A new series featuring the next generation of James Bonds kicks off. To the outside world, the New England boarding school known as Devereaux Academy looks no different than any other exclusive private school. But to first-year students, it goes by the name Spy High. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Take a lightweight YA tale featuring a hint of romance and angst. Add a good dose of TV's Alias, fold in some Buffy the Vampire Slayer and season lightly with elements of Artemis Fowl-the result is this overstuffed novel, first in a new action-adventure series. Some decades in the future, six teenagers from various walks of life are recruited to attend the prestigious Deveraux Academy. They soon find out why the institution is known by its students as "Spy High," as they are assigned to be teammates on Bond Team (yes, an homage to that Bond). A typical day of the teens' rigorous academic schedule involves learning about laser weapons, disarming bombs and maneuvering a mode of transportation known as a SkyBike. When Bond Team is sent on a special expedition into the Wildscape, they encounter the Moreau-like Dr. Averill Frankenstein, who claims to be a descendant of Mary Shelley's creation (he calls her work "an authentic account of the greatest scientific experiment ever attempted"). Clearly influenced by the big and small screen, Butcher keeps the action at warp speed with lots of quick scene changes, and bits of fast-flying, but not very believable dialogue. Unfortunately, confusing chapter openings and a barrage of characters and creatures hamper the book's rhythm. Characters remain unformed, coming across mostly as devices to deliver smart-alecky repartee. Die-hard action fans will likely welcome something new, but casual readers may prefer a video of Spy Kids. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 7-10. In the first pages of this breezy thriller set in the year 2060, readers meet the Bond Team, a group of first-year students at Deveraux Academy (aka Spy High ) whom recruiters expect to make the most indomitable secret agents ever assembled. Representing a PC range of ethnicities, synergistic strengths, and stock teen-fiction personalities (brooding bad boy, preppy jock, wisecracking clown, street-smart African American, and so on), the aspiring spies are trained in martial arts and futuristic gadgetry while dealing with typical high-school social issues. The latter are so disruptive to the team's cohesion that it takes a suspenseful trial by fire--a mission involving a real megalomaniac, not the virtual-reality facsimile that is part of their high-tech curriculum--to demonstrate their true potential. It's a formulaic but fun start to a series that will keep YAs well entertained, especially reluctant readers weaned on the fast pace and rampant one-liners of movies like Austin Powers and Charlie's Angels. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2004 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.