Spoiler Alert: This is Book IV of the Class Heroes series. I don't believe there is anything here that will ruin the earlier books, just wanted to make you aware this is book IV.

The cover reminds me of the Spiderman and Hulk comics I used to read.

I was hooked on this series from the first book, A Class Apart. Stephen Henning has the ability to spin a yarn and create a fantasy world that I get lost in, not wanting to come back to reality. I have been watching Smallville (the TV series about Superman) in the early morning hours, so I can clearly see the characters and their superpowers in action.

This is a young adult novel, but I feel heroes come in all shapes and sizes and this is so much fun, that all ages with fall in love with Samantha and James.

My visualization of the characters was pretty darn close!

Great job of 'showing' me with words.

James and Samantha are 14 year old twins.

The twins have been staying with their grandparents since the accident that had started it all months ago. They managed to survive the exploding bus crash and their zombie classmates who had tried to eat them. The experience had changed them, giving them superpowers they were working hard to keep secret.

The characters have all the angst of normal teenagers, but their super powers will take their problems to a higher, more dangerous level. Their biggest danger was being discovered. Who knew what would happen, who would be after them and for what reasons. I wrote this as if it is real. I can’t help but laugh at myself. So good, I am in it side by side with them.

They are back in London now and heading to school for the first time since the accident. The principal had arranged a party to ease them back into a normal world. They knew better than to leave the party, but they did it anyway. They are teenagers after all. I know no good will come of this.

They meet the DJ of Alchemy. He hosts impromptu parties, spinning out tunes and passing out the super drug. He can leap tall buildings. Samantha and James already know about the super drug. It gives the user temporary superpowers, but the backlash could be fatal.

Samantha’s powers - super strength, rapid healing and controlling fire.

James powers – telekinesis and the ability to teleport.

Nicky Carro is a successful businessman. He owns nightclubs and casinos. He is involved in the drug trade with Russians. I can already anticipate the problems that is going to cause. They are violent and have no respect for human life.

Lolly, of course, Lolly will make an appearance and I have been waiting for her. When Lolly did enter the picture, I was floored by what she wanted. There has to be something else going on. Her dad is locked up and she is on the run. She is dangerous. Her dad is a mass murderer, a psychopath and has the power of persuasion. Was she different without him? Doing anything to make Lolly angry, you'd better beware. She will show no mercy. Even though she’s a very bad girl, there’s something about her that makes me want to help her out. Good writing does that for me. Makes me feel empathy for the bad guy, with the hope that redemption is possible.

Super D, a crooked casino owner, Russian drug dealers, the DJ of Alchemy passing out drugs and preaching anarchy, a hormonal psychopath with superpowers. viral marketing - a virus that controls any phone it’s uploaded to, gangsters and extortionists. Is there a bad guy I missed? :-D

Stephen’s writing is fantastic with pacing that makes me race through the pages. I breathe a sigh of relief, as I am allowed to catch my breath before we are off and running again.

The only complaint I have with Stephen Henning’s writing is I want more. The Class Heroes could be a TV or movie series.

I can see more stories unfolding in the future. The kids have some growing up to do and I wonder what the future has in store for them.

Stephen includes a little humor and leaves me with a giant cliffhanger making me scream for more.

I received London Belongs to the Alchemist from the author in return for an honest, unbiased review.

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Pros: fast paced, multiple plotlines, real consequences for decisions, lots of plot twists

Cons:

For Parents: kissing, drug use (with consequences), bullying, gun violence, rioting

Sam and James are back in London returning to school for the first time since the bus bombing that gave them their powers and killed several of their classmates. They’re coerced into attending a party run by the Alchemist, who hands out a new drug called Super D and falls for Sam. Back at school the twins face bullying and their world is turned upside down when Lolly Rosewood comes calling.

This book has a bit of everything: drugs, guns, first love, grounding, bullying, and more. It stays age appropriate, though things get bloodier than I’d expected. Seeing the characters make difficult decisions and then deal with the consequences keeps things real.

Everything’s fast paced and several plotlines interweave to create a complex story where it’s hard to guess what’s going to happen next.

Lolly’s plot arc was very surprising, both in how she was treated by others and also in her personal growth by the end of the story.

This is the 4th book in the Class Heroes series, but not the last, as there are aspects of the story left open at the end of this novel.