Night Speed

Gr 10 Up—In this futuristic version of New York City, Tetra is a popular drug that gives its users super speed. Many of those who take Tetra use it for nefarious purposes. Seventeen-year-old biracial Alana West is a member of the Tetra Response Unit, a group of teen law enforcement officers who set out to stop Tetra-related crimes. In order to catch the drug-enhanced criminals, Alana and her colleagues must take the drugs themselves in small doses. Once they turn 18, the drug starts to have destructive effects on the users, and the members of the Tetra Response Unit must step down from service. Alana ignores this edict and continues to use in order to seek out the people who put her brother in a wheelchair. Soon, the substance starts to affect her. Ultimately, she must choose between seeking vengeance and her own well-being. The story opens with an exciting chase sequence spanning multiple chapters. Those who enjoy thrillers will be pulled in at the beginning, but may be disappointed by the leisurely pace of the rest of the story. Yet when the action revs up, it goes full throttle. There are discussions of drug use as well as how users face the struggle of withdrawal. The hazy Tetra-induced visions are surreal and put readers in the mind of someone in the throes of addiction.