Alex Wise vs. the End of the World (Alex Wise #1)
by Terry J Benton-Walker (Author)
Welcome to the summer of the apocalypse. One 12-year-old boy leads the charge against the forces of evil as he tries to stop the Four Horsemen from taking over the world in the start to a wildly funny and addictive fantasy series about accepting yourself and finding your inner hero.
Alex Wise feels like his world is ending. His best friend, Loren, is leaving town for the summer, his former friend and maybe sort of crush Sky hasn't spoken to him since he ditched Alex on first day of sixth grade, and now his mom is sending him and his annoying younger sister, Mags, on a cruise with the dad who abandoned them. And, as if things couldn't get worse, a creepy shadow monster may or may not be stalking him.
But none of this could prepare Alex for the actual end of the world. Too bad that is exactly what's coming, after the definitely-real Shadow Man kidnaps Mags and she is possessed by the ancient spirit of Death--one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Luckily (depending on who you ask), Alex is possessed as well by a powerful god who imbues Alex with their powers in an effort to stop the Horsemen...if he can figure out how to use them.
So begins an epic battle between good and evil: Alex, Loren, a grumpy demi-god, and Alex's fourth grade teacher vs. Death, Pestilence, Famine, War, and the waves of chaos and destruction they bring to LA and soon the rest of the globe. Just your average summer vacation. Alex is more used to being left behind than leading the way, but now he's the only one who can save his sister--and the world. That is, if he can unlock his new powers and see himself as the hero he is.
"Never has the apocalypse been so fun!"--Mark Oshiro, author of The Insiders and co-author with Rick Riordan of The Sun and The Star.
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Kirkus
A wild, roving, but disjointed ride to the end of the world and beyond.
School Library Journal
What to do when the four horsemen of the apocalypse rise, and Death takes over the body of your nine-year-old little sister? Alex Wise will need to gather all his inner strength, accept himself, and assemble a horsemen-fighting super squad in this fast-paced, comedic fantasy. It's the beginning of summer break, and Alex has one goal: to win back his former best friend, Sky, the only person he ever came out to. Unfortunately, Alex's mother has other plans: shipping him and his sister, Mags, off on a cruise with their father and his sparkly new family, including a teenaged son who is rugged and athletic—seemingly everything that Alex is not. However, when Mags is kidnapped by a mysterious shadow man and then possessed, Alex doesn't hesitate to throw himself fully into danger after her. Thankfully, Alex has his supportive BFF Loren by his side and is soon accompanied by Liam, a lonely and troubled demigod who grew up with the horsemen. After Alex is chosen by Orin, a nonbinary god of empathy, as their vessel, he and his new team of heroes must master their powers to save Mags. A central quest that embraces empathy and understanding as superpowers, featuring nearly all Black and brown characters, is refreshing; many teachers or parents will appreciate this book's central message of trauma recovery and self-acceptance. Additionally, the lack of profanity, gore, or even intense peril make this a perfect choice for younger readers, particularly those looking for queer stories. VERDICT With nonstop action that is always thrilling but never too scary, this fantasy is perfect for younger readers who are fans of Rick Riordan or Kwame Mbalia.—Catherine Cote
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Publishers Weekly
A Black 12-year-old's family trip is derailed by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in this action-packed series starter by Benton-Walker (The Blood Debts). Now that his bestie is vacationing elsewhere for the summer, Los Angeleno Alex Wise is more determined than ever to win back his former friend, who ditched him for a new pal at the beginning of the school year. Alex's mother has other plans for, though: along with his younger sister Mags, Alex is setting sail on a cruise with his father, whom the siblings haven't seen since their parents divorced two years ago. Alex tries to make the most of his time at sea, but the relaxing cruise is plagued by Mags's insistence that there's a Shadow Man aboard the ship. When she's taken by the Shadow Man and possessed by the spirit of Death, Alex endeavors to save her. But with the spirits of Famine, Pestilence, and War by her side, he has his work cut out for him. This adventurous tale--propelled by a hero whose reluctance drips from his first-person narration--weaves themes of standing up for oneself in their personal life with high-octane sequences that culminate in a satisfyingly earnest first installment. Ages 8-12. Agent: Patrice Caldwell, New Leaf Literary. (Sept.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
I am excited for Black boys to see Alex as the hero they have been waiting for!"
—Jamar J. Perry, author of Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms
"With nonstop action that is always thrilling but never too scary, this fantasy is perfect for younger readers who are fans of Rick Riordan or Kwame Mbalia." —School Library Journal
"An exciting and genre-bending narrative that melds comic-book style adventure, urban fantasy, and teen romance into a fresh and exhilarating coming-of-age story. Thrills and snarky humor balance heartfelt, emotional moments...invites all readers, especially those who identify as queer, to love themselves first and the world after.
— Shelf Awareness
"Benton-Walker presents Alex's inner conflicts over being gay and feeling abandoned by people with such understanding, concern, and affirmation that it's easy to root for him"— Kirkus Reviews
"This adventurous tale....weaves themes of standing up for oneself in their personal life with high-octane sequences that culminate in a satisfyingly earnest first installment." —Publishers Weekly
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Fantasy fiction
Good and evil
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Novels
