The Web: Lightstorm

Written for readers in the 9 - 14 age bracket, yet accessible and fun for older readers as well, this is a well-written and fast-moving story - just what one would expect from Hamilton. Aynsley - 13 years old - and his friends from all over the world have never met in person, but that doesn't matter because they feel that what is discovered about a person in virtual reality is more important than what one sees if one meets another in person. When Anysley sees strange lights over the nearby marsh and discovers strange burned out areas, he convinces his friends to help him try to discover what has happened. Rebuffed by both the police and Bigene Industries (who are responsible for the marsh renewal), the youngsters set out to discover what occurred themselves. Since the story is meant for a younger set, there is a definite moral to the outcome; however, it does not get in the way of the plot nor enjoyment of the story. I definitely recommend this for any younger readers interested in getting into a great author, or for someone looking for a good book to buy as a gift for a child, a niece or a nephew, etc.

In the year 2027, thirteen-year-old Aynsley and his VR gaming friends suspect a power company of creating a series of mysterious lightstorms. Using the Web (an evolved form of the Internet), the friends crack the power company's security, only to learn that the power company can do the same thing to them, in turn. (M/RR) Part of a multi-authored series published in 1997-98, LIGHTSTORM is an action-packed page-turner for readers who like high-interest plots.