ZEROES BY SCOTT WESTERFELD, MARGO LANAGAN, AND DEBORAH BIANCOTTI

Parker is attending Florida

State University College,
working towards a bachelor’s
of science in professional
communication degree.
He enjoys learning and performing
magic. Parker reads
as many books as he can get
his hands on and has started
his own lending library so
that he can share his love of
reading with others.

Reviewed by Parker McClellan

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FENDER

In the beginning we meet Scam, who is in a world of trouble after “accidentally” stealing a bag of money. Scam is a member of a team called Zeroes, a group of teens each with a superpower. Scam’s superpower? The all knowing voice inside his head that prattles on at the most unlikely of times, sometimes helpful, sometimes not, and not always truthful, yet the voice can often influence anyone to do or believe anything. Although the team disbanded the previous summer, now their “glorious leader” is bringing them back together to save Scam.

This sci-fi fantasy book is a page-turner from beginning to end as the teens risk life and limb going toe-to-toe with a powerful criminal family. As I read “Zeroes,” I began sympathizing with the characters as they not only navigate the criminal underworld but also deal with the pressures of families and the challenge of simply being teenagers.

“Zeroes” (2015), the first in a trilogy, is a group effort by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti. This is a powerhouse combination. Westerfeld is best known for the extremely creative Leviathan series; Lanagan is known for her short stories; and Biancotti for her short fiction, especially “A Book of Endings.” What is interesting about these authors is their individual writing styles that intertwine nicely to pull you in and make you care about the characters as they strategize and fight to protect themselves and each other.

“Zeroes” caught my eye after I finished watching “The Umbrella Academy,” a superhero series on Netflix. “Zeroes” was interesting as the authors write about an often-challenging time in young people’s lives. Adding superpowers to the mix and the ability to run around undetected for the most part, makes for an exciting story. If you enjoy young adult fiction like I do, then this is certainly a book that you should read.