Review: Engaging, sophisticated writing with positive messages for young people
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 12, 2012
Set against the corrupting power of medical and scientific knowledge when used for personal, egotistic gain, is the second in Kim Jewell's "Justice Series", in which the themes of friendship, the love of family, and a desire to do good in the world are all played out via the author's creative imagination. The teens in "Brute Justice" continue to use their superhero powers in the interest of mankind and in the interest of finding the whole truth regarding their births. They reveal their abilities to their respective parents, and come to information regarding other teens who were born on the same day as they were. The addition of Jade as one of those teens was engaging and the mystery surrounding her "pregnancy" served to keep the reader's attention, casting suspicion at once on Dr. Crain. Blevins' new identity is confirmed as the teens make progress in their quest to track him down, at the end, being offered assistance by the FBI in that search. The skills and teamwork of the teens regarding the tragedy occurring at the hospital were impressive. What was memorable was the fact that the family relationships between the teens and their parents were healthy, caring ones, and the camaraderie between the teens themselves a very positive example for YA and other audiences reading this book. The superhero/scifi elements were quite stimulating and exciting, but one also had a sense of the everyday issues affecting teenagers in ordinary living and that sense of realism also contributed to making this a very unique, enjoyable book. I look forward to reading more of this series by Ms. Jewell.