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When twelve-year-old Jason Hunter and his two friends discover a spaceship in the woods behind his home, his world is turned upside down. Suddenly, he and his two friends are forced to flee for their lives. Learning to pilot the ship by fits and starts, they embark on a desperate mission to rescue Jason's abducted parents and prevent an alien invasion.
The journey takes them halfway across the galaxy, where Jason must confront bizarre and deadly creatures, escape from a toxic region of space called the Vuhndalac Pit, and evade capture by a powerful alien leader intent on destroying him.
Hidden somewhere among the stars is device of great power, the remnant of an ancient, long-dead civilization whose technology is so mysterious it works as if by magic. Jason must find this talisman -- before it is too late. If he is the Heir of Elam, the one person in the entire universe who can claim it, he will be able use it to rescue his parents and save his planet.
If he is not, touching it will be the last thing he ever does!
About the author
Jim Mastro has rescued wild dolphins, trained seals and sea lions, scuba-dived in the gloom under 15 feet of ice, done stand-up comedy, directed plays, and spent winters in Antarctica. He's been a biologist, professional dancer, laboratory manager, college professor, professional diver, research assistant, photographer, and writer.
He's covered many subjects in his published work, including travel, science, natural history, human interest, scuba diving, the environment, writing, teaching, science fiction, and fantasy. He has published three books on Antarctica, a manual on scientific diving in Antarctica, and numerous articles and essays. His memoir, Antarctica: A Year at the Bottom of the World, is still considered by many to be the best contemporary account of life in Antarctica. Discover magazine named his collaborative work with another photographer, Under Antarctic Ice, one of the 20 best science books of 2004. The "Jason Hunter" science fiction trilogy is his first long work of fiction.
Originally from San Diego, he now lives in New Hampshire with his wife, son, and a crazy little fuzz-muffin of a dog.
