May 17, 2010
Fantasy/SF writer Odom pens the first book in an interactive, board game–based series, created by Jordan Weisman (the Cathy's Book series), which revolves around the portentous year 2012. On his 13th birthday, Nathan finds that he has the ability to switch frequencies and see "lost souls," ghosts who need help—including his dead mother. As if that isn't enough, he encounters the Mayan god
Kukulkan, who reveals that Nathan is part of a cosmic game, the rules of which Nathan doesn't know. Despite Nathan's discovery that he has fabulous abilities (like flying) while in different frequencies, the book feels slow until he decides to help a police officer who was framed and murdered. There's little new in the plot, and the Mayan thread is subtle and nonintrusive—perhaps too much so. Readers with a genuine interest in Mayan myth may be disappointed: it's more of a hook than an integral part of the story. The strongest moment is the finale, which hints at more interesting and possibly darker stories to come. Board game (with rules) included, not seen by PW. Ages 8–12.