What a well crafted story! I wish more kids out there would put down their phones and pick up a good adventure book like this one. There are so many fantastic stories out there that really lets the imagination run wild, and this story is one of them! The author has done a great job writing for the intended age group. It is fast paced, exciting, and has memorable characters. It is a very unique plot, with a little bit of sci-fi, bad guys, monsters, and plenty of alien references.

The story is told by Marvin, who is obsessed with UFOs. He always drags his friend Jace into his preparation for an impending alien invasion, and now he has a new next door neighbor to involve too. Her name is Nora, and although she really isn't into Marvin's whole UFO and alien obsession, she doesn't have any new friends yet and decides to follow along. But the three spot a flashing light in the woods, and suddenly, there really is something going on. It's not a UFO, but it's still something that may involve outer space. Throw some actual bad guys into the mix, and three discover they are in for more than they bargained for.

The narrator, Marvin, is hilarious. He tells the entire story as if there really is an alien invasion. The author lets you know through other characters' dialogue that it is not an actual UFO, Marvin sticks to his alien theories. He likes to use code names, referring to himself as "Gold Leader"; Jace loves basketball so he is "Baller One", and Nora is "Space Cadet." Because he is determined that aliens are among us, he is a bit of an unreliable narrator, but that's what makes it so funny.

Not to spoil anything, but there are monsters in the story that could potentially scare younger readers. The monsters make it quite interesting and I was flying through that part to find out what would happen next! Some monsters do "chomp" people, but I don't think it was too scary. I could actually see this being made into the next family action adventure film! It also ends on a cliffhanger, and judging by the title, we should be getting a sequel or an entire series from this story. I think it will be a big hit with kids! Especially those who are "reluctant readers". It's a quirky, exciting story. I definitely recommend that librarians and teachers purchase this one and add it to their collection! If there are any kids signed up for summer reading programs, and they can choose which titles they want, I recommend you give them this one!

I’ve been starting to get back into reading more books aimed at children recently, and this popped up on NetGalley and looked as though it could be fun.

Marv (Gold Leader) is convinced that an alien invasion is an ‘inevitable’ thing due to reading a returnees book called “How to Survive and Alien Invasion: Your Guidebook to an Inevitable Future” by Byleth X. Dongo.

When Marv and (name) see strange lights in the wood at night Marv is convinced that this is it, this is the alien invasion he’s been preparing for.

Along with Jace (Baller One) and a possible Daughter Of An Alien, Nora (Space Cadet) they have to find out what’s going on and foil this invasion.

As you may guess things quickly spiral out of control and get more and more complicated, especially with the slugs, and with Marv’s insistence that everything and everyone involved is either and alien or is assisting them.

A fun adventure that does have dark parts in it, guns and death, but it looks like this story is the start of a new series that could go many different directions.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Twelve-year old Marv is obsessed with aliens. So much so that he's recruited his best friend to help him watch for them all the time. Then on the same day a strange girl and her dad (who just might be aliens) move in next door, Marv discovers an alien craft out in the woods. Though Marv thinks an alien invasion has started, the truth behind the mystery is worse than he could have imagined.
So this is marketed for "middle grade." While Marv's antics and alien over-obsession play to that level, there are elements that seem darker and geared to slightly older kids. It's not a bad story, but I was pretty much over Marv thinking everything is aliens by the middle of the book. Twelve-year olds will probably enjoy it more than I did. 2.5 rounded to 3*

Aliens! *Insert aliens meme here*

What happens when a group of rag tag teens stumble upon a spaceship or... machine? Will they stop the alien invasion? You can find out by following the adventure of Gold Leader, Baller One and Space Cadet.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which seems to be Kevin Garone's debut title. (Congratulations!) It really brings out the kid in you as you follow the adventure through Marv's eyes. It's definitely all alien... to him.

As far as I'm aware, this is the first book that will become a series and I'm excited to see where it's heading next!