League of Superheroes [Paperback]

Stephen Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

Four teenage boys and one little sister discover someone in a chat room who claims to be a little girl named Genie, but whose scientific knowledge and technology are a few centuries ahead of anyone else. Who or what is Genie? The most intelligent mortal in history-an integral part of the most powerful force mankind has ever unleashed. And she does not consider herself subject to the laws of God or man. On a whim, Genie transforms her new friends into the League of Superheroes. But can even superheroes save her (and the world) from her so-called creators and from Genie herself?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen L. Rice is a Christian writer of science fiction and fantasy. He has three short stories in Light at the Edge of Darkness, an anthology of Biblical speculative fiction (2007). The three stories reflect his interests: speculative theology, language, philosophy, and bad jokes. He has a B.A. in Linguistics and Foreign Languages and an M.A. in English (Professional Writing and Editing). He works as a freelance journalist, writer and editor, and he is fond of old books and early Christian thinking. He also belongs to several writing groups and is known for swift, accurate edits and critiques. His work emphasizes the need to rely on God rather than on ourselves and models a Christian worldview.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Writers Cafe Press, The (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193428405X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934284056
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,229,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for pre-teen boys, December 5, 2008

By 

WILLIAM MCGRATH "Author, The Sword of Fire tr... (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: League of Superheroes (Paperback)

THE LEAGUE OF SUPERHEROES
Reviewed By
Bill McGrath

Being a writer I like to give books as gifts, especially to young people, hoping to encourage them to choose reading as a legitimate form of entertainment over an electronic gizmo. Therefore, a few years ago, when I found myself looking for a birthday present for my twelve year old niece, I went in search of an appropriate book. The book I found was "Maximum Ride", the first of James Patterson's Angel Experiment novels. The heroine in these stories is Max, a fourteen-year-old girl and leader of a group of kids who have escaped the clutches of an evil corporation which had genetically altered them to have wings and the capacity for flight. There is lots of action and adventure, but also plenty of interpersonal issues that should appeal to a twelve-year-old girl. My niece absolutely loved the book and went on to read the whole series.

I remember thinking at the time that I needed to find a novel of similar quality that boys would enjoy; primarily something with a young male hero (in my experience, boys are much more likely to demand a protagonist of their own gender than are girls). Well, I have just read a novel that meets those requirements, The League of Superheroes by Stephen L. Rice.

The League of Superheroes (LOS) is an action-packed sci-fi novel that tells the story of four boys in their early teens who learn of a mysterious girl called "Genie" who is both a damsel in distress and a super genius capable of designing suits that give the boys all the super powers of their comic book heroes.

The boys are tasked with using their newly acquired superhero status to rescue Genie from the evil corporation that holds her prisoner. Along the way the boys learn to hold firm in their Christian faith and fight without compromising their morals. As you follow the action-adventure plot, you will find scenes of redemption, loyalty and personal sacrifice. This is a story parents will want their sons to read.

As I was writing this review, I thought the only possible quibble I could have with the book is that the scientific references in the story might be beyond the level of its intended audience. But on further reflection, I'm reminded that my seven-year-old son can rattle off about twice the number of dinosaur names as I can, so maybe the technology in the book is a good match for today's science savvy boys after all.

The League of Superheroes is a short book of 158 pages and a quick read (by way of comparison, Prince Caspian-the shortest of the Narnia books-is 195 pages).

If you know a boy in the preteen years who needs a good novel to read on a winter day, then I highly recommend you get him The League of Superheroes by Stephen L. Rice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars League of Superheroes is SUPER!!!, January 14, 2009

By 

Faith Inspired Books (Bridgewater, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: League of Superheroes (Paperback)

Supersuits?! Superheroes?! Superpowers?! Another foray for me into the previously rarely ventured realm of science fiction! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing is snappy and clever, the characters are delightfully realistic yet quirky (I like that better than nerdy!), the science fiction concepts are fascinating yet thoroughly understandable for a non-sci-fi girl like me, and the spiritual message is solid and reassuring. I highly recommend this book for teens and adults as an enjoyable literary adventure! Five stars!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny faithful teen take on superheroes, November 12, 2008

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: League of Superheroes (Paperback)

League of Superheroes by Stephen Leon Rice is hopefully just the first of many books in a new YA series. Four adolescent boys who call themselves Mad Scientists meet up with a young girl online through a younger sister and are set on a path that will change them and the world forever. Rod, Charlie, Allen, and Tom (the narrator) are your typical social outcasts. They excel at math and science and are obsessed with comic books featuring superheroes (but only those with scientifically possible powers, mutants and magic are not cool). When Allen's little sister Clarice introduces them to her online buddy, Genie, they gain the ability to become heroes themselves and find that there's a lot more to saving the world than they thought. Rice writes with humor and heart. I was laughing so loud during the scene when Rod acquires his suit, I was afraid that my family would think I was crazy. Rice taps into the insecurities that come with adolescence and gives each boy a strong individual personality. The plot moves whiplash fast, and the story is compelling. My one worry about the book is that the amount of Christian dialogue may put off teens who aren't already faithful. This is a terrific book that could help a lot of teens understand how to put faith into practice, but sometimes that is a little overwhelming. That said, the book is funny, dynamic, and a real thriller. I can't wait to see the next adventures of the League of Superheroes!