Alison McKye is different. It's not that she's adopted or that she's shy or anything like that. She has a special ability: she can influence the thoughts and actions of those around her. Though she does actively use the power, she uses it so she will not be noticed. She hides herself from her peers by wearing nondescript clothing. Shortly after a disastrous first day of school beginning her senior year, she discovers that she's not the only one. It turns out there are many dewings— children of Atlantis—who have mental powers beyond imagining. Her mother and father were on the run when she was born and put up for adoption, and now Alison must fight those her mother fled from in order to protect her family and new friends in ATLANTIS RISING.

The idea of the dewings is very interesting. The idea that people coming from Atlantis have mental powers which elevate them above the normal humans is fascinating and wonderful. This concept has a lot of power and I think this novel makes an excellent use of it. Alison is a very strong character and her power is very central to her character. She is talented and smart, and refreshingly honest with herself if not with her family.

My only real complaint about this novel is that other than the dewings, everything else is relatively predictable. The adopted girl with a mysterious past turns out to have a power. The cute boys and their friends also have the power. She's in high school and she's dealing with crushes and magic powers at the same time. I could have told you all of this just by reading the blurb on the back cover of the book.

Overall, it's a good young adult novel. It's not necessarily giving us something brand-new and dangerous, but that's okay. It will be well received by people who enjoy magical stories with good pacing and good characters. ATLANTIS RISING is a very nice book with a great heroine and an interesting new creature.

Book Summary

I am different. I have always been different, but no one can know or my life will be in danger. So I hide in plain sight, wearing drab clothes and thick glasses and trying to be invisible. I’m so good at hiding, no one has ever noticed me. Until Ian…the mysterious and oh-so-cute boy I know I need to avoid.

I am an expert at being invisible. But while I live amongst you, I am not the same. I am a Dewing. One of the children of Atlantis. We heal quickly, learn faster, and have unique gifts that allow some of us to manipulate and sense things humans don't. I knew I wasn't alone. But now there is Ian Palmer—and he, too, is different. Now I have been seen.

And more terrifying still, I am wanted...by those who would destroy everything and everyone I love.

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