Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation

This is a fast-paced action story with twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. The CIA is looking for an equation that holds the key to ultimate power. If the wrong people get their hands on Albert Einstein’s equation it could be the end of the world. The Furies are anxious to find it and twelve-year-old Charlie, a genius, might be the CIA’s only hope of getting it first. The story is well-written and told in the third person. It is quite unbelievable, but you still get caught up in it. There is violence but no bad language. The plot is well-thought-out and complex enough to keep older kids interested and engaged, especially with the clues you have to figure out. The characters are likable and real, but Charlie’s abilities are a bit far-fetched. Even so, you find yourself rooting for her and caring what happens to her. She has horrible parents, and that is a strike against this book for me because I am not a fan of books where the amazing kid has awful parents. This is a good book for people who like action, spies, and adventures, especially with a girl as the main character. Kids who are ten years old and up should really enjoy this book.