John C. Wright, Fugitives of Chaos

Fugitives of Chaos

John C. Wright

Tor, November 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 0765314967

The ORPHANS OF CHAOS, quintet of students ("Primus" Victor Triumph, "Secunda" Amelia Windrose, "Tertia" Vanity Fair, "Quartinus" Colin FirBold, and Quentin Nemo) were imprisoned in the isolated British boarding school. However, they banded together to learn just who they really are, and succeeded for the moment on their quest.

Still, the Headmaster Reginald Boggin and his staff manage to recapture their only students and steal away their memories once again. However, this time the Staff allow Amelia, who can observe and influence the physical world in several dimensions, to know the truth so she can explain what is happening to the others under the watchful eyes and ears of Headmaster Boggin. Still, these teens reject adult supervision, as they plot to escape again using their powers. Vanity locates hidden passages in locations where none seemingly existed before her finding them. Quentin is a warlock with a familiar, Apsu a walking stick. Colin employs magic by mentally picturing what he wants to achieve and willing it to happen. Victor uses his mind to telekinetically control matter. Meanwhile Staffer Grendel Glum makes plans to have his way with Amelia, either willingly on her part or by force.

Book two of the Chaos trilogy is a terrific entry that late teens and adults will fully appreciate, as the "battle" between the Staff and the students continues. As the one who sees all, Amelia tells the tale that grips readers from the start, as everyone, including the five super powerful teenagers want to know why they were abducted and forced to have harsh training, more like an incarceration than a school (stay tuned to find out). FUGITIVES OF CHAOS delightfully merges a coming of age first loves, with terrific references to classic mythology (my favorite - Beowulf included) as John C. Wright's epic continues to spellbind fantasy fans.