The Brimstone Network
by Tom Sniegoski

    THE BRIMSTONE NETWORK by Tom Sniegoski
    Category:  Action-Adventure
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  8/5/08
    Publisher:  Aladdin
    Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Since the earliest days of civilization, humanity has always stood a fragile step away from the dark forces that exist in
    other realms, and the Brimstone Network—in one form or another—has always protected and maintained that veil.

    However, the testing of the atomic bomb during World War II damaged the magickal barrier separating Earth from the
    other realms, and Elijah Stone, leader of the Brimstone Network, refuses to let his guard down now that the Earth is in
    more danger than ever. One day, his worst fears come true, and a well-orchestrated attack of demons, trolls, and
    other nightmarish creatures brings the Network to a violent end.

    To Elijah’s son, Abraham, the struggles of the Brimstone Network take place a whole world away. Shuttled to
    different schools all his life, he is now holed up in the Himalayan monastery of P’Yon Kep, where his father had hoped
    Bram would learn to control the specter power that he inherited from his mother.

    When a heavily scarred man named Mr. Stitch arrives at the monastery to tell Bram that his father is dead and it is up
    to the two of them to rebuild the Network from scratch, Bram can hardly believe it…

    …until the Yeti attack.  

    Bram realizes fast that, to keep the rest of humanity safe, he has to own up to his responsibility and become the leader
    that his father meant him to be. Quickly, he and Mr. Stitch work to gather their resources, for the mastermind behind
    the Network’s end has larger plans to end humanity’s rule on the earth forever, and, any day now, may discover that
    Bram exists.

    A well-told, action-packed story that reads almost like a graphic novel, the mesh of monsters, magick, and mayhem
    here will appeal specifically to older preteens who like a darker, more violent edge to their stories. Please note that the
    level of gore and squishy monster death may be too much for the squeamish.