Atticus Higginbottom is a fairly average boy, despite his unusual and unfortunate name. His nickname, “Tick,” is only slightly better. He doesn’t consider himself special in any way until the day the first letter arrives, a letter telling him that he’s about to receive a series of clues that will tell him of a secret mission he must perform, one that will affect the entire world. He’s warned that it won’t be easy, and that he’ll want to withdraw many times before he’s through. If he doesn’t want to learn more, he should just burn the letter, and no more will arrive.
Tick’s intrigued. What will the next letter bring? And the one after that? Each envelope contains a clue to the puzzle to be solved. Each is complex and Tick isn’t sure he’s solving them correctly, but the letters keep coming, so he figures he must be on the right track. As strange people pop up to introduce themselves and as scary events begin to take place, he does wonder if he’s made the right choice, but he can’t abide the thought of the world being in danger because he chickened out.
This new young adult fantasy by bestselling author James Dashner is riveting, entertaining and scary, all at the same time. I found myself blown away by the twists in plot. I’ve known James since the very beginning and have been a fan since “Jimmy Fincher” took his first steps. I have to say, I’m so impressed by how Dashner has grown as an author. I find myself saying, “J.K. Rowling who?” while reading about Tick and his many adventures.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly, hold-on-to-your-hats ride of a book, this first in a series is the one for you. I can’t wait to read the next installment in “The Thirteenth Reality” after this whiz-bang of a start.
(This book was published in 2008 by Shadow Mountain.)
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