klaatu Diskos trilogy will satiate adventure seekers, and the refined brain candy will be delicious to more thoughtful readers. If anything, there simply isn’t enough of everything, but it’s hard to fault a book for being too tantalizing. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Hautman’s written sci-fi before, but the many fans he’s picked up from recent gems like The Big Crunch (2011) and the National Book Award–winning Godless (2004) give this series the potential to be a blockbuster.

Horn Book (May/June, 2012)
Time and space are refracted again and again through mysterious portals in Hautman’s intricately layered universe. Created as an entertainment in a far distant future by a "discorporeal Klaatu artist," diskos are windows to "interesting times" in human history. Because the Klaatu are fascinated by "the horrific, the irreversible," many diskos lead to sites of great destruction -- an erupting volcano, Auschwitz, the Twin Towers. When discovered, either intentionally or accidentally, the diskos also transport physical beings, causing both personal danger to the travelers and potential disturbances in time. In rural Hopewell County, Minnesota, thirteen-year-old Tucker sees his father, Reverend Feye, fall off the roof and disappear mid-air, where a shimmering circle appears. The reverend returns an hour later looking battered and aged, accompanied by a strange, pale girl named Lahlia, and no longer believing in God. Tucker worries as both his parents behave more and more strangely; then one day they disappear. Convinced they went through the circle in the air, Tucker goes through to look for them, thus beginning his dangerous journey through the millennia. The first of a planned trilogy plants Tucker and his family in a religious and ideological battle across time, hinting at intriguing developments to come. Grounded in historical events, Hautman’s novel projects our own "interesting times" into an even more frightening yet fascinating future. lauren adams

Kirkus Reviews starred (February 15, 2012)
Vivid imagination and deft storytelling make for refreshing speculative fiction in this time-travel tale. Tucker Feye is an ordinary teenage boy, leading an ordinary, near-idyllic small-town American life--but that's before he starts seeing the "disks." Once the mysterious shimmering phenomena appear, Tucker's preacher father vanishes, then returns with a strange teenage girl and without his faith; Tucker's mother loses her sanity, and eventually both parents disappear. After moving in with his (previously unknown) Uncle Kosh, the really weird stuff starts happening. However, after a riveting opening scene the narrative seems to slow to a crawl, but the thorough characterization and careful worldbuilding pay off spectacularly once Tucker discovers that the disks are gateways through time and space. Hautman doesn't make things easy for his readers: As Tucker bounces through historical crisis points past and future, short chapters and steadily ratcheting stakes present life-threatening situations and bizarre personages at a dizzying pace (most of them already-familiar characters with new names or under different guises), That this remains intriguing rather than confusing is a credit to the sure-handed plotting and crisp prose, equally adept with flashes of snarky wit and uncomfortable questions of faith, identity, and destiny. Less satisfying are the climactic cliffhangers, which reveal that the entire story is but a set-up for the rest of the series. Part science fiction, part adventure, part mystery, but every bit engrossing; be sure to start the hold list for the sequel. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

Publishers Weekly (February 27, 2012)
In this thrilling first volume of the Klaatu Diskos trilogy, 13-year-old Tucker Feye's ordinary life in smalltown Minnesota changes dramatically when his father, a preacher, disappears through a mysterious disk near the roof of their house. He reappears an hour later, without his religious faith, but with Lahlia, an awkward young woman who he claims is from Bulgaria. When, a year later, Tucker's parents both vanish, he sets out to find them, aided by Lahlia and his biker uncle, Kosh. Tucker discovers that the "diskos," which were created by a noncorporeal artist from the distant future, allow travel between time and place. The result is a whirlwind tour of some unpleasant societies and moments in human history, some of which (such as the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers) are jaw-dropping-this might be Hautman's most daring book yet. Throughout, Hautman (The Big Crunch) raises significant issues concerning family, faith, and destiny. Well-developed and complex characters, a fascinating time travel framework (including dispatches from the far future), and a heart-stopping conclusion will leave readers looking forward to the next book. Ages 12-up. Agent: Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal (June 1, 2012)
Gr 8 Up-Tucker Feye has had a pretty normal childhood in his small, sleepy Minnesota town. As the son of the local minister, he has always believed in God and taken the world pretty much as it appears. Then one day he sees his father disappear through a hazy disk floating above their roof. When he returns, he is completely changed. Not only is he accompanied by a mysterious girl wearing blue rubber shoes, but he also has lost his faith in God. As things quickly begin to spiral out of control and his mother begins to lose her mind, Tucker wonders about the disk. When he ventures through one himself, he begins a journey that takes him through the recent past and into the distant future, causing him to question his faith, his family, and even what he knows about the world around him. While the idea of time travel is intriguing, and Tucker's journeys are interesting and startling, this mind-bending novel moves slowly and feels very much like a setup for the rest of the series. Some characters, like Tucker's father, seem sketchy at best, and the author's explanation of the creators of the Diskos is confusing. This is a compelling read that gets muddled in the particulars but might still be of interest to readers who enjoyed Hautman's previous books and those science-fiction fans who like a challenge.-Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Barb Middleton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, ya

Thirteen-year-old Tucker's dad is a pastor who is replacing a shingle on the roof when he disappears into a disk that is hovering nearby. A short time later he reappears with a girl, Lahlia, who looks like she's from another world. When Tucker pounds him with questions, his dad won't talk about what happened on the roof and denies he "disappeared." But when he announces at dinner that there is "no God" and he has no faith, Tucker knows something happened to him. Not to mention the weird blue pai...more Thirteen-year-old Tucker's dad is a pastor who is replacing a shingle on the roof when he disappears into a disk that is hovering nearby. A short time later he reappears with a girl, Lahlia, who looks like she's from another world. When Tucker pounds him with questions, his dad won't talk about what happened on the roof and denies he "disappeared." But when he announces at dinner that there is "no God" and he has no faith, Tucker knows something happened to him. Not to mention the weird blue paint on his feet when he got back with Lahlia. Then Tucker's mom starts to lose her mind and his dad takes her to a hospital that Tucker suspects is not in this world.

Tucker goes to live with his uncle where he sees another disk on his uncle's roof. He climbs to the roof and when the disk sucks Tucker into an alternate world, he finds himself on the top of the World Trade Towers just before they fall. His uncle is on the World Trade Towers too but he doesn't recognize Tucker because he has been sucked in by the disk at a different time in history. A time before he knew Tucker. The two escape and Tucker begins to learn how the disks work and who is behind the technology that manipulates history.

This book is for middle school and up. Before each chapter there is an explanation of the people who built the disk/portal technology that is vague and uses high vocabulary. There are several different factions that readers need to keep track of and the jumping back and forth in time during the second part of the book is going to be difficult for most young readers to follow.

The start of the book is slow with the setup of a stereotypical fundamentalist preacher, an unhappy housewife, and Tucker as the energetic, bored teen who likes to put excitement in his life by doing crazy things. The second half of the book is full of action and violence.

The plot leaves the reader with more questions than answers that I'm sure the second book will pick up on and start to explain. I think the author tackles too much and the story loses its focus. The themes are huge and abundant delving into topics such as religious beliefs and fanatics, technologically advanced societies, authoritarian leaders, and the degeneration of societies. It overwhelms the plot at times but is also interesting. Because so many topics are covered they are touched on. I think if less topics were tackled there'd be more depth and focus. I found the fundamentalist fanatics and religious aspect the least interesting and more stereotyped; whereas, the notion of digital societies causing physical and psychological illnesses in people, as well as, manipulation of history was more fascinating.

Tucker's dad loses his faith because of aliens who heal him and his mom develops autistic tendencies from playing Sudoku. I think the plot would have been stronger if his mom had developed some weird Plague from using her cell phone or interacting with some technology. He coins the phrase "digital Plague" that creates all sorts of intriguing possibilities. The author was trying to tie the Sudoku in with the use of numbers by the aliens but I think she should have been playing it on a computer or phone.

Lahlia's story is not really told but it hints at the end that it will be in the next book. She's a Pure Girl who is supposed to be sacrificed by priests in the future and in a strange twist that I don't want to spoil for you, this ends up showing up in the past during Tucker's time. There isn't really an ending to the story but a setup for the sequel.

This is a weird book and reminds me of Pathfinder, by Orson Scott Card which has multiple time travels and Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood.

Reading Level Young Adult(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 2 of 5 stars

Tucker's father is a minister in a small, midwestern town, his mother is the organist for the church, and Tucker just likes hanging out and getting into trouble with his friends. All of this changes after Tucker's father goes up on the roof (to repair damage done by Tucker catapulting a wooden gnome up there), disappears, and shows up later with a young, odd-looking girl named Lahlia and announces that he no longer believes in god. After this, his mother starts to see ghosts and act oddly. Docto...more Tucker's father is a minister in a small, midwestern town, his mother is the organist for the church, and Tucker just likes hanging out and getting into trouble with his friends. All of this changes after Tucker's father goes up on the roof (to repair damage done by Tucker catapulting a wooden gnome up there), disappears, and shows up later with a young, odd-looking girl named Lahlia and announces that he no longer believes in god. After this, his mother starts to see ghosts and act oddly. Doctors tell the family that the mother is autistic and displays all of the classic signs of the spectrum disorder. She gets worse and worse, until one day Tucker awakes to a note from his father saying that he is taking the mother for treatment. Tucker won't be able to come, but will stay with his uncle Curtis/Kosh, a loner who lives several hours away. Kosh and Tucker both have an odd experience with a shimmering disk of air similar to one that Tucker saw near his father before he disappeared-- they are transported to one of the Twin Towers right before it is hit by an airplane on September 11. Kosh lifts Tucker up to a disk so he goes back to the farm and survives, and Tucker in turn sends a ladder back so Kosh can get out of there. Neither understand what is going on, but Tucker has bigger problems when he is sucked into a disk the second time. The disks are an invention by the Klaatu, incorporeal beings, and are a way to travel to different points in place and time. Various peoples populate their otherworld, including Mendicants, who heal Tucker but keep him for years working in a factory to pay them back, and other strange creatures, including a giant maggot.
Strengths: Very nice cover, and the scenes set in the midwest are oddly compelling. I'll file this one under magical realism rather than time travel, and I think my hard core fantasy fans will enjoy the trilogy.
Weaknesses: Huh. This was one weird book. Charlotte does a much better job at telling the good and bad parts of this book in her review at Charlotte's Libary(http://charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com). I was put in mind of this author's Mr. Was (1996), which I also had a hard time understanding. Handing it to Surly Teen Boy to see what he thinks.(less)

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Apr 17, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Obsidian Blade is a book about time travel and so much more. Tucker Feye is a normal teeneager, but his family is involved in something extremely abnormal. One day his father goes to fix something on the roof, when he disappears. He reappears an hour later with a strange girl. From that point on, the family changes. Tucker's mother begins to lose her mind, and his father loses his once-solid faith.

This leads Tucker on an adventure through time, which I cannot even come close to describing....more

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Apr 16, 2012 The Rusty Key rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Jordan B. Nielsen

Recommended for: Both boys and girls, ages 13 and Up for some moderate violence and general complexity of plot. Teen boys are a natural fit for this story with its male protagonist and action-driven narrative, but the story is so well executed that there is no reason why girls shouldn’t connect with it as well.

One Word Summary: Mind-Bending.

What an architect we have in Pete Hautman. The Obsidian Blade is an expertly constructed time travel odyssey...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Shari rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was engaged from the first page. Time travel is such a mind-blowing concept. And the craziness of thinking about our past and future and where both will take us is fascinating. The Klaatu who are our future and who are affecting our past, but who have begun to lose their humanity, need the humans of the past to survive. However, the last 100 pages lose the story line and the 3-dimensional character development. I liked Tucker who is basically a "good" kid and a believer, but who also is a thri...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Tucker Feye watches as his father seems to disappear into thin air. Tucker remembers seeing a disk that seems to suck whatever it encounters into its maw. His minister father returns an hour later with Lahlia, a girl he claims to have found wandering alone downtown. He also returns with a crisis of faith, no longer believing in the existence of God. As Tucker's father becomes increasingly depressed and his mother seems to be drawn into an obsession with counting and numbers, Tucker engages in re...more Tucker Feye watches as his father seems to disappear into thin air. Tucker remembers seeing a disk that seems to suck whatever it encounters into its maw. His minister father returns an hour later with Lahlia, a girl he claims to have found wandering alone downtown. He also returns with a crisis of faith, no longer believing in the existence of God. As Tucker's father becomes increasingly depressed and his mother seems to be drawn into an obsession with counting and numbers, Tucker engages in reckless behaviors with his neighbor friends. When he returns from an outing one day, his parents have disappeared, and he has been left in the care of his uncle Kosh, a man he barely knows. While living in his reconstructed barn, Tucker sees another disk. When he follows it, he ends up at top of one of the Twin Towers along with his uncle. When he seizes the chance to enter the disk once again, he realizes that these disks apparently provide paths to the past and to the future, and he desperately searches for his parents as he moves from place to place while surviving several attempts on his life.

It's hard to rate a book that is part of a trilogy without having read the rest of the books that go with the trilogy so I may end up going back and changing my rating after the next two titles have been published. This one is satisfying enough on its own merits, but there's quite a lot going on in the book. Most promising of all is Hautman's hints that society's obsession with numbers and computers has caused mental and emotional problems for its citizens. In the case of Tucker's mother, it was her incessant scratching of numbers in Sudoku puzzles that pushed her over the edge into what doctors diagnose as Rapid-onset Autism-like Disorder. There is plenty of food for thought here, but it seems as though Hautman is trying to do too much in this one--with time travel, disorders brought on by technology, prophets, and extinct species that aren't extinct after all. We'll see what happens in the next titles. (less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Britney rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read for me. I feel like I need to let the story continue to sink in. I just closed the “cover” (it was actually an e-ARC through Netgalley) of The Obsidian Blade, and I’m focusing on processing everything I just read. For me, the story changes drastically from the beginning of the book to the end and to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It took some time for the story to really get started. The first half of the book is world and character building, which for me,...more This was an interesting read for me. I feel like I need to let the story continue to sink in. I just closed the “cover” (it was actually an e-ARC through Netgalley) of The Obsidian Blade, and I’m focusing on processing everything I just read. For me, the story changes drastically from the beginning of the book to the end and to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It took some time for the story to really get started. The first half of the book is world and character building, which for me, was a little drawn out. However, the storyline is complex and intricate, and after getting into the second half of the book, I realized that all the build-up was necessary, albeit slightly boring.

Now, you might be thinking, “huh?” Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book. I would even recommend it, especially for young teen boys. I think it’s an excellent and engaging read for them that would get their minds working. And the idea behind the story is a good one. The main character is a teen guy (13-17), and I think Tucker will appeal to male teen readers.

The second half of the book was much more interesting and engaging. The different “worlds” for lack of a better term, were varied and vastly different, yet had a common thread that intricately wove them together by the end of the book. The time travel and Sci-Fi aspects of the story were creative and original as was the background of the “diskos” and Klaatu, although it was somewhat confusing. But since this is the first book in a series, I would imagine that more information on both of these topics will forthcoming.

In order to tell the story and provide more background information on different aspects of the storyline, the book often jumps to random characters and experiences. This was confusing for me, although it did often provide significant insight into why and how certain events and processes happen in later parts of the book. Also, some of the subject matter, including the crucifixion and religious radicalism caused me some concern. However, I haven’t yet come to a conclusion as to how I feel about the way these subjects are portrayed. I feel like I need more information that will most likely (hopefully) be provided in the later books of the series. As far as re-reading this book goes, if I decided to read further into the series, I think I would definitely re-read The Obsidian Blade. In a re-read, I usually pick up on things I missed during the first read, and I will definitely need to brush up on the confusing storyline so I don’t start out confused in the second book. So a re-read is a possibility.

Overall, I would recommend The Obsidian Blade to Sci-Fi and time travel fans, as well as teen boys, probably not as a first read for reluctant readers though. So I’m giving this one 3.5 stars. It’s not one of my favorites, but it was a good read.
(less)

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Feb 18, 2012 Chris Kervina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-books, science-fiction

I’ve read two of Hautman’s previous works, Invisible and Blank Confessio. Both books are engaging quick reads that I have recommended to several students who claim to hate reading, especially young men. They, too, get caught up in the mystery as it unfolds, and they relate to the male protagonists. So, I was excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of his latest, The Obsidian Blade, which is scheduled for release in April 2012.

Like his other works, The Obsidian Blade drew me in with the m...more I’ve read two of Hautman’s previous works, Invisible and Blank Confessio. Both books are engaging quick reads that I have recommended to several students who claim to hate reading, especially young men. They, too, get caught up in the mystery as it unfolds, and they relate to the male protagonists. So, I was excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of his latest, The Obsidian Blade, which is scheduled for release in April 2012.

Like his other works, The Obsidian Blade drew me in with the main character's voice (Tucker Feye) and the mystery of the diskos, sporadically appearing disks that are actually gateways through time and space to historically significant moments in the past and future. These gateways give Hautman the opportunity to grapple with issues of faith, family relationships, the possible paradox of time travel, and the potential implications of our societal love of quantification without seeming preachy or forced. I found myself genuinely caring about Tucker and wanting to know what happened to his father and mother, who leave him in the care of his uncle and go through one of the diskos.

The only disappointing part of the novel, and the primary reason I rate it 4 stars instead of 5, is that it ends in as a cliffhanger. The publishers have made it clear that this is the first book in a trilogy (possibly a series); however, I prefer not to feel like the story has been cut off to stretch what could have been one book into two. Had the last chapter been left off, the novel would have felt like more of a complete story rather than the “tune in next time” ending provided. Without giving any spoilers, I can only say that the last chapter would have made a great first chapter for the next novel in the series. As the first chapter in the second book, the scene would allow Hautman to dive right back into the questions of faith and belief he explores with Tucker’s father early in The Obsidian Blade. That said, I will certainly read the rest of the series; I truly want to see this story to its conclusion.

While I don’t think this will be the first book Hautman book I recommend for struggling or reluctant readers, I know this book could be a bridge to science fiction for some readers who like either mystery or historical fiction. I won’t hesitate to recommend it to my students.(less)

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Feb 10, 2012 Lily rated it 4 of 5 stars

* Hardcover: 320 pages
* Publisher: Candlewick (April 10, 2012)
* ISBN-10: 0763654035
* Author: Pete Hautman
* Cover art: I like it.
* Overall rating: **** out of 5 stars.
* Obtained: Sent to me from the publisher for review.

The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews.

Kicking off a riveting sci-fi trilogy, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman plunges us into a world where time is a tool - and the question is, who will control it?

The first time his father disap...more

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May 23, 2012 Kristin Lundgren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-sci-fi

This is book one of a planned series, and my main complaint is that it shows it. I would have given it three and 1/2 stars , but decided to be generous today and round up. Since I'm writing this two days after I read it, and have already forgotten most of it, that's not a great sign even if I do have a faulty memory. That said, it is the story of a young man living a fairly normal life - his father is a preacher, and his mom bakes cookies. Then one day, while up on the roof, he sees his father d...more This is book one of a planned series, and my main complaint is that it shows it. I would have given it three and 1/2 stars , but decided to be generous today and round up. Since I'm writing this two days after I read it, and have already forgotten most of it, that's not a great sign even if I do have a faulty memory. That said, it is the story of a young man living a fairly normal life - his father is a preacher, and his mom bakes cookies. Then one day, while up on the roof, he sees his father disappear, and a disc of some kind hovering in the air. He tries to tell his mother, who is always busy with her Sudoku puzzles, what happened, but she told him not to be silly - his dad just probably went into town. Later that day his father comes home, clothes dirtier, and with a young girl at his side, named Lahlia. She doesn't speak English. His dad says he found her in town when he went. And being a good man, decides to take her in until a family can be found for her. But now his father no longer believes in God. His dad, who used to run a bible-thumping church, is an atheist, and won't explain how or why he made this transition. Lahlia and Tucker get a long well, but she is soon adopted into a conservative Christian family and he rarely sees her any more. Then his mother starts changing too - she becomes distant, withdrawn, obsessed with her puzzles and numbers, until one day both his father and mother disappear into a disc that appears again. His dad left a cryptic note that he was talking his mother to get healed, and that Tucker couldn't come, and that he was sending his uncle to look out for him. The next day, up comes Kosh, a tattooed, leather clad biker, who isn't that happy about taking in a teenager, but does so, as blood is blood. The rest of the book deals with his trying to find his father and mother by using these strange discs, of which there are two in town that come and go. He learns a lot about the "diskos," and as he tries to right the past, he is drawn into greater conspiracies. So many threads left handing, my greatest complain was that so much was not revealed that this book has a hard time standing on it's own. I personally would wait for more in the series. And the ending just drifts of. But the premise is interesting, and the origin and use of the diskos also, so it shows promise. I'd wait until at least Book two is out.(less)

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Jul 15, 2012 Sally Kruger added it

If you are looking for a great new sci-fi adventure, then check out THE OBSIDIAN BLADE by Pete Hautman. It is Book #1 of what I'm going to guess will be a trilogy.

Tucker is living a fairly uneventful life in Hopewell. His father is the pastor of a local church and his mother is...well a bit different, but he loves her anyway.

Then Tucker sees the disk. It appears to be hovering above the roof as his father ascends a ladder to investigate some damaged shingles. Suddenly, Tucker's father disappears...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Matt rated it 3 of 5 stars

EDIT: This book was basically a huge timescrew.

A good foundation, but an absolutely shitty middle plot and ending. The whole time I felt like the book was leading up to something, it kept building these really cool societies and factions and time eras and dis-corporeal beings and...it just fell apart. The ending is just a total "WTF HAPPENED?!" Lack of a crux, really, I think, is what messed it up the most. Kind of disappointing, actually. May or may not read the sequel.

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Oct 08, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-books, read-in-2012

Wow, there's a lot to say about this one. This was a big book (by big I mean...complex and large in scale and thought), and I'm glad I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a trilogy or I might have been angry.

I love it when I read a book that I feel like is a true original. The ideas in this were new, though the concept of time travel is not. THIS time travel book is unique. I love love love Pete Hautman's ability to show and not tell. I never felt preached to or talked down to (whic...more

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The Obsidian Blade (The Klaatu Diskos #1)

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