R.A.T.S. Revolutionary Army of Teens by Claudia Daher

R.A.T.S - Revolutionary Army of Teens

R.A.T.S is an enthralling story set in Aruba, following the life of a young boy named David. In his hometown, the effects of climate change have become increasingly evident, shaping the lives of the people around him.

Amidst this backdrop, David discovers a captivating video game called Rats (Revolutionary Army of Teens), invented by his grandfather, HB. Unbeknownst to David, the game holds a remarkable secret that not only connects his family to an extraordinary extraterrestrial adventure but also addresses the pressing issue of climate change.

David’s grandfather, HB, an American archaeologist and computer engineering graduate, was abducted by aliens at Machu Picchu while serving in the American Air Force. After being taken, HB became a high-ranking American official and constructed a secret lunar base connected to a base hidden beneath the Sonora Desert. In his position, HB developed the R.A.T.S game with the intention of training young people worldwide, disguising it as an ordinary video game. However, as the game progresses, the players unknowingly contribute to real-world efforts in combating climate change.

The story weaves together the complexities of family dynamics, exploring the relationships between parents, children, and grandparents from various cultures and religions. As David delves deeper into the game, he becomes increasingly aware of the devastating impact of climate change on the world and the urgent need for global action.

As the climax nears, young individuals from different corners of the globe gather in Las Vegas with a singular mission: to save humanity from the dual threats of extraterrestrial invaders and the imminent consequences of climate change. Together, they utilize their skills developed through the Rats game to not only fight off the alien forces but also raise awareness and rally the world to address the urgent climate crisis.

“R.A.T.S: Revolution Army of Teens” is an exhilarating tale that combines elements of science fiction, action, and adventure with the urgent reality of climate change. It emphasizes the power of unity, showcasing the potential for young people worldwide to come together, transcend boundaries and cultural differences, and ultimately save humanity from the catastrophic impacts of climate change. In the end, we are one.

But in a world on the brink, can a group of teens truly unite and save the world.

I really enjoyed the backstory for this book. It's an amazing novel that did so much, this author is amazing, you go from one world where you think you know what's happening. I loved going from the Machu Picchu aspect to this whole different culture, one you don't expect to be reading about aliens and video games .it's a whole different experience when you first go into this book, and that's one of the things I like the most about it. I definitely will be looking for more from this author.

A novel about first contact and global connectivity, R.A.T.S: Revolutionary Army of Teens is about video-game players from around the world working together in the name of ecological concern.

In Claudia Daher’s insightful science fiction novel R.A.T.S: Revolutionary Army of Teens, teenagers train to combat an extraterrestrial threat through a virtual reality game.

Intertwined storylines follow a historical mystery related to a Machu Picchu temple, a girl’s coming-of-age travels to the US with a friend, and a secret US program to study unidentified objects. These threads connect through David, an Arubian teenager in 2040, as he begins to master R.A.T.S, a virtual reality game created by his grandfather. The nonviolent game promotes global connectivity, encouraging players from around the world to work together to mutual benefit. When an alien force arrives and begins siphoning off Earth’s water, threatening an apocalyptic collapse, David and his friends, bolstered by the game, take up the call to confront the invasion, coming to terms with their potential deaths and saying goodbye to their families.

4 stars

4 stars

REVIEW: The Others By Evette Davis

Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.

Complicating matters further is Olivia’s new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial. As shocking details from Olivia’s own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny?

This is one of the better books I've read in a long time this is just a wonderful read this is a must read if you like fantasy sci-fi paranormal. Not sure if you'd classify as young adult but it's definitely not  like most of the adult type books that are out nowadays.

  Olivia is this amazing Crazy Character that has grown up hearing that she is an empath and has all these abilities from her mom and her grandmother but she ignores them and at some point can't ignore them when there's a demon trying to torture her entire life and a few select people come into her life and help her through this .

The crazy ending to this book still kills me because I was not expecting it all and I'm usually great at being able to anticipate the end of a book or how it's going to play out, I didn't not expect it at all it threw me for a completely Loop.

And William her vampire lover oh man what can I say this is one vampire that is not the normal vamp you come across . vampire characters with dark hair brooding doesn't communicate doesn't like feelings all this stuff he's the exact top so all of those things. He shares more of his feelings than she does and is very upfront and honest with what he wants and expects out of their relationship. it's so refreshing and amazing and he's this cute adorable redheaded vampire that I don't think I've ever thought of a redhead as sexy but I definitely do with him.

This author creates this big elaborate scene that she sets everything into for these characters in this world of fairies and werewolves and vampires and shapeshifters and time Jumpers and witches and all kinds of other things that are just so amazing as she creates this world that's like a dual world with both creatures and humans in it and she just pulls you into it with her amazing storytelling and she really is one that is a must read.

There is more to the series as this is left on a cliffhanger and I know there's a second book that I have yet to read but I'm very excited to read it and to read more from this author, if I could give this book more stars than five I absolutely would it was amazing and I could not put it down.

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Evette Davis is a science fiction and fantasy writer. She is the author most recently of 48 States, a semi-finalist in the 2023 Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize, and which Kirkus named one of the Best Indie Books of 2022.

Davis is also the author of The Others, the first installment of The Council Trilogy, which will be released in September 2024 by Spark Press. In 2023 and 2017, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library honored Davis as a Library Laureate. Her work has also been published in the San Francisco Chronicle.

When she's not writing novels, Davis advises some of the country’s largest corporations, non-profits, and institutions as a consultant and co-owner of BergDavis Public Affairs, an award-winning San Francisco-based consulting firm. Before establishing her firm, Davis worked in Washington as a press secretary for a member of Congress. She was also previously a reporter for daily newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area.