London Calling Book Review

Edward Bloor's London Calling is a compelling science fiction history novel that pulled me in and never let go.

The theme of this book is a teenage boy finding himself. He learns to trust himself and realizes that his life is worth something after all.

The style of Bloor left nothing to be desired. He gave a very real sense of what was happening in the story. I could almost hear the main character describing his adventures. Bloor is not unique is his way of presenting his story but the story is well done.

Bloor does an excellent job of making the characters seem real. The characters all have realistic

views, opinions, emotions, and physical traits. The characters made the book for me. Without them the London Calling would not be the same. Th.e book has five main characters with several supporting characters. The family of four of the five main characters is very real and faces many of the problems that normal families face today.

London Calling has two main settings: Bethel, New Jersey in present day and London in 1940. Bloor does an okay job describing the setting of the book. I feel like I am there, but in a dream world. I can't imagine fine details, just broad details such as dimensions, colors, and rooms. The book is set in real places, past and present, but they seem bland and boring in the book.

Martin Conway believes that his life is worthless. He is wasting his life away at school, home, and church. Then, on the last day of school his life is turned completely around. Martin's best friend, Pinak, is attacked by a bully. Martin's other friend, Manetti, tries to defend Pinak but just gets them all in trouble. Martin, scared to see the bully again, refuses to leave his room all summer until he is forced to leave upon his grandmother's passing. From her Martin inherits a single possesion: an old radio. This radio thrusts him into an adventure that could rewrite history.

This book relates to many books I have read, but in different ways. The sci-fi side relates to many science fiction books and the historical fiction side relates to many historical books I have read. However, there are not many books in the world that combine the two. This combination makes London Calling by Edward Bloor a must read for any book lover.

This book has 291 pages.