Michael Vey: The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans and Speculation by Nisi Shawl

 

Last Friday, I finished reading Michael Vey: The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans and Speculation by Nisi Shawl. As the ninth book in the Michael Vey series, The Traior continues right where the eight book, The Parasite, left off. Michael has just learned that his friend, Jack, has betrayed them and Tara is still captured by the Elite Elgen Guard Unit, the Chasqui, and their leader, Sovereign Amash. When Michael's girlfriend, Taylor, surrenders herself during a battle against the Chasqui, the Electroclan has to find a way to rescue her and Tara, even if it means fighting Jack. On top of that, they have to stop the Chasqui's plans to destroy the city of Arequipa by working with the Alpha Team. With two missions, the Electroclan decide to split up to save their friends and Arequipa.

I thought this book was an awesome addition to the Michael Vey series. It was action-packed and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, wondering if Michael and the Electroclan would succeed. A big reveal towards the beginning of the book left me quite relieved, but there were some twists later on. As the Electroclan and the Alpha Team were carrying out their missions, another friend disappeared and I had no idea if he was a traitor or a hostage. The consequences ended up being devastating, though, and the heroes experienced loss. Additionally, the end of The Traitor left a loose thread for the tenth book and I can't wait to read it. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who has enjoyed the Michael Vey series from the beginning.

The second book I read, Speculation, is a historical fantasy taking place in 1962 about Winna Williams, a ten-year-old girl whose mother has fallen ill and gone to the hospital. Winna and her five-year-old sister, Tupelo, are staying with their grandparents, Grampa Carl and Gramma, when Tupelo accidentally sits on Winna's glasses and breaks them. Because it's the weekend and her eye doctor won't be open again until Tuesday, Grampa Carl gives her a pair of spectacles that once belonged to her Great-Aunt Estelle. Soon, Winna discovers that the spectacles are magical and allow her to see the ghosts of her great-great-grandmother, Winona Cole, and Great-Aunt Estelle. After Grampa Carl tells the story of how Winona's first son, Key, was stolen, Great-Aunt Estelle gives Winna a mission to find Key, who is still alive. With the help of her cousin Benny, her guidance counselor Miss Ross, and Grampa Carl, Winna has to solve the mystery and bring Key home before the Burden, a powerful curse that Winona placed on the family, takes her mother's life.

I enjoyed this book so much because it combined elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery. I also thought it was so cool that Great-Aunt Estelle's spectacles could grant Winna wishes as long as she worded the wishes carefully and repeated them twice. It made me wish I had a wish-granting pair of spectacles, too. As I was reading, I was drawn in by the mystery of what really happened to Key and felt a sense of urgency because Winna had to somehow bring him back to Winona before her mom died in the hospital. It seemed like an impossible task once it was revealed where Key ended up living, but the ending was satisfying. I liked how the author included family trees at the end of the book because it helped me understand how members of Winna's family were connected. I can't forget to mention how beautiful I think the cover is either. If you like mysteries mixed with fantasy, you should read Speculation.