Book Review: Bent Heavens

Bent Heavens by Daniel Kraus

Reserve the Print Book | eBook | Playaway Audiobook

This book follows Liv Fleming, a high schooler whose biggest worry is performing well in school and maintaining her friendships – that is, until her dad goes missing for four days and makes his return by streaking through town, an act that is witnessed by most of Liv’s classmates. Upon Mr. Fleming’s return, he sets about teaching Liv and her friend Doug how to prepare alien traps, claiming he was in an alien lair during the time that he was missing. When Mr. Fleming disappears for a second time and doesn’t return, Doug assumes that the aliens captured Liv’s dad once again, and he thinks that the only way to bring him back is to continue monitoring the traps. Liv follows through the motions half-heartedly, not wanting to upset Doug but also not truly believing that aliens are real. However, on a day three years after her dad’s disappearance, she has to reconsider her version of reality when she discovers a creature in one of her dad’s traps that’s unlike any other being she had ever seen. She’s forced to make a difficult decision: should she turn this creature into the authorities, or should she try to collect information from it about where her father is?

I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant to read this book at first because I don’t normally enjoy sci-fi novels, but I was drawn into the storyline after the first chapter, and I could barely put it down after that. My favorite thing about this book is how complex it is, with several plot twists, so the storyline isn’t too predictable. By the time I reached the final 50 or so pages, I found myself twisting my blanket anxiously because I was so nervous to see how the book would end. The one thing I didn’t like about this book is that there were some confusing aspects of the plot. Overall, I would give this book a 4.5/5 rating. It’s a great book for anyone looking for a thriller to keep them reading past their bedtime!

-Review by Teen Advisory Board Member, 12/18/20