Spartanica

Title: Spartanica
Author: Powers Molinar
Publisher: Sapertys Enterprises Inc.
ASBN: B00G9ZVD4W
Pages: 338, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult

Reviewed by: Kimberlee Hicks, Pacific Book Review

Book Review

Late one night, Chicago middle-schoolers Marcus and Ty wander into the basement of the house where they live with their Aunt Andi, and the world as they know it changes forever. Drawn through a portal to another planet, in another dimension, the brothers find themselves in the ruins of the city of Spartanica, mysteriously destroyed by events that affected the rest of the planet, as well.

Their search for a way home leads to a name and a deadline: they must try to find the only man who can help them, Professor Otherblood, and do so before seven days is up, or else they won’t have another chance for two more years. Together with a girl named Bellana – who appears to be the sole survivor of Spartanica, in spite of a mysterious lack of human remains – and a small group of young refugees from an enemy detention field, Marcus and Ty embark on a series of adventures as they race against time to avoid being stranded on the post-apocalyptic planet of Sapertys. Battling dangerous creatures, mounting rescue missions to save new friends, surviving the harsh terrain; Marcus and Ty have much to learn before they can go home again – if they can make it at all.

Filled with interesting twists and turns, Spartanica keeps you coming back for answers, hoping to find out what happens next. The tripartite narration allows for not only three distinct perspectives, but gives the author some freedom of movement and the ability to set up some surprises, both for us, as well as the characters.

In one of his bios, author Molinar expresses his desire to “inspire an interest in reading by creating books that are interesting and exciting to kids.” In this attempt, I believe he has succeeded. Clearly a father, Molinar has created characters who, if not perfect, at the very least acquit themselves admirably in incredible circumstances. More impressive is the world he has built for them to inhabit, complete with language, time, numbers system, flora, fauna, physics, etc. I would have personally liked a simpler explanation of the language used for time – such as the way numbers were presented – but any such confusion on my part aside, it is just this level of fantasy world-building that addicted me to reading as a child.

Spartanica was not a book I was expecting to be drawn into, but it was a book that left me wanting more. It is also a book I’ve recommended to others. Spartanica is an enjoyable adventure, one you know the author enjoyed writing and that, very often, makes a difference. I look forward to seeing what more he has to offer.