pjonsson's review
2.0
I cannot say it was a really bad book but I wasn't really too impressed with it either. I will probably not read the next one in the series.
rmichno's review
2.0
Stopped reading 1/4 of the way in. Got too irritated by the main characters - a group of teens who sounded nothing like teenagers. It felt like a lost Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew book.
cuteseal's review
4.0
Full of mystery and intrigue, this book explores what would have happened if aliens ships (UFOs) had actually crashed on earth, and the government scientists had discovered, explored and exploited the alien technology. I find the treatment of the subject matter quite gratifying - everything is shrouded in secrecy and revealed only in parts; the reader doesn't get a grasp of the full extent of the technology until much later in the book. Throw a few rogue scientists, super-assassins and undercover agents into the mix and you've got a compelling piece of Sci-Fi waiting to be read.
The story centers around three high school students who also stumble across the alien technology in the desert, giving rise to experimentation and the consequences thereof. Here a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief is required, as they start building their own versions of the technology in their basement.
As they get entangled in the intricacies of the schemes, you are drawn into their fight for survival, leading to a nail-biting climax. The only gripe is that the story is only part finished, to be continued in sequels, despite being a fairly lengthy book. Nevertheless, an enjoyable read.
The story centers around three high school students who also stumble across the alien technology in the desert, giving rise to experimentation and the consequences thereof. Here a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief is required, as they start building their own versions of the technology in their basement.
As they get entangled in the intricacies of the schemes, you are drawn into their fight for survival, leading to a nail-biting climax. The only gripe is that the story is only part finished, to be continued in sequels, despite being a fairly lengthy book. Nevertheless, an enjoyable read.
storyonlystory's review
1.0
Once and for all people. We use our entire brains. Not 10%. Smart kids would know this. The plot was unoriginal and predictable. Didn't enjoy it.
uncannyvalerie's review
4.0
I really love the ship, and I wish the book spent a little more time on it. I do enjoy that the girls got the science and math skills and the boy got linguistic skills -- yay for non-traditional gender roles. Definitely an enjoyable read.
See my full review here.
See my full review here.
duchessnikki's review against another edition
3.0
This was really slow starting and I nearly quit reading it. I suspect that a lot of people will quit reading it. It was akward and clunky. Still the ideas were all there. Once it got rolling I was very much along for the ride. This is a trilogy so this book was left very much open ended. I'm glad I gave Second Ship a second chance.
anyile's review
3.0
I wanted to like this book, and for the most part, I did. The premise and the plot in general was a lot of fun. I just had a hard time overlooking the extremely thin character development and painfully cliche dialog.
timbre's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm, this was a decent read, but I don't think I'll be continuing on with the series. It was a little hard to follow, jumping around, many different perspectives. The main characters were the trio of teenagers, but there were so many other chapters with random people. And just trying to follow the story itself. A spaceship crashed, and it's been examined and a bad doctor is using some of the technology himself. Then the teens find a second ship (thus the title) ... so there had actually been two sets of aliens. One good, one bad ... one that might destroy the earth, as it's destroyed worlds before? Maybe that is explored more in the following books.
The teens have been affected ... they don't have "powers" so much as "enhancements" ... those using the technology from the first ship have some "powers" too. So there is a lot of high school drama, espionage and action, mystery and ... it was all just a bit jumbled. Or a lot jumbled.
I stayed interested enough to finish it up ... ends on a cliff-hanger, but I am not invested enough to continue right now.
The teens have been affected ... they don't have "powers" so much as "enhancements" ... those using the technology from the first ship have some "powers" too. So there is a lot of high school drama, espionage and action, mystery and ... it was all just a bit jumbled. Or a lot jumbled.
I stayed interested enough to finish it up ... ends on a cliff-hanger, but I am not invested enough to continue right now.
justaguy's review against another edition
3.0
Quite enjoyable
I can see others’ displeasure on the plot and characters. However, as it goes I do find the plot moving fast but curiously. Kids making a ton of high tech stuff. I’m so in! I wanted to give it four stars but for some reasons I couldn’t...it hasn’t actually grab my eyes and glued it to the story. Since this book ended up with an open end. So I’m gonna read second and maybe the third one too for sake of ending.
I can see others’ displeasure on the plot and characters. However, as it goes I do find the plot moving fast but curiously. Kids making a ton of high tech stuff. I’m so in! I wanted to give it four stars but for some reasons I couldn’t...it hasn’t actually grab my eyes and glued it to the story. Since this book ended up with an open end. So I’m gonna read second and maybe the third one too for sake of ending.