The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2 by PJ Haarsma
Author Provides Classic Science Fiction Book for a Modern Audience
Nov 20, 2008
Imagine being able to enter and manipulate any computer system with your mind. Picture being taken to an alien world run by a computer able to translate alien languages and keep everyone under surveillance. Now consider being sold as a slave to greedy aliens obsessed with furthering their status, and you’ll know what Johnny Turnbull’s life is like on the Rings of Orbis as his masters try manipulating his “softwire” skills for their own ends.
Conspiracy on an Alien World
In Betrayal on Orbis 2, thirteen-year-old Johnny (JT to his friends) is assigned to Odran, caretaker of the Samirans, huge aquatic aliens who cool the crystals that provide Orbis' energy.
Using his softwire skills, JT downloads the complex Samiran language into his brain and strikes up a friendship with Toll and his mate Smool who became Orbis slaves in exchange for future freedom in the oceans of this alien world. Although their service is nearly over, Toll believes the Trading Council wants them to stay so Orbis can continue benefiting from their cheap labor.
As JT’s friendship with Toll grows, he learns many secrets. He discovers Smool is pregnant and wants to raise their child in freedom. He learns that Toll was once a friend of JT’s father, a Softwire who was exiled from Orbis. And he finds out about a secret city hidden in Toll’s massive water tank that houses slaves who want to escape the alien world.
Unfortunately, when JT learns Odran is conspiring to steal Toll’s child and use it to harvest Orbis’ crystals, he finds himself forced to save not only Toll’s family but also Orbis when Toll threatens to retaliate by rupturing his water tank and drowning the surrounding areas in a massive flood. With the help of his friends, JT mounts a desperate rescue mission to save Orbis from its own greed.
An Excellent Science Fiction Book for Reluctant Readers
Celebrated by many critics for providing science fiction books that appeal to reluctant male readers, Haarsma’s Softwire series is quickly becoming known as a series of great books for kids among schools and libraries. The story’s exotic alien world is balanced by a very human story of the gradual loss of innocence as children come face to face with corruption even as they try to hold onto their own ethical standards.
Since the main characters are all slaves, the books provide a ready basis for discussions about immigration, discrimination, and economic inequality. Such topics will no doubt resonate with readers who hear about or even experience these issues every day.
New Role Playing Kids Computer Games
A former advertising consultant, Haarsma also created online role playing computer games, known as the Rings of Orbis, which complement his science fiction books. In the computer games, players assume the identities of Orbis aliens, play games to gain property, participate in online auctions, interact with members via message boards, and even showcase their creative writing online as fan fiction. As Haarsma adds new books to his series, he will create new computer games.
Unlike the books, which present life on Orbis from the point of view of the slaves, the role playing computer games let players become part of the power-hungry elite Citizens on this alien world, granting readers insight into both segments of the population. Certain sections also require players to answer questions from the books to advance, giving them incentive to read the books.
Haarsma, PJ. The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2. MA: Candlewick Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-7636-2710-2
Like books about aliens from outer space? Read reviews of Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 and Hungry by Alethea Eason
Also read Fantasy Travel Books for Children.
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