Mommy Brain

(Virus on Orbis 1 and Betrayal on Orbis 2 were provided to me by the publisher for the purpose of review.)

P.J. Haarsma has created a completely new world in his science fiction series The Softwire. Johnny “JT” Turnbull is a softwire: a person who can enter and communicate with a computer in his mind. He arrives on the Rings of Orbis, along with dozens of other human children, where they are informed that they will become slaves of the Citizens, the upper-class that rules the planet.

JT’s talents as a softwire become public, which makes him a hot property, and gives him a chance to prove that he is more than just your average “knudnik.” The knudniks are humans and aliens that hold a status between slave and indentured servant on the Rings of Orbis. In order to gain his freedom, JT is expected to serve one rotation (year) on each of the four rings.

In The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1, JT discovers that there is something seriously wrong with the central computer that controls everything on Orbis, and his softwire abilities are pushed to the limit as he tries to figure out what the problem is, and how to fix it.

Virus on Orbis 1 was P.J. Haarsma’s first book, and the writing is a little choppy. The world he creates is so unique, and vividly described, however, that I couldn’t put it down. I started the sequel right away.

Betrayal on Orbis 2, the quality of Haarsma’s writing increases considerably, and he manages to create another unique world in the mind of the reader. The world of Orbis 2 is very different from Orbis 1. JT didn’t think that things could get much worse than they were on Orbis 1, where he worked for Weegin, a bully and cheat. He was wrong: his new “guarantor,” Odran, is much worse - and JT is called on to use his softwire talent to communicate with creatures unlike anything he’s ever seen.

This series would be perfect for kids 6th grade and up. Boys will especially enjoy them, but there are some strong female characters, too, that will engage female readers. If you have younger kids that read at a higher level, keep in mind that there is some mild violence, but nothing I would consider gratuitous. Noah, my 9-year-old is glad I’m finished with these, so he can dive in. We will definitely be watching out for the next two installments in the series.

Virus on Orbis 1 is already available; Betrayal on Orbis 2 becomes available tomorrow, March 25th.