Crash Course (Hover Car Racer) [Library Binding]

Matthew Reilly (Author), Pablo Raimondi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2008 | Series: Hover Car Racer

Never give up.
Never say die.

The chills and thrills (and awe-inspiring spills) come fast and furious as New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reilly delivers a pulse-pounding, hard-driving, high-octane novel that's sure to have readers revved up from starting line to checkered flag. Artist Pablo Raimondi's funky and gritty graphic stylings provide the perfect look for this all-out read that's custom-made for any boy -- or girl -- who dreams of going fast!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bestselling author Reilly (Area 7; Ice Station) takes a rough detour into the world of children's books with the first book in the paper-over-board Hover Car Racer series, set in the near future ("Since hover technology required no gasoline to fuel it, the oil-producing countries of the Middle East crumbled"). Readers meet 14-year-old Australian Jason Chaser, who is determined to become a champion racer. His 12-year-old brother, Bug, serves as navigator for Jason during his races, though the brothers' relationship runs even deeper (the nearly autistic but mathematically brilliant Bug only communicates by whispering in Jason's ear). Jason places last in the Indo-Pacific Regional Championships, but nonetheless receives an invitation from Scott Syracuse, a famed ex-racer, to enter Race School and train to become a world-class racer. There Jason meets Ariel Piper, the only female student (resulting from a Citadel-esque legal coup), and he soon discovers that someone is sabotaging their cars. Jason races both to figure out who has it in for them and—against all odds—to win a coveted spot in the Sponsors' Event ("a feature race held in front of the schools' sponsors, benefactors, and famous ex-students"). Raimondi contributes stylized comic book-style pen-and-inks, and 3D maps of each race course begin various sections of the book. Unfortunately, racing clichés (e.g., the requisite photofinish), stock characters and a predictable plot make this feel like a treatment for a summer blockbuster movie. Ages 10-up. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Jason Chaser, 14, and his shy but brilliant 12-year-old brother (nicknamed The Bug) are the youngest driver-and-navigator hover-car racing team invited to attend the prestigious International Race School in Tasmania. What they lack in age, though, they make up for in skill, determination, and ingenuity. And having a world-class star like Scott Syracuse as a mentor does not hurt. However, the Australian brothers are not really prepared for the mean-spirited and downright terrifying treatment they receive upon arrival. Sure, hover-car racing is a dangerous sport, but when the competition is intent on physically destroying you, your chances of survival are reduced pretty dramatically. The first in a series, this futuristic adventure (with appealing illustrations by a Marvel Comics veteran) is certainly fast-paced, action-packed, and (thankfully) slim. Reilly's writing, though, is painfully sloppy and the text is heavy with groan-inducing clichés. This novel seems to find its only true inventiveness in Reilly's descriptions of the vehicles and rules involved in this sport. An acceptable addition to a fast-and-easy section for the 10- to 14-year-old set, but by no means a must-have.–Jeff Katz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 224 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439541779
• ISBN-13: 978-1439541777
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,270,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matthew Reilly is the international bestselling author of eight novels: The 6 Sacred Stones, 7 Deadly Wonders, Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, and the children's book Hover Car Racer, and one novella, Hell Island. His books are published in more than eighteen languages in twenty countries, and he has sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced action, June 8, 2005

By 

D. Galle "Duane Galle" (Tweed Heads, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crash Course (Hover Car Racer) (Hardcover)

Sure this is a "kids" book, but even adults will get hooked by the fast paced action of MR's latest offering.

Some people have commented that it is just Star Wars: Pod Racing meets Harry Potter, but Hover Car Racer offers much more. It is easy to read, addictive and although predictable, a real page-turner!

Oh, and if you're an Aussie (like me) you'll love the frequent Australianisms throughout the story - especially the names of a couple of the rival racers!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling, fun and exciting, June 5, 2005

By 

L. Leonardi (Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crash Course (Hover Car Racer) (Hardcover)

My son has just turned 9. I bought this book for him and he finished it in one day! He could not put it down ... he found it awesome and hopes there will be more SOON! He did find it quite easy reading - mentioning that the printing has large spaces. He particulary enjoyed the start of the book as the story begins in the middle of a race. A great young boy reader!

Thank you.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Harry Potter meets pod races from Phantom Menace, December 9, 2004

By 

marshallarts "marshallarts" (Elk Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crash Course (Hover Car Racer) (Hardcover)

I have read all of Reilly's books and have enjoyed them all. Until now. I felt like I was forcing myself to finish the book simply because it was written by him and I am a fan. But as the previous reviewer mentioned, the story is quite juvenile and I was completely reminded of Harry Potter (racing school for talented kids) and the pod racing scenes from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. If those two properties weren't heavy influences, I would be surprised. Unfortunately, now we have to wait at least another year before we get something new from Reilly here in the States. He wrote on his website that he will now be producing a book every two years rather than one. If you are a die-hard MR fan, then I guess you should read Hover Car Racer. But if you're looking for the hard-edged, gritty, adult action of his earlier books, skip this one.