Although this book is categorized as a middle grade novel, this middle-aged adult loved it. Mrs. Bartlett does an excellent job of putting us into the head of eleven year old Mars and the difficulties he faces moving to a new town. 

The writing isn’t dumbed down for younger readers which made it enjoyable reading and would expand a younger reader’s vocabulary. There were several times when a character would use a word some adults might think to advance for an eleven year that another character would question its meaning, which made this reviewer smile. These instances make the realistic actions and conversations the eleven year olds in this story have realistic.

I also liked how aware Mars was of his parents and the thoughts he had about their relationship, and turmoil they were putting him through. His thoughts towards Amelia, a crippled friend he reluctantly makes, illuminated the differences in how boys and girls think and were smile invoking.

Anyone looking for a book to take them back to their youth, or have children this age, will enjoy reading this book. Middle grade readers will be trapped within the pages of the book for hours at a time. I look forward to reading more of Mrs. Bartlett’s books.

Lovers of the space program, individuals who fantasize about becoming an astronaut, or non-fiction readers who enjoy a well written tale of someone’s unique life experience will enjoy this well written book.

My wife heard Mr. Hadfield speak on NPR and bought me the book as a Christmas gift. I finished the book in just a couple of sittings, showing me how well my wife knows me.

Mr. Hadfield takes the reader on the journey of becoming an astronaut, his preparation for three journeys into space over a twenty-one year career ending with being the commander of the International Space Station, and how his training affected his life on earth. If I had a problem with the story, it was the first part of the title was misleading. Mr. Hadfield does show how the training and mental outlook needed to fly into space safely altered his thinking; there is not a lot of references to how this changed his earthbound existence outside the space program. It would be easy to come to the conclusions the reflection on his life in the course of writing the book made him realize how his life had been altered through his career as an astronaut.

He becomes preachy at times pointing out that hard work and determination got him into space. Several times I began skimming over paragraphs when he began another anecdote about how much he studied, and disciplined himself to succeed as an astronaut.

It is easy to overlook these difficulties I had with the book when Mr. Hadfield described the fascinating details of training and his journeys into space. It amazed me how difficult an astronaut’s life is on their families. Astronauts travel extensively for training and are seldom home. It is a wonder more aren’t divorced. The fact that Hadfield, who admits he’s an over-achiever, came through the program with an intact marriage, and three children who still speak to him is amazing. Mr. Hadfield shows the steps he took to include his family in his life leaving this reviewer with no doubt he was a loving husband and father, and possible now regrets the toll his life took on his family. The fact Mr. Hadfield didn’t gloss over this aspect influenced this reviewer what I was reading was a truthful account.

I really enjoyed how Mr. Hadfield humanized his fellow astronauts. It seems there are some who exhibit the swagger and arrogance of this elite group. Luckily, those seem a small minority. The majority is humble individuals who strive to play well with others, and prop each other up for group success. Numerous times Mr. Hadfield references his success was a result of thousands of individual working behind the scenes of the space program is a testament to that thinking.

The book renewed my above average interest in the space program and I highly recommend it.

As in The Belial Stone by this author, lovers of action novels based on archeology will love this novel. The story moves forward at a rapid pace building on the characters from the previous novel, and adding a few new ones. I stayed engrossed throughout the novel. The epilogue will make you anxious for the next in the serious.

Four out of five star rating.

Lovers of time travel stories (me) will enjoy this book. The stories plot is engaging leaving the reader to speed through the story wondering if the stories dilemma will be resolved, and how.

Although the story progressed forward in a moderate succession, I wished it had been better edited. Parts of the story dragged without much forward progression. The paradox of time travel is discussed in great detail three times. I had the feeling the author didn’t trust the reader to get it the first time. There are several scenes that didn’t really add much to the story that I felt the author put in for the fun of putting the character into a situation they wouldn’t be in if they weren’t a time traveler.

There was also a long involved back story near the end that I skimmed through. At that point I knew all I needed of this character. I didn’t need an after-the-fact explanation of him.

That being said, I put off stuff and went to bed early so I could read more of the story. If my issues with the story had been resolved, I wouldn’t have a problem giving a five star rating instead of four. The teaser of the following novel will have me reading it soon.