Seaborne offers a superpowered hero who’s sympathetic. Will is a pleasantly ordinary guy who uses his abilities in moderation, and only a few people know what he can do. Will’s attempts to vanish as covertly as possible make certain dilemmas more precarious or, on occasion, lightens the book’s generally somber tone. In one instance, copious police officers and security cameras prevent invisible Will from rematerializing until he finally ducks into a men’s room. In the same vein, there’s nothing flashy about Will’s abilities; they’re merely talents that couple nicely with his aviation expertise. In fact, his piloting seems more impressive, as jargon-filled descriptions of aircraft prove keen and concise. This includes the ostensibly mundane task of refueling: “As I poured 100LL Avgas into the last of four tanks, I examined the ramp. A shallow downslope flowed away from the gas pumps. I decided to see if I could simply push the airplane a few fuselage lengths away from the pumps, rather than start the engines and taxi clear.” In contrast, the author simplifies the hero’s vanishings and reappearances with a delightful cue, “Fwooomp!” (a “deep and breathy” sound Will apparently hears). Despite featuring such villainous deeds as robbery and murder, the volume isn’t excessively violent. Abundant profanity comes mostly from charmingly gruff Pidge, who “drops F-bombs on everything”—whether she’s angry or complimenting someone. This engaging compendium will surely pique new readers’ interest in earlier series installments.

A captivating, altruistic hero and appealing cast propel this enjoyable collection of supernatural-flavored tales.