The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4 [Hardcover]

PJ Haarsma (Author)

Book Description

Series: Softwire | Publication Date: March 9, 2010

The sci-fi series careens to a conclusion as JT comes to terms with the startling truth about his destiny on the Rings of Orbis.

Johnny Turnbull now knows that his sister, Ketheria, is the Scion — a long-awaited being who will bring understanding and healing to the universe. But what about him? As the Scion’s protector and guardian, JT is expected to start training to become a Space Jumper, a mercenary soldier who can jump through time and space. And he’s not happy about it, especially as he promised his girlfriend, Max, he would never take on that dangerous role, which could take him who-knows-how-far away. Can anything — or any one — guide Johnny to his true calling? And as new trouble brews on Orbis, will even Space Jumper skills be enough to help JT protect his sister and his friends?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Now 17, Johnny Turnbull is sent to Orbis 4, where he is to become the Tonat, the protector and guardian of the Scion who will save the universe, but to do that he must become a Space Jumper, something he has promised he will never do. In this conclusion to JT’s adventures in the Orbis system, his origins are revealed, an enemy becomes family, he discovers new abilities, and he goes to war against what is wrong. After a leisurely beginning, the story thunders to a stunning conclusion. Grades 6-9. --Diana Tixier Herald

About the Author

PJ Haarsma has been gazing at the stars and wondering what’s out there his whole life. After a successful career as a commercial photographer, he finally decided to write about it. He lives in Carlsbad, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763627127
• ISBN-13: 978-0763627126
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PJ Haarsma has been gazing at the stars and wondering what's out there his whole life. After a successful career as a commercial photographer he finally decided to write about it. "It's our destiny. We're going to have to leave this planet some day and it's sooner than we think.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Orbis 4 is best yet, January 23, 2011

By 

jubilee - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4 (Hardcover)

This series was fun. The first 2 books are mainly a "set up" for Orbis 3-4. The real fun is in the twists and turns as the plot unfolds. What is the real reason for the trip to the Rings of Orbis in the first place? Did their parents know what their life was going to be like when they arrived? I wonder if there will be a book "beyond Orbis 4?"

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Science Fiction Series, November 12, 2011

By 

Michael P. Gallagher (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4 (Kindle Edition)

This book 4 conclusion to The Softwire series is an enjoyable science fiction read that is not only good for adults, but late elementary school to junior high kids will also enjoy - the author did change from Books 1-3 and added a few obscenities which were not in Books 1-3 which may concern some parents. It's unusual (at least for me) to find a book the whole family can enjoy without one set feeling as if it is too "dumbed down" for the younger set to understand and annoy the parents, nor too detailed or technical that the younger set will get frustrated.

Throughout the series, the author does a good job of quickly getting you into the story as well as lots of action that has you eagerly waiting to turn the page; there are a few strange sections of this one, and at times it seemed to drag just a little bit. As is typical with the series, however, your heart will race a little bit during some of the action scenes, and you get a feeling of actually being a part of the story vs. just someone reading a tale.

This was billed as the final of the Softwire series, but the author did leave it open with his conclusion for a sequel: here's hoping there is a sequel as I felt there were some major things that need closure. Overall, this was a good science fiction series.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Entertaining Series!, July 12, 2011

By 

Avid Reader "Katie" (MA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4 (Kindle Edition)

In my family, we are all avid readers. We read a very wide variety of books from fun, quick reads to deeper books, and many classics. This series is one that all four of us have read and enjoyed. I will probably even reread them at some point. I do hope there will be another though because this one did end a little unfinished for me.