Review Detail

Raised in an orphanage, Jack Blank doesnt know who he is or even his real name. The teachers and other students shun Jack but he finds solace in his secret stash of contraband comic books and his mysterious powers that just make things happen. Then a mysterious robot appears and tries to attack Jack, setting in motion an adventure Jack has never imaginedhis home is the Imagine Nation. Jazen, an emissary from this strange island of superheroes, arrives to take Jack home but Jack is not welcome on the island any more than he was in the orphanage. As he makes friends and enemies in this technologically amazing world, Jack must face the robot who tried to kill him and protect the Imagine Nation, but first he must understand himself.

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation is wildly imaginative, exploring a whole new world, yet it falls into the trap of so many sci-fi/fantasy booksit explains rather than reveals. The author doesnt gradually unfold the world for us; he throws entire narrative chunks at the reader. He offers the reader factoids that the main character cant possibly know and this spoils the illusion of discovery. The author has become so excited about the world hes created that he focuses on explaining it, instead of letting his character explore it.

On the other hand, plenty of excitement and action abound here. The comic book flavor and the empowering of a young man will appeal to a solid readership and might inspire non-readers to pick up the book. While not great literature, this book would make a fine read for boys who love comic books, detailed sci-fi/fantasy and the otherworldly.