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Michael Vey #9
The Traitor
In this electrifying ninth installment of the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling Michael Vey series, the Electroclan must fight a former friend to save their captured ally!
With Tara still in the clutches of the Elite Elgen Guard Unit the Chasqui and their malevolent leader, the Sovereign Amash, Michael Vey and the Electroclan have no choice but to continue the fierce battle that has been waging since their arrival in Peru. But saving one of their own means battling a onetime teammate, as Jack has turned traitor and joined forces with Amash and his men.
At the same time, the clan must work with the Alpha Team to act before the Chasqui can put their plan to destroy the city of Arequipa into motion. And when Taylor makes a bold yet dangerous move to save her sister, the urgency climbs even higher.
With so many lives at stake, the Electroclan has no time to waste, and no room for error as they take on this latest growing threat.
With Tara still in the clutches of the Elite Elgen Guard Unit the Chasqui and their malevolent leader, the Sovereign Amash, Michael Vey and the Electroclan have no choice but to continue the fierce battle that has been waging since their arrival in Peru. But saving one of their own means battling a onetime teammate, as Jack has turned traitor and joined forces with Amash and his men.
At the same time, the clan must work with the Alpha Team to act before the Chasqui can put their plan to destroy the city of Arequipa into motion. And when Taylor makes a bold yet dangerous move to save her sister, the urgency climbs even higher.
With so many lives at stake, the Electroclan has no time to waste, and no room for error as they take on this latest growing threat.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2023
164 people are currently reading
3474 people want to read
About the author
Richard Paul Evans
226 books6,491 followersWhen Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
December 2, 2025
MV9 is at least better than the last in that it is classic Michael Vey. However, it is nothing more than tropes MV fans are used to: jungles of Peru, "impenetrable" compounds, Deus-Ex-Ostin, and corny dialogue. Still fun, I guess.
I generally don't have a problem with revisiting a loved universe with fun characters (even if it is clearly a money grab). However, if I'm paying $15.00 CAD for an ebook, I'd like a little more ebook. For example, in my copy, Part 1 starts on page 15 and Part 7 ends on page 74; within those 60 pages there are 29 pages worth of page break. You be the judge if RPE deserves your money with that type of effort.
Maybe I'm the sucker for continuing to buy these, but I still defend MV1-7. The earlier books aren't perfect, but they at least had likable characters, a compelling villain, and some heart. These last two leave a lot to be desired in all those categories. As an older reader, maybe my standards are higher. As an established author, maybe RPE's standards are lower.
I remind myself that these are books for young people, so I shouldn't take them so seriously. On the flip side, any author/book with the audacity to include an unprovoked, unexplained, and unwanted "Atlas Shrugged" namedrop is at least worthy of a little criticism, right?
I generally don't have a problem with revisiting a loved universe with fun characters (even if it is clearly a money grab). However, if I'm paying $15.00 CAD for an ebook, I'd like a little more ebook. For example, in my copy, Part 1 starts on page 15 and Part 7 ends on page 74; within those 60 pages there are 29 pages worth of page break. You be the judge if RPE deserves your money with that type of effort.
Maybe I'm the sucker for continuing to buy these, but I still defend MV1-7. The earlier books aren't perfect, but they at least had likable characters, a compelling villain, and some heart. These last two leave a lot to be desired in all those categories. As an older reader, maybe my standards are higher. As an established author, maybe RPE's standards are lower.
I remind myself that these are books for young people, so I shouldn't take them so seriously. On the flip side, any author/book with the audacity to include an unprovoked, unexplained, and unwanted "Atlas Shrugged" namedrop is at least worthy of a little criticism, right?
Currently reading
July 1, 2023here we go again 🤦♀️
November 26, 2023
This picks up shortly after The Parasite ends; I think it’s necessary to read that one first. The Parasite sets up a lot of things that play out here. There are two main missions, which are the usual heist/rescue/sabotage our heroes have been pulling off in all the books. Big action, some deaths; lots of fun.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Deaths by gunfire; torture
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Deaths by gunfire; torture
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
September 22, 2023
This book is marginally better than its immediate predecessor, but I stand by my review of #8, that splitting this story into two books was unnecessary, a cynical money grab. I also stand by my continuing frustration that RPE has forgotten that all-important 10th grade English lesson that there are scores of ways to say “said.” By insisting on using “said” almost exclusively, particularly during rapid-fire dialogue, his books take on a regrettably sophomoric tone. All it takes is reading one page of Electroclan dialogue out loud to become exasperated with the monotony. Don’t insult your readers by presuming they don’t understand verbs like replied, countered, offered, interjected, huffed, disagreed, observed, added, or dozens of other options that could add flavor and interest to the text. Please, RPE, please, try a few other options. Or at least try reading your manuscripts out loud to some kids to discover how vapid it makes you sound as a reader when you conclude 8 out of every 10 sentences with “said.”
September 23, 2023
(Spoilers Ahead! Readers Beware…) Front half of the book: 2/5. Back half: 2.5/5.
I’m back! Is this the only series I will write reviews for? Maybe. It depends on if there is ever a returning series and author that annoys me quite as much as this one. Again, I ask, “Where are the test readers? Where are the editors? Who will put a check on RPE, if those people won’t?”
Keep in mind that I’m coming off the first-read impressions here. I may be more grumpy than this book truly calls for.
I’m somehow more disappointed this time than I was last time. And the previous book was mainly exposition, which has its place, but I still hated it!
This book just takes what I felt were flaws of the previous installments and inflates them. We have continuity errors. We have sloppiness. We have annoying, simultaneous lack of character development and sudden appearance of alarming traits.
No, no, no. I don’t like any of it. And I’ll give you a list explaining why:
1. Regarding the structure of the book itself: RPE loves his “Parts.” He uses them to separate different perspectives the MV stories are told from. Fine. Whatever. But he abuses them in this book. There are a total of 23 parts to the 51 chapters! That means that he is flipping perspectives almost every two chapters! I’m okay with frequent switches, so long as they are a characteristic of a series (ex: Legend by Marie Lu). But RPE’s MV usually sticks a bit longer on characters. I like that, as we get to see more development in someone’s perspective that way. For example, Book 4 in this same series has 11 parts to 47 chapters. Book 1 had only 4:48. This dwelling on one character helps create suspense and questions for the other characters out of sight. It’s good for the book and for the reader. Book 9 has none of that.
2. Lack of suspense: Hold your cards closer, RPE! You’re bleeding. Did I believe Jack turned traitor? No. Did I believe that Amash and the Chasqui were truly benevolent? No. Did I know if the Amacarra had been completely wiped out in the previous books (Book 3)? No. But how about, instead of telling us those things almost immediately, you let them happen to us like they should happen to the characters? Try to convince me a bit harder before pulling the curtain and revealing what I suspected all along. Jack NOT being a traitor was revealed in Chapter 12. Sufficient time, some might say. But for a book titled “The Traitor,” with 51 chapters, we’re letting that slip only a 5th of the way into the book? I don’t think so. Jack should have kept up the ruse longer. We only just learned of his supposed turncoat status at the end of Book 8. The literal last sentences of that book. No thanks. Amash drops his friendly face in Chapter 13 (Come on, my friend. Even Hatch cling to that faux pas a bit longer). As for the Amacarra, we were told in previous novels (Book 3) that they were wiped out by the Elgen and Peruvian military. Could the Electroclan investigated and found, in the years between then and now, that this wasn’t the case? Yes. But their reaction implies otherwise. Cristiano mentions them in passing, and the Electroclan reacts with the equivalent of a shrug. Instead of that, how about: “Thank goodness they didn’t completely sacrifice themselves for us?” OR just let the EC run into them in the woods, and mirror that encounter in Books 2&3? Then we can have that appropriate reaction of shock and revitalization. The thing readers and characters alike deserve.
3. Character inconsistency: Here we are again. There is a point that was made throughout the MV series. The Electroclan are different than the Elgen. They aren’t cruel. They think things through carefully, and even when their plans come off half-cocked, they know how to reevaluate and come back. And they don’t kill or torture needlessly. Michael does struggle some with this in previous books, but he is corrected and brought back by his friends. They are his moral compass. In this book, they go off the rails at points. Though they possess nonviolent methods of going forward, or at least, a way to fake out the Chasqui, they don’t take it. At one point, Michael has McKenna burn a guy until he helps them. Why have McKenna be the torturer, when you can do it perfectly well on your own, or not do it at all?
There is more I can gripe about, but those are my biggest takeaways. Are people afraid to say no to RPE or give him honest critique? Why were these issues not addressed by test readers and editors?
And, with all of that, do I hate the book? … No. The end had some redemptive qualities. And, when I wasn’t fuming about the short comings, and wasn’t reading defensively, I could get a sense of the former MV spirit. I’m angry, but I’m not ready to set my Kindle App on fire. Yet.
It seems that once again, I set my eyes to a future installment to either doom or redeem the extension of the series. If MV 10 fails to meet its readers and their intelligence, and develop the characters as they deserve, I will be out for vengeance. Do NOT make a cash cow of this series, RPE.
I’m back! Is this the only series I will write reviews for? Maybe. It depends on if there is ever a returning series and author that annoys me quite as much as this one. Again, I ask, “Where are the test readers? Where are the editors? Who will put a check on RPE, if those people won’t?”
Keep in mind that I’m coming off the first-read impressions here. I may be more grumpy than this book truly calls for.
I’m somehow more disappointed this time than I was last time. And the previous book was mainly exposition, which has its place, but I still hated it!
This book just takes what I felt were flaws of the previous installments and inflates them. We have continuity errors. We have sloppiness. We have annoying, simultaneous lack of character development and sudden appearance of alarming traits.
No, no, no. I don’t like any of it. And I’ll give you a list explaining why:
1. Regarding the structure of the book itself: RPE loves his “Parts.” He uses them to separate different perspectives the MV stories are told from. Fine. Whatever. But he abuses them in this book. There are a total of 23 parts to the 51 chapters! That means that he is flipping perspectives almost every two chapters! I’m okay with frequent switches, so long as they are a characteristic of a series (ex: Legend by Marie Lu). But RPE’s MV usually sticks a bit longer on characters. I like that, as we get to see more development in someone’s perspective that way. For example, Book 4 in this same series has 11 parts to 47 chapters. Book 1 had only 4:48. This dwelling on one character helps create suspense and questions for the other characters out of sight. It’s good for the book and for the reader. Book 9 has none of that.
2. Lack of suspense: Hold your cards closer, RPE! You’re bleeding. Did I believe Jack turned traitor? No. Did I believe that Amash and the Chasqui were truly benevolent? No. Did I know if the Amacarra had been completely wiped out in the previous books (Book 3)? No. But how about, instead of telling us those things almost immediately, you let them happen to us like they should happen to the characters? Try to convince me a bit harder before pulling the curtain and revealing what I suspected all along. Jack NOT being a traitor was revealed in Chapter 12. Sufficient time, some might say. But for a book titled “The Traitor,” with 51 chapters, we’re letting that slip only a 5th of the way into the book? I don’t think so. Jack should have kept up the ruse longer. We only just learned of his supposed turncoat status at the end of Book 8. The literal last sentences of that book. No thanks. Amash drops his friendly face in Chapter 13 (Come on, my friend. Even Hatch cling to that faux pas a bit longer). As for the Amacarra, we were told in previous novels (Book 3) that they were wiped out by the Elgen and Peruvian military. Could the Electroclan investigated and found, in the years between then and now, that this wasn’t the case? Yes. But their reaction implies otherwise. Cristiano mentions them in passing, and the Electroclan reacts with the equivalent of a shrug. Instead of that, how about: “Thank goodness they didn’t completely sacrifice themselves for us?” OR just let the EC run into them in the woods, and mirror that encounter in Books 2&3? Then we can have that appropriate reaction of shock and revitalization. The thing readers and characters alike deserve.
3. Character inconsistency: Here we are again. There is a point that was made throughout the MV series. The Electroclan are different than the Elgen. They aren’t cruel. They think things through carefully, and even when their plans come off half-cocked, they know how to reevaluate and come back. And they don’t kill or torture needlessly. Michael does struggle some with this in previous books, but he is corrected and brought back by his friends. They are his moral compass. In this book, they go off the rails at points. Though they possess nonviolent methods of going forward, or at least, a way to fake out the Chasqui, they don’t take it. At one point, Michael has McKenna burn a guy until he helps them. Why have McKenna be the torturer, when you can do it perfectly well on your own, or not do it at all?
There is more I can gripe about, but those are my biggest takeaways. Are people afraid to say no to RPE or give him honest critique? Why were these issues not addressed by test readers and editors?
And, with all of that, do I hate the book? … No. The end had some redemptive qualities. And, when I wasn’t fuming about the short comings, and wasn’t reading defensively, I could get a sense of the former MV spirit. I’m angry, but I’m not ready to set my Kindle App on fire. Yet.
It seems that once again, I set my eyes to a future installment to either doom or redeem the extension of the series. If MV 10 fails to meet its readers and their intelligence, and develop the characters as they deserve, I will be out for vengeance. Do NOT make a cash cow of this series, RPE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2023
I cried. Twice.
September 29, 2023
Reading these last two books have not been a fun experience. It feels as if the life has been sucked out of the books. I grew up on Michael Vey and Books 1-7 continue to have a special spot on my bookshelf at home. But these last two books just lack depth. Absolutely everything is explained to the reader so there’s no sense of mystery or sense of emotion at all. Even when reading the saddest scenes in this book, I felt emotionless because everything was just “I said this. This happened. Then this happened.” I’m going to finish the series because I am committed to closing this chapter of my book life, but these last two books are just sad. I wish the series just ended at Book 7 because it does not feel like Books 7 and 8 are made by the same author.
November 23, 2023
Dit boek was zoveel beter dan de vorige maar nog steeds zo slecht. De auteur blijft maar dezelfde woordenschat gebruiken “said” “asked”. Hij kent letterlijk geen enkel alternatief maar tbh je leest deze boeken niet voor hoe ze geschreven zijn.
plot: de plot was zo dom, deze personages hebben veel te veel plot armor, no way dat ze altijd levend uit dit soort situaties komen? Ze sneaken altijd in mega bewaakte faciliteiten en komaan altijd ongemerkt weg? 😭 also ik correct over Jack in mijn vorige review ookal kon iedereen dat zien aankomen.
+ heel die chasqui is zo saai. EN DE MANIER,, waarop de bad guy dood ging is te goofy? like hij wordt neergeschoten door een stam in de amazone ma we zien da niet en dan laat carssy zijn hart stoppen? das zo makkelijk, hij was bedoeld om nog erger te zijn dan hatch en ze hebben er 7 boeken over gedaan om hatch te verslaan en ze hebben deze chappie in 2 dagen verslaan? 😭😭
personages: Taylor kreeg time to shine dus yay? alleen mislukte alles mega erg😭 Ik haat alle personages in dit boek, ze zijn zo cringe. Ze praten als 10 jarigen terwijl ze 18/19 zijn… En dan de andere keer praten ze alsof ze in een marvel film zitten-
OKÉ MAAR TESSA??? ik had echt geen doden verwacht en zeker niet tessa,,, alhoewel ze nooit iets deed was ik wel beetje sad, like ze was gwn een girly. Gesproken over girlies, waarom is iedereen verliefd op iemand en iedereen? De romance in deze boeken
is zo slecht gedaan. Like toen tessa dood ging zei michael “zij was verliefd op mij.” “tortsynn was verliefd op haar.” “zeus had een crush op haar.” ??? hallo waarom is iedereen een homewrecker hierin? + ik haat taylor en michael als koppel, ze zijn zo cringe en barf!!! Also nichelle is toch een lesbian? alsjeblieft 🫶🫶 doe het voor mij auteur, gun mij!! + maak haar terug gothic, en doe haar stinky boyfriend weg kut tandarts.
extra: dresden en tuvalu werden gementioned dus ja joepie !!!!! (love tuvalu🇹🇻🇹🇻🇹🇻🇹🇻)
Jack is echt mijn favo maar hij en abigail zijn zo cringe aub😭 Lowkey wou ik dat jack dood ging gaan,, like da zou pas een impact hebben.
Ik haat het dat quentin, michael “brother” noemt ik cringe elke keer also ik was echt vergeten dat torsten
bestond fucking junkie 3
plot: de plot was zo dom, deze personages hebben veel te veel plot armor, no way dat ze altijd levend uit dit soort situaties komen? Ze sneaken altijd in mega bewaakte faciliteiten en komaan altijd ongemerkt weg? 😭 also ik correct over Jack in mijn vorige review ookal kon iedereen dat zien aankomen.
+ heel die chasqui is zo saai. EN DE MANIER,, waarop de bad guy dood ging is te goofy? like hij wordt neergeschoten door een stam in de amazone ma we zien da niet en dan laat carssy zijn hart stoppen? das zo makkelijk, hij was bedoeld om nog erger te zijn dan hatch en ze hebben er 7 boeken over gedaan om hatch te verslaan en ze hebben deze chappie in 2 dagen verslaan? 😭😭
personages: Taylor kreeg time to shine dus yay? alleen mislukte alles mega erg😭 Ik haat alle personages in dit boek, ze zijn zo cringe. Ze praten als 10 jarigen terwijl ze 18/19 zijn… En dan de andere keer praten ze alsof ze in een marvel film zitten-
OKÉ MAAR TESSA??? ik had echt geen doden verwacht en zeker niet tessa,,, alhoewel ze nooit iets deed was ik wel beetje sad, like ze was gwn een girly. Gesproken over girlies, waarom is iedereen verliefd op iemand en iedereen? De romance in deze boeken
is zo slecht gedaan. Like toen tessa dood ging zei michael “zij was verliefd op mij.” “tortsynn was verliefd op haar.” “zeus had een crush op haar.” ??? hallo waarom is iedereen een homewrecker hierin? + ik haat taylor en michael als koppel, ze zijn zo cringe en barf!!! Also nichelle is toch een lesbian? alsjeblieft 🫶🫶 doe het voor mij auteur, gun mij!! + maak haar terug gothic, en doe haar stinky boyfriend weg kut tandarts.
extra: dresden en tuvalu werden gementioned dus ja joepie !!!!! (love tuvalu🇹🇻🇹🇻🇹🇻🇹🇻)
Jack is echt mijn favo maar hij en abigail zijn zo cringe aub😭 Lowkey wou ik dat jack dood ging gaan,, like da zou pas een impact hebben.
Ik haat het dat quentin, michael “brother” noemt ik cringe elke keer also ik was echt vergeten dat torsten
bestond fucking junkie 3
August 11, 2024
I think this is my sec or third time reading this. I love Michael Vey & I can't wait for book 10
Richard Paul Evans knows how to write.
Richard Paul Evans knows how to write.
August 20, 2023
Ok I loved the first 7 books they were really good and I liked the ending but these books are more money grabs than actually good reading material. Like I just read 7 books and now that they finally defeated the Elgen now it is magically coming back together like when will it end?!?!?
October 5, 2023
It’s good, but really they could have just stopped at book 7. Definitely a money grab and I’m a sucker for reading it(but I had to know, y’a know?)
June 20, 2024
Insane curveballs left and right that kept me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend!! SPOILER ALERT!! I can't wait for what's to come!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
I’ve read the whole Michael Vey series, this book was awesome action packed and great story telling! Can’t wait to read the next book!!!
June 17, 2025
So I'd like to address something before I begin this review. I've been seeing people say "better than the last book" or "at least this feels like a classic Micheal Vey adventure" and I've got to agree, as in every book, the characters make stupid decisions that make no sense for their characters, barely any characterization and an annoying writing style.
I thought the last book was the best in the series and I think this book in both writing and characterization is a massive step back.
Now to finally address the book.
(SPOILERS FOR THE WHOLE BOOK)
I want to first talk about Taylor's choice at the beginning of the book. It was incredibly stupid. Now sure a character can do a stupid thing but it was also something incredibly out of character. Firstly, she knows after eight books that these people are liars and she also knows Micheal and her friends would come rescue them something she clearly didn't know somehow as she only realizes that later in the book. So she just put her friends in more danger for plot convenience because the author couldn't think of a satisfying way to capture her alive. This also led to the "shocking" reveal that Jack wasn't a traitor. About sixty pages in? Yeah that doesn't pay off the ending of the last book, not even if this twist was obvious.
Now Jack's plan to get them out is also idiotic. Firstly, Tara's powers don't work through cameras, that's how Hatch knew she escorted Welch off the boat in an earlier book with a shockingly similar plan of transforming into the leader. It's also stated in this book that this enemy loves cameras more than Elgen many times. Next, the leader having a code word is also something that should have been a foredrawn conclusion or at least the leader having information only he'd know. Jack is not known for making plans but yet again this crosses into a territory stupider than the character, especially one who is at least good with tactics and has been with these guys for weeks, is the one making the plan. I feel the author did this purely for drama and getting the audience from the last book to calm down about Jack being a traitor because "Oh My God" he's not.
Now finally, the last incredibly stupid writing decision. Killing Tessa. Now Tessa in these books has never been treated well. She was introduced with a lot of importance and even had a similar love for Micheal as Cassy but then, after the third book, she did nothing. She got less and less speaking roles as the books went on and in the Final Spark, I think she only had about two lines and one of them was generic. Now to get rid of an ending that was, while terribly written and vastly non-informative as Final Spark is a great thing, taking away a character's happy ending for this book, that's just not worth it. Her death was also obvious because the author death flagged her to high heaven. She has gotten the short end of the stick this entire series after her introduction and it's honestly just disappointing.
Now next on my list is the attention given to characters. The first half of the book is terrible at giving the characters any of their personality (most of which was given to them in the last book) The second half at least treats most of them well aside from Johnson, Ian, Tara (though at least that because of torture and not bad writing) McKenna, and Quinton. In fact we Quinton barely does anything in this book. Out of the characters not paid attention to I'd like to focus on Ian, Quinton and McKenna.
First Ian. The last book actually used him as more than a plot device! Now, he's back to being one with little personality. His jokes are always appreciated but he barely says anything other than them or giving information about enemies.
Quinton is next. As the former leader of Elgen'd electric youths I thought the eighth book handled his character incredibly well. He, after Hades, appreciated Micheal as a leader and was completely fine with him leading, holding a great amount of respect for him. He basically played second in command, being in charge when Micheal wasn't and using his intellect to do, well actually intelligent things, a rarity in this series even for the villains. Now, he barely does anything and his sudo second in command position is no longer existent. I know it was never stated or official but there was a feeling that he was a former leader in the last book that is absent here.
Finally, McKenna. As the electric youth with the least personality other than Grace, (Oh we'll get to her later, unlike the author) She has always been a hard character to pin down, she really just acted like an Abby 2 who was in love with Ostin. The author seems to struggle writing female characters and definitely struggles with not wanting to put them all in relationships whenever he can, which I notice isn't a trend with every male character introduced. (I wonder if he's gonna make Bryan and Kylee date just for the sake of it) McKenna does a lot in this book but she's just so plain and has little personality.
Now for the villain. When the leader of this group was introduced I thought "oh thank God he's different from Hatch" Now this book throws that out the window. In the last book he made fun of Hatch for having a god complex and even stated he didn't view himself as a god nor did he do anything to indicate he did. He stayed calm and faced his opponents rationally, he had plans that his emotions didn't dictate. Now, I freaken kid you not, one of his first lines is something like "He whispers in the ear of God and by God I of course mean me" His character does a 180 in this book. He's just as deranged as Hatch was in book 4 at least. He acts exactly like him and he isn't even given the page time to be compelling, not that he could be if he acted exactly like Hatch. He isn't even calm any more, he acts on emotion just like Hatch and underestimates the electric youths because of course he does. He is so disappointing to the point where I made it a point to forget his name because he now has no unique personality.
Now onto- wait what's happening- ...
"Save Taylor and Jack"
Oh yeah, Grace was a character.
Well I suppose I should talk about the biggest disappointment of this book. Grace, never is even mentioned! She doesn't help, is never mentioned and they don't even try contacting her. It's like the author forgot about her and honestly I'm angry. She has had no significant role since the first book to the point where the author forgot to mention if she died in the seventh book. She was finally given a plot revlant role in book 8 but surprise, just like everything else, this book changed that.
Now speaking of changes, a certain tribe surviving is such a annoying plot inconsistentcy. Now I like their characters but they were killed in book 3, now their back and there's not a mention of that. Now obviously Micheal could have gotten the wrong information but not once is that brought up in this or any previous book. Michael's not even surprised. Now if this happened during the time skip, an event where he was informed that actually survived, than MAYBE, the author should have that said instead of just bringing characters back from the dead with no explanation and acting like it's normal and expected to see them.
I feel, that this is the fans fault. The complaints from the last book were vast so I feel the author shifted gear from the story he was trying to tell to this jumbled mess. It would explain why Jack not being a traitor and being immediately captured happened, why Taylor was captured to progress that plot line and the plot faster, why the characters are yet again dumbed down cardboard cut outs, and why Grace is yet again, not important. It even explains Hatch 2.0. The author even repeated the same plot line they used almost every book of "oh no their captured, oh no something went wrong when reducing them, oh we get out barely, oh no something worse happened, oh no let's go home" I hate this book with a burning passion. It ruined the first good thing I had to say about this series, that being the last book. The writing style even regressed with worse descriptions, especially during dialogue. "A classic Micheal Vey adventure" Yeah that's what this book is and that just makes it so much worse than it could have been. I'm reading the last book out of dedication because if I acted on spite, I would never have made it this far but I can't stand this book. Honestly it had some good moments but because of the endless amounts of potential and a WHOLE BOOK it ruined, I can't rate it anything but 1 star, not because it steps away from being a Michela Vey book like so many reviews I've read through say but exactly because it is a classic Micheal Vey adventure.
I thought the last book was the best in the series and I think this book in both writing and characterization is a massive step back.
Now to finally address the book.
(SPOILERS FOR THE WHOLE BOOK)
I want to first talk about Taylor's choice at the beginning of the book. It was incredibly stupid. Now sure a character can do a stupid thing but it was also something incredibly out of character. Firstly, she knows after eight books that these people are liars and she also knows Micheal and her friends would come rescue them something she clearly didn't know somehow as she only realizes that later in the book. So she just put her friends in more danger for plot convenience because the author couldn't think of a satisfying way to capture her alive. This also led to the "shocking" reveal that Jack wasn't a traitor. About sixty pages in? Yeah that doesn't pay off the ending of the last book, not even if this twist was obvious.
Now Jack's plan to get them out is also idiotic. Firstly, Tara's powers don't work through cameras, that's how Hatch knew she escorted Welch off the boat in an earlier book with a shockingly similar plan of transforming into the leader. It's also stated in this book that this enemy loves cameras more than Elgen many times. Next, the leader having a code word is also something that should have been a foredrawn conclusion or at least the leader having information only he'd know. Jack is not known for making plans but yet again this crosses into a territory stupider than the character, especially one who is at least good with tactics and has been with these guys for weeks, is the one making the plan. I feel the author did this purely for drama and getting the audience from the last book to calm down about Jack being a traitor because "Oh My God" he's not.
Now finally, the last incredibly stupid writing decision. Killing Tessa. Now Tessa in these books has never been treated well. She was introduced with a lot of importance and even had a similar love for Micheal as Cassy but then, after the third book, she did nothing. She got less and less speaking roles as the books went on and in the Final Spark, I think she only had about two lines and one of them was generic. Now to get rid of an ending that was, while terribly written and vastly non-informative as Final Spark is a great thing, taking away a character's happy ending for this book, that's just not worth it. Her death was also obvious because the author death flagged her to high heaven. She has gotten the short end of the stick this entire series after her introduction and it's honestly just disappointing.
Now next on my list is the attention given to characters. The first half of the book is terrible at giving the characters any of their personality (most of which was given to them in the last book) The second half at least treats most of them well aside from Johnson, Ian, Tara (though at least that because of torture and not bad writing) McKenna, and Quinton. In fact we Quinton barely does anything in this book. Out of the characters not paid attention to I'd like to focus on Ian, Quinton and McKenna.
First Ian. The last book actually used him as more than a plot device! Now, he's back to being one with little personality. His jokes are always appreciated but he barely says anything other than them or giving information about enemies.
Quinton is next. As the former leader of Elgen'd electric youths I thought the eighth book handled his character incredibly well. He, after Hades, appreciated Micheal as a leader and was completely fine with him leading, holding a great amount of respect for him. He basically played second in command, being in charge when Micheal wasn't and using his intellect to do, well actually intelligent things, a rarity in this series even for the villains. Now, he barely does anything and his sudo second in command position is no longer existent. I know it was never stated or official but there was a feeling that he was a former leader in the last book that is absent here.
Finally, McKenna. As the electric youth with the least personality other than Grace, (Oh we'll get to her later, unlike the author) She has always been a hard character to pin down, she really just acted like an Abby 2 who was in love with Ostin. The author seems to struggle writing female characters and definitely struggles with not wanting to put them all in relationships whenever he can, which I notice isn't a trend with every male character introduced. (I wonder if he's gonna make Bryan and Kylee date just for the sake of it) McKenna does a lot in this book but she's just so plain and has little personality.
Now for the villain. When the leader of this group was introduced I thought "oh thank God he's different from Hatch" Now this book throws that out the window. In the last book he made fun of Hatch for having a god complex and even stated he didn't view himself as a god nor did he do anything to indicate he did. He stayed calm and faced his opponents rationally, he had plans that his emotions didn't dictate. Now, I freaken kid you not, one of his first lines is something like "He whispers in the ear of God and by God I of course mean me" His character does a 180 in this book. He's just as deranged as Hatch was in book 4 at least. He acts exactly like him and he isn't even given the page time to be compelling, not that he could be if he acted exactly like Hatch. He isn't even calm any more, he acts on emotion just like Hatch and underestimates the electric youths because of course he does. He is so disappointing to the point where I made it a point to forget his name because he now has no unique personality.
Now onto- wait what's happening- ...
"Save Taylor and Jack"
Oh yeah, Grace was a character.
Well I suppose I should talk about the biggest disappointment of this book. Grace, never is even mentioned! She doesn't help, is never mentioned and they don't even try contacting her. It's like the author forgot about her and honestly I'm angry. She has had no significant role since the first book to the point where the author forgot to mention if she died in the seventh book. She was finally given a plot revlant role in book 8 but surprise, just like everything else, this book changed that.
Now speaking of changes, a certain tribe surviving is such a annoying plot inconsistentcy. Now I like their characters but they were killed in book 3, now their back and there's not a mention of that. Now obviously Micheal could have gotten the wrong information but not once is that brought up in this or any previous book. Michael's not even surprised. Now if this happened during the time skip, an event where he was informed that actually survived, than MAYBE, the author should have that said instead of just bringing characters back from the dead with no explanation and acting like it's normal and expected to see them.
I feel, that this is the fans fault. The complaints from the last book were vast so I feel the author shifted gear from the story he was trying to tell to this jumbled mess. It would explain why Jack not being a traitor and being immediately captured happened, why Taylor was captured to progress that plot line and the plot faster, why the characters are yet again dumbed down cardboard cut outs, and why Grace is yet again, not important. It even explains Hatch 2.0. The author even repeated the same plot line they used almost every book of "oh no their captured, oh no something went wrong when reducing them, oh we get out barely, oh no something worse happened, oh no let's go home" I hate this book with a burning passion. It ruined the first good thing I had to say about this series, that being the last book. The writing style even regressed with worse descriptions, especially during dialogue. "A classic Micheal Vey adventure" Yeah that's what this book is and that just makes it so much worse than it could have been. I'm reading the last book out of dedication because if I acted on spite, I would never have made it this far but I can't stand this book. Honestly it had some good moments but because of the endless amounts of potential and a WHOLE BOOK it ruined, I can't rate it anything but 1 star, not because it steps away from being a Michela Vey book like so many reviews I've read through say but exactly because it is a classic Micheal Vey adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2024
Better than the last one but not great
I don't see a purpose for this series to continue. It keeps repeating the same story beats with less tension each time. Every attempt at a plot twist (which this entry is full of) feels empty. The characters don't seem to experience any growth, and the dynamics between characters haven't changed enough to create any drama. L sequel and L cash grab.
I don't see a purpose for this series to continue. It keeps repeating the same story beats with less tension each time. Every attempt at a plot twist (which this entry is full of) feels empty. The characters don't seem to experience any growth, and the dynamics between characters haven't changed enough to create any drama. L sequel and L cash grab.
December 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and it very much made me cry 😭 so hard I loved Tessa and I was so sad to see her die!!!! But the grief could’ve been stretched out a little bit more and a bit more detailed (I know I’m picky) but other than that so sad!!! So good!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2024
Slightly disappointing. Felt like the same stuff over and over again only with a new enemy. Also is there gonna be another book? That ending left some things unresolved. Honestly I don't know if I will read the next book (if there's gonna be one) I guess I'll just decide once it comes out.
December 9, 2023
not good.
December 1, 2024
Characters 3/5
Writing 2.5/5
Story 2.5/5
World 1.5/5
Emotion 2.5/5
Writing 2.5/5
Story 2.5/5
World 1.5/5
Emotion 2.5/5
April 7, 2025
This was phenomenal to say the least. I got so giddy in some parts, and in others I would just feel sadness(if you know you know).
SPOILER!!
I don't really consider this a spoiler but you can skip over it if you have a friend who read it and they think it is or something. But I had to search up what the word TETELESTAI meant in the morning sense I stayed up late to finish(it means it is finished for those wondering). Also I hope that Lars rots in the tangarana tree.
YOU CAN LOOK NOW!!!
Jack is one of the bestest characters there is. I've always had faith in him and know for a fact that I am not alone on this.
Anyways, the cover is so cool on this book too, along with all the rest.
I honestly didn't want to finish the book sense it's the second to last book and then I'll remember the ending and will never be able to read the series for the first time ever again(I need more books like this in my life). I know when I finish it I'll have a book hangover and will be so sad. I plan on reading other series and try to come back to this series when I'm in high school. This book series has been a great adventure and Mr. Evans here needs to write more series like this instead of holiday books(no offence I'm sure they're great if they're written by him). I'm gonna move onto the next book and honestly I feel like I'll try to go slow but won't be able too.
SPOILER!!!
Tessa...oh my gosh, Tessa. WHYYYYYYY!?!? Tessa is an angel and has done nothing wrong!! What made me so sad/mad is that Abi, Jack, and Torstyn never really got to say goodbye!! Sure the others kind of got to say one, BUT THEY EXPECTED HER BACK!!! Let's not forget how Jax literally jumped on Cassy to save her LIFE!!! (so happy she lives though) Like, Tessa has been there for, what, six books now? And now they KILLED HER THAT MEAN CHASQUI!!
I'M DONE!!
Anyways, if you haven't read this book so you can't look at the spoilers, I'm sure it's hard to ignore all...that. REGARDLESS, put your phone/computer/whatever you're looking at this on, and if you're a Veyniac, go pick up the book you're reading and READ IT!!!! It's a Vey book for goodness sake, Ostin would say, "Michael Vey books help you be...smart...and stuff. Listening to MEEE!!! Studies show that people who read Michael Vey are true book worms which is a term for people who enjoy reading and do it in their free time. It also shows that you have a higher chance of being a Glow. But I don't really recommend that, it's a life of danger, and loses. Everyone needs to hear the story of my best bud and his Electroclan at least once. And every Veyniac can agree. Because a Veyniac, is a person who obsesses over Michael's life. And for the record, I was with him from the very beginning, before Taylor, when he had a crush and wasn't dating her."
Or something like that. I feel like he would say something like that. But honestly, if someone came around asking, "Hey! Do you want to live a life of fear but get electric powers and get to be apart of the Electroclan?" I would say, "DUHH!! SIGN ME UPP!!"
*sigh* I need RPE to write more books like this. And for those saying anything bad about your books, ignore them. 'Cause the people reading your books are YOUR Electroclan, and we adore the Michael Vey books that were presented to us.
SPOILER!!
I don't really consider this a spoiler but you can skip over it if you have a friend who read it and they think it is or something. But I had to search up what the word TETELESTAI meant in the morning sense I stayed up late to finish(it means it is finished for those wondering). Also I hope that Lars rots in the tangarana tree.
YOU CAN LOOK NOW!!!
Jack is one of the bestest characters there is. I've always had faith in him and know for a fact that I am not alone on this.
Anyways, the cover is so cool on this book too, along with all the rest.
I honestly didn't want to finish the book sense it's the second to last book and then I'll remember the ending and will never be able to read the series for the first time ever again(I need more books like this in my life). I know when I finish it I'll have a book hangover and will be so sad. I plan on reading other series and try to come back to this series when I'm in high school. This book series has been a great adventure and Mr. Evans here needs to write more series like this instead of holiday books(no offence I'm sure they're great if they're written by him). I'm gonna move onto the next book and honestly I feel like I'll try to go slow but won't be able too.
SPOILER!!!
Tessa...oh my gosh, Tessa. WHYYYYYYY!?!? Tessa is an angel and has done nothing wrong!! What made me so sad/mad is that Abi, Jack, and Torstyn never really got to say goodbye!! Sure the others kind of got to say one, BUT THEY EXPECTED HER BACK!!! Let's not forget how Jax literally jumped on Cassy to save her LIFE!!! (so happy she lives though) Like, Tessa has been there for, what, six books now? And now they KILLED HER THAT MEAN CHASQUI!!
I'M DONE!!
Anyways, if you haven't read this book so you can't look at the spoilers, I'm sure it's hard to ignore all...that. REGARDLESS, put your phone/computer/whatever you're looking at this on, and if you're a Veyniac, go pick up the book you're reading and READ IT!!!! It's a Vey book for goodness sake, Ostin would say, "Michael Vey books help you be...smart...and stuff. Listening to MEEE!!! Studies show that people who read Michael Vey are true book worms which is a term for people who enjoy reading and do it in their free time. It also shows that you have a higher chance of being a Glow. But I don't really recommend that, it's a life of danger, and loses. Everyone needs to hear the story of my best bud and his Electroclan at least once. And every Veyniac can agree. Because a Veyniac, is a person who obsesses over Michael's life. And for the record, I was with him from the very beginning, before Taylor, when he had a crush and wasn't dating her."
Or something like that. I feel like he would say something like that. But honestly, if someone came around asking, "Hey! Do you want to live a life of fear but get electric powers and get to be apart of the Electroclan?" I would say, "DUHH!! SIGN ME UPP!!"
*sigh* I need RPE to write more books like this. And for those saying anything bad about your books, ignore them. 'Cause the people reading your books are YOUR Electroclan, and we adore the Michael Vey books that were presented to us.
October 29, 2023
A supernatural science fiction, Michael Vey The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans is the latest in the Michael Vey series. The Electroclan, a group of teenagers with extraordinary abilities and superpowers, want to defeat the Chasqui, a cunning terrorist group who have kidnapped some of their members in an attempt at world domination. They team up with locals and an elite task force to take down the Chasqui and rescue their friends. The story is physics based, a cross-curricular connection, such as with Michael Vey, the protagonist, who has electric powers and uses energy to throw pulses or shock people. The book is a 5 out of 5 star read for preteens and teens interested in the supernatural or science fiction. The plot is slow moving as there are a lot of descriptions to fill in new readers and aid fans with past event connections. The risk taking, and courage finding, though, inspires comradery, and self acceptance as being the greatest version of yourself.
October 9, 2023
This book felt more like the first 7, than 8 did. I enjoyed this book much more than 8. However, I will say that the story tends to repeat itself from the first seven.
But I recognize that this very much YA and can enjoy it as such. I will still continue reading this series because it meant so much to me in middle school, as well as the characters are good.
I will say that I appreciate that he didn't keep using "they man hugged" all the time. Especially that one of the few times it was used, it was pertaining to Zeus, as if it was his thing.i appreciated that.
Good series, and I keep going back for the nostalgia
But I recognize that this very much YA and can enjoy it as such. I will still continue reading this series because it meant so much to me in middle school, as well as the characters are good.
I will say that I appreciate that he didn't keep using "they man hugged" all the time. Especially that one of the few times it was used, it was pertaining to Zeus, as if it was his thing.i appreciated that.
Good series, and I keep going back for the nostalgia
July 9, 2024
i have unresolved beef with richard evans but I am not above reading my brothers’ books that they get from the library. for better or worse, michael vey was a core part of my reading taste growing up.
it’s definitely better than no.8, but that’s not a high bar. I can’t tell whether the writing style has gotten more clunky or if I’ve just gotten more critical. Also there was a weird mini-plot hole with Taylor and Tara that didn’t really affect the overall plot, but it felt careless on Evans’ part. You have to wonder how much money a new Vey book brings in at this point.
it’s definitely better than no.8, but that’s not a high bar. I can’t tell whether the writing style has gotten more clunky or if I’ve just gotten more critical. Also there was a weird mini-plot hole with Taylor and Tara that didn’t really affect the overall plot, but it felt careless on Evans’ part. You have to wonder how much money a new Vey book brings in at this point.
December 21, 2024
As I figured, this one was filled with action, devastation, and some fun character interactions. I appreciated all the nuances and different scenes. There were some great plans and actually some good execution of plans. Normally, everything goes wrong, horribly, for the Electroclan, but this time there was some good luck. I won't spoil who ended up dead, because that would be harsh, but there were some casualties. This book reminded me of "The Fall of Hades" and that was my favorite book in the series so far - still is.
October 12, 2023
The way I always devour these books. Since I waited to read the last book in this series, I was able to read this one immediately after.
I loved the twists and turns, and the constant adventure. I also almost cried during this one because it feels like the impossible has happened near the end of this book. I'm not going to say much because of spoilers, but I'm left with questions and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book, since this one left off on a cliffhanger!
Happy reading!
I loved the twists and turns, and the constant adventure. I also almost cried during this one because it feels like the impossible has happened near the end of this book. I'm not going to say much because of spoilers, but I'm left with questions and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book, since this one left off on a cliffhanger!
Happy reading!
September 11, 2024
After months of waiting for this, finally got it in hand, and wow. I admit I was just ready to finish this series, but this installment proved to be the best of them all - action-packed from the get-go to the very end, lots of emotion, and ultimately a lot more realistic and darker. It was easy to forget this is a middle grade book. I’m disappointed it’s not the conclusion as I believe there are more to come, but still, this was a good read.
March 22, 2024
Reading the 8th Michael Vey book and then switching to this made this one even better than it already was. My jaw dropped near the end. (iykyk)
SPOILERS BELOW
When Michael was punishing Lars for torturing Jamie, I felt like he wasn't any better than Hatch. Just telling Lars how he was gonna be tortured because he doesn't deserve an early death...
SPOILERS BELOW
When Michael was punishing Lars for torturing Jamie, I felt like he wasn't any better than Hatch. Just telling Lars how he was gonna be tortured because he doesn't deserve an early death...
October 25, 2023
My review is similar to my other Veys: a fun story, interesting cast of characters, my kids love it, feels like half a book. Although book 10 has probably not even been written yet, I feel like 9-11 would have probably made a great single book.
January 20, 2024
Another great Michael Vey book! Richard Paul Evans is getting better :) I'm looking forward to the next book because there was certainly a cliff hanger and some unsolved mysteries! And yes, I did cry at least once 😭
April 1, 2024
Blah, blah, blah, we get it, the series isn't finished yet. I get that I'm not the target audience and no one forced me to read, but the restart of the series feels very forced. I don't think I'll be reading the next book (books??) in the series.
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