The Softwire: Awakening on Orbis 4

Johnny Turnbull now knows that his sister, Ketheria, is the Scion — a long-awaited being who will bring understanding and healing to the universe. But what about him? As the Scion’s protector and guardian, JT is expected to start training to become a Space Jumper, a mercenary soldier who can jump through time and space. And he’s not happy about it, especially as he promised his girlfriend, Max, he would never take on that dangerous role, which could take him who-knows-how-far away. Can anything — or any one — guide Johnny to his true calling? And as new trouble brews on Orbis, will even Space Jumper skills be enough to help JT protect his sister and his friends?

The sci-fi series careens to a conclusion as JT comes to terms with the startling truth about his destiny on the Rings of Orbis.

Johnny Turnbull now knows that his sister, Ketheria, is the Scion — a long-awaited being who will bring understanding and healing to the universe. But what about him? As the Scion’s protector and guardian, JT is expected to start training to become a Space Jumper, a mercenary soldier who can jump through time and space. And he’s not happy about it, especially as he promised his girlfriend, Max, he would never take on that dangerous role, which could take him who-knows-how-far away. Can anything — or any one — guide Johnny to his true calling? And as new trouble brews on Orbis, will even Space Jumper skills be enough to help JT protect his sister and his friends?

VOYA

In volume one of The Softwire, Johnny Turnbull, his sister Ketheria, and several other children were the only survivors of a disaster that killed off all of the adults on the starship Renaissance. Arriving at the gigantic space habitat called the Rings of Orbis, the children were immediately indentured and forced to do dangerous menial work despite Johnny's rare ability to act as a Softwire, a living interface with even the most sophisticated computer systems. In volume three of the series, Ketheria was revealed as the Scion, an interplanetary savior and the universe's last chance to avoid destruction. Johnny, readers were told, is destined to be the Tonat, the Scion's powerful protector, but as this fourth and final volume opens, he is still refusing to accept this role. He and the other children have been lied to repeatedly by the various equally rapacious alien species who share power on Orbis, and Johnny is determined to uncover the truth no matter what the consequences. Haarsma's plotting and language are still occasionally awkward, but he continues to develop as a writer. Middle school readers are likely to become emotionally involved with his characters. Those who have followed the series thus far should find the conclusion to their liking. Reviewer: Michael Levy

PJ Haarsma has been gazing at the stars and wondering what’s out there his whole life. After a successful career as a commercial photographer, he finally decided to write about it. He lives in Carlsbad, California.