Synopsis
Boy-genius Cadel Piggot has a new name (Cadel Greenaius), a new family, and a new life. No more illegal hacking, no more false identities, and most of all, no more Prosper English. But when his best friend Sonja is attacked, it's up to him to figure out who was behind it. Before he knows it, Cadel is crossing oceans and continents, barrelling back into the depths of the criminal activity he thought he'd left behind, and coming face to face with Prosper English once again. Can Cadel track down Prosper before it's too late? And what rules will he have to break in the process?
Children's Literature
This is the third book in a trilogy about a young genius named Cadel. Following Evil Genius and Genius Squad, Cadel finds himself in a situation he never expected: he is normal. He lives with his adopted parents, attends college classes, and has normal (if exceptionally intelligent) friends. Unfortunately for him, this idyllic situation doesn't last beyond the first chapter. Then, his best friend's wheelchair tries to run Cadel down of its own accord, signaling that his former guardian and mentor, Prosper English, has returned. This is the familiar story of a young man facing overwhelming odds, but instead of using magic to succeed, Cadel is armed with intellect. Using his superior technical abilities, he faces evil genius Prosper in a battle of wits and defends himself. The high concept conflict also speaks to the overwhelming presence of technology in today's society. Cadel and his allies must avoid anything computerized that Prosper could use against them, illuminating for the reader just how much of modern life is run by computers. This is supposed to be the last book in the series, but the ending leaves the author room to continue the story of Cadel. Reviewer: Jennifer Waldrop