Swarm

July 15, 2016
After Zeroes (2015), the group of superpowered teenagers is derailed by other people with powers--and fewer morals.Everything's going pretty well for the gang--they've even started a monthly underground nightclub where they can safely practice their powers (as most of them require crowds). But then a pair of out-of-towners who get off on treating people like toys hit it and break everything the Zeroes have worked for--and they hint they've something bigger planned. The Zeroes must track down the troublemaking duo, but when they do, they discover that these two are the least of their worries--a terrifying person hunting the superpowered teens has been pointed right at them, and horrible deaths await. The pace clips along nicely, and the large ensemble cast (gender-balanced, economically diverse, and with multiple races and shades of the LGBTQ spectrum represented) enjoys complicated dynamics, a palpable bond, and intersecting character development arcs. Aside from their inner circle, family storylines add emotional stakes on top of the physical. The expansion of the world to include superpowered people from out of town creates nice foils for the heroes, especially as they continue grappling with the ramifications of the powers. The ending resolves the book's main plot but then offers up the kind of cliffhanger that may make readers riot. A high-octane bundle of thrills. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-This addition to the series starts off with the Zeroes working on a new project: a nightclub to experiment with their powers. It's reasonably safe, if not exactly legal. Unfortunately, their plans are disrupted by the arrival of two new teens with supernatural abilities-and unlike the original crew, these guys are not dedicated to using their powers for good. What's more, one of them, nicknamed Swarm, may be more powerful than all of the original Zeroes. If they don't work together and learn to control their powers, the results could be deadly. Like the first volume, this novel can feel weighed down by a large cast and multiple points of view, but the Zeroes continue to be relatable as they struggle to do the right thing even when they are in over their heads, and the fast-paced action keeps the pages turning. VERDICT Fans of the first book will not be disappointed by the latest installment in the saga.-Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

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