Planet of the Head-Breakers - Book Review

Planet of the Head-Breakers by Zeb Haradon

Centuries after the revolution, the head-breakers rose to rule the remnants of humanity. They subject the survivors to a forced lobotomy. Children don’t get the chance to escape from such a surgery because they are confined in a robot-controlled commune. Except for Jim. 

This dystopian novel follows the life journey of a young boy who lives in a commune. Jim grows up in a controlled environment. He does not know anything about a realm on the other side of the fence he is in. Although he has a vague idea that something exists outside the commune based on his conversations with Helen, his best friend.


Jim witnesses older children who become living dead after they are lobotomized. He and Helen decided that they didn’t want to undergo the surgery. And so, they plan to escape before their time comes. However, fear overwhelms Jim. Thus, the escape does not materialize before the next lobotomy time arrives. The dreadful moment eventually comes for Helen, who is older than Jim. Before Helen undergoes the mandatory surgery, the two children agree on something. The agreement, however, fails because Helen becomes unresponsive. Since then, Jim has had to fend for himself, finding ways to escape and avoid being lobotomized. As Jim grows older, he experiences several twists and turns in his life. 


The Book and the Author


Planet of the Head-Breakers is a dystopian novel with some science, mechanical, and electronic applications. The book has an amazing plot. Only a brilliant mind, like Zeb Haradon, can create a world that many have not considered. Plant of the Head-Breakers is such a bold, captivating, and original work. It is intriguing, full of drama, and tragic. But, it also highlights friendship. 


The book leaves the reader wondering - even questioning - the feasibility of the events that the author features. However, at the rate technology and science are advancing, I guess it’s not too far off for people to consider living on other planets in the future. Also, the lobotomy that Jim dreads can be likened to the Artificial Intelligence that the present generation is introduced to. It is also true that in world politics, a handful of wealthy and influential individuals are trying to control the rest of humanity. Nevertheless, just as Jim is hopeful of reaching the Moon, I believe that in the end, humanity will overcome the challenges of life. Good always prevails over evil.


Meanwhile, I commend the author for having built Jim’s character well. He is consistent from beginning to end. The part that I like the most about his character is the way he handles and adapts to the outside world. His reaction to the surroundings and the creatures he encounters for the first time is so natural. He is eager to absorb everything, and he learns fast. 


Overall, I give Planet of the Head-Breakers a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to readers 13 years old and above.

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