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Terra #2
Terra's World
Terra , which Neil Gaiman said reminded him of Douglas Adams,Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl, launched the novel writing career of stand-up comedian and BBC Radio 4 Now Show regular Mitch Benn.
Now Terra is a couple of years older and back on earth. She's in hiding. And in Terra's World we find out why. But none of this is known to Billy Dolphin. He's just annoyed that since Terra returned to Earth Science Fiction has died a death. How wrong could a teenage boy be?
Terra may be back on Earth but the powers of the universe are not finished with her. Her old home faces a terrible threat which possibly only Terra can overcome. Just what is the black planet? To find out first Terra must learn how to survive as there is an alien bounty hunter on her trail. And only Billy Dolphin to help her.
Now Terra is a couple of years older and back on earth. She's in hiding. And in Terra's World we find out why. But none of this is known to Billy Dolphin. He's just annoyed that since Terra returned to Earth Science Fiction has died a death. How wrong could a teenage boy be?
Terra may be back on Earth but the powers of the universe are not finished with her. Her old home faces a terrible threat which possibly only Terra can overcome. Just what is the black planet? To find out first Terra must learn how to survive as there is an alien bounty hunter on her trail. And only Billy Dolphin to help her.
276 pages, Hardcover
First published July 17, 2014
6 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Mitch Benn
23 books40 followersMitch Benn is a British stand-up comedian, author, satirical songwriter, musician and actor. He is perhaps best known as the resident comic songwriter on BBC Radio 4's The Now Show from 1999 to 2016. As a comedian, Mitch has toured extensively in the UK and internationally over the last 20 years. Mitch's voice acting credits include Neil Gaiman's Good Omens TV series and the Sandman audiobooks. He also writes a weekly column in The New European newspaper.
Mitch has written three Sci-Fi novels. The Terra Trilogy is aimed at young readers (or adults who remember being one) and follows Terra, a human girl raised by aliens, on her adventures across the galaxy. The first two books, Terra and Terra's World, were originally published in 2013 and 2014 to wide acclaim, including glowing reviews in The Times and The Independent. Terra was also listed in The Guardian's Top 10 Sci-Fi books of the year.
The long-awaited conclusion to the trilogy, Terra's War, is available now. The first two books have also been relaunched with new cover art. The trilogy is available in paperback and ebook formats, with audiobooks to follow in the summer of 2021.
Profile picture by Steve Ullathorne.
Mitch has written three Sci-Fi novels. The Terra Trilogy is aimed at young readers (or adults who remember being one) and follows Terra, a human girl raised by aliens, on her adventures across the galaxy. The first two books, Terra and Terra's World, were originally published in 2013 and 2014 to wide acclaim, including glowing reviews in The Times and The Independent. Terra was also listed in The Guardian's Top 10 Sci-Fi books of the year.
The long-awaited conclusion to the trilogy, Terra's War, is available now. The first two books have also been relaunched with new cover art. The trilogy is available in paperback and ebook formats, with audiobooks to follow in the summer of 2021.
Profile picture by Steve Ullathorne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 20, 2015
This continues the story of Terra, the human girl brought up on the planet Fnnr. Terra is living on Earth for the past two years but recently hasn't heard anything from the place she considers her home. On return to Fnnr, it seems things aren't as she left them. A tyrant has taken over the country. He has managed this because he has learnt the concept of lying thanks to Lbbp, Terra's adopted father. And to make things worse, a rogue planet is heading straight for Fnnr and will inevitably destroy it unless someone can do something.
I really liked this book, although it has lost some of the qualities of the original. There is much less humour; most of it here comes from new character Billy Pilgrim, a human teenager who resents the decline in sci-fi thanks to Terra's arrival on Earth. Then out of nowhere he is thrust into a sci-fi adventure of his own. I wasn't really sure that his presence added much to the book beyond the humour. Everything he does could have really been done by Terra herself.
The plot is what makes this book so enjoyable. Two wonderful sci-fi ideas. What the rogue planet actually is is something of a spoiler but all I will say is that it is a unique and fantastic idea. The real stroke of genius is the Fnnr dictator who has come to power thanks to the concept of lying, brought to him indirectly from humanity. It makes perfect sense that a society without lies would believe everything one lier said. There's an excellent exploration into lying and once again despite being almost entirely set on an alien planet, this book is all about humanity.
I do fear that having two major plot points mixed things up a little. It felt like Benn had the idea for one but couldn't quite come up with a full story with it so threw in another plot too. It's perhaps of the case of the ideas being a little better than the execution.
It has its faults and isn't quite as wonderful as the original book but I thought this was a worthy sequel which continued the story well.
I really liked this book, although it has lost some of the qualities of the original. There is much less humour; most of it here comes from new character Billy Pilgrim, a human teenager who resents the decline in sci-fi thanks to Terra's arrival on Earth. Then out of nowhere he is thrust into a sci-fi adventure of his own. I wasn't really sure that his presence added much to the book beyond the humour. Everything he does could have really been done by Terra herself.
The plot is what makes this book so enjoyable. Two wonderful sci-fi ideas. What the rogue planet actually is is something of a spoiler but all I will say is that it is a unique and fantastic idea. The real stroke of genius is the Fnnr dictator who has come to power thanks to the concept of lying, brought to him indirectly from humanity. It makes perfect sense that a society without lies would believe everything one lier said. There's an excellent exploration into lying and once again despite being almost entirely set on an alien planet, this book is all about humanity.
I do fear that having two major plot points mixed things up a little. It felt like Benn had the idea for one but couldn't quite come up with a full story with it so threw in another plot too. It's perhaps of the case of the ideas being a little better than the execution.
It has its faults and isn't quite as wonderful as the original book but I thought this was a worthy sequel which continued the story well.
August 10, 2014
The fun continues, I do like sci-fi with humour in it. And in this one Terra is in hiding as someone is after her. And it's also the story of Billy who is sad cos ever since people found aliens are real, sci-fi has died. Cancelled shows, fewer books. It's a shame. But then Terra and Billy meet, and he gets that adventure he wants.
Told with a smile, this is a book that made me giggle. It's both real and silly fun at times. But it's also serious as things are not good on Terra's former home planet, it's really bad, and about to get worse. And who is after her?
I liked Terra, but Billy was almost more fun. He was the side-kick after all, the comic relief. The one who was only there cos of her. He was not really a hero but he could be.
Humour, science-fiction and danger on the horizon. A short fun book that you can read in a day.
Told with a smile, this is a book that made me giggle. It's both real and silly fun at times. But it's also serious as things are not good on Terra's former home planet, it's really bad, and about to get worse. And who is after her?
I liked Terra, but Billy was almost more fun. He was the side-kick after all, the comic relief. The one who was only there cos of her. He was not really a hero but he could be.
Humour, science-fiction and danger on the horizon. A short fun book that you can read in a day.
October 17, 2014
The wit and humour was all still here, and whilst the awe and amazement of the first book would be practically impossible to recapture, this one was a very nice carry on. Very much enjoyed.
January 23, 2022
A brilliant and imaginitive adventure story that lets the ensemble shine in their own right as both the young people and the cultures around them grow and change. I still want to be Fthfth when I grow up.
October 29, 2019
Another utterly charming middle grade sci-fi in the series, only let down by the ending. But there's much to love about the main story. It's essentially about family, adventure, and the stupidity surrounding fake news - and it was written pre-2014!
We start off by meeting Billy Dolphin. He's your average 14 year old nice-but-nerdy type: a little bit overweight, dead keen on pop culture references... and really put out that since the girl Terra arrived back on Earth after being raised by aliens, science fiction has died a death. That is until he gets caught up in a big sci-fi adventure of his own alongside poor Terra who's spent the last two years evading extraterrestrial assassins and waiting to hear from Fnnr. Taking matters into her own hands, she (and Billy) steal a spaceship or two and make their way back to Terra's old home-world. It's not quite how she expected it to be, what with a bizarre #fakenews cult having taken root. Oh, and then there's that big black planet up in the sky. The one that wasn't there before. The one that leaves only emptiness in its wake...
As fun an adventure as the first book, though this one is more grown up. It satirised society all the while warning about the dangers that the grown up world can have. Terra and Billy have that knowing middle grade (that is, non-romantic) rapport and are very sensible characters. You have to love Billy the every-man (boy?) and his little asides that Terra's limited Earth knowledge would miss out on.
The two downsides were once again the heavy reliance of the alien names, and that ending. The names got so confusing in the end I wasn't always sure if I was listening to a Dsktn, Gshk, Mlmln... You get the picture. The end felt disappointingly unresolved. Not that it's a bad ending per se, just that it's one of those "to be continued..." affairs (especially considering that it er, hasn't been continued). After all the characters went through, I guess I was hoping for more of a happy reunion and some closure regarding some of the questioned raised earlier.
It's still a great middle grade tale and a lot of fun to read, just not quite as satisfyingly closed-but-open as book one.
We start off by meeting Billy Dolphin. He's your average 14 year old nice-but-nerdy type: a little bit overweight, dead keen on pop culture references... and really put out that since the girl Terra arrived back on Earth after being raised by aliens, science fiction has died a death. That is until he gets caught up in a big sci-fi adventure of his own alongside poor Terra who's spent the last two years evading extraterrestrial assassins and waiting to hear from Fnnr. Taking matters into her own hands, she (and Billy) steal a spaceship or two and make their way back to Terra's old home-world. It's not quite how she expected it to be, what with a bizarre #fakenews cult having taken root. Oh, and then there's that big black planet up in the sky. The one that wasn't there before. The one that leaves only emptiness in its wake...
As fun an adventure as the first book, though this one is more grown up. It satirised society all the while warning about the dangers that the grown up world can have. Terra and Billy have that knowing middle grade (that is, non-romantic) rapport and are very sensible characters. You have to love Billy the every-man (boy?) and his little asides that Terra's limited Earth knowledge would miss out on.
The two downsides were once again the heavy reliance of the alien names, and that ending. The names got so confusing in the end I wasn't always sure if I was listening to a Dsktn, Gshk, Mlmln... You get the picture. The end felt disappointingly unresolved. Not that it's a bad ending per se, just that it's one of those "to be continued..." affairs (especially considering that it er, hasn't been continued). After all the characters went through, I guess I was hoping for more of a happy reunion and some closure regarding some of the questioned raised earlier.
It's still a great middle grade tale and a lot of fun to read, just not quite as satisfyingly closed-but-open as book one.
January 12, 2019
Does everything a sequel should: expands upon the first story, develops the characters and the conflicts, and introduces new elements that fit into the established world(s).
At the beginning of this story, things seem to have changed a lot since the end of Terra. So much so, that I wondered if I'd somehow missed a book. But if soon becomes clear that the familiar elements are still there - and that there are sound reasons for everything that has changed so dramatically.
To say any more would be to risk spoilers, but be assured - this is still Terra's World. Whether she likes it or not.
At the beginning of this story, things seem to have changed a lot since the end of Terra. So much so, that I wondered if I'd somehow missed a book. But if soon becomes clear that the familiar elements are still there - and that there are sound reasons for everything that has changed so dramatically.
To say any more would be to risk spoilers, but be assured - this is still Terra's World. Whether she likes it or not.
January 28, 2023
Terra's World by Mitch Benn. The second book in the Terra trilogy.
Things have moved on and Terra has been going to school on Earth. She's befriended a boy called Billy (who thinks her name is Lydia).
When a bounty hunter comes calling, and almost wipes out Billy, Terra unmasks as the girl who grew up off planet and resolves to work out why she is being hunted down.
That's just the beginning of a romp through space. A much faster paced story than part one, much more peril and a lot more ethical questions.
Things have moved on and Terra has been going to school on Earth. She's befriended a boy called Billy (who thinks her name is Lydia).
When a bounty hunter comes calling, and almost wipes out Billy, Terra unmasks as the girl who grew up off planet and resolves to work out why she is being hunted down.
That's just the beginning of a romp through space. A much faster paced story than part one, much more peril and a lot more ethical questions.
November 24, 2017
Quirky and with likeable leads - and Gaiman is right, it IS like Douglas Adams - this is the sort of book I'd have loved as a teenager. The political allegory is a bit forced at times, but Benn has confidence in his story and it all pays off in a nice Doctor Who-style resolution. I'm glad they (whoever 'they' are) still write books like this!
February 8, 2018
Another great adventure for Terra in the latest book by Mitch Benn. It's just as funny as her first outing and now she finds herself battling to save her home world from the mysterious black planet, as well as the even more mysterious Gfjk-Hhh. With both drama and humour for young and old, this is a very enjoyable story and highly recommended.
March 28, 2021
Terra-fic story
Recommendation: read book 1 as fast as you reasonably can, then come back and read this. I don't care if you're 13, 30 or 300 - there's so much love here for all the things that are important in the world, and the story will enthrall and entertain you more than anything else you've read in ages. Promise.
Recommendation: read book 1 as fast as you reasonably can, then come back and read this. I don't care if you're 13, 30 or 300 - there's so much love here for all the things that are important in the world, and the story will enthrall and entertain you more than anything else you've read in ages. Promise.
February 28, 2021
Hugely satisfying
Terra's World ups the stakes but at the same time retains all of the warmth of its predecessor. Can't wait for Terra's War to come along. Well, I'll have to, but only a couple of weeks.
Terra's World ups the stakes but at the same time retains all of the warmth of its predecessor. Can't wait for Terra's War to come along. Well, I'll have to, but only a couple of weeks.
June 12, 2019
easy read good story nothing spectacular but I would read more of his
April 22, 2020
This one was funny and more layered than I expected. The ending leaves it open but I cannot find any news of work on a follow-up. I guess sometimes the muse takes a break.
August 12, 2021
The first book was really good; a children's story that could be enjoyed by adults. This one was far more for children I felt. I still liked it, mind and will no doubt read the third.
February 7, 2021
This is an excellent sequel to Terra. As well as the return of the characters we know from book one, we meet Billy, a sci-fi fan and fellow pupil of Terra’s on Earth, who is a wonderful character, very realistic and likeable.
As in book one, Mitch Benn writes with humour, but also with empathy. His ability to create tension and fear in the reader is better than ever, and I struggled to put this book down before the end of the story. Thankfully, volume three is to be published soon, so we don’t have to wait too long to find out what happens next!
As in book one, Mitch Benn writes with humour, but also with empathy. His ability to create tension and fear in the reader is better than ever, and I struggled to put this book down before the end of the story. Thankfully, volume three is to be published soon, so we don’t have to wait too long to find out what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2015
Originally published at SFFWorld.
Terra’s World (Terra #2) is Mitch Benn’s follow up to his hugely enjoyable debut, Terra. Still focusing on the titular character of Terra, Terra’s World ups the stakes while still keeping everything that made the first novel so special.
A couple of years have passed since Terra returned to Earth to live with her biological parents, but all is not as peaceful as she’d have hoped. With attempts on her life, the Bradbury family have gone into hiding, changing names and moving from place to place when the need arises. That is until another alien assassin is sent her way, but this time she’s ready and gets the upper hand – and a spaceship.
After receiving no communication from Lbbp, the alien who raised her as his own, in over a year, Terra now has the means to return to Fnrr. However, events on Fnrr have taken a change for the worse, and with Terra’s arrival the situation becomes even graver. An ancient and deadly legend – the Black Planet – is now on course for Fnrr, stories of which tell of how it leaves planets dead in its wake. Now Terra, Billy and her friends must work together before Fnrr becomes another victim…
I read the first book in this series, Terra, earlier this year and I loved it. It had this feeling about it that just made me smile. Mitch Benn has great prose, and his storytelling skills are superb. Not only that, but Terra was a fun story, and one with so much heart. So picking up Terra’s World was a no-brainer the moment I knew it was due out.
Much like its predecessor, Terra’s World is an easy read, but this time it’s pitched at a slightly older audience than the first – certainly the opening chapters suggest this. From there on out it really ups the ante, raising the stakes for all involved, but doing so with really interesting characters and such a great story.
The events taking place on Fnrr are a direct result of Terra’s influence on the planet, so seeing how it’s dealt with, and how Terra herself manages the situation, is really what this book is about. Of course, there isn’t just the one problem facing Fnrr, and this allows Benn to expand the story and look beyond planetary constraints. It all works very well, with plenty of action and adventure, as well as moments of serious contemplation. Terra’s World has a little bit of everything.
It’s really difficult to put into words how much fun Terra’s World is. Neil Gaiman said that Terra reminded him of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl – a combination I happily and whole-heartedly agree with. While aimed at a younger crowd, Terra’s World is still a highly enjoyable novel, and this is a series that I would recommend without hesitation. Great stuff – and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
Terra’s World (Terra #2) is Mitch Benn’s follow up to his hugely enjoyable debut, Terra. Still focusing on the titular character of Terra, Terra’s World ups the stakes while still keeping everything that made the first novel so special.
A couple of years have passed since Terra returned to Earth to live with her biological parents, but all is not as peaceful as she’d have hoped. With attempts on her life, the Bradbury family have gone into hiding, changing names and moving from place to place when the need arises. That is until another alien assassin is sent her way, but this time she’s ready and gets the upper hand – and a spaceship.
After receiving no communication from Lbbp, the alien who raised her as his own, in over a year, Terra now has the means to return to Fnrr. However, events on Fnrr have taken a change for the worse, and with Terra’s arrival the situation becomes even graver. An ancient and deadly legend – the Black Planet – is now on course for Fnrr, stories of which tell of how it leaves planets dead in its wake. Now Terra, Billy and her friends must work together before Fnrr becomes another victim…
I read the first book in this series, Terra, earlier this year and I loved it. It had this feeling about it that just made me smile. Mitch Benn has great prose, and his storytelling skills are superb. Not only that, but Terra was a fun story, and one with so much heart. So picking up Terra’s World was a no-brainer the moment I knew it was due out.
Much like its predecessor, Terra’s World is an easy read, but this time it’s pitched at a slightly older audience than the first – certainly the opening chapters suggest this. From there on out it really ups the ante, raising the stakes for all involved, but doing so with really interesting characters and such a great story.
The events taking place on Fnrr are a direct result of Terra’s influence on the planet, so seeing how it’s dealt with, and how Terra herself manages the situation, is really what this book is about. Of course, there isn’t just the one problem facing Fnrr, and this allows Benn to expand the story and look beyond planetary constraints. It all works very well, with plenty of action and adventure, as well as moments of serious contemplation. Terra’s World has a little bit of everything.
It’s really difficult to put into words how much fun Terra’s World is. Neil Gaiman said that Terra reminded him of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl – a combination I happily and whole-heartedly agree with. While aimed at a younger crowd, Terra’s World is still a highly enjoyable novel, and this is a series that I would recommend without hesitation. Great stuff – and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
January 11, 2015
An enjoyable successor to Terra, this is a sequel that is more original and thrilling then the first.
Although with it's more frantic pace and exciting plotlines it sacrfices some of the originals humour and silly absurdist tone. It is still funny and a chuckled a few times while reading, but the humour is more based on character reactions then a humorus plot. Indeed this plot is more serious with a planet of death and a false prophet, rather then the gentle growing up in an alien world plot of Terra (apart from the war that seemed to come out of nowhere in the last fifth of the book)
The new character of Billy Dolphin is a great addition to the plot who adds an akward sincerity and knowingess of the sci-fi genre to the book.
There are also interesting messages about the concepts of lies and perfection within.
All in all, a worthy sequel to the original.
Although with it's more frantic pace and exciting plotlines it sacrfices some of the originals humour and silly absurdist tone. It is still funny and a chuckled a few times while reading, but the humour is more based on character reactions then a humorus plot. Indeed this plot is more serious with a planet of death and a false prophet, rather then the gentle growing up in an alien world plot of Terra (apart from the war that seemed to come out of nowhere in the last fifth of the book)
The new character of Billy Dolphin is a great addition to the plot who adds an akward sincerity and knowingess of the sci-fi genre to the book.
There are also interesting messages about the concepts of lies and perfection within.
All in all, a worthy sequel to the original.
October 21, 2015
This is a fun science fiction story that appears to be designed for younger readers, perhaps middle to upper primary or a little higher. It is quite amusing in places and has a good story about an Earth girl that needs to save the planet she grew up on (not Earth, apparently this all happened in the previous book).
I have only given it three stars because it was a good read, but perhaps not a great one. Clever in places though and a pretty fun way to introduce a younger reader to science fiction.
I have only given it three stars because it was a good read, but perhaps not a great one. Clever in places though and a pretty fun way to introduce a younger reader to science fiction.
February 2, 2015
I loved this so much. A great sequel, allowing the characters and their relationships to develop further. It's a very human book, with humour and sadness juxtaposed. The author manages to use the humour incredibly well, not taking away from the excitement of the story. I also loved the introduction of the new character, Billy Dolphin. So funny and relatable.
I cannot recommend this series enough.
I cannot recommend this series enough.
October 1, 2014
Very quirky, sci-fi, teen space adventure. Mitch Benn brings heart-warming comedy into his books. I really enjoy reading about the planet Frrn and how the language spoken is only in consonants. And I think there might be a hint in the book that there will be a third book?
April 9, 2016
The book pootles along at its own happy pace and delivers what it says in the title. Listening was a good way to experience the book as Mitch Benn brings life to his own characters in the spoken version. Much as for the first book in the series the end seems to come all of a sudden and is a bit disappointing.
July 19, 2014
A Great book that i loved every moment of, but falls short of the very high bar set by Terra. It's just missing that magic that made you feel like you were a nine year old no matter your age that Terra had
July 27, 2014
Great fun, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth the wait! I'm sadly nowhere near as into the other book I have in the go at the moment as I was with Terra's World! in fact, I picked TW up when I wasn't feeling as engaged - and then couldn't put it down again.
September 8, 2014
Great little sci-fi comedy, in the tradition of Adams, Pratchett and Gaiman. Would make a great TV show too. Make sure you read the first in the series beforehand, as this is very much a continuation of the story rather than a stand-alone adventure. Looking forward to more.
January 2, 2015
I got this for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's light, fast, easy to read and fun, and there's a wonderful sense of humour running through the whole novel. I can't wait for my goddaughters to be old enough to read this and the first one :)
May 17, 2015
A good sequel, better paced than his first book and clearly "there is a series in this"! Some of the ishoos lack subtlety but it is a generally entertaining fantasy book and quite a quick read, characters are well written and consistent from book to book. I particularly liked Billy.
March 31, 2016
A teen book about other worlds and other races. Terra has to counter a tyrant who has learned to lie in a culture who normally do not. and a Dark planet which is threatening to wipe out a planet.
Second in a series. I have enjoyed both.
Second in a series. I have enjoyed both.
April 19, 2016
This should say teen fiction on the cover. It is an adventure set in space, and it doesn't end, exactly, clearly there's a series of these books, but they are not for me. I thought it read like a TV show - all surface and action.
February 26, 2017
Definitely an improvement on the first book and I hope the style continues to develop in the third instalment. I look forward to it!
October 18, 2014
Several steps up from his first novel, this is one that teens and adults will enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews