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Yay! My first published book review! Let’s be real, every reader is also a reviewer, it’s just normally our significant others, friends, and family that get our exclusive take and coveted recommendations. I have been wanting to post a book review for a while now, but struggled to get going with it, which was not helped by the fact that I was going through a reading rut. Normally aiming for 60 books a year, I’ll be lucky if I can get 16 done in 2021. After reading this book I knew this is where I was supposed to start! I loved this book and the rest of the series; so much so I had to share with you all!
In order to be fully transparent with my community, I was not given a copy of this book, money, or any other good or service in exchange for my review. My review is my own honest opinions.
Title: Super Powereds: Year 1
Author: Drew Hayes
Original Publication Date: 10/13/2013
Original Publisher: Self-Published via CreateSpace Publishing
5/5 Stars
I would classify its genre as YA Superhero Fiction. Anyone who loves superheroes and anyone who prefers to read young adult in a college setting would enjoy it. I’d say the intended audience is young adult readers; between the ages of 15-35, mostly male, though there is no reason a woman couldn’t enjoy this book either. It fits perfectly for the intended audience. There are some mild adult topics and themes, but nothing overtly graphic or that an average teenager doesn’t already know about.
The cover art is by Barry Behannon. If I had seen this book in a store, I probably wouldn’t have given it more than a glance. It seems to be for a younger audience, though judging by the page count, it’s size might have made me question that first instinct and venture to peruse the synopsis.
Looking back at it after reading, it’s got some quirky tells that are fun. I also like the use of giving Mr. Hayes his due credit, by the use of making it seem like the backpack belongs to him, not the book itself. (Note, the art referenced is for the book cover art, not the audiobook cover art shown above.)
Experience
My loving fiancé could not help but talk about this new series he was reading! Which did unfortunately lead to one big spoiler for me before I had the revelation that this sounded like a series I was interested in as well! We've enjoyed being able to geek out together over it!
I had a lot of firsts with this book. I actually began this book listening to it as an audio book while we were taking a quick road trip out and back from Ohio to visit some friends. It was my first attempt at an audio book, and while still not my preferred choice of book consumption, Kyle McCarley did an excellent job, in my opinion.
Once we got home, I switched to the eBook version, borrowing A’s Kindle since this was also my first eBook! From there I was consumed; I couldn’t stop reading it! I was elated to have found a book that drew me back into reading once more. I was cured!
Synopsis
What if you had a superpower? What if you had a superpower you couldn’t control? What if a procedure was performed that gave you control of your superpowers? Now what if all of that happened and then you got to go off to college to study and train to become a Superhero?!
For the five main protagonists, life at Lander University is a bit more complicated, even more complicated than their other superpowered classmates who have been training their whole lives for this opportunity.
Follow Vince, Nick, Hershel, Mary, and Alice as they traverse the new terrain that is higher education. Learning to control their powers for the first time in their lives is just the beginning of their problems, they’ll also face the rigorous trials of the Hero Certification Program, uncover long ago buried secrets, and of course the most perilous thing of all, their love lives.
Review
Set in modern day (read 2013) Mr. Hayes writes from the third person limited perspective using a vast number of the characters throughout the book. Sometimes, but not usually, allowing the reader to piece together bits of the puzzle before those involved in the story. You’ll never see the same scene twice; the story only goes forward as you do.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Hayes’ writing style! It was truly unique, never have I quite read an author insert themselves in the manor that he does through little comments, quips, asides, and other geek references (some subtle, others not so much). It in no way detracts from the story, only adds to it. Sometimes it was what I was already thinking myself! His Forward and About the Author are both worth reading as well, again, just adding more of himself to the experience of reading his book.
You can tell the author didn’t have every single detail figured out from the beginning. Given that the novel was released weekly online, it doesn’t come all that surprising that he made some decisions as he went along. His writing style develops with time, which almost works in the authors favor in this instance, as we see the development of the characters at the same time. They go hand in hand together through their journey.
He did an excellent job of giving each of the characters their own style of speaking and thinking, without detracting from the overall writing style of the novel itself. As a reader you get to know these characters on a deeper level and make connections with them early on.
Vince is adorably and understandably out of touch with a lot of things the average person would take for granted, making him hopelessly naïve and utterly endearing. Nick comes off as the cool collected guy, seemingly no cares in the world for him. He’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but you can clearly see why him in Vince fall into step from the get-go. Hershel, oh poor Hershel had me tearing up at the first meeting. My heart ached for him for what he was going through. Mary is interesting, unintentionally weaving an air of mystery around her as she interacts with the others. Alice grows on you. I don’t think many will relate to her from her introduction like the others, but she turns out to be very redeeming.
I felt drawn to the characters and taken in by the mysterious undercurrents that were dotted throughout the story. The world that was built seems fantastical, but I appreciate the extent that Mr. Hayes went to, to include things such as the legalities that would also come into play in this world.
Comparisons
I haven’t read many other superhero books yet, but there were elements of it that reminded me of Brandon Sanderson’s The Reckoners series. Totally different worlds, but both stemming from the simple idea of what if superheroes were real, in our current world? Of course, Mr. Sanderson takes it a step further.
I would also draw a few parallels to the Amazon show The Boys. Just from the sense of how things would work if Superhero was a real job. The corporations and politics that would spring up if such a thing were real. Caution though, The Boys is much darker and grotesque. It is not a show for the faint of heart, unlike Super Powereds.
Recommendation
I would highly recommend Super Powereds: Year 1. If you are looking for something fun, good natured, and mostly lighthearted, but still has an engaging story, this could be your next read. You may even be inspired to create your own Super Hero costume for Halloween or Comic Con, complete with your own individual power!
Thank You for Reading! 
To keep up with Drew Hayes and his work you can find him on his website:
https://www.drewhayesnovels.com/
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