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Charlotte Powers #1
Power Down
Charlotte Powers is fifteen years old, overloaded with superpowers, and ready. Ready to start adventuring, ready to fight evil, ready to sort things out.
There's a problem, though. Not with her powers, she has super strength and super agility and phase-shifting, a combination that is unique even in BEING a combination; nobody else has ever had multiple superpowers. The problem is that her parents don't think she's ready for the world--or that the world is ready for her.
So instead of going adventuring she's sent to a nice, normal school, ostensibly to establish a Public Identity.
And that's where it all goes wrong ...
"Power Down" is the first book in the Charlotte Powers series.
There's a problem, though. Not with her powers, she has super strength and super agility and phase-shifting, a combination that is unique even in BEING a combination; nobody else has ever had multiple superpowers. The problem is that her parents don't think she's ready for the world--or that the world is ready for her.
So instead of going adventuring she's sent to a nice, normal school, ostensibly to establish a Public Identity.
And that's where it all goes wrong ...
"Power Down" is the first book in the Charlotte Powers series.
- GenresSuperheroes
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2011
About the author
Ben White
24 books31 followersAotearoan human. Writes a bit. Enjoys things sometimes.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 12, 2018
Not my usual superhero reading but I really enjoyed this one. Ben White has hit the right mark with the young hero's narration and her relationship with C2.
If you are a superhero fan give it a try and do not give up early on - you may be pleasantly surprised - I was.
If you are a superhero fan give it a try and do not give up early on - you may be pleasantly surprised - I was.
November 23, 2011
I'm torn about this one, it has a good story and set up and the characters are interesting but it feels like I'm watching a teen drama half the time.
Charlotte, as the narrator, borders on whine-about-everything and cute-rebellious-brat. There were times where I liked her kick-butt nature but a whole lot more times where I want to kick her butt. For one thing, she likes to yell. And every other page will have her CAPITALIZE something (I personally didn't like it but some might). It was cute for the first ten times but then it got old quick. Another thing is that, though there's a reason for it, a journey with Charlotte is an emotional roller coaster. She's sad, then she's happy, then she's moody, then she's a crybaby.
The ending was awesome, the beginning was okay, the middle felt like something from a high school Disney tv show. It was really hard to choke through that part. Especially how she keeps apologizing for something she'll do again anyway.
Pro: interesting though slightly cliche story, Amusing dialogue and characters, flawed main character (flaws make them more realistic!), action-packed ending, short concise chapters
Con:some things are pretty predictable (think Disney), half the story is spend reacting rather than doing something, emotional roller coaster
Overall, you'll like the story if you can muddle through it. It's a great read for small-time pleasure and it has some nice messages in it. I really think the story has potential but it still needs work. This story is more suited for teens and younger readers but readers of all age is welcome to try it out!
Won in a giveaway in return for an honest review
Charlotte, as the narrator, borders on whine-about-everything and cute-rebellious-brat. There were times where I liked her kick-butt nature but a whole lot more times where I want to kick her butt. For one thing, she likes to yell. And every other page will have her CAPITALIZE something (I personally didn't like it but some might). It was cute for the first ten times but then it got old quick. Another thing is that, though there's a reason for it, a journey with Charlotte is an emotional roller coaster. She's sad, then she's happy, then she's moody, then she's a crybaby.
The ending was awesome, the beginning was okay, the middle felt like something from a high school Disney tv show. It was really hard to choke through that part. Especially how she keeps apologizing for something she'll do again anyway.
Pro: interesting though slightly cliche story, Amusing dialogue and characters, flawed main character (flaws make them more realistic!), action-packed ending, short concise chapters
Con:some things are pretty predictable (think Disney), half the story is spend reacting rather than doing something, emotional roller coaster
Overall, you'll like the story if you can muddle through it. It's a great read for small-time pleasure and it has some nice messages in it. I really think the story has potential but it still needs work. This story is more suited for teens and younger readers but readers of all age is welcome to try it out!
Won in a giveaway in return for an honest review
September 22, 2011
Cute. Ebook-only. Probably should be considered Young Adult.
Unusual first-person narration. Here's the first sentence-and-a-half:
"I've started this journal because I intend to become the greatest superhero in the world and I thought that probably people would want to read about how I got there. I'm aware that this may SOUND arrogant, but I feel I'm justified in my ambition for the following reasons: (1) My powers are empirically awesome. (2)..."
Unusual first-person narration. Here's the first sentence-and-a-half:
"I've started this journal because I intend to become the greatest superhero in the world and I thought that probably people would want to read about how I got there. I'm aware that this may SOUND arrogant, but I feel I'm justified in my ambition for the following reasons: (1) My powers are empirically awesome. (2)..."
November 17, 2012
A fun, quick read. It was much better than I expected! I enjoyed the main character - I thought she was spunky. I also liked her best friend. I actually think a series based on C2 would be pretty good. She was intriguing. The diary format was appropriate for the story and Charlotte's "voice" was believable as a young teen superhero. I especially liked how some entries were cut off. Gave me a chuckle.
September 26, 2011
Great read. Good voice, well-told fast-moving story. Quick, satisfying, and fun. I can't wait for more of these!
The minor mention of sex (in the context of the character not being interested yet) in a handful of spots is enough for me to wait to pass it on to my little sister for a year or two.
The minor mention of sex (in the context of the character not being interested yet) in a handful of spots is enough for me to wait to pass it on to my little sister for a year or two.
February 11, 2017
Very fast read, but It wasn't the greatest book. You are reading Charlotte's journal basically and it gets kind of out of hand and was like a teenage soap opera. I wasn't tempted to finished it but it was a easy read so I finished quite fast. Really I just wanted it to be over with.... It's an interesting story line but told from the wrong perspective I think.
May 14, 2014
Power Down (Charlotte Powers #1) is a book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same, but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews