Mayhem and Madness

July 15, 2019
An average teen unravels the mystery of his missing father. High school junior Bailey's father disappeared seven years ago without any clues as to where he went. There were no warning signs, his parents were happy together, and his father loved him. So where did Dad go? Bailey's spent the time without his dad trying to suppress his abandonment issues and move forward, but when he discovers a secret basement under his house that contains an Iron Man-esque supersuit, Bailey starts to piece the puzzle together. The suit is identical to the one worn by the long-forgotten villain Mayhem, a domestic terrorist who'd smash up banks, steal the money, and deliver it to orphanages and other downtrodden folks via wire transfers and anonymous donations. It isn't long before Bailey tries on the suit and steps into his father's shoes, looking for more answers to his questions. The mystery unravels at a steady pace, never letting readers get too far ahead or moving too quickly so that they become lost. There are some clever twists and turns here along with strong character work. Bailey is a compelling protagonist, and the author smartly shades his parents enough to make their relationship just as interesting. The novel's end points to a possible sequel, but the emotional arcs have a solid conclusion that will leave readers feeling satisfied. Characters are assumed white. A nifty mystery with pleasant superhero twists. (Adventure. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 19, 2019

Gr 6-10-In a typical suburban town, on an average street, in a boring house, one boy makes a discovery that changes his life forever. In a secret cave built 20 feet below his house, Bailey discovers an armored suit that can fly and launch rockets and is resistant to pretty much any outside threat. His first conclusion is that this is the link to his missing father. Could his dad be Mayhem, the supervillain who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor? The "mechanical monster" who has not been sighted in years? In this action/adventure novel, one teen sets out to master the art of being a supervillain in hopes of finding his long-lost father. While the overall plot will entice hi-lo superhero fans and adventure enthusiasts, the underdeveloped characters, confusing time line, and weak story line will fall short of sustaining reader interest. The protagonist is launched into a conflict before readers get even a glimpse at his persona. The author attempts to add characterization by peppering descriptions throughout the story at inopportune times. The confusing time line is attributed to chapters that flip-flop between time periods. Chapters move from "Now" to "2 Months Ago" to "6 Weeks Ago" to "2 1/2 months Ago" and back again. The organization could frustrate even advanced bibliophiles. The narrative is packed with detailed, lengthy action scenes and little plot. VERDICT Seek other options for your hi-lo superhero fans.-Melissa Lambert, Trenton Public Schools, MI

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
Grades 6-9 Bailey is an ordinary teen, so it comes as a bit of a shock when he finds a high-tech armored suit in a secret lair beneath his suburban home. The fact that the suit is Mayhem, the mechanical monster that once terrorized the country, leads Bailey to the realization that his missing father was a supervillain and that Bailey could use the suit to find him. Bailey's own life of crime begins when he meets Mr. Jones, the mastermind behind Mayhem's technology. Resorting to break-ins and robberies, they track down the terrorist organization that's holding Bailey's father hostage. Unfortunately, villainy isn't nearly as glamorous as Bailey expected. When his loved ones are put in danger, he must decide how far he would go to bring back his dad. Bailey's comically honest narrative voice will pull readers along for the adventure with its endlessly engaging style. Dauber's debut novel offers a hero's journey from the perspective of a villain, perfect for fans of superhero stories in search of something new.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)