5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he’s unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

Review

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans is the first in the Michael Vey series for teens. This was Mr. Evans’ first foray into the world of teen fiction and it was very well done. It’s a bit different from other teen books in there isn’t the horror and darkness you often encounter. Instead, there’s an underlying feeling of hope. There are villains certainly and villains that you would love to hate, but it has an underlying feeling of hope and inspiration. Yet it’s not “preachy” either. It strikes just the right balance of conflict, personal growth, and positive messages for teens.

The protagonist, Michael Vey, has Tourette’s Syndrome. It’s rare to find a book where the protagonist is dealing with some sort of syndrome and dealing with it successfully. It’s not hidden away in a dark corner. It’s shown as something that Michael has to deal with and yet it’s not the sole focus of the story. The teenage years are full of angst and uncertainty anyway and to add in a chronic health condition just makes it worse. This book shows teens that they’re not alone in their struggles and they can be dealt with.

Finally, this book holds your attention. It grabs you and doesn’t let go until the end. I read it in one setting because I couldn’t put it down! If you have teens in your life and you want them to be reading something other than vampires and zombies, perhaps consider introducing them to the Michael Vey series!