The Ascension Machine

July 1, 2020
What begins as a short-term space con spirals into a galaxywide adventure. While hustling a few credits for his next meal, an unnamed 17-year-old narrator is offered a deal: briefly impersonate Mirabor Gravane so he can live free of his famous family's restrictive expectations. Newly dubbed Grey, the narrator arrives planetside at Justice Academy and embarks on a curriculum of superhero classes, gathering a motley crew of multispecies friends: Seventhirtyfour, a four-armed Brontom; Pilvi, a human plant expert; tech genius Gadget Dude; reptilian Dez; and winged Avrim. Trust, friendship, and having a place to belong are discussed even as Grey hides the truth of his identity from his new friends. During convoluted, risky missions, what makes a superhero truly a hero: powers, technology, or just the right knowledge for the situation? The skills Grey brings as a charismatic human who lacks superpowers but excels at strategic thinking are depicted plainly and directly. One major reveal will likely be spotted by readers well in advance, and only Grey, Seventhirtyfour, and Pilvi receive much character development; action sequences, mysterious capers, and somewhat cinematic battles take the forefront. The human characters seem to be white by default; the rest of the main cast is alien. An entertaining and action-packed journey that will appeal to Marvel and DC comics fans. (Science fiction. 10-14)

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September 4, 2020

Gr 6-10-Grey was a misfit running from space station to space station when he met uber-rich Mirabor Gravane. Mirabor noticed Grey's grifting and lying skills (and that he and Grey looked similar) and hired him to attend the Justice Academy, a school for superheroes, in his stead. Thinking it was a bit of fun, Grey agrees, a decision that will change him from a driftless wanderer to a true hero. He meets great people at the academy, but his lie is exposed when Mirabor's mother comes to check on him. She then hires him to keep impersonating her son, who has mysteriously been kidnapped. Can Grey figure out who kidnapped Mirabor without letting his new friends find out he's been lying to them? The book features a lot of British slang. Some of the prose can be a bit clunky sometimes, and the predictable story could flow better. All characters are various alien species and a few humans, who all have pale skin. The book also features a post-credits scene as a nod to superhero movies, and leaves room for a sequel. VERDICT Like the movie Sky High in space. A decent addition for libraries where superhero and adventure books are popular.-Kristin Joy Anderson, Lewis Univ., Romeoville, IL

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