Michael Vey: The Colony

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Michael Vey: The Colony by Richard Paul Evans. The tenth and final book in the series, this science fiction novel concludes Michael Vey's adventures. In the devastating aftermath of their fight against the Chasqui, Michael and the Electroclan are still trying to solve the mystery of Abigail's abduction. While they are mourning the loss of friends and allies, they return to the U.S. to regroup. After learning Cassy's heartbreaking diagnosis, they piece together what little evidence they have and figure out that Abigail is being held by Chispa, the leader of a group of other electrics in a place known at the colony. With Grace's help, they also learn the history of the colony and what powers the other electrics have. Upon making a plan, they go back to Peru to meet up with Alpha Team to rescue Abigail.

The conclusion of the Michael Vey series was absolutely spectacular. With incredibly high stakes, the story was so suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Because they had never faced other electrics before and the dream Taylor had at the beginning was terrifyingly ominous, I wasn't sure if the Electroclan would succeed this time, but I knew they had to at least try. Even though they were the enemy, it was fascinating learning about the colony's past and why they would abduct Abigail out of all the members of the Electroclan. Although I came to understand the reasons for why the colony would do such a thing and their past was heartbreaking, it didn't excuse their actions and Chispa especially came across as insane as his true colors were revealed to Michael. The twist at the end was amazing. I loved it so much and I've rarely been so satisfied with an entire series. If you love science fiction and adventure, you can't miss this series. 

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 Traitor 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.

Michael Vey: The Parasite by Richard Paul Evans

 

Last week, I read Michael Vey: The Parasite by Richard Paul Evans. This science fiction novel is the eighth installment in the thrilling Michael Vey series. Taking place some years after the events of The Final Spark, Michael Vey's life has gone back to normal and he is a college student at Boise State University. A couple of days after his birthday, he plans on holding a reunion of his Electroclan friends, but then they start disappearing one by one. First, Jack isn't able to make it when he and his team go missing in Peru. Then, Michael's girlfriend, Taylor Ridley, learns that Abi disappeared before she left Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Michael and his friends know something is definitely up when Taylor's twin, Tara, doesn't return after having to go back home to pick up the reunion T-shirts. She never even made it out of the parking lot. Once again, they are being hunted. After forming a plan with Michael's dad, the CEO of Veytric Corporation, half of the Electroclan head to Texas to find out what happened to Abi and the other half go to Peru to rescue Jack and Tara. On their rescue mission, Michael and his friends learn that they have enemies who were just waiting for the fall of the Elgen to carry out their plans.

I definitely enjoyed returning to the world of Michael and his friends. Although this book doesn't have as much action as some of the others in the series, I was drawn in by the mystery of what was happening to Michael's friends and I could sense that they were in real danger. While I thought the original seven books tied up things nicely, it was revealed in this book that the Elgen was just the tip of the iceberg and there were three other Elgen Elite Guard units—the Chasqui, the Domguard, and the Lung Li. Out of these units, the Chasqui play the main antagonistic role in The Parasite. Without saying too much, the Chasqui's plan for the world terrified me. It's absolutely unimaginable if the Electroclan don't find a way to stop them, especially because of how the Chasqui's leader, Sovereign Amash, wants to use Taylor for her ability to see the future, a power that she's only beginning to understand. The cliffhanger at the end of the book threw me for a loop and I'm anxious for what it means for the next book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action, adventure, and superheroes.