blueinkedfrost

This is a highly enjoyable, fast-moving YA science fiction adventure with truckloads of diverse, viscerally described aliens, a human historical mystery, and a mysterious game created by a strange entity with a hidden agenda.

It's very straightforward and light but fun and amusing. There are several fun twists and layers in the adventure that are highly entertaining, though pretty predictable. Young Barney is stranded on a dreary family holiday with his parents at the beach, reading science fiction novels indoors in a futile attempt to avoid sunburn. Then three glamorous new next door neighbours come in and upend everything. What strange secrets could these three mysterious adults with lavender eyes possibly be hiding, especially since Barney's own room is said to be haunted and deeply scratched by a human who witnessed something horrific a century ago? Can Barney find the strange object they are searching for, avoid the total destruction of the planet Earth, and maybe even win the Interstellar Game?

It's been ages since I read some fun young adult science fiction! This was pleasing. Thanks to vinecat for rec'cing this.