Zeroes

Taking as its premise the idea that superpowers, in addition to benefits, may also carry considerable disadvantages and dangers, Zeroes offers a fresh perspective on the tropes of superhero literature and asks the question whether special skills make us flawed or favoured. Enter the Zeroes, a crew of superhero young adults who are all somewhat beleaguered by consequence of their special abilities and were born in the Year 2000.

Silver-tongued Ethan, going by the moniker Scam, has the ability to articulate his needs and desires and to smooth talk his way from potential problems. That proves necessary when he becomes implicated in a bank robbery. His former friends and Zeroes reunite with him to pit their wits and skills together effecting an escape plan. Action packed and filled with thrills and spills, each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of the characters.

Written by three highly regarded Young Adult authors, there is a sense of playful experimentation and fun that radiates through the writing, particularly in the intriguing character Thiebault whose superpower is not being in the least bit memorable. A fun and fast-paced read that balances the delivery of action and adventure against consideration around the types of impact and responsibilities associated with our action, Zeroes is not to be missed.