Review: Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

Last word first: Super-powered fun and adventure! (4.5/5)

Would Joe like this? Absolutely.

Description: I'll let Avery explain:

"When other guys my age stay up too late on a school night, they're
probably on Xbox Live or finishing some last minute homework. I'm in the garage with all the lights off, deadlifting my mom's car because I don't have a three-thousand-pound weight set... or flying under cover of darkness because night is the one time I can risk it. The only time I can really be myself.

I've been patrolling my town for weeks, looking for some way to be useful-- and I'm getting antsy, more ambitious. Rescuing catsfrom trees is fine, but what about real emergencies? There's only so much I can do while pretending to be normal."

My thoughts: Suffice it to say that Avery is not particularly "normal." And that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned, because it means this book got written about him. I loved every minute of Avery's adventures finding other teens like himself and discovering the extent of his powers. When he and his group come accross a mysterious woman offering help to the superpowered whether they want it or not, the story gets even more intense.

Dull Boy was also cleverly funny from start to finish. Especially if you're a bit of a geek like me, you will enjoy the superhero and pop culture references throughout. Avery and his motley group of super(?) powered friends are considerably wittier than most people I've met. This is definitely a snicker-along kind of story.

I'm trying to think of something negative to say about this book, just to make my review more believable, but I don't really have anything. The plot is tightly woven and fast-paced. The writing style is thoroughly enjoyable. I liked the characters and the ways they interact with each other. About the worst I can come up with is this book was too exciting, I couldn't put it down, and now it's over and I'm sad. If Dull Boy sounds remotely like something you'd enjoy, I highly recommend it!

Can anyone out there tell me when the sequel is coming? Because I don't think I can wait very long.

About Sarah Cross: "I'm a Taurus born in the year of the Monkey. I am 4 inches taller than Wolverine. Fierce-but-cute Pallas' cats are my favorite animals, with birds of prey ranking a close second. I grew up in Ohio, went to college in New York and Japan, and am now back in NY--at least until life takes me elsewhere." -from the bio on her website.