Connor Dell didn’t mean to set anyone’s gym shorts on fire.

He didn’t know it would happen – he didn’t know it could happen. And if he had known, he never would have – well, that might be going too far. It started in seventh period science.

The Kindling by Braden Bell is exciting and suspenseful. The sequel, Penumbras, is equally so. Twins, Conner and Lexa, and their friend Melanie, kindle at the same time. The word “kindle” refers to the process where a teenager who has a dormant, unknown, exceptional power finds out that the power has become active. Having three people kindle at the same time is very unusual. It attracts the attention of not only those who fight for light (called Magi) but those who use darkness. The books are about how Conner, Lexa, and Melanie fight on the side of the power of light, along with music teacher, Dr. Timberi, English teacher, Mrs. Grant, and other teachers at their school.

Read more of my review of these books geared toward middle school-aged children here at Latter-day Homeschooling.