Reviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye for Readers' Favorite

This series of books by James Patterson is geared toward 7th-10th graders. In previous books Whit and Wisty’s parents were taken captive. Whit and Wisty were prisoners of the One Who Is The One. They discovered they had magical powers. After escaping they take refuge with those opposed to the new government. This is where our latest installment begins. Wisty is just learning the extent of her powers. She discovers her power to control fire and that she can stir the crowd with her musical talent. Whit mourns the loss of his girlfriend in the Shadowlands. He deals with his pain by writing poetry. Whit and Wisty fight for their lives and for the lives of the other rebels.

I liked the first book in this series, but this book lacks much. There is action, but most of it is meaningless. There was humor in the thought of being brainwashed by eating chocolate (That must be my problem—I’m addicted to chocolate). I found this book confusing and disappointing. The story is told through alternating narratives; it switches back and forth between Whit and Wisty. I felt that Whit was a little wishy-washy this go-round and that Wisty was much more self-confident. The plot has possibilities if made into one book instead of a trilogy. I like James Patterson, but this is not his usual standard.