I am not sure if Cosmic, which I finished over the weekend, is primarily science fiction or just young adult disguised as science fiction...I guess technically it is science fiction because a group of five young teens does fly into space, but the space part of the story is not the primary focus. The novel is really about Liam who is as tall as a man and has facial hair...he is 12. In order to win a trip into outer space, Liam pretends to be a dad, to his classmate Florida. Complications ensue and Liam learns about acting responsibly and appreciating being young and carefree. There is a whole cast of odd characters in the book, primarily the other kids who are going on the trip and their dads. Their parenting style is an amusing contrast to Liam and his own father.
I liked the book, but there was something odd for me about the writing style. Something I cannot quite describe, whatever it was it was distracting. Not bad, just distracting.
I am planning to begin The Vast Fields of Ordinary this afternoon. I also ordered The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell and Marcello in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork today from my favorite on-line book seller. As usual I am looking forward to their arrival but have no time to actually read them for about 2.3 weeks. Sigh...never hurts to have lots of books around.
