Smash 2: Fearless

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 10, 2018

Review

In many ways, Andrew Ryan is a regular kid: homework, an annoying older brother, middle school bullies. But, Andrew Ryan is also extraordinary: he is a superhero called Smash who has taken down one mean villian, Magus. Book Two in the Smash series does reference Book One (published in 2014), and it would definintely provide a deeper understanding of Andrew's full back-story, but this book does a nice job of filling in the necessities and then forging forward. In this episode, Andrew is up against multiple foes: Magus, and Dr. Cobb and his super-inventions, - what's a kid going to do against these larger, faster, stronger foes? A story that balances superhero action and fast-paced scene changes with the vulnerability of a middle schooler who cannot even keep his own costume at home for fear that his mom will discover it, and who struggles with overcoming his fear. Andrew is willing to fight, but he is also keenly aware that sometimes he needs help. His handler, John Harris, aka Wraith, gets as frustrated as any teacher trying to impress the import of their work onto a kid who gets distracted by video games and needs to pass fifth grade, but he is willing to provide the needed help if he can. The book's format is shorter and wider than the typical paperback GN, and it is a heavy weight which may be unwieldy for some readers, but the clear, bright panels and fantastic artwork will compensate for any other issues. Hopefully, there won't be another lengthy period before Book Three appears as readers will want to know what happens to Smash next.

Overall Book Score: very good