Bloom

The Overthrow, Book 1

By: Kenneth Oppel

Narrated by: Sophie Amoss

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The perfect book right now for young readers searching for hope, strength, inspiration - and just a little horticultural havoc." (New York Times)

The first book in a can't-put-it-down, can't-listen-to-it-fast-enough action-thriller trilogy that's part Hatchet, part Alien!

The invasion begins - but not as you'd expect. It begins with rain. Rain that carries seeds. Seeds that sprout - overnight, everywhere. These new plants take over crop fields, twine up houses, and burrow below streets. They bloom - and release toxic pollens. They bloom - and form Venus flytrap-like pods that swallow animals and people. They bloom - everywhere, unstoppable.

Or are they? Three kids on a remote island seem immune to the toxic plants. Anaya, Petra, Seth. They each have strange allergies - and yet not to these plants. What's their secret? Can they somehow be the key to beating back this invasion? They'd better figure it out fast, because it's starting to rain again....

©2020 Kenneth Oppel (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"A phenomenal kickoff to an enthralling trilogy. The conclusion is especially powerful, delivering an overwhelming roller-coaster ride of relief and horror." (School Library Journal starred review)

"In this fast-paced thriller, Oppel spins a richly drawn, incredibly fascinating world. Beginning with the brilliantly unique premise of a botanical alien invasion, the plot unravels satisfyingly, building readers' curiosity by creating 10 new questions for every answer given. A thrilling alien-invasion novel based on a chillingly nefarious premise." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Bloom is a lightning-paced adventure that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go. This book is ridiculously fun...and by 'fun' I mean terrifying!" (Jonathan Auxier, author of The Night Gardener)

What if the corona virus was an alien plant?

In this story we start with a pretty heavy dose of what makes teens feel like outcasts: zits, allergies, broken confidences and parentlessness. At the same time, the young characters seem usually competent; for example, in addition to the extensive science chatter, female expertise with chainsaws is notable. Action starts quickly and the death count is unusually high for young readers. Oppel spares us the eye-roll over incompetent adults, making them instead a great support base for the kids to literally save the world (no mere village-as-world story). You can see elements of world-threat of The SYLO Chronicles by D. J. MacHale and can anticipate that there will be similarities to James Patterson's Maximum Ride series. Thank you K. Oppel for another great story not centered in the UK and US, although Bellingham is mentioned.

Ok but more for teenagers.

Booked started out good and I'm always one to finish a book even if it's bad. This book is more for teenagers. I won't be ordering the rest of the series.

good book

it a pretty good book and i might listen to tthe next one so yeah