A review by suzylibrarian
Scan by Walter Jury

4.0

Within a 24-hour time span, Tate Archer’s life goes from typical high school teenager (granted a truly gifted and talented one) to on the run survivalist escaping from an alien race that has taken over Earth. This is a fast-paced, high edrenaline science fiction novel kicking off a new series. Tate uses MacGyver-like skills and know-how to build all sorts of weapons to defend himself, his mother and his girlfriend from the H2, an alien population that looks identical to humans and has over the years become the majority of Earth’s population. Tate, driven exceptionally hard by his father to excel at all things (science, languages, self-defense, etc.), is a relatable kid. Even when he breaks into his father’s lab and steals a mysterious scanner-type thing and brings it to school, the reader absolutely finds this risky and cocky behavior believable. Equally believable is Tate’s remorse and anger when that same scanner brings about the death of his father by secret agents hell-bent on retrieving it. Characters are given unique voices by narrator Luke Daniels though Tate comes across sullen and smart-mouthed perhaps more than he should. Mature language is used which is a shame because this book is otherwise perfect for the middle school male reader.

Recommended grades 9 and up. Sequel is not due out until 2015.