The Nightsiders: The Orphan Army is Filled with Danger, Adventure, and Hope for a New Beginning

Jonathan Maberry’s The Nightsiders: The Orphan Army takes place in a setting that sounds familiar, the Louisiana Bayou, with a main character, Milo, who seems like many other 11-year-olds. He’s small for his age; not particularly strong, but skilled with a slingshot. Milo remembers the “old days,” when there were YouTube videos and birthday parties; movies, and playdates with his cousins. But five years ago, all that changed when a hive ship appeared in the sky, beginning an assault that would obliterate the world as Milo knew it. His town was destroyed; lives were lost. There’s no more YouTube, or even electricity. No more cousins. No more birthday parties, or movie theaters, or schools.
Even worse, three years ago, his father disappeared, leaving just Milo and his army commander mother alone at the camp. Despite this tremendous upheaval, Milo adjusts to his new reality. The camp is disguised by a camouflage covering, protecting them from the view of the Bug ships that still fly above. Milo’s mother leads missions to search for potential enemies on the ground; Milo and the others his age learn to scavenge, searching for anything that might help their camp survive, as well as debris that might help them understand the alien technology. They are a community of survivors, and while Milo knows there’s still a war going on out there, it begins to seem far away from his daily life.
Until one day, when Milo discovers a strange pyramid in the woods. That day he first sees the wolf with strange, glowing eyes, and the Bugs discover—and destroy—Milo’s camp. Suddenly, Milo finds himself alone and fighting the greatest battle of his life. His makeshift home is in ruins; his friends are presumed dead. His mother was off on mission and may or may not ever return. As he struggles to come to grips with his new reality, a voice from his dreams, The Witch of the World, begins to guide him. She urges him to be brave, to be the hero his world needs.
It is through the urging of the Witch of the World that Milo bands together with The Orphan Army, a band of supernatural creatures who call themselves the Nightsiders and are the protectors of the world’s only remaining magic. There’s werewolf Evangelyne, tree spirit Oakenayl, sprite Halflight, fire salamander Iskiel, and rock spirit Mook.  Up until now, the humans and the Nightsiders have been at odds, with the humans building cities, paving roads, and slowly pushing the magical creatures further and further into the darkness and destroying their gateways to other worlds. Now, this misfit army, along with Milo, has a common goal: Find and defeat The Huntsman, the leader of the Bugs, who has stolen The Heart of Darkness stone. With the powerful stone in his hands, The Huntsman has the power to open the doors that will allow him to conquer not only the known universe, but all of time and space.
A blend of dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy, The Orphan Army explores themes that are relevant to our world today: hatred, greed, paranoia, and the threat (and reality) of war. This is a book for young readers who love the idea of worlds beyond their own, who will happily suspend reality for the thrill of adventure, and who enjoy tales of high stakes twists and turns. The story is grounded by Milo, whose human form and traits are relatable—fear, lack of self-confidence, adolescent awkwardness, love for family and friends. Because of our belief in Milo, we are able to spin off into this fantasy world, where giant metallic bugs, supernatural mythical beings, and humans can all co-exist.
At least, until one of those groups is defeated. The question is…which one will it be?