Essay Questions

What is the function of this novel in the series?

As the fifth book in a seven-part series, this novel can’t contain the climax; it’s only building up to it. As such, Michael Vey: Storm of Lightning is primarily a novel that raises the stakes and fills the atmosphere with a sense of intensity. Nothing really significant happens in the fight between good and evil; the action is separate, with the Electroclan and the Resistance consolidating their power, and Hatch taking over the island nation of Tuvalu and turning it into his base. Michael and Taylor both advance in their powers as well; Michael can summon lightning and wreathe himself in it, while Taylor is beginning to be able to understand and control the minds of animals. The novel also serves to sow some seeds of discord in the ranks of the Elgen; Dr. Hatch has finally abused his power to the point where his Glows are turning against him, setting the stage dramatically for the next two books.

How does the metaphor “Life is a game of chess” accurately summarize the worldview of Dr. Hatch, as well as that which he teaches his students?

Dr. Hatch views the world through a paranoid, egocentric, power-hungry lens. He sees all other entities as potential threats to his power and safety, so he makes advance plans to eliminate these threats as quickly and efficiently as possible. This metaphor makes life into a competitive battle; all movement is for the purpose of positioning oneself for strikes against one’s opponents. Hatch teaches this method of seeing the world to his students: Quentin, Torstyn, and Tara seem to subscribe wholeheartedly to this view before their rebellion; Kylee and Bryan don’t think enough to agree or disagree with it.

How has Michael’s character changed since the first book in the series?

In Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25, Michael was a confused, kind-hearted, unassuming teenager with unknown powers and a lack of self-confidence. In the next few installments, he has grown more confident and powerful, but he seems seemed to be the same character. After the Elgen destroy the ranch in this novel, however, the reader can see a distinct change in his personality: he is becoming more volatile and dangerous. He himself notes in the opening chapters that “My emotions are revolving like a great wheel, spinning between denial, hope, despair, and rage – the strongest of which is rage” (16). This rage is making his powers more dangerous; his emotions are wilder and stronger now than they were at the beginning of the series, but when he gets a grip on them, he is still the hesitant high schooler he was in the first book. His emotions aren’t changing in a negative way, either; he grows angry at injustice, and his sense of loyalty is quite strong. In that sense, he hasn’t changed at all; the darker side of him simply now has a reason to emerge and a means by which to do so.