The Ables

Even though my eyes don't work-- they never have-- I've been a witness to some pretty fantastic things. Some horrible, some wonderful.

With this simple description, we're introduced to Phillip Sallinger. He thinks he's just a normal 12 year old living with his family, who recently relocated from New York City to the much smaller town of Freepoint.

But Phillip isn't the conventional kind of normal. Not only is he blind, but he learns he has superpowers (via a hilarious conversation with his father). Phillip learns he has telekinesis like his father and after a brief demonstration, he learns he may not be limited by his blindness when it comes to moving things with his mind.

Phillip also learns about his mother's superpowers (she can teleport), as well as what his little brother will grow in to (super speed......although I assumed based on the description Phillip gives his brother, it would more like super speed spaz).

Soon it's time for Phillip to start school at Freepoint High School, where for the first time he feels a sense of resentment. Even though he has his powers, he cannot see and that gets him placed in Special Education. Most of the rest of his classmates are in the same boat- a mind reader in a wheelchair, a junior mad scientist with poor sense of motor control, a teleporter who is blind- and Phillip feels the resentment ebb a little because he wants to make friends with the people in his class.

And with the ups of high school come the downs. Phillip gets to meet Chad and his pet human Steve. That should tell you all you need to know about that.

Time marches on, everyone settles into a routine and soon there's an announcement- a tradition is coming back. The Super Simulation is an multiple round "game" set all over town to give the students a chance to have real world experience with their powers........but only if you're not in Phillip's class.

Soon Phillip and his new friends decide to take on the system to prove that while they are not considered "fully functional," what they have compliment one another and turn a weakness into strength.

The boys begin practicing together to form a cohesive group, while working on ways to appeal the decision that keeps them out. And from what I can tell other weird random things that teenage boys do when they get together (sorry, my experience is mostly with girls and quite frankly, they're learning to be pretty ****** evil at that age).

A stunning case is made and the boys have a new goal. Sadly round one doesn't go as expected and round two is quite explosive.

And then.....heart wrenching sadness......

Our young heroes find themselves unable to participate in the SuperSim any longer, but after some time, they don't let this setback affect them. They find other outlets to continue working on their powers.

During the final SuperSim, things go horribly horribly wrong. The boys quickly learn that some evil doers are using the simulation to carry out their real plan.

The final battle is upon them and while they're not ready for the outcome, they are willing to push themselves to prove they are just as able as anyone.

In a flash, it's over. In a way no one saw coming. Just more heart wrenching sadness...and an odd sense of relief....

Like any other superheroes, the boys learn that with all the good they encounter, there is a flip side. They know they must continue to work harder to become stronger so if evil rises again, it will learn something very important- NEVER mess with The Ables.

The End?


As always, thank you for taking the time to read my takes on things. I certainly hope that if you haven't taken the time to actually read the story that you're inspired to. To adhere to the author's wishes, I've left large parts of the book out to avoid spoilers. To truly learn the characters and come to love their little quirks, you really need to read the whole book.

And while this the author's first foray into writing a full length novel, I certainly hope it won't be the last. Five stars and a lap dance! (just trust me on this one, ok?)