StudyTrainVolume 1
Reunion of the Untouchables
by Kurt Frenier
Published: 2010
Genre: Action, Fantasy, YA
Paperback: 130 pages
Rating: 4
Description from the amazon:
About five hundred years ago, Master Magician Mikhail Pilkington III created a magical flying train, the StudyTrain.
His vision: to take average teenagers onboard, show them the world, and turn them into leaders. Ethan is invited on to this train, escaping his miserable life in Switzerland. He soon discovers that the train is all but ordinary. It is filled with magic, secrets, people with interesting histories, and much more.
Ethan's intrigue and hunger for knowledge and power catches the attention of a hidden, ancient alliance called the Untouchables. Soon, Ethan learns all their mysteries, powers and sorcery. He stands out from the rest of the students and is recognized as the long-awaited leader for the Untouchables.
But his dark side - The Dark Fire Inside - grows and becomes much stronger than anyone thought it would. Ethan gets sucked into a web of conflicts and feuds while battling his own inner feelings. Will he go for power, or turn toward good?
Series:
Volume 1: Reunion of the Untouchables
Volume 2: tba
My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): choice
This is a coming of age/hero story that doesn't turn out as expected. In this story I felt a bit sympathetic with the main character, Ethan, when his background story is told. I felt happy for him when he was admitted to the Study Train. Such an interesting premise -- to study and travel.
However, as Ethan gains new found powers and is lured into joining the dark side he starts to be unappealing. He goes through a sort of growing pains. So there were moments that made me groan at his choices.
Then, a twist at the end recaptures my attention.
I look forward to book 2 to find out what becomes of Ethan who may or may not become the leader the story is looking for. There is something about him yet to be revealed.
Interesting passage:
"What do you mean by absorbing?" Ethan asked.
"I can read a book just by holding it. Don't need to read word for word. I drink it. Absorb it. That's why I hardly ever have to study. But shhh. No one knows this, not even Althulos!" -replies Parker
- chapter , page 66
* if you haven't already, read Kurt's Wereland guest post: Alice meets WereBees
* oh yeah, Kurt asks a questions in the comments of whether or not he should write a book about WereBees - I say YESSSSSSSSSS, how about you?
* review copy courtesy of author
