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Summary
Summary
A magical crime saga filled with marvelous thrills, high action, and extraordinary adventure, from critically acclaimed author Matthew J. Kirby.
After Ben Warner is recruited to join a "science camp" led by the eccentric quantum physicist Dr. Madeleine Hughes, he quickly realizes it's no regular science camp. Along with his new friend, Peter, Ben discovers the secret, powerful art of Actuation -- the ability to change reality by simply imagining it differently.
When a mysterious group of men invade Dr. Hughes's laboratory, abducting her and stealing her precious equipment, Ben and Peter are suddenly caught up in a turf war between dangerous actuators desperate for Dr. Hughes's innovative technology. And as Ben and Peter are pulled into a perilous, hidden world full of impossibilities now made possible, will their combined powers be enough to save Dr. Hughes and vanquish their enemies before it's too late?
From Edgar Award-winning author Matthew J. Kirby comes a fast-paced, boldly imagined tale of friendship, deadly adventure, and the infinite power of imagination.
Author Notes
Matthew J. Kirby is the critically acclaimed author of the middle-grade novels ICEFALL, which won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, and THE CLOCKWORK THREE. He was born in Utah and grew up in Maryland, California, and Hawaii. Matthew is currently at work on his next novel. Visit his website at www.matthewjkirby.com.
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
When grandmotherly Dr. Hughes's afterschool science camp turns out to be a training ground for "Actuators," 12-year old Ben's life becomes much more interesting. Using quantum mechanics and augmenting equipment, he learns to manipulate his thoughts to create clouds, rain, and lightning. After two groups of rival scientists, the Dread Cloaks and the Quantum League, discover that Dr. Hughes has invented a "portable augmenter," Ben is enmeshed in a power struggle of cosmic dimensions. Kirby (The Lost Kingdom) infuses this action-packed spy thriller with layers of moral ambiguity. Identified as an actuating prodigy, Ben struggles to decipher how to manage his gifts and which side to use them for, knowing his choice has high stakes. Although tempted to believe one leader's warning-"Evil people can do great harm with very little power.... We are not perfect, but we are all the world has"-Ben questions the dogma and tactics of all combatants. This first book in the Quantum League series provides satisfying partial closure, while intriguing storylines to be developed will leave readers eager for the next installment. Ages 8-12. Agent: Stephen Fraser, Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Twelve-year-old Ben attends a science camp where he learns the art of Actuation, the ability to bring about an event through thought. He's soon drafted by the Quantum League, "a global agency that monitors quantum activity around the world," to help its effort in a Quantum gang war. This action-packed, plot-twisting story is not just for physics fans. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
When 12-year-old Ben joins an after-school science club, he has no idea that the price of membership will be the loss of everyone he loves. Ben has always been a science nerd, but when his abilities in quantum mechanics prove to be more than just academic, it is only a matter of time before his proficiency makes him a target for some very dangerous people. Ben and his new friend Peter are recruited into the Quantum League, a group of special agents with the ability to bend matter to their will or to "actuate." Actuators can create fire from the air, manipulate another's emotions, or "detach" a child from his or her family, severing all connections and even memories. When a rival group kidnaps Ben's mentor and steals a dangerous device, he agrees to help the League if they will reattach him to his mother. This high-energy spy story is enhanced by the addition of scientific theory (if rather unsteadily grounded) and authentic characters. Ben's integrity, bravery and desire to forgo his special-agent status for his mother differentiate him from other familiar genre heroes. Unfortunately, uneven pacing, loose threads and a meandering plot are ultimately the story's undoing. An open ending promises a sequel. Refreshingly different in some ways but ultimately unsatisfying. (Adventure. 8-12)]]]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Twelve-year-old Ben has moved frequently, so being the new kid at school is nothing new. But things get exciting after he joins quantum physicist Dr. Hughes' science club with classmate Peter and learns about actuating creating events through intensive visualization and discovers his own actuator abilities. But after an attack by the Dread Cloaks, who take Dr. Hughes and her research, Ben unwillingly joins the Quantum League, which aims to prevent the Dread Cloaks and others from abusing actuation and causing harm. Ben wants to rescue Dr. Hughes but dangers abound; people and events aren't as they seem and Ben starts questioning whom to trust and if he is even on the right side. In this Quantum League series launcher, Edgar Award winner Kirby (Icefall, 2011) incorporates classic-style sci-fi, action-suspense, mystery, and a likable everyday protagonist facing fantastical and familiar challenges. Despite some stock characters and story elements, this is an engrossing read, leaving plenty unresolved for the follow-up.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2014 Booklist
Excerpts
Excerpts
From THE QUANTUM LEAGUE #1: SPELL ROBBERSSasha leapt out and fired off a lightning bolt. It arced down the alley, lighting it up in a flash. But it missed and struck the brick wall. The two silhouettes dove for cover between the other vans. Sasha pulled back to her position. "We've got to help her," Ben said. Peter shook his head. "I'm not good enough." A fireball blazed past the van's door, striking a dumpster further down the alley. They could escape that way. Ronin only wanted a vehicle. Sasha shot off another lightning bolt. The two men returned fire. It went on like that for a few rounds. And then the van Sasha hid behind lurched. It started rolling forward. One of the men had actuated it into gear. Sasha moved with it a few steps, but if she didn't get out of the way, it was going to pin her against Ben and Peter's van. She dove free just before the van hit, jolting Ben. Their attackers were waiting. A fireball struck Sasha in the chest and sent her flying backward. "NO!" Ben shouted. "We've got to help her." "Look." Peter pointed, and through the van's windows Ben saw the two silhouettes climb into the last van. "They're leaving." "They're getting away!" Ben said. He jumped out into the alley, pulled out his Locus, and readied a lightning bolt of his own. He grabbed a swarm of electrons around him, balled them up, and slipped down toward the two men. Their van's engine roared. Ben had to act now. He leapt into view and fired the lightning bolt straight at the van's grill. It struck its target, and the engine choked and died smoking. He'd done it. He'd stopped them. But now what? Excerpted from Spell Robbers by Matthew J. Kirby All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
