Verdict: Although the action and pacing slowed down a few times, overall this was a sometimes serious, sometimes playful story about some good guys that you really want to see win in the end.

What if all of the crazy inventions in the world were actually the product of psychosis? More importantly, what if one little girl could grow up to take on the world?

Aggie’s Nine Heroes takes us on the journey from a fourth grade girl doodling in a notebook about her dream to someday establish a crack team of special agents, all the way to actually seeing her plan to fruition. Just as her vision becomes reality, her team’s greatest rescue may be a matter of life and death for one of their own.

Aggie Borkowski has been raised by her grandfather, Bernie, a kind-hearted yet mentally ill man who struggles to live a normal life for his granddaughter. Despite learning about Bernie’s secret delusions and hallucinations, Aggie adores him and helps him see where reality ends and hallucinations begin. Aggie was forced to learn at an early age that someone must stand up for the little guy, and that someone must be her.

While the action dragged a little bit from time to time (after all, Aggie is a nine-year-old when she formulates her plan and a college graduate when the team is finally ready to save people who have nowhere else to turn), the pacing makes up for itself with the depth of characters. The greatest aspect of this book is, unfortunately, not to be revealed without ruining the ending. However, as a reader, be prepared for an endearing surprise that leaves you cheering for Aggie and her team.

Although the action and pacing slowed down a few times, overall this was a sometimes serious, sometimes playful story about some good guys that you really want to see win in the end.

Reviewed by Mercy Pilkington for IndieReader