Earth Shot is the first book in the Seconds to Midnight series by Stephen Henning. On his eleventh birthday, Lucas Reid has more surprises in store than a present from his best friend, Avi Ramachandran. Lucas and Avi, alongside his nine-year-old sister, Maisie, witness a spaceship crashing into Fitch Forest in Suffolk and suddenly find themselves in the company of an advanced AI tablet they call Magic. Magic reveals that they must rescue his alien captain while another alien called Castle, one of the interplanetary criminal elite, is on their trail. With their newfound abilities, the kids set off on a dangerous mission to break into a US Air Force base on a rescue mission, only for Lucas to be held captive by Castle. Will Lucas and his friends be able to thwart Castle's nefarious plans?

If you're a fan of movies like E.T. or Men in Black, you will have an absolute blast with Earth Shot. Action-packed and full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Stephen Henning's sci-fi adventure will be a hit among kids and young adult readers alike. The author spins a fast-paced yarn, dropping the reader into the scheme of things from the get-go, and it's a wild rollercoaster of a ride from there. The plot is completely unpredictable, and, throughout the book, you're on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what's going to happen next. This is a brilliant first installment in what promises to be an absorbing sci-fi series. The novel ends on a tantalizing cliffhanger, and it only makes me want to read the sequel as soon as possible. In conclusion, a gem of a book for sci-fi fans.

Earth Shot by Stephen Henning is a captivating children’s fantasy and sci-fi novel that kicks off the Seconds to Midnight series. The story follows three young friends who witness a UFO crash in a Suffolk forest and find themselves entangled in an intergalactic conflict. When a dying alien pleads for their help to prevent Earth from descending into war, they must rely on a clever computer named Magic, face a shape-shifting enemy, and infiltrate a US Air Force base, all while depending on their friendship and loyalty to survive. Henning masterfully blends thrilling action, imaginative technology, and strong themes of friendship and courage to offer a fantastic adventure novel that will come alive in the imaginations of its young readership.

One of the most impressive elements of the novel is Stephen Henning’s ability to craft authentic child characters who feel so young and relatable, yet they have the gravitas and presence to lead the story in a way that’s also complex enough for older readers to enjoy. There’s a timeless quality to the way the dialogue flows and naturally unfolds the plot, and it’s brilliant to see this skill making it into the UFO subgenre with such an easy, confident narrative style. I also really enjoyed the persona of Magic and the technological lore that was well-built to make computers an interesting and helpful part of the story, but never some magical fix for everything that’s happening. The kids still had to rely on teamwork and learning from their mistakes to triumph, which is an important lesson. Overall, Earth Shot is an engaging and inspiring read for young sci-fi enthusiasts everywhere to enjoy and I’d certainly recommend it.

Earth Shot is the first book in the Seconds to Midnight Series by Stephen Henning. Lucas Reid, his sister, Maisie, and his friend, Avi, see bright lights one night in the countryside. After they investigate a crash in the woods, they discover a pod and an injured alien. The injured alien uses a device to speak to them, but the children run away with the device when they are frightened by government employees. They learn the tablet has mechanical and biological components. It informs them that a dangerous alien has escaped from custody, and the device wishes to be returned to the captain of the damaged pod. It coerces the children into returning to the scene of the crash where they are recognized and chased by the unearthly inmate. During an act the tablet offers as protection, the device alters the children's molecular structure and manipulates them into helping save the world.

Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure as Stephen Henning pulls you into an other-worldly experience! The action starts right away, and Henning hardly gives you time to take a breath before you face another heart-thumping situation with Lucas, Ari, and Maisie. The children find out they are much braver than they could have guessed as they run from a killer alien and dodge government officials. Lucas gains some wise words from the captain and learns that - despite its best efforts - technology can't always predict where you will end up. The descriptions keep readers fully involved as they hope the characters survive the incidences unharmed. The book will have you looking up at the sky, wondering if the lights you see are explainable or if there is an exciting battle happening right above you. Readers who enjoy fast-paced stories with humor and camaraderie will love Earth Shot.

Earth Shot by Stephen Henning is an intriguing start to the Seconds to Midnight Series. It is Lucas' eleventh birthday, and he is celebrating it with his close friend, Avi. The boys are having a blast in a tent when their fun is interrupted by Maisie, Lucas' younger sister. Maisie claims she saw something in the night sky that they must check out. They witness the crash of a UFO in the nearby woods of Suffolk, UK. The trio makes first contact with a badly hurt, strange-looking alien.  Soon after, they noticed agents from the nearby American US Air Force base approaching. Out of fear, they flee the scene, but not without taking a sentient gadget capable of doing things that seem like magic.

I highly enjoyed reading Stephen Henning's Earth Shot. The plot is engaging. What starts as a simple trip quickly escalates into a life-and-death mission to save the world.  The actions of Lucas, Ava, and Maisie have global implications, making me emotionally invested in them. I related to their fears and applauded their bravery.  All the characters feel genuinely real. I especially liked the various glimpses into the thoughts of several characters. For example, the main antagonistic alien, Castle, is shown to take the time to examine humans for manipulation purposes. The story is well-paced with several exciting plot twists. The science fiction elements were thought-provoking and appropriately explained for the young target audience. I highly recommend this story to everyone. I am looking forward to continuing the Seconds to Midnight Series.