January 2005

DAROK 10

BY H.J. Ralles

Dr. Gunter Schumann has mysteriously vanished from the lunar colony, Darok 9. Was he kidnapped? And what is the significance of the sinister discovery by scientist Hank Havard and Will, his fourteen-year-old nephew? Determined to solve the mystery, Will and his friend Maddie travel to neighboring Darok 10 in search of the truth. But when Will is captured by a ruthless killer bent on destroying the Daroks, Maddie and Hank are forced to steal military secrets. Can they prevent a lunar war and the destruction of humankind?

REVIEWS

In the year 2120, World War III over a century before has left the Earth uninhabitable. The remnants of mankind now live on the moon in 4 different quadrants. Hank Havard is a young scientist who has been working on perfecting SH33, where "SH" stands for "Super Human". The biggest problems that the inhabitants of the moon face is the lack of water. Almost all water that they drink is retrieved from Earth and then cleansed of the deadly radiation that is now contained within the water because of the war. But when the Fourth Quadrant attacks the lab, Hank and Lydia, his assistant. escape the destruction back to Darok 9, the large bubble under which they both live. Hank has brought with him the twelve vials of SH33 and the data he used to create the formula. When he approaches his home, he notices that someone is in his house and quickly decides not to go in. SH33 is a top-secret project he is working on that could save all of humanity by causing the body to recycle its own water, therefore getting rid of the need for water to be brought back from Earth. Knowing that the intruders were after SH33, he enlists the aid of his sister, Rachel, and her 13-year old son, Will. Will and his friend, Maddie, who both happen to be quite good with computers, help Hank hide the data. But when Hank disappears, Rachel, Will and Maddie must all work together to keep SH33 out of the hands of the people who will stop at nothing to steal the formula.

Darok 9 is a young adult book set in the year 2120 on the moon of Earth. It is a Science Fiction story, but at the same time it is a Thriller, as the action is non-stop. The story revolves around Matt and Will as they try to prevent SH33 falling into the hands of people that would use the formula for their own purpose. This is the second published novel by H. J. Ralles, the first being Keeper of the Kingdom. H.J. Ralles has created a fun adventure for all ages to read about. From the first page, the pace of the book is fast and always keeps the reader interested. Young adults will love the suspense that builds and builds as Hank and Will try to avoid being captured.

I was quite pleased with the storytelling in Darok 9. I love a fast-paced book, and this one does not disappoint. The action is non-stop, and young adults will love the characters of Will and Maddie. I found that I hated to put this book down, as I really wanted to find out what was going to happen next. H.J. Ralles has done a great job of creating characters that the reader really likes. And the bad guys, well, she also did an excellent job of writing some really nasty characters. The concept of human living on the moon is not new, but the twist of the Earth being irradiated and the need for water is something I had not read about before...and I liked it. This is a fun book for not only young adults, but anyone that likes a good science fiction thriller. 

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

Conan Tigard, Reading Review

      H. J. Ralles returns to the world of Darok 9 with Darok 10. Will Conroy and his uncle, Hank Havard, have yet another mystery to solve. Dr. Gunter Schumann has disappeared from the cryolab at the hospital in Darok 9. Will was the last person to see him before he disappeared. He'd chatted with the doctor in the corridor outside the cryolab just before meeting his mother, Rachel Conroy, for dinner. Rachel was also concerned when she found a spot of blood on the carpet outside that lab. It was fresh blood.

     When Will and Rachel met Hank in the lobby of the hospital, Rachel voiced her concerns. After all, even the rear elevator was locked, but there was no sign of Dr. Schumann. Hank persuaded Rachel to put her concerns on the back burner and wait until after dinner. If Dr. Schumann had not returned by then, Hank would go find him.

    Dr. Schumann did not return nor did anyone find any sign of him. Everything in his office was untouched and he had not signed out of the building. But the blood on the carpet was gone. Hank called a friend of his, MacKenzie Stewart, who worked in the forensics lab. Mac checked carpet and found traces of blood as well as red hair that everyone knew did not belong to Dr. Schumann. Whom did it belong to and what had they done with the doctor?

     However, when Hank returned to the hospital, someone had ransacked Dr. Schumann's office and his briefcase. Who was it and what did they want?

    Darok 10 is another sci-fi thriller that readers of any age will enjoy. It has heart-stopping action and danger aplenty as Will, Rachel, Hank, and Maddie Goren seek to find out who is endangering the Darok and why. Young adults who are fans of H. J. Ralles will enjoy this installment of the Darok series. Pick up a copy and enjoy!

"Darok 10 is another sci-fi thriller that readers of any age will enjoy. It has heart-stopping action and danger aplenty as Will, Rachel, Hank and Maddie Goren seek to find out who is endangering the Darok and why. Young adults, who are fans of H.J. Ralles will enjoy this installment of the Darok series." Jo Rogers, Myshelf.com.