Chase

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Chase: The Boy Who Hid

When Chase's grandfather disappears, he is presumed dead. But Chase doesn't want to give up hope. After all his grandfather was the captain of a team that excels at the high tech hide and seek competition, MC2. A title that now falls to Chase to fill. But with only three weeks to train, can Chase get up to speed in time? And can he discover the truth behind what happened to his grandfather?

Chase is a sci-fi novel that is pure fun to read. I loved the nod to pop culture references and the overall tone of the story. Many times when I encounter a novel that involves training, the plot stalls out and the scenes are repetitive. Not with Chase. Settings rapidly change, new challenges arise and all the time in between training sessions, Z Jefferies maintains the air of mystery over what exactly happened to Chase's grandfather. Altogether this makes a book that encourages the reader to put the pieces together and root for Chase as he does his best to carry on his grandfather's legacy.

I also appreciated the author showing how a boy growing up in an all white neighborhood begins to learn how to interact with people of other nationalities and sexual orientations. It's pretty clear Chase is learning as he goes, as these topics never came up around him in order to learn. He stumbles, he makes assumptions in his mind and the characters correct him each in their own way. His acceptance and development of character relationships was uplifting.

Geared towards young adults, Chase is an age appropriate book that teens will enjoy. It is filled with action and teaches young adults about social biases. Teens will be on the edge of their seats as Chase engages with his competitors and unravels the mystery of his grandfather's disappearance.