Review: Candle Man, Book One: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance by Glenn Dakin

Candle Man, Book One: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance by Glenn Dakin
Pub. Date: September 2009
Publisher: EgmontUSA
320pp
Age Range: 10 to 12

---

Theo spends his time in his room at Empire Hall locked away from the outside world due to his mysterious illness. His treatments in the Mercy Tube are painful and he takes solace in the time that he spends alone to reflect on these things. But on his birthday, Theo receives a mysterious package which leads to a series of unfortunate events that involves a robbery that leads to dire consequences which finally explains why he has to always wear his black glove. Everything Theo thought he knew about his life is about to be changed forever.

It’s unfortunate for Theo to have been kept in the dark about his illness or should I say ability only to find out on top of that all is not what it seems with his dear guardian, Dr. Saint whose head of the Society of Good Works. Theo finally gets a taste of the real world, albeit a dangerous one when he’s rescued by The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance, a network that’s been keeping tabs on their foes while preserving the past’s legend of the Candle Man. He now has to learn how to cope and live in the real world now that he knows about his ability and possible link to the legendary hero, Candle Man. It’s not easy for Theo to adjust since he’s been locked away his whole life without any outside influences.

Dakin’s well written blend of twists and turns in Candle Man kept me turning the pages to uncover the mysteries surrounding Theo’s ability and his importance to The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance. This book is a great start to a series with a great cast of characters and a thrilling plot. This book also has some interesting creatures - smoglodytes (foul creatures that can only survive in the smog) and garghouls (gargoyles) not to mention some great Villains that build even more excitement throughout the book. It will be very interesting to see what the next adventure for Theo and The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance embark on in the next installment.

Here's a cool interactive site for Candle Man: http://www.powerofthecandleman.com/

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars