Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker

What worked:

The Shadow Man is a mysterious character that’s rarely seen. Alex thinks he sees something in the dark one evening and Mags confirms she’s seen it too. Their uncertainty about its existence and the fact it lurks in the shadows will have readers anxiously anticipating its official appearance. Alex is afraid to admit his experience to anyone because his mom won’t believe him and he doesn’t want to worry his little sister. The Shadow Man materializes in Alex’s room one night but it seems to be specifically targeting Mags. The Shadow Man kicks off the conflict although it remains unclear exactly what he is and why he’s chosen Alex’s little sister.

The most unique aspect of this plot is having a brother pitted against his little sister. Mags is possessed by Death, one of the Four Horsemen signaling the apocalypse, and she becomes the main antagonist. Another god enters Alex’s body although Alex maintains control over his decisions and personality. He is endowed with the power of Sense but it doesn’t seem like much compared to Death’s ability to kill and destroy with a wave of the hand. Alex continues to have faith that Mags is still in her body even though Death is wreaking chaos across Los Angeles. It’s strange to combat a demon that happens to be living within his little sister.

Books involving godlike characters with magical powers usually take place in imaginary worlds but this story is set in modern-day California among humans. Death, Famine, Pestilence, and War take over a local news broadcast and Alex is restricted to common forms of transportation to fight them. How does a person get across town through snarled traffic in order to have a showdown with the enemy forces? A simple problem like this adds a little humor and tension to the conflict. The famous Hollywood sign becomes headquarters for the Four Horsemen where they face off against the army’s soldiers, helicopters, and tanks. Alex and his friends ride their bikes or have Mr. Dexter, a teacher, drive around in a mini-Cooper while their foes are transported among the shadows.

What didn’t work as well:

There’s a lot going on in the plot but it sometimes moves too slowly. There are various subplots providing backstories on the characters and events but the actual conflict with the Four Horsemen is put on the back burner. However, this book is the first in a series and is setting the backdrop for future episodes. The history behind all of the characters and events in the book will be important to know in the book’s sequel.

The final verdict:

An important internal conflict concerns Alex’s lack of confidence which includes admitting to others that he’s gay. His battle against Death is complicated since he doesn’t want to harm the possessed body of his little sister. The overall adventure should entertain middle-grade readers and I recommend you give it a shot.