Michael Vey

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The book reminded me of several books I have read lately, but that is precisely why it will appeal to the market intended (ages 12 and up). The story is of Michael Vey, a bullied fourteen year old with Tourette's syndrome. He has been warned by his mother to not lose his temper and for good reason. Michael has special powers. He is able to create electricity, which could give a deadly jolt. His mother and his friend Ostin are the only ones who know of his special powers until one day he has all he can take from one of the bullies, and gives him a taste of his power. This draws the attention of someone else who has special powers, the cheerleader, Taylor, that Michael has a crush on. It turns out that both Taylor and Michael were part of an experiment gone awry in the hospital where they were born. The experiment left 17 of the babies born at that time with special powers. Of course, evil men wish to harness those powers in order to rule the world. Although the plot is predictable, there is plenty of action, and a promised sequel; both guarantee a middle school following.



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Malice

Malice by Chris Wooding

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Malice was recommended to me in a workshop for creating middle school readers by Chris Hales. He said he recommends Malice to his middle school boys, and has found it never disappoints. Based on my first young reader at Union, I think he may be right. The reader absolutely loved the book and insists we get the sequel Havoc right away. Malice is an engaging story about teens who find this underground comic and end up in the middle of the evil world it portrays. Luke is the first to disappear, so Kady and Seth say the chant required to end up in the comic to save their friend. This mix of prose and comic keep the reader thoroughly entertained as Seth and Kady battle the evil forces in Malice. I would have preferred a more satisfying ending, but certainly the stage is set for the sequel, which I have on my next order.



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Pathfinder

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The story of Pathfinder is the story of thirteen-year-old Rigg, who has a special talent of being able to see the paths of people past and present. He is disciplined and taught many, many things by his "father." Unexpectedly, his father is killed in the woods by a falling tree, but before his passing he gives Rigg special instructions to find the sister that Rigg didn't know he had. As he begins his journey to find his sister, he is joined by a childhood friend, Umbo, from the village. It turns out that Umbo also has a gift of being able to manipulate time. The gifts of the two boys are important gifts to the story as they try to escape those who want to harm them. Card also has an overriding story that begins each chapter. That story is the story of the colonization of different worlds by Ram Odin, who apparently also has power over time. We hear this story unfold from the spaceship as it travels through space. Certainly, Ram Odin will figure into the sequel, but I found this counter story a little distracting from the engaging story of Rigg and his friends. The audio version of this book didn't disappoint. Card's writing is fun to listen to, and the narration was excellent.



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Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Scorch Trials will be a hit with fans of the Maze Runner. Thomas, the main character, and his friends have a new test. They are required to survive a scorching desert while trying to arrive at the "safe haven" in the allotted two weeks given for the trial. Of course, the scorching heat is only part of the trial. They also run into "cranks," who are crazed people infected with the "flare," a disease that causes madness. Although, not many questions get answered in this sequel, there is plenty of action to keep fans engaged. Hopefully, the Death Cure, the final book in the trilogy will give long awaited answers as to why the government agency, WICKED is putting them through such trials.



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