SYLO

Author: D.J. MacHale
Goodreads Rating: 3.83
Pages: 407
Format: Finished Copy from BEA13

Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?

Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.

It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late. 

#1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale brings his brilliant plotting and breathless pacing to SYLO, the first in this ultimate end-of-the-world adventure trilogy.

 D.J. MacHale does it again!! After reading Pendragon I was looking forward to another action packed adventure complete with amazing characters and he certainly came through! MacHale is truly a great story teller and adds elements of mystery to his action packed epicness.

I was hooked by the first couple lines: "It was the perfect night for a football game. And for death." I don't know why but this made me literally laugh out loud and also was the perfect set up for the actions that would follow. The characters are pretty interesting and I love Tucker, Quinn and Tori. When things really start to go down, they make a really epic team.

MacHale also creates a great air of mystery that really keeps you guessing at all the possibilities. There are so many twists that arise that add to the mystery and just when you think you have it all figured out, BAM a new twist makes you rethink that.

The plot reminds me a lot of the movie Red Dawn, where the U.S. is invaded by the Chinese. Except in this book, we invade ourselves and the question is why.

SYLO may be considered a boy book with a lot of football talk, explosions, thought of war and lots of battle scenes, but I think this is the perfect book for anyone who needs a little more action in their reading. I give this book a well deserved 4.5/5 for a plot that's jammed packed with action and mystery (and not to mention a strong female character which I gotta love). The book is just, to put it simply, Epic :) and I can't wait for the next book!

 The Court's Decision: