Book Review by Aarene Storms: Steelheart

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Ten years ago, Calamity burst in the sky and ordinary human beings were transformed into Epics. Some control the weather. Some can stop bullets. Some can electrically charge entire cities with a touch.  

Sounds like an ordinary teen flying-capes-and-tights superhero novel, right? Except there's a catch: not one of the Epics is a "good guy." There's just something about using their powers that makes Epics selfish, cruel, and power-hungry.

Almost all humans cower before the Epics, except for a group of rag-tag renegades known as the Reckoners. Using technology, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, they fight against the Epics. Eighteen year old David is obsessed with joining the Reckoners. But when he does, he discovers that fighting the Epics is a lot more complicated than he had thought.

Superhero battles with excellent action sequences interspersed with fabulous character development, plenty of humorous banter, plus a touch of doomed romance equals fabulous.

The only thing better than the book is the audiobook read by MacLeod Andrews. This story had me making excuses to drive places so I could listen. First in a series; when volume #2 Firefight was released in January 2015, I was waiting in line.

Recommended for ages 10 to adult.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian

Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS