Terra's World - Mitch Benn

Terra , which Neil Gaiman said reminded him of Douglas Adams,Terry Pratchett and Roald Dahl, launched the novel writing career of stand-up comedian and BBC Radio 4 Now Show regular Mitch Benn.

Now Terra is a couple of years older and back on earth. She's in hiding. And in Terra's World we find out why. But none of this is known to Billy Dolphin. He's just annoyed that since Terra returned to Earth Science Fiction has died a death. How wrong could a teenage boy be?

Terra may be back on Earth but the powers of the universe are not finished with her. Her old home faces a terrible threat which possibly only Terra can overcome. Just what is the black planet? To find out first Terra must learn how to survive as there is an alien bounty hunter on her trail. And only Billy Dolphin to help her.

My thoughts:

The fun continues, I do like sci-fi with humour in it. And in this one Terra is in hiding as someone is after her. And it's also the story of Billy who is sad cos ever since people found aliens are real, sci-fi has died. Cancelled shows, fewer books. It's a shame. But then Terra and Billy meet, and he gets that adventure he wants.

Told with a smile, this is a book that made me giggle. It's both real and silly fun at times. But it's also serious as things are not good on Terra's former home planet, it's really bad, and about to get worse. And who is after her by the way?

I liked Terra, but Billy was almost more fun. He was the side-kick after all, the comic relief. The one who was only there cos of her. He was not really a hero but he could be.

Conclusion:

Humour, science-fiction and danger on the horizon. A short fun book that you can read in a day.

Cover

eh

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published July 17th 2014 by Gollancz
Terra #2
Sci.fi / YA
For review

Terra - Mitch Benn

"I found myself thinking of Roald Dahl, Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchett. Wise, funny, and above all human."  —Neil Gaiman

Terra is about to go to school for the first time. It's a very alien experience. She's been an outsider all her life. But that needn't be a bad thing. It's a perspective that lets her see just how very odd and alien humans are, as well as how human aliens can be. Terra came from Rrth but she has grown up on Fnrr. Fnrr is a very different world, the people there are very different and they speak a very strange language; yet, despite being an alien there, it has become home for Terra. But her extraordinary new home, Fnrr, is spiraling into a terrible war. Terra is a charming and hilarious satirical fable from a fantastic new voice.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book. Benn delivers his tale with wit and satire. The book does not take itself too seriously, but still got something important to say too.

It's a book about Terra. She was born on earth, but grew up on Fnrr. How she came there, well that you will have to read. Fnrr is a society of science, and sports. Nothing else is needed. And Terra is very different, we see her struggle, and we see her laugh. She may not always fit in but it's still her world too. Now, the whole book is not just about Terra growing up. Her world will soon be in danger.

It was a highly enjoyable sci-fi book. It was amusing, but it had also those thoughtful moments. Yes how would aliens see our planets? We do seem very stupid at times. You know, destroying the planet we live on.

Conclusion:

If you want a bit of sci-fi that is not just about space and tech, then this is the book for you. A book about a girl growing about on an alien planet, a planet that is different but still not that different from ours.

Cover

eh

Paperback, 255 pages
Published April 1st 2014 by Gollancz (first published July 18th 2013)
Terra #1
Sci-fi YA
For review