Review: Vigilante in Space
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 23, 2012
I must say that I find intriguing the notion of a Batman wannabe vigilante operating in outer space. The logistical challenges of finding the bad guys in the vastness of outer space and then getting to that location is something to work out.  Edward Pipkin recognizes these challenges, and deals with them head on as they come.The Phantom Cadet is the first book of the Cadet Magnum series, where Cadet Magnum is the alias of one fourteen year old suddenly orphaned kid named Angus.  The story is very action-oriented, as Angus is forced to flee space pirates bent on wiping out Angus' family.  Accompanied by the family robot, Booker, Angus meets new alien friends as he searches for a way to return home.The story gets technical and sci-fi-ish only in the sense of figuring out how to use the stars and constellations to return home.  The theory is actually rather complicated, and I had difficulty following along.  The author does not provide much in the way of world building.  All we know is that humanity has reached the stars, and occupy planets in other solar systems.  The author does not wow you with any sense of how space crafts achieve flight in outer space.  Perhaps he can flesh out the explanations in the next book.I find the overall story a bit naive in the sense that every alien our young hero encounters seem to be genuinely friendly with good will towards Angus.  That being said, there is certainly room for further story development as our young hero grows in maturity.