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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide
A "gritty" superhero world with all colors of gray, the central character struggles with PTSD and trying to remain a good man. The challenge is as a Power, he wants to support law and order -- and law and order has decided that Powers should remain Powerless. He was willing to obey the law, until a friend is murdered and he seems to be the next target.
No one in this story is wonderful and sweet and heroic. Heroes, to be heroes, fight against incredible odds. Odds where they can lose ... badly. Martin had been a small-time hero, than a big-time hero, then ... and then the public changed the law and he went into hiding.
Now a friend from his time as a hero has died, and Martin's hero complex demands he figure out the reason even though his power is muscles, not brain. His friend with the brain had died. Can he pull it off without a panic attack or being attacked?
Triggers abound in here. One of the villains is a mind-manipulator, and the author presented it a way four-color comics on the newspaper rack in 7-11 never could.
No one in this story is wonderful and sweet and heroic. Heroes, to be heroes, fight against incredible odds. Odds where they can lose ... badly. Martin had been a small-time hero, than a big-time hero, then ... and then the public changed the law and he went into hiding.
Now a friend from his time as a hero has died, and Martin's hero complex demands he figure out the reason even though his power is muscles, not brain. His friend with the brain had died. Can he pull it off without a panic attack or being attacked?
Triggers abound in here. One of the villains is a mind-manipulator, and the author presented it a way four-color comics on the newspaper rack in 7-11 never could.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyable read with a couple of caveats. There is a rape scene and there is a story arc which does not make too much sense nowadays.
2.5 stars
Rather more original than the usual superhero offering, this is more of a murder and thriller novel than a story about superheroes. The narrative is very gritty, and considers the possibility of what can happen if all the members of a superhero team don't actually get along with each other.
Why only 2.5 stars? In too many places it feels as though the author has dipped into the Stephen King style of dramatic effects, with exaggerated descriptions of senseless violence that goes on for too long. Regrettably, this detracts from the story, and it degenerates into a literal 'bloody mess'. Some of the plot lines also don't make a lot of sense, most notably Charles' apparent fear at being outed; by 2012 this was no longer a big deal, and his paranoia is actually more than just a bit irritating.
I felt that the author opted for dramatic effect rather than a balanced storyline, which is disappointing.
Rather more original than the usual superhero offering, this is more of a murder and thriller novel than a story about superheroes. The narrative is very gritty, and considers the possibility of what can happen if all the members of a superhero team don't actually get along with each other.
Why only 2.5 stars? In too many places it feels as though the author has dipped into the Stephen King style of dramatic effects, with exaggerated descriptions of senseless violence that goes on for too long. Regrettably, this detracts from the story, and it degenerates into a literal 'bloody mess'. Some of the plot lines also don't make a lot of sense, most notably Charles' apparent fear at being outed; by 2012 this was no longer a big deal, and his paranoia is actually more than just a bit irritating.
I felt that the author opted for dramatic effect rather than a balanced storyline, which is disappointing.