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Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Heroes of February 22nd is the first book in D. B. Gibb's The Abductee Chronicles. This enthralling young adult sci-fi tale merges alien abduction, supernatural abilities, and government intrigue. It is the captivating journey of fourteen-year-old Zach Davidson, a black bisexual teen in rural Utah, whose life transforms dramatically after he and his friends Wilkie and Liza are abducted by extraterrestrial beings. Awakening in a desolate wilderness hundreds of miles from home, the trio is thrust into an enigmatic realm where forgotten memories collide with newfound abilities. Their minds are blank, save for the discovery that they now possess supernatural gifts. Zach, Wilkie, and Liza must navigate a treacherous landscape where alien empires vie for dominion over Earth, using unwitting humans as pawns. As they struggle to unravel the mysteries of their abduction, the trio is drawn deeper into a clandestine world of intrigue and peril, where their powers hold the key to shaping the fate of humanity. With each step toward civilization, they find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and deception, unsure of whom to trust in a game where the stakes are nothing less than the future of their world.
The first thing that caught my attention when I started reading The Heroes of February 22nd was the author’s gift for character. Zach is a broken and flawed character who instantly wins readers' sympathy. He was abandoned by his father and raised by a single mom who works three jobs to make ends meet. Zach is intelligent and hardworking, but his life changes instantly because of events beyond his control. The author builds intrigue steadily as the novel progresses, leaving readers guessing at every turn of the narrative. Themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and unity are exceptionally explored in this riveting tale. The fast-paced plot and short chapters make the story even more enjoyable, brimming with unexpected twists as the trio faces rival alien factions and covert government agencies. D. B. Gibb uses Zach's encounters and the camaraderie of the group to examine issues about identity, acceptance, and the power of friendship. From the eerie encounter of World War II airmen near Blue Lake to the moonlit escapades of Zach, Wilkie, and Jeff, each scene is vividly portrayed, blurring the lines between reality and the unknown. Gibb's adept storytelling engages readers, whether seasoned sci-fi enthusiasts or newcomers to the genre.