DAROK 9 REVIEWS

Juvenile

Ralles, H.J. Darok 9, Dallas, TX. Top Publications, Ltd. Co. 2002.
              Living on the Moon

From the explosive opening chapter, the pace of Darok 9 never falters. Hank
Havard is trying to protect his research that will simplify life on the
moon. Like so many discoveries, it has the potential for good or for bad if
it falls into the hands of criminals.

When Earth became uninhabitable three generations ago, survivors of a
nuclear war evacuated to make their home on the moon. Darok 9, a
transparent bubble, is the name of a "town" on the moon. It is necessary to
sustain life in the harsh lunar temperatures.

Hank's research promises to solve the water shortage. Hank tries
desperately to protect his secret, but from whom? Can he trust anyone?

Enlisting the help of his thirteen-year-old nephew, Will and Will's friend,
Maddie, Hank stays on the run to protect his formula.

Against Hank's counsel, Will is injected with the formula. If Hank is to
keep Will from dying, an antidote must be developed.

The process of finding a treatment to reverse the effects turns out to be a
fortunate episode.

Eventually the adults and Will, unable to resolve the crisis, turn to
Maddie, who shows herself capable and creative in dealing with the problems.

Ralles holds us to the end in tension-filled suspense. We read on to see
what surprising events her interesting characters initiate.

The scientific jargon and technology does not interfere with the
action-filled story which any young person can follow even if less than
versed in the science fiction aspects.

Darok 9 is H.J. Ralles' second book. It follows Keeper of the Kingdom which has enjoyed great success with teens and younger readers alike. She has included two strong female characters who prove even more computer savvy than the other characters.

JoAn Martin