The Super Code

by Kay Dietsch

Avina Heart is a fun, action-packed adventure series about a gifted girl who must embrace her true nature and protect Earth’s children from an evil creature.

Orphaned princess Avina Heart lives in a cloud castle with her mischievous younger brother Felix, her witty superfairy bodyguard Floretta, her loyal cloud dog dragon Lilior, and a robot butler named Walter. She was born with a special gift that she has turned into a superpower: she can transform cold and icy hearts into kind and loving ones. 

But Avina is about to face her greatest challenge as villainous sorcerer Erebus wants to conquer the world with his horrible nightmare spells. He forces the Black-Hearted Coder, a middle-school bully and mean hacker, to program a mega spell, a super code, that releases a vicious nightmare virus among the children of the old town of Trisburg.

Together with Floretta, Avina must now embark on a dangerous adventure to stop Erebus. Along the way, she chases the sorcerer’s mythical monsters and unravels mysterious clues that test her resolve. Her younger brother Felix also steps in to help but only creates a disaster. Luckily, Avina gains a new ally who holds the key to the dark and scary Nightmare Cave, Erebus’s magical underworld.

Is Avina’s superpower a match for sorcerer Erebus, and can she save Earth’s children from his nightmare super code?



The Super Code is enjoyed by children 8–12, including reluctant readers. It also gives parents and teachers the unique opportunity to talk about important topics such as the power of kindness, girls as leaders, the importance of friendship, bullying, the dangers of the internet, sibling relationships, self-confidence, and the responsibility that comes with great power.

Genres: Middle Grade

Paperback

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Kay Dietsch graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and worked as a speechwriter and translator. She is also a strong believer in the power of the heart, as demonstrated in her debut novel, The Super Code. Life was good until her children ran out of books to read and forced her in a cruel tickle-fight to start writing middle-grade novels. Now she loves it so much that she can’t stop. She is especially hooked on concocting plot twists at three o’clock in the morning.

Kay lives near Vancouver, Canada with her husband, two teenagers, and an adorable Bichon puppy who is like a miniature version of the cloud dog dragon Lilior in Kay’s books. When Kay is not writing, she loves nature walks, board games, and messy painting.

Reviews

[Zowie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and thrilling adventure

What a great story this was! Devoured in a day as I couldn’t put it down! This is the first book of a trilogy and a story of the battle between good and evil, facing fear's, sharing love, and kindness, and following your heart.

It has an upbeat feel that teaches responsibilities and explores sibling relationships. The main character Avina Heart lives in a cloud castle with her younger brother Felix. She has an amazing superpower: she can change unkindness and cold hearts into kind and loving ones.

This adventure presents Avina with her greatest challenge yet . A villainous sorcerer called Erebus tries to conquer the world by forcing a bully and mean hacker, to program a super code, that releases a vicious nightmare virus among the children of the old town of Trisburg. So off Avina and her friend Floretta go, on a dangerous adventure to stop Erebus.

Is Avina’s superpower a match for sorcerer Erebus, and can she save Earth’s children from his nightmare super code?

After reading’The Super Code ‘ - I feel intrigued to read the other books. This is a great read for older children and primary school (KS2) teachers with an important theme around the power of the heart.
Highly recommended.

[Maria Greenhalgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t many books that are so well written that they appeal to the young adult audience and young at heart. Avian Heart, The Super Code is a special book that does so in spectacular fashion. Avina is a smart, beautiful girl who codes and has superpowers that demonstrate that kindness is a strength and should be encouraged. She actually has a heart that transforms dark and icy hearts into loving hearts. Along with her younger brother Alex, she uses her superpower to battle monsters who are determined to hurt children with nightmare spells. All of the characters in the book are interesting and colorful, the plot keeps you wanting to read more about Avina’s adventures. It would make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a daughter or son that enjoys action-packed stories. As a parent the message that kindness is a strength is priceless! I highly recommend this book!

[Lucy Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the cover of this book! It is very colorful and includes all of the characters in the book. These characters are all so very different from each other in appearance whether it is through their facial emotions or their body language. It makes you want to get to know each one.

Kay hooks the reader with her first chapter where the main character is about to enter the unknown. Each chapter ends with a cliff hanger that makes you want to continue reading. The story has lots of twists and turns, surprising the reader. The theme of good vs. evil makes the reader want to cheer for the “good” side to win at the end…….but, does it end that way??? Another cliff hanger that entices you to read the 2nd book of this series, The House of Shadows.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It’s very well written. As a retired teacher I would highly recommend Book 1, The Super Code, in the Avina Heart Series.

[Susan Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure filled with fantasy, suspense, and girl power. Orphaned princess Avina Heart was born with a gift. She can transform icy, dark hearts into warm, loving ones. In this adventure, the first in the Avina Heart series, a villainous sorcerer is cursing children with his horrible nightmare spell. Avina must bravely face his minions, one by one, transforming their hearts and restoring the lives that evil has taken from them. Author Kay Dietsch has crafted a fast-paced fantasy adventure that hooks readers from the very first page and leaves them ready to plunge into the next book in the series. Fans of Robert Beatty’s Serafina books will love Avina!

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Characters, good plot. Awaiting next in sequence.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure! I loved the characters and imagery, and always wondering what would happen next. Great for the intended age group, and very relevant story line too. Fantastic adventure book.

[Kathy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this exciting adventure book! Great writing, storyline, and characters in this book. I can't wait for the next book in the series! I recommend this fun action-packed book for children!

[Marissa Bader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! I whipped through it so fast because I truly couldn't put it down. I don't want to give too much away, but if you have middle schooler who enjoys fast-paced mysteries, they will LOVE this book about a young woman, Avina (truly full of heart), who is trying to stop the evil Coder from turning dreams into nightmares for all children. Bonus: this is a series, so when you get to the end... there's still more! Plus, I love the author's writing style. It's clear and fast-paced -- perfectly matches the tone of her book. Can't wait for the next one!

[C.J. Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Super Code is very kid friendly and easy to read. It was exciting with great cliff hangers leading into each chapter. A nice mix of modern myth and magic.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Super Code
Author: Kay Dietsch

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 4/5

Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I thought this was a good fantasy adventure. It’s a bit different to other books. Avina is a cool character. I liked all the monsters too!” Boy, aged 11
“Erebus is the best character. He’s evil but he’s interesting and unpredictable. I liked that the story was not difficult to understand and wasn’t boring at all. Avina is a very determined and sort of stubborn character and I liked her too.” Girl, aged 11
“I think most kids aged 9 – 12 will think this is a good adventure book. They’ll like the hero Avina and how brave she is. And they’ll like the suspense and not knowing what’s going to happen next.” Boy, aged 11
“Loved Avina. She’s a cool girl with a cool name! I read this book over a week. It wasn’t difficult with lots of talking. I think it’s fast paced with cool mythical monsters.” Girl, aged 12

To Sum It Up:
‘A thrilling fantasy adventure with a strong, memorable protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Leigh Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.**

This was a very cute, fun, and quick read. I enjoyed immersing myself in this world, and know it will be a delight for young readers as well.

Being heavy with technology talk, including computer coding as well as having a 3D printed robot, this book will be very relatable to the modern world and the modern reader. Saying that, it still holds many fantasy elements: monsters, a fairy, evil vs good, and magic spells. The author has some added mystery and puzzles for the reader to piece together along with the characters. If all of that seems like plenty to fill the page, the author remembers the age of her readers by keeping things fun and light hearted. My favorite quote that had me laughing out loud was "Run like Felix when he smells fresh cookies!"

This is the first book in a series, and it does have an open ending to lead you to keep reading the rest. However, the majority of the dilemma's raised in this book are resolved. The author did a wonderful job of wrapping up most of the problems the MC's faced, but left you wanting just a little more.

[Minda Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Super Code is a fast-paced book that tells the story of good vs. evil. The town of Trisburg is being targeted by an evil villain from another realm named Erebus, whose mission is to curse all of the children in the town with nightmares. In order to cast the nightmare spell, a talented young coder is roped into writing a code that will activate the nightmare spell. A number of other Greek monsters are also put to work in activating the code.

The protagonist Avina is a 13-year-old girl whose mission is to deactivate the nightmare code before it spreads to the town and beyond. She also lives in another realm in a cloud castle, complete with fairies, dragons, and robots, as well as her younger brother Felix, who is also a talented coder. With Avina's special powers, she is able to transform evil hearts into good hearts.

This book reads like a fast-paced cartoon, with humorous dialogue and lots of action. It will be eaten up by elementary-aged kids.

[Christie Cognevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avina Heart: The Super Code is a big adventure with a warm heart that will appeal to kids who love adventures and enjoy both technology and fantasy. I enjoyed the balance of tech plus magic. Timothy, a young hacker known as the Black-Hearted Coder, gets pulled out of our world and into a new realm by the sorcerer Erebus. He orders Timothy to write a code that will transform good dreams into nightmares. Watching Avina and her friends and family tackle the challenge of stopping Erebus’s plan had me cheering for her.

As a former educator of over a decade, I want to note that while this book has a really well-written message about kindness at the heart of the story, Avina Heart doesn’t feel like it’s talking down to kids or is all about the lesson. It really is a fun, fast-paced adventure! The open-ended conclusion leaves a lot of room to find out about big-hearted Avina’s next adventure.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adult, it has been a LONG TIME since I read a children's book. I happened to stumble across this book and was immediately intrigued. The writing style is fast paced and engaging, but not so fast that someone in the proper age group won't be able to keep up with the story. The story kept moving along and I wanted to keep reading on to see what would happen next. I loved the strength and spirit of Avina and her bestie Floretta and their quest to stop Erebus, along with the underlying message of the power of kindness. If I had a child in this genre I would definitely get them this entire series so they can keep reading about Avina's adventures without missing a beat. Definitely recommend!!

[E.F. Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avina is a strong and inspiring female character, and the inclusion of technology in the story is a smart touch that will surely captivate young readers. The positive message of equality and empowerment is also an important aspect of the story that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The fast-paced and action-packed plot is sure to keep children entertained, and the themes of friendship, bravery, and standing up for what is right make it a great choice for the 8-12 age group. The book would definitely make a great birthday gift for children who enjoy action-adventure stories with a touch of technology.

Overall, The Super Code in the Avina Heart series is a well-written and enjoyable story that is sure to be a hit with young readers.

[Stacey Faubion · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the women in Avina's family are born with extra-special loving hearts & went on missions down to earth to spread kindness. Avina's mother instilled this belief in Avina, "Be brave & let your extra-special heart speak. Then you will change the world one heart at a time." Will Avina be able to change the heart of all the dark forces working against her, including the Black-Hearted Coder?
This is a great read for the gamer or mythology lovers in your family/classroom.

[Kristen Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avina's Heart is very well written and absolutely fascinating! It will keep any middle school-aged (or slightly older) kid super intrigued. The story is such a fun and exciting adventure with many twists and turns that keep the pages turning fast. The message of Avina's heart being a force for love and good in the world, over darkness, is so needed in today's world. This powerful message is taught through an engaging storyline. I recommend the reader continue on with the series!

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved following along this fun adventure! Dietsch’s writing style is full of visual imagery and detailed settings/scenes that put the reader front row for the excitement and keep you actively engaged. A wonderful cast of characters that add variety and depth to the story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Sarah Hovorka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fun thing about this book is the intersection of fantasy elements with technological elements, so this would appeal to a wide range of readers. As an adult reader, I had no trouble following the plot and don't expect most readers in the upper range of the age group to have trouble. This book would make a fun read aloud, too.

[Catherine Swaddle]

Great Book for tweens!

I bought this for my 12 year old daughter. She normally struggles to get through a whole book due to having ADHD and dyslexia. She really enjoyed reading this and has asked for book 2! I'm thrilled- highly recommend.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and entertaining read.

I received a copy from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Lisa Van Der Wielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that keeps you reading for more. This interesting mystery adventure story is an easy and enjoyable read for all ages.

[Marta Pona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure, full of magical characters, plot twists and metaphorical script. With good vs evil a the the core of, the plot is very relatable by a junior reader. Avina's courage and inner strength is bound to inspire even the most reluctant reader.
This story, and surely the series, is a great candidate for literature circles / book clubs in a middle-grade classroom, since the story line offers ample opportunity for a rich discussion to delve deeper in Avina's adventures.