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The Ascension Machine
Welcome to the Justice Academy – the galaxy's best superhero college! Teen grifter Grey arrives at the school carrying a he isn't really tech heir Mirabor Gravane. At the first opportunity Grey plans to leave the Academy. That is until he makes the mistake of starting to like his fellow students. The Justice Academy promises to "equip you with the skills to be the hero the galaxy needs" and Grey is beginning to believe the hype. But as he takes more risks to protect his secret, events spiral out of his control. When the real Gravane is kidnapped, Grey and his new friends must come together to mount a rescue and defend a city from an attack by hostile super-powered aliens. If he is to succeed, or even survive, Grey must decide who he is, and does he want to be a superhero?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 4, 2022
The familiar setting of the school for witchcraft and wizardry gets an upgrade to intergalactic academy for Superheroes in Rob Edwards' exciting and action packed adventure for Middle Graders.
The story centres around an unnamed artful Dodger type, who lives hand to mouth doing various con jobs on numerous galactic space stations, until one day he is offered a job that seems too good to be true. All he has to do is to pretend to be some rich kid for a little while so that said rich kid can escape from his magnificently rich family and disappear into the cosmos to make his fortune.
Seem simple? Yeah you would think so, but he should have heeded the advice that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is, as the seemingly simple job as masquerading as some rich kid gets him taken to the aforementioned super hero academy and ends up with him continuing to live the life of the rich kid, Mirabor Garvane and actually finding something that he didn’t know that he needed - friends and family.
Rob Edwards’s book is a delightful romp from start to finish. The superhero academy works well and whilst it may remind you of certain other educational institutions, it does instil a little bit of realism into the curriculum, as there is the constant question of who does the superhero academy actually belong to, and are all these superheroes doing it for the love of saving people or is there a question that they may be in league with the larger corporations.
The ensemble cast led by the enigmatic Grey, as he becomes known as, is strong and well realised, with certain members of the team standing out more than others in this first adventure. Sevenfourthirty is implacable in his friendship and honest nature. He readily accepts Grey as his best friend and kind of provides his moral compass. Whereas, it is Gadget Dude who shines the brightest and while he doesn’t necessarily converse much throughout the story, he communicates so much with simple verbal expression and gesture.
The narrative itself is fast paced and easy to follow. It's full of well placed humour and lovingly crafted quips at the superhero genre as a whole. The story itself is full of adventure and familiar themes, such as the found family aspect, which when done well is always a delight. There is a little bit of spy thriller thrown in there to up the ante somewhat. On top of that, there is a legitimate feeling of threat in the book, as whilst there are no graphic details of injury, not everyone fares as well as you would expect in the story.
The Ascension Machine is an entertainingly fun packed story, full of action and intrigue and will appeal to both budding sci-fi and superhero fans.
The story centres around an unnamed artful Dodger type, who lives hand to mouth doing various con jobs on numerous galactic space stations, until one day he is offered a job that seems too good to be true. All he has to do is to pretend to be some rich kid for a little while so that said rich kid can escape from his magnificently rich family and disappear into the cosmos to make his fortune.
Seem simple? Yeah you would think so, but he should have heeded the advice that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is, as the seemingly simple job as masquerading as some rich kid gets him taken to the aforementioned super hero academy and ends up with him continuing to live the life of the rich kid, Mirabor Garvane and actually finding something that he didn’t know that he needed - friends and family.
Rob Edwards’s book is a delightful romp from start to finish. The superhero academy works well and whilst it may remind you of certain other educational institutions, it does instil a little bit of realism into the curriculum, as there is the constant question of who does the superhero academy actually belong to, and are all these superheroes doing it for the love of saving people or is there a question that they may be in league with the larger corporations.
The ensemble cast led by the enigmatic Grey, as he becomes known as, is strong and well realised, with certain members of the team standing out more than others in this first adventure. Sevenfourthirty is implacable in his friendship and honest nature. He readily accepts Grey as his best friend and kind of provides his moral compass. Whereas, it is Gadget Dude who shines the brightest and while he doesn’t necessarily converse much throughout the story, he communicates so much with simple verbal expression and gesture.
The narrative itself is fast paced and easy to follow. It's full of well placed humour and lovingly crafted quips at the superhero genre as a whole. The story itself is full of adventure and familiar themes, such as the found family aspect, which when done well is always a delight. There is a little bit of spy thriller thrown in there to up the ante somewhat. On top of that, there is a legitimate feeling of threat in the book, as whilst there are no graphic details of injury, not everyone fares as well as you would expect in the story.
The Ascension Machine is an entertainingly fun packed story, full of action and intrigue and will appeal to both budding sci-fi and superhero fans.
November 29, 2021
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Ascension Machine
Thank you to Rob Edwards for providing me with a copy for an honest review!
Grey has been jumping from one place to another, stealing just enough to get by and taking up the odd job now and then. Until his latest theft lands him in front of Mirabor Gravane. But Gravane isn’t going to turn him into the authorities. Instead, he offers Grey a job. One that seems a bit too easy. If Grey pretends to be Mirabor long enough for him to slip away from his parent’s watchful eyes, he’ll give Grey a large payout. And while Grey knows there must be a catch, he decides to take the job. Little does he know, he’s about to join the Justice Academy in Gravane’s place. A college for superheroes.
Grey is such a great character to follow. Even though he’s been conning and stealing his way through life, he isn’t inherently a bad person. He just doesn’t know any other way to live, until he mistakenly ends up at the Justice Academy. While Grey tries to keep himself separate from the other future heroes, he is drawn into their friendship. After living so long alone, Grey finally can find a place to call home and people he can count on. Of course, there is the small matter that he is currently living a lie which brings wonderful tension into the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Rob Edwards allowed Grey to remain in character. It gave Grey time to reflect on what he was doing and develop into a better person. Not to mention it provided some comical mishaps and showcased his ability to think quickly. The overall tone of The Ascension Machine is animated, allowing readers to become engaged in a fast-paced and fun story. Amidst the good-natured friendships and interactions, there is also everyday school pressure and the occasional villain to take down. These superheroes in training have a wide range of abilities and skills, and they are not afraid to use everything they have to save people.
My favorite character, however, was Gadget Dude. He was a character of few words, but through body language and brief moments of dialogue, Rob Edwards created a character just as influential as the rest. For the most part, he tinkered with parts and created gadgets as the rest of the group held conversations or tried to plan their next move. I loved how Gadget Dude was front and center with the group despite being so quiet.
The Ascension Machine is a story suitable for the younger crowd, but can just as easily be enjoyed by adults. It is filled with humor, as well as strong themes of friendship and acceptance. With a wonderful mix of characters and personalities, there is never a dull moment. I am eager to see where the next story takes our heroes.
Thank you to Rob Edwards for providing me with a copy for an honest review!
Grey has been jumping from one place to another, stealing just enough to get by and taking up the odd job now and then. Until his latest theft lands him in front of Mirabor Gravane. But Gravane isn’t going to turn him into the authorities. Instead, he offers Grey a job. One that seems a bit too easy. If Grey pretends to be Mirabor long enough for him to slip away from his parent’s watchful eyes, he’ll give Grey a large payout. And while Grey knows there must be a catch, he decides to take the job. Little does he know, he’s about to join the Justice Academy in Gravane’s place. A college for superheroes.
Grey is such a great character to follow. Even though he’s been conning and stealing his way through life, he isn’t inherently a bad person. He just doesn’t know any other way to live, until he mistakenly ends up at the Justice Academy. While Grey tries to keep himself separate from the other future heroes, he is drawn into their friendship. After living so long alone, Grey finally can find a place to call home and people he can count on. Of course, there is the small matter that he is currently living a lie which brings wonderful tension into the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Rob Edwards allowed Grey to remain in character. It gave Grey time to reflect on what he was doing and develop into a better person. Not to mention it provided some comical mishaps and showcased his ability to think quickly. The overall tone of The Ascension Machine is animated, allowing readers to become engaged in a fast-paced and fun story. Amidst the good-natured friendships and interactions, there is also everyday school pressure and the occasional villain to take down. These superheroes in training have a wide range of abilities and skills, and they are not afraid to use everything they have to save people.
My favorite character, however, was Gadget Dude. He was a character of few words, but through body language and brief moments of dialogue, Rob Edwards created a character just as influential as the rest. For the most part, he tinkered with parts and created gadgets as the rest of the group held conversations or tried to plan their next move. I loved how Gadget Dude was front and center with the group despite being so quiet.
The Ascension Machine is a story suitable for the younger crowd, but can just as easily be enjoyed by adults. It is filled with humor, as well as strong themes of friendship and acceptance. With a wonderful mix of characters and personalities, there is never a dull moment. I am eager to see where the next story takes our heroes.
May 2, 2021
Found family? Check. A unique world? Check. A main character who is incredibly likable? Double check. The Ascension Machine is a fun, creative adventure with surprises galore.
Grey (what is his real name?) is a con-man. Well, a con-teen, anyway. He flits from planet to planet, making it on what he can steal or cheat from others. He’s directionless and lonely, although he won’t admit it. He’s also short on funds. So when he’s approached with a high paying offer- impersonate a wealthy teen named Mirabor Gravane- he doesn’t hesitate. Imagine Grey’s surprise when his mistaken identity lands him in a school for superheroes.
One thing that I really appreciated about Grey was that, deep down, he was a genuinely good kid. Sure, he conned an entire school full of people (and aliens) into believing he’s someone he’s not, but he never intended to hurt anyone and he took advantage of every opportunity he had to be helpful, even at risk to his life expectancy. I loved his story arc. It was never stagnant, and he was never demoted to plot device. Instead, he grew and changed in a way that made perfect sense for his personality and the story.
A book like this needs a great supporting cast, and we’ve got one. While there are several side characters, each very important to the plot, I have two favorites. Gadget Dude had the interesting superpower of being great at creating all kinds of gadgetry-but he sometimes seemed a bit unclear as to what he was creating, or how it actually worked. For me, though, Seventhirtyfour stole the show. His size (and four arms) were only eclipsed by his giant heart and his loyalty. He was always enthusiastic and threw himself wholeheartedly into whatever he was doing, whether it be schoolwork, or taking on a mob racket. I absolutely loved him.
The hijinks the characters got up to were a lot of fun. While the final confrontation was fantastic, I loved the inventive problem-solving involved in earlier escapades. Grey’s talents weren’t necessarily what most people think of when they hear “superhero”, which made him that much more interesting. Plus, they came in very handy on multiple occasions.
There was a bit of a mystery as part of the plotline, which was a lot of fun. I know my oldest will have a great time solving the puzzle alongside the characters. There was also action and adventure aplenty. The action was well-described, and the stakes were high without the book being too gory for its intended audience. The Ascension Machine is intended for the middle-grade/teen age range, I believe, but it’s a ton of fun for any age group. I fully enjoyed reading it and am hopeful that a sequel will be coming.
Grey (what is his real name?) is a con-man. Well, a con-teen, anyway. He flits from planet to planet, making it on what he can steal or cheat from others. He’s directionless and lonely, although he won’t admit it. He’s also short on funds. So when he’s approached with a high paying offer- impersonate a wealthy teen named Mirabor Gravane- he doesn’t hesitate. Imagine Grey’s surprise when his mistaken identity lands him in a school for superheroes.
One thing that I really appreciated about Grey was that, deep down, he was a genuinely good kid. Sure, he conned an entire school full of people (and aliens) into believing he’s someone he’s not, but he never intended to hurt anyone and he took advantage of every opportunity he had to be helpful, even at risk to his life expectancy. I loved his story arc. It was never stagnant, and he was never demoted to plot device. Instead, he grew and changed in a way that made perfect sense for his personality and the story.
A book like this needs a great supporting cast, and we’ve got one. While there are several side characters, each very important to the plot, I have two favorites. Gadget Dude had the interesting superpower of being great at creating all kinds of gadgetry-but he sometimes seemed a bit unclear as to what he was creating, or how it actually worked. For me, though, Seventhirtyfour stole the show. His size (and four arms) were only eclipsed by his giant heart and his loyalty. He was always enthusiastic and threw himself wholeheartedly into whatever he was doing, whether it be schoolwork, or taking on a mob racket. I absolutely loved him.
The hijinks the characters got up to were a lot of fun. While the final confrontation was fantastic, I loved the inventive problem-solving involved in earlier escapades. Grey’s talents weren’t necessarily what most people think of when they hear “superhero”, which made him that much more interesting. Plus, they came in very handy on multiple occasions.
There was a bit of a mystery as part of the plotline, which was a lot of fun. I know my oldest will have a great time solving the puzzle alongside the characters. There was also action and adventure aplenty. The action was well-described, and the stakes were high without the book being too gory for its intended audience. The Ascension Machine is intended for the middle-grade/teen age range, I believe, but it’s a ton of fun for any age group. I fully enjoyed reading it and am hopeful that a sequel will be coming.
July 20, 2021
Reviewed on behalf of Rosie Amber’s Book Review team #RBRT.
I was sent a kindle version of The Ascension Machine by the author, Rob Edwards, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Rob!
This book was a lot of fun to read. Aimed at YA/Middle grade readers, The Ascension Machine starts off in a space station in deep space, filled with interesting alien species such as the Welatak:
“The family pod of Welatak that sat near the toilets weren’t looking at me at all. The prime of the pod was playing a game that made the podlings clack with laughter, while the other adult in the group fiddled with one of the podling’s saline suits. They needed their suits to keep saltwater on their skin; Welatak dried out quickly in oxygen.”
The many different alien species at the transport hub brought to mind the scene in the bar in Star Wars: A New Hope, where we see all the different aliens – that scene was always fascinating to me and I imagine young readers will be equally captivated by the intriguing and unusual species described here.
We are introduced to our unnamed teenaged main character, who begins to tell us his story from first person perspective. He has lived aboard space stations for most of his young life, scamming travelers to make a little money here and there, without really thinking too much about the morals or consequences of his actions. Over the course of the novel, thankfully, this all changes, and he begins to see the error of his old ways as a grifter.
Searching for a lookalike to take over his responsibilities, while he goes off on some unidentified escapade, offensively rich Mirabor Gravane runs into our shady main character on the space station, running from his latest mark. Persuaded to take on the job, against his better judgement and for no small fee, our hero decides to call himself ‘Grey’ for short and reluctantly boards the ship for which Gravane handed over his first class ticket, without knowing what is in store at his destination. Another first class passenger, a somewhat scary looking large green alien of the Brontom variety, known as Seventhirtyfour turns out to have an enthusiastic and upbeat personality and quickly takes Grey under his four arms, eagerly showing him the commercial for the Justice Academy they are both heading towards – a college for would-be superheroes. The commercial makes it clear that you do not need superpowers to become a superhero – being true to yourself and having the right mindset will get you a long way on the path towards your goal and the courses on offer will build on these character traits:
“At the Justice Academy, we will equip you with the skills to be the hero the galaxy needs. Self-defence! Clue Analysis! Parkour! Rocket-Grapnel Maintenance! Rescueology!” Rescueology? “But we will also teach the other side of being a superhero.” And now there was a flurry of more studious, earnest learning scenes. “We have award-winning classes in marketing and public relations, costume design, and even philosophy, morals and ethics.”
In this way the Justice Academy is more inclusive than other similar schools such as Professor X’s Xavier Institute in the X-Men franchise.
The group of diverse friends Grey makes at the Justice Academy become his found family and they support each other in any way possible. In addition to the effusive Seventhirtyfour, they comprise Pilvi, a female human farmer and plant expert; Gadget Dude, a tech genius; reptilian female Dez; and winged Avrim. Seventhirtyfour was my favourite of the bunch, due to his unwavering positivity, friendliness and enthusiasm. Indeed at one point he is described as “a wall of green enthusiasm”. He is the glue that holds the group together.
The friends soon form a team for the inventive school sport of PowerBall and quickly learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Grey makes full use of his problem-solving skills, honed when running from his targets onboard space stations and now given full rein. These strengths and weaknesses translate well into the real world and when they are sent on a mission by Gravane’s mother they find themselves face to face with notorious gangs on a distant planet named Bantus, and make use of everything they have learned so far at the Justice Academy as well as their own natural skills to save the victims of these gangs. Hanging around with the morally upstanding Seventhirtyfour has already had a positive effect on Grey – he is no longer simply out for himself, he cannot ignore a mugging and also feels bad about his previous thievery. He acts as a spy rather than superhero and foils the gang leaders on Bantus. Thrown into the situation at short notice, Grey has been unable to decide on an appropriate superhero name:
““Who are you?” he asked. “I’m the Grey…” Accountant? Ghost? Avenger? None of them sounded right. “The Grey?” he repeated. Great, now my superhero name was the same as my assumed secret identity…”
Grey is brave, if also reckless, and puts his friends in harm’s way again and again, never seeming to learn from his mistakes.
The pace of this book is fast with a chase right at the beginning and continuing in this vein with exciting adventures and escapades: chases, gang fights and action sequences involving superheroes (both with and without powers and tech gadgets), spying, criminology and detective work, a kidnap plot, an evil and possibly insane enhanced arch-villain with an army full of alien henchmen, a thrilling escape through a cave system and since they are young adults at college, there is even some social and emotional awkwardness between Grey and a girl called Sky Diamond.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good coming of age, action-packed school story with superheroes, aliens and a main character whose personality develops for the better and matures through his story arc. I loved how this book is filled with tongue in cheek humour and positive messages.
December 17, 2020
I was fortunate to be a beta reader for The Ascension Machine and I really enjoyed the book. I particularly liked main character Grey and how he dealt with pretending to be Mirabor Gravane. Typical YA arc with figuring out who he wants to be at super-hero school - I'll say that again... super-hero school!! So cool. I thought the different aliens were fun and I always enjoy a misfits team-up. Chuffed to hear book two is in the works.
November 8, 2020
Maybe I'm showing my age, but my first thoughts when meeting the lead character of Grey in The Ascension Machine, I thought of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat series.
That's because, like Harrison's Jim Di Griz, Edward's Gray starts out as an amoral con artist on the run from one space station to the next. He's very good at finding hiding places to elude capture all over the galaxy. Like Di Griz, Gray's yarn is told in the first person, allowing for his personality to be expressed in nearly every sentence of the saga.
Like the Rat books, Edwards' story is full of clever humor. For example, when we begin meeting the young students wanting to be "space alien super heroes," one is named Gadget Dude. Another calls herself Sky Diamond, born simply Lucy. But these young would-be heroes aren't in Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Hearths Club Band. Nor are they candidates for Professor Charles Xavier's Institute where young mutants learned teamwork, how to use super-powers, and how to combat bigotry.
Gray isn't anything like an X-Man. He only goes to the super-hero school to pretend to be a student, has no obvious powers, and has no drive to benefit anyone other than himself. Well, he spends much of the novel in a wheelchair and ultimately becomes the leader of a team of young super-heroes out to save a planet from nasty invaders. I must admit, beyond the main baddie, Gravane/ Dr. Gravestone, those powerful invaders aren't especially well-defined. I confess, the contrivance of villains being constant bad shots, even with super-weapons, is a trope rather overused by now.
If it sounds like I'm describing a comic book in novel form, that's pretty much what Ascension Machine is. Nothing wrong with that. Ascension Machine is intended to be light reading, straight-ahead action-adventure, and is quite suitable for YA readers. For example, it has a character arc where a young grifter finds his identity, finds a purpose greater than himself, and we see how important teamwork is in solving complex problems. In short, the very sort of comic book I'd be happy to give the grand-kids to read, knowing they'd enjoy the colorful ride.
Me too. Reading the final coda in this debut novel, it seems clear we're going to be seeing more of the young heroes taking on new super-villains. Here's your chance to get in on the ground-floor of an entertaining new series. With any luck, Edwards will spark up some romances among the new "space alien super-heroes" and the team will encounter some memorable new opponents.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Nov. 8, 2020:
https://waa.ai/tj1r
That's because, like Harrison's Jim Di Griz, Edward's Gray starts out as an amoral con artist on the run from one space station to the next. He's very good at finding hiding places to elude capture all over the galaxy. Like Di Griz, Gray's yarn is told in the first person, allowing for his personality to be expressed in nearly every sentence of the saga.
Like the Rat books, Edwards' story is full of clever humor. For example, when we begin meeting the young students wanting to be "space alien super heroes," one is named Gadget Dude. Another calls herself Sky Diamond, born simply Lucy. But these young would-be heroes aren't in Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Hearths Club Band. Nor are they candidates for Professor Charles Xavier's Institute where young mutants learned teamwork, how to use super-powers, and how to combat bigotry.
Gray isn't anything like an X-Man. He only goes to the super-hero school to pretend to be a student, has no obvious powers, and has no drive to benefit anyone other than himself. Well, he spends much of the novel in a wheelchair and ultimately becomes the leader of a team of young super-heroes out to save a planet from nasty invaders. I must admit, beyond the main baddie, Gravane/ Dr. Gravestone, those powerful invaders aren't especially well-defined. I confess, the contrivance of villains being constant bad shots, even with super-weapons, is a trope rather overused by now.
If it sounds like I'm describing a comic book in novel form, that's pretty much what Ascension Machine is. Nothing wrong with that. Ascension Machine is intended to be light reading, straight-ahead action-adventure, and is quite suitable for YA readers. For example, it has a character arc where a young grifter finds his identity, finds a purpose greater than himself, and we see how important teamwork is in solving complex problems. In short, the very sort of comic book I'd be happy to give the grand-kids to read, knowing they'd enjoy the colorful ride.
Me too. Reading the final coda in this debut novel, it seems clear we're going to be seeing more of the young heroes taking on new super-villains. Here's your chance to get in on the ground-floor of an entertaining new series. With any luck, Edwards will spark up some romances among the new "space alien super-heroes" and the team will encounter some memorable new opponents.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Nov. 8, 2020:
https://waa.ai/tj1r
September 16, 2020
The Ascension Machine is a non-stop thrilling read for all ages. In the finest tradition of the Legion of Superheroes, or more recently My Hero Academy, The Ascension Machine is a fun book about superhero apprentices trying to find what makes them special in a galaxy full of adventure and intrigue, while training at a superhero academy under the tutelage of legendary heroes. While the cast is well developed and each one of them has quirks, skills and personalities that will make you root for them as they learn to work as a team, it is the protagonist, Grey who catches your interest. You see, Grey, unlike many protagonists in similar stories, is not a chosen one. He doesn’t even have any special power, ability or skill that makes him superhero material. He is just a normal guy who is good at thinking on his feet and has a modicum of common sense. And that is what makes him so refreshingly interesting. Grey is just a grifter and a hustler, looking for his next meal ticket from space station to space station, until one day the most recent meal ticket lands him a spot in the superhero academy under a false identity. And while he complains too much, he grows to like the role he is playing and believes in it. Which is good because it helps the story to keep the tension on whether his secret will be revealed as he tries to save the day with his quirky squad.
Every page you turn is full of tension about the secret, as lies, plots and half-baked plans pile up towards an explosive finale. The Ascension Machine is a highly enjoyable book that shows that to be a hero you don’t need fancy gadgets or amazing powers, just the conviction to do what’s right when the time comes.
Every page you turn is full of tension about the secret, as lies, plots and half-baked plans pile up towards an explosive finale. The Ascension Machine is a highly enjoyable book that shows that to be a hero you don’t need fancy gadgets or amazing powers, just the conviction to do what’s right when the time comes.
September 21, 2020
As more of a fan of sci-fi than of comics books superheroes, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the Ascension machine fully. As it turns out I couldn’t put it down! It is a formidable blend of two highly entertaining genres. The plot is riveting right to the final battle, but it is the characters that really make the book. They are instantly likable with their own sets of powers and skills and the universe surrounding them is just as well-thought-out (special mention to Power Ball). The ascension machine is entertaining, funny and had me cheers on the heroes at every turn.
October 24, 2020
Well written and good character development
It took me a minute to follow the worlds construct. But it is entertaining and fun! His writing style is wonderful. A great read!
It took me a minute to follow the worlds construct. But it is entertaining and fun! His writing style is wonderful. A great read!
December 8, 2020
This has been a real joy to read. Take a hero in the vein of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat, give him a Scooby gang in the vein of Joss Whedon's Buffy or Firefly crews - and give it all a superhero spin.
This is a really fun adventure - starting off with a drifter, thief and misfit who comes to be known as Grey, our hero. He gets a most unusual offer to impersonate a rich man who doesn't want to take up the place at a superhero academy his connected family has arranged for him - and so Grey finds himself heading to a school full of aliens, with only the thinnest of lies to protect him.
All this makes for some soaring space adventure - but there's also a depth here. Grey, a loner for so long, unexpectedly finds friendship. One of the things about the academy is that people find their perfectly ordinary abilities on their own worlds might just make them superheroes elsewhere - even if their ability is as mundane as the ability to be a good farmer. For Grey, he suddenly finds himself unexpectedly with a home - and, perhaps, with the chance to be a hero himself.
Until it all comes crashing down.
By turns witty and thoughtful, Rob Edwards creates a universe that's a delight to visit, and to which I hope we shall return.
This is a really fun adventure - starting off with a drifter, thief and misfit who comes to be known as Grey, our hero. He gets a most unusual offer to impersonate a rich man who doesn't want to take up the place at a superhero academy his connected family has arranged for him - and so Grey finds himself heading to a school full of aliens, with only the thinnest of lies to protect him.
All this makes for some soaring space adventure - but there's also a depth here. Grey, a loner for so long, unexpectedly finds friendship. One of the things about the academy is that people find their perfectly ordinary abilities on their own worlds might just make them superheroes elsewhere - even if their ability is as mundane as the ability to be a good farmer. For Grey, he suddenly finds himself unexpectedly with a home - and, perhaps, with the chance to be a hero himself.
Until it all comes crashing down.
By turns witty and thoughtful, Rob Edwards creates a universe that's a delight to visit, and to which I hope we shall return.
December 17, 2021
Super heros in a science fiction story ? I wouldn't have believe it but it works. It works so well I highly recommend this book.
The story
It starts nice and easy with a young man taking another man's place and overwhelmed by the events. but it grows rapidly without breaking pace.
The characters
The characters are well described, as well as the story is well built. You'll like them and the way they interact together is fun
As a whole
It works so well you'll read the next page, and the next, and ... the book will be over !
The story
It starts nice and easy with a young man taking another man's place and overwhelmed by the events. but it grows rapidly without breaking pace.
The characters
The characters are well described, as well as the story is well built. You'll like them and the way they interact together is fun
As a whole
It works so well you'll read the next page, and the next, and ... the book will be over !
November 22, 2021
I've had this book in my TBR pile for quite some time, and I'm really glad I finally found the time to read it. Love the settings and the author's control of the pacing and character development is a sign of real skill. Grey, our MC, is a young man just looking for his next meal when he takes what should've been a simple job and everything goes sideways. But sideways is good!
We soon meet Seventhirtyfour, Pilvi, Gadget Dude and the rest of the cast as they form convincing friendships and the adventures begin.
This was a fun read and I highly recommend it to all fans of super hero stories.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it's written in first person POV and that is not really my cup of tea. Of course, that's really a personal preference thing, so for those who don't mind first person, or even prefer it, there won't be an issue.
We soon meet Seventhirtyfour, Pilvi, Gadget Dude and the rest of the cast as they form convincing friendships and the adventures begin.
This was a fun read and I highly recommend it to all fans of super hero stories.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it's written in first person POV and that is not really my cup of tea. Of course, that's really a personal preference thing, so for those who don't mind first person, or even prefer it, there won't be an issue.
Read
August 17, 2020reviewed for SLJ
March 10, 2021
My review is on Amazon. To lazy to rewrite it here. I enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews