Review: Darn good super hero book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 28, 2014
I bought "Ascension" because I saw it was on the best seller's list for the super hero genre. Having now read the book, I can say I am glad it is getting recognition! The main characters of this book are a group of high school kids with the power of telekinesis. It is interesting to see how each character deals with the power -- some are more good-hearted than others. A.L. Patterson did a great job giving the reader an in-depth look into each of the characters' perspectives. Because this book is actually part of a YA series, it reads a bit differently than your typical super hero novel, which kept me extra engaged with the content. I'd say the novel is equal parts teen romance and super hero action. The teens are authentic and grounded in the real world. The novel uses a fantasy/super hero concept but bases it in the real world. One of the more interesting aspects of the book is the character John's turn from super hero to super villain. It reminded me a bit of Anakin's transition in "Star Wars." His comedic foil is Charles, which gives the book some balance. Another aspect of the book that I liked is that many of the characters are ambiguous, not good or evil. This felt refreshing for the genre. Overall, if you want a well-written YA book with super hero action (the book is reminiscent of Mark Miller's work), then this is a must-read!