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lvh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.0
aschephnx's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. I love this series and this was a great addition to the series. You really can't go wrong when you mix Zombies and Super Heroes! Would recommend the entire series!
charles__'s review against another edition
3.0
Fifth in the Ex-Heroes series. This is more of the same as [b:Ex-Heroes|16479439|Ex-Heroes (Ex-Heroes, #1)|Peter Clines|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360646185s/16479439.jpg|10753679].
Its always a plus that the author does not spend a lot prose on filling in the backstory of the previous books. Although, you really should have read them to be reading this book. Otherwise, generally the book is as described in my review of the series's first book. (My review.)
This story takes place away from The Mount and the majority cast of characters. In this book its two-person POV, toggling back and forth between St. George and Cerberus with some Corpse Girl mixed-in. The author seems to change the POV-style, with each book. The major (and more interesting) plot is about the Anti-Mount. The scenario for superhero abuse of their power(s) in the aftermath of the Zombie apocalypse. In a previous review, I asked for more of Danielle's story; I got it. Her coping with her PTSD-like symptoms makes up the other major plot line. In general, this book was the most graphic novel like of all the books, in not trying to be be philosophical.
With this book, the series is five-books in. Thankfully, its not collapsing beneath its own weight. However, the author has been quoted saying he thinks there are going to be seven books. The series's books in the series are always rather slim. I'm frankly wondering how he is going to 'wrap-it-up' so quickly, given the meandering nature of the stories in the last few books?
This series is quick-to-read, trope-ridden, light entertainment. I enjoy the use and abuse of comic book super hero canons and the melodrama. If you don't know anything about comic books, zombie-lit and popular media you'll miss a lot. I'll be waiting for the next in the series. Given the author's publishing history with the series, I assume that will be in either 2017 or 2018.
Its always a plus that the author does not spend a lot prose on filling in the backstory of the previous books. Although, you really should have read them to be reading this book. Otherwise, generally the book is as described in my review of the series's first book. (My review.)
This story takes place away from The Mount and the majority cast of characters. In this book its two-person POV, toggling back and forth between St. George and Cerberus with some Corpse Girl mixed-in. The author seems to change the POV-style, with each book. The major (and more interesting) plot is about the Anti-Mount. The scenario for superhero abuse of their power(s) in the aftermath of the Zombie apocalypse. In a previous review, I asked for more of Danielle's story; I got it. Her coping with her PTSD-like symptoms makes up the other major plot line. In general, this book was the most graphic novel like of all the books, in not trying to be be philosophical.
With this book, the series is five-books in. Thankfully, its not collapsing beneath its own weight. However, the author has been quoted saying he thinks there are going to be seven books. The series's books in the series are always rather slim. I'm frankly wondering how he is going to 'wrap-it-up' so quickly, given the meandering nature of the stories in the last few books?
This series is quick-to-read, trope-ridden, light entertainment. I enjoy the use and abuse of comic book super hero canons and the melodrama. If you don't know anything about comic books, zombie-lit and popular media you'll miss a lot. I'll be waiting for the next in the series. Given the author's publishing history with the series, I assume that will be in either 2017 or 2018.
dandyfiasco's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sbsenpai's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to my friend, I've been a long time fan of the Ex-Heroes series. This book didn't disappoint me! Full of action, twists, and development. Please read the first book, if you haven't already! Note: Despite this series having superheroes, it's not for kids!
larsdradrach's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best installment in the series, it's becoming a bit repetitious.
What still makes it enjoyable are the easy flow of the narration, the humor and the brilliant audio production.
What still makes it enjoyable are the easy flow of the narration, the humor and the brilliant audio production.
vinayvasan's review against another edition
3.0
Well it did seem inevitable. Given the extraordinarily high bar, that Clines has set for this series, we would get an installment that wouldnt reach that level.
To be very fair though, Ex-Isles does what the previous books does pretty well. Pack in tons of action, develop the world further and introduce another different villain but 5 books into the series, you want to see an overarching theme and some amount of character development for the lead character who is still pretty cool btw. The new villain is a take on Aquaman and Clines has good fun developing him though his inevitable final conflict resolution is a bit limp and its a strange decision from our heroes.
Corpse Girl and Danielle get a good share of character development. Corpse Girl discovers a bunch of new things about herself while Danielle goes through the wringer being out of armor. The development behind the super soldiers promises to be explored in detail in the upcoming books.
As of now, this book kind of does tread water but still no one does action better than Clines and a reason to pick this book and series up
To be very fair though, Ex-Isles does what the previous books does pretty well. Pack in tons of action, develop the world further and introduce another different villain but 5 books into the series, you want to see an overarching theme and some amount of character development for the lead character who is still pretty cool btw. The new villain is a take on Aquaman and Clines has good fun developing him though his inevitable final conflict resolution is a bit limp and its a strange decision from our heroes.
Corpse Girl and Danielle get a good share of character development. Corpse Girl discovers a bunch of new things about herself while Danielle goes through the wringer being out of armor. The development behind the super soldiers promises to be explored in detail in the upcoming books.
As of now, this book kind of does tread water but still no one does action better than Clines and a reason to pick this book and series up
robinbridgefour's review against another edition
4.0
Peter Clines is on my Underrated Authors List
His books tend to be a great blend of pop culture humor, suspense, action and just flat out weirdness at times. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again he really gives me a J.J. Abrams kind of vibe and I love it.
The Ex-Heroes series is a really cool Superheroes meets Zombies mash up and I totally love it. I’m not even a huge fan of superhero or zombie books but these totally speak to me. Probably because they remind me a little of the feelings I used to have when I watched LOST or Fringe.
Imagine a world where there is an ‘event’ that created superheroes and then later there is a zombie apocalypse. It is like a summer blockbuster in book form. I enjoy the flashbacks to before the zombies came getting glimpses of the characters’ lives before everything became a bit screwed up.
Most improved character goes to……Barry a.k.a. Zappp. He got all the best lines in this and I loved the little trio of adventurers that went to meet the newly discovered colony of people.
Barry, St. George and Corpse Girl go off to try and talk to the people on the waterworldesk contraptions and it seems like not everything is great on the good ship lollipop. The people seem a little off somehow and soon our trio of superheroes is in the middle of a colossal mess.
The banter with the trio is great. Between Barry’s pop culture one liners and Corpse girls semi morbid sense of humor mixed with teenage enthusiasm they were the story line I enjoyed the most.
Meanwhile back on the main land the colony in Los Angeles is getting ready to make a move to an area that is easier to grow food and leave the L.A movie studio lot they’ve been living in behind. But there is still some work to do and so Danielle is forced out of her comfort zone and has to face her issues with agoraphobia to go into the great outdoors to prepare things. Except it seems that the super soldiers they brought with them are acting a little strange too and with the mix of people that came along there might be a little tension happening in the group that could lead to things going horribly wrong. I mean a farm area surrounded by a chain-link fence to keep the zombies out what could possibly happen.
Overall
This series is just a lot of fun and pretty different than anything else out there I’m reading currently. So if you are looking for something that is a bit fun and maybe a little different from everything else you are reading right now I say give Clines a shot.
Audio Note THE AUDIO IS FANTASTIC…most of it is done with a compilation cast and it has a few of my favorites. Jay Snyder sounds like the announcer in a summer blockbuster trailer. Khristine Hvam who I have loved since listening to Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Mark Boyett just to round out the great cast.
Pre-Read Review:
SUPERHEROES AND ZOMBIES....with the addition of a great audio cast.
His books tend to be a great blend of pop culture humor, suspense, action and just flat out weirdness at times. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again he really gives me a J.J. Abrams kind of vibe and I love it.
The Ex-Heroes series is a really cool Superheroes meets Zombies mash up and I totally love it. I’m not even a huge fan of superhero or zombie books but these totally speak to me. Probably because they remind me a little of the feelings I used to have when I watched LOST or Fringe.
Imagine a world where there is an ‘event’ that created superheroes and then later there is a zombie apocalypse. It is like a summer blockbuster in book form. I enjoy the flashbacks to before the zombies came getting glimpses of the characters’ lives before everything became a bit screwed up.
Most improved character goes to……Barry a.k.a. Zappp. He got all the best lines in this and I loved the little trio of adventurers that went to meet the newly discovered colony of people.
“What’s it like, this island? Is it a lot of boats or rafts or what?”
Barry set down his bowl, swept up a legal pad and a pen, and began to sketch quick outlines. “Boats,” he said. “It’s kind of like Waterworld. But, y’know, believable. Or maybe the Drexel colony.”
Barry, St. George and Corpse Girl go off to try and talk to the people on the waterworldesk contraptions and it seems like not everything is great on the good ship lollipop. The people seem a little off somehow and soon our trio of superheroes is in the middle of a colossal mess.
The banter with the trio is great. Between Barry’s pop culture one liners and Corpse girls semi morbid sense of humor mixed with teenage enthusiasm they were the story line I enjoyed the most.
“Actually,” said Barry, tossing the dried meat to the Corpse Girl, “did anyone ever check out the Playboy Mansion? It’s in LA, right?”
“Yeah,” said St. George. “But I don’t know where. I’m pretty sure I’ve never been there, though.”
“It’s got the big pool. The Grotto. And a lot of zombie Playmates. You’d know.”
“Y’know what,” said Madelyn, tearing off a chunk of jerky, “you two guys just go right along talking about the Playboy Mansion in front of the teenage girl. There’s nothing skeevy about it at all.”
Meanwhile back on the main land the colony in Los Angeles is getting ready to make a move to an area that is easier to grow food and leave the L.A movie studio lot they’ve been living in behind. But there is still some work to do and so Danielle is forced out of her comfort zone and has to face her issues with agoraphobia to go into the great outdoors to prepare things. Except it seems that the super soldiers they brought with them are acting a little strange too and with the mix of people that came along there might be a little tension happening in the group that could lead to things going horribly wrong. I mean a farm area surrounded by a chain-link fence to keep the zombies out what could possibly happen.
Overall
This series is just a lot of fun and pretty different than anything else out there I’m reading currently. So if you are looking for something that is a bit fun and maybe a little different from everything else you are reading right now I say give Clines a shot.
Audio Note THE AUDIO IS FANTASTIC…most of it is done with a compilation cast and it has a few of my favorites. Jay Snyder sounds like the announcer in a summer blockbuster trailer. Khristine Hvam who I have loved since listening to Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Mark Boyett just to round out the great cast.
Pre-Read Review:
SUPERHEROES AND ZOMBIES....with the addition of a great audio cast.
thorlowe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0