A fun bit of school library nostalgia, indulged in my never-ending superhero-loving phase.
Four kids receive random superpowers from a website, Hero.com. As it turns out, supervillains and superheroes exist in secret, and they live and die fighting each other. In the mission of 'Rise of the Heroes' - the kids' first foray as heroes - the fighting is over a weather-controlling machine, a kidnapped mum, and a silly world-domination plot.
The distinctive, diverse characters are realistic, but the concept and situations are not. That's where the fun and engagement lies. Even the main villain, who is the textbook definition of mad scientist, has his backstory explained and explored; similiar to Captain Hook's arc in 'Peter Pan'.
'Rise of the Heroes' also features an aspect of sibling rivalry which is truthful and touching, as part of the round circle in a complex family dynamic. In addition there is a diabetic character, whose condition helps to create tension and urgency in the plot.
Overall, this is a light, cool children's superhero book. Not quite up there with Mark Walden's 'H.I.V.E.' series, or indeed all the major blockbuster superhero films, but it's action-packed, funny and wholly accessible for everyone. A CBBC after-school television programme with much higher stakes.
Final Score: 3/5
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