PJ Haarsma
Author of Virus on Orbis 1
Series
Works by PJ Haarsma
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Haarsma, PJ
- Legal name
- Haarsma, Philip-Jon
- Birthdate
- 1964-06-05
- Gender
- male
- Education
- McMaster University (BS)
- Organizations
- Kids Need to Read Foundation
- Short biography
- PJ Haarsma is a Canadian born science-fiction author best known for his creation of the Rings of Orbis universe. The first novel set in the Rings of Orbis universe is titled The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1, first published in 2006 and released in paperback in 2008. The second book in the series is The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2, first published in March 2008.
Haarsma holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. PJ Haarsma is married to sci-fi fantasy artist Marisa Grieco and has a daughter named Skylar.
Before embarking on his writing career, Haarsma was the owner of a small production company which produced one movie and corporate spots for clients such as Hewlett Packard and Nokia. For 15 years the company worked in the field of advertising.
Haarsma's novels are accompanied by an online Role Playing Game called Rings of Orbis which acts as a visual companion to the books and are set in the same universe. Haarsma and a team of artists created many different alien races specifically for the game.
With friend, actor Nathan Fillion, he launched the Kids Need To Read foundation. The charitable organization raises funds to buy books for under-funded schools and libraries, as well as disadvantaged children. - Nationality
- Canada (birth)
USA - Birthplace
- Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
- Places of residence
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
Members
Reviews
In this middle grade science fiction story, all the adults died on the spaceship that was taking them to Orbis. That left two hundred embryos. The computer - Mother - brought them to birth in two batches. Johnny, or JT as he's known to his friends, is the only one who has a younger sister who was part of the second batch. JT is also the only one who can talk to Mother without being at a computer terminal.
When they ship arrives at Orbis, the kids find out that they are going to be slaves for show more a variety of aliens until they have paid off their debt. Orbis is an interesting society which is managed by a supercomputer. After JT and the other kids arrive, the computer begins experiencing glitches. Because JT has been identified as a softwire - someone who can communicate with computers without an implant - many want to blame him for the glitches.
The kids all find that they have landed in a complex political situation. There are traders who manage businesses and Keeper who monitor travel, create the rules for Orbis, and grant citizenship. It is supposed to be a balanced system but someone is trying to tip the balance.
This was an exciting science fiction story. JT's talent lets him go inside the supercomputer where he finds an alien who might be the one causing all of the glitches. He also has to deal with the possibility that the Keepers will make him live in the computer forever and let his body die. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without friends and enemies. HIs best friend is his little sister Ketheria but he he is also good friends with Max who is a girl who is a good hacker and Theodore who is his roommate. The resident bully is Randall Switzer who delights in picking on JT and making trouble for him. I enjoyed the variety of aliens in this story from the two-headed Keepers to Weegin who is the scavenger who buys up some of the kids' contracts and has them picking junk.
This is the first book in a four book series. show less
When they ship arrives at Orbis, the kids find out that they are going to be slaves for show more a variety of aliens until they have paid off their debt. Orbis is an interesting society which is managed by a supercomputer. After JT and the other kids arrive, the computer begins experiencing glitches. Because JT has been identified as a softwire - someone who can communicate with computers without an implant - many want to blame him for the glitches.
The kids all find that they have landed in a complex political situation. There are traders who manage businesses and Keeper who monitor travel, create the rules for Orbis, and grant citizenship. It is supposed to be a balanced system but someone is trying to tip the balance.
This was an exciting science fiction story. JT's talent lets him go inside the supercomputer where he finds an alien who might be the one causing all of the glitches. He also has to deal with the possibility that the Keepers will make him live in the computer forever and let his body die. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without friends and enemies. HIs best friend is his little sister Ketheria but he he is also good friends with Max who is a girl who is a good hacker and Theodore who is his roommate. The resident bully is Randall Switzer who delights in picking on JT and making trouble for him. I enjoyed the variety of aliens in this story from the two-headed Keepers to Weegin who is the scavenger who buys up some of the kids' contracts and has them picking junk.
This is the first book in a four book series. show less
The Software is a great addition to an area of young adult literature that can be a bit sparse: science fiction. Not fantasy, of which there is a plethora available, but genuine scifi. Haarsma creates an intriguing new universe far in the future and populates it with smart and resourceful characters. The plot is interesting and quick.
That said, I think the book falls short in a few areas. I felt the main character was inconsistent in places, and too much of the plot resolves itself off show more stage. Some of the dialogue is stilted, and, unlike many young adult books recently published, I think the language is a bit oversimplified. It feels more like a young adult book than many others supposedly written for that audience. That said, I'd recommend this to any young reader interested in science fiction but not ready for adult works. show less
That said, I think the book falls short in a few areas. I felt the main character was inconsistent in places, and too much of the plot resolves itself off show more stage. Some of the dialogue is stilted, and, unlike many young adult books recently published, I think the language is a bit oversimplified. It feels more like a young adult book than many others supposedly written for that audience. That said, I'd recommend this to any young reader interested in science fiction but not ready for adult works. show less
"Once again, Haarsma gives us a unique entry into the young adult field with a true science fiction story. The second in the series, this book has a tighter plot than the first and continues to be wildly imaginative, though character development hasn't really progressed. As with the first book, my major gripe is with the dialogue, which is choppy and awkward. I find it hard to like the hero of the story, especially when he does some stupid things like he does here, and I think that some of show more the reactions from the childen in the book are hard to believe. Compared to all the young adult books I've been reading lately, this one seems to be targeted a bit more "young," and while I'd recommend this book for younger readers, it's not as compelling for adult readers as many other YA series are." show less
"The Software is a great addition to an area of young adult literature that can be a bit sparse: science fiction. Not fantasy, of which there is a plethora available, but genuine scifi. Haarsma creates an intriguing new universe far in the future and populates it with smart and resourceful characters. The plot is interesting and quick.[return][return]That said, I think the book falls short in a few areas. I felt the main character was inconsistent in places, and too much of the plot resolves show more itself off stage. Some of the dialogue is stilted, and, unlike many young adult books recently published, I think the language is a bit oversimplified. It feels more like a young adult book than many others supposedly written for that audience. That said, I'd recommend this to any young reader interested in science fiction but not ready for adult works." show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 6
- Members
- 535
- Popularity
- #46,548
- Rating
- 3.6
- Reviews
- 23
- ISBNs
- 20
- Favorited
- 1