Book Review: The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Daniel has followed in his parents’ footsteps as the Alien Hunter, exterminating beings on The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma, but when he faces his first of the top ten outlaws, the very existence of Earth and another planet are at stake.

Comments

There are enough little things in this book that keep me from recommending it for precocious readers (since the reading level is in the middle-grade range), but it is likely fine for most 12 year-olds and up.

Language

Level 2 [?]

Sexual Content

A girl kisses a boy.

Drugs/Alcohol

Drug dealing using kids, “China, china, burning white, pure as the driven snow.” A drug called ‘Numbdown’ related to ‘crack’. 

Violence/Disturbing

Daniels’ parents are murdered, a teen’s little sister was abducted
(later found safe). Rocket launch at school athletic field. Some description of a teen getting shot. Teen realizes his mother was pregnant when she was murdered. Some description of fighting carnage.

Social/Family

Fifteen year-old lives on his own, travels around the world, tricks school officials. Some consumerism re: shoes that are 6 months old. Teens do risky things with motor bikes, including sliding under moving 18-wheelers.

Religion/Spiritual

Beelzebub, Daniel transforms a drug dealer into a born-again street preacher