THE OMICRON SIX

Two close friends discover they share surprising abilities and an unexpected connection in this YA SF thriller.

On the surface, Cooper Callister and Coupe Daschelete of Riding, Vermont, could not be any more different. Cooper was raised on a farm by his loving parents, Evelyn and Everett. Coupe lives with his single mother, Mary, and her boyfriend, Mark, and suffered horrific abuse at the hands of a local priest. Despite these distinctions, Cooper and Coupe develop an unbreakable bond and discover they have unique abilities. Cooper is physically strong and can get inside people’s heads while Coupe has extraordinarily keen senses. One day, the local police chief discovers surveillance photographs of a boy who resembles Coupe. The unidentified boy is a suspect in a series of disappearances but Coupe was nowhere near the crime scenes. Then Cooper and Coupe are abducted and taken to Deep Woods Academy in Maine. To their surprise, they learn they were created by geneticist Dr. Steven Stein as part of a project to make “better” humans. Stein calls the two boys and their siblings the Omicron Six. The geneticist is pleased with the project; but someone wants to put an end to his work and the threat may be closer than Cooper and Coupe realize. Wright’s series opener offers dynamic protagonists and supporting characters and fast-paced suspense. Cooper and Coupe are effective and likable heroes whose friendship and quest to figure out how they differ from their peers anchor the story. Some of the novel’s strongest moments focus on the boys’ connection and the positive effect it has on them, particularly Coupe, who finds a stable and supportive home with Cooper and his parents. The well-rounded supporting cast is led by Stein and three members of the Omicron Six, Cotovatre, Corwin, and Chase. The briskly paced narrative moves from bucolic Vermont to the woods of Maine as Cooper and Coupe discover more about the role the mysterious Stein plays in their lives.

A promising start to a new series bolstered by engaging characters and an intriguing premise.