Spiral

Gr 6–9—It will be difficult for listeners not familiar with the series to follow Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams's fifth book (Chicken House, 2012) because it begins mid-action and little background is given about what has gone on previously until much later in the story. But fans will immediately be swept up in the action which once again has Will, Chester, and Elliott, three resourceful and independent children led by the aging Dawson, fighting about the Styx—half insects, half humans—who hope to dominate the world and who have dominated Will's personal world more than he realizes. There are traitors in their midst; Elliott's loyalty comes into question; Stephanie makes a play for Will; Chester is reunited with his parents only to lose them again in a horrific way; and the Rebecca twins, the main agents of evil, seem to be unconquerable. Narrator Steven Crossley effortlessly switches from one voice to another in quick succession as the action never lets up, and his pacing adds to the story's tension. There is a lot of personal growth in many of the younger characters, especially Will, who realizes that life will not necessarily be happier for him once the battle is over and he may become separated from his friends. Just as the story ends, Elliott makes an important confession. Fans will be eager for the next installment.—Edie Ching, University of Maryland, College Park