Agent Colt Shore: Domino 29

A series of escalating incidents send a 15-year-old secret-agent-in-training halfway around the world as he gets wrapped up in one death-defying adventure after another. It starts when Colt Shore discovers the truth about his deceased older brother and meets the mother he never knew. He’s subsequently sent to the Middle East on undercover assignment, acting as security for a popular teen band. Inevitably, that mission takes on a life of its own, sending Colt from Afghanistan to Germany to try and thwart a human trafficking operation, with sexy rock star Talya Ellis at his side. The book seems aimed at a younger teenage audience; Avian’s writing style is straightforward, and there’s some handwaving involved with regard to the more implausible elements. Despite the story’s adventure trappings, the author maintains respect for the cultures and locations encountered. There’s no shortage of action sequences, nifty gadgets, exotic locales, and cinematic moments (including some memorable scenes set in the legendary Neuschwan-stein castle), giving this book a wide range of appeal. Ages 12–up. (May)