THE CALL OF ABADDON by the United Earth Federation, and now Jason and Sam have psychic abilities. Jason, however, can’t control his, and he suppresses them with regular doses of the drug Osmium. Untreated, he hears the voice of the Abaddon Beacon, an alien obelisk that sat in the labs with the three when they were still test subjects. As Jason’s connection to the Beacon hurts him as well as others, the salvagers vow to retrieve the artifact, which promises Jason answers to his “psychic affliction.” That’s just one reason to brave the surface of New Toronto, where they’re classified as “Undocs”\u003B the other is to salvage parts to repair their damaged 14\u002Dfoot robot, the true muscle in the Village’s defense. Meanwhile, the ongoing Solar War may be nearing an end, with the very real possibility that the UEF will surrender to the Solar Empire. Cyborg Anne Oakfield, who has ties to the Village and the government’s experiments, has another idea: She sets out to kill the nefarious EmperorHadrian Mariko of the Solar Empire. All the while, the Nanophage, a plague of corrupted Nanites that infect humans and bots alike, threatens everyone.Searle’s extensive worldbuilding turns this tale into a richly detailed epic\u003B backstories include Anne’s murky past\u003B particulars on Julian Yamamoto, the Village’s governor and founder\u003B and several nods to the Great War from a century ago. The three protagonists—tortured, sympathetic Jason\u003B fiercely loyal David, whose reason for also being in the lab is eventually revealed\u003B and Sam, who’s refined her psionic skills—are superbly rendered. They lead an indelible cast, highlighted by the unshakable Anne, another few notable Oakfields, and the diabolical Emperor and his “augmented” Imperial legionnaires. While there are some solid action sequences, this story relies more on the buildup of tension as various groups of people come into conflict. Perpetual menaces abound as the war continues, the Abaddon Beacon’s voice proves merciless, and the Nanophage\u002Dinfected victims amass in zombie\u002Dlike hordes. Throughout the narrative there are signs of familiar tech, from cybernetic implants and parts (like Anne’s “cyber\u002Deyes”) to a variety of vehicles including an airbus and a Jetbike. While these are fun details, it’s just as entertaining to watch characters get by without fantastical tech at their disposal (Jason, David, and Sam must make a hefty jump sans jetpacks and confront bulky foes in New Toronto with no assistance from their own gigantic robot). It’s hard to imagine where the salvaging trio might go next—which makes a sequel all the more appealing." - Review & Purchase Guide | BookBookOwl

Name: THE CALL OF ABADDON
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.66 (44 reviews)
ISBN: 9781069265

Our Review

This gripping YA fantasy plunges readers into a world where ancient prophecies and modern-day heroes collide, delivering a heart-pounding adventure filled with shadowy realms, forbidden magic, and a desperate struggle for survival. The narrative follows a protagonist who must confront the terrifying entity known as Abaddon, weaving a complex tale of destiny, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil that will keep pages turning late into the night.

What sets this dark fantasy apart is its intricate world-building and the profound moral complexity of its characters, who are forced to make impossible choices with world-altering consequences. Teen readers who crave high-stakes adventure with psychological depth and a touch of the sinister will find this story utterly absorbing, leaving them contemplating its themes long after the final, explosive confrontation.

THE CALL OF ABADDON

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