THE CONDUCTOID CHRONICLES

In Lehane’s YA series starter, a wisecracking teenager embarks on a double life as a Conductoid, summoned by a mysterious being to take on a malevolent organization.

Jack McKay is a high school student from a financially struggling family who’s overly fond of daydreaming. When he isn’t dodging detention, arguing with his twin sister Phoebe, or scheming with his best friend Ty, Jack has “incredibly vivid and disturbingly clear” dreams about strange creatures that “leave him drained.” One night, he’s roused out of bed by a neck-tingling sensation, and a mysterious, wizened hooded figure, revealed as Azan the Veriator, appears. He reveals that Jack is a Conductoid—a being capable of channeling power from entities in other dimensions. Through Azan’s guidance, the teen travels to myriad places where he learns how to stop perilous situations from unfolding. Soon, he gains the ability to transform into various animals and harness other superhuman abilities, and he finds his character tested by the difficult events he encounters. As Azan intones, “It is the dreamers of the day who change worlds. They dream with their eyes open.” As Jack’s powers and personality mature, Azan hints at a much darker cosmic threat—a group called the Dominatay, which not only seeks immortality, but may also be linked to the disappearance of the twins’ father long ago. Fans of Lemony Snicket’s work will race through the first installment of this gripping SF thriller series, which features a witty narrator guiding readers through a tale with a colorful cast of characters. Although this style slows the plot at times, the novel ably offers heartwarming life-lessons alongside the humor, with a focus on the power of believing in oneself. Some readers may find the story structure a bit repetitive, and may also find Azan’s reluctance to answer questions to be as frustrating as Jack does. However, the book’s engaging concluding chapters redeem any minor flaws. Occasional line-drawings by Pocock portray major characters and events.

A fast-paced interdimensional coming-of-age story featuring plenty of jeopardy and japes.