Villain

Grant's follow-up to Monster (2017) has more of a predictable baddie-of-the-week feel than the nuanced exploration of what it means to be monstrous that his previous books have had. This time, the heroes affected by the meteor ( the Rockborn ), still scattered after the FAYZ, are all brought together to fight a common cause: stopping the newly created supervillain, the Charmer, from annihilating Las Vegas. Still at play are the seven meteors headed for Earth, spreading the alien virus further. Grant has a clear trajectory for this series, which is slowly ramping up to something more epic than anything we've seen. The Watchers shadowy, unseen figures who whisper menacingly to the Rockborn still haven't revealed their true purpose. New mutant Francis is unaffected by the Watchers, which may make her the most valuable Rockborn of all in books to come. This entry in the series meanders at times and feels overall like the buildup before all hell breaks loose. Nevertheless, Grant's fans will relish the familiar faces, high-octane action, and, of course, the carnage.--Caitlin Kling Copyright 2018 Booklist

Grant's follow-up to Monster? (2017) has more of a predictable "baddie-of-the-week" feel than the nuanced exploration of what it means to be monstrous that his previous books have had. This time, the heroes affected by the meteor ("the Rockborn"), still scattered after the FAYZ, are all brought together to fight a common cause: stopping the newly created supervillain, the Charmer, from annihilating Las Vegas. Still at play are the seven meteors headed for Earth, spreading the alien virus further. Grant has a clear trajectory for this series, which is slowly ramping up to something more epic than anything we've seen. The Watchers—shadowy, unseen figures who whisper menacingly to the Rockborn—still haven't revealed their true purpose. New mutant Francis is unaffected by the Watchers, which may make her the most valuable Rockborn of all in books to come. This entry in the series meanders at times and feels overall like the buildup before all hell breaks loose. Nevertheless, Grant's fans will relish the familiar faces, high-octane action, and, of course, the carnage. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Grant returns to the FAYZ, the gruesome site of his best-selling Gone series, in a heart-stopping follow-up. Four years ago, Shade Darby witnessed the alien dome that trapped the children of Perdido Beach inside with a virus finally fall away. Now her father is tracking seven meteors that are speeding toward Earth, carrying the same alien virus that "rewrote the laws of physics . . . and turned random teen sociopaths into superpowered killers," and she intends to find one before it falls into the wrong hands. Grant's modern take on the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde narrative ratchets up the gore and action, and features a diverse cast of characters who are forced to confront the monstrous aspects of their identities as their bodies morph into deadly, powerful creatures. Fans of Paolo Bacigalupi (Ship Breaker, 2010) will appreciate this evocative, intricately plotted companion series that delves into similar issues of bioethics and gray areas of morality. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 9 Up—The next entry of the popular science fiction/fantasy series focuses on Shade Darby, the daughter of scientists. She lost her mother and appears disconnected from her father. Acting with friends, she intends to alter the course of events beginning with intercepting an alien rock. Other characters from the previous books, including Dekka, are also present. Readers are left with little to decipher regarding character development. Grant plainly describes a character's thoughts and personality; much is said before it is shown. While attempts are made to portray diversity in terms of race and sexual orientation, the characters remain flat. Violence is followed by more violence without the benefit of it being artfully described. Fans of this very popular series will no doubt clamor for this most recent addition, and libraries will want to satisfy their desire to see the series' continuation. VERDICT Purchase where the series is popular.—Maureen Sullivan, Calumet City Public Library, IL