This book was fun to read. The main character and first-person narrator, comes of age in the plot. It takes Jamey almost a third of the book to even get to the moon, and once he's there, not much else happens. There's action in the middleand at the end that makes up for it. Despite the youth angle, Jamie at 17 becomes a good soldier. I enjoyed the book. ( )

In Apollo’s Outcasts Allen Steele returns to an often used premise that our outer space colonies will be a safe haven from corrupt Earth governments. He used this idea as the launching point for his Coyote series and returns to it in this book.
In Apollo’s Outcasts America has come under the control of a corrupt Vice President. The she uses the resources of the government to go after her opponents. Fortunately for them they become aware of her plot. Unable to save themselves they none the less have the resources to save their kids by sending them to the moon. The book is the story of the children’s exile on the moon. Although the execution of premise is somewhat unbelievable, Allan needed more detail in his set up, the story moves along at a good pace. You get a feel of what life would be like living in a lunar colony. The characters and situations they find themselves in are compelling. The story ends well. The set up and conclusion are both well written and believable. While this story is not Allen Steele’s best work, it is worth reading. ( )

First, let me own up to the fact that I'm not a big sci-fi reader. [Except for space operas. LOVE those!] So my two star rating must be taken with a large grain a salt. I found myself reading this title as part of a teen literature review group. While my overall assessment is "ok," I'm glad I had the opportunity to try out this novel.

This story follows Jamey Barlowe - a teenage boy who has been crippled since childhood, the result of being born on the Moon but having to live on Earth. Things change for Jamey though when he is abruptly sent to the Moon with five other teens to escape a political uprising of a particular government official who is after power and prestige at any cost. Once they reach Apollo, a mining colony, the kids must learn a new way of life, and for Jamey this includes walking on his own two feet. He is a determined one and even joins the ranks of Lunar Search and Rescue, aka the Rangers. This move is just in time as the threat of military action against the Moon becomes a reality.

Divided into four sections, this coming-of-age, young adult sci-fi novel starts off rather slow. It took me forever to get into, but that's most likely because of all the scientific detail, which isn't my thing. I enjoy reading about relationships and human nature rather than spaceships and lunar processes. However, the plot picks up its pace in the second half of the story and quite a few interesting possibilities with other characters arise, making for a much more engaging read. [For myself, that is.] I did like how Jamey and several other characters were very dynamic - learning life's lessons and applying them to their uprooted lives.

Glad I read it, but also glad it's finished! Onward! ( )