INNATE

A boy discovers that his epilepsy gives him special powers in this YA SF/fantasy novel.

For sixth grader Chance Dawson, 12, avoiding stress is essential to staving off epileptic seizures. But anxiety is inevitable when soldiers come to his school and round up teenage athletes, including Chance’s older brother, Paul. The official explanation is that terrorists have overrun an important research facility, and the invaders could be supersoldiers created through “self-directed evolutionary techniques.” Two years ago, all United States teenagers 15 years old and over were required to register for the draft. Now, a test group of draftees will undergo the same techniques. Though authorities urge calm, Chance is consumed with worry. He seeks tranquility in his treehouse but has a new stressor when a strangely attired man suddenly appears. His name is Esri, an Omnituen, and he’s here to help Chance harness his epilepsy—not a disorder but a gift that can help him rescue his brother and benefit the whole world. Doubtful but desperate, Chance is trained in navigating the Unseen dimension and connecting with people in the Seen, his own realm. Though barely ready, Chance must find the strength to pull off a daring rescue. The youngster with extraordinary abilities and a special destiny is a common theme, but Carter freshens the concept in this inventive series opener. As a still-mysterious, incurable, and often debilitating disorder, epilepsy is a fitting, intriguing choice for the kind of challenge that becomes a hero’s strongest asset. The complications of the Unseen world—not all of its inhabitants are as benign as Esri—present obstacles that heighten the urgency. Though Esri’s lore can become somewhat dry, a final action sequence is exciting and well described.

An imaginative coming-of-age quest tale with a compelling hook.