Rieden Reece and the Final Flower (Rieden Reece 2) by Matt Guzman

What worked:

The most striking thing is how Rieden’s character has changed since the first book. His superior attitude toward everyone else made him very obnoxious and unlikeable, but his twin brother is even more condescending. Rob’s been missing for a month but reconnects with Ri using a futuristic “watch”. In that short amount of time, Rob has become an important figure across universes and has access to incredible technology. Ri notices his brother seems a little different from when they were last together. Rob informs Ri that he must save Earth from an alien invasion and destruction, although the details aren’t clear. The friction between Ri and Rob continues throughout most of the plot until it reaches a climactic moment.

This book will challenge readers’ creativity. Using technology, Ri can communicate with any living thing, including plants! He’s initially startled when weeds complain about being stepped on, but a patch of dahlias shares great wisdom and a peek at the future. His physical size shrinks to the size of a bug to escape the attack of laser-shooting drones. Rob’s image is projected as a blue hologram that only Ri can see, and he monitors Ri’s surroundings using his equipment. He also projects tentacles that help to protect Ri from various dangers. Ri finds himself projected across universes later in the book, even though he has no idea how he gets there. Some humans become “zombie” field workers, and Ri’s teachers may be aliens in disguise. Ri must track down the Plague Doctor in charge, but readers will discover later that there is someone else who may be more dangerous than him.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers must have a tolerance for wackiness along with an openness for unusual ideas. On the other hand, the story also dips into abstract concepts and gets a little philosophical. This book is not for passive readers, as it requires them to think critically. There’s so much going on that some parts are confusing.

The final verdict:

The frequent transitions between action, philosophy, and Ri’s reflecting will take getting used to. Some readers may find it disrupts the flow of the plot, but everything builds to an exciting climax. I recommend you try this book for yourself.