Illusive

Back of the Book: When the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of the population developed superhero-like powers. Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She's what's known as an illusionist...She's also a thief.

After a robbery goes awry, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals on another job that most would consider too reckless. The formula for the vaccine that gave them their abilities was supposedly destroyed years ago. But what if it wasn't?

The lines between good and bad, us and them, and freedom and entrapment are blurred as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race against the government that could cost them their lives.

Described as “X-Men meets Ocean’s Eleven”, I couldn’t resist this book. And while the summary promises high hopes, I wasn’t disappointed. Lately, teen novels have developed into a niche of dystopian action- romances (The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.). And while I adore those books, this young adult sci-fi thriller was a welcome change.

Illusive is a fresh book with a captivating plot, witty dialogue, and plenty of action and humor. And, hello, did I mention that it has superheroes?! No, this isn’t a life-changing novel, but it’s pretty incredible. The world Illusive takes place in is very well developed. It’s plain to see how these superheroes became criminals in a society such as the one Emily Lloyd-Jones developed. I’m impressed at the unique plot line. This book constantly takes twists and turns, and I had no idea what would happen next.

The only complaint is character development. While all of the characters are interesting, unique, and defy stereotypical roles, I wish Cierce, our protagonist, had grown more as a character. She’s a bit of a static character, which is never good in young adult stories. However, she is still a likeable character and I do not think that this really detracts from the rest of the book. Hopefully, we’ll get a sequel and be able to see Ciere grow more.

Illusive is a book that demands to be read. This book defies the stereotypes of modern teen fiction with its clever plot, compelling action, and superheroes—any book about a superhero is a good one! Illusive is a must-read!

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Sidekicked

Back of the book: Drew Bean might be a part of a secret organization for the training of superhero sidekicks, but that doesn’t mean that life is all leaping tall buildings in single bounds.

Drew is possessed of super senses—his hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell are the most powerful on the planet—making him literally the most sensitive kid in school. And then there’s his best friend, Jenna—their friendship would be complicated enough if she weren’t able to throw an eighteen-wheeler the length of a city block. Add in trying to keep his sidekick life a secret from everyone, including his parents, and the truth is clear: middle school is pretty much a drag regardless of whether you have superpowers.
  But this is all before a supervillain long thought dead returns to the city of Justica and Drew’s two identities threaten to crash head-on into each other. Drew has always found it pretty easy to separate right from wrong, good from evil. It’s what a superhero does. But what happens when that line starts to disappear?

Drew Bean appears to be an average middle-schooler. His biggest worries are acne, grotesque school lunches, and whether or not his best friend Jenna like likes him. However, when he puts on his mask, Drew morphs into his alter ego, the Sensationalist. Drew can easily hear a conversation five blocks away or sense the heartbeats of those around him. He’s apart of a training program for sidekicks (H.E.R.O) operating out of his middle school. He studies with other sidekicks, shadows supers, and hopes to eventually become one himself. However, when a forgotten villain resurrects, Drew struggles to keep his two lives from colliding while beginning to realize that the line dividing good and evil sometimes blurs.

Two things instantly drew me to this book: its captivating cover art and the promise of superheroes. It did not disappoint me. The story is witty, and the plot offers a few twists and turns I did not expect. Drew’s voice is sarcastic, honest, and witty. He often mocks superhero stereotypes, which made me laugh. Drew is definitely someone I would like to friend, with or without his super senses. John David Anderson did a fantastic job of making sure the reader is constantly aware of Drew’s surroundings. The detail in his descriptions made me feel as though I too possess super senses. Readers who enjoyed Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” classic comics, or an epic battle between the forces of good and evil will enjoy Sidekicked.