The Colossus Rises

Jack, age 13, collapses on the street. He awakens in a strange hospital and learns that he's a descendant of a lost civilization who has great powers, but those powers are killing him. He and several other teens have been recruited by a secret organization to find the lost civilization's treasures, save the world, and save themselves. The action is fast and furious, but narrator Jonathan McClain grounds this wild ride with his delightful performance. His voice pulses with youthful energy as he portrays the smart, curious kids and their excited sense of wonder. There are lists and word puzzles in the text, and McClain enlivens them with intonation and animation. The story is average middle-grade fare, but McClain improves things immensely with his talents. G.D. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine