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roannasylver's review against another edition
5.0
“It’s a secret identity thing, isn’t it?”
“You could say that.”
* * *
I love superheroes. I especially love superhero books where the writing is lively and engaging, and the marginalized rep is easy, inclusive and positive. I love Jess' drive to find herself and come into her own as a hero instead of standing in her sister's (and parents, to an extent) shadow. I love her resourcefulness and tenacity in the face of opposition and conspiracy from adults, and I love her and Abby's interactions and chemistry. (I also really love Bells, which is good news for me and everyone else!)
This story also has enough twists to keep readers guessing. I admit that I did see pretty much all of them coming, but not because the writing is predicable or slow - it's just that every reveal is *exactly what I would have written, and specifically wanted to see!* Always fun when a writer seems to be right inside your brain. It's not boring; it's satisfying in the best way.
Without spoiling, I will say that the situation - heroes versus villains - is not what it seems, leading to some surprisingly relevant commentary, from celebrity culture, political PR stunts, and the revision of history in the media and even school textbooks. Anyone paying attention to the state of the world today will find their concerns and suspicions reflected here - and because this is a superhero novel, these sometimes-insidious evils will actually be addressed.
I'm so very much looking forward to the sequel, NOT YOUR VILLAIN, which will center Bells. Can't wait to read more about him; again without spoiling, the first book sets him up very well for more adventures. I'm hoping for the same mix of real-world commentary and pointed optimism. The future seems bright!
“You could say that.”
* * *
I love superheroes. I especially love superhero books where the writing is lively and engaging, and the marginalized rep is easy, inclusive and positive. I love Jess' drive to find herself and come into her own as a hero instead of standing in her sister's (and parents, to an extent) shadow. I love her resourcefulness and tenacity in the face of opposition and conspiracy from adults, and I love her and Abby's interactions and chemistry. (I also really love Bells, which is good news for me and everyone else!)
This story also has enough twists to keep readers guessing. I admit that I did see pretty much all of them coming, but not because the writing is predicable or slow - it's just that every reveal is *exactly what I would have written, and specifically wanted to see!* Always fun when a writer seems to be right inside your brain. It's not boring; it's satisfying in the best way.
Without spoiling, I will say that the situation - heroes versus villains - is not what it seems, leading to some surprisingly relevant commentary, from celebrity culture, political PR stunts, and the revision of history in the media and even school textbooks. Anyone paying attention to the state of the world today will find their concerns and suspicions reflected here - and because this is a superhero novel, these sometimes-insidious evils will actually be addressed.
I'm so very much looking forward to the sequel, NOT YOUR VILLAIN, which will center Bells. Can't wait to read more about him; again without spoiling, the first book sets him up very well for more adventures. I'm hoping for the same mix of real-world commentary and pointed optimism. The future seems bright!
ren_the_hobbit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A little bit of a slow start because of some necessary set up but so so worth it for the story! Really great and now need to go out and get the second one!
_m0's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
A light, quick read -- as I'm outside the YA/middle grade target demographic, this was a little simple, (for example, the "reveal" about M was very obvious and I guessed there was something up with Bells as well from the very beginning). The plot felt a little choppy towards the last third of the book and the end seemed very abrupt, but it's still a great story for the representation of a bi, Asian American protagonist with some diverse side characters. Might have to pick up the sequel!
excritos's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tishywishy's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while to get into this book because of the character development but I was happy I stuck it out. It was great to read a superhero ya fantasy with lgbtq characters and the author does it in a style that really reflects some of the experiences of trans and bisexual persons (although in a much more perfected environment; hey we've reached the age of superheros and self driving cars, why not proper pronouns and all sexualities being simply the norm).
katykelly's review
4.0
Heroes and villains - politics of an alternative world.
So many superhero stories are coming out currently, for toddlers to primary schools, adults of course, and here's an example of an upper-teenage read. It's an 'alternative reality' scenario, where powers have developed in an X-Men-like way, with the history the heroes a minor plot threading through the story.
Before teenagers turn 17, any power you have will manifest. Jessica is desperate for any she may have to appear, being the daughter of two superheroes. But try as she might, none seem latent within her. In the shadow of a heroic sister as well as parents, Jessica scouts around for a job and finds a rather mysterious one that means she'll be working for a rather questionable boss. For her world also contains villains...
Add to the mix Jessica's crush on her co-worker and fellow high-school student, Abby, and we have a teen fledgling-relationship story mixed into a superhero/villain set-to.
I preferred the first half to the second, at least until near the end when the action picked up - I think the middle may have sagged a little as I was listening. The world of the heroes is a good one, lots of detail through Jessica's school reading assignments, a cute crush story with two girls (for a change) handled naturally (some lovely scenes as they work together on a school project with feelings under the surface), and a growing understanding in the reader of the situation with heroes and villains and how their world sees them.
Jessica is sympathetic, a teenager surrounded by powerful, confident family members and looking to stand out in her own right. The eventual plot is actually a good one, and my full attention returned when it picked up.
The narrator of the audiobook is appropriate enough, a bright and youthful female voice conveying Jessica's vulnerable but spirited persona. It wasn't a long read. I'm not sure I'll continue with the rest of the series, but I am glad I gave this a listen. Brought a new dimension to the superhero canon.
I would recommend this to ages 14 and above. The relationship content is fairly mature but there is nothing unsuitable graphic.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
So many superhero stories are coming out currently, for toddlers to primary schools, adults of course, and here's an example of an upper-teenage read. It's an 'alternative reality' scenario, where powers have developed in an X-Men-like way, with the history the heroes a minor plot threading through the story.
Before teenagers turn 17, any power you have will manifest. Jessica is desperate for any she may have to appear, being the daughter of two superheroes. But try as she might, none seem latent within her. In the shadow of a heroic sister as well as parents, Jessica scouts around for a job and finds a rather mysterious one that means she'll be working for a rather questionable boss. For her world also contains villains...
Add to the mix Jessica's crush on her co-worker and fellow high-school student, Abby, and we have a teen fledgling-relationship story mixed into a superhero/villain set-to.
I preferred the first half to the second, at least until near the end when the action picked up - I think the middle may have sagged a little as I was listening. The world of the heroes is a good one, lots of detail through Jessica's school reading assignments, a cute crush story with two girls (for a change) handled naturally (some lovely scenes as they work together on a school project with feelings under the surface), and a growing understanding in the reader of the situation with heroes and villains and how their world sees them.
Jessica is sympathetic, a teenager surrounded by powerful, confident family members and looking to stand out in her own right. The eventual plot is actually a good one, and my full attention returned when it picked up.
The narrator of the audiobook is appropriate enough, a bright and youthful female voice conveying Jessica's vulnerable but spirited persona. It wasn't a long read. I'm not sure I'll continue with the rest of the series, but I am glad I gave this a listen. Brought a new dimension to the superhero canon.
I would recommend this to ages 14 and above. The relationship content is fairly mature but there is nothing unsuitable graphic.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
kookykoi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
May 2022: Reread in hopes of continuing on in the series. Honestly, I had forget how much fun the whole experience was?
marvelousmooch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0