The world is changing: the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now, kids are disappearing. For 15-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside down when they are torn from their parents one night and slammed into a secret prison for no reason they can comprehend. The New Order, as it is known, is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager. But while trapped in this totalitarian nightmare, Wisty and Whit discover they have incredible powers they'd never dreamed of. Can this newly minted witch and wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?
EVERYTHING. CHANGES. NOW. Imagine you wake up and the world around you-life as you know it-has changed in an instant. That's what has happened to Whit Allgood and his sister, Whisty. They went to sleep as normal teenagers, and woke up as wanted criminals. Accused of holding incredible powers they'd never dreamed possible. And now, just how different they are-special, even-if just beginning to be revealed in a strange new world. It begins...now.
Publishers Weekly Patterson (the Maximum Ride books) and Charbonnet launch a new series about political and cultural oppression, which suffers from some questionable storytelling choices. Ordinary teenagers Whit and Wisty are taken from their house by representatives of the oppressive “New Order.” Accused of being a wizard and a witch, they're thrown in a dank prison to await execution. While there they begin to master previously unknown powers and, thanks to some otherworldly help, they manage to escape and are united with the resistance movement. The authors rely on coincidence and plot holes—each teen is allowed to bring one possession into the otherwise barbaric jail, and thus end up with magical implements. The story is further undercut by frequent recapping and short chapters, alternately narrated by the siblings, which break up the narrative for no perceivable reason. There's some fun world-building, including a stream of thinly disguised pop culture references in Wisty and Whit's alternate world (from the books of Gary Blotter to the artist Margie O'Greeffe), but even these are inconsistent (their world also includes Red Bull and the adjective Dickensian) and come across as groaners. Ages 10-up. (Dec.)
More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography Not making any bones about his bid for success, James Patterson once declared he wanted to be known as ?the king of the page-turners.? While that may seem like a pretty grand ambition, Patterson is as worthy of that title as any author working today.More About the AuthorCustomer ReviewsReader Rating: Ratings: 257Reviews: 56See All Reviewshookedby Anonymous Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings January 21, 2010:
i have never read any of Patterson's books before and this was my first and now i love his work. this book has many twists and turns plus is exciting with sister-brotherly love. the strenghth of family is a powerful thing-helps if you're magical I Also Recommend: A Crack in the Line (Withern Rise Series #1), Shiver, Magic or Madness (Magic or Madness Trilogy Series #1). A Disappointmentby Morgayne Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings January 21, 2010:
Having only read 1 or 2 other titles by Patterson, I didn't have any terribly strong expectations going in, but I was very disappointed with what I found. The writing was definitely not what I expected - it seemed almost forced. The plot stumbled - rushing through certain things, but dragging on others. I have read some novels that alternate viewpoints successfully - this was not one of them.Not only could I not wait to get the pain of the reading over (I hate to not finish a book), but I was horrified to realize that there would be more titles coming! Would definitely not recommend to anyone. :(
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