Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Kid Sensation is back! The intrepid teen super with the plethora of powers returns in a new adventure.

Having saved the planet and earned a place with the world’s premiere superhero team, Jim (aka Kid Sensation) is preparing to attend the prestigious Academy, where teen supers from every corner of the globe learn to master their abilities. At the same time, however, he is approached by a mysterious government organization that wants Jim to work for them - and they won’t take “No” for an answer.

Moreover, at the Academy itself, an insidious and highly contagious virus is running amok through the student population, striking at the heart of their abilities. Students are losing control of their powers, with lethal consequences…

Now, in addition to evading the machinations of government agents, Jim must solve the mystery behind the virus - and how to stop it - before every super everywhere becomes fatally infected.

8 pages, Audible Audio

First published August 2, 2013

172 people are currently reading
193 people want to read

About the author

Kevin Hardman

29 books1,416 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
567 (39%)
4 stars
533 (37%)
3 stars
265 (18%)
2 stars
43 (3%)
1 star
15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,229 reviews2,341 followers
May 27, 2019
Supers trapped and isolated with a virus made just for them!

Mutation by Kevin Hardman and narrated by Mikael Naramore is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. Another great story with Kid Sensation and his extreme life. He gets an offer to attend the academy for supernatural teens but also gets threatened by a group that wants him to spy on the academy or get deported off planet! Very intriguing story with suspenseful as well as lighter moments. This has action, great characters ( Good and evil), wonderful and unpredictable plot, emotional connection between characters, and great dialogue.
The narrator performs tremendously!
Profile Image for Gavin.
1,076 reviews446 followers
May 8, 2020
Mutation was a decent second instalment in Kevin Hardmen's fun YA super hero series Kid Sensation. It mixes some action, drama, coming of age moments, and plenty of crazy superpowered happenings to produce a fun tale!

Kid Sensation might be one of the most powerful superheroes on the planet but he is still only a 16 year old kid due to start his first year at Superhero Academy. As if attending a superpowered school is not nerve wracking enough Jim, Kid Sensation, has to deal with the fact that a shadowy government organisation have taken an interest in him and are determined to recruit or eliminate him!

The story was fun enough. Jim had to dodge government agents at the start of the tale as he squeezed in taking his new girlfriend on a date and saying goodbye to his family as he got ready to head of to Super School. Things were just as hectic once he got to the School as he ended up having to help save the day when a virus appeared that had the superpowered students losing control of their own superpowers!

It was a decent enough story. Entertaining if not anything overly special. Jim has also sorts of powers, which can be fun, but still seems to find himself at a disadvantage a lot of the time. The tone is light and YA for the most part but the story does have a slight dark edge to it that helps add a bit of tension to the story. Jim is easy enough to root for and the secondary characters are well developed enough to be interesting people in their own right. If I had a complaint it is the fact that Jim is a little bland and I'm not all that emotionally invested in any of those secondary characters. That holds this tale back from getting a higher rating from me.

The superhero elements of the tale and the action are pretty good. Nothing one has not seen before but that does not take away from the fact that the superhero stuff is pretty cool and the story is fun.

If I had a slight moan it is the fact that a slight undercurrent of misogyny was present. I never noticed it so much while reading the first book. It is nothing overly offensive and mostly just manifests in the way Hardmen writes the male/female interactions in the story. He holds some dated views. That said, I've enjoyed tales by the likes if Terry Goodkind and John Conroe in the past and nothing in this one is half so bad as any of the stuff that those two guys include in their stories so it did not hurt my enjoyment of the story much. It was more of a slight eye-rolling nuisance.

All in all this was a decent second book in what is turning out to be an OK YA superhero series.

Rating: 3.5 stars. I'll round down again just due to the fact that I'm not sucked into the tale emotionally but this is readable as the story is fun and the writing is engaging.

Audio Note: I think Mikael Naramore does a great job with the audio for this series. He is good with the voices.
4 reviews
September 23, 2016
It's OK definitely not the best of this Genre. The thing that grinds my gears is that this main character has all these powers. But conveniently forgets about them when the story needs him to.

He has telepathy but doesn't realize there's a traitor until almost the end. Why give him this power when he never uses it? Don't give me oh "He doesn't like to" or "He's not confident".

Just don't give it to him in the first place if you don't know how he can use it without messing up the story.
2,356 reviews
June 13, 2019
I have a soft spot for Super Heroes and Mikael Naramore... and this book really hits those spots! Kevin gives us a Great story, and Mikael Naramore delivered an awesome performance!
When I get a book like this, I know that my suspension-of-disbelief might be tested... and tested Hard! In this case, it was stretched so far that a corner of my brain was shaking its proverbial finger at me due to the sh*t-eating grin I was wearing, simply because the story was so much CrAZy fun!
If you like YA and Super Heroes, grab the Kid Sensation books... and the best news? There's more where they came from!
Profile Image for Nasya Wright.
216 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2023
This book was amazing! I really enjoyed it! I can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
238 reviews
November 2, 2016
Solid 4 star story for YA Super Heroes. I don't get the cover art for the age frame best suited to the book, but I'm not a teen boy and I don't recall Astrella being mentioned to be so top heavy.
Overall I look forward to continuing the series as it is light super hero fiction. Peeking at the other books, I am glad Kevin Hardman gives a short story and longer books after!
375 reviews54 followers
May 3, 2017
I enjoyed it, but I don't think it was as good as it could have been and not as good as the first one. Well narrated on audible.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,735 reviews39 followers
June 14, 2019
Note: While this is Book 2, you could jump directly into it and enjoy the story without having listened to Book 1.

Kid Sensation goes off to Super Hero college in this book. He’s finally learned how to drive (mostly) and his girlfriend Electra is going off to college with him. So life is grand. The college is awesome, he’s making new friends…. and then bad stuff happens. Nothing like a little death and mayhem to ruin a great time!

Adam Atom was a prankster, but when Supers start getting sick, bad stuff happens. Adam is one of the first to show signs of illness, and a prank of his went horribly wrong, so he’s also wracked with guilt. Our Jim (Kid Sensation) also falls ill and the college medical staff are ill-equipped to deal with violently ill Supers. For many of the Supers, it’s their first time being ill, so they aren’t prepared mentally for it. They are confused and worried, and some loose control of their powers. All around, it is a mess!

Anyway, eventually Kid Sensation gets his stuff together and he rallies some allies to find the source of this illness. Gossamer (an elf, sorta), Caine (a human with magic on his side), Gavin (a tech guru), and this other dude whose name currently escapes me but I liked his character because he was so practical and an android.

The big baddie for this story is Estrella. She’s got many of the powers that Sensation has, so she’s a real match for him. For part of the story, she has a kid clairvoyant (Rudy) working with her, so that made her extra hard to defeat. In fact, in that round, Sensation didn’t win, but Estrella withdrew from the field of battle to help her brother. Anyway, she’s basically a star in human form and that alone makes her hard to kill or knockout or injure or scare. Estrella was the best thing about this book.

Over all, it feels more like a YA book because it’s nearly all action, and what isn’t action is young people being awkward around each other trying to make that solid emotional connection. It was cute, fun, on that level. I would like a bit more depth and I think the series has solid potential for that.

The action kept me thoroughly interested in the story. There’s always something around the next corner, some further challenge for Sensation to face. I also enjoyed that not all Supers are created the same way – some are mutations, some are alien half breeds, some are not made of flesh and bone, etc. The story has a lot going for it big-picture wise. This tale closes with a solid ending, but leaving us ready to see what Sensation gets into in the next book. 4.5/5 stars.

The Narration: Mikael Naramore is always a treat to listen to and he doesn’t disappoint in this book. His voice for Jim (Sensation) is spot on. His female voices are feminine. I especially like his angry battle voice for Estrella. His slightly crazed voice for Dr. Schaffer is also great. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.
3,977 reviews14 followers
November 12, 2017
( Format : audiobook )
"Think of me as a modern J.Edgar Hoover."
A lightweight but enjoyable super hero novel in which teenage Kid Sensation, known to his family and friends as Jim, is off to the Academy to develope his already formidable skills which include shape shifting, invisibility, the power to fly, teleport, speed running as well as being both telepathic and empathic. But still he is nervous of failure, especially since secret government organisation is threatening to throw him off planet if he doesn't become their spy. But even worse things are ahead ...

Written in the first person, narrator Mikael Naramore fits snuggly into the persona of Jim, his pleasant voice reading clearly and his interpretations of the other protagonists also good. He certainly adds enjoyment to the book. With plenty of superpower fights, teenage awkwardness in the face of romantic attraction and conspiracies overlapping, this is a great book to brighten a dreary afternoon.
Profile Image for John.
22 reviews12 followers
October 28, 2017
Great fun!

I'm giving this series 4-star rating based on the entertainment value alone -- the book is well-defined and error-free, which was nice. The author has done a great job of telling an engaging story with solid characters, and I will definitely be reading the next installment. The author's writing style works well for a YA tale like this, and he does well with dialog and such, butchered are times when his writing reminds me of how Stephen King once described his own writing: He's a good storyteller but he has a tin ear for the language. I say that with all due respect though, because as with Stephen King, I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Scott.
1,486 reviews12 followers
November 18, 2017
In this second adventure Kid soon finds enemies at his door as things heat up and it seems all teen supers are in the crosshairs of nefarious government forces. Kid is foeced to lead the chargw for survival and with wit, charm our author makes sure that we arw soon emotionally invested in this happening. Narration is as expected professionally done as you woukd expect from such a talent as Narrmore.
Overall a worthy successor to the first book and one i will continue to look forward to.
This audio was gifted to me and i choose to leave a review and as such is my own honest opinion
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
March 26, 2019
As usual, there is always the good guys, trying to combat those that want to assume authority, without going through the normal process, or for the good of all.
This episode shows a group of supernatural students, doing what they could, to be schooled in learning to work for a better world. That school's environment is taken over by those that have evil intent.
How it all comes down is a good story, and is worth reading, or listening to via the audiobooks for this series. I enjoyed the narrator's vocalizations of the various characters immensely.
2,000 reviews37 followers
April 3, 2019
Girlfriend troubles, the Men in Black and deadly mutations make Jim's first year at the Supers Academy a tumultuous experience in this second story in the Kid Sensation series.
The story is packed so full of characters and action that it's sometimes a bit difficult to keep track of everything that's going on, but Jim, Mouse and the others are an interesting and lovable bunch and the story has all the action and fun of a really well written comic book series.
Keep the series coming. I'm loving it.
40 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2019
All too often in this book the MC seems to forget most of his powerbase. In an emergency or in a tough spot he seems to think he only has teleportation and super speed despise others i.e. phase, often being a more suitable choice. Phase is arguably the single most useful power he has when avoiding attacks however its almost always a backup plan power. If you can get over the MC's often forgetful nature for the sole purpose of advancing the plot then you will like this book if you also enjoyed the first.
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,011 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2020
Interesting read. Jim, aka Kid Sensation is back and starting at the prestigious Academy where teen supers attend and learn to master their abilities. Not long after starting at the Academy, a highly contagious virus is released amongst the students, making their abilities unpredictable and highly dangerous, and deadly. Being the first infected & first recovered, can Jim solve the mystery behind this virous and stop it before all is destroyed? Find out in the 2nd Kid Sensation adventure, Mutation.
Profile Image for Phillip Murrell.
Author 10 books68 followers
May 29, 2020
Too much CW, not enough Netflix

I'm not the target audience for this book series. I like action, but I get teen angst. The fight scenes are cool, but most of the book focuses on normal teen sitcom scenes. The whole point of the villain's plan doesn't even start until the final third. I don't care about Jim and Electra at the drive-in. This series is perfect for fans of soap opera comic series like Arrow or Supergirl. If you want a gritty Daredevil-like series, pass this one and look harder. I guess I'll take my own advice and search for something with lasting consequences.
Profile Image for Wide Eyes, Big Ears!.
2,620 reviews
May 7, 2017
A ripping superhero adventure (#2 in the Kid Sensation series) by Kevin Hardman. The overpowered Kid, aka Jim, attends the Superhero Academy but lessons are soon postponed as the students powers start to play up. Lots of great action, some cool baddies, and a ragtag group of trainee heroes who may save the day! One teeny gripe: the overuse of the phrase "long story short" in this book and the last.
633 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2018
Another book in a series about a multi-power superhero teen, the challenges he faces (both with his family, his love life, and the villains in the current book). Enjoyable enough, but very textbook at the same time, not especially unique or thrilling about power sets, world, or plots. Jim (the main character) is a very powerful superhero, so not much room for growth in the series in terms of powers or better villains.
582 reviews
June 2, 2019
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, and found it very entertaining. Life is always difficult as teenager, but add being a superhero and having the world to save, it becomes stressful to say the least. With a very interesting plot, developed around very unique characters this story moves along a good pace, and suddenly it's over. With just the right amount of suspense, action and humour makes it well worth the listen.
1,189 reviews5 followers
April 13, 2023
The second in the "Kid Sensation" series and I am getting to still enjoying the character. I just wish there was less of the Jim-Electra padding and more world building. Yes, I do appreciate the Jim-Electra stuff is all part of coming of age and that the author is trying to show how young these heroes actually are but I would have liked, for example, to know more about the Elf girl.
Series is definitely heading in the right direction and I have already gotten #3 loaded and ready to go.
5 reviews
May 4, 2024
Not bad

Like I said, the book was not bad.

Spoilers:

My biggest issue, is the author not knowing elementary level science. The sun or any average size star doesn't go super nova.. Like our sun they'll eventually turn into red giants ,then a white dwarfs, then a black dwarfs.

A red giant doesn't have any more mass than when it was a yellow dwarf. And it sure in the heck doesn't go super nova and turn into a black hole.

Rant over.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,617 reviews36 followers
March 30, 2019
Now that Jim (aka Kid Sensation) has proven himself one of the good guys, he can finally join the Academy with the other teen supers and learn more about using his powers. However, when he gets there he finds that someone is using the place for a more nefarious purpose.
I really liked Jim, though he comes across a bit cocky, like most teenage boys I guess.
Profile Image for David Laughlin.
279 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2021
Read the first book yesterday finish this one today easy page Turner

Book is written in such a fashion that young adults will enjoy it and I am not one of those and I enjoyed it thoroughly of course I'm going to get the next one and read it after I'm done riding this review lots of action lots of fun lots of emotion really well done superhero writing
3 reviews
December 11, 2017
I listened to this audiobook, it was sent to me, by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book, it was a good story. It is definitely written for teens (teenie drama), but I liked the story well enough that I will give the other books a listen too.
Profile Image for B3AUT1FUL  PH03N1X .
34 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2019
I am really enjoying this series. It's refreshing to read about teen superheros, and being on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens next. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and am giving an honest review.
Profile Image for Lee Willie.
144 reviews
July 10, 2021
Brilliant!

Finished the first book yesterday and went straight on to this second book and I'm glad I did.
It's as good as or if not better than the first novel with some fantastic action and great characters, can't wait to start the third novel.
Profile Image for Rylie Charlie.
4 reviews
October 21, 2021
I loved it, There's romance, with a little teenage rebellion and the superpower set had me like, WOW. This guy has a good imagination. If this was a movie, it'll be EPIC 🙏🥰🕶️🤩🤩🤩
I've got the while set in my phone, it's about the only thing one reading now.
Next Up Revelation- Kid Sensation #4
22 reviews
May 1, 2024
A great superhero story

I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters of both friends and foes. The battles were creative and fun. I liked the clever ways they used various powers to defeat each other.
Profile Image for Neil  Campau.
147 reviews
May 25, 2017
Good story again with lots going on with one so young. Interested to see with happens next with "Kid Sensation" .
Profile Image for Vilius.
275 reviews32 followers
June 30, 2017
Nope. The main guys is just to perfect its annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.