FIRESTORM by David Klass
    Category:  Fantasy
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  9/5/06
    Publisher:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    It's always interesting to read the blurbs on the front of a book.  You know the ones I mean; the recommendations
    from fellow authors about why you should pick up a copy of the book in question.  What's even more interesting is
    when the blurb comes from someone other than an author.  In the case of FIRESTORM, the first in THE
    CARETAKER TRILOGY by author David Klass, the recommendation comes from Greenpeace.  Yes, the same
    Greenpeace International that is dedicated to protecting and saving the Earth from the harmful practices that threaten to
    destroy it.  If that isn't enough to get your attention, then maybe you should turn your ear towards Jack Danielson, the
    hero of FIRESTORM:

    "Name's Jack Danielson.  Eighteen.  As of right now, not quite sure I'll live to see nineteen.  Always been a pretty
    good guy, easy-going, laid back, friend to all and enemy to none.  Smart, but not too smart.  Athletically inclined, but
    never enough to be the best.  Now my whole world is falling apart.  Seems my father isn't my father.  My mother isn't
    my mother.  The fact that my dad who isn't my dad shot off his own foot to prove his point should be strange enough.  
    It isn't.  There are weird bat-like creatures chasing me, and things called Gorms.  I've somehow ended up on a
    motorcycle with a humongous mongrel dog named Gisco, who happens to be telepathic, riding in a sidecar.  Now
    there's a woman named Eko kicking my ass on a daily basis to make me stronger. Why?  Because I have to find
    Firestorm so that I can save the Earth.  And no, I have no idea what that is.  And yes, I'm a fan of sentence fragments.
    Look it up, my friend, but not right now.  Right now I have to save the world, before there's no future on Earth for me
    to come back from."

    FIRESTORM is Jack's story, but it's also the story of what could very well happen.  It's a fantasy that could be truth,
    if the destruction of Earth by mankind continues on its current course.  After reading this wonderful book, I clearly
    understand why it's endorsed by Greenpeace.  One of the best things of the book, besides its underlying message of
    taking care of the planet, is Gisco, the telepathic dog.  He adds an element of humor, such as his devotion to the O
    Great Dog God, that lightens up a story that could come across as preachy, but never does.  It's very hard to
    categorize FIRESTORM into one category, but if I had to I would call it a coming-of-age, contemporary fantasy,
    science-fiction, paranormal adventure story.

    If that doesn't catch your attention, I don't know what will.  Let me just say that once you start reading, you won't be
    able to stop.  And when you're finished, you'll want to read more.  FIRESTORM is, luckily, the first book in THE
    CARETAKER TRILOGY, so maybe if we hound Mr. Klass night and day he'll give us what we want--and sooner
    rather than later.
The Caretaker Trilogy Bk. 1:
Firestorm
by David Klass