Council of Evil (Villain.Net)
Grade 4–8—This book explores the origins of the nemeses of the heroes featured in the Hero.com series. The book's promotional Web site uses unwieldy URLs—www.heroorvillianbooks.com and www.whichsideareyouonbooks.com—but the online content is slickly presented nonetheless. Jake Hunter is the leader of a gang of bullies at his middle school. However, despite his callous treatment of those he considers beneath him, he is ultimately a sympathetic character. When he stumbles upon a Web site with supernatural powers, the computer screen literally morphs into a gray appendage and taps him on the forehead, imbuing him with up to four powers at a time. Flying and the ability to hurl lightning bolts or acid are a few of the powers that Jake decides to try. Basilisk, his supervillain mentor, manipulates him time and time again into physical showdowns with armed military forces to forward his own nefarious schemes. Epic battles no doubt inspired by blockbuster action films crackle with energy, and the excitement pops off the pages. Plenty of stunning reversals are heaped on readers toward the latter half of the book, ratcheting up the dramatic tension. Kids who enjoy DC and Marvel style superheroes will like this superhero comic in novel format. Featuring plenty of fight sequences, secrets, and advanced or prototype technology, this book will appeal to fans of Alex Rider or Danger Boy.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public LibraryEND