The Conformity

Gr 9 Up—The conclusion to the thrilling "Twelve-Fingered Boy" trilogy (Carolrhoda Lab) has it all: explosions, romance, mental telepathy, hellish creatures comprised of living humans, and a crazy religious cult. This final installment opens immediately after its predecessor ends with little summation of what has lead up to the opening scene. The nation is being attacked by horrifying creatures made up of swarms of terrified humans, controlled by the Conformity: an evil, bodiless entity that feeds on the psychic energy of those with special abilities. Shreve and a small band of "extranaturals" are faced with the task of saving humanity. Like the first two books, there is plenty of action, mature language, and a darkness that pervades the work. The narration is told from several perspectives, which enhances the storytelling and help develop the lead characters (particularly giving insight as to why the young adults have become so jaded). This conclusion wraps up quickly and is not as concrete as the previous entries. For the story to work, readers must be willing to embrace the notion of Shreve using his astral body to perform supernatural feats.