Customer Reviews

The Prometheus Project: Captured

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4 star:		(1)
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This is the second volume in Douglas Richards' excellent three-part series about the exploits of the very smart kids Ryan and Regan, brother and sister. Richards again introduces us to many interesting scientific facts, a science fiction plot at its best, adventures, fascinating gadgets such as a pen that stop pain and heal wounds and infections, and the clever and logical reasoning by Ryan and his younger charming sister. It is now six months since the startling events described in "Trapped." Without revealing this exciting episode, suffice it to say that Ryan and Regan's minds have been somewhat improved and they receive a message that the underground city has been breached (how, why, and by what or whom, and the consequences, readers will discover by reading the tale). Richards adds some humor from time to time with the occasional light-hearted, warm, respectful sibling rivalry between the two youngsters. This is the fourth Richards' book that I read, three aimed at younger people, one for adults, and while this book is one of the three, I think that adults will enjoy it just like they will enjoy the other two.

Although this is the second volume in the three part series, one doesn't need to have read book one to follow the story in this volume because Richards summarizes book one at the beginning. However, it seems to me that readers will enjoy book two better if they had read book one.

This book is an excellent quality thriller. It is the story of two young kids who seek adventure and mystery, so eventually they find themselves involved in an extraordinary situation. Their parents are at risk so the kids try to help them by entering a forbidden area and they discover an alien site. What will happen to them? Are they going to survive? Are their parents going to help them?

It is a story with a tight plot, a lot of action and a lot of science. The author involves nano-technology, the internet and a lot of maths throughout his story so the readers will be educated as well as highly entertained. It is a valuable book, quite original and easy to read. The gripping storyline will make young readers read this story in one sitting and want a sequel. The author has written another book, The Prometheus Project-Captured, as a sequel to the first one.

I strongly recommend this book to all young ones up to 13, and to older kids as well. It is a story full of clues that feed the mind and educate. It is full of action, fast paced and exciting to the very end, and it is like watching a movie. I will certainly recommend this book to my younger students who learn English-it can be used as a reader in ELT too.

Get the book from www.dnapress.com

Liana Metal, author of Storytime.

Book Two of The Prometheus Project: Captured (The Prometheus Project), is a science-fiction fantasy whose main characters, Ryan and Regan, are the youngest members of a top-secret team sent by the government to investigate the greatest discovery ever made: a vast city buried deep underground ... beneath Pennsylvania.

I admire the way author Douglas E. Richards sums up the first in the series, The Prometheus Project: Captured (The Prometheus Project), in the prologue to this second book.

The children's parents are noted scientists and important members of the team of scientists and elite security guards selected by the U.S. President to explore the fantastic, abandoned city. In fact, their father is responsible for solving the code that removes the energy barrier that allows them access and egress. In book one the entire team disappears, except the children. They form a friendship with the central computer who seems so human to them they dub it "The Teacher." The Teacher gives them the special gift of "telepathy" which, along with their natural brilliance and scientific knowledge, aids them in their quest to discover what happened to the team and to save them.

Now, in book two, The Prometheus Project: Captured (The Prometheus Project), an evil alien journeys through one of the "Zoo" portals from another planet to invade the city. The children are alerted by an aborted telepathic message that something is wrong, but by the time they reach the team, they--except one guard--have been taken hostage by ruthless mercenaries led by the monstrous alien.

What is the "Zoo," and how does it figure in the children's plan to save the team and thwart the mysterious alien's far-reaching plan. How does the President figure into his evil plot? What supernatural power does the alien use to control humans? And why doesn't that power work on the children? When does the missing guard show up and is he able to help the children? Since the brilliant alien meticulously planned this invasion long before the team started their exploration, why does he destroy the entrance to the city, then pretend to be trapped inside too? Why does he threaten to kill the children's mother if their father doesn't come up with a new "entrance code" within six hours?

Once again, the fate of the team--and this time, the entire world--lies in the hands of these extraordinary children. Will they be in time to save their mother ... and the world?

To find the answers to those questions and more, read this book; I gave four stars for Richards's well-developed characters, inventiveness of plot and for the smooth way he presents unbelievable situations in such realistic, intelligent manners as to make them genuinely believable. You will think you're there with the characters, enjoying adventure after adventure as these clever children outwit world-renowned scientists to help save the world from the evil alien. I started to deduct one star because there were too many grammatical errors, but because Richards writes so well and it's such an original plot, I decided not to. FYI, none of the errors were blatant enough to halt the smooth flow, but they certainly "jarred" at times.

Since the author, Douglas E. Richards, has a career in biotechnology, his technical jargon rings true. I recommend this book, especially to young adults for whom this exciting page-turner is written. I look forward to reading the first book and future editions in the series, hoping the author secures a top-notch editor next time around.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
Author of: The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

My husband read this to his class, and they couldn't wait for story time! He had to buy the whole set to read to keep them from revolting! LOL

I can't even describe how this book is a major thriller. The characters are mean and very dynamic, the plot driving you crazy with it! It is a must read for everyone out there, even adults like me. You will learn a lot from it technically speaking what will the science and maths involved in the story. However, fast paced as it is, this will leave you wanting more and more from the author, which is a good thing I think.

Highly recommended for everyone!

INDEED, THIS IS A BOOK THAT NEITHER YOU OR YOUR CHILD WILL WANT TO END. THE DIFFERENT ADVENTURES THE KIDS GET INTO INVOLVE THE USE OF LOGIC AND DETERMINATION TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE READER CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. THIS WILL UNLOCK A CHILD'S IMAGINATION AND I ENCOURAGE KIDS OF ALL AGES TO READ ALL THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES.

This sequel is a wonderful continuation of "Trapped". It is a little longer, a little more complex, and has more sinister characters. The draw of this series is that the author uses the situations the kids are in to teach a little basic science in a way that doesn't seem preachy or boring but is easy to retain. As a parent and grandparent I would like to see more books like this. Heck, as a reader I would like more, too. They're good reading!

When Ryan and Regan Resnick first discover the Prometheus Project in Trapped, they must try to save their mother. In Captured, they face an even bigger challenge - this time they need to save the world.

When the alien race known as the Qwervy created Prometheus, they hadn't anticipated other aliens sneaking in and using it for sinister motives. Now a brilliant alien criminal has taken over the city and has plans to take over the world. All of the adults on the team have been taken hostage, and it's up to Ryan and Regan to outwit the alien.

In order to demonstrate the concepts the kids will need to use, the author sets the stage early before disaster strikes. But then these two exceptional kids use those concepts masterfully against the diabolical alien.

I loved Trapped, and I think Douglas E. Richards outdid himself in Captured. These are books the thinking kid will love, and a wonderful adventure. I'm eagerly awaiting the next volumes in this outstanding series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Prometheus Project: Captured by Douglas Richards is the second book in the Prometheus Project Series. This young teenager Sci-fi series is about an underground alien city left as an outpost to watch the emerging human race. The main characters are a brother and sister whose parents are brilliant scientists working on a top-secret team to explore and learn all about the alien technology.

In the first book, the kids use reasoning and logic to break into the city and with the help of the city's telepathic computer teacher, saves their mother from a deadly accident. And while doing so, they learn about time paradox, gravity, and the scientific method s among other things. It was a really good book, and one I highly recommended.

Captured, the second book, has an escaped alien convict who uses technologically enhanced mental powers to take over the city. Again, the kids use reasoning and logic to overcome the alien and save the day.

As I wrote in the first review, we home-school our kids and my part is to help in math and some science. It's not hard being knowledgeable when you have the teacher's guide. So the funniest part in the book for me was when the daughter discovered something to prove her father, a world-class scientist, was wrong.

Both books have been tested and approved by our two youngest children, Nona, age 10 & Jimmy, age 13.

Quick note: This is the second book in THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT series (which I say mostly because I hope there will be many more), but it definitely stands alone. The first book, The Prometheus Project: Trapped (Richards, Douglas E. Prometheus Project), is nicely recapped in the first chapter of CAPTURED, and referred to often enough that you don't really feel like you've missed anything. Other than the fun of reading the first one.

Ryan and Regan Resnick are extremely smart kids. Maybe a little too smart. But boy is everyone else lucky that they are! Last summer, their scientist parents dragged them to a sleepy town in Pennsylvania, for no reason that they could see. Until they found the secret city that the government, and their parents, were studying, under high security. It was built by aliens. Ryan and Regan's dad was the first person to ever break through the barrier that the aliens put up. Until Ryan and Regan found their own way in. It's a good thing they did, too. Since they ended up having to save everyone. Now they are the youngest members of the Prometheus Project.

Between school and the Prometheus Project, Ryan and Regan have plenty to occupy their time and minds. Especially since they seem to have acquired some telepathic ability that connects them to each other as well as to the main computer in the city. They can communicate as well as sense the connections. At least they could with the computer until it sent out some kind of warning the other day, and seems to have shut down. But no one in the city seems to notice anything strange, so they let it go.

Planning to do some exploring and help with a few experiments, they meet their parents in the building that they've set up shop in. Much to the brother and sister's disappointment, their parents have a dinner party planned and are ready to go home. After much convincing it is agreed that they will be allowed to stay overnight by themselves. After all, the city is guarded by the best security the government can offer. Plus their parents are planning to be back at six in the morning.

Ryan and Regan wake up the next morning to find that it's already eight o'clock, and their parents still aren't back. They set out to investigate, only to find the city apparently deserted. No scientists, not even security people. Something is definitely wrong. And it looks like it's up to Ryan and Regan to solve it. As long as whatever took out the computer doesn't get them next.

Fast paced adventure, mixed with quick thinking. I don't know if I would have nearly the presence of mind that these two have, but it sure was fun to ride along with them! There is a lot of scientific information, which I'm sure is very interesting if you get it. I can speak from experience and say that it's not necessary to understand all of it. It's done in a way that just about anybody can follow, and doesn't make you feel dumb for not getting it all. Ryan and Regan are great fun, and the story is just a cool idea! The whole book is very well written, but the last chapter is too perfect! You'll agree when you read it.

I'm (impatiently) looking forward to getting a copy of the first book in the mail, and the next one as soon as the author can get it finished!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman