The Captain’s Kid
Year: 2016
Author: Liz Coley
Length: 352 pages
***THIS BOOK WAS RECEIVED FROM A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***
With today’s Young Adult genre overtaken by books not appropriate for young adults, it’s refreshing to read a book that not only has content for teenagers but realistic teenage characters as well. These are the characters dealing with their first foray into independence and finding their identity separate from that of their parents. Each of these individuals has their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s in recognition of these assets and liabilities that they start to realize their true potential in life. The fact that the setting takes place in outer space is simply to keep the reader engaged with the plot.
Regarding the science behind the plot, the author seems to have done her research. At a cursory glance, all the elements that come together to create the main thrust of the plot all make sense, and all add to each other to make a believable situation. From microgravity to genetic modifications, the science appears to be correct on the surface, but it never gets so deep into the details as to prove itself wrong or to bore the reader. After all, we’re talking about a teenager’s understanding of complex scientific concepts here.
One aspect of the main character I appreciated was his approach to romantic relationships. I can remember being a bumbling and klutzy teenager, and it’s the suaver and “adult” teenage characters that I see too often in today’s Young Adult stories. With an almost perfect setting, plot, and group of characters, there were only a few things that distracted me in this narrative. First, I might not have been paying attention, but I think one of the characters changed gender about 1/3 of the way through. Secondly, I find it hard to believe that, in our current age of information and knowledge, that some common phrases and words would become “extinct” and need explanation. Otherwise, The Captain’s Kid is a solid book for all ages.
A realistic and encouraging piece of Young Adult fiction, I give The Captain’s Kid 4.5 stars out of 5.
