School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Set in the British Isles in the near future, this adventure opens with a celebration of Mystery Day, the anniversary of a battle between superhumans and their enemies, after which the former disappeared. Colin, Danny, and Brian spend their time doing typical boy things. Two of the friends soon begin to experience strange physical changes, like the development of extreme speed and hearing, signaling that superhumans are not truly extinct. And, as they soon discover, neither are the villains from that time. The boys have to join with others of their kind to fight off another attack. A narrative style that features many temporal jumps keeps the story going, while the genuineness of the many male characters makes this title a likely hit with reluctant readers or kids who love adventure. Scenes of tyranny told in cliff-hanger style heighten the tension. Much of the story occurs in the real world, adding to readers' ability to identify with the action. Some names for the superheroes are not entirely inspired, but the simplicity of the story, the chumminess of the boys, and the strong plot outweigh any literary concerns. This is the first in a series; look for the future titles to expand the nascent mythology developed here.-John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Horn Book

In this futuristic tale, the previous generation of superheroes has lost its powers, the new generation's are appearing, and somebody's out to stop them all. There's a lot of series setup; this title spends too much time on background and not enough on the kids' adventures. The interesting premise, however, will draw in sci-fi fans eager to find out what happens next.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This first volume in Carroll's Quantum Prophecy trilogy builds quickly on an intriguing premise. Ten years ago, all of the world's superheroes and supervillains vanished in a massive, climactic battle. As the 10-year anniversary of """"Mystery Day"""" approaches, friends Danny and Colin discover that they are developing superpowers-Danny can move very fast and Colin has unusually sensitive hearing. The boys learn that their parents are in fact retired superheroes; moments later they are kidnapped and taken to a hidden retreat where a genius named Cross works on a giant machine that strips those with superpowers of their abilities. Central to it all is the hero formerly known as Quantum, whose ability to foresee the future slowly drove him mad-and who had one particular vision of Danny, becoming the ultimate supervillain. Much of the action strains credibility, but appropriately so for a superhero story; the action is rigorously fast in places, making this a book easily read in one sitting. Carroll also does a good job shifting focus, keeping the reader wondering who exactly the good guys are for most of the story, which closes with a gem of a cliffhanger. More than a little reminiscent of The Incredibles, this is a fun start to a promising franchise. Ages 10-up.

Kirkus Reviews

Imagine a world where superheroes and supervillains really existed, and everyone knew it. Then, a mere decade ago, they all suddenly disappeared without explanation. Now, two young teenagers in England suspect they may also have superpowers, which makes them targets for unknown military forces. Their parents haven't been telling them everything, and when confronted, they have to share some truths that aren't all that pleasant. Kidnapped, on the run in a strange country, not knowing who is friend or foe, not able to rely on their new powers that come and go, Colin and Danny must decide. If they have super powers, who will they turn out to be . . . the good guys or the bad guys? This first in a trilogy promises to be a terrific ride for young readers, especially boys. While the subject matter is lifted from comic books, this is a solid read. The pace is fast, the story more than credible and the characters appealing. A coming-of-age story with a delightful twist. (Science fiction. 10-14)