Publishers Weekly
05/25/2015
Westerfeld (Afterworlds), Lanagan (Yellowcake), and Biancotti (Bad Power) weave a sprawling adventure about a group of superpowered teenagers who call themselves Zeroes. When one of their number, named Scam for his ability to tell people exactly what he needs them to hear, is detained after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the others reunite after months apart, some less eager than others. Events quickly escalate, and soon half the group is in hiding, while the authorities and the mob hunt for them. The plot meanders, but the authors give their characters plenty of depth, skillfully blending human dilemmas with superhuman abilities. With the exception of Crash, who can bring down technology with a thought, these aren’t flashy, cinematic powers; subtle yet powerful, they largely revolve around coercion and manipulation. Mob and Bellweather can influence the emotions of crowds; Anonymous is nearly impossible to perceive or remember; and blind Flicker telepathically sees through the eyes of those around her. With action, romance, and thorny ethical questions, it’s a book with a little something for everyone. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. (Sept.)
Booklist
Cinematic, nonstop action
Booklist
Cinematic, nonstop action
School Library Journal - Audio
11/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—Ethan, known as Scam, has a unique ability to say things he doesn't consciously even know. The voice doesn't always tell the truth, though. When it lies and drops him in a mess, he has to ask for help from the "Zeroes," a group of teens with their own abilities. Westerfeld, Lanagan, and Biancotti team up to tell a story about a diverse group of regular kids who happen to have superpowers, and they expose the consequences of having these fantastic abilities while throwing in some romance, a little action, and a dash of humor. The characters could have used a little more development, but the story is well paced and the plot engaging. Amber Benson provides a solid narration, enhancing the ensemble story. VERDICT Fans of Westerfeld and YA sci fi will enjoy. ["For fans of superhero fiction looking for a character-driven tale and those who enjoy stellar writing": SLJ 7/15 starred review of the Simon Pulse book.]—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY
School Library Journal
★ 07/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—This may not be the first tale of a group of crime-fighting teenagers with supernatural powers, but its talented writing team get points for creating some fresh and original superpowerd abilities. Scam has a seemingly omniscient inner voice, which can speak for him and get him out of trouble or, all too often, into it. Flicker is blind but can perceive what others see. Crash can take down any computer and finds the experience embarrassingly—and dangerously—enjoyable. Bellwether can control the energies of the group and unite them in a common purpose. And Anonymous—well, never mind, no one seems to remember anything about that guy. These five, plus one unpredictable new addition, make up the Zeroes, a team that split up due to infighting but get called back together to fight a baddie and come to terms with their talents and their place in the world. Told from six different points of view, the plot of this hefty tome slows down at times, but the effort taken to develop each character pays off. With two sequels planned, readers can look forward to spending more time with the Zeroes in the future. VERDICT For fans of superhero fiction looking for a character-driven tale and those who enjoy stellar writing.—Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA
DECEMBER 2015 - AudioFile
Amber Benson's confident, pliant voice carries listeners through this suspenseful account of a group of unlikely friends with unusual powers. Three authors collaborate to tell the story from six points of view—creating quite a challenge for the narrator. Benson succeeds admirably, balancing the everyday complexity the Zeroes face as they find their place in the world against the terrifying responsibility of being capable of actions with drastic, far-reaching consequences. As the teens struggle to understand, control, and use their supernatural skills, Benson grasps the subtleties of their individual perspectives, and her characterizations provide an array of fresh, fervid voices. Her pacing and subtlety maintain clarity in the face of overlapping storylines and peripheral characters, and she tackles the Zeroes’ rising panic amid high-stakes circumstances with finesse. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2015-06-06
A sextet of mutant superhero teenagers just want to be safe in this weighty tome. Last summer, Ethan had so antagonized his fellow Zeroes that their friendship ended. Now his own carelessness has made him a material witness in a bank robbery, and only the Zeroes can rescue him. Ethan, you see, has a secret power: "the voice." The voice knows more than Ethan himself ever could and uses Ethan's mouth to tell people what they need to hear in order to get Ethan out of the frying pan—though there's often a nearby fire. The other Zeroes have equally strange abilities, including Nigerian-American Chizara's ability to crash the myriad technological gadgets that cause her chronic pain; rich, Latino Nate's "Glorious Leader" charisma; and blind, white Riley's (overdone and too-obvious) extraordinary vision. The teens undergo no particular quest; the story's driving force is the desire to escape drug-dealing mobsters. Given the fizz superhero teens could contribute to any narrative, this tome is oddly weighty in both tone and heft. These solidly characterized 16- and 17-year-olds all have younger siblings who seem quirky enough for sequel-bait; hopefully they won't become more noise in the already-crowded premise. In this series opener by three acclaimed authors, intriguing protagonists and cinematic powers will surely please adventure fans who don't mind an ensemble developed at the expense of the individual. (Science fiction. 13-15)
