I enjoyed most how real the high-school children were when different groups of powerful groups wer after them after they got ahold of an inter-dimensional tool/weapon.

Amazing, funny and very well written: I loved it

A great new Teen/Young Adult book by perhaps the most well-known author where I live in Grand Junction, CO. James Van Pelt was a big inspiration for me to become interested in literature when I took his Creative Writing class at Fruita Monument High School in the 1990s. So it's a singular pleasure to read a new book of his that I enjoy so much.High school sophomore Peter Van Meer finds a mysterious and dangerous device in a dump, not realizing that there are powerful people, perhaps from another...

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.Pandora’s Gun was a young adult urban sci-fi. The opening is a bit difficult to follow, jumping back and forward instead of being chronological, but after the first chapter it falls into a nice rhythm. I loved this story. It wasn’t just the same old goop, it had its own unique feel and elements. I wouldn’t say there was anything life affirming, but it didn’t need it. I enjoyed the sneaky teacher tidbits too; little blocks of real world kn...

James Van Pelt put together a fun sci-fi romp for readers of any age in Pandora's Gun. Starting with an intriguing premise, Van Pelt deftly weaves in the adolescent strains of high school - friendships changing, challenges to authority, worries of colleges, girls/boys - into the framework a classic sci-fi thriller, complete with alternate universes, a tool of unimaginable possibilities and power, and a trio of teenagers who get wrapped up into the chase for control of Pandora's Gun. Van Pelt wri...

There's a special kind of garbage dump in the woods near Peter's school. He and his friend Dante have spent many hours sifting through the broken but interesting stuff. What's even more interesting is that the contents of the dump seem to change. Different things appear and disappear without any clue as to how and why it happens.Lately though, Peter and Dante have drifted apart. They used to be inseparable, but now it seems as though Dante is more interested in having a good time with newer frie...

Review forthcoming...

Pandora's Gun is the perfect book when you want to read a solid science fiction story that isn't a 500 page installment of a 12 book series. The characters could be your next door neighbors, things are real-life messy, and the pacing is almost perfect (I would have preferred about 5 more pages of post-climax wrapping up). Van Pelt did a great job exploring the mystery of the titular gun without dragging the plot which is a difficult balancing act for any author. Overall, a good science fiction s...

Pandora's Gun is a Science Fiction story about a high school student, Peter Van Meer, who finds a duffel bag at a garbage dump. This duffel bag contains a unusal treasure that holds many secrets. Along with his two best friends, Peter works to unlock the secrets this treaure holds. They find that the discovery is much more than they bargened for as it has them running from the police, FBI, and men in blue suits. As they flee from those chasing them they find that not only their lives but the wor...

First, I should note that I know the author. James Van Pelt has been my teacher and my coworker and is a kind, patient, and generous person. Second, I should note that I really dug this book. I’m a sucker for a mysterious sci-fi gadget, which our titular gadget is. I especially like that this gadget is filled with lots possibilities. The gadget is a puzzle for our heroes and they approach it in a logical and (mostly) sensible manner. I appreciate a story that doesn’t count on its heroes behaving...

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was really good and fun to read. I liked the concept. the gun was great and that is just what I see kids doing if they found something like this. I received this book from goodreads giveaways for an honest review and I have to say it was a fun read.

I received this book through the goodreads giveaway program for an open and honest review. I really enjoyed this quick read - an entertaining sci-fi that would appeal to to high school and adult readers alike! The author included very relatable and realistic thoughts from the main characters (reminding me much of myself in high school!) while developing a plot that focused on mystery, alien technology and the complex "good versus evil" debate.

Although the action is perhaps a little muted for my age bracket, the teen psychology, parenting, relationships and calls to chivalry and doing the right thing are strong in this profoundly fun and cleverly-done younger teen story. I quite liked the Lord of the Rings references, and the whole atmosphere of the work seemed to speak to a part of me that even if I've grown away from, I'll never quite be able to shake. The concepts and feelings brought up, such as the uberfriend, are well worth a yo...

Review also posted on my website at: http://matthewtravagline.com/theartof...I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this one. The premise intrigued me. An item to enable god-like powers in a YA setting. Definitely stole my attention.The writing itself is sharp. I think this easily could've had another hundred or so pages tacked onto it, but I think Van Pelt's writing decisions suited his novel(la) quite well. There isn't a huge cast of characters, and I think there could've been more, (or si...

...Van Pelt may still be more comfortable with shorter lengths but Pandora's Gun clearly shows that he can handle a full novel as well. It is one of those books that grab you from the beginning and that can be read in a single session. The author carefully balances characterisation and plot to create a story that is a satisfying read on several levels. Van Pelt wraps up the main story nicely but does leave a few questions unanswered. Should he be inclined to write one, a sequel is possible altho...

I won this book through the giveaways. This book is an awesome Sci-Fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages. A lot of fun.

If you enjoyed Paul Melko’s THE WALLS OF THE UNIVERSE, or Jay Lake’s ROCKET SCIENCE, you’ll love this!Peter is a high schooler who’s best friend is drifting away from much of the closeness they shared since elementary school. He’s found a constantly changing small garbage dump full of broken, unlabeled things in a wooded area near the school, and–since he likes finding things in the trash he can use–Peter frequents it, finding odd–really odd–“treasures.”Then one day he finds a duffel bag that co...

Le personnage principal étant un ado, cette histoire bien écrite qui contient à la fois de l'humour et de l'action , un poil de suspense, est plutôt destinée à un lectorat jeune Malgré tout, je l'ai lue pratiquement d'une traite (200 pages seulement pour être tout à fait honnête) De plus, j'adore les références littéraires de Dune et du Seigneur des Anneaux sans parler de Des souris et des hommes ... Bref tout à fait mon univers littéraire, donc ne vous étonnez pas de la bonne note : je ne suis