The 13th Reality

The 13th Reality is a science fiction book series by James Dashner. The first book in the series (The Journal of Curious Letters) was published in early 2008 by Shadow Mountain Publishing. The second book was released on May 1, 2009 and was titled The Hunt for Dark Infinity, and book three was released April 6, 2010. It was titled The Blade of Shattered Hope. The fourth book (The Void of Mist and Thunder) was released as an eBook on July 10, 2012, and was released as a hardcover in September 2012.^[1] A 2096-page boxed set was issued by Aladdin Paperbacks in 2013.^[1]

Plot summary

A boy named Atticus "'Tick'" Higginbottom is a normal 13-year-old until he gets a letter from Alaska, signed 'M.G.' Tick learns that something deadly is about to happen and could result in the destruction of reality itself. Tick then follows clues and solves riddles in more letters, soon meeting new friends and journeying into other realities- alternate worlds that are created every time a choice is made. Not knowing what dangers lie ahead Tick and his friends take on a journey that could be life-threatening.

Characters

• Atticus 'Tick' Higginbottom — The 13-year-old main protagonist of the series, living in Deer Creek, Washington, in Reality Prime. He is recruited through a series of letters sent by Master George,

. He has an uncanny ability to manipulate the Chi'karda, and this is used to the Realitants' advantage.

• Master George (M.G.) — The old, short, quirky leader of the Realitants.
• Mistress Jane — the main evil antagonist of the series. She betrayed the Realitants when she learned of the dangerous and powerful 13th Reality. Her favorite color is yellow, and she is bald.
• Mothball — A Realitant from the 5th Reality. She is about eight feet tall and speaks with a thick British accent, like most others from the 5th reality. She was given her strange name when Bugaboo soldiers from the 5th reality were attacking her family.
• Rutger — A Realitant from the 11th Reality and Mothball's best friend. He is short and fat, like everyone else in the 11th Reality.
• Sofia Pacini — Sofia is a twelve-year-old girl from a rich Italian family known for their spaghetti. She is recruited to the Realitants the same way as Tick, by letters. She is known for her brains and for being tough as nails.
• Paul Rogers — Paul is a 14-year-old Realitant from Florida. He was also recruited by letters, the same as Tick and Sofia. He is a little bit full of himself, and likes to crack jokes.
• Sato — A boy from Japan. He was also recruited through curious letters, and has a secret that makes him reluctant to trust anyone. His parents, who died, were once friends with Master George.
• Edgar Higginbottom — Tick's and his two sisters' dad.
• Lorena Higginbottom — Tick's mom. Tick and his dad did not tell her about the strange letters for a while. In the second book, it is revealed that Lorena was also a Realitant.
• Kayla Higginbottom — Tick's youngest sister is only 4 years old. She loves to burn objects in the fireplace and play tea party.
• Lisa Higginbottom — Lisa is Tick's older sister at 15 years old. She plays horribly on the piano and likes to talk on the phone.
• Reginald Chu — Tick's science Teacher in Reality Prime. His alterant(the alternate version of someone in different realities) is the owner of Chu Industries in the 4th reality.
• Windasill — Mothball's mother.
• Tollaseat — Mothball's father.
• Frazier Gunn — Loyal servant of Mistress Jane in the 13th Reality.
• Annika — A spy for the Realitants. Spied on Mistress Jane and acted as a servant. Died in the first book when the fangen attacked her.
• Fangen — Sickly yellow creatures created by Mistress Jane from no less than 12 different creatures. They guard the Lemon Fortress.
• Snooper Bugs — Creatures created by Mistress Jane from several different birds and insects. Can detect any weapon or poison and kill with one jab from their spindly bills.

Items

• Barrier Wand — a metal cylinder that allows people to wink between realities or to a place with a high Chi'karda level in the same reality. They are not supposed to work without the Chi'karda drive.
• Gnat Rat — a rat-box thing created by Chu Industries. It sends out metal hornet creatures to attack a certain person based on nanolocator, DNA, or blood type.
• Sound Slicer — a sort of weapon that make a low sound, but blasts away enemies with incredible force.
• Windbike — Windbikes are flying, wheeless motorcycles that take hydrogen out of the air to power it. Also created by Chu Industries.

Shurric: A cross between the Sound Slicer and the a hurricane. One Handed gun that has the barrel of the gun strapped to your chest and facing your enemy and the trigger in one hand.The purpose of the one handed weapon is so one hand is open for your connivence.

Reception

Kirkus Reviews labeled The Journal of Curious Letters science fiction for ages 10–12 and called it "the start of a series that will capture the imagination of young and old alike. ... though there are chunks of text that are overwritten, the telling is generally laced with a strong sense of humor and a sure hand at plot; the author is plainly in tune with today's fan base."^[2] One year later, Kirkus labeled The Hunt for Dark Infinity fantasy for ages 10 and up. The story features the "next assignment" for "the trio" Tick, Paul, and Sofia. "Readers will be as puzzled as the characters, who tumble from one complex and outrageous situation to the next, rescued from each at the last minute—sometimes with no explanation. But it all holds together remarkably well, encouraging suspension of disbelief to make way for glorious flights of imagination."^[3] Kirkus credited illustrator Bryan Beus but did not comment on his contribution.^[3] Evidently it did not cover the third or fourth volume at all.^[4]

Books

The Journal of Curious Letters

The Journal of Curious Letters is a 2008 novel by James Dashner. It is the first book in the children's series The 13th Reality.

Summary

Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day a strange letter arrives in his mailbox. Postmarked from Alaska and cryptically signed with the initials "M.G.," the letter informs Tick that dangerous—perhaps even deadly—events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. M.G. promises to send Tick twelve riddles that will reveal on a certain day, a certain time, and a certain place, something extraordinary will happen!

The Hunt for Dark Infinity

The Hunt for Dark Infinity is a 2009 novel by James Dashner. It is the second book in the children's series The 13th Reality.

Summary

Reginald Chu, the alterant of Tick's science teacher has created a powerful and deadly new invention called 'Dark Infinity' and it's sending the Reality's people off the edge of sanity. Due to Tick's uncanny talent for controlling The Chi'Karda, Chu wants either Tick or Mistress Jane to help control the power of the Dark Infinity and help him control The Realities, but Master George won't have any of that. Tick is forced to team up with Mistress Jane in an all out attempt to stop Chu and his evil reign over the 4th Reality. Join Tick and his friends as they travel through the Realities, completing various riddles made by Chu to see if Tick is worthy enough to kill Mistress Jane and help Chu control everything.

Other Books

• Dashner, James (2010). The Blade of Shattered Hope. Salt Lake City: ShadowMountain. ISBN 1-60641-239-6. 
• Dashner, James (2012). The Void of Mist and Thunder. Salt Lake City: ShadowMountain. ISBN 1-60908-055-6. 

References

External links

• Shadow Mountain Publishing
• Dashner's blog
• James Dashner at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database