V is for Villain

Starred review from March 17, 2014
In this provocative adventure, Moore (Red Moon Rising) explores the dichotomies of good versus evil and nature versus nurture through the story of a teenage scion of a heroic family who’s forced into a life of rebellion. Because he’s “unpowered,” Brad Baron can never live up to the standards set by his legendary father and brother, but he strives on—until rampant prejudice and casual neglect lead him to make friends with a band of malcontents bent on changing the system through supervillainy. Discovering his latent, illegal power of telepathy, Brad adopts their mission as his own and discovers dark secrets underlying everything he’s ever believed. While Moore’s story stands on its own as a superpowered coming-of-age story, complete with a bad-girl love interest and dramatic scenery-destroying battles, it’s also a subtle criticism of institutionalized privilege—in this case, featuring a society in which flashy physical powers are valued more than less-obvious ones, and normal people are practically faceless bystanders. Come for the fights and tights, stay for the fascinating evolution of a sympathetic villain. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House.

March 1, 2014
Being the nonpowered brother of a superhero could turn any good kid bad. Sixteen-year-old Brad Baron attends Monroe Academy for Powered Teens with the powerful children and siblings of other superheroes. Having no powers makes this a dangerous proposition, especially in Physical Training, a fact made all too clear when Brad is laid up for several weeks with shattered vertebrae. He's moved (involuntarily) to the alternative program, and not only does he make a few friends, but also discovers teachers who aren't jerks or hero-worshippers. However, his big, dumb brother, Blake, aka Artillery of Justice Force, thinks Brad's new friends make him look bad. Blake's attempts at meddling only serve to deepen Brad's anti-hero sentiments. Brad and his friends form an alliance when he finally discovers his own latent telepathy, and they seek out connections in a world where telepathy is illegal. When they make a startling discovery about the origin of superpowers, what should they do with the knowledge? And will they survive any decision they make? Moore's science fantasy takes place in a recognizable world, and young teens will identify with Brad and his cohorts. Well-crafted characters, moral nuance, and a tale with nice, believable twists make this a great addition to the teen-superhero genre. This is superhero fiction done right. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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May 15, 2014
Grades 8-11 Brad Baron has been living in the shadow of his older brother, Blake, all his life. Blake is bigger, stronger, fasterand he can fly. Somehow, Blake got the superpower genes, and all Brad got was enhanced intelligence. In the superherocentric world of V Is for Villain, brains don't count for much. Just because you don't have powers . . . doesn't mean that you're any less of a human being, says Blake. Who wouldn't turn villain in the face of that kind of attitude? And when Brad is transferred out of the hero program at his school, he meets other kids like him with minor or low-level powers, kids who question the might-equals-right paradigm that exalts superheroes without regard to the consequences of their methods. Maybe the difference between hero and villain is muddier than it seems. Some of the characterizations in this quasi-dystopian novel can be a little heavy-handed, but with plenty of plot twists, dastardly conspiracies, and a snarky narrator, the latest from Moore (Red Moon Rising, 2011) has lots of sparkle.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
Though he's ultra-smart, Brad just can't compete with his older brother Blake, who has superhuman strength and can fly. When Brad and other outcasts like him uncover the source of the Justice Force members' superpowers, will he be a hero or a villain? Sibling rivalry takes an unexpected twist in this entertaining and thrilling look at how a villain is made.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)