Memoirs of a Dangerous Alien

by Maggie Prince

Dominic is a normal teenager living in the 21st century until he meets Fenella, the alien next door. To Fenella, Dominic is the alien, and when he is caught up in the fight between the UCP and the outlawed Black Star Gang, he becomes a dangerous alien with a mission to save Earth from destruction.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure

Hardcover

First published April 30, 1996

Reviews

[Nika Shoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book so high a rating because I remember reading this maybe 4 times when I was a kid and I ADORED IT! Had so much fantasy and imagination about it!!! I believed in this world and even wrote sequels to it!! What a great book for children!
( not great written, no masterpiece but all I remember is how i felt reading it and that's the most important)
One day I will read it again when feeling nostalgic ;)

[Elias Helfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a child. Rereading it, I can see why. It manages to tell a story of intergalactic intrigue and make it feel close to home. At the same time, it comes up with a good explanation for why two ordinary English boys suddenly end up flying across the galaxy at faster-than-light speed.

The book is clearly written in the wake of the Cold War, and its idea of a near-future on earth seems quaint seen from today. But as a science fiction of its time it makes a whole lot of sense. And its warnings about how easy it would be for a few, crazy political leaders to lead us to disaster seems extremely relevant today.

[Matthew Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books when I was younger, and revisiting as an adult, it holds up. Dominic, a resident of a sleepy Somerset town, is dragged into a rebellion against the brain-washing agenda of the United Council of Planets, as he learns that his new neighbours are not what they seem.

I’m always amazed at how much this book manages to convey in just a few pages, whilst still building believable, likeable characters. Dominic and his friend Peter are very solid teenagers with their own quirks; their families feel pretty real as well. The pacing of the book is extremely rapid, the structure tight and it’s atmospheric. It’s on my favourites shelf and will definitely remain there!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying to work my way through some books I've had for years but never bothered with when I was younger, and this was the latest. Although I think I would have enjoyed it more as an early teen, I can still appreciate its decent storyline and overall charm. It's a fairly simplistic and clichéd view of aliens but it works, especially for the younger audience, and there are various twists and turns to keep it entertaining. Will retain it for the next generation when they reach the right age and if I happen upon the sequel I'll probably get it too.

[Sleepey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books as a kid! A cozy bit of wish fulfilment for an unremarkable child who just started to notice how messed-up the world is. Details are a bit fuzzy these days (I'll dig it out for a re-read eventually) but the found-family connection Dominic makes with the gang will always stick with me.

That and the neat sci-fi gadgets, of course. Who wouldn't want a pair of jetpack heelies? Woosh

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read and I loved this so much that I have read this multiple times. It is a good read for any sci-fi fan. So you will love this and the cheaters all act like the age that they are. So give it a read!

[RJC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing book, set from a child's point of view

[Liam Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

In some ways I feel I judged this book a little unfairly.

Many years ago, when I was in my teen years (possibly even earlier) my mother got the audio book version of this on tape (ye olde cassette tapes) I heard part of it as she played it in the house one day and after hearing a segment (right near the end) I thought it sounded cool but never sought out to hear the rest.

Until years later (I'm now 31) I stumbled it across it on audible. I'd actually thought about the small part of this book I'd heard in the intervening years, and I think I built up a grander story to it all in my head, so the expectations were unfairly put on a pedestal that it would be intrigung high sci-fi epic drama.

So it seems a little unfair when I say how disappointed I was. It was clearly written for a younger audience. Maybe my younger self would've appreciated the whole thing more, especially if it hadn't spent years speculation on the brief snippet I got as a teen.

[Becka · Rating 3 out of 5]

i picked up this book expecting it to be terrible- the title barely registered as my kind of book, but i was wrong.
The story is fast paced and contains lots of twists as well as a strange element of romance! It is based around a young boy who is interested in the new girl at school with her strange father and perfect knowlage of everything.
Definatly a book worth reading.

[Emilie Dalby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading this was something close to 14 years ago, and a Danish translation too. I liked it so much then that my very first tattoo was inspired by the Black Star Gang logo, and rereading it in English had by no means diminished the experience. I liked the story as a teen, and I find myself loving the language as an adult.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I've forgotten mostly what it's about, so I'm going to reread it fairly soon. I've now started rereading it, and it's just as good as I remember it, perhaps even better.

[Georgie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very fun book :]

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have great memories of my dad reading this to me. Not incredibly well written, but very original and imaginative.

[Rikke Grave · Rating 3 out of 5]

læste den på dansk