Demeter: Volume 1

Demeter #1

by Alan Hansen

Usually being beaten up and hospitalized by the school bully isn't considered to be a great turning point in your life. Fifteen year old Ryder faces some of the common challenges of any young man his age: isolation, sibling rivalry, first love, and bullying. Life takes a sudden change when he is invited, along with his sister and five classmates to spend a year abroad.
Read the contract! Instead of going to Europe on Earth Ryder and his friends are conscripted for a year of service in Demeter, an asteroid over a hundred light years from Earth.
The good news is that Ryder gets closer to his classmate Cynthia Flores and he gets to develop his talent at gaming with systems that deal with real life scenarios including saving Demeter itself from invasion. The bad news is that his reckless younger sister has a talent for mischief and disaster. And now, she and Cynthia have been kidnapped and it's up to Ryder to figure out how to save them before someone kills them all.

Genres: Audiobook

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2014

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[HeyAlvin96gmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new author for me. A friend lent me the e-book. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I understand that there are two additional books in the series I'm looking forward to reading. Good story and interesting premises that kept me reading. Especially, after I got halfway through the book I couldn't put it down.

[John Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the delightful first book in a series. I love the characters as they evolve and grow through the first four books in the series. I'm still waiting for the final promised book to come out this fall. You'll love Debbie's character as she evolves. It is nice to get an optimistic view of the future rather than the traditional dystopian model that is so popular today. I haven't had this much fun since reading the Bujold series about Miles Vorkosigan :o)

[Marc Delacroix · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of classic space operas, I found Demeter an exciting and fresh spin on teen space adventure. The interstellar setting is imaginative, and Hansen does a solid job merging Earth based teen issues with cosmic consequences. It reminded me of Ender's Game but with more relatable teen emotions and sibling dynamics. The concept of turning gaming into actual life saving scenarios was a highlight.

[Damien Rousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

From an educational viewpoint, Demeter delivers excellent themes for young readers responsibility, critical thinking, and emotional growth. Ryder’s development from bullied teen to decisive leader is inspiring. The novel encourages resilience and courage, and I’d easily recommend it as a classroom read for discussing character arcs and science fiction as social commentary.

[Camille Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how Ryder felt real. He’s not perfect he’s awkward, nervous, sometimes unsure but he steps up when it counts. The idea of being accidentally sent across the galaxy sounds terrifying but also kind of cool. I liked how he connected more with Cynthia and how his sister was this wild card the whole time. It felt like a video game but with real stakes.

[Mark Twain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demeter impressed me with how it handled teen issues bullying, self-worth, family, and growing up all within a fast paced sci-fi adventure. It gave my son something to enjoy while subtly helping him think through challenges he faces at school. The layered storytelling keeps it exciting while still grounded in emotional truths.

[Camden Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Hansen successfully intertwines classic narrative structures of the hero’s journey with speculative sci-fi. Ryder’s evolution is well paced and emotionally resonant, especially in the juxtaposition of Earthly teenage awkwardness with the high stakes alien setting. The prose is straightforward but evocative, and the plot delivers tension and empathy in equal measure.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this title. The narration was first class and coupled with the smooth writing it was very easy to listen to. Great characters and an absorbing plot involving space travel, kidnappings and invasion.

[Anna Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be reading the series. This is a great book for 5th on up.

[Gardens Publishing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could barely put this book down! The characters are so multifaceted and refreshing added in the plot twists I wanted to see what happened next. When I finished the book I just wanted more (good news the sequel will be out by the end of October 2014). I am currently rereading it and realizing there are many things I missed on my first read through. This is a book I look forward to sharing with everyone I know. Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MZFH8R6

[Anthony Pascal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful adventure story with colorful young characters. Thanks for the recommendation. By the time I was halfway through the book I couldn't put it down; and immediately started the second book in the series. I'll post a review when I finish it. The central character, Ryder is well supported by strong secondary characters. I can't wait to see how they evolve.

[Brent Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this today. Interesting premise, well developed. Liked the characters and the plot twists. Great summer read.