Review of Launch
Posted: 29 Apr 2025, 02:44
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Launch" by Daniel Tate.]
Launch by Daniel Tate is the first book of a science fiction trilogy. Miles Martin was just a child when he became possessed by an alien entity. Miles can do next to nothing to fight this alien while it builds a spaceship. Years later, Miles is set free aboard the spaceship. It's ready to launch to the star Proxima Centauri. For Miles, it's just the start of an incredible adventure.
Daniel Tate created a plot with a classic type of science fiction in his novel. It's full of adventure, with a boy starting an interstellar journey to the discovery of new planets, often inhabited by native sentient species. The author's fantasy is the first highlight in my experience, as he created diverse aliens with diverse characteristics, both physical and mental.
Most of the novel is told in the first person from Miles Martin's point of view. Occasionally, some parts are told in the third person when they follow other characters who are far away from Miles. When Miles recounts his adventures, he also offers reflections about his discoveries and the changes he experienced.
Throughout his voyages, Miles makes many friends and, occasionally, some enemies. He spent years being sort of a prisoner in his own body because he was possessed by an alien, so traveling in space and meeting various aliens is a liberation and an occasion to really start his life. This can be considered a coming-of-age story, albeit quite unusual due to the extraordinary circumstances behind Miles's voyages.
When Miles accepts an alien as a friend, he really doesn't care what they look like. This is part of the profound themes developed in a novel that concerns the idea of very different species working together, which is not always a smooth process. It also concerns the future of humanity. If you want to know about that future, you need to read this novel.
Sometimes, Miles shows that he's a normal teenager with moments of humor that can be silly. For example, at the beginning of his journey, he answers with a flippant attitude when he's contacted by an astronaut on the International Space Station. I still appreciate most of his story despite being far older than him.
Sadly, the book contains more than 10 errors, so I have to take a star from my rating because of that. When the point of view switches from Miles to someone else, there are no separations in the text, which can leave readers initially confused. The book needs a bit of polishing with proper proofreading and some kind of separation when the narrative changes point of view, even just a blank line.
I wouldn't recommend Launch to very young readers because there's a lot of profanity and a moment when Miles smokes a joint. There are a few conversations about sex, but they're really mild. Young adults interested in space adventures are the main target for this novel. However, the profound themes make it suitable for older readers as well. I'm far older than a young adult, and I enjoyed it. Sadly, because of the errors, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. Its ending is quite open, as this is the first book of a trilogy.
******
Launch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Launch by Daniel Tate is the first book of a science fiction trilogy. Miles Martin was just a child when he became possessed by an alien entity. Miles can do next to nothing to fight this alien while it builds a spaceship. Years later, Miles is set free aboard the spaceship. It's ready to launch to the star Proxima Centauri. For Miles, it's just the start of an incredible adventure.
Daniel Tate created a plot with a classic type of science fiction in his novel. It's full of adventure, with a boy starting an interstellar journey to the discovery of new planets, often inhabited by native sentient species. The author's fantasy is the first highlight in my experience, as he created diverse aliens with diverse characteristics, both physical and mental.
Most of the novel is told in the first person from Miles Martin's point of view. Occasionally, some parts are told in the third person when they follow other characters who are far away from Miles. When Miles recounts his adventures, he also offers reflections about his discoveries and the changes he experienced.
Throughout his voyages, Miles makes many friends and, occasionally, some enemies. He spent years being sort of a prisoner in his own body because he was possessed by an alien, so traveling in space and meeting various aliens is a liberation and an occasion to really start his life. This can be considered a coming-of-age story, albeit quite unusual due to the extraordinary circumstances behind Miles's voyages.
When Miles accepts an alien as a friend, he really doesn't care what they look like. This is part of the profound themes developed in a novel that concerns the idea of very different species working together, which is not always a smooth process. It also concerns the future of humanity. If you want to know about that future, you need to read this novel.
Sometimes, Miles shows that he's a normal teenager with moments of humor that can be silly. For example, at the beginning of his journey, he answers with a flippant attitude when he's contacted by an astronaut on the International Space Station. I still appreciate most of his story despite being far older than him.
Sadly, the book contains more than 10 errors, so I have to take a star from my rating because of that. When the point of view switches from Miles to someone else, there are no separations in the text, which can leave readers initially confused. The book needs a bit of polishing with proper proofreading and some kind of separation when the narrative changes point of view, even just a blank line.
I wouldn't recommend Launch to very young readers because there's a lot of profanity and a moment when Miles smokes a joint. There are a few conversations about sex, but they're really mild. Young adults interested in space adventures are the main target for this novel. However, the profound themes make it suitable for older readers as well. I'm far older than a young adult, and I enjoyed it. Sadly, because of the errors, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. Its ending is quite open, as this is the first book of a trilogy.
******
Launch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon