Thirteen year old Evan Quick is a superhero fan boy extraordinaire; he knows all the Hoods, all the Masks, and all trivia. His dream to be a Mask someday is all-consuming and frankly borders on slightly embarrassing. Yet, since all is possible in fiction, it miraculously comes true, but not quite as he expects.
This is a middle grade book that starts a bit slow, meanders some, and at first is fairly standard. There are a plethora of minor characters that tend to blur together. However, keep reading! This is a story that gets stronger and stronger, and more and more interesting. Complications, nuances, and revelations are introduced that take this book in a new and intriguing direction. The dialogue is strong and Evan Quick’s earnestness and dedication will hook even the most jaded reader. This novel is left wide-open for follow-up book and it is a series any superhero lover, or action-lover, should keep their eye on!
Review of an digital Advance Reader Copy.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Feiwel and Friends
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 3 religious exclamations; 1 derogatory name; 8 scatological words.
Violence/Gore: Characters play simulated superhero game; report of radiation bomb going off and many deaths resulting; character bangs head; character shot with a green laser beam; character abducted and hostages taken; superheroes fight in brief, non-detailed scene with blasting, smashing, etc.; verbal threats are made upon separate occasions; students attend a class on how to fight with household objects; students are in a life-like fighting simulations; students fight using their superpowers; superheroes briefly battle (using cheese); superheroes fight each other with intent to kill; character practices with weapons; character breaks nose (mention of blood); character speaks of desire to kill another character; explosion, destruction of property, minor injuries; character throws object and breaks another object; extended fight scene (general descriptions) with injuries, mention of blood, and implied death, destruction of property via energy blasts, swords, superpowers.
Sex/Nudity: Reference to “Dad’s moms, the ballerina-turned-choreographer and her wife”; boy kisses a girl; a girl kisses a girl.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death, bullying, moral ethics, alcoholism, personal and family crises.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Character is a known alcoholic; character asks a thirteen year old if he knows how to make a martini; character takes a breathalyzer test.
