It is fun to watch the talents and duels between these X-kids, but it is more interesting to see the 'normal' kids use their 'normal' talents and abilities in these dire circumstances. Hatch and learns to play well with others. Zeus is most prominent as he throws off the brain washing done by Dr.

The supporting characters are given more screen time developing their personalities and fleshing them out. The El-Kids discover how to use their powers in less obvious ways.

We also learn more about the world domination conspiracy. Hatch who reveals his megalomania and diabolical personality. The kids head off to Peru to rescue Michael's mother from the clutches of the evil Dr. It's a fine morality tale dealing with many issues such as bullying, seeing people's inner strengths rather than their outward appearance, peer pressure, manipulation, moral courage, friendship and the like.A mysterious Voice (via cell phone) comes to the aid of The Electro-clan, yet it proves difficult to tell if that voice is actually a help. This series is rated PG-13 for violence, although none is truly graphic, because our imaginations fill in the details. Evans think to fool us, or is there an inherent story-line reason for this? Aside from this, these people have caused the plot twist taking us into the next volume. Speakers of Mandarin will readily recognize (good pronunciation btw, Fred Berman) common phrases such as zhàn qǐlái 站起来 stand up qù 去 go shuìjiào 睡觉 sleep bái móguǐ 白魔鬼 white devil Did Mr. I do hope future volumes will explain why the indigenous Amazon tribe speaks Mandarin Chinese rather than Quechua or Aymara. We may come to recognize Austin's memory and brain-store of knowledge and trivia and Jack's semper fi bravery and loyalty as powers just as admirable as those of the El-kids.

A mysterious Voice (via cell phone) comes to the aid of The Electro-clan, yet it proves difficult to tell if that voice is actually a help.

Rise of the Elgen by Richard Paul Evans