SMASH: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton, illustrated by Kyle Bolton

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Genre: Comic Book/Superheroes

Release Date: 9/10/2013

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Check out author Chris A. Bolton's Guest Post

About the Book: Andrew is obsessed with Defender, the local superhero. But when a blast destroys Defender and somehow transfers superpowers into Andrew, suddenly Andrew is the new hero in town. He can fly, he has super strength, he can stop bad guys-and he has to be home in time for bed. Being a fifth grade superhero is a rough job!

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Superheroes are always a fan favorite and Smash pays homage to the superhero genre and comic book format. Smash feels like a classic superhero tale-from the storyline of a kid getting powers to the fighting of the main jealous bad guy Magus, to the powers and secrets that Andrew now has, this is a great choice for readers looking for a hero tale.

The book is being marketed for middle grade readers and I think the artwork and story will appeal to readers wanting something that is not light and fluffy in the comic world, but instead something that is a bit more real and gritty. There is a lot of action in the book and it's not cartoonish at all, which I think readers will like. There is also a corrupt police chief, a mean bully, a dangerous bad guy, and dangerous weapons. The story is lots of fun, but it's not a sickly sweet tale of a superhero either. It's realistic and true to the comic book hero world without giving into slapstick humor. I would compare Smash to Batman as far as story and tone.

With more to come from Smash, comic book readers are sure to have a new hero root for.

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from advanced copy sent by publisher

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