The 13th reality: Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner
The 13th Reality series. Scholastic, 2018 ( First
published by Simon and Schuster in 2008). ISBN 9781742998190
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Alternate realities;
Adventure; Heroism. Atticus Higginbottom (best known as Tick to his
friends) has again been needed to restore some order to the world
(and worlds of alternate realities). With his friends Sofia and
Paul, and the other odd assistant Master George Deems they needed to
solve the incredible tweaks of strangeness that have entered the
world and Tick is the one who seems destined to be the solution.
Unleashing the most incredible bravery, intelligence and
uncontrolled capacity for power, Tick is again required to be a
hero. In the first book in this series, Tick was revealed as having
extraordinary capabilities with Chi'karda - part of the wisdom and
magical power of the unconventional world where quantum physics seem
to explain alternate realities. In Hunt for Dark Infinity
Tick is needed to respond to a challenge that seems to send him on a
course of potential destruction in opposition to Mr Chu - the evil
'alternate' to his favourite science teacher. The forces surrounding
the Dark Infinity seem to be both evil and insane and Tick is needed
again to solve puzzles and make things right. But his powers seem to
be operating messily without rules. Where will it all end, and what
was the message that his mother nearly 'spilled' before the
adventure spun out of control?
Yet again James Dashner has unveiled a tense and riveting adventure
tale of fantasy, with more than a dash of science fiction, involving
young teen protagonists. This is best read as soon as possible after
the first book, Journal
of Curious letters, in order to maintain the flow. Young
readers will probably want to binge read this series in the same way
they devour a Harry Potter fantasy. It has a similar good vs evil
atmosphere and the pace is charged with the same serious intensity.
It is not quite as long as J K Rowling's books and more science
fiction fantasy than magical fantasy, although there are points of
similarity. And yes, there are more books in the series.
Recommended for fantasy lovers, aged 11+
Carolyn Hull