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Sting!
Shocking! Stunning! Totally Electrifying!!
Stephen Ray Fischer, otherwise known as Sting, has a very annoying little 'thing' about him. He can't seem to touch anyone without shocking them- literally. Even with rubber-soled shoes and standing on plain dirt or cement, everybody gets zapped.
It's not serious, of course. Kids do it all the time. But not ALL the time.
Now, as a junior in his small-town high school, Sting's schoolmates have long since learned to keep a wide berth, and as a result, true friends are hard to come by. The taunting and teasing are relentless, especially when Sting's little 'stings' start getting out of hand.
After a curious incident with a high voltage power line, Sting finds he's suddenly becoming more and more electrically charged. Lights turn off and on, clocks spin like wall fans, radios and TVs change channels. Something very weird is happening, and Sting has no idea what it is or what to do about it. He's becoming dangerous to be around. There's even talk of having him put away.
Only one girl, a newcomer named Connie Phillips, has compassion for the walking, human lightening bolt. And her father, a retired scientist with a very mysterious past, takes the supercharged Sting under his wing and into his confidence as he works secretly on his 'project' in his garage.
Then life gets complicated.
Sting's jolted and electocuted peers decide to teach him a lesson he'll never forget. Some unnamed government agencies from the big city want Sting locked up for scientific study. Church members want him 'Ex'ed. And a smooth talking businessman-with bodyguards- wants to 'employ' Sting for reasons he can't even begin to imagine.
And as if that weren't enough, Mr. Phillips' project- a top secret, uniquely modified, VERY supercharged Corvette Stingray- has suddenly disappeared. Vanished!
And all fingers point to Sting Ray Fischer.
(back of book).
Stephen Ray Fischer, otherwise known as Sting, has a very annoying little 'thing' about him. He can't seem to touch anyone without shocking them- literally. Even with rubber-soled shoes and standing on plain dirt or cement, everybody gets zapped.
It's not serious, of course. Kids do it all the time. But not ALL the time.
Now, as a junior in his small-town high school, Sting's schoolmates have long since learned to keep a wide berth, and as a result, true friends are hard to come by. The taunting and teasing are relentless, especially when Sting's little 'stings' start getting out of hand.
After a curious incident with a high voltage power line, Sting finds he's suddenly becoming more and more electrically charged. Lights turn off and on, clocks spin like wall fans, radios and TVs change channels. Something very weird is happening, and Sting has no idea what it is or what to do about it. He's becoming dangerous to be around. There's even talk of having him put away.
Only one girl, a newcomer named Connie Phillips, has compassion for the walking, human lightening bolt. And her father, a retired scientist with a very mysterious past, takes the supercharged Sting under his wing and into his confidence as he works secretly on his 'project' in his garage.
Then life gets complicated.
Sting's jolted and electocuted peers decide to teach him a lesson he'll never forget. Some unnamed government agencies from the big city want Sting locked up for scientific study. Church members want him 'Ex'ed. And a smooth talking businessman-with bodyguards- wants to 'employ' Sting for reasons he can't even begin to imagine.
And as if that weren't enough, Mr. Phillips' project- a top secret, uniquely modified, VERY supercharged Corvette Stingray- has suddenly disappeared. Vanished!
And all fingers point to Sting Ray Fischer.
(back of book).
- GenresLds FictionFantasy
267 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 6, 2012
Here is a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover". I guess it could also be a lesson on how the right cover art is vital to that all-important first impression.
When I saw this book sitting on the shelf in my family room, I confess, I didn't think much of it. It looked rather—well—cheesy unprofessional. However, when my daughter-in-law recommended it and I understood her friendship with the author, I felt courtesy demanded that I should read it. I was quite pleasantly surprised. That was earlier this year.
I was reminded of it again when I read this book, Master of Emotion. Like that work, a socially outcast teenager, Stephen Ray "Sting" Fischer, who shuns physical contact out of necessity, is rescued from his lonely fate by the new girl in town, Connie Phillips, who hasn't been around long enough to learn the "rules" about him. His "abilities" (a great word in speculative fiction) capture his attention. Her mysterious past intrigues him. Romance ensues.
Sting's physical quirk gives him special technical prowess, while Beau of MoE hones his super people skills. Perhaps the difference between male and female authors is reflected here. The plots diverge when Sting and Connie get caught up in the intrigues of a secret government project, with lots of sinister scientists and jack-boots and a spiffy Corvette Stingray. Poor Beau and Rose of MoE only get a beat-up truck, an old VW, and a mad gynecologist. In both, secret lairs are breached, muscles are flexed, personal growth occurs, worlds expand, and special connections are made. Boy gets girl. Becoming the cool guy at school is the gravy.
Mr. Rowley does a good job drawing the reader into the tale, although I took exception to a few scenarios. Even the thickheaded-est football player is smart enough to recognize the difference between life-saving procedures and creepy groping. And what paramedic in their right mind drives away leaving a kid standing there gripping live high-voltage wires in his fists? Ms. Ogden did a better job at the human interaction. Mr. Rowley has better Clancy-esque skills.
Like MoE, I read this in one night, which I think is about the right length and depth for a young adult novel. It isn't profoundly insightful or Pulitzer Prize worthy, but it is a fresh take on a universal condition, for what high-school teenager doesn't feel like an outsider deep down in his bones? And what such person doesn't want to get the girl and be cool?
When I saw this book sitting on the shelf in my family room, I confess, I didn't think much of it. It looked rather—well—cheesy unprofessional. However, when my daughter-in-law recommended it and I understood her friendship with the author, I felt courtesy demanded that I should read it. I was quite pleasantly surprised. That was earlier this year.
I was reminded of it again when I read this book, Master of Emotion. Like that work, a socially outcast teenager, Stephen Ray "Sting" Fischer, who shuns physical contact out of necessity, is rescued from his lonely fate by the new girl in town, Connie Phillips, who hasn't been around long enough to learn the "rules" about him. His "abilities" (a great word in speculative fiction) capture his attention. Her mysterious past intrigues him. Romance ensues.
Sting's physical quirk gives him special technical prowess, while Beau of MoE hones his super people skills. Perhaps the difference between male and female authors is reflected here. The plots diverge when Sting and Connie get caught up in the intrigues of a secret government project, with lots of sinister scientists and jack-boots and a spiffy Corvette Stingray. Poor Beau and Rose of MoE only get a beat-up truck, an old VW, and a mad gynecologist. In both, secret lairs are breached, muscles are flexed, personal growth occurs, worlds expand, and special connections are made. Boy gets girl. Becoming the cool guy at school is the gravy.
Mr. Rowley does a good job drawing the reader into the tale, although I took exception to a few scenarios. Even the thickheaded-est football player is smart enough to recognize the difference between life-saving procedures and creepy groping. And what paramedic in their right mind drives away leaving a kid standing there gripping live high-voltage wires in his fists? Ms. Ogden did a better job at the human interaction. Mr. Rowley has better Clancy-esque skills.
Like MoE, I read this in one night, which I think is about the right length and depth for a young adult novel. It isn't profoundly insightful or Pulitzer Prize worthy, but it is a fresh take on a universal condition, for what high-school teenager doesn't feel like an outsider deep down in his bones? And what such person doesn't want to get the girl and be cool?
November 19, 2008
Something new. Stephen ray Fischer (Sting) scuffed his feet along the new carpet in the school library in 2nd grade and zapped a boy. Ever since whenever he touches someone, no matter what he is walking on, gets zapped. Now he is in High School, still zapping unintentionally.
Then one day he gets involved with a high voltage power line and things change---. Light romance, fun, adventure.
Then one day he gets involved with a high voltage power line and things change---. Light romance, fun, adventure.
August 31, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and smile when I needed it.
August 16, 2010
pretty lame. I guess it's okay for a YOUNG teenager. Way out there in the reality spectrum.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews