Villainous

Supers of Noble's Green #3

by Matthew Cody

“A fantastic story, thrillingly told. This book has a superpower—you can’t put it down.” —Jonathan Stroud, author of the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy
 
The truth about the Super children—who have real powers like flight and super strength—is finally exposed, and the town of Noble’s Green has created a special boarding school for its superpowered children. That’s where all Daniel’s friends are headed, while he—regular kid that he is—is headed to summer school.
 
But all is not well at the Academy for the Extraordinarily Gifted. A clique of popular kids (led by a pair of sinister twins) has taken over the school, and once again, it’s powerless Daniel who may be able to stop them. To do so, he will have to turn to his sworn enemy, the  Shroud, for help.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Childrens, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Originally from the Midwest, Matthew Cody now lives in New York City with his wife and son. When not writing books or goofing off with his family, he teaches creative writing to kids of all ages.

Reviews

[Harrison Winslow]

I really liked this book, starting to read this book I could not put it down. I liked this book better than the first one because now most people have superpowers. Its really cool reading a superhero book where the main protagonist is a normal kid with no superpowers. Its also pretty interesting seeing two characters that didn´t really like each other finally come together and become friends. The author Matthew Cody did a great job with detail because I could picture every fight scene in my head. I was pretty mad when the bad group of kids picked a fight with Rohan, but I´m not as mad now because they ended up getting karma in the end. I could not believe it when Johnny almost died risking his life for Daniel. It was sad finding out Johnny ends up dying and Eric loses his ability to fly and his super strength. I was happy to find out that all kids end up okay. I´m very sad that this is the last book in this series.

[Eli Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really compelling and exciting conclusion to the trilogy, but I can’t help but feel that the series should have continued, so much seems unanswered.

[Ronald Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Corrigan has had the adventure of a lifetime since he moved to Noble's Green. Meeting super kids, defeating an evil genius, and even helping protect the town. But is there a larger danger out there? Is his town really as safe as he thinks it is? Villainous is an amazing book that is an enjoyable read. The author did an amazing job on many elements in the book and made the book one to remember.
One thing the author did really well was include a wide variety of superpowers for the new characters in the story. The villains in this book have unique powers that many don't think about. For example, the main villain, named Drake, has the power to breathe fire like a dragon. I would have never thought of giving someone a power like that. There is also a villain named Mutt. He has traits similar to those of a dog. These are just some of the examples of the way Matthew Cody integrates creative powers into his book. This brings a more interesting tone to the book, which makes it a lot more enjoyable.
Along with using unique powers for the characters, the author also did a great job of making the story dramatic. There are times in the story when I think something very bad has happened. For example, the main villain character, named Mr.Plunkett, has a disaster at his house. A blazing fire rips his house apart and his family is inside. At one point I believed that someone was going to die. This made me interested and want to keep reading, which seems to happen quite often in this book. Matthew Cody just made every situation seem dire and it kept my attention throughout the entire book.
While the author does a great job of making the story dramatic, he excels at tying the loose ends of the other books. This is something I was hoping he would do in this final book. There were so many questions that were unanswered in the last books. For example, where did Herman go? Did he die? The author made clear what he had been doing since the children's last encounter with him. Answering these questions made the series a whole lot more enjoyable and made this book stand out. Another question that was answered was what happened to Simon? We find out that Simon is kind of on their side again. This book was really the most important book of the series and with the unanswered questions now answered, everything makes sense.
This book is absolutely amazing. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good superhero story. I feel that teen boys would enjoy this book, though I believe anyone would have a good time reading it. If you enjoy watching science fiction movies, this book is right for you. I had a great time reading this book and believe that everyone should read it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Villainous is the third, and last book, in the series by Matthew Cody. it is a great action and science book for young adults. After you pick it up, it is hard to put down. At first, the book starts out slow, but then it picks up speed. Unlike some books in series, with Villainous you have to read the other book first for it to make any sense.

In the first book in the series, a young teenager, named Daniel Corrigan, moves to a sleepy town called Nobles Green. On his first day Daniel encounters a bully named Clay. Clay threw Daniel across the street. Later they are on a field trip and Clay is walking up to Daniel. Daniel sees him coming and starts backing up, and he accidently backs out an open window. He starts falling and then someone catches him. Daniel looked down and the kid who caught him was flying. The kid’s name was Eric. Eric told Daniel that some of the kids in the town had super powers.

There was a conflict though. All the kids in the town would lose their powers at 13. Daniel had no powers, but he was a good detective. Because Eric saved his life, he wanted to help Eric keep his powers. Later, we find out that the reason they lose their powers is because of an old man who can steal kids powers. His name is the Shroud. Daniel and all the kids in the neighborhood fight the Shroud and defeat him. All the kids that he stole powers from get powers back. Herman, A.K.A the Shroud did not die but he lost all of his powers.

In this book, Villainous, Daniel starts noticing weird things happen around the town. He starts seeing shadows that look like the Shroud. Also, Herman Plunket builds a school for the people with powers. Daniel investigates and finds out that Herman is trying to steal the kids powers using the Witch Fire Comet. This is what gave the kids their powers. Daniel warns everyone and confronts Herman. He and Herman then fight on the roof of the school. Daniel wins and puts Herman in jail.

In conclusion, this book is a great action/sci-fi. It's a confusing book, but if you get in to them there hard to put down. I recommend reading the series in order. Villainous is one of my favorite books and I recommend it to fans of superhero movies.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Supers of Noble Green trilogy concludes in satisfying fashion with Daniel Corrigan taking on his archenemy once again. Fans of the series will enjoy the action-packed adventures and the characters, many of whom have special powers. As the truth is revealed about the students attending the local special academy, Daniel faces his toughest challenge--trying to sort out his feelings about Mollie who has her own superpower and can fly. The book is filled with plenty of humor, and while it helps to have read the previous titles, readers will be able to figure out what's going on without having done so.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time, period. The entire Supers Of Noble's Green trilogy is amazing, but this one is by far my favorite.

Noble's Green is now famously known for being home of the Supers. Not just kids anymore. At the end of Super, the adults regain their memories, along with their abilities from before they turned 13. With the Shroud gone, everyone can be open with their Powers. This also means a lot of publicity for Noble's Green. Pretty soon, a new boarding school opens up for Supers. Meanwhile, Daniel is now attending summer school due to his lack of good grades the year prior (hey, fighting villains and studying can be hard to balance). Vandalism begins happening around town, and other no good crimes. A clique of popular new Supers seem to be at fault. Will powerless Daniel be able to stop them, and potentially with the help of his enemy the Shroud, is the question in the air.


There's a premise if you take this recommendation. Down below I'll talk about my opinions revolving around spoilers.


SPOILERS BELOW



~ First and foremost, I NEED to talk about the Louisa/Daniel/Mollie triangle...thing. Louisa, since the start of book two, has been one of my LEAST favorite characters in the series. Okay, I'll admitt, I really did like Louisa and Daniel together for awhile, (since I let go of the idea Mollie and Daniel would get together during book one) but Louisa individually has always been annoying to me. She was helpful like once in Super, sure, but she isn't very grateful for being a super in the first place. She, in a way, plays hard to get, but also has a pick-me personality type. I would give examples, but like I said, it's been a minute since I've actually READ the books. I enjoyed her and Daniel's "moment" in Super, (not so much Mollie hitting on Theo, but we're not gonna talk about that), but I'm not surprised they didn't last. What I AM EXTREMELY surprised about, is that in the ending, Eric and Louisa got together?? That's what really made me turn on Louisa, and I had a RANT the minute I finished that book, but now I've accepted the fact they're together. Although, another couple that got confirmed in the end, was none other than Daniel and Mollie. And can I just say what I surprise this book turned out to be when right off the bat, there were sparks FLYING between them. When I first got into the series, I was hoping based off of first impression they'd get together. When he showed interest In Louisa during Powerless, though, I quickly let ago of that. I never considered it again...until Villainous. And let me just say, I'M SOO HAPPY ABOUT IT. Let's be honest, Daniel deserved way better than Louisa, *cough cough Mollie.

~ Speaking of the ending, I REALLY wanna talk about what happened with Eric. *Inhale* the fact he lost his powers- *exhale*. He sacrificed them, by literally PUNCHING A METEOR AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL. I also had a bit of a rant about that, because I was about THIS close to crying over it, not even lying. I was just praying they'd find away to restore them last minute, but alas, sometimes not every ending is rainbows and sunshine.

~ The last thing I wanna talk about, is a chapter I vaguely remember, where Herman is giving Daniel a ride, and that's when he sees his mansion burning. This chapter, or scene, is for some reason the one that made me realize how Herman really is back and forth character (we perceive him as a good guy, then bad, it's all over the place). I don't remember the exact conversation they had, but I do remember re-reading that chapter multiple times. Basically what I'm trying to say is Matthew did a good job with the antagonist, because Heman had many emotionally deep moments where it made us question whether to trust him or not, such as this one.


I could really go on and on. Know, that this book is on my list of books I need to re-read because my mind is foggy and this is LITERALLY my favorite book of all time. Best in the series, one of the best endings to a book I've ever read, and I'll ALWAYS recommend it.

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diverse:several characters are coded as non-white, though the coding is somewhat vague, based in part on last names

Marginalized : The super powered kids are treated a bit like many minority groups in America - they are seen as different, and are quickly "othered" - though we eventually discover this is in large part due to the machinations of the villain

Political: There is a section of the story that looks at how public perception - and politicians - can be manipulated by a small group of people, especially if they have money

Neurodiverse: Mollie is described as having very ADHD-like symptoms when trying to pay attention in school.

Romance: This book has Daniel having to confront the fact that Louisa kissed him, and then having to figure out what he wants to do about it, and about his feelings for Mollie (and her feelings for him). It's very awkward and clumsy and seems just about right, but maybe for kids a bit younger than 14?

3.5 stars: This volume of Danielle's story leans a bit more into the mystery side of things, even though it has way more superheroes.

Overall, this was a pretty good MG superhero series. It is definitely a product of the early 2000s' preoccupation with making superhero stories that are more "realistic" and "grounded". But it's pretty good, and each book escalates a little without going too nuts.

While it seems to be a completed trilogy, Cody seems to have left the door open to further volumes with his ending - or he might just have been recognizing that not every thread gets nearly tied up in real life.

This

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book & fun series!

While there are "new" baddies in this book, it's always Herman Plunkett pulling the evil strings behind the drama.

I was sad for Eric losing his powers at the end in saving them all from the witch fire comet... Cody could have come up with some sort of "fix" for Eric to get his powers back, but I think it was a pretty meaningful (and selfless) sacrifice of Eric to have made & I like that that was his choice. It also was a pretty good ending for Johnny Noble too. Very heroic & selfless.

I also liked the "like" between Daniel and Molly Lee. I thought it was a cute & age-appropriate addition to a Middle-Grade book. Especially how Daniel avoided Louisa like a doofus out of fear for no reason the whole book. <3

Overall, 4 stars for this book & for this series.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that this was a better effort than book two, but still didn't seem necessary. Book two and three could have easily been part of book one. It got a little repetitive and the love angle was little more than an ego boost for the hero, Daniel. It just didn't add anything to the story. I really think that this story should have just been left alone after book one. Some not bad ideas in the next two, but not worthy of full editions. Adding what was good might have made for too long a read for some of the younger ones, but that never stood in the way of Harry Potter.

I liked this series, but the first book was so much stronger than the next two that it was a little disappointing. I'm sure the kids won't mind though and that is really who it is meant for.

[Hunter E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book because it had a good plot but it was a bit boring because it was the same stuff every time. It involved Daniel the super hero and his other super friends trying to find out if Theo plunket is a villain and stop him. The setting in the book is Noble Green, it is a small town were supers and villains run lose. The plot of the book is boring in the beginning because there is not much action but at the climax of the book it is really exciting but towards the end it gets boring again. Villainous related to the avengers because in the movie Iron Man it has super heroes and villains and is just like Villainous by Matthew Cody.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just a lot of fun, and I'm sorry to say goodbye to Daniel Corrigan and his Super friends. The mystery was well constructed (though it still asked more questions about human nature than it answered, I think) and pretty satisfying. A big recommendation for kids who like superheroes.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books reminded me so much of Marvel, and the Avengers, but a group of kids. That is mainly why I loved these books. There was a fantasy aspect, along with mystery and thriller and I enjoyed it so much!

[Ruby V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish it had been revealed that Daniel DID have some type of superpower, and that Eric didn't lose his in the end, but I was still very entertained, and remained on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. Highly recommended for all ages, but especially younger generations.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting end to the trilogy with all of the super-Supers depowered (or just MIA).

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last book of three. Good read

[Austin Poulsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best of the trilogy

[Tracy TS]

Not my favorite, but my sons(9 & 12) loved this series.

[Jacob Gaston]

its a good book

[Eyan Chavez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didnt like it

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that there are “supers” everywhere in Noble’s Green, it has become a tourist attraction. They have even opened a school for those students: Noble’s Academy for the Gifted (Johnny Noble is the Principal). It’s a bit of an adjustment for the town. There are, of course, those students who aren't responsible with their powers. Case in point: there's a new gang that the supers must deal with. They call themselves Noble's Nobles and are led by Drake, Hunter and "Mutt". But when burglaries, vandalism, fires and other things begin to happen in Noble’s Green, people start to suspect the supers of everything that is going wrong. Was Hermann Plunkett right? Too much power in the hands of young people is dangerous?

To help with this crisis, Hermann Plunkett Industries (run by Theo Plunkett Sr.) starts giving free ride scholarships to the academy to ensure that the supers have the “proper education” so that these incidents stop happening. But how would Hermann define “proper?” But can they really trust the school that is being funded by Plunketts? What about Noble's Nobles? They go to the school and they don't seem to be learning how to use their powers appropriately. So, Rohan and Eric go undercover at the Academy to see what they can find out.

Fans of the other two books will love the conclusion(?) of this series. Plenty of action and plots twists.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel and his friends, the Supers, face new foes when the town of Noble Green opens a school for super powered kids that include a new gang of villains called the Nobles. The Nobles have destruction on their mind as several places in town like the ice cream parlor and the regular high school are damaged and it brings bad will from the townspeople to all the supers whether they are involved or not. Daniel and his friends must find a way to find out who is really behind the damage and is the approaching Witch Fire Comet somehow a part of the mystery?

Villainous is an exciting conclusion Matthew Cody’s trilogy (Powerless and Super). It’s fast paced action reads like a super hero comic only in novel form which will please most middle grade comic fans. Cody peppers the current story with just enough backstory from the first two novels for the plot to make sense to readers who may start or only read this one and it might also get them interested so they go back and pick up the other books. What really stands out is the dramatic conclusion which will have the reader examining the question “What really makes a hero?”

I would recommend this book and its companions for any school or public library. It is a good fit for reluctant middle school readers.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review for SWON Libraries.

[Trenton Dianovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Villainous by Matthew Cody explains the adventures of Daniel Corrigan as he attempts to defeat Herman Plunkett for the second time. After the blackout, in the earlier book of the series, everybody in Noble's Green woke up and remembered that they had superpowers. A school was built for all of the kids who had just discovered their power so they could learn how to use them. The town started having problems. Daniel figured that the problems were being caused by Clay. He was wrong, it was a group of bad kids from the Academy. The Supers fought the group, who called themselves the Nobles. It went on from there. Daniel needs to stop this madness.

This was a very good book. It is a great addition to this already great series. I like this series because of the uniqueness of it.

I recommend this book to boys and girls from the sixth grade and above. You should definitely read it if you like superpowers.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Villainous is the third title in the Powerless trilogy. This book pulls the reader right into the town of Noble's Green and the horrible destruction occurring through fires and vandalism. Townspeople think its the children who have attained super powers. Without reading the previous titles, readers can enter the world of both the Nobles and Supers, opposing forces of children, through the prologue explaining how the children became Supers. Focusing on Daniel, supposedly a non Super, readers learn about his Super friends and even get a glimpse of a blossoming romance. As Daniel puts the mysterious pieces of the towns destruction together, he realizes that he must figure out what is causing this havoc in order to save Noble's Green. Fully fleshed out characters, and lots of middle school angst make this story ring true. This is an action packed suspenseful book that readers who love action, super heroes, and a strong plot will devour.

[Kellen Kanarios · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of the series. Everyone has discovered that the tow of Noble Green has a lot of super children and they opened a boarding school for the super kids. But Daniel is going back to normal school. But then their are many vandalisms in the town of Noble Green and Daniel has to get to the bottom of it. He might have to get help from his worst enemy the SHROUD!!!!

A major them in this book is to never give up it is showed when he never gives up on his super friends.
I recommend this book to people who love action.

[*Amelia* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's safe to say that this series has made me scream out NOOOOOOOO! more than any other book series I've ever read. And I mean that in a good way.
The plot of this series has been magnificent. It continues to surprise me, and honestly, it is beautiful. Heart wrenching at times, but beautiful. I've really loved the characters in this series,(Especially Eric and Rose) and I'm sad to see them go. Especially with this ending. It's a beautiful ending to a beautiful series, but it seriously takes my heart and smashes it with a hammer.
Awesome book series. I would highly reccomend it.

[Terri Floccare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting end to the trilogy of books about the kids of Noble's Green. The kids in the book grow as the series progresses. This book includes a first love in a very appropriate way. We now have a school for super powered children which may not be what it seems. An old nemesis returns to wreak havoc. And the question of exactly what a super power is arises. A well done trilogy.

[Maria O.]

Villainous was a great book that was filled with action and adventure. It happens in our world but in a made up town called Noble Green named after a super hero. Though this may seem fake, (town used to think it was) it actually happened in the book. There's a town where super hero's live and the world doesn't even no it. IT's a great book for any one who loves fantasy.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

the presvese book super I thought it was fine it was not as interesting as the first one, but it still told what happen after the first book so I gave it a 3 star but totally got me off guard it was great
it was great it was perfect amount of adventure wording and everything it was obvesely the best in the series and it is highly recromended

[Danny]

It think this book was good because it had things that other books don't have, like a plot that is like a squiggly line with turns and curves. It was also good because it had an evil person enslaving kids because the kids wanted to. It doesn't make sense. Who would want to work for somebody who was going to steal you're special talent? So, really, I liked this book, a lot.

[Kyle]

Daniel had many sides to his personality. this includes righteousness and intelligence. he was able to deduct and discover several key points that wouldn't have been revealed well normally. he also had the sense of righteousness when facing off against Herman at the end by not killing him.