Race for Revenge

by Chase Wheeler

When several of the Three Roses Club’s race cars are run off the road by a mysterious black car, Speed starts looking for answers. But Speed gets more than he bargained for when he learns about a driver who is out for revenge . . . and who won’t stop until he gets it!

143 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2008

Reviews

[Russ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Speed Racer: Race for Revenge is a 2008 novelization of episodes 12-13 of the “Speed Racer” cartoon series originally aired in 1967. Race for Revenge is written by “Chase Wheeler,” which is too perfect a name for somebody writing about racecars. This book is for young readers. It is not a comic book or graphic novel, but it does include a small picture every few pages—black & white still frames from the original color episodes. The main story is 119 pages long, double-spaced, but the book includes another 20-page episode adaptation as a “bonus race.”

Racing officials Mr. Black and Mr. Green are run off the road by the X-3, an old racecar with a ghostly voice saying “The Mélange still races!” Inspector Detector needs Speed’s help. The X-3 reappears but the police can’t keep up. Speed gives chase in his Mach 5, passing a girl selling flowers who claims she saw nothing. Speed presses on, but just as he’s closing in, the X-3 escapes beyond a crossing train. It leaves the driver behind—a robot.

Pops recalls the Mélange was a car driven by Flash Marker. He died in a wreck caused by the Three Roses racing team during a race years ago.

Flash’s daughter is the girl who sells flowers downtown. We learn she’s covering for her vengeful brother, Flash Junior. With the robot out of commission, Flash demands his sister enter the X-3/ Mélange in the upcoming Danger Pass race. The Three Roses team is still racing, and at Danger Pass they set their sights on Speed Racer. Flash Junior, remote controlling Lily, has his sights set on the Three Roses. You have to read the rest to find out what happens.

The writing is competent, even lively. It efficiently conveys the high-stakes action and fast pace of the original shows. A few small details are added compared to episodes as aired. Trixie is more jealous of Lily in this adaptation than in the cartoon. It’s a nice touch.

I would recommend this book for boys in elementary school who like cars and like reading. Reading it in print may help build a budding mechanic or racer’s vocabulary in the automotive field while having fun along the way.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Race for Revenge is a children's book that revels in silly hijinks suitable for the 7-10 age group. However, for adult readers, the narrative often comes across as excessively whimsical, predictable, and lacking in depth. The humor may feel needlessly exaggerated, and the storyline might appear overly straightforward.

This book seems tailored specifically for elementary children or dedicated fans of the Speed Racer series. While it may entertain its target audience, adult readers seeking more nuanced storytelling might find it lacking in sophistication.