Richard Paul Evans's "Michael Vey: Fall Of Hades"...A Book Review

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It's been a while since I posted a book review--it's been a while since I finished a book, audiobook, ebook, or hard copy. That happens when you're focusing on other projects, like books of your own. I've heard more than once very successful authors say that to be a good, or better writer, you can't stop reading. I would love to return to the days when I could finish at least one book each week, and maybe one day I will.

But today, I finished the sixth installment of the Michael Vey saga, Richard Paul Evans's Michael Vey: The Fall of Hades. Evans continues to provide a story driven by good vs. evil, incredible odds stacked against the protagonists, and perhaps, more importantly, imagination.

Michael and his Electroclan--a group of people with special powers--are once again trying to stop the Evil Hatch before he stops them. The series has always had themes of working together as a team as well as recruiting former enemies to join their ranks in the battle of good and bad. This installment continues that thread. Former enemies become allies and the fight goes on. And, like the novels that came before, no one of the characters are safe--people die.

What I've enjoyed in the previous books is found in the pages of The Fall of Hades. Evans allows the characters to better understand their powers and abilities the same we we, the readers, do. Just like in life, our lives are not stagnant. New discoveries are made within the group and among the members of the Electroclan individually. Michael tries to understand himself as his powers increase, culminating in the exciting climax, and since the last book of the series has been announced, the cliffhanger is (for me...) not "will Michael return," but how. Even if I hadn't known of the final book's release, the ending is powerful (pardon the pun...)and full of possibilities.

Since I haven't been going through books like I have before, I didn't know the book had been out as long as it has. I would have liked to have read it sooner, but later is better than not at all. And, it's less time between now and when I get my hands on the final chapter. Well done, Rich!

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/27158739-fall-of-hades

A Few Thoughts About "Michael Vey" And His Creator...

Usually when I finish a book, I write a blog post with some of my thoughts. Last week I finished Richard Paul Evans's Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen and immediately began the third book in the series, Michael Vey: Battle of the Ampere which I'll finish tomorrow.

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These are great books! I know they're targeted for young adult readers and I know that many adults also enjoy the books. And because the audiobooks are only between four and five hours (listening to audiobooks at 2X speed...) I can get through a book in a couple of days. 

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There's another reason I wanted to read these books and it has to do with the Comic Cons I've attended in the past couple of years. Because I've been fortunate enough to be a panelist at these events many times I've found myself in the greenroom with bestselling authors. Last year I ran into Richard Paul Evans and had him hold a picture of my son (who is serving a LDS mission...) so I could snap a picture. He was nice enough to do it. And now if I happen to run into him again (and if I'm fortunate enough to be invited back...) I'll see if I can talk to him about his Michael Vey books.

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The next book is already available for me to download so I'll begin that tomorrow and hopefully have it finished by the weekend. I'd love to see if the author will chat about the series with me. Hopefully, we'll find out in a few months.

* Photos used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/series/65809-michael-vey