The Softwire: Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 by P.J. Haarsma

I have to admit, I enjoyed the first two books from The Softwire series so much that I could hardly wait for this third one to come out and it did not disappoint me! In fact, this was my favorite one from the series so far!

PJ Haarsma’s imagination has created yet another exciting world very unique from the first two. I enjoyed visualizing Orbis 3 with its large crystal sculptures and sparkling scenery.

As I read about the continued adventures of JT and his sister and friends I was thrilled at all the intense action that started off right from the very beginning and lasted clear through to the last page.

I felt relief for the children as they seemed to be in a kinder world without having to work as slaves and get to live in the care of their good friend. Yet, they had plenty of opportunities to show their intelligence and bravery as they fight off opponents playing an exciting life-threatening game--a game which amused me as I realized the author was managing to teach us a little about physics along the way.

It was charming to read how JT and Maxine “Max” adjust to adolescent feelings, especially toward each other now that they are getting a little older. I think the story also does a wonderful job of demonstrating how easy it is to become prey to the night life and addictions and the consequences that can occur as experienced by JT’s friend Theodore.

Now, I will sit back and try to patiently wait for Orbis 4 (and perhaps even a movie as these stories sure would make a great one)!

The third installment in The Softwire series begins with a glimmer of hope for the orphaned human children enslaved on the Rings of Orbis. Their friend is now their guarantor. All they have to do is go to school and have fun – a concept that has become foreign to them. But life is never simple on Orbis and as in all of The Softwire novels, the intrigue and action takes off immediately. This series would translate well into movies. Haarsma has a terrific visual sense and the closing act of this book is nothing short of spectacular!

The best thing about The Softwire series is that although they function as young adult books, they are much more than children’s books to alert adults. They are filled with earthly political correlations and life’s brutal realities, even though the stories play out on a completely alien world. Any person who has struggled to maintain their dignity and will to keep going while surviving oppressive conditions will find a kindred spirit in the main character, JT. Haarsma makes the reader feel JT's introspective questioning, his searching, his constant yearning for freedom and his aching desire to know the purpose of his life. I have always loved the character most for his maintenance of kindness and compassion in the face of cruelty and abuse. However, in Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3, it seems as though JT is losing these qualities which set him apart as a true hero. It is quite shocking to discover that JT is developing a hard side. Life is pushing him to darker places. But Haarsma’s writing style is one of reality. As sad as I felt to witness JT’s growing coldness, I realized the author was holding true to human nature. Hardship slowly wears people down, fills them with grief and kills their spirit. The challenge for any person of quality is whether they can meet cruelty with kindness. JT is becoming more than a softwire and we see that his responsibilities will make his decisions more difficult in the future. Will he completely lose his humanity to the age-old enemy of abuse at the hands of those in power or will he show himself to be a leader who will not give up the best qualities a human being can possess?

Loneliness and pain can open the door to understanding and this is illustrated well in the higher level of compassion JT ultimately feels for his tormentor than his mentor. JT and his nemesis both long for freedom and happiness; they just attempt to gain it in radically different ways. One uses sadness as a motivating force; the other uses it as a destructive force. But there is another important difference between them. JT has the unwavering support of his sister, whose belief in him cannot be shaken. This unbroken trust strengthens his resolve to keep fighting for their future. JT’s adversary tramples those who devote themselves to him, leaving him weak and alone in the end.

I love these books for the quiet depth that can be found amidst their obvious, exciting action. I look forward to Orbis 4 to find the answer to the question JT is left asking himself – what kind of man will he become? I hope I am not disappointed in him, but with Haarsma telling the story, there will be truth regardless.