Havoc

Gr 8 Up—Havoc picks up where Vesper (HarperCollins, 2011) ended. Emily Webb's world has been turned upside down and she is struggling to make sense of her life as a genetically engineered werewolf. Emily, pack-mate Spencer, and new pack member Dalton are determined to find others like themselves and learn to control their nighttime powers. Meanwhile, strange shadowmen are stalking them, adding to the mystery and suspense. Looking for answers, the friends decide to break into the BioZenith Company and hack into the computer system. As they fight for their lives, events spin out of control and leave the group with more questions than they had to begin with. Sampson spins a witty, fast-paced story that is full of action, danger, and intrigue. Analytic reports add to the drama, and the otherworldly beings give the story more of a sci-fi feel. Emily is a great character, and the cliff-hanger ending makes the next installment a must. Fans of James Patterson's "Maximum Ride" books (Little, Brown) will want to give this series a try.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY