Author: Shane Arbuthnott
Publisher: Orca Book
Genre: sci-fi, YA

On his fifteenth birthday, Malcolm Gravenhurst is preparing to take on the mantle of Guardian, like many Gravenhursts before him. The Guardians are tasked with defending the city of Porthaven, and his family is the only one to possess the superpowers necessary to battle the frequent alien invasions of robotic klek. But power has brought the Gravenhursts more than just responsibility―it has also brought them fame and wealth. When Malcolm meets some teens living and working in secret, he learns that underneath their heroic facade, the Gravenhurst family is hiding some very dark secrets. With the threat of annihilation on the horizon, soon Malcolm must choose between family loyalty and doing the right thing.

Told in third person from Malcolm’s point of view, this novel is a brilliant, totally gripping read with fantastic technology and diverse, relatable characters who sweep you up from the start.

There’s a perfect balance of dialogue, action and brief breaks in the intensity. It’s a sophisticated superhero story with all the trappings sci-fi fans will love: futuristic drones, attacking alien robots, space-tech armour and super powers. Our hero has the ability to fly, battle enemies and leap to the tops of skyscrapers. There are tiny robots that repair damage, a spaceship that crushes his home, and nanotechnology even the geekiest geek will find satisfying.

A form of martial arts plays heavily, as does Malcolm’s heart-tugging dilemma of whether to stand up to his powerful family once he realizes it’s evil. The story is rich in adrenalin-pumping battles, and of course there are the friends with super powers (two of whom are LGBTQ+) that Malcolm must join, lead and protect. Start reading it early in the day, because you won’t be able to put it down till the explosive finish.

To quote the characters, “The universe isn’t boring.” And “Let’s go kick some alien butt.”

- Pam Withers