Scan barcode
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
lunaballz's review against another edition
It just wasn't my thing. It felt like it was written for younger audiences that me, I couldn't really relate to the characters and never got very invested in the story. I put the book down and never picked it back up and admitted defeat after not touching it for 4 months.
Made it up to page 170
Made it up to page 170
laurenkara's review against another edition
4.0
This was the cutest superhero story I've ever witnessed. Whilst I struggled with the long chapters I absolutely flew threw the ending because it was so action packed. I loved how C.B. Lee took the ideas of "heroes and villains" and turned it on its head. I also love how this was like a "fun styled" superhero story and not all dark and gritty. It reminded me of Sky High haha!!! Jess and Abby are the cutesttt. And all the rep was so great!!
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Read for the Asian Readathon.
Dude.
Dude, this book is just not fair.
This is a super hero book. Last year, I got on a MASSIVE super power kick. Almost all of my favorite books from last year dealt with characters with super powers. Some villains, some heroes, all kick ass in different ways. AND I DUG IT.
And here we have another superhero book! People got super powers after The Disaster, where...um...a meteor hit? Or something exploded? I can't remember now, it's not important. But SO many people get super powers, they have classifications. Lifting bridges is A class, snapping your fingers and having a fantastic manicure is, like, F class. And there are MCU-style superheroes, who dress in costumes and fly and get cool cars. Secret identities, all that razza matazz.
Our main character, Jess, is a normie daughter of two superheroes. C class, but still awesome. AND they get a cool car. Jess is majorly disappointed that she didn't present with any super powers, especially since her sister is uber powerful and kind of snotty about it. But she's busy with school, her friends, and her crush, so she's nice and distracted. She gets an internship with a super secret lab in a big tech company, and life is fine.
Until she and the mysterious M blow open an enormous conspiracy that proves things are not quite what they have been led to believe.
I love this world. I love these characters. You're drowning in rep in this book, especially LGBT rep. It's exactly what I would want from a YA/Middle Grade superhero book.
Except holy sheep, the writing is. like. death..
I wouldn't even feel comfortable calling some of this stuff foreshadowing. Or hints. Calling them anvils would be unkind to every literary anvil I've ever been beaten over the head with.
I don't want to spoil anything, because this was an enjoyable read up until about halfway through when I couldn't handle it anymore. But some stuff is so painfully obvious, my 10-year old godson would pick up on it. Like, "Um, Nanny, isn't this ____?" Yes, sweetie. Yes, that's exactly what's happening here.
It's painful. So. bloody. painful.
This author seriously doesn't give enough credit to young readers.
I'm genuinely interested in moving onto the next book, which appears to be set from the perspective of Jess's best friend, Bells. I just really flipping hope we got all the hinty hinty business out of the way with this one.
Dude.
Dude, this book is just not fair.
This is a super hero book. Last year, I got on a MASSIVE super power kick. Almost all of my favorite books from last year dealt with characters with super powers. Some villains, some heroes, all kick ass in different ways. AND I DUG IT.
And here we have another superhero book! People got super powers after The Disaster, where...um...a meteor hit? Or something exploded? I can't remember now, it's not important. But SO many people get super powers, they have classifications. Lifting bridges is A class, snapping your fingers and having a fantastic manicure is, like, F class. And there are MCU-style superheroes, who dress in costumes and fly and get cool cars. Secret identities, all that razza matazz.
Our main character, Jess, is a normie daughter of two superheroes. C class, but still awesome. AND they get a cool car. Jess is majorly disappointed that she didn't present with any super powers, especially since her sister is uber powerful and kind of snotty about it. But she's busy with school, her friends, and her crush, so she's nice and distracted. She gets an internship with a super secret lab in a big tech company, and life is fine.
Until she and the mysterious M blow open an enormous conspiracy that proves things are not quite what they have been led to believe.
I love this world. I love these characters. You're drowning in rep in this book, especially LGBT rep. It's exactly what I would want from a YA/Middle Grade superhero book.
Except holy sheep, the writing is. like. death..
I wouldn't even feel comfortable calling some of this stuff foreshadowing. Or hints. Calling them anvils would be unkind to every literary anvil I've ever been beaten over the head with.
I don't want to spoil anything, because this was an enjoyable read up until about halfway through when I couldn't handle it anymore. But some stuff is so painfully obvious, my 10-year old godson would pick up on it. Like, "Um, Nanny, isn't this ____?" Yes, sweetie. Yes, that's exactly what's happening here.
It's painful. So. bloody. painful.
This author seriously doesn't give enough credit to young readers.
I'm genuinely interested in moving onto the next book, which appears to be set from the perspective of Jess's best friend, Bells. I just really flipping hope we got all the hinty hinty business out of the way with this one.
ck529's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zluke's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25