Airman by Eoin Colfer

My name is Conor, and I don't know how my life changed so quickly. I became royalty for saving Princess Isabella's life, I was pursuing my life's dream to fly, and I finally told Isabella how I felt about her. Then, I witnessed the murder of the king and my teacher, but I was the one accused of the crimes. I was called a traitor, and even my own father wanted me dead. That's how I ended up in Little Saltee, the island prison of the nation. The prisoners are forced to mine for diamonds underwater, and my number one goal has been to survive. My first challenge is to keep a gang leader from killing me before I have a chance to adapt to prison life. However, it's important to have a goal in mind, and I refuse to spend the rest of my life in these mines. I will escape one day, and I'll do it by flying.

This story grabbed my attention right away, perhaps because I just finished reading the Matt Cruse series about the early years of flying. However, the book didn't involve much flying overall. Conor is a fantastic character due to his endearing personality. He's born into a perfect situation among royalty and privilege, and he could have become a spoiled brat due to his handsome appearance. However, he's blessed with empathy toward others, curiosity, and a willingness to work and learn. His heart's desire is to fly, and he's blessed with creative intelligence that can make that desire come true. The book is a contrast between two settings and stories. The first half describes Conor's life growing up, while the second half entails his imprisonment and struggle to survive. This journey takes him from the age of ten to the age of seventeen. The middle-grade novel became a book for young adults. My favorite parts are Conor's relationships with other characters. He tolerates and uses one of the guards even though the guy is a blowhard bully. The encounter with the gang leader leads to an unexpected "friendship", or maybe partnership is a better description. Overall, this book will be entertaining for young adults, and I recommend you give it a shot. I feel like there should be a sequel, but I guess it will never be coming.

The Overthrow #2: Hatch by Kenneth Oppel

My name is Seth, and the military has imprisoned Petra, Anaya, and me. I understand our hybrid DNA makes us different, but we're the ones who discovered a way to kill the black grass. Ritter runs this secret place, and he's crazy enough to be frightening. There are three types of hybrids: fliers, swimmers, and runners. Ritter is testing our abilities, but it's not hard to imagine he'll want to experiment on us too. A cryptogen in space, Terra, has contacted Anaya telepathically and says she wants to help. She says an army of aliens will be invading soon, and the fliers are the ones leading the attack. I've noticed the other fliers and I have unique abilities, but we aren't the dangerous ones? Esta is pretty intense, but that's only because she's scared, right? I'm not sure who the enemy is anymore. The cryptogens or Ritter? 

You really need to read the first book to fully understand what's going on. This one picks up right where the first book left off. Most of it takes place at the secret military base, although the action moves outdoors later in the book. The tension among the dozens of hybrid kids is the focus of the conflict even though an alien attack is imminent. Terra reveals the fliers control the runners and swimmers on their planet by using a sound weapon unique to their species. This fact plants a seed of distrust among the kids, especially between Seth, Anaya, and Petra. Esta is a new character, and she instigates new problems due to her anger. Petra's character has always been fragile due to her insecurities, and her physical changes are wearing on her nerves. It's a struggle to maintain her humanity while realizing she's become more like the cryptogens. Anaya's communications with Terra create an internal conflict, as she's not sure if the alien can be trusted. She wants to trust Terra, but most everyone else thinks she's being manipulated to give up information. In the end, the hybrid kids aren't sure who can be trusted even though they want to help fight the aliens. Most humans fear and hate them anyhow. I wish the plot moved a little quicker, but I'm curious about what will unfold in the sequel.

The Imaginary Veterinarian #1: The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors

My name is Ben, and my parents forced me to spend the summer with my grandfather while they "work through some things." Buttonville was a very boring town, but I found something that changed my mind. My grandfather's cat caught a baby dragon! It had a damaged wing and a puncture wound from the cat's teeth, so I took it to the abandoned button factory. I noticed the guy helping the worm doctor had a recipe for artificial dragon's milk, so I thought his boss, Dr. Woo, might be able to help. I was glad Pearl came with me because the factory was awfully spooky. However, I made a big mistake that changed everything. I thought the front door was closed enough, but I was wrong. The next thing we knew, an alarm was going off announcing Sasquatch had left the building!

This book tells a cute story that can be read quickly. The chapters are very short, usually too short. The story moves along quickly and creates a humorous adventure. It's surprising how the kids can find a baby dragon, but it's not even the focus of the plot. Ben and Pearl are tasked with retrieving the sasquatch, although they are given a kit to help them out. The short book means there's no time to fully develop characters, but Pearl being a troublemaker is repeatedly hammered home. A girl finding ways to entertain herself in a boring, small town is a better description though. Dr. Woo doesn't make an appearance until the book's resolution, but her assistant Mr. Tabby is clearly not human. He talks about the Imaginary and Real worlds, not very creative names, but the book doesn't provide much detail about what's really going on. Why are imaginary creatures here, and how do they go between worlds? This book is for upper elementary or young middle-grade readers, as it presents a simple, funny adventure. Give it a shot if you're looking for a quick read about a sasquatch.

Matt Cruse #3: Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel

My name is Tobias, and I met Matt while training to become one of the first astralnauts going into space. Everyone knows about his high-elevation adventures, including killing a famous pirate and boarding a ghost ship. He's become my best friend since I'm more used to exploring underwater rather than traveling up above the clouds. We don't know how many of us will make the voyage, there are a hundred other candidates here, but we're sure these two cocky air force recruits will make it. Matt has trouble with one of the required tasks, but he's awesome up in the air. People are a little nervous because the Babelites are threatening to stop the launch; Matt already thwarted their bombing in Paris. We have enough to worry about with surviving space and any creatures we might find up there, so we don't need to add the Babelites to our problems.

You can probably enjoy this book independently, but I recommend you read the previous two books. The first half of the book describes the training camp being used to choose the astralnauts who will control the ship, while the second half gets into the adventure of traveling to space. Matt's girlfriend Kate comes along, so their ongoing romance adds complications, especially since she's now engaged to someone else. This relationship is the only thing making the book young adult instead of middle grade. Kate is on board to explore new space life, and her biggest critic is also a passenger. He's a pompous man with an exaggerated sense of self-worth, so he adds humor to the story. I've enjoyed the "realism" of the first two books since they stretch the limits of scientific possibilities. This book is more fantastic. While the ship and creatures are based on science, they almost go beyond what my brain accepts as science fiction. The author creates a good deal of drama with character interactions, terrorist threats, and obstacles arising during the adventure. He includes details in the story, so the characters' decisions and problem-solving aren't unexpected. Overall, I've enjoyed the series and recommend lovers of science fiction give it shot. 

The Undertakers #5: End of the World by Ty Drago

My name is Will, and traveling thirty years into the future was surprising and demoralizing. I knew I was jumping in time, but I didn't expect the Corpses to have killed almost all of the humans on earth. My best friend had died for nothing. After awaking in the future, the first person I met was my "little" sister, who was now older than me! Most of the people I knew were now dead, and all of the Undertakers were gone. No one had the Sight anymore, and no one was trained to fight the Corpses. With billions of Corpses walking the earth, and less than a thousand humans still alive, I wondered why I was brought to the future. What difference could a fourteen-year-old kid make? I finally met the new Chief, which was a huge surprise, and he shared Phase 3 of the plan to defeat the Corpses. It seemed crazy and impossible, but I was the key to its success.

This book concludes the series, and I have mixed thoughts. My biggest issue is time-traveling; I'm not usually a big fan. This twist is a huge deviation from the previous four books about Corpses attacking humans on earth. Walking dead is one thing, but time travel is a whole new subtopic in speculative fiction. Previous books hinted at it, but why go full-blown into such a different concept to end the series? With that being said, this book is very interesting and entertaining, if it's accepted as a related, but very different, part of the series. The contrast between past characters and their future selves is compelling, although many of them perished in the Second Corpse War. Helene and Sharyn are there, but they've undergone huge changes. The origins of Sight and Will's dreams are shared, and the plan for Phase 3 is the focus of the last third of the book. The author does a great job of introducing twists, as the plot nears its climax. Another mole arises, and characters are forced to risk their lives. Their fates aren't finally revealed until the book reaches its resolution. It's mostly a happy ending. Overall, I've enjoyed the whole series and highly recommend you give it a shot. You'll need to enjoy monsters and zombie-like creatures, but it's worth your attention.

Mars Patel #1: The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheelah Chari

My name is Mars, and kids all over the world are disappearing, including my friends Aurora and Jonas. Does it have anything to do with Oliver Pruitt and his school, Pruitt Prep? I love listening to his podcasts, but it feels like I'm hearing warnings that affect our lives at H.G. Wells Middle School. The podcast said something big was going to happen, and then our school had a Code Red. Is Pruitt helping us for some reason? If so, why do I also feel like he's a dangerous man with a secret plan? Everyone at school, including the principal and teachers, is anxiously preparing for the upcoming GIFT that will determine which students are accepted to Pruitt Prep. Like all kids, I've always wanted to attend the school, but now I'm not so sure. I promised to find my missing friends, and I never break a promise.

I liked this book, but it left me wanting a bit more. I enjoyed the loyalty displayed by Mars and his friends, and they each had an ability to make them unique. JP was the athletic one, but he/she was dealing with a gender-identity question. The author used pronouns like they and their when referring to JP. Toothpick was the brainy one and provided knowledge and inventions to the group. Caddie could sense the feelings and thoughts of others, and Mars especially needed to adapt to this ability. He had unexpected feelings toward Caddie that she knew about before he even had time to think of them. I wish the author had taken more time to develop the characters, since it was difficult to make connections. Their lives beyond the group were vague. Aurora's character was strange, because she was never part of the actual story. She was the focus of the plot's conflict, but she didn't interact with the other characters. Pruitt's role was compelling because it wasn't clear if he was a protagonist or an antagonist. I didn't care for the book's resolution, since it seemed it was only a stepping stone to the sequel. I guess the conflict was resolved, but many important questions remained. Overall, I enjoyed the book, so give it a shot. Perhaps my concerns won't affect you in the same way.

Matt Cruse #2: Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel

My name is Matt, and I'm sure you've heard of the ghost ship Hyperion. The airship full of treasure disappeared forty years ago, but I actually saw it drifting twenty thousand feet above the earth!  Kate is determined to find the ship and claim the remains of unknown creatures, but I want to get a share of the money. I guess I love her, but I know she'll like me better if I'm wealthy. The cold and lack of oxygen will likely kill anyone venturing that high in the sky, but I'm the only person alive with any idea of where to find the Hyperion. Finding a ship and captain willing to take us will be difficult, and finding someone honorable will make it even harder. Then there's Nadira. This beautiful gypsy girl saved me from bandits, but I feel like she's hiding something. She says we'll need the key she got from her father, but can we trust her?

You can enjoy this book without reading Airborn first. The story reads like a middle grade book, although the main characters are around sixteen years old. The relationship between Matt and Kate is more mature than middle grade, and it creates an ongoing bit of tension between them. The most interesting part of the whole book is the blend of simple and complex machines. The airships are basically blimps, but the technology on them is more advanced. An invention found on the Hyperion has never been seen before and becomes the focus of the plot. The author poses the possibility that high elevations hold undiscovered animals, much like strange fish are found in the ocean's depths. Of course, a few eventually make an appearance to complicate matters. Nadira's secret is predictable, but it creates further doubts about her loyalty to the mission. Overall, this is an entertaining book of adventure and romance above the clouds. Most of the story takes place on an upscale airship that is captained by a young man determined to find treasure. Give the book a shot if you enjoy plots that include action and creativity.

The Undertakers #4: Last Siege of Haven by Ty Drago

My name is Jessica, and I couldn't believe the monsters I saw in school today. Will, an Undertaker like my sister Helene, said they were called Corpses, but my principal surprised him. My principal was a Corpse, but he wanted to help us! I'm not sure how we survived all of the Corpses dressed liked cops or the Queens special weapons. Will kept saying the rules had changed, and the Queen was using strategies he'd never seen before. I thought we'd be safe once we reached Haven, but we're not. The Queen now knows where the Undertakers are hiding, and Tom thinks it's only a matter of time before she launches and all-out attack. Will is the Corpses' boogeyman, since he always manages to find a way to defeat them. I hope he has one more miracle left or else we're all doomed. 

Each book in the series has added new characters and problems that made them all unique. I've admired the author's willingness to take risks to create highly unexpected twists to the plot. The prince took the overall war between the Malum and humans to a different place, as he shared new information that might help the Undertakers. However, the Queen of the Corpses discovered the Undertakers' hideout at the end of the previous book, and she brought relentless killers into the world, determined to slaughter all humans. The Queen enjoyed punishing and destroying her own Malum which helped to showcase the ruthlessness of her species. Will and the Queen have developed a rivalry which personalized the overall conflict. The Malum had never faced opposition like the Undertakers, and Will was always the cause of their defeats. The plot was clearly headed to an "ultimate" showdown, but the book's resolution revealed a situation that will require time travel. I've enjoyed the author's twists throughout the series, but time travel is a huge difference. I don't generally choose time-traveling books, but I still plan to read the sequel, End of the World. Give the series a shot if you're interested in a twist on books with zombies or aliens.

The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity

My name is Abby, and I've always wanted to become an Aesir like my mom, a special Viking warrior who protects humans from the Grendel. However, my mom died four years ago, and I've never shown any abilities that might make me an Aesir. There hadn't been any Grendel sightings in years, but I'm almost sure I was attacked by one in my home. So, my father was moving us to Minnesota for protection when we were attacked by a huge guy on a motorcycle with no eyes. My dad's now in a coma, and the doctors don't have much hope he'll come out of it. I've got to save him, and I think my two friends and I may have found a way to do it. We've found a journal written by an old botanist, and it seems to have clues that might lead us to a cure for his poisoning. However, the clues may also lead us to our deaths.

I enjoy middle grade books about mythology, and this book was right up my alley. Abby's character struggled through the whole story trying to hold onto hope that she could become an Aesir. Despite the doubt she encountered, she still displayed signs that gave her hope. Abby's friends included a Valkyrie (with a secret), and a non-Viking student. Abby's love for her father was the emotion that kept her going, and her friends added support and humor to the happenings. The Grey Council ruled to disband the Aesirs, but a lot of questions surrounded this decision. It seemed the Grendel still existed, and there was something hidden within Abby's new school. The Grey Council wanted to keep it all quiet, but Abby couldn't abandon her mother's life work. The plot evolved into a mystery of sorts, and the whole story resulted in an exciting adventure that will be continued in a sequel. It's clear the Grendel will continue in the series, and many questions still remain. I recommend you give this book a shot if exciting stories of Norse mythology interest you. I'm looking forward to the next book, although I have no idea what it might be called or when it might be published. 

I Can See Clearly: Rise of a Supernatural Hero by James A. Cusumano

My name is Luc, and it's hard to believe I died. Don't worry, the doctors saved me, but I now have some new abilities that I can't explain. I can tell what's going to happen, my mind can leave my body to explore other places, and I have other powers that scare me. The CIA found out, and they're blackmailing me to do remote spying in China. However, I feel like my handler is holding something back, and I'm not sure I trust her. All of the things happening are confusing and overwhelming, and I wish I could talk to someone who knows what's going on. My best friend Bella thinks a visiting monk may be the one, so I'll give it a shot. I've got to do something before I kill someone.

I received an ARC from a friend, and I discovered it didn't really fit with most of the books I review. It was definitely for young adults, not middle grade. Luc went through a near death experience, an NDE, and emerged with the powers mentioned above. The book went a step further and made him an Avatar, a person put on earth to improve mankind, like Jesus and Buddha. The story continually said it's more about spirituality and philosophy, not religion, and that's how it came across. It was a way of thinking and discovering our inner selves. If that sounds pretty deep, well, it is. My biggest concern with the book was that the pace dragged in the middle pages. The monk's lessons for Luc were very long and detailed, and they were not easily grasped. Even Luc needed breaks! With that being said, the conflict with the CIA guided the overall story and was very compelling. It was clear something else was going on, but what? Personal relationships with Bella and Eric added to the story. Was Bella Luc's best friend or something more? Eric's character underwent a huge transformation following his violent, first appearance. Overall, this was an entertaining book, but it will most appeal to young adults. 

Spy School #9 : Spy School at Sea by Stuart Gibbs

My name is Mike, and I finally get to have a brother I like! Ben and I are pretending to be part of Erica's family, so we can snoop around a giant cruise ship in Guatemala looking for Murray Hill. I know Murray was another student at the CIA's spy school for kids, but he's been amassing money while being a traitor to different criminal organizations. We don't know what evil he's planning now, but Ben knows him better than anyone. Ben thinks he might have seen Dane Brammage on the ship which would be terrible since Dane's tried killing Ben on several occasions. However, Dane fell to his death on our last mission in Paris, didn't he? Erica will be just as dangerous as Dane if she finds out the secret Ben and I are keeping. We need to stay focused on Murray though. Can his plans have anything to do with the cruise ship itself?

I received an ARC for this book, and I've enjoyed the whole series since it started. Ben was the main character with ordinary spy skills, a talent for thinking, and a huge crush on Erica, a super-talented student-spy with a family legacy for spying. The possibility of Ben and Erica becoming a couple was an ongoing subplot, and this book didn't provide any clarity until the final pages. Ben and Mike kept a secret from her that created a book-long air of uncertainty that could have popped up into a big problem at any time. The book was written to entertain, and the zany mission did not disappoint. Murray was an inept, sloppy villain, there were chase scenes through buffet tables, and characters added snarky comments. It was a spy adventure modified to appeal to younger readers. The kids had typical boy/girl issues, the story never became stagnant, and as always, the conflict dealt with a major disaster, saving the world, or political/corporate corruption. The plot had the same format as earlier books, so the book felt familiar. However, this familiarity made the book feel less creative or new. Overall, I'm enjoying the series, and a few things happened at the end of the book that give me hope that the sequel will be a little different. 

Dread Watch by Jared Agard

My name is Caleb, and I must get my hands on the pocket watch hidden in the train museum. Austin says he feels an evil presence lurking in there, but the watch will help with all of my problems. My mom wants me to go see my dad, but I'm afraid. The accident was my fault, and I don't want to deal with the feelings battling within me. Everything will be better if I can just get my hands on the watch. However, I think Lilly has the same feelings, and I've got to stop her from getting to it first. As it turns out, we fought over the watch and grabbed it at the same time. I'm not sure what happened, but we woke up in a dark place surrounded by black water. I think we're inside the watch! We must find a way out of here, but our fear may lead to our deaths. 

I received an ARC from BookSirens. This book told a ghost story with some added twists. The watch was possessed by a spirit that gained strength from the fear of others. Dealing with those fears was at the heart of the story, and it took a six-year-old to teach the characters how to face them. Caleb experienced different feelings regarding his father, and Lilly had her own issues related to her parents. The setting changed when Caleb and Lilly touched the watch and entered the world within. The world was based on fear, and Caleb needed to understand how it all began. What made it "tick"? Everything changed when any of the characters became upset, and things got even worse when they started to feel despair. The author was able to create eeriness and suspense immediately in the prologue, and it was amazing how he maintained that intensity throughout. There weren't many opportunities to stop and catch your breath. The story was told from Caleb's point of view, so readers could experience the character's terror and anger, and his battle to maintain hope. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much as it evoked many emotions. I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened its cover, but it didn't disappoint. I strongly recommend you give it a shot. 

The Overthrow #1: Bloom by Kenneth Oppel

My name is Anaya, and I'm allergic to everything. I can't believe my old best friend, Petra, gets all kinds of sympathy from everyone when she only has one allergy. I guess it's bad that she's allergic to water, but her good looks make up for it. My dad's a botanist for the Canadian government, and he's stumped by the terrifying black grass that grew four feet tall overnight. It's all over the world and there aren't any weed-killers that will stop it. Burning it makes things worse, and everyone is now becoming very ill from the plants. Well, everyone except for Petra, Seth, and me, but no one knows why. Now, the plants are changing. We were wrong in thinking the clear areas were safe, as underground plants are swallowing up animals and people! What can be done to stop these plants from taking over the world?

The book followed the stories of the three kids. The girls shared being afflicted by severe allergies, but the middle of the book described how all three of them had something else in common. The early parts of the plot weren't very exciting or suspenseful, as the black grass was just a serious annoyance. However, the tension amped up when it was clear the humans had no answer for them, and the survival of humanity was in jeopardy. A subplot addressed the common middle grade problem of friendship. Petra and Anaya used to be best friends until they weren't able to recover from misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Seth had been in many foster homes over the years, and he hoped that his current placement with an elderly couple would work out. These stories provided relief from the black grass problem to keep the plot from starting to drag or become boring. They also helped to make the characters more vulnerable and relatable to readers. The last third of the book became more intense, as the plants started killing people and destroying property. The kids became the center of experiments to find a way to stop them, but their additional differences will be very important in the future. Overall, this book became much more entertaining than I first expected, although killer plants won't appeal to everyone. I still recommend you give it a shot and see if it grabs you. 

The Undertakers #3: The Secret of the Corpse Eater by Ty Drago

My name is Sharyn, and I'm pissed that Jillian has joined the Undertakers. I never would have believed she'd become a seer after we left her years ago, but Will and Helene helped her escape the Corpses and brought her here. She has startling news about a well-known U.S. senator, so Will and I are headed to Washington, D.C. Actually, the "angel" in Will's vision said I should go with him, but we don't know what we're supposed to do. Wearing a blue blazer, a skirt, and make-up all day is going to drive me crazy! I'd rather stay in Haven, especially with all the things going on back there. Will's mom is having a hard time adjusting, and the healing crystal's reaction to an experiment ended fatally. The war with the Corpses has dramatically changed since Will arrived, and Tom thinks he's at the center of everything. What makes Will so different?

This book differed from the previous books in that it introduced new characters and conflicts and jumped into the action starting on page one. These changes introduced a freshness to the series at a point where some series start to get a little stagnant. It made it more interesting and explained some details about the Malum invasion not covered in the first two books. The Queen of the Corpses had a sister, and they had issues that couldn't be resolved. There was also some kind of creature running loose that attacked the Deaders, but the vague descriptions kept it mysterious until the second half of the book. This character became the focus of the plot and climax. Will's mom tried to change the Undertakers since they're all kids, but she slowly came to realize she needed to accept this new reality. Corpses existed, and the Undertakers were the only ones able to save all humans. You should read the first two books, although this book includes some useful information about past events. You actually might be able to start with this third book, since the new characters make it almost feel like a new series. However, you'll miss the history of the Undertakers. Overall, I know this series won't appeal to everyone, but I'm enjoying this twist on zombie stories.

The League of Beastly Dreadfuls #3: The Witch's Glass by Holly Grant

My name is Anastasia, and I'll never stop searching for my missing father. My grandfather's tattoo is the key, but no one knows where he is either. However, the Beastly Dreadfuls are helping me find clues, but we're finding ourselves in forbidden territory. My friends and I have found journals in the office of Calixto Swift, the wizard who did the Dastardly Deed that started the Perpetual War. Anything dealing with witches is now forbidden in Nowhere Special, so we'll be in big trouble if anyone discovers we're here, especially my grandmother, the queen. I still don't see myself as the crown princess in Nowhere Special, and I know it makes my aunt angry. The queen is worried the witches will send armies back to reclaim this land, so she wants higher taxes to bolster our own forces. I'm feeling an urgency to find my father, and I'm worried that something huge is going to happen soon. 

It will probably be best if you read the earlier books first, although I hadn't read them in awhile. This book read like an adventure mystery, as the kids snuck around trying to collect clues to find Anastasia's grandfather. The biggest revelations in the story provided information about the dispute between witches and Morfos, the inhabitants of Nowhere Special able to transform into some type of animal. Anastasia had an internal conflict, as she tried to adjust to morphing into a bat. Silver was normally harmful, maybe deadly, to Morfos, so the fact that silver didn't affect her signaled she was significantly different. The expected truth was revealed near the end. The overall conflict was/is the Perpetual War between Morfos and Witches, although the dispute wasn't as clear as it seemed. The queen and some other leaders wanted to raise taxes in order to bolster their defenses, since they expected witches to invade in the near future. Anastasia uncovered some inconsistencies in the history she'd learned in school, so there's sure to be a major revelation soon. This will undoubtedly involve the disappearances of her grandfather and father, and the questions surrounding Calixto Swift. I recommend you give the series a shot. 

Oliver Blue and the School for Seers #2: The Orb of Kandra by Morgan Rice

My name is Esther, and Oliver's plans to save his mentor have been sidetracked since the Orb of Kandra was stolen from the School for Seers. The school will implode and be destroyed if the orb isn't returned in twenty-four hours. We have the only school for seers, or so we've been told, but it looks like seers may have taken the orb. Oliver's specialism is atomic, the most powerful specialty, and he's the only one who can get the orb back. I'm happy to help and Ralph has joined us too. It looks like we'll need to visit Sir Isaac Newton, so we'll be time-traveling back to the 1690's. The jumps through portals have been making me weaker, but I can't tell Oliver what's really going on. He has enough to worry about, especially now that his brother Chris has shown up helping the Obsidian students. How is that even possible? You can't make someone a seer, so what have they done to Chris?

You need to read this series from the beginning. The seers are able to manipulate their environments based on their specialties, although it comes across as almost magical. I like Oliver's character and his relationship with Esther. He comes from an abusive background, but this book introduces the probability that he hasn't been raised by his actual parents. Time travel is the backbone of the plot, as there are opposing groups battling to maintain and disrupt history. The Obsidian school is introduced as the antagonists, but the big surprise is the reappearance of Oliver's brother. He adds a personal twist to the overall conflict. The thing that most bugs me about the book is how quickly Oliver has mastered his atomic specialty. No one else has that power, so he isn't trained at all, but his body seems to have miraculously enabled him to easily transform things at their atomic level. There's been a minimal learning curve. Despite that, I've enjoyed the overall story of trying to preserve the integrity of historical events. It's easy to connect with Oliver, and he's a bit of a renegade like many middle grade heroes. I'm a little bummed my library system doesn't have the rest of the books in the series, and I can only find them offered for purchase through Kindle or Amazon. 

The Undertakers #2: Queen of the Dead by Ty Drago

My name is Helene, and the Corpses have a new leader. This woman also wants to destroy all humans, but we can't figure out how she plans to do it. She had her Deaders capture an FBI agent, and he's being kept in the abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary. What do they want with him? The Chief decided we need to go on the offensive, so I'm on a rescue mission with Sharyn, Will, and the Burgermeister. However, things have gone terribly wrong. We've found the FBI agent, but Sharyn's been seriously injured. We don't know if the Chief's sister will survive, and we need to find a way out of the penitentiary. The Ritter is a new weapon that gives us a chance to actually kill Deaders, but will it be enough to safe humanity?

You should read the first book before reading this sequel. The summary above shares the gist of the plot, but details make the book more entertaining. Most humans can't see Corpses through their "Masks", but Undertakers are kids with the ability to see their true, undead form. Consequently, Deaders are able to exist among humans, and they hold many positions of power, including the police. The Undertakers use unique inventions made from common materials, and luckily, one of the kids is the son of a surgeon. The book includes plenty of action, but the character interactions make it most interesting. Will's father founded the Undertakers and was the only adult able to see the Corpses. Will has a connection to a "guardian angel", although it's unclear where she comes from. She allows Will to ask one question per book, so the author provides crumbs about what's going on. There are still many unanswered questions, but the Ritter offers a hope for success. Some new characters are added to the series, so it will be interesting to see how that changes future events. Overall, I'm enjoying the series and recommend you give it a shot.