Alex Twice Abducted
THE STORY
The Book Review
Quirky, Heartfelt, and Totally Not What I Expected(In the Best Way)Okay, Alex: Twice Abducted is the kind of sci-fi story that shouldn’t work on paper—aliens, a dolphin sidekick, dying Earth kid gets abducted twice—but somehow TLW Savage pulled it off with this perfectly strange, emotional, and surprisingly funny first book in The Dark Universe series. And yeah, I didn’t just enjoy it—I got unexpectedly attached to these oddballs.
From the start, I was rooting for Alex. He’s a human boy with no real shot at surviving back home, and then BOOM—he’s yanked into space like some sci-fi Cinderella. But this isn’t your typical chosen-one story. It’s awkward, raw, and kind of beautiful. Alex is messy and uncertain, and honestly? That made me love him more. He doesn’t suddenly become a badass—he struggles, he bleeds, and he doubts himself. Same buddy.
Now let’s talk about Hheilea—our rebellious alien girl pretending to be a boy because feelings are way too risky when your life’s a training montage in space. The way she tries (and fails) to deny her growing connection with Alex? It gave me those awkward teen angst vibes with a cosmic twist. She’s snarky, sharp, and way too cool to admit she cares, which just made her totally endearing. And the fact that she has to mentor this “weird” human who throws her whole existence off-kilter? Yes please. Sign me up for that slow burn awkward alien romance energy.
Also… Zeghes the dolphin??? ICONIC. He’s not just comic relief—he’s got wisdom, snark, and that cool psychic vibe that adds a whole new layer to the story. I’d adopt him if I could. A’idah, the human girl with her own baggage, rounds out this little band of unlikely space cadets, and I loved how their dynamics constantly shift under pressure. It’s messy. It’s real. It works. This isn’t your polished, save-the-universe space epic. This is rough-around-the-edges, learn-as-you-go survival with heart, humor, and a ton of identity questions. It’s about control, trauma, choices, and becoming something more—whether that means hero, friend, or just someone who finally gets a second shot at living.
Final thoughts? It’s chaotic. It’s weird. It’s kind of brilliant. Alex: Twice Abducted is the kind of book that throws you into the deep end and dares you to sink or swim—and I’m definitely coming back for more. If you like your sci-fi with soul, sass, and characters who are gloriously flawed but trying like hell anyway, give this one a go. Also, if Zeghes ever gets a spinoff, I’m there faster than you can say “space dolphin.”
A Second Book Review
Nice to see an adventure story series that a grandpa can enjoy with his grandson! I got this book so that my 9 year old Grandson and I could enjoy it together! He reads the story to me and we talk about it as we go!