Death Trap - Robot Wars Book One

Death Trap - Robot Wars Book One
By Sigmund Brouwer
Published at Tyndale

About the book
Set in an experimental community on Mars in the year 2039, The Robot Wars series features 14-year-old virtual reality specialist Tyce Sanders. Life on the red planet is not always easy, but it is definitely exciting. Tyce finds that the mysteries of the planet point to his greatest discovery—a new relationship with God. He talks about his growing faith and curiosity in a manner that kids can relate to as they are probably wondering some of the same things. Each book contains two exciting adventures. In the first adventure, the Mars project is in trouble and only Tyce holds the key. In the second adventure, Tyce has discovered there may be killer aliens on the loose. Robot Wars is a repackaged and updated version of Mars Diaries. There are now five books in the series; each book contains two stories. These new books contain a foreword about how far science has brought us.

Who is Sigmund Brouwer?
Whether writing youth or adult fiction, Sigmund Brouwer is a best-selling author of more than 40 fast-paced novels. Some of his works encourage young reluctant readers into the world of books, and others provide adults with riveting tales. His youth series include Mars Diaries; Short Cuts Extreme Sports; Lightning on Ice; CyberQuest; The Winds of Light; Dr. Drabble: Genius Inventor; and The Accidental Detectives. His adult fiction titles include Out of the Shadows, Morning Star, Thunder Voice, Double Helix, and Blood Ties.

Sigmund's diverse background surfaces in the characters of his books as he inspires kids to get excited about reading. He grew up in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and developed an early interest in sports like hockey, racquetball, and biking. His poor performance in high school English classes led him to receive a degree in commerce from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and not to pursue writing. When a professor in his undergraduate English course encouraged him to write, Sigmund did, and he eventually received a degree in journalism from Carleton College in Ottawa. After publishing several articles for U.S. and Canadian magazines, he turned to writing books for kids reluctant to read.

In 1993, he cofounded The Young Writers' Institute with home education expert and author Debra Bell and conducts writing camps and seminars for more than 10,000 children every year. His commitment to his faith is an integral part of his creative goals, and Sigmund cites C. S. Lewis as one of his greatest writing influences. Although there is no overt Christian agenda in his novels, the deliberate underpinning of morality and redemption make his books more than tools of escape. He quotes C. S. Lewis, "There is no Christian way to write, just as there is no Christian way to boil an egg."

Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan; the couple has two daughters. He writes five pages per day on his laptop, whether he is in an airport, hotel, or dividing his time between family homes in Red Deer and Nashville.

He welcomes visitor to his website at http://www.coolreading.com/ .

My thoughts
Mars is a planet that many dream to be able to sustain life. Many also hope that one day we would be able to live there. Robot Wars is the life of a 14-year-old boy living on Mars in an experimental community. This series of novel is geared for juvenile readers. If you children like space exploration, mysteries and science, then the Robot Wars books are for him or her.

I’m not a juvenile anymore but while I was reading the book, I made sure that I kept in mind that it was written for young ones. Book One of the Robot Wars Series contains the two first missions from the Mars Diaries. Originally published as the Mars Diaries, this series of stories of a 14 year old boy living on Mars is being republished under the Robot Wars Series.

As you get deeper in the story you come to a point that you understand the cover of the Death Trap book. I don’t want to get into too much detail but let’s just say that it’s hard to put the book down while you read one of the two stories included in this book. Each chapter finishes in a way that you want to continue the reading to know what will happen next.

Tyce Sanders is the 14-year-old who writes the diary entries throughout the book. He will experience mysteries while he helps others by a unique way. He is an expert in virtual-reality since the tender age of 8-year-old. At first Tyce do not believe in God contrary to his mom but it comes to a point that he will open up to the creator of the universe.

The writing is simple enough that my own 8-year-old son would be able to read it. And since it is packed with adventure and mysteries, I am certain that it will catch is attention. My son (and his younger brothers) is into Star Wars lately so having a book with a story that happens on Mars will definitively attract him.

What I love also is that the author made sure to include some Q&A and explanation about science and God as well as how to relate the two together? I also know that I have found another interesting series for my son who is growing so fast and devours his books.

Death Trap is available everywhere. However, I am quite surprise that I wasn't able to find the title on amazon.ca...? But I did found it on indigo.ca!