The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
Book Review: James Patterson, the Krispy Kremes of novelists . . .
Summary: 1 Stars
I used to enjoy Krispy Kreme donuts. I used to enjoy James Patterson. For similar reasons, I forswore them both some time ago.
Patterson produces novels at nearly the same rate Krispy Kreme produces donuts and like the donuts, there's almost no nutritional value. Over time, I forget how vacuous they are and think, "Why did I give these things up, they LOOK good". The next day however, suffering from aesthetic remorse, I renew my vow of abstinence.
"The Dangerous Days of Daniel X" is an example of how dependent Patterson has become on the contributions of "co-writers" (I suspect these "co-writers" are the ACTUAL creators while Mr. Patterson does little more than attach his name to the franchise.) The content of "Daniel" is strikingly similar to Dean Koontz's "Odd Thomas" series (without Mr K's panache) and the film, "Men in Black". Characters are one-dimensional and derivative. The device that Daniel's family and friends are "mentally generated," reads like bad Heinlein ... in the 60's. While acceptable in the 60's, in 2008, not so much.
Finally, there are those two "previews" of future "Daniel" stories in the back. These pages are nothing but a gimmick that fills space between book covers, helping with the appearance there's something there. Unfortunately, there's no "there" there. Like the morning after that Krispy Kreme binge, I wish I'd spent my time doing something else.
Maybe Krispy Kremes and Mr. Patterson just used to be better?
Book Review: Alien Hunting Teen
Summary: 4 Stars
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X follows fifteen-year-old Daniel in his quest to fight aliens, who seem to have a habit of putting the world in danger. When we first meet him at the age of three, he is a highly intelligent child, far more intellectually advanced than others of his age. This intellect allows Daniel to understand things that other people of his age are simply not able to comprehend. Perhaps more importantly, he is able to morph into anything he wants to become, either animate or inanimate. At this young age, Daniel witnesses his parents' horrific death at the hands of a monstrous alien. Following his parents' death, Daniel makes it his life's goal to hunt down The Prayer, the alien who murdered his parents. The story picks up twelve years later with Daniel now a bonafide alien hunter, searching out not just The Prayer, but all aliens intent on destroying the Earth.
This book will have the reader constantly turning the page. Continuous action and adventure makes this an incredibly entertaining story. Although Daniel is only a fifteen-year-old boy, his advanced intelligence casts him as an adult. While this story's premise could have created an unlikely scenario, the way the author portrays the characters, and their life-like feelings and attitudes, make this book an easy to follow and very entertaining science fiction book. Quill says: This book is wonderful for any sci-fi loving person.
Quill says: This book is wonderful for any sci-fi loving person.
Book Review: Not What I Expected
Summary: 3 Stars
Daniel X is not just any teenager. Not only is her super strong and super fast, but he also has a unique ability to rearrange molecules at will. This power allows him to shape shift, create new objects, living or inanimate, or manipulate objects into any shape or form. Since the day Daniel's parents were murdered by an alien called The Prayer, Daniel has had to live on his own while carrying out his parents' mission - to protect Earch by eradicating the Most Wanted Aliens on The List. Because Daniel is an Alien Hunter.
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, like several other Patterson novels, is mostly plot and little character. The excitement of the story comes from the danger and trials Daniel experiences while hunting, fighting, or trying to escape aliens. However, when it comes to Daniel's character, something is left to be desired. Sometimes Daniel seems to lack emotions; also adding romance to Daniel's life was a failure. I found it ironic that Daniel was supposed to be this incredibly smart teen, but he was tricked so easily. Though Daniel's character was very disappointing, I have to admit that the plot was creative. I haven't read many novels about fighting aliens, so that made the story interesting.
If you want to read a thrilling, fast-paced, and suspenseful novel, then you should check out The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. However, if you are looking for something with a little more depth, then I suggest you don't pick this book up.
Book Review: Less than stellar
Summary: 2 Stars
What drew me to this book was its premise ("good" alien with special powers/intelligence hunting down the "Most Wanted" of the alien world - those villains who have nothing but violence, death and destruction on their minds), and although I didn't think the book as a whole was stellar, I still feel the idea is interesting enough; I just feel it wasn't developed much. The plot felt shallow and a bit TOO comedic, and I just didn't find myself able to get involved in the book much. I guessed long before it was revealed what was going to happen, which isn't always bad - but it is if the characters are weak (think of the roughest Disney character pencil sketchings, where they are only outlines, without any color or sometimes without noses or facial expressions - these characters are like that). I think these characters could be developed into very enjoyable/likable/interesting people. There are hints at who they are (there is one point in the story where Daniel is telling his sister a rather painful fact, and this telling and reactions from his family made me FEEL something, which is what I wanted to do more of), which I cheered and hunted hard to find but was not very successful. On a positive note, I found the way Daniel "gets into" Seth's head (#6 on the Most Wanted List) to be very clever; the book is not completely without imagination ... it was just a bit too sketchy (malnourished) for my taste.Book Review: Fantasy for young adults--new genre for this author
Summary: 4 Stars
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X is a readable young adult novel. The protagonist is a teen-aged alien hunter. He has the power to create with his mind and to change his own shape. Daniel's parents were murdered when he was three and he inherited The List. The List has all the alien criminals who live on Earth and threaten the human race.
The opening of the book is a bit slow as Daniel sets the scene for us and hints at previous adventures. The story takes off when he decides to go after Number Six, an alien named Ergent Seth. The problem is that Daniel may have bitten off more than he can handle. This alien is a nasty and powerful opponent. Daniel is attacked by cats, and his house is turned into a graveyard. What is worse is that he is now going to high school.
The authors have created a wise-cracking young hero with Daniel X. They make him powerful enough to be cocky, but also give him a vulnerability that means taking on the bad guys from The List is no walk in the park. The villain of this book is well constructed and makes a good foil for the young alien hunter.
This is the first of a series, and I am sure that as the series develops, the pace and interest of the hunt will be maintained. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended for Young Adult readers who like fantasy.