Beast Mode

From the author of the highly popular and acclaimed Crookhaven books, comes the first instalment of an action-packed new series, which introduces us to another remarkable set of characters and with another brilliant premise for a story. Although I know fellow readers will be keenly anticipating a second instalment, it makes a refreshing change that this is a self-contained and satisfying story that does not leave you on a cliff hanger. Caine, Ember and Blue are three teenagers who found themselves waking up in a forest with no memory of who they are, or of how they got there. They soon discover they have the rather painful ability to transform into animals with enhanced powers in both their forms. Blue can ‘flip’ into a dog; Caine into a cat; and Ember into a fox.  They found themselves already wearing what they call Flip Suits, which rather neatly avoids the issue of what you do with clothes when transforming. For the last year, the three of them have been sleeping rough and stealing to get by, while trying to make sense of their powers and how to master them or indeed to find a cure and find their families. Recently the park, which has been their base, has had reported sightings of what is being called the Night Terror. This huge and fearsome beast finds them and sets off a chain of events that leads them to discover more about, not just themselves, but also about those who would wish to use their talents for their own wicked purposes. The trio find themselves on the run joined by Sal, the daughter of a tech billionaire, on her own search for answers and who, after being injured, discovers that she too, can flip. Can they piece together the truth about what’s happened to them, and stay hidden from their dangerous enemies? It is an excellent narrative strategy to have the characters discovering the back story at the same time as the reader and these are a wholly engaging, wisecracking, brave set of young people, who have formed the very best sort of found family.  But, with shocking revelations and betrayals ahead, will they survive and will their bond stay strong? A genuine, highly cinematic page turner, this will find fans a plenty.