The Lighthouse War: The Lighthouse Trilogy Book Two [Paperback]

Adrian McKinty (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lighthouse Trilogy | Publication Date: August 1, 2008

This sequel to The Lighthouse Land is “better than the first . . . nonstop action.”*

 

From an acclaimed crime novelist comes the second book in this inventive sci-fi trilogy.

 

Jamie O’Neill is back on Earth, where no one but his best friend, Ramsay, knows he’s the hero of a great war that saved an alien nation. Now he’s back to being a kid with one arm, no girlfriend, and a band that plays bad songs about intergalactic romance. Then the news breaks on the Internet: A space probe has picked up a coded message from far across the galaxy. But not even NASA’s best scientists can figure out what it says. Only Jamie and Ramsay know it’s a message from Altair: They’re needed again.

 

* flamingnet.com

F&P level: Y

F&P genre: SF

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the 'Lighthouse Trilogy':
''McKinty, previously known for adult crime novels, brings an attuned ear for dialogue and a taut pacing to his first YA (young adult) outing, the launch title (The Lighthouse Land) in the Lighthouse Trilogy.'' -- Publishers Weekly

''This thought-provoking sci-fi adventure offers universal appeal, excitement, and a one-of-a-kind hero whose courage and compassion will inspire any reader.'' --Children's Literature --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

Adrian McKinty, called “one of his generation’s leading talents” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of many highly regarded crime novels for adults. The books of The Lighthouse Trilogy are his first for young people. Adrian was born and grew up in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Educated at Oxford University, he then immigrated to New York City, where he lived in Harlem for five years, working in bars and on construction crews, as well as doing a stint as a bookseller. He lives in Denver, where he teaches high school.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Amulet Books; 1 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810972654
• ISBN-13: 978-0810972650
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent addition to a good series, July 9, 2008

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lighthouse War: The Lighthouse Trilogy Book Two (Hardcover)

The Lighthouse War is a rare find. It is a rousing story that is the middle book of a trilogy and still stands on its own. Jamie O'Neill and his friend Ramsay have been back in Ireland for a year since their previous adventures on Altair. There is still part of Jamie that wants to be on Altair with the only girl who ever liked him. When a signal from Altair arrives on Earth and Ramsay decodes it, they learn it is a call for help that was sent from a hundred years in the past. The only way to return to Altair is to use the Salmon of Knowledge.

Unfortunately the Salmon needs to be recharged. In the process of charging it they need to explain what they are doing to Jamie's mom and Ramsay's brother. The four of the them are transported to Altair, but into their enemies' stronghold. While Jamie and Ramsay escape, their companions are captured and made hostages.

More problems are in store as Jamie learns that Wishaway, his girlfriend from his previous trip, had given up on his return and married Lorca, another companion from their first adventure. Somehow Jamie needs to rescue his mother and Ramsay's brother and not hand over the Salmon to the Alkhavans who want to use it to invade Earth.

Adrian McKinty has penned a tale in which the characters are stretched to their utmost. They are interesting and sympathetic. The interaction between Wishaway and Jamie is especially well done. The world of Altair is complex as well with several competing societies.

I will look forward to reading the final book in the series.

Armchair Interviews says: This is the second of three books in the Lighthouse Trilogy, but it stands very well on its own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, exciting and believable fantasy, December 28, 2008

By 

Gina Murrow "AK painter" (Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lighthouse War: The Lighthouse Trilogy Book Two (Paperback)

In this second of a trilogy, Adrian McKinty continues the story of Jamie O'Neill, an American teen living in Ireland, who helped save an alien world in Book One, and is now being called on to help that world again. Fantasy books can easily stray into cliche, but McKinty manages to keep the Lighthouse series fresh. You really believe it could be true. Jamie and his best friend, Ramsey, are the kind of friends who would tackle and solve wild mysteries. Makes me want to buy the next ticket to Ireland and go find my own adventure. I highly recommend the book.