If you love science fiction, like Doctor Who, Stranger Things, and Star Trek, but also enjoy coming-of-age tales like Heartstopper, this book is for you.
When teenage Londoner Bobby Morris witnesses a mysterious accident in Piccadilly Circus, he thinks it is just another moment of madness in a city that thrives on chaos. But the dying man is not what he seems; he’s Max Janus, a two-thousand-year-old alien enforcer from a distant world. In his final seconds, Max transfers his energy soul into Bobby, creating an uneasy alliance in one body.
Bobby is left juggling college, secrets, and a sarcastic alien guest in his head while avoiding deadly Deceptors, rogue aliens who’ll stop at nothing to capture Max. With his family and friends at risk and a deadly creature in the world, Bobby must decide if he is just a kid from North London or the one to save them.
Witty, fast-paced and filled with action, Max and the Hidden Visitor is a sci-fi fantasy where growing up can also include saving the world.
Max and the Hidden Visitor appeals to anyone who loves science fiction and coming-of-age stories in an action-packed, page-turning adventure for adults and young adults 12 and over.
Wow, I’ve read some really great indie books these past few days, and this is another one that seriously blew me away. You know those books you swear you’ll put down because you’re exhausted, but you need to know what happens next? Yeah, this is definitely one of those books. Now, first things first. For those who know me, you know I’m a huge Doctor Who fan, and this book perfectly captures that kind of world. I want to focus on the characters because we all know they are the heart and soul of any story, and when done right, they can completely elevate a book. Which this one absolutely does.
I wish I could explain just how well Dean has created these characters with so much personality, but I honestly can’t. Nothing will ever do them justice unless you read the book yourself. They are genuinely exciting and memorable. Max is a two-thousand-year-old alien, but he’s also hilarious, smart, and just full of everything you’d want in a Doctor-type character. I know I keep bringing up Doctor Who, but the comparison feels impossible to ignore. Max has so much personality that it genuinely feels like it’s bursting out of the pages, and every scene he’s in is just fun to read. He’s the kind of main character you wish you could meet in real life, you know he'd make your life entertaining and memorable...Oh, also incredibly dangerous, but that's the fun part.
Max Janus is an enforcer who is chasing a dangerous alien criminal called a Deceptor, across time and space. Max finds himself in 21st century London and an accident forces Max to transfer himself into the body of a 17-year old boy. Max is used to inhabiting a host every few decades, but now he's stuck with dealing with all the challenges of being a said teenager, which clearly leads to a lot of unexpected chaos. For the next six months, Bobby has to share his body and mind with Max, whilst he tries to rebuild his new shell and stay safe. But whilst Max's past catches up with them and puts Bobby and his friends and family at risk, they work together to figure out who the dangerous Deceptor is and why the police are involved. It's a perfect science fiction action book with a fast-paced plot with absolutely no fillers. Every word counts and isn't wasted.
The novel really hits on so many important themes, from disability awareness, the innocence of children and the struggles of growing up. Bobby, a normal teenager is figuring out life with all the complicated feelings that come with it, coming out as gay, worrying about what people will think, dealing with the stress of his exams. It may be written for his age range, but it also shows adults just how tough life can be when you are younger. You kind of forget the hardships you deal with as all your feelings change, and the new emotions you face. It's a great reminder that teenager's feelings are real and important and should not be pushed aside. Then, there is Danny, Bobby's friend who uses a wheelchair. He is clever, strong and constantly making jokes about himself. Someone who could make light of a tough situation like that really deserves applause. Dean handles it so carefully, balancing respect with humour whilst giving us characters who feel real, relatable and unforgettable. Genuinely, if I could give this book more than five stars, I would, because it absolutely deserves it. The book has so many twists and turns but each one of them matters, nothing is thrown in just for the sake of drama, and the problem for me is that I can't even describe ANY of them without ruining the story. I always write a balanced review if needed because I always like to point out things that did not work for me. The only aspect I would probably wish for in more depth is the relationships. I would have liked a longer, more emotional conversation as they revealed their feelings for each other. Similarly, Avery and Max's relationship could use slightly more context as some of it did seem slightly rushed. Overall, these moments do not tarnish the story at all, and I think these elements will make it better in the third book which combines book one and two that I have read so far. I'm also incredibly excited for that. The plot is engaging, the pacing is excellent and every single element of the story works perfectly together. It's relatable and gripping and honestly think that is exactly what you need when picking up a new book to read. Review for book number two will be written shortly.
To buy this book: (Also available on Kindle Unlimited)
https://amzn.eu/d/7ZdK0fl
To follow the author:
x.com/deanpb_author
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