Will is a normal guy, going to a normal high school, doing normal high school things. He keeps to himself, enjoys the sports of cross country and track, and goes through his days happy. The only thing he'd really like is for his parents to stay in one place for more than two years, but he knows that's not going to happen.
One morning Will wakes up not knowing it is that pivotal day that will change his life. First, he sees a black car idling nearby, following him into town as he warms up for a run. He knows something is up, and he goes back to The Rules his father taught him:
#23: WHEN THERE'S TROUBLE, THINK FAST AND ACT DECISIVELY
OR
#3: DON'T DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF
After deterring the black car (with the assistance of a HUGE Australian in a wicked car!) Will goes to school only to be called to the principal's office. A woman from The Center for Integrated Learning has come to talk to Will about his national state test...a perfect score. While this is unimaginable (Will took the test in twenty minutes), Dr. Robbins sees his potential and asks if he'd like an opportunity to attend this prestigious academy.
#9: WATCH, LOOK AND LISTEN, OR YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING
His mother also showed up at school shortly after the interview, and Will is bothered by his mother's appearance and habits. He see his mother but...something weird is going on. And the black car shows up again. The last straw is a video his father sends him, telling Will to GET OUT NOW!
All of this in one day.
Now, on the run, the only place Will knows he can go is the Academy with Dr. Robbins, but getting there will prove to be difficult. Once there, Will will come against more treachery and evil...more than he ever imagined...
#55: IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU PREPARE TO FAIL
Frost writes a page-turner that fantasy readers of all types (from modern-day to low to high) will go through quickly, demanding the sequel coming out January 2014. Frost, originally an adult author, has transitioned himself into a new and fresh YA author, as evidenced in his first book. The characters are unforgettable, and the more they connect with each other, the more memorable their separate identities become. There are enough circumstances in the novel shrouding the mystery of the Paladin Prophecy that will help push the reader to find out who or what is behind the entire scheme that will destroy humanity. Pair that with the unique abilities the main characters reveal to both themselves and the reader, and there is no turning back. As an aside, Frost also co-wrote screenplays for the two Fantastic Four Movies. This has parlayed into what makes his YA book such an attention grabber for readers (kudos on the cover too!) Recommended JH/HS with an enthusiastic thumbs up!
Paired fiction:
Warrior Heir series by Cinda Chima Williams
The Alchemyst series by Michael Scott
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta
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