Volume 3 of Carman's Pulse trilogy finds the earth in terrible jeopardy. Evil-genius Hotspur Chance, the smartest man in the world, has plans to eliminate millions of people in the West State, and Faith and Dylan are the only ones who can stop him. Both teens are second pulses: they are able to move almost anything with the power of their minds, including themselves (which means they can fly). In addition, they can deflect all things n't bother trying to shoot them; the bullets simply bounce off. Unfortunately, the evil twins Wade and Clara, who are working for Chance, have similar powers and are determined to stop our heroes. Can they? Blood will be shed, mayhem will be visited, and disbelief will be necessarily suspended before that question is answered. Style is not Carman's strong suit, but the plot is the focus here, and, though burdened by exposition at the outset, Quake soon picks up speed and will hold readers' attention to its satisfactory ending.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Carman's best-selling history should make this trilogy finale a hit even without the expected promo boost.

Gr 9 Up-Carman continues the high octane action in this final installment of the fast-paced sci-fi series. Super-powered teens Faith and Dylan are caught in the middle of earth-shattering conflict with the evil twins, Clara and Wade. Twists and turns ensue as they rush to save the world, combining their powers to create a Quake to end all quakes. Fans will enjoy every second of this pulsating page-turner.

In 2051, certain individuals have the "Pulse," essentially a form of telekinesis, and a very few have developed the Second Pulse, a form of invulnerability. Faith and Dylan are second pulses trying to save the vast Western State from a drastic depopulation plan concocted by the brilliant Hotspur Chance, aided by the only other two second pulses, Clara and Wade Quinn. Outnumbered and on the run, only friends and the powerful connection of Faith and Dylan's budding romance have a chance of saving millions of human lives.Faith Daniels has experienced much in the short span of the Pulse Trilogy, coming to the fruition of her powers, finding love, and, thankfully, growing up a little. It is initially hard to see, because the prose in the first portion of the book is especially choppy and lifeless, but soon the awkward reintroduction portion is past and the clipped and simple sentences take on a rhythm that serves to propel the story rather than impede it. The world of Pulse is only loosely described, but the particulars encountered by the heroes are vivid and the supporting cast likeable (and by this point in the series, unsurprisingly expendable). The numerous action sequences are appropriately large and superpowered, and overlooking the usual sketchy computer feats is no problem, as they are undertaken with glee. Refreshingly, the eponymous reveal is taken care of midway through the novel, and heroes have to rely on teamwork if they hope to win.Lisa Martincik.