Friday, August 9, 2013

Horowitz, Anthony. Oblivion. (Book Five of The Gatekeepers)


Horowitz, AnthonyOblivion. (Book Five of The Gatekeepers)      Scholastic Press  2013  590   $17.99  ISBN 978-0-439-68004-2     ms/hs       Supernatural      VG-BN

Anthony Horowitz is an accomplished novelist.  His plots have ins and outs that are going to entice young readers to read all of his books.  The genre is a combination of many:  supernatural events occur in a science-fiction kind of futuristic setting!  The concept of the power of five young people is not a new one, yet this book is special because dreadful conflicts abound and there is something for every reader: cannibalism, catastrophic battles, unusual feats of survival, secret doors, and five adolescents with super powers.  Book Five is a stand-alone; however, it would be helpful for the reader to have read books 1-4 of the series to build prior knowledge.  In Book Five the five Gatekeepers are dispersed around the world after separating quickly during a typhoon, and their adventures as they try to get to Antarctica are as terrifying as they are varied and fun-filled!  Scott has become a traitor, a pawn of the Old Ones who are trying to take control of the planet.  The other four, Matt, Scarlett, Pedro and Jamie, are left to figure out how to save the world without him, an impossible task since they cannot proceed without the presence of the entire group.  Or, is it impossible?  The five meet in Oblivion, where there is subterfuge along with shape-changing creatures, apocalyptic battles, and more.  If they fail, life on earth will end.  Readers will expect a climactic event, and Horowitz doesn’t disappoint them.  The dedicated fan might figure out the resolution, but the new reader will be entertained trying to figure out how or if the world will be saved.  A well-developed plot combines with excellent character descriptions and lots of blood and gore to interest veteran readers of this genre as well as beginners who are hoping for action and conflict.

World domination-Fiction                                    --Martha Squaresky

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