HUNT FOR JADE DRAGON

An autistic genius is in the hands of the enemy, and it's up to Michael Vey and his fellows in the Electroclan to save her.

The Electroclan is regrouping on a top-secret ranch after striking a major blow against the villainous Dr. Hatch and the Elgen. The evil empire's flagship vessel, the Ampere, has been blown out of the sky, but Hatch's plans for world domination are still strong. His next nefarious deed is the abduction of the young Jade Dragon, a girl whose special gifts can make all of Hatch's evil dreams come true. The author mixes this sci-fi nonsense with just the right amount of fun, evoking Saturday-morning-cartoon heroics. It's hard not to see the influence of GI Joe and The Transformers in the Electroclan’s adventures. Dueling factions and two-dimensional characters never get bogged down in the superserious mumbo jumbo that trips up many teen adventure series. This individual episode has a refreshingly intimate feel. The heroes' main objective isn't destroying a secret base or executing an evil potentate but instead a simple rescue mission. The relatively narrow focus allows for a more tangible, and therefore more satisfying, victory. A brisk pace and smart characterization make this an easily digestible adventure, and the requisite cliffhanger promises larger stakes for the next go-round.

A series that is shaping up to be quite a fun ride.