The Secret War

November 1, 2011

Gr 5-8-After using his powers over machinery to save a city full of superheroes in Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation (S & S, 2010), the protagonist now struggles with fame, friends, and all kinds of enemies. While Jack tries to decode a hidden computer virus that could destroy the Imagine Nation, he also battles a conscious parasite trying to control him for the purposes of the evil Rustov empire. At the same time, a rival uses media scare tactics to portray the popular young hero as a villain rather than a hero. The plot is fairly complex and holds together well, although readers familiar with the first book will have an easier time keeping the characters and background straight. There are some neat twists, including the surprising return of a key character from the first book. Jack's human flaws show in believable ways as he frets about public opinion and keeps secrets from trusted friends, but the way he ignores his urgent task of fixing the virus is more puzzling. The teen's less-than-heroic behavior makes it hard to empathize with him until he eventually begins to face his mistakes. Lessons learned about trust and honesty come through clearly at the end, though with a rather heavy hand. The final battle scene provides a satisfying resolution of events in the Imagine Nation; then a surprising shift in the final chapter sets up intriguing possibilities for the next volume.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

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