Dive into the electrifying world of The Power of Five, also known as The Gatekeepers, where five teens with extraordinary powers battle ancient evil to save humanity! Written by Anthony Horowitz, this thrilling young adult series blends fantasy, horror, and suspense, taking readers on a global adventure filled with dark rituals, time travel, and heart-pounding action. Perfect for fans of epic sagas, it’s a hidden gem that deserves a spot on your bookshelf.
From shadowy Yorkshire villages to the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong, The Power of Five captivates with its mix of supernatural stakes and relatable characters. Whether you’re drawn to tales of destiny or love a good versus evil showdown, this series delivers an unforgettable ride.
How The Power of Five Began
Anthony Horowitz, the mastermind behind the Alex Rider series, launched The Power of Five in 2005 with Raven’s Gate. The series is a reimagining of his unfinished 1980s Pentagram series, which he abandoned after four books. Inspired by epic fantasies like The Lord of the Rings, Horowitz wanted to craft a modern, darker tale rooted in mythology and the occult. His goal? To create a fantasy saga that felt real, set against the backdrop of our world, with teens facing unimaginable horrors.
Published by Walker Books in the UK and Scholastic Press in the US, the series grew into a five-book epic, concluding in 2012 with Oblivion. Horowitz’s knack for blending gritty realism with supernatural chills made it a standout, even among his other bestselling works.
The Heart of The Power of Five
The series follows five Gatekeepers—Matt Freeman, Pedro, Scott Tyler, Jamie Tyler, and Scarlett Adams—each gifted with unique powers like telepathy or weather control. In Raven’s Gate, Matt, a troubled orphan, uncovers a sinister plot in Yorkshire to unleash the Old Ones, ancient demons bent on chaos. Evil Star takes Matt to Peru, chasing an ancient scroll to stop another gate from opening. Nightrise shifts to Nevada, where telepathic twins Jamie and Scott face the Nightrise Corporation’s deadly schemes. Necropolis plunges the group into a haunted Hong Kong, while Oblivion, set in a dystopian 2018, unites the five for a final battle against global devastation.
Themes of destiny, sacrifice, and resilience weave through the series, grounded by Horowitz’s vivid settings—from eerie rural towns to chaotic urban underworlds. The occult plays a big role, with blood rituals and nuclear-powered black magic adding a creepy edge. Political intrigue, like presidential campaigns and corporate conspiracies, keeps the stakes high, while time-travel elements tie the Gatekeepers to a 10,000-year-old war. Horowitz’s fast-paced style and knack for cliffhangers make each book a page-turner.
Why The Power of Five Resonates
Though less famous than Alex Rider, The Power of Five has a devoted fanbase, with readers on platforms like Reddit praising its dark mythology and emotional depth. Its blend of horror and heart appeals to teens and adults alike, tackling real-world issues like global warming and fascism alongside supernatural battles. Graphic novel adaptations of the first three books and a potential Raven’s Gate screenplay hint at its growing influence.
The series’ legacy lies in its ability to make readers feel the weight of destiny while cheering for underdog heroes. Its niche status only adds to its allure, offering a fresh alternative to mainstream fantasy. For those craving a thrilling, thought-provoking saga, The Power of Five delivers.
- Publication Years: 2005–2012
- Number of Books: 5
- Key Themes: Destiny, sacrifice, good vs. evil
- Target Audience: Ages 12+
Ready for a wild adventure? Grab Raven’s Gate and step into the dark, thrilling world of The Power of Five!