Super

September 15, 2012
The magically endowed kids introduced in Powerless (2009) have a second go at their power-sucking nemesis in this overstuffed, if high-voltage sequel. Six months after leaving Herman Plunkett, aka the Shroud, buried beneath a rock slide, ungifted Daniel and his five variously powered friends, self-styled the "Supers of Noble's Green," are thrown into a tizzy by the arrival of Theo Plunkett. He is a wealthy, smooth-talking teenager who could well share his mad uncle's evil tendencies. Furthermore, amid multiple subplots and other complications, hints that the old man might still be alive emerge. These range from disturbing dreams to Daniel's horrified realization that he can steal away his friends' powers. More worrisome yet, the Supers have suddenly come under periodic attack by mysterious killer Shades. Readers who haven't read the opener will flounder, and those who require even weak rationales for the MacGuffins in their thrillers will come away dissatisfied by the multiplicity of unexplained elements and apparent contradictions. Overall though, Cody delivers a series of escalating physical and relational conflicts that culminate in a pulptastic climactic battle and a resolution that hints at sequels set on a much broader stage. Stronger on action than internal logic, but the central cast's array of personal foibles and amusingly arbitrary superpowers, along with some eerie adversaries, carry the load. (Fantasy. 11-13)

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December 1, 2012

Gr 5-7-Daniel Corrigan, introduced in Powerless (Knopf, 2009), continues in his struggle to be an ordinary 13-year-old kid surrounded by superpowered friends. Months after defeating their evil adversary Herman Plunkett, aka the Shroud, Daniel and company are surprised to learn that the elderly Plunkett had relatives who have decided to move to town. Most notable is teenaged Theo, who suspects that there is a mystery to be solved in the town of Noble's Green, and his determined questions threaten to expose the supertweens. Meanwhile, a new group of sinister beings dubbed Shades is attacking the Supers, and it is up to Daniel to once again save the day. But as he has begun exhibiting the ability to temporarily steal his friends' powers, does he really need to protect them from himself? Familiarity with the first title is a must to follow the events in Super and to understand why the group of friends is willing to put their faith in Daniel. Readers will likely forgive any hiccups in the story's logic as the fast-paced action and engaging characters drive the narration to a conclusion that certainly seems to indicate that there will be more to come.-Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

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