The Liberators
'This isn't straightforward heroes and villains,' announces Hood, the hero of this trilogy, as he once again prepares to do battle with the K'Thraa -- an alien race bent on invading and subjugating Earth. But that's exactly what this trilogy is: a series of adventures in which Hood and his army -- Big Mac, Will Redmond, Marianne and A.M.O.S. (a sophisticated robot reminiscent of R2D2 of Star Wars fame) -- repeatedly and with consummate ease frustrate the K'Thraa's evil plans. Although these books rely heavily for their appeal on lurid covers, stereotyped characters and heavily repetitive storylines, they have a curious old-fashioned quality which I found quite enduring: the remaining inhabitants of Earth are fiercely moral in their attitude to warfare and even Hood is given one bad-tempered lapse to allow him to humble himself later in selfless apology! Offer this trilogy to second/third-year boys who are reluctant readers - they could love it.