Customer Reviews

The Softwire: Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's off to Orbis 3 for our protagonists, and they're surprised to find out that now they'll actually get to go to school. The tension is rising, JT is continually getting drawn into an extremely competitive and dangerous game, his feelings toward Max are growing, and why does he keep on sighting...a wormhole pirate?

I love this title so much. Say it with me. Go on. The Softwire: Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3. See, isn't that awesome? And look at that cover too, pretty sweet. But whatever, anyway, I think Orbis 3 is an improvement over books one and two. It's not exactly superb, but it's still enjoyable.

This time around, JT and Max's friendship is built upon, and it's actually believable. They're really close with each other, and I could understand why. HOWEVER, this eventually devolves into a juvenile romance, leading to Max being nothing but a flat side character. Theodore ends up taking her place (well, not as a love interest...). Theodore gets much more "screen time" compared to previous books, and he's fleshed out a bit more. More of his personality is gone into, and it sort looked like something was being hinted at.

John previously always surprised me in that he found opportunities to be a dumb-ass where I didn't think possible. Now, he usually refrains from whipping up said scenarios out of nowhere, so he's more likable now. But not entirely. On a more serious note (sort of...), JT becomes a lot more interesting, he often yearns for freedom, only to realize The Rings of Orbis will do whatever it takes to prevent him gaining just that. He realizes that HE'S the alien, not them. He feels like his position prevents his life from becoming anything better. In fact, the Rings start to send JT down a plummet of hatred. His frustration and hopelessness are powerful and believable, because he thinks about these things so much and in relatable ways. What baffles me is that John hardly uses his Softwire powers at all in this book. He ends up using weapons instead. Before, his Sofwire was his defense, but now? I feel like there were missed opportunities for the Softwire to come in handy. The series is called The Sofwire, what more do I need to say?

There is a much bigger and memorable cast of Orbisians now. Haarsma kind of seemed to be throwing a new character at you all the time, but it didn't bother me. Riis, Dop, Athooyi, Ceesar, Tinker, Cala, and more, I just "digged" how many characters there were. It gave book three the feeling of a large scope and society. It helped make the atmosphere feel new and fresh. As for the Renaissance kids, well, it's really weird that we only know several of them. At this point, you'd really, really think that JT would have gotten to know all of his fellow Human knudniks. The Orbisian cast made it so that this didn't affect anything too badly, but it was still irritating.

The wormhole pirates made the plot extremely gripping, and it even came with a satisfying twist character. The wormhole pirate leader was really unpredictable, they kind of seemed to be on JT's side, and then maybe not. JT actually grows to respect the leader and it's interesting to see how the way he feels about them changes.

Unfortunately, the plot also involves some very silly "chosen one" business that truly gets in the way. The ending was disappointing, it felt like everything had to meet a status quo. I hated it. In fact, JT actually says that if he could go back and do it over, he would have made that choice that I'd prefer! Can you believe that?! It really is frustrating when a character decides that they would have rather done what you wanted them to do all along.

I bit of a side note: the central computer. The question of what kind of computer the central computer is gets brought up. It's a photon computer as we already know, but one of the other options was that it could be a quantum computer. My question: why isn't it a quantum computer? I mean, come on, wouldn't a quantum computer be way more efficient compared to a photon one? With the prospect of quantum teleportation and everything, quantum seems to be the way to go. Having a top-notch computer would be a huge priority for the Rings, and I'm sure they have the resources for a quantum one. This really bothered me, like it was a world-building goof.

The Softwire still hasn't met its true potential, but I dare say that Wormhole Pirates comes close. There's a better cast of Orbisians, the wormhole pirates ruled, there's more Theodore, John is less of an idiot, the political themes are even stronger, the atmosphere is more intriguing, and more.
8 out of 9

I have just finished reading book 3 of this series. I have read books 1 and 2 a short time ago, and I can't wait to read book 4.
While reading book 3, I realized how well-planned out the plot lines are. You see everything start to come together in book 3, and you start to see the story arc of the entire series. A better read than books 1 and 2, since we finally start to get some answers to "the big questions" posed in the earlier books.

Recommended by N. Fillion to all his fans on twitter.
Sci-fi kids' series, but enjoyable to read as an adult.

This book 3 sequel 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. 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.

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 is a neat little twist readers of the first two books of the series will scratch their heads and say "hmmm." 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. I enjoyed this one quite a bit as did my children, now I'm off to purchase book 4 in the series.

Author PJ Haarsma has truly created a masterpiece with the Softwire series. In the third installment, Johnny Turnbull and friends are back with non stop action and a heavyweight plot. Orbis 3 is an exciting and unique ring with new elements including an arena-labyrinth style game called "Quest-Nest" (Think Portal vs. Hunger Games vs. Triwizard Tournament). There are further developments with Johnny and his sister's unique talents as well as a budding romance between Johnny and Max. Familiar favorites are back-- Theodore, Charlie and Nugget. Plus, we meet a few new villains (and maybe a few old ones too!)

Haarsma's writing has really taken top form in this volume. I would say that the third book is the strongest in the series with exciting new elements and excellent character development. This one sets the stage for an outstanding conclusion in the fourth novel. Highly recommended!

Overall: A+

Note: If you haven't played Portal(Portal 2 is due out in April 2011) I highly suggest it! Its a futuristic, logic computer game somewhat similar to "Quest-Nest" from the book.

Also, check out the fourth and final book in the series The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4

I have to admit, I enjoyed the first two books from The Softwire series so much that I could hardly wait for this third one to come out and it did not disappoint me! In fact, this was my favorite one from the series so far!

PJ Haarsma's imagination has created yet another exciting world very unique from the first two. I enjoyed visualizing Orbis 3 with its large crystal sculptures and sparkling scenery.

As I read about the continued adventures of JT and his sister and friends I was thrilled at all the intense action that started off right from the very beginning and lasted clear through to the last page.

I felt relief for the children as they seemed to be in a kinder world without having to work as slaves and get to live in the care of their good friend. Yet, they had plenty of opportunities to show their intelligence and bravery as they fight off opponents playing an exciting life-threatening game--a game which amused me as I realized the author was managing to teach us a little about physics along the way.

It was charming to read how JT and Maxine "Max" adjust to adolescent feelings, especially toward each other now that they are getting a little older. I think the story also does a wonderful job of demonstrating how easy it is to become prey to the night life and addictions and the consequences that can occur as experienced by JT's friend Theodore.

Now, I will sit back and try to patiently wait for Orbis 4 (and perhaps even a movie as these stories sure would make a great one)!

The third installment in The Softwire series begins with a glimmer of hope for the orphaned human children enslaved on the Rings of Orbis. Their friend is now their guarantor. All they have to do is go to school and have fun - a concept that has become foreign to them. But life is never simple on Orbis and as in all of The Softwire novels, the intrigue and action takes off immediately. This series would translate well into movies. Haarsma has a terrific visual sense and the closing act of this book is nothing short of spectacular!

The best thing about The Softwire series is that although they function as young adult books, they are much more than children's books to alert adults. They are filled with earthly political correlations and life's brutal realities, even though the stories play out on a completely alien world. Any person who has struggled to maintain their dignity and will to keep going while surviving oppressive conditions will find a kindred spirit in the main character, JT. Haarsma makes the reader feel JT's introspective questioning, his searching, his constant yearning and his aching desire for freedom and to know the purpose of his life. I have always loved the character most for his maintenance of kindness and compassion in the face of cruelty and abuse. However, in Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3, it seems as though JT is losing these qualities which set him apart as a true hero. It is quite shocking to discover that JT is developing a hard side. Life is pushing him to darker places. But Haarsma's writing style is one of reality. As sad as I felt to witness JT's growing coldness, I realized the author was holding true to human nature. Hardship slowly wears people down, fills them with grief and kills their spirit. The challenge for any person of quality is whether they can meet cruelty with kindness. JT is becoming more than a softwire and we see his responsibilities will make his decisions more difficult in the future. Will he completely lose his humanity to the ages-old enemy of abuse at the hands of those in power or will he show himself to be a leader who will not give up the best qualities a human being can possess?

Loneliness and pain can open the door to understanding and this is illustrated well in the higher level of compassion JT ultimately feels for his tormentor than his mentor. JT and his nemesis both long for freedom and happiness; they just attempt to gain it in radically different ways. One uses sadness as a motivating force; the other uses it as a destructive force. But there is another important difference between them. JT has the unwavering support of his sister, whose belief in him cannot be shaken. This unbroken trust strengthens his resolve to keep fighting for their future. JT's adversary tramples those who devote themselves to him, leaving him weak and alone in the end.

I love these books for the quiet depth that can be found amidst their obvious, exciting action. I look forward to Orbis 4 to find the answer to the question JT is left asking himself - what kind of man will he become? I hope I am not disappointed in him, but with Haarsma telling the story, there will be truth regardless.