Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Richard Paul Evans |
| Products | Young adult science fiction novel |
Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon represents the fourth installment in the heptalogy Michael Vey series authored by Richard Paul Evans. The series debuted with Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25, which achieved the status of a #1 New York Times Best Seller.
Plot
The Electroclan embarks on a journey from Peru to Timepiece Ranch, a property owned by the Voice. There, Michael, Ostin, and Taylor reunite with their parents and receive a new directive: to save Jade Dragon, a gifted Chinese prodigy capable of repairing the MEI device to enable the creation of additional electric children.
Leaders of the Resistance urge Michael to enlist Nichelle, a former Glow who once served Hatch, to combat Hatch’s electric children. Although initially reluctant, Michael ultimately proposes an alliance. Prior to undertaking their mission, the parents organize a prom for Michael and Taylor in response to Taylor’s longing for a normal teenage experience.
Returning to Pasadena, the Electroclan approaches Nichelle. After Michael offers her a bribe, Nichelle consents to assist them, motivated by her desire for vengeance against Hatch. Their pursuit leads them to Taiwan, where they lose hope upon confronting the impenetrable Starxource facility housing Jade Dragon. They then resolve to intercept her during transport aboard Elgen’s research vessel, the Volta.
Zeus and Tessa orchestrate a diversion at a nearby Starxource plant while the others remain at a hotel. Restlessness drives some members to explore local markets, during which Nichelle and Taylor begin exhibiting unusual behavior. That night, Nichelle appears to betray the group by notifying Hatch.
An Elgen assault on the hotel results in the Electroclan’s capture. The individual posing as Taylor after returning from the market is revealed to be Tara, Taylor’s twin sister loyal to Hatch. Michael endures torture until a man resembling his presumed-deceased father intervenes, asserting that "Elgen are the good guys."
In his cell, Michael confronts Nichelle; he attacks her but discovers she was aware of Tara’s impersonation all along. Her apparent defection was a ruse designed to facilitate Jade Dragon’s rescue and safeguard Taylor. Together, Michael and Nichelle liberate most of the Electroclan.
Meanwhile, Taylor remains confined with Jade Dragon and obtains intelligence without cooperating with Elgen. Following a confrontation with Hatch’s Glows, the Electroclan triumphs and escapes captivity.
Reuniting with Zeus and Tessa at a secure location, Ian reveals that the man impersonating Michael’s father was actually Hatch disguised by Tara. They promptly notify the Voice that Timepiece Ranch has been compromised.
Executing their original plan during Jade Dragon’s transfer, the Electroclan successfully rescues her. Michael and Taylor learn that Jade’s parents were killed by Elgen during her abduction. Upon returning home, Michael resolves that he must leave due to ongoing threats.
However, they soon discover that Elgen has attacked Timepiece Ranch, leaving no survivors. Despite his devastation, Michael insists on proceeding despite the dangers involved.
Characters
- Michael Vey serves as the central character; he is a teenager diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome who possesses electrical abilities. As a Glow, he can emit electric pulses capable of stunning others.
- Taylor Ridley is Michael’s girlfriend and a cheerleader at Meridian High School. Also a Glow, her powers include disrupting brain signals to induce confusion and telepathic abilities. She remained undetected by Dr. Hatch.
- Ostin Liss is Michael’s closest friend and exhibits exceptional intelligence.
- Dr. Hatch functions as the primary antagonist and founder of Elgen Academy, exploiting Glows’ powers for his own advantage.
- Jack Vranes is a bully at Meridian High who targets Michael along with his friends Wade West and Mitchell Manchester; his actions inadvertently motivate Michael to rescue Mrs. Vey and Taylor from Elgen Academy.
- Zeus possesses the ability to project lightning. Abducted during childhood by Elgen, he was misled regarding his family’s fate.
- Nichelle is initially loyal to Dr. Hatch; her power enables her to drain energy from other Glows, making her feared within Elgen Academy.
- Ian is blind but compensates through electrolocation; introduced in Purgatory alongside McKenna and Abigail.
- McKenna produces light and heat emanating from her body.
- Abigail can alleviate pain by stimulating nerve endings via touch or metal conduction.
- Grace functions as a “human flash drive,” capable of transferring and storing extensive electronic data; after Dr. Hatch fled, she joined the Electroclan.
- Tanner disrupts aircraft navigation systems and electrical devices causing crashes; under Dr. Hatch’s command, he has been responsible for thousands of deaths.
- Tara is Taylor's identical twin sister who wields mind-control powers that manipulate emotions such as fear and happiness.
- Quentin generates small EMPs; he remains loyal yet reckless under Dr. Hatch.
- Bryan produces concentrated electrical energy sufficient to cut through solid materials; similarly loyal yet impulsive under Dr. Hatch.
- Kylee acts as a human magnet aligned with Dr. Hatch and Elgen forces.
Sequel
The follow-up installment, Michael Vey: Storm of Lightning, was released on September 15, 2015.