The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark

Nadia Tesla #3

by Orest Stelmach

“The fate of the world depends on us.” With one mysterious e-mail, Bobby Kungenook―the teenage hockey phenom living undercover and guarding part of a revolutionary scientific breakthrough―realizes someone else shares his secret. The sender summons Bobby from New York to a rendezvous in radioactive Japan. There, with the help of Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, the two will forever alter mankind’s destiny. But dangerous people from Bobby’s haunted past are hot on his heels, determined to possess what could be the power of life and death. And when the enigmatic e-mail sender, Genesis II, is kidnapped after a bloody showdown on the scarred streets of Fukushima, Bobby must tap into his remarkable abilities to pursue the brutal captors into the forbidding reaches of Siberia―and the land where his journey began. As the Nadia Tesla series races to its stunning conclusion on the frozen shores of Lake Baikal, the boy from reactor four will claim his fate and become a legend.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Action, Adventure

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Orest Stelmach is the Kindle#1 bestselling author of six novels. His Nadia Tesla Series has been optioned for film development and translated into numerous foreign languages. He's a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Orest lives in Weatogue, Connecticut, with his wife and rescue cat.

Reviews

[L.A. Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of the "Boy Who" trilogy. I especially liked the settings and the continuing explication of Russian-Ukrainian conflict, along with the addition of the Fukushima tragedy.

The closing scenes at Lake Baikal are very moving.

[Denver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this book higher, but my disbelief in its conclusion prevents me from doing so. I would rate this book lower, but my hope for some eventual resolution delays this. ***SPOILERS*** The sudden twist into fatalism and the allusion to Bobby's eternal disregard for Nadia's feelings or desires is more disappointing than I know how to express. There seems to be no hint that any conclusion will ever be brought to the tale, and the ending to this book cannot be called a conclusion; it feels as if it were thrown together in a 15-minute brainstorm session titled, "How can we shock them?" Despite Nadia's hasty premonition, we know she would not stop looking for him; she loves Bobby. Despite the hasty epilogue about Bobby learning how to use a boomerang, the entire series has tied our hearts together with Nadia's and Bobby's, and there is absolutely no reason that the two of them must stay separated as the story closes; the shallow reasons supplied do not mesh with the reality previously woven. Some people were upset by Veronica Ross, but at least her conclusion made sense, even though disappointing. This conclusion did not make sense, and it doesn't seem the the prequel scheduled for release in May has any intention of addressing the huge gaping hole left in the stories of these people's lives. I am angry, and the only way I can see this rating improving is if the author revisits Bobby and Nadia; otherwise, this rating can only decrease.

[Book Haunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying ending to a good series Bobby Kungenook and his guardian Nadia are both aware that the locket he has always worn contains part of a groundbreaking formula that could counteract the effect of radiation poisoning.  When Bobby receives an email from a person known as Genesis II, it suggests that the sender has the other half of the formula and would like Bobby to meet with him in Japan. Nadia and Bobby agree that the opportunity is not one they can pass up, so they are off to Japan.  
 
Once they get to the meeting place, things start to go wrong.  Genesis II is kidnapped and Bobby is shocked to see someone from his past.  When Bobby takes off on his own in an attempt to follow the kidnappers, Nadia is hot on his trail trying to keep him safe. The first two books brought us an interesting look inside the Ukrainian culture and the resulting consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.  The third book brings us an additional look at the Fukushima nuclear meltdown initiated by the 2011 tsunami in Japan.  We all saw the horrifying pictures of the tsunami, and watched as the Japanese fought to contain the nuclear meltdown.  The upheaval it left behind and the potential for more disasters of this level are all the more emotional to read about since this was such a recent happening.  In reality, if the formula in this book was real, it would indeed be a treasure beyond price to good and bad guys alike.  
 
This is a fast-paced and exciting conclusion to the Nadia Tesla series.  I was very satisfied with the unpredictable ending.  I am also very positive that there will be readers who aren't so satisfied.  Which will you be? 

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

3.5 stars

I hadn't noticed this book was the final part in a series until I started reading. By then, it was too late to turn around as I was immediately pulled into the story. Yes, I felt like I missed certain things because I hadn't read the first two books, but no, this never really bothered as the story still can be read and understood (it's just the backstory that's somewhat lacking).

I was intrigued by the title, The Boy Who Glowed In The Dark, I'm not even sure why. I wasn't sure what kind of story I was supposed to be expecting, except that it had something to do with Chernobyl. Bobby is a Chernobyl survivor, now living undercover in America. An ice hockey talent and somehow the carrier of a part of a very important formula. Besides, he's got some serious skills in loosing tails and other spy-related stuff. Apparently these come with a big dose of radiation.

When he receives a mysterious email from someone claiming to also be a part of the formula he and his aunt Nadia Tesla'll need to travel to yet another nuclear power disaster to find some answers.

What I really liked about the story was the different settings, Ukraine, Russia, Japan. It worked great. It was a fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing for some time. Here and there it could have been a bit tighter, a bit more organized, but all in all I really quite enjoyed myself reading this. The ending did feel a bit hurried. However, I have gotten myself a copy of the first book in this series and plan on reading it sometime soon.

The boy who glowed in the dark is the final book in the Nadia Tesla series. The first two books are The boy from reactor 4 and The boy who stole from the dead.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another race through Ukraine and Siberia as different criminal gangs and others try to reunite two ex-Chernobyl teenagers for a potential formula for an antidote to radiation sickness. In this story there is an initial phase in Japan, taking in the site of the Fukushima nuclear site. A fast moving thriller but somehow just not gelling for me - a bit repetitive of the two earlier books.

[Dan Mayland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grand finale this series deserves.

As a fan of The Boy From Reactor 4 and The Boy Who Stole From the Dead, I couldn’t wait for this next book in the series to come out. Turns out it was worth every minute of that wait.

The hunt for a formula that could counteract the effect of radiation poisoning leads Ukrainian-born hockey prodigy Bobby Kungenook, a survivor of Chornobyl, to the nuclear wasteland of Fukushima, Japan. Bobby’s aunt and protector, the indomitable Nadia Tesla, accompanies him. But in Fukushima, Bobby sees something or someone that shakes him to his core. Suddenly, he’s racing off on his own, hunting down what he saw, even as he’s hunted himself. But what exactly did he see?

The things that originally drew me to the series are here again in spades: breakneck pacing, taught writing, insights into Ukrainian culture, humor, and a multilayered plot that left me shaking my head wondering how Stelmach managed to think it all up. On one level, this book is a treasure hunt that leads through Ukraine and Japan and Siberia, but with Stelmach it’s never that simple. What is the treasure really? Does it even exist? And if it does, is it worth having? While he’s taking readers on this wildly entertaining ride, Stelmach also appeals to our better angels by shining a spotlight on things that really matter—most notably, the devastating effects of nuclear disaster.

In Fukushima and elsewhere, scenes of ruination and brutality frame individual acts of decency and redemption. It’s in these moments that Stelmach’s colorful characters—and especially Bobby, the boy referenced in the title—come alive. And that’s where the real beauty of this book ultimately lies—with Bobby himself, with the choices he makes, and the man he becomes despite the hellhole from which he came.

I won’t give away the conclusion, but I will say it came as a surprise and blew me away. Brilliant, nuanced, and deeply moving are words that come to mind. Long live the boy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action picked right back up where it left off in Book #2, which I appreciate. There was a bit too much recapping for my liking, especially some that seemed to repeat itself, mid-book. Overall, I was racing through to the end, thinking this was a trilogy and was about to discover the happy ending. No such luck. While Stelmach crafts incredibly believable characters (albeit ones who end up in highly improbably situations), I found myself becoming detached from them at the end, but perhaps that's only because I know I'll have a long wait until Book #4 hits shelves. Either way, nearly as enjoyable as the first two and with a growing love triangle that poses the ages-old question, "Can money buy love?"

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book having already read the first in the series, The boy from Reactor 4. I'm familiar with the concept of a series where the same set of characters are caught up in a new story in each part. However, what we find in this book is that the same characters are being pursued across Japan and Russia by the same villains for the same reasons.
The book is well written and builds the tension nicely but all the way through I had the feeling of Deja Vu. To an extent, I felt cheated. If it is all one story, it should be all in one book. This one felt more like a soap opera, a story that never ends.

[Danielle Brown-Barba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY loved this series, until the end if this book. I was so disheartened by the ending and what I thought was the conclusion of the series. There were too many loose ends left for this to be the final book. I'm not sure....is a fourth book in the works????

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I did not realize "The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark" is part of a trilogy until I started reading. If I had known, I would not have read it until after I had read the other 2 books. Mostly, because it would have made me more familiar with Bobby Kungenook, the main character.

Bobby, a survivor of Chornobyl and his aunt Nadia Tesla continue to search for a formula that would help counteract the effects Bobby suffers from radiation poisoning. One day Bobby receives a mysterious email that brings Bobby and Nadia to the nuclear wasteland of Fukushima, Japan. Bobby sees something that sends him on a journey to figure out what it is he saw even though he finds himself hunted.

This author writes a story that is fast paced, has great humor as well as a plot with so many layers it leaves you amazed at how well it all seems to fit together into the story of "The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark". Stelmach writes characters that are so vibrant and interesting you are kept fascinated, though some of the situations the main character finds himself in seem implausible.

If you are a fan of fast paced thrillers that are full of international intrigue, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this title.

[Carolyn Injoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free kindle copy of The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark (The Nadia Tesla Series, Book 3) by Orest Stelmach published by Thomas & Mercer from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I gave this suspenseful thriller four stars in spite of the fact that I was lost with some of the characters. It would have been easier to understand the references to earlier events if I had read the previous books. This was the first time I've read any of Stelmach's work & this novel barely stands alone.

Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan in 2011 & the Chernobyl disaster, the 1986 nuclear plant accident in Ukraine both are referenced & woven intricately throughout the story. There is a hope that Bobby Nadia Tesla's nephew (cousin?) can contain the secret to help save mankind from nuclear radiation damages.

It is fast paced & eerie in descriptions of the deserted cities. Although the areas are the 'forbidden zone' some people have returned in spite of the barricades.

It ended in a cliff hanger. That's not my favorite style of ending & what cost the novel a star.

Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Glowed-Dark-Nad...

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible ending. I am extremely surprised and disappointed by the way this series ended. I feel like I invested so much time reading (and enjoying) the first two books only to have it end like this. This whole book was disappointing really, as it wasn't at all like the fist two. There was a severe lack of character development and I never felt attached to the characters the way I did in the first two books. Overall, it was a letdown. Save yourself the trouble and only read the first book or first two books. Avoid letting this ending ruin the series for you.

[allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, frustrating conclusion

I very much enjoyed reading the third book in the Nadia Tesla series. I have loved reading all three of the books. However I am greatly disturbed by this conclusion. The ending to me is the definition of a cliff hanger. That's why I have given only four stars to this book.

[Nellster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the series but felt cheated in this book...very poor ending lots of questions left unanswered...interesting plot twist but with such a stupid ending...the conclusion of this series is so poor that even though i enjoyed the books i felt like i wasted time reading this series as there are so many questions with no answers and no point to some of the twist.

[Scott Namo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing ending

This was a great series up until the ending of book three. Kind of like the author got tired of writing the story. Which seems odd given the great detail found in the rest of the story. So in the end the ending was a let down.

[Lee Thames · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would wrap up the series. Maybe it has. Lots of loose strings and I did not the ending/climax.

Mr. Stelmach publishes a fourth I will get it, but will be wary of where he goes from here.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not appreciate the ending of this book. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered and it just kind of stops without coming to a good stopping point. I thought it was very odd.

[Andy Autobee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big letdown after reading series...

[julia de jong · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was more slow paced than the first 2 books which was kind of a bummer but it was still easy to read, i didnt like the ending tho :/ it wasnt really a cliffhanger but it wasnt an “answer” either

[Iao · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark will not disappoint you.

This fast paced book is so well written, it has a lot of action and a great plot. The characters are described in a very real way. The story unfolds like a lucid dream, you follow the events as if you are there. As the events happen, you will find yourself pulling for the hero like you can't imagine. The unbearable tension is broken by moments of humour and compassion, the final moments slow down like a trip through a life threatening time, you know that it is a really good story when you realise that you have sat up most of the night reading it.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this title not knowing it was part of a continuing series. The start of the book left me lost as I feel it didn't accurately catch up the reader on the past two books. Bits and pieces are revealed as the novel progresses, so you really have to read the first two books before jumping into this one. Once I accepted the fact that I wouldn't understand the backstory of many characters, the plot moved along fairly well. The world-building was decent, even though some threads were more on the far-fetched side that requires a suspension of disbelief. 3 stars overall.

[Ali Bordonaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointed with the ending. I'm not sure if there will be another book!!

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been enjoying this series, but this book felt like a bit of a letdown compared to the first two. I found the ending in particular to be very unsatisfying.

[Bre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best. In the previous books, the female lead is strong and capable. In this story, the author neuters her and she becomes the typical damsel in distress. Boring.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

With one mysterious e-mail, Bobby Kungenook—the teenage hockey phenom living undercover and guarding part of a revolutionary scientific breakthrough—realizes someone else shares his secret. The sender summons Bobby from New York to a rendezvous in radioactive Japan. There, with the help of Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, the two will forever alter mankind’s destiny.
But dangerous people from Bobby’s haunted past are hot on his heels, determined to possess what could be the power of life and death. And when the enigmatic e-mail sender, Genesis II, is kidnapped after a bloody showdown on the scarred streets of Fukushima, Bobby must tap into his remarkable abilities to pursue the brutal captors into the forbidding reaches of Siberia—and the land where his journey began.
As the Nadia Tesla series races to its stunning conclusion on the frozen shores of Lake Baikal, the boy from reactor four will claim his fate and become a legend.

This is the third - and final - book in the Nadia Tesla series. It would be beneficial if you have read the previous two books - The Boy from Reactor 4 and The Boy Who Stole from the Dead as this book references previous events.

I have given this book 4 stars which may sound like it is a pretty good book - it is. It has a lot of positives. The biggest highlight of this book was the settings: Russia, Japan, the Ukraine...beautiful settings, well described. I really appreciated that. Aside from that, the author got a lot of other fundamentals right as well - good, crisp clean dialogue, a plot that kept moving throughout the story, characters (in particular Bobby, but also Nadia is a splendidly drawn character) that make you sit up and take notice. All in all, a very good novel...

...until the end. I was left feeling like the author hadn't really thought through how to finish off this series. It is disappointing when you get to the end of a series and get a finish like that. No real resolution. All I felt was that there was going to be another book...otherwise, what was the point?

Still, the storytelling previous to the finale was excellent and, if you don't mind anti-climactic endings, you should really give this series a go!


Paul
ARH

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of the four Nadia Tesla books. And this one is as good as the others. Fast paced, a page turner, so good. Love a book like this.

Nadia and Adam return in this book which begins with a mysterious e-mail that says, "the fate of the world depends on us." This is such a shock to Bobby/Adam and Nadia who realize that there is someone else out there who knows the secret of a scientific breakthrough that can change the world. The writer of this e-mail summons Bobby to Japan, which, like Chernobyl has a radioactive disaster area. But the bad guys are hot on their tails, everyone wanting what Bobby and the e-mail sender have. This book takes you from New York City to Japan to the Ukraine and to frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia. Absolutely loved the last pages!!

Make sure you read these four books in this order:

The Altar Girl: A Prequel
The Boy from Reactor 4 (Nadia Tesla, #1)
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead (Nadia Tesla, #2)
The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark (Nadia Tesla, #3)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read the full review here - http://www.thepeachmartini.com/?p=747

Overall, I liked it. I really enjoyed the whole series, and the fact the author decided to give a portion of the royalties to one of my fave charities is a bonus.

In this book, I liked how he tied the events in Japan into the story, and of course I like the intrigue of the overall story line. Can't really say too much without spoilers...I liked meeting new characters and learning more about previously introduced characters (from earlier books). I was a little bummed out at the ending - not the way I wanted it to end, but I'm not the author :)

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! This entire series, including the prequel Altar Girl, was an incredible ride. I've learned so much! This series is one I will talk about and remember as one of my favorites for a very long time. It's difficult to pinpoint my favorite parts or favorite books; they all had me reading every spare second. Few books leave me with a 'hangover'...with sadness that I've finished and there is no more. I'm feeling it now.

I'm a more informed person after reading this series, and that is something I truly appreciate.

[Kathleen D Couvillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great finish to a great series.

I enjoyed the characters as well as the cultural references about the people of Russia, Ukraine, and Siberia. These people have been greatly overlooked in the past except in Cold War spy stories, and the author does a great job informing us of their humanity. Their traditions are fascinating, as well as their cultural sites mentioned in the series. I would love to visit the area and see the people and places, as well as taste their foods. The stories in this series are exciting and fun to read.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-stars on the strength of the series as a whole. But closer to 3-stars as a conclusive ending. Perhaps not entirely conclusive (there are plenty of loose ends to continue this series). The elements of supernatural powers and the trip to Fukushima felt a bit forced for my taste. The action sequences were a little clumsy. And the ending was unsatisfying. None of this takes away from the great character development and ensemble of characters. I just wished for more in the ending.