Bloom

The first book in a can't-put-it-down, can't-read-it-fast-enough action-thriller trilogy that's part Hatchet, part Little Shop of Horrors!

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....

Title: Bloom

Genre: Children’s Middle Grade / Eco Thriller

Series: The Overthrow

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Format: Audiobook

Publication Date: 08/10/2020

Publishing House: Listening Library

ISIN: B081K95XGB

My Review

I have read several books by Kenneth Oppel and have become a fan of what he has to offer. His novels for young readers, mainly for middle-graders, range in a variety of settings, subject matter, and genres to choose from, but there is always a take-home message with which kids can identify. For instance, in this book, the main protagonists all have something they don't like about themselves or wish to be like others whom they see as flawless. In the end, friendship prevails, and the characters become stronger despite their perceived shortcomings.

Bloom is not for the faint of heart, it is an eco-thriller that is actually border-lining scarry...I mean r e a l l y scarry. The premise of it goes that the Earth is invaded by a foreign species of plants and they take over every crop, every field, every waterway or body of water, and poison the general surroundings. Anaya and her friends Petra and Seth are a bit different from everyone in town but they don't know that of each other right away. Anaya's father is a botanist really busy with his work, and her mother is a pilot, gone often.

There is a backstory that plays out among the characters and their past, for example, Anaya has terrible allergies and acne that she needs to take immense precautions every day just to do her daily living. She's been jealous of Petra, her childhood friend who has seemingly skipped the puberty state w/o any issues and is the overall sweetheart and good looking girl in school. Seth is the oddball and new in school. He is not interested in taking his pic for the yearbook and he and Anaya hit of a great friendship.

One day, a really strong downpour happens and Anaya has a feeling that she can actually get wet by this water and that it might heal her conditions....and it is true. She collects that water and begins to apply it to her face daily and her acne begins to vanish. When reports from surrounding farms come in about weird plants taking over, it does not take long for this invasion to take place globally.

Could the heavy downpour have something to do with it?

What ensues is a huge conflict between mankind and a foreign species. Ayana's father disappears while researching the plants and her mother is gone when it all goes to waste. The three friends have to put their heads together and be brave to solve the issues at hand. With the help of the military, they will face the deadliest and scariest adventure of a lifetime. One that unites way beyond their "little" problems, prior. But can they save the world and Anaya's father?

Some elements were really horror-like in this novel and I would only suggest letting kids read this who have a natural tendency to seek scary stuff out.

Though botany is one of my least favorite and unessential things to know (in my life) I liked the educational content of the novel. Oppel has definitely done his research and brought it to the table unless he is just naturally a plant whizz. I also like how he writes very matter of factly w/o down washing terms of crises. He writes realistically about these issues even though it is a fictional thriller.

This is the first eco-thriller I have come across for kids and I thought it was a refreshing step for middle graders albeit not for every reader. However, I believe it is best for the more mature or older teen audience.

An exciting and scary adventure novel a la Oppel I can recommend.

Enjoy!