Science fiction meets murder mystery in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.
The Lost Causes are five teens with serious problems and only one thing in common: people have written them off. Now they’re thrown together in group therapy, with vague promises of healing. Their problems do go away when they drink the water their therapist gives them. But that’s because it’s not just water ...
Unknowingly, the teens have ingested a serum that gives them psychic powers, part of an FBI plan to find out who was behind the grisly murder that has rocked their small town. Their new powers will help them uncover clues and follow leads that have eluded the authorities, and their outsider status gives them the perfect cover.
But the same traits that make them top investigators also make them vulnerable. As they close in on the murderer, they expose a much larger conspiracy that puts them directly in harm’s way and makes them wonder who — if anyone — they can trust.
**
From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—Five seemingly disconnected teens are thrust together unwittingly by the FBI to help solve the recent murder of former agent Lily Carpenter. Sabrina, Justin, Gabby, Andrew, and Z are unknowingly drugged with a serum so powerful that each develops special telekinetic powers; thus, the Lost Causes is born. With the advent of these new abilities, each of the teens is gifted with the self-importance and belonging they crave, even if they didn't know it. Patricia, the lead FBI investigator, requests the teens' help, not just with Lily's murder, but also with the retrieval of Lily's store of that same serum, now missing at the hands of her killer. Using these powers of deduction to investigate, the teens are naturally suspicious of Patricia and her partner, Nash. What is Patricia's true connection to Lily? How much does Nash really know about the serum and the FBI program that developed it? The teens must find the killer and reclaim the serum before they are next in line for murder. Although there are some unbelievable plot points, readers will want go along for the ride. The ending begs for the inevitable sequel and will have teens anticipating the next book. VERDICT Recommend to fans of "The Naturals" series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Kami Garcia's Unbreakable.—Michelle Foster, North Caroline High School, Ridgely, MD
Review
... a compelling page-turner ...― *Booklist*
Those who like an action-packed and suspenseful story will turn pages right to the end ...― *CM Magazine*
This book is true recreational reading and feels like the first installment of a new series.― *VOYA Magazine*
The ending begs for the inevitable sequel and will have teens anticipating the next book.― *School Library Journal*
Description:
Science fiction meets murder mystery in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.
The Lost Causes are five teens with serious problems and only one thing in common: people have written them off. Now they’re thrown together in group therapy, with vague promises of healing. Their problems do go away when they drink the water their therapist gives them. But that’s because it’s not just water ...
Unknowingly, the teens have ingested a serum that gives them psychic powers, part of an FBI plan to find out who was behind the grisly murder that has rocked their small town. Their new powers will help them uncover clues and follow leads that have eluded the authorities, and their outsider status gives them the perfect cover.
But the same traits that make them top investigators also make them vulnerable. As they close in on the murderer, they expose a much larger conspiracy that puts them directly in harm’s way and makes them wonder who — if anyone — they can trust. **
From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—Five seemingly disconnected teens are thrust together unwittingly by the FBI to help solve the recent murder of former agent Lily Carpenter. Sabrina, Justin, Gabby, Andrew, and Z are unknowingly drugged with a serum so powerful that each develops special telekinetic powers; thus, the Lost Causes is born. With the advent of these new abilities, each of the teens is gifted with the self-importance and belonging they crave, even if they didn't know it. Patricia, the lead FBI investigator, requests the teens' help, not just with Lily's murder, but also with the retrieval of Lily's store of that same serum, now missing at the hands of her killer. Using these powers of deduction to investigate, the teens are naturally suspicious of Patricia and her partner, Nash. What is Patricia's true connection to Lily? How much does Nash really know about the serum and the FBI program that developed it? The teens must find the killer and reclaim the serum before they are next in line for murder. Although there are some unbelievable plot points, readers will want go along for the ride. The ending begs for the inevitable sequel and will have teens anticipating the next book. VERDICT Recommend to fans of "The Naturals" series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Kami Garcia's Unbreakable.—Michelle Foster, North Caroline High School, Ridgely, MD
Review
... a compelling page-turner ...― *Booklist*
Those who like an action-packed and suspenseful story will turn pages right to the end ...― *CM Magazine*
This book is true recreational reading and feels like the first installment of a new series.― *VOYA Magazine*
The ending begs for the inevitable sequel and will have teens anticipating the next book.― *School Library Journal*
... well-executed, fast-paced ...― *Kirkus Reviews*