Super Human

by Michael Carroll

Overview

Four thousand years ago the world’s first super human walked the earth. Possessing the strength of one hundred men, skin impervious to attack, and the ability to read minds, this immortal being used his power to conquer and enslave nations. Now plans are in motion that will transport this super human to the present, where he’ll usher in a new age of tyranny unlike anything the world has ever seen.

Determined to stand against them, using powers they’ve only just begun to master, is a ragtag group of young heroes. For them this first test may be their greatest . . . and last.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101187692
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/13/2010
Series:	Super Human , #1
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Michael Carroll lives in Ireland.

Editorial Reviews

It is refreshing that the lines between good and evil are elegantly blurred.

Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

Carroll's alternate version of our world includes superpowered heroes and villains, but even they are falling victim to a global epidemic. Or at least the adults are--teenagers, superhuman or not, are immune. So when a group called the Helotry plans to resurrect an ancient, invincible superhuman named Krodin, the only people in their way are a handful of teenagers. These include telekinetic Roz; superstrong Abby; Thunder, who manipulates sound waves; and a con artist named Lance. But they have little experience using their powers, and none working as a team. Balancing abundant action with moments of introspection, Carroll's (the Quantum Prophecy trilogy) exuberant prose is just right for setting, story, and characters alike--this is basically a novel-length superhero comic, sans illustrations, and should easily appeal to fans of the X-Men, Justice League, etc. The young heroes are both brave and terrified, often acting solely because it's the only way to save their families. They're clever, yet make mistakes, which casts them in a more realistic light. Ages 10–up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Readers can dive right in without having read the trilogy, but…once they start, they’ll want to finish all four books.

Booklist

Gr 6–9—Nearly 4500 years ago, the Fifth King—a godlike, violent man who brought the entire known world under his rule—vanished from his palace balcony in full view of hundreds of his subjects. Now, in the present-day United States, a group calling themselves the Helotry is determined to bring him back. These fanatics create a plague that affects adults all over the world, including the contemporary superheroes who had the best chance of stopping them. But the Helotry has not counted on opposition from a newly formed group of teen superheroes (and one "normal" but extremely clever and resourceful 14-year-old) unaffected by the plague and determined to use their powers to save the day. The characters are introduced at a rapid-fire pace that may be difficult for less advanced readers to follow, and the book's ending is somewhat abrupt. However, the continuous action and entertaining interactions among the teen protagonists will likely win over some fans of superhero comics and adventure novels.—Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WA

School Library Journal

When the adults mysteriously fall sick, it's up to telekinetic Roz Dalton and her motley collection of burgeoning teen superheroes to defend the world against the machinations of the Helotry, a shadowy organization dedicated to returning the deadly Fifth King, an ancient superhuman that fought for the Assyrians against Egypt 5,000 years ago, to power. Packed with extended fighting scenes, soaring flights and vicious battles of wit, Carroll's adventure honors the best of superhero narratives. The empowered teens take to their powers quickly, with any turmoil over the use of their abilities happening off the page, which keeps the momentum going. However, a disposable romance and the author's heavy hand in portraying moral absolutism hamper the overall tale. The supervillains appear disconnected from their nature; they are reluctant to use their abilities, making their ruthless reputations undeserved. Though this may help propel the plot, the author provides insufficient character back story to support such a contradiction. Decently executed superhero fare, but it doesn't rise up, up and away. (Action. YA)

Kirkus Reviews