Eager to finally join the Guardians and use his superpowers, 15-year-old Malcolm Gravenhurst is ready to protect the city of Porthaven from continuous invasions by the robotic aliens called klek. He dreams of patrolling the city for crimes and protecting its citizens, but it quickly becomes evident his family doesn’t want him leaving the Tower. Having been raised believing the Gravenhursts are the only ones who possess superpowers, Malcolm is shocked when he meets a group of teens with unique abilities. The Gravenhursts have power, fame, and wealth that they are using to cover up dark secrets, putting society at risk. Malcolm struggles between loyalty to his family and ultimately saving humanity. Reminiscent of superhero comics, this novel is filled with high-action fight scenes that will keep readers engaged while subtly dealing with themes such as economic disparity, corruption, gender roles, race, and privilege. | Shane Arbuthnott lives in Regina.

336 pp., 5.5 × 8.25"

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - BC Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Shane Arbuthnott grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and now lives in southern Ontario with his family. Dominion, his debut novel, was released in 2017. His short fiction has appeared in On Spec and Open Spaces. When he is not writing, he can be seen chasing his three adventurous children, trying to convince them to eat green things. For more information, visit www.shanearbuthnott.com.

Shane Arbuthnott's profile page

• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Books Awards - Young Adult Literature Award
• Short-listed, Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards
• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Snow Willow
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Commended, BC Books for BC Schools

“Recommended.”

School Library Connection

“Uses a science fiction setting and superhero characters to comment on societal issues of wealth, privilege, and abuse of power, making for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Fans of comic book heroes and science fiction will enjoy. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Exhilarating storytelling...Superpowered fun with depth besides.”

Kirkus Reviews