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To all appearances, Alex Miracle is a typical urban teenager, albeit one who is confined to a wheelchair. He contends with bullies at school, defies house rules, and struggles to fit in. Alex is far from typical, however. He is a "spinner" with unimaginable talents. He's a foster child who has a murderous, backstabbing house "mother." He's street smart and wise beyond his years, despite being placed in a special education class. And he's the center of a deadly game of tug-of-war between two forces that want to use his powers for their own ends. The choice Alex makes could lead to earth's downfall.
On his journey to uncover his mysterious past and the truth about his powers, Alex isn't alone. He has a growing cadre of companions who never falter in their loyalty, despite the danger. Most of them are in special education, like Alex, and have labored under the label "dummy" for much of their young lives. Also like Alex, each of them is strong and talented in their own way, though others may not see it. This urban band of brothers fights its way through a concrete jungle, battling an ancient evil with little more than street smarts and an unbreakable kinship.
With his newest publication under his belt, Bowler is proving himself to be a worthy contender to fill the shoes of Stephen King for the next generation. Quite often, pacing a story can be the most difficult part of writing fiction. This story unravels at a deliberate, nearly perfect pace and leaves readers constantly hungry for the next page. The author's artistic use of dialogue rings true for the target demographic and he aptly captures the most heart-wrenching of emotions without going overboard or forcing the characters to seem contrived. This book is highly recommended for adolescents and for the young at heart.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review