The Cloak Society

Born into the Cloak Society, a cadre of superpowered scientists gone bad, Alex Knight, a telekinetic 12-year-old, has a crisis of conscience during his first mission when he saves the life of a junior member of the Cloak Society’s mortal rivals, the Rangers of Justice. When Alex runs into Kirbie at the mall (even supervillains need to shop), his qualms about his capacity for violence flower into full-blown self-doubt. This is especially tricky since Alex’s mother’s superpower is mind-reading. Bummer! A friend tells Alex what he already knows: “[S]ympathizing with your sworn enemy will cause you nothing but problems. I’ve read Shakespeare. I know how this sort of thing ends.” The showdown between the Cloak Society and the Rangers supplies bloodshed and devastation, but no real ending; more like a push of the pause button. Those left alive must form new alliances while they await the next episode. There’s little new in Kraatz’s debut, a Full Fathom Five property, but readers should find it easy to dig into the rapid-fire, comic book–style action. Ages 8–12. Agent: Eric Simonoff, William Morris Endeavor. (Oct.)