Review: Action-Packed YA Fantasy About a Superhero Coming of Age
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2014
“The Trifecta: Initiation” is a thrilling YA fantasy read that’s as creative as it is entertaining.The book’s hero, Michael Fleming, is recruited from his village in Africa to travel to Hero City and join the Hero Institute for training—still in shock from the brutal murder of his brother at the hands of a hunter, Michael reluctantly agrees. He’s never thought his superpowers were that impressive, but the Elders see something special in him. Soon he’s swept up in the bustle and competition of school, getting fitted for his costume, trying to uncover his powers, and trying to hide his crush on the beautiful Blue Moon.However, the Elders had their own motivation for bringing Michael to Hero City, and there’s a sinister power watching from the sidelines who are also eager to use Michael for their own purposes. Michael is soon drawn into intrigue and danger, trying to become comfortable with his own identity just as he struggles to save Hero City from the danger that is threatening it—from the inside.While I’m not a huge fan of comic books as a medium of entertainment, I unabashedly love super heroes (Superman in particular)—so “The Trifecta: Initiation” was right up my alley. I loved how the author played with elements common in superhero fiction (a young man coming of age with his powers, evil nemeses, etc.) but expanded on them in a way that feels fresh and exciting. Michael is a great character—he’s humble but slowly grows in confidence, and his steadfast determination to do the right thing (both by Hero City and himself as a person) makes him a good role model for younger readers of this YA novel.The author also has done a good job of world-building in this book—Hero City is described in engaging detail, and facts about its past are woven seamlessly into the story until it becomes a vivid fantasy world to the reader. There’s a lot of action, which keeps the book moving forward at a fast pace, but the violence is not graphically described (which is nice). I’d recommend “The Trifecta: Initiation” to readers who enjoy YA fantasy, superhero comics and movies, and even series like Harry Potter, about a young person with extraordinary powers facing off against evil.