My name is Fergie, and Professor Childermass shared a strange story about Johnny's grandfather. He apparently angered a man named Warren Windrow when he wouldn't allow his baseball team to use Windrow's pitching robot. The weird thing was the robot looked human, but nobody could figure out how Windrow did it. Now, fifty years later, a pro baseball player is offering $10,000 to anyone who can strike him out, and the professor has an idea the old robot might be able to do it. However, things are getting spookier as we gather more clues about the robot, and it seems the eyes have something to do with the its animation. Then, we discovered a mysterious, 50-year old pawn ticket for a walking cane with a sword hidden inside. What could this clue have to do with the robot? And Johnny feels like someone's been watching him, but why would anyone do that?
As with the other books in the series, this one should be read independently from the previous three. The characters don't recall any of their past experiences in dealing with demons and spirits, although in this book they quickly accept the possibility of magic. Johnny has always been the victim in the books, and that problem continues. The root of the conflict this time stems from revenge, not the deep dark evil found in previous plots. While I've mostly enjoyed the series so far, I must admit the predictable events and format have became a little monotonous. A book begins with a strange story, Johnny gets into trouble, the professor comes to the rescue. You can easily enjoy the books individually, but at some point you'll probably become a bit bored. Consequently, if you haven't read any of the other Johnny Dixon books, go ahead and try this one. You'll like it.
My name is Jack, and Superior Blue believes I'm the Guardian prophesied by the monks who founded the Hadley Academy. He even created a thirteenth team of recruits and found three more dormants to join me. However, dormants are powerless, and we were only given three days to weaponize the abilities we hadn't discovered yet. Impossible? No, Freddy, Asha, and Voss did it, so they became improbables. But the Dome still wouldn't allow us to enter for a simulation, since I was still dormant. Then something strange happened. The Dome summoned us during the night and dropped us into an unexpected simulation. Instead of the farm scene, we confronted Wyeth and his reapers and discovered he's now able to darken humans. When we exited the Dome, there was no record of our experience. Most improbables think Wyeth is dead, but what if he's not? How am I supposed to end the Reaper War without a blade?
This book had familiar characters discovering new powers in order to save the world. The first half of the book was fairly predictable, but the second half was much more interesting. Underlying stories were revealed, and good and bad characters seemed to shift. Jack was clearly the main character, but his role as the Guardian was fuzzier. His blade (special ability) wouldn't break through, so how was he supposed to be the one to stop Wyeth? The answer was a huge surprise. The unpredictability of the plot and the conflict with Wyeth made this book special. He was able to transform "good guys" into reapers and darkened, so his forces continued to grow while the opposition's numbers shrunk. No one at the Hadley Academy was able to locate him, but he was somehow able to speak in Jack's head. This mystery continued throughout the plot until it reached its climax. As a reader, I kept wondering where Wyeth could be hiding. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, whenever it's finally published.
My name is Professor Childermass, and I've somehow gotten myself into a frightening situation. Johnny and I had gone on a short visit into northern New Hampshire where we were stuck my a fireside at the inn. The owner said he had a haunted Childermass clock in the corner, and he said it had been left on his doorstep. Well, the clock made by my father contained a miniature replica of the room where my great uncle had mysteriously died, but I still wasn't sure why it included a tiny skull on a shelf. The next morning, Johnny looked very tired but wouldn't tell me what was bothering him. No, it was like he couldn't tell me. I thought he was a little crazy when he asked about a Jack-o-Lantern in my upstairs window, but I now know something strange is going on. The last thing I remember is screaming for help, as I was pulled into the mirror.
As with the second book in the series, this one makes no mention of the strange events from the previous books. Consequently, the books can be read independently and will probably make more sense that way. I haven't been able to figure out why the author hasn't allowed Johnny and the other characters to recall his past experiences with spirits, even though some situations are quite similar. Johnny's inability to discuss what he'd seen that night at the inn is almost identical to what happened to him in the first book. His grandma is unaware that Johnny snuck away in the previous two books to follow other bizarre clues. It feels weird if you've read the whole series. This book differs from the first two, because Johnny makes a friend of a similar age. The college professor has been Johnny's best and only friend in the past, so it's nice to see Johnny interact with another kid. The books are easy to read and move along quickly. They aren't very long, the stories are 100-150 pages, so readers should be able to stay engaged. Overall, I'm enjoying the series, despite my concerns, and I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Johnny Dixon, and I'm worried I'll be left alone. I live with my Grandma and Grandpa, and my dad enlisted to be a fighter pilot in the Korean War. Grandma has a tumor on her brain, so I'm really worried she might die. I've been obsessing over the clues for the lost Glomus will, and I just have to get the $10,000 for solving the mystery. Then, I can use the money to get Grandma the best doctors if her condition gets worse. The clues didn't make any sense to me until I took a Boy Scout camping trip up into the northern part of the state. We saw a castle-like house nearby, and I found out it belonged to the Glomus family. The nephew shared a story about the Guardian making people disappear, and I assumed it was a bunch of hooey. I changed my mind when I heard him scream, and no one has seen him since.
The thing that surprised me most about this book was that it didn't mention anything about the events from the first book. Johnny accidentally summoned an evil spirit in that one, but there were no references to it when things got a little eerie in this book. Johnny over-thought everything, again, and figured he was the only one who could help his Grandma. Of course, he couldn't tell anyone about his plans, because they'd only talk him out of it. The professor was an interesting character, since he was a crotchety old man who happened to be Johnny's best friend. He was sometimes brash and blunt, but he still displayed concern for Johnny's safety. Like in the first book, he introduced Johnny to a mystery and then proceeded to tell him to forget about it. The mystery of the will became an obsession for Johnny, and his quest to find it was pretty unrealistic. Not totally unbelievable, so it was okay. This series offers a nice transition into more serious ghost stories. The books aren't super childish, but they won't freak out young readers either. Overall, I've enjoyed the characters and stories, and I recommend you give them a shot.
My name is David Menlo, and Rowan's fleet of confiscated ships is headed for a showdown with the Demon Prusias. Max was sent to find help for Rowan's forces, and I hope my best friend is still well. He's suffered many severe injuries in the past, but it seems only a matter of time before he's inflicted with mortal wounds. Rumors say Prusias now has another secret weapon to penetrate our defenses, and I wish I knew more. Little Mina's powers saved us last time, but she's being held back to defend Rowan itself. I've been given new responsibilities, however I don't know if I'll be able to fulfill the duties. Many people already question my loyalties, but I'm not sure even my friends will understand and accept the secret I've been keeping. And through all of these problems, Astaroth is waiting to pounce on the survivors.
You must read the whole series in order, or you won't fully understand what is happening in this book. Also, most of the main characters are now in their upper teens. Although I've enjoyed the overall series, I must admit some parts of this book were a bit slow for me. The plot described the brewing war as both sides prepared, but this preparation made some events drag along. I understand why the author did it, but I didn't always like it. However, the final showdown of good versus evil was worth the wait. Max spent much of his time recruiting allies, while the clone assassins hunted him down. His unique healing ability allowed him to survive numerous lethal injuries in the past, and that trend continued. Since the beginning of the series, a power within Max has been struggling to erupt. It finally happened after a devastating loss. David used his powers to defend Rowan's fleet of ships, but then he prepared for the upcoming war. I assumed he'd play a bigger role in this plot due to his new responsibilities, and he finally did later in the book. The book's resolution brought everything to a satisfying conclusion. Max and Rowan finally found peace, although I won't say everyone lived happily ever after.
My name is Kiki, and Evan has been behaving very strangely recently. He's back to being moody, sits by himself at lunch, and gets real quiet when I'm with Ross. I get the Ross thing, since Ross used to torment and bully Evan. But even Arnold is having a hard time understanding him. I just found out Evan is sick again, so that explains a lot of what's going on. The other students don't know how to react, and that causes Evan even more anxiety. The students have recently gotten a bit distracted though, since Azalea came to our school. Arnold's done so well that the Territory decided they'd try assimilating another zombie into our town. Most people seem to be okay with that, but Dr. Grasmere is lurking around, determined to cause trouble.
You can probably enjoy this book without reading the first two books in the series, but I wouldn't recommend it. You'll miss all the fun! The premise of zombies living peacefully among humans is unique, as these zombies can only eat jelly beans. Dr. Grasmere has been the antagonist since page one of the first book, and he's returned to continue that role. He wanted to change the zombies into formidable warriors in the last book, but his motivation this time is unclear. It makes readers wonder what he's up to, although his conflict is mostly on the back burner. The plot focuses more on the return of Evan's illness and how he, along with others, react to the situation. Evan displays many common emotions, and his friends try to help him cope with them. The story of Azalea mirrors what Arnold's been going through since the beginning. She tries to understand humans, as they try to accept the presence of another zombie. Although the zombies are harmless, misinformation and preconceived ideas influence the behavior of some people. Overall, the series is fun to read and touches on some serious topics. I highly recommend you give it a shot!
