Overview

One night late in May a tiny fragment of a distant planet miraculously finds its way into the duct work of a hospital near Princeton, New Jersey. The unearthly meteorite bounces and rolls until it drops into an open incubator temporarily holding two boys born on the same day, Eli Trenton and Thom Raritan. Unnoticed, the cosmically charged nugget lands between the newborns' shoulders and permanently marks them before vaporizing. The boys go home to live their separate lives. Eli comes from a long line of athletic men. His grandfather played in the NFL and his father won an Olympic bronze medal. He longs to follow in their footsteps but his small size frustrates every attempt. This frustration causes Eli to lash-out at his schoolmates making him socially unpopular. His grades also suffer. Thom's parents are accomplished academics; but his dyslexia and ADHD make him doubt he'll ever exceed scholastically. Being home schooled his parents worry their shy son isn't developing his social skills. Both boys' parents decide to send them to a summer camp before they begin high school. A fourteen year old Eli and Thom arrive at Camp Shapontek in the Pine Barrens. A disastrous encounter with a bully causes Eli to be reassigned to Thom's cabin. Unaware of their cosmic past, the boys are intrigued to learn they have mirror image birthmarks on their shoulders. When they press their birthmarks together an intense reaction knocks them both unconscious. Upon awaking they discover they have been changed. Eli finally had the growth spurt he had been longing for. Thom's mind is suddenly clear and focused. Through trial and error they learn they actually attain temporarily super-powers each time they connect. How will all this affect the developing friendship between the suspicious Thom and the ambitious Eli? While at camp Thom also becomes infatuated with a local girl named Lizzy. She tells him about the centuries old legend of the Loyalists' Lode. A group of colonists loyal to King George buried their valuables for safekeeping during the American Revolution. Hoping to impress Lizzy, Thom convinces Eli to use their new abilities to find the treasure; but they aren't the only ones looking for it. In an exciting climax, the boys clash with their murderous adversary during a voracious storm. Only later do they discover the storm has taken their abilities to the next level.

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9781494819910

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Author, DK Vanmorter, was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey; as were his parents. He graduated from Rider University in neighboring Lawrenceville. While he moved to Orlando, Florida more than a decade ago; Darren still considers himself a Jersey boy. He jokes he can't get the sarcasm out of his blood. The diverse and abruptly-honest culture of his upbringing has undeniably influenced Mr. Vanmorter's writing. His style depends more on dialogue to progress the story than narration. The self-discoveries made while conversing are far more revealing than a narrator's narrow perspective. The dynamic interplay between individuals is enlightening, unexpected and often humorous. These are the aspects which draw the reader into the characters' lives. His first novel, The Better Boys and the Legend of the Loyalists' Lode, is set mostly in Southern New Jersey. The vast wilderness that is the Pine Barrens isn't widely known by those outside of the state. Like most forests, the Barrens can be both beautiful and frightening. The history of the area is the foundation for the mystery elements of the book. With its abundance of wood and sand, the Pine Barrens were the epicenter of glassmaking during America's colonial times. Many of the historical battles of the American Revolutionary War occurred nearby. This rich tapestry is woven with the exuberance of modern day teenagers to create a thrilling murder mystery and classic treasure hunt. The contemporary addition of fantastical super powers accidentally activated by two boys attending summer camp enhances the entertainment value. But it is the budding friendship of the two insecure 14 year old boys, and how they change, that is the heart of the novel.

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