The Marvelous Effect

By: Troy CLE

Narrated by: Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Louis Proof is an Ordinary kid. He loves listening to hip Hop, racing radio controlled cars, and hanging out with his best friend, Brandon. Then a mysterious letter invites him to visit the local junkyard. There he finds a secret underground amusement park like no other in existence. This is the best day of Louis's life. The park even has the most amazing race course for radio-controlled cars.
Louis starts racing right away. It's a close contest; he's about to activate his nitro boost to take the lead, when...
This is the worst day of Louis's life. Without warning of reason, thirteen-year-old Louis Proof falls into a coma due to a virus of a mysterious, celestial origin. When he awakens three months later, the world that he once knew and loved is totally out of control. He will learn that his illness is connected to everything that is wrong, and its not only his responsibility but destiny to set things right.
This story is megadramatic, remarkably true, super action fantasy.
Get ready!©2005, 2007 Troy CLE; (P)2007 Random House Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Strange book

My sons, who are 9 and 11, really loved this book. The story, about a boy who discovers that he has incredible powers that he must use to save the world from evil, is exactly the kind of story that appeals to kids this age.

For me, though, I found that the story was strangely written; with a number of places in the story where I thought the story was coming to the final climax, but it just continued on. Also, there was a strange sense of paranoia that permeated the story that I found rather disconcerting; as the story continued, it felt as if the author was beginning to believe in the reality of his fictional scenario, and to really believe that these evil characters were stalking our world.

I am not sure if I would choose to read/listen to this book again, but I am sure that my kids would love to hear it again.