Powerless by Matthew Cody

Powerless by Matthew Cody

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Daniel is upset when his family moves to Noble's Green. Soon, he notices that something is a little bit different about a few of the kids there. They eventually let him in on their secret: they have super powers. Some of them can fly, have super strength, speed or be invisible. However, they subscribe to a certain set of rules: use the powers to help, not hurt; don't go to the quarry, it ends at 13, and don't let adults find out. On their 13th birthdays, something happens and they lose their powers as well as any memories of having them.

Daniel's friends are concerned, because they will all be turning 13 shortly. Their leader, Eric, turns 13 in just a few weeks. Daniel, always interested in a good mystery, is determined to find out why his friends are losing their powers. The answer lies in a stack of old comic books and in the off-limits quarry. Daniel finds himself in several life-or-death situations, powerless, against a dark enemy, The Shroud. But when all is said and done, will the supers get to keep their powers?

This book was fairly fast paced, though parts at the end weren't as believable or as well-written as I'd have liked. There was definitely some unfinished business, and I'm wondering if we'll see a sequel.

While targeted at middle school kids, this book was (almost forcedly) clean and would be appropriate for 3rd grade, but would probably also be enjoyed by middle and high school kids, especially those who love comics or superheroes.

A couple of quotes:

But he was thirteen today, and thirteen was the age when you started taking care of yourself, when you started figuring things out, and so that precisely what he decided to do. --Powerless

That's what being a hero is about, right? Overcoming your fears and your failures to help other people. --Powerless


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