Review: Wonder Twin Powers Activate!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 15, 2013
Basic Plot Summary:Sometime in the mid-to-late 21st century, Michael and Nikki are two teenagers trying to get by in what remains of post-apocalyptic America.  Abandoned at a young age, they've survived by their wits, unshakable trust in each other, and a unique talent that links them more deeply than even the special bond shared by all twins.Rational and empathetic, Michael is the 'adult' of the duo while Nikki is all passion and abandonment, the very personification of the id (with an extra helping of snark.)  Two halves of a whole, they've made the best of a difficult life by relying on the support and love they feel for each other.Staying under the authority's radar, they've managed to conceal their special talent until a well meaning but ill-advised act of altruism reveals their abilities to the world.  On the run but as yet aware of the magnitude of forces stirring to action, the twins are suddenly thrust into a deadly contest between the most powerful superhuman on the planet and the ragtag rebel group that has sworn to stop him.All is not as it seems, however, and the motivations of both friend and foe are not as simple as they appear.  For Nikki and Michael, the ultimate goal of an ally might not coincide with their best interests... or even their survival.--------I call shenanigans because this is way too good of a book to be Mr. Minton's first effort.  The last time I read a debut effort this good was Peter Cline'sEx-Heroes: A Novel.  I hope the author goes on to enjoy the same success that Mr. Clines has experienced.I liked this book so much I'm not even sure where to begin with the praise.  Few, if any, typos, punctuation or grammar mistakes.  The characters are interesting and vivid (special nods to Padre and Gideon.)  The dialogue is especially well done and every character has a unique voice and personality.  Though the novel switches points of view often, it is never difficult to keep track of who is 'speaking' as not only does the internal monologue shift appropriately, the writing style itself shifts to match.  Nikki's viewpoints are written in a loose and informal style while Gideon's POV is much more structured and precise, befitting the mind of a scientist.Pacing was good as events in the first half of the book come together to propel the story toward an epically brutal and heart-wrenching climax.  Like any good author with an eye towards the future but with the audience's need for closure firmly in mind, Mr. Minton ends the story on a bit of cliff-hanger but with this part of the story concluding at natural pause rather than abruptly with no real resolution.  I will admit to shedding a tear at events in the finale - the part where the author stuck a knife in my gut, twisted it around for 10 or 15 pages before finally eviscerating me and leaving my emotionally spent corpse on the ground alongside [REDACTED]'s body.I can't wait to see where this story goes in the sequels.