Labyrinthia (Black Hole Radio, #4) in Review / Write / Read Club (Indie & Self-Published)

Sep 21, 2023 Rik Ty rated it it was amazing

With the Black Hole Radio series, Ann Birdgenaw is writing light science fiction adventures for young readers. In the series, three grade-school-aged kids get pulled into cosmic wormholes by the strange workings of the titular radio, which belonged to the grandfather of one of the kids. To keep things moving and to keep the adventures light, Ms. Birdgenaw has set things up so that aliens have given the three children mild esp-powers. One of the kids, Celeste, was also given a bit of telekinetic With the Black Hole Radio series, Ann Birdgenaw is writing light science fiction adventures for young readers. In the series, three grade-school-aged kids get pulled into cosmic wormholes by the strange workings of the titular radio, which belonged to the grandfather of one of the kids. To keep things moving and to keep the adventures light, Ms. Birdgenaw has set things up so that aliens have given the three children mild esp-powers. One of the kids, Celeste, was also given a bit of telekinetic powers. These aren’t the point of the stories, but they do make it possible for the characters to easily communicate with alien races and to work their way out of occasional trouble spots without resorting to fighting. In this story, Celeste is able to levitate an important set of keys and bring them within hand’s reach. This is much more in keeping with the tone of the book than fighting with a guard would have been.
This is the fourth book in the series, and readers will get an adventure that includes aliens, caves (and cave facts), an alien tiger-creature, a mining train that looks like a dragon, and a liberation mission that is designed to spark some real-world discussions.
Ms. Birdgenaw has added a few wrinkles to her creation. In this story, the kids have an insight about the radio that never occurred to them before, and Hawk, the grandson of the radio’s previous owner, has found his grandfather’s diaries and important papers. These could have repercussions in future books. Hawk has also gotten entangled with Big Mikey, the bully from previous stories. The two have been teamed up for a science project. Mikey spends a few minutes in the kids’ clubhouse. What will that mean for future stories? Nothing? Trouble? New friendships? It’s too early to tell, but Ms. Birdgenaw must have something in mind.
The book is illustrated by E. M. Roberts, who has illustrated the previous books as well. These illustrations are appealing, as always, and seem to be getting richer. A very nice job. Recommended for young readers and their families. ...more

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Aug 16, 2023 Sotto Voce rated it really liked it

This book feels much shorter than the previous ones in the series; this one feels like a repeat and rushed. I barely know much about the world or planet, and the ending leaves many questions because it is majorly destructive. At this point, I'd expect that readers must have read the previous books, so seeing more character developments and backgrounds in their real-world would be great, like the previous books, because they are almost non-existent here.

I also expected it to go in a different dir ...more

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Jan 31, 2024 Lynn Helton rated it really liked it

Shelves: speculative-fiction, childrens

"Beep, beep, beep, beep," sounds the radio, and Hawk, Celeste, and Matt are off on another adventure through the black hole. This time they find themselves in an alien, cavernous labyrinth, as they try to locate a missing classmate and the way out. Along the way they meet some aliens and help find a solution to an injustice.

The story is interesting and keeps the reader engaged as the three kids learn about the alien world. It includes some bits of social commentary and at the end provides some g ...more

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May 04, 2023 Ann Birdgenaw rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

The long awaited fourth book in my series, Black Hole Radio, is out and it's definitely the darkest one so far. Hawk, Matt and Celeste have to go through the worm hole radio again! This time to save Big Mikey who was snooping around the UBSS clubhouse and disappeared. How can the friends be sure they'll go to the same planet as Mikey to bring him home? Hawk has the solution: his grandpa's journals will help them. But who will help Hawk and his buddies when they end up lost in the caves of Labyri The long awaited fourth book in my series, Black Hole Radio, is out and it's definitely the darkest one so far. Hawk, Matt and Celeste have to go through the worm hole radio again! This time to save Big Mikey who was snooping around the UBSS clubhouse and disappeared. How can the friends be sure they'll go to the same planet as Mikey to bring him home? Hawk has the solution: his grandpa's journals will help them. But who will help Hawk and his buddies when they end up lost in the caves of Labyrinthia? Stay tuned to meet Wolfie the snow leopard/wolf, Kyp and the other aliens kids who are being forced to work in the mines as slaves because they must feed the hangry Silver Hellion or it will eat them! Lot's of action and adventure ensues . . . but will they ever find Mikey?!

REEDSY EDITORIAL REVIEW
Labyrinthia by Ann Birdgenaw is the fourth book in the established, Black Hole series. With minimal scene setting, the story wastes no time getting stuck into the action, whilst recapping some information from the earlier book that explains the ‘black hole’ radio. Whilst readers may have a curiosity about what has happened previously, lack of knowledge does not impact this tale. It can easily be read as a standalone without impacting the enjoyment one receives.

The adventure opens with young Hawk tasked with sorting through his late grandfather’s belongings. He decides to get rid of almost everything but avoids the box he wants to keep. However, Hawk is drawn to the box when he finds himself paired with the school bully, Mikey, for a science project. Wanting to get started Hawk invites Mikey to ‘mission control;’ a space at his house where he spends time together with his friends, Matt, and Celeste. When Mikey disappears, the friends have no choice but to follow him across the galaxy to bring him home. Hampered by alien slave owners, can the friends tame the hellion and endow the slaves and Mikey with their freedom? Can they make it home unscathed?

Labyrinthia is a neat story. Everything falls into place and is easily explained as, and when, it occurs. This is partially owing to previous adventures the children went on that found them embracing specific abilities. The rest is down to the way the story and the obstacles are crafted. The children conveniently possess the right knowledge, and the right skills to tackle everything they encounter. Consequently, the story moves at a fast pace and reaches a swift resolution.

As middle grade books go, this one provides an interesting plot presented at the right pace to maintain a child’s interest, however, it is unlikely to appease older readers. The language is simple enough for confident young readers to digest without the need for lengthy definitions or adult intervention. It also shares the children’s political views in relation to slavery and child labor. As a bonus, the series format gives fans access to a range of adventures repeatedly whilst getting to know each of the heroes. For these reasons, I’d recommend this book as a 4-star read for children interested in space, aliens, and time travel. ...more

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May 20, 2023 Loralee rated it it was amazing

This was a very exciting addition to the Black Hole Radio series. Hawk, Matt, and Celeste are three friends who have been on adventures through space together before, with the help of Hawk's radio. His grandpa who died before the series began, left it to him, and it has powers that can transport him and his friends through space to different planets. In this book, Hawk is stuck with Big Mikey as his science project partner. Big Mikey happens to be the school bully. When Mikey comes over to work ...more

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May 19, 2025 Linda Sanchez rated it it was amazing

Another Fun Adventure in a Whole New World!

Black Hole Radio: Labyrinthia was a fun, quick read and another great addition to the series! I love how each book takes the kids to a completely different world—this time was no exception, with a creative and unique setting that made the adventure exciting from start to finish. This is my second book by Ann Birdgenaw, and I continue to be impressed by how imaginative and kid-friendly these stories are. A fantastic series for young readers who enjoy fas ...more

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May 04, 2023 Soph rated it it was amazing

Fun continuation of the worm hole radio. Hawk has to be science buddies with the class bully but when Big Mikey disappears into the Black Hole Radio the friends have to go after him. They go to planet Labyrinthia and learn a whole lot about caves and child slavery. The mine bosses are forcing alien children to dig for crystals that provide energy for the planet. This is not cool but Wolfie and their new aliens friends are super cool and they're in for an exciting escape when Hawk, Matt and Celes ...more

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May 04, 2023 Peter Boyde rated it it was amazing

My son loves this series and he's excited about book 4. Hawk and his friends are playing basketball and working on science projects ... that is until Big Mikey accidentally gets sucked into the radio. They go in after him to the creepy planet Labyrinthia. Which, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, has used music to lure all the children in the village into the deep, dark caves to dig for energy crystals. We really liked the big wolf dog "Wolfie" who helps them get the alien slaves out of the caves a ...more

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May 24, 2023 Toney Baus rated it liked it

Labyrinthia is an enjoyable adventure book for youngsters. The writing shines when the author tells the story with actions, such as when Celeste uses her telekinesis to save the team: “I flounder around to get my balance as we grab hands and rise towards the ceiling . . .” There are also moments of concise poetry, like “We follow Wolfie’s tail like a waving flag.”

The writer also addresses worthy subjects. Child labor (slavery, essentially) is the primary issue for the story. Birdgenaw knocks off ...more

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Sep 06, 2024 P.J. Ashton rated it really liked it

The story's premise is that Hawk has to do a science project with the school bully, he invites the bully (Mikey) to his home to start research on a project which ends up being popcorn. However, during the visit, the radio beeps. Hawk panics and runs as Mikey goes to enter the garage. When he returns with his two friends, Mikey is gone and so, Hawk, Celeste and Matt have to travel to another world to rescue him. There, they uncover child labour/Slavery, where alien children are working in a mine. ...more

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Jan 25, 2024 Amber Daulton rated it really liked it

Hawk, Celeste, and Matt are at it again. From school science projects, playing on the basketball team, and dealing with bullies, these kids keep busy, but they have more to worry about than kid stuff. The radio in the garage is an interdimensional portal and sucks them into that portal at random times. This time, the kids go to a planet called Labyrinthia where alien children are forced to work in the mines. As always, it’s time for them to save the day.
I’ve read one other book in this series, s ...more

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Nov 16, 2023 Eric Gibson rated it it was amazing

Themes of friendship, bravery, and loyalty.

Hawk, with his best friends Celeste and Matt, are reluctant heroes with powers and a gateway to other worlds. Their wormhole device sets the adventure and the special abilities grant the kids ways to resolve conflicts without fighting.

The first person narrative and present tense keeps the action zipping along. That coupled with the illustrations put me in mind of the old CYOA stories by Bantam Books, though the Black Hole Radio series is aimed at an aud ...more

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Nov 30, 2023 J. Brannick rated it really liked it

This fun book, written for children ages 8-12, is part of a series and includes science references, a nod to A Wrinkle in Time, the Twilight Zone, black holes, and other topic-starting ideas and themes for parents who like to read with their kids. The friendship between the group of kids, Hawk, Celeste, and Matt, reminds me a little of Stranger Things without the scary upside down. The dialogue between the kid characters didn't seem realistic at times, especially if you've read other authors in ...more

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Jul 11, 2023 Ed Morawski rated it it was amazing

Grandpa's Legacy

This is a breezy, wholesome novel for kids with cool illustrations. It is certainly not necessary to read the others in the series because each stands alone and is easy to follow, but I suspect the target audience will want to read all in the series. In this one we even get a primer on popcorn and there is a great science dictionary at the end.

There's even a bit of social (in) justice thrown in concerning child labor in mining but I will leave that for another discussion.

All in a ...more

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Mar 11, 2024 F. Pettit marked it as to-read

Shelves: being-read-for-review

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