The Catalyst — a series by Vincent Berg

A young man, suddenly finds women mysteriously attracted during a family trip to New Orleans. He acts as a catalyst, activating strange abilities in them that he doesn't understand. He's not ready for the responsibilities of adulthood, yet he's called upon to lead a string of followers. There are no superheros or world saving here, it's an examination of building a movement from the ground up. Newly revised and renamed (1st of 6 parts).

Alex, having returned from New Orleans with a whole new life, tries to become just a normal young man as he returns to school. Can he blend in for the next two months despite having several women following him around? And will his abilities really be invisible to everyone around him? This is the second in the series following Alex Jennings as he deals with a variety of challenges as he learns about what he's ultimately facing.

Having wrestled with trying to preserve a 'normal' last few months of high school, Alex faces an even harder time, as not only does he have to explain to those he loves what his life has become, but he faces several people who seem to hate him as much as his followers adore him. What's a confused teenage atheist religious figure to do?

Alex has a mission to find as many new followers as he can in the limited time he has left as he comes to grip with the knowledge his abilities will likely kill him. Before that happens, he hits the road with his sister and Gail. Along the way, they learn much more about him, his followers and about leading a mission when one doesn't know the way. He needs enough followers to build a new branch on the evolutionary tree, but has a limited time and needs to stay below the radar as he does it.

Leaving the familiar and supportive environments of Carbondale and New Orleans after being exposed, Alex takes his mission on the road. But along with the blur of life on a concert tour, there are dark trends as well: Alex is now known nationally, the media is hungry for news, and there are multiple people eager to hurt him. As he, Cate and Gail travel the country, they learn more about his abilities and what drives people to either love or hate him.

With time running out, Alex faces life with a new confidence even as events and those around him change abruptly. Alex feels relieved of the need to save his people, but he still feels responsible for them and wants to leave a strong legacy. But what will that legacy be? Follow along as he adjusts to new challenges as he struggles to continue, in this, the last book of the "Catalyst" Series. Alex continues to learn more as he grows steadily weaker. Plenty of surprises and a big conclusion. / (Reviews)