I like the cover on this novel it pulls you in and makes you want to read it. The color scheme is lovely the illustrator did a great job on it.

Really derivative children's sci-fi. In this future world two kids manage to get to stay up for days and nights without parents, just playing the latest hit computer game they've fluked a copy of. Anyone reading this will probably realise quite early on that there is some connection between it and the global expedition to a different planet that is due to be launched soon. Despite one of the lads scoffing at that as just a rich man's hobby, they're clearly both being tested by the game – and with one aim in mind. Yup, to find people for the trip to space…

This is an odd world, half dystopia, half children's fantasy, where kids have brain implants and become doctors, get to live without parents, but with a dodgy government, etc etc. It's all been seen and done many times before, and much better. The issues here only continue – this just gets to a certain point and stops, with a molehill-hanger, and no cliffs around, waiting for us to pick up the rest of this six-parter. The whole thing has so much artwork in that (a) this is read in an hour, and (b) it clearly would have been better as a graphic novel.

The odd thing is that were I to come back it would be because I've seen the translations of the other five subtitles, and they cover things that are part of this opener but in an order that could well be intriguing. They could, however, be just as derivative and clumsy as everything here – and I don't hold out much hope that they would ever be worth the time investment. This didn't ever feel like it was, and the fact it took two hit authors to get this pudding to the market is a minor marvel. Finally, the seven-year rush to get it into English shows the priority it formed for the producers – I'd not return to this world with anything like much urgency either.

*Thank you Netgalley and Arctic Books USA for the E-ARC*

For whatever reason, I thought this was a graphic novel. It is not! However, I think that expectation colored my opinion of this book a little bit.

We start with a young boy trying to steal a video game that is rumored to change everything and offer an incredible prize. The world is dying, water is limited, adults behave strangely, and the boy and his little brother want out. This book started off a little slow and confusing for me. The world building is somewhat sparse, but gradual. I do think that the main focus of this middle grade series is to be about the world they *become* apart of, not the one they are currently in during this book. It also ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the premise for book two.

Things I enjoyed:
- The art sprinkled throughout the book
- The friendship the brother's have
- The idea behind Kepler62 - a new planet or world or whatever it may become

I think with the right expectations (Not a graphic novel!!) this could be fun and engaging for the right readers.

This is the first installment in a series following two brothers living on an Earth damaged from overpopulation. Younger brother, Joni, has been given a copy of the much sought-after game, Kepler62, which turns out to be the start of the boys' mission to save Earth.

This book was very clearly the first part of a series. Much of the story was scene-setting and context - not a great deal happens. Some parts were a bit disjointed and there were some big jumps between chapters, that were confusing. I really enjoyed it though and hope to be able to access future episodes (rather than sequels - it feels like a comic and perhaps this would've made the chapter transitions easier to follow) when they come out! I can also see that it would be very popular at school so it'll definitely be one to add to the collection.

I felt that this has been done before and done better, it was a nice easy read so aimed at 5-8 yr olds it will be about right.

It felt a bit disjointed at times as though there were things happening randomly and not really following on from one another throughout.

Nice relationship between the brothers though.