In Terra Tamers: Alpha by Brian Petrilli, Matthew Wong and his younger brother, Oakley, are preparing to leave the crowded domed city of Sojourn, humanity's last refuge, for a mission beyond its walls. Matthew expects the main difficulty will be managing Oakley, who often becomes absorbed in off-mission interests and tests his patience. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when a flock of Holo birds swoops in and carries Oakley away, contradicting everything Matthew has ever known. Holos have always targeted only adults, never children, so this event overturns the established rules that have governed life for decades. Matthew must face a rapidly changing reality, investigate the reasons behind this unprecedented occurrence, and adapt to a world that now works under entirely new conditions. “The first step is finishing Terra Tamers. A game everyone can benefit from. A game that can enhance every aspect of human life.”

Brian Petrilli’s Terra Tamers: Alpha offers an intense dive into a futuristic world that feels tangible and textured, where every corner of the floating city of Sojourn comes to life through Matthew’s eyes. From tangled pipes and broken ladders to hydroponic gardens and surveillance cameras, the city is full of detail, giving readers a sense of real, lived-in experience. Advanced technology and everyday hazards coexist naturally, making Sojourn both extraordinary and relatable. The post-apocalyptic backdrop gains urgency as Matthew races to rescue Oakley, with Holos, Malos, interactive barriers, and crumbling structures actively shaping his journey. Through Matthew’s first-person perspective, readers encounter not only the external environment but also his humor, moral reasoning, and attention to systems like essence points and Rayment stats, letting readers discover the world’s rules in an immediate, fast-moving, and consistently interesting way. Overall, this is a spectacular novel that my middle-grade child enjoyed, as did I, when we read it together.

In Terra Tamers: Alpha by Brian Petrilli, Matthew Wong prepares for a mission beyond Sojourn, the domed city sheltering the last humans, alongside his younger brother, Oakley. Matthew anticipates the usual difficulties of keeping Oakley focused, aware his brother is easily distracted by side interests. Their expedition takes a shocking turn when a flock of Holo birds suddenly snatches Oakley, defying long-held patterns: Holos have historically only targeted adults. This unexpected event forces Matthew to confront a reality that no longer follows familiar rules. To rescue Oakley and understand the unprecedented behavior of the Holos, Matthew must reassess everything he knows about his environment and adapt, using the construct of what he knows from his immersion in the digital world before it is too late.

Terra Tamers: Alpha by Brian Petrilli is the best book I have read that constructs a speculative environment merging technological minutiae with human-scale experience. The prose succeeds in integrating structural, environmental, and systemic details into the story in ways that feel natural instead of expository. I normally dislike a first-person perspective, but the author uses it properly to show Matthew's reasoning and problem-solving. He's funny, and the story is better for it, being in his head. The impressive inclusion of interactive systems resource illustrates how game mechanics can be made entertaining in literature (yes, really). Plus, there are cats. While clearly aimed at a middle-grade audience, the questions about autonomy, adaptability, and environmental interaction lead to a lesson for all, and the author shows us the possibilities of system-driven science fiction.

Terra Tamers: Alpha is the first novel in the Terra Tamers Genesis series by Brian Petrilli. The story follows Matthew Wong and his younger brother, Oakley, who are eager to leave behind the cramped floating city of Sojourn, humanity’s last refuge. The brothers left on what should be a simple mission. But their journey takes a shocking turn when Oakley is kidnapped by a flock of Holo birds. These creatures were believed to target only adults, but suddenly, the rules changed somehow. Matt cannot leave his younger brother behind. He is forced into a dangerous quest, determined to rescue his brother and uncover the truth behind this terrifying shift in their world. But can he survive? How can he fight these creatures and save his brother? Can Oakley even be saved?

Author Brian Petrilli has created a wonderfully exotic world where everything is possible. Set in a credible future, the worldbuilding is realistic and enjoyable. Although this is a young adult novel, it is far better than your typical YA novel, where the protagonist complains more than actually does anything else. Matthew is a fantastic protagonist. He is a reliable narrator and a fun character to follow. The bond between Matt and Oakley forms the emotional core of the story, making the stakes feel deeply personal. Matt’s determination and growth as a reluctant hero made it easier for me to connect with him. The mystery of the Holos adds suspense and intrigue, while ensuring I was hooked to the story until the end. The fast pace and the incredible character building are fantastic. I loved the thrills, the emotions, and the action. Highly recommended!

Terra Tamers: Alpha (Terra Tamers Genesis) by Brian Petrilli presents a well-imagined dystopian world, complete with its monsters and unique forms of games. For Matthew Wong, leaving the overcrowded city of Sojourn meant adventure, and the only challenge was taking care of his younger brother, Oakley, making sure he stayed safe. That’s what he thought, but when a flock of Holo birds, the digital predators known for hunting only adults, swoops down and snatches Oakley, Matt’s world is shattered. Suddenly, nothing is as it seemed in humanity’s last refuge. With the rules of survival rewritten and Oakley’s fate uncertain, Matt must journey into the untamed wilds of a world transformed by technology and danger. As mysteries unravel and new threats emerge, Matt discovers that the truth behind the Holos and his brother’s kidnapping could change everything humanity thought they knew. How far is he willing to go to save his brother, and what dangers must he still face?

Terra Tamers might have been written for young adults, but it was an enjoyable read for me as an adult. The first thing that caught my interest was the cleverly constructed world, one where civilization as we know it has been destroyed. A new form of technology prevails, with monsters occupying hostile landscapes. Brian Petrilli’s descriptive prose conjured up vivid and compelling imagery in my mind, offering a strong sense of place as I followed the story. The characters are fully developed, and Matt and Oakley are a pair that delighted me from the start. However, after the Holo birds snatch Oakley, the suspense becomes the driving force behind the narrative. I enjoyed the short chapters, the brisk pacing, the impeccable worldbuilding, and the conflict that propels the story forward. The read was cinematic for me.