Horowitz’s Alex Rider series, beginning with Stormbreaker, is extremely popular, especially with boys. In Raven’s Gate he takes a break from the spy/thriller genre and delves into fantasy/horror. The result is a new series that will be just as popular as the Alex Rider books. It may also serve as a segue into another genre for his dedicated readers, leading them to meatier fare like Terry Brooks’ Shannara series and authors like David Almond and Kevin Brooks.Raven’s Gate has everything a reluctant reader could want: a troubled hero with checkered past facing overwhelming odds, good vs. evil, and lots of heart-stopping action. The protagonist, Matt, is an orphan who is in trouble with the law. As an alternative to jail Matt is sent to a foster home in an isolated village, far from the temptations of the city. Matt lands in the home of Mrs. Deverill, a harsh, unsmiling woman with a bleak, run-down farm in the middle of nowhere. Matt soon discovers that something bizarre is going on. When he tries to get help people begin to die. Matt must either defeat the evil forces about him or become a tool in their sinister plot. The fast-paced action and the dark, foreboding atmosphere make this a real page turner and a fun read.