True Son

April 1, 2015

Gr 6-9-The final installment of the "PSI Chronicles" continues where Archon (Candlewick, 2013) left off. Feeling betrayed by Taemon, Gevri has returned to his father's army and now leads the Special Archon Strike Force. Ironically, the skills Gevri's team relies on were first taught to them by Taemon. The story is told from Taemon's and Gevri's points of view, who share their perspectives through alternating chapters. While Gevri is driven by a desire for revenge, Taemon is motivated solely by his need to protect Deliverance. Readers will find it difficult to determine who the hero is and whose good intentions are wrongly applied. Will the Nau, the Republik, and Deliverance finally find peace? Or will they continue to tear themselves apart in a desperate quest for power? Good dystopian lit for middle schoolers is hard to come by and the "PSI Chronicles" continue to be quick paced and thought-provoking. VERDICT For librarians who haven't already purchased this series, now's the time. A great addition to most middle school collections.-Jennifer Furuyama, Pendleton Public Library, OR

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2015
The third and final installment in the dystopian Psi Chronicles.Gevri, bitter from Taemon's perceived betrayal in Archon (2013), has embraced his father, the cruel Gen. Sarin, and his military tactics. However, when his small group of young archons-people with psychic abilities, like himself-is captured and tortured by the Nau, it's Taemon who saves them. Despite this, Gevri allows himself to continue on his father's path until his father's actions cause him to doubt. The narrative switches between Gevri and Taemon-the True Son of Deliverance, who possesses great psychic ability-with Amma getting the last word (or at least perspective) at the end. When Taemon realizes Gen. Sarin won't keep his word to leave Deliverance in peace if Taemon saves Gevri, he communes with the Heart of the Earth and decides to lead his people away. However, even outside their city, the people of Deliverance are not safe. Each chapter begins with a Nau military correspondence, cluing readers into their actions, which affect both Deliverance and the Republik. The story's biggest liability is in occasionally unrealistic characterization; Gen. Sarin in particular is too much the quintessentially evil villain to be believable, and the role of a True Son pretender is equally unconvincing. It would behoove those new to the series to begin with the first book, but those anticipating the conclusion of the trilogy will not be disappointed by the ever-so-slightly-tidy ending. (Dystopian adventure. 10-14)

April 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 Inevitable war looms large in the final installment of the Psi Chronicles. Deliverance is finally starting to rebuild itself into a functioning society no longer dependent on psi (telekinesis). However, the territory's wish to stay neutral in a centuries-long war between the Nau and Republik nations forces Taemon to make a final, risky stand for peace. He has acted unilaterally before, with nothing more than faith in the Heart of the Earth to justify his actions. His choices now could save or doom them all. Familiarity with Freakling (2012) and Archon (2013) is a must to fully appreciate this messianic finale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)