Hatch by Kenneth Oppel
Hatch (2020) is Kenneth Oppel’s continuation of his MG alien invasion tale that began with Bloom. Oppel maintains the fast-paced excitement, keeping his focus on the three young protagonists Petra, Anaya, and Seth, while adding a few new characters as well. Fans of book one will not be disappointed, save by a killer of a cliffhanger ending. Inevitable spoilers for book one ahead.
In the first book, aliens were softening up Earth and preparing it for their impending invasion by seeding our planet with various deadly plant species that weren’t just dangerous to touch or eat but were actively carnivorous, though their biggest danger was a growth rate that was quickly obliterating humanity’s food crops. Meanwhile, the three young characters (spoiler alert — seriously, stop now) began to change, each in unique fashion, with Seth sprouting feathers, Anaya claws and powerful legs, and Petra a tail, all connected to what they learned was alien DNA in their bodies. In Hatch, fauna follows flora, as the aliens continue their efforts to weaken Earth, this time with horrible, deadly creatures (if Bloom called up some echoes of Day of the Triffids, the sequel will have you fondly recalling any of numerous monster-movies).
Meanwhile, the three young teens have been sent to a secret underground bunker along with others like them, where they are poked, prodded, and tested even as their bodies continue to change. It soon becomes clear, though, that the head of the secret base doesn’t necessarily have their best interests at heart, leaving the kids to decide which place or group is more dangerous to them, the humans in their bunker or the alien monsters roaming the outside.
As a series, THE OVERTHROW is firmly in the MG/YA mode. There’s not a great deal of detailed world-building or in-depth musings on issues. That’s not a complaint, just a note that while enjoyable enough for older audiences, it’s really not a “crossover” novel so much.
On the other hand, and more to the target audience’s pleasure, it’s a fast-paced adventure story with dangerous monsters, alien invasions, mad scientists (kind of), adults who can be trusted mixed in with adults who can’t so that nobody is sure which is which, and a focus on body changes that are both dreaded and desirous, that last something any pre-teen and teen can relate to.
And if Hatch speeds along with lots of exciting action scenes, that isn’t to say Oppel doesn’t slow down to offer up some quieter moments of introspection or dialogue that will hit home with the reader on topics such as how one sees oneself versus how other do, feelings of abandonment by friends or adults, a desire to be liked, to be pretty, to be listened to, and others. Characterization is concise and minimalist, but it’s a testament to Oppel’s skill that they all still come across as rich, three-dimensional creations who are impossible not to root for.
Recommended for both younger and older-teen readers.
These sound like a good winter, rainy-day read.