Michael Vey: Battle of the Ampere
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Michael Vey: Battle of the Ampere represents the third entry in the seven-part Michael Vey series authored by Richard Paul Evans, released on September 17, 2013, through Simon Pulse/Mercury Ink. The initial novel in this collection, Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25, achieved the top position on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Plot summary
Continuing from the previous book, Michael finds himself detained by an indigenous tribe where he encounters Tessa, a newly discovered Glow with the ability to enhance the electrical powers of other children. Alongside the tribe, they meet Jaime, who serves as a guide for the Electroclan. Upon reaching a camp, they fall into an ambush set by Elgen guards; Michael utilizes a security turret to eliminate their attackers and facilitate their escape, resulting in the destruction of the camp. Meanwhile, the Peruvian military brutally exterminates the tribe for sheltering individuals labeled as terrorists.
Taylor and the Electroclan are apprehended by Peruvian officials after sabotaging an Elgen power facility. During questioning, Taylor unintentionally discloses details regarding their contact known as the Voice. Ostin spearheads an escape plan; however, they are swiftly recaptured.
Aboard the Elgen flagship named Ampere, Hatch is removed from power by the board but incites a mutiny with loyal electric children to reclaim control. He unveils intentions to use Tuvalu as a strategic location for developing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponry.
Michael, Tessa, and Jaime devise a strategy to intercept a convoy transporting Electroclan members. Michael successfully rescues everyone except Taylor and Jack, who are seized by an Elgen bounty hunter. The Electroclan mounts a rescue operation, during which Wade is fatally shot by an Elgen guard. After holding a memorial service in Wade’s honor, they regroup with Jaime at a hotel.
Jaime leads the Electroclan to a secure hideout where Hatch’s scheme to dominate Tuvalu is revealed. Ian, Zeus, Abigail, and Tessa choose to depart, weary of constant evasion. Michael, Taylor, Ostin, McKenna, and Jack launch an assault on the Ampere but become trapped in the engine room. Preparing to manually detonate a bomb, they witness the explosion of the battleship Watt and receive reinforcement from Tessa’s group. The Ampere is destroyed while all members manage to escape.
During a celebratory event, Taylor and Michael honor Wade posthumously with the Electroclan Medal of Valor. The Voice facilitates communication between Michael and Ostin with their parents. However, their triumph is clouded by news that Hatch has fled and abducted Jade Dragon, a Chinese prodigy capable of repairing the MEI machine and producing additional electric children.
Sequel
The follow-up book, titled Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon, was released on September 16, 2014.
Characters
- Michael Vey serves as the central character; he is an adolescent with Tourette's syndrome who wields electrical abilities allowing him to emit electric shocks.
- Taylor Ridley is Michael’s girlfriend and a Glow possessing mental powers such as disrupting electrical brain signals and telepathy. She remained undetected by Dr. Hatch.
- Ostin Liss is Michael’s closest friend and exhibits exceptional intelligence.
- Dr. Hatch acts as the primary villain and founder of Elgen Academy, exploiting Glows’ abilities for his own ambitions.
- Jack Vranes is a school bully at Meridian High whose actions motivate Michael to rescue Mrs. Vey and Taylor from Elgen Academy.
- Zeus has lightning-throwing powers; abducted as a child by Elgen, he was manipulated into believing he caused his family’s demise.
- Wade West initially a human bully who later becomes an ally to the Electroclan.
- Nichelle is a Glow loyal to Dr. Hatch with power-draining abilities that make her unpopular among others.
- Ian is a blind Glow introduced in Purgatory who employs electrolocation to perceive his surroundings.
- McKenna generates light and heat from her body.
- Abigail alleviates pain by stimulating nerve endings through touch or metal conduction.
- Grace functions as a “human flash drive,” capable of transferring and storing electronic data; she joined the Electroclan following Dr. Hatch’s escape.
- Tanner disrupts aircraft navigation systems causing crashes; under Dr. Hatch’s orders, he has been responsible for thousands of deaths.
- Tara is Taylor’s identical twin possessing mind-manipulation powers that induce emotions such as fear or happiness.
- Quentin produces small electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) and remains loyal yet reckless under Dr. Hatch’s command.
- Bryan can generate concentrated electricity used to cut through solid materials; like Quentin, he is loyal but reckless.
- Kylee acts like a human magnet and maintains allegiance to Dr. Hatch and Elgen.
Reception
Upon its release in September 2013, the book entered USA Today's list of top-selling titles at position number 10.