Elemental / Antony John / 326 pages / First Book in a Series

"Is it a curse to create light in darkness?"  "Anger is the strongest force of all.  But it's unpredictable and exhausting - as dangerous for you as the person you touch."  Sixteen year old Thomas has never quite fit in.  His power, or element, has not manifest itself, so he has not been apprenticed as have his friends.  His younger brother Griffin's power also sets him apart.  His touch can foretell death.  When a hurricane approaches Hatteras Island, the Guardians send Thomas and his friends to the hurricane shelter on Roanoke.  The kids face pirates, secrets, seers, and unparalleled discoveries.  This post apocalyptic dystopian novel is a compelling, mesmerizing exploration of courage, honor, and fortitude, a real page-turner whose ending causes one to raise an eyebrow at an unexpected twist in the plot and demand resolution as quickly as possible...Book 2!?