William Wenton #2: William Wenton and the Secret Portal by Bobbie Peers

My name is William Wenton, and Abraham's body has been stolen from the Institute's cryogenic lab. My grandfather sent me back there after I nearly passed out while on a television show. A high-pitched sound causes the seizures, and I've been getting a vision of a gold ring floating inside a Himalayan cave. I can tell it's upset Goffman and Professor Bengamin, and I now know why. Abraham has been taken to the portal by a robotic assassin named Cornelia, and I think it has something to do with bringing more luridium to earth. The supermetal creates a robotic connection to living organisms, and that can't be a good thing for mankind; it nearly wiped out all humans over three-hundred million years ago. Since I'm the one who was tricked into activating the portal, Goffman says I'm the only one who can stop Abraham.

This series will not appeal to everyone, but I find it interesting. William's body is 49% luridium which gives him a super-ability to break codes. However, several times the book says it's unclear what will happen if he becomes 50% luridium; it's possible the material will take control of his mind. The most enjoyable part of the book is the myriad of new inventions. The characters wear suits that can change and adapt to whatever is needed, and the assassin has a detachable hand that can wreak havoc. There are robots for guarding secure places, escorting people through hallways, and William even has a talking door. The robots are able to speak and possess their own thoughts and feelings, so William learns to manipulate their gullibility. The plot moves along fairly quickly, and it's clear another sequel will follow. There's some tragedy during the book's climax, but it's semi-reversed during the resolution. The book didn't knock my socks off, but I've enjoyed the series so far. You'll like it too if you have a love for robotics.