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reneeeeeee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so fun! Meg is hilarious, and the plot had me guessing. Finished in two days because I couldn’t put it down! Fingers crossed for a sequeal
andysabis's review against another edition
5.0
Yes. 100x yes. When my roommate first told me about this book and about the premise I was immediately interested. A YA book not under the aegis of the big names about a superhero-verse? Yes.
I finished it in about 5 hours and enjoyed it IMMENSELY. Loveable characters. Well written dialogue. Diverse. Original. Fun plot. Great ending. Great hook. Incredible premise.
“Can I bring my rat?” Thank you, so much, for that line.
I finished it in about 5 hours and enjoyed it IMMENSELY. Loveable characters. Well written dialogue. Diverse. Original. Fun plot. Great ending. Great hook. Incredible premise.
“Can I bring my rat?” Thank you, so much, for that line.
sarahthescrivnr's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Full disclosure: I am friends with the author and was given the ARC for reviewing purposes. This was my second time reading this book, as I was a beta reader for an earlier draft in 2018, but it was long enough ago that I feel like I was able to enjoy the book with relatively fresh eyes.
"Let's make fun of superheroes" is a definitely a favorite thing of mine to consume (I was one of the few people that liked NBC’s short-lived series Powerless), so I was very excited to (re-)read this book. And if you enjoy superhero stories, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this one. It’s a compelling and easy read with fun characters, plenty of wit, and a real sense of mortality.
Every time I sat down to read just a few chapters, I found myself getting so sucked in after only a page or two that I didn’t want to put it down. It’s an impressive achievement for a book I’ve already read. The mystery is intriguing, but readability isn’t lost by knowing the answers.
The story is self-aware without being smug. Simonds has the jokes but she’s also got the know-how. She has a clear understanding of (and affection for) not just specific superheroes and their histories, but also the tropes. References and easter eggs are peppered throughout rather than thickly laid on (something I’m noticing a lot more in recent YA especially).
It’s not perfect, but the issues I had were relatively minor (there was occasionally casually ableist language), and some of the ideas brought up were ones I wish had been further explored. Ultimately, it’s a thoughtful critique of superhero story conventions while also being a worthy contribution to the genre.
Full disclosure: I am friends with the author and was given the ARC for reviewing purposes. This was my second time reading this book, as I was a beta reader for an earlier draft in 2018, but it was long enough ago that I feel like I was able to enjoy the book with relatively fresh eyes.
"Let's make fun of superheroes" is a definitely a favorite thing of mine to consume (I was one of the few people that liked NBC’s short-lived series Powerless), so I was very excited to (re-)read this book. And if you enjoy superhero stories, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this one. It’s a compelling and easy read with fun characters, plenty of wit, and a real sense of mortality.
Every time I sat down to read just a few chapters, I found myself getting so sucked in after only a page or two that I didn’t want to put it down. It’s an impressive achievement for a book I’ve already read. The mystery is intriguing, but readability isn’t lost by knowing the answers.
The story is self-aware without being smug. Simonds has the jokes but she’s also got the know-how. She has a clear understanding of (and affection for) not just specific superheroes and their histories, but also the tropes. References and easter eggs are peppered throughout rather than thickly laid on (something I’m noticing a lot more in recent YA especially).
It’s not perfect, but the issues I had were relatively minor (there was occasionally casually ableist language), and some of the ideas brought up were ones I wish had been further explored. Ultimately, it’s a thoughtful critique of superhero story conventions while also being a worthy contribution to the genre.
brittradomski's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mothling's review
4.0
i admittedly don't read that much superhero fiction, but this felt like a fresh take on it? it was light-hearted and fast moving and full of fun :3
the cast was great, all the characters were amazing (altho oliver really does take the cake) and i'm so Here for Meg/Oliver's friendship, just <3333 (don't mind me fangirling the fact that it's a platonic male/female friendship that didn't have anything romantic about it :OOOOO)
definitely an enjoyable book, would recommend -fingerguns-
cw:
the cast was great, all the characters were amazing (altho oliver really does take the cake) and i'm so Here for Meg/Oliver's friendship, just <3333 (don't mind me fangirling the fact that it's a platonic male/female friendship that didn't have anything romantic about it :OOOOO)
definitely an enjoyable book, would recommend -fingerguns-
cw:
Spoiler
a handful of s-words and some other light swearing, lots of superhero violence/injuries, a few light sexual references but honestly nothing major in that departmentlindsical's review against another edition
5.0
Look at this beautiful cover! So stunning! I LOVE how it looks like a vintage comic book, such a neat idea!
EDIT - FULL REVIEW:
I have been anticipating Collateral Damage for it seems like forever, and I was lucky enough to receive an E-ARC, courtesy of Parliament House Publishing. I read the entire book in 2 days and needless to say, it did not disappoint!
Collateral Damage is such a fresh take on the superhero genre. Most of us think it would be exciting to live in the world of superheroes. Meg Sawyer, the main protagonist of the novel, would disagree and probably slap you with her titanium umbrella she carries around for safety. Do you even realize how inconveniencing it is to have your car used as a projectile to stop a super villain (AGAIN) and have no way to work? Or how about having to live in an apartment with a wall missing, because a superhero probably smashed into it during the latest battle? Or having to look over your shoulder every time you step out of your house to make sure you don't get crushed during another power struggle between good and evil on the way to work. This is what the citizens of Lunar City have to deal with. Yes, super heroes are amazing. The aftermath, not so much.
This is the premise of Collateral Damage. It's about a young girl who just wants to survive living amongst superheroes. This book was unique, inviting, funny, exciting, and mysterious. It kept me turning pages just to find out what would happen to Meg and her friends next. The plot is rich and the twists are definitely ones I didn't see coming! She weaves life into her story that is just so tangible and created characters I fell in love with immediately. Meg and Oliver have the best friendship of any characters I have read about in a long time, they make me so happy. I didn't expect to like Juniper as much as I did, but I fell in love with her by the end as well. Penny and Sanjeet are just precious. I want to hug them all. Even Meg, though she'll probably protest loudly.
I don't want to give away too much, but seriously, Collateral Damage was such a refreshing read for me. I have been in a book rut for a few months and this was just what I needed! I'm so happy I was lucky enough to read it early, but I ordered it months ago and I am still excited to receive my physical copy in the mail. I wanna hold these precious babies and amazing story in my hands!
I highly recommend this book to any and all who enjoy superheroes or need a new take on an old genre, or just want to read a great story!
EDIT - FULL REVIEW:
I have been anticipating Collateral Damage for it seems like forever, and I was lucky enough to receive an E-ARC, courtesy of Parliament House Publishing. I read the entire book in 2 days and needless to say, it did not disappoint!
Collateral Damage is such a fresh take on the superhero genre. Most of us think it would be exciting to live in the world of superheroes. Meg Sawyer, the main protagonist of the novel, would disagree and probably slap you with her titanium umbrella she carries around for safety. Do you even realize how inconveniencing it is to have your car used as a projectile to stop a super villain (AGAIN) and have no way to work? Or how about having to live in an apartment with a wall missing, because a superhero probably smashed into it during the latest battle? Or having to look over your shoulder every time you step out of your house to make sure you don't get crushed during another power struggle between good and evil on the way to work. This is what the citizens of Lunar City have to deal with. Yes, super heroes are amazing. The aftermath, not so much.
This is the premise of Collateral Damage. It's about a young girl who just wants to survive living amongst superheroes. This book was unique, inviting, funny, exciting, and mysterious. It kept me turning pages just to find out what would happen to Meg and her friends next. The plot is rich and the twists are definitely ones I didn't see coming! She weaves life into her story that is just so tangible and created characters I fell in love with immediately. Meg and Oliver have the best friendship of any characters I have read about in a long time, they make me so happy. I didn't expect to like Juniper as much as I did, but I fell in love with her by the end as well. Penny and Sanjeet are just precious. I want to hug them all. Even Meg, though she'll probably protest loudly.
I don't want to give away too much, but seriously, Collateral Damage was such a refreshing read for me. I have been in a book rut for a few months and this was just what I needed! I'm so happy I was lucky enough to read it early, but I ordered it months ago and I am still excited to receive my physical copy in the mail. I wanna hold these precious babies and amazing story in my hands!
I highly recommend this book to any and all who enjoy superheroes or need a new take on an old genre, or just want to read a great story!
leannj's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
fatimam1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and how it was in the perspective of a "normal" citizen, not a superhero. The book was enjoyable to read and it was really funny. Meg and Oliver are my favourite characters and I loved their friendship and how they always looked after each other. It was predictable at times but still interesting and the ways things happened were unexpected. Overall, I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.
Spoiler
For example, I knew that Meg would end up getting superpowers by the end of the book but how she did was definitely unexpected.septemberheartflakes's review against another edition
3.0
Just a fun, quick and non-serious read on superheroes uniquely in the perspective of a normal citizen instead of the cliche I'm the chosen one/hero
Meg is a mundane citizen of the Lunar City, a city that is protected by the Super Variants (fancy name for superheroes). She thinks the super Variants are doing more harm than good and causing unnecessary fatalities while saving the city, for example, crashing her car, burning her house. Until she is found the dead body of a SuperVariany and is hurtled into the chaos of everything.
I love how the umbrella is Meg's iconic trademark and how despite her mundaneness, she is the main character of the novel. I admit the story is quite simplistic and one of the most predictable storyline I had ever read. I am also uncomfortable with how much details are spoonfed through dialogues, it makes me feel like the book is objective. I also did not enjoy the back-and-forth banters between the characters trying to sound sarcastic and cool.
But I did enjoy the quick ride of the book and some meaning behind the chosen ones of the Super Variant towards the end. Also, I love the umbrella. That's why it's a 3 star from me and not less.