cover image The Stormglass Protocol

The Stormglass Protocol

Tim Pratt and Andy Deemer. Stormglass Ventures, $7.99 paper (278p) ISBN 978-0-9899336-0-5

In this action-packed and fast-paced tie-in to a mobile app game of the same name, Pratt (Rags and Bones) and filmmaker Deemer (Poultrygeist) team up to deliver the story of a boy recruited by a secret spy organization to help save the world. Jake, a spy enthusiast, is contacted by Filby and Lizzie, two young agents of Stormglass who need his help investigating a series of strange incidents. Before long, the three kids are running from the deadly representatives of Vindiqo, a major company with a shadowy agenda. With the bare minimum of training and a handful of nifty gadgets, Jake tries to thwart Vindiqo's plan to develop a new breed of synthetic killer bees, all while uncovering the traitor on his own team. Though the premise is played fast and loose%E2%80%94for laughs as much as for drama%E2%80%94the story barrels along with a cheerful intensity and no shortage of middle-grade Bond-style adventure. Memorable characters and fanciful concepts more than make up for any of the story's harder-to-swallow moments. The first in a planned series. Ages 6%E2%80%9312.