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Just Cause Universe #3
Day of the Destroyer
A CITY IN DARKNESS
FOUR LOST SOULS SEEKING A LIGHT
July 13, 1977 - The lives of four super-powered people become irrevocably intertwined when the lights go out in New York City, plunging their world into chaos. The superheroes of Just Cause, grown soft and complacent without any supervillains to challenge them, must overcome their personal demons as well as uphold the law in a lawless land of rioters, arson, and murder.
Lurking in the darkness, like evil incarnate, is the one thing that could bring the world's greatest superheroes to their knees: the force of anarchy and vengeance known as Destroyer.
FOUR LOST SOULS SEEKING A LIGHT
July 13, 1977 - The lives of four super-powered people become irrevocably intertwined when the lights go out in New York City, plunging their world into chaos. The superheroes of Just Cause, grown soft and complacent without any supervillains to challenge them, must overcome their personal demons as well as uphold the law in a lawless land of rioters, arson, and murder.
Lurking in the darkness, like evil incarnate, is the one thing that could bring the world's greatest superheroes to their knees: the force of anarchy and vengeance known as Destroyer.
316 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2013
4 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Ian Thomas Healy
95 books101 followersIan Thomas Healy is a prolific writer who dabbles in many different speculative genres. His superhero novel Deep Six: A Just Cause Novel was a Top 100 Semi-finalist in the 2008 Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award. He’s a seven-time participant and winner of National Novel Writing Month where he’s tackled such diverse subjects as sentient alien farts, competitive forklift racing, a religion-powered rabbit-themed superhero, cyberpunk mercenaries, cowboy elves, and an unlikely combination of vampires with minor league hockey. He is also the creator of the Writing Better Action Through Cinematic Techniques workshop, which helps writers to improve their action scenes.
His goal is to become as integral to the genre of superhero fiction as William Gibson was to cyberpunk and Anne Rice was to urban fantasy.
Ian lives in Colorado with his wife, three children, and a plethora of housepets. When not writing, which is rare, he likes to take road trip, enjoys watching football and hockey, and listening to or playing music. His ebooks can be found on Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, iBook Store, and other online retailers.
His goal is to become as integral to the genre of superhero fiction as William Gibson was to cyberpunk and Anne Rice was to urban fantasy.
Ian lives in Colorado with his wife, three children, and a plethora of housepets. When not writing, which is rare, he likes to take road trip, enjoys watching football and hockey, and listening to or playing music. His ebooks can be found on Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, iBook Store, and other online retailers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 11, 2014
This entertaining novel takes place over a period of 21 consecutive hours on the day of the infamous NYC blackout of 1977. The book's 21 chapters chronicle the comings and goings of heroes and villains during each hour of that ghastly night.
I enjoyed the development of the new characters (I presume existing heroes were explained in earlier installments). The action sequences were written with great dexterity as well...descriptions relied a bit too much on sight at the expense of the other senses, but it was still quite good.
Healy excels at 'humanizing' these paranormal characters. Most superheroes have a painful human past that defines them, yet their identity is so intertwined with their skills it places them in a separate caste altogether. Healy's characters are people first, superheroes second.
Throughout the reading I kept thinking that the action and pacing lend themselves for a phenomenal graphic novel! As a Librarian I often steer my weaker readers toward graphic novels before leveraging them into full print books. This novel is the perfect vehicle to make that transition!
On a personal note, I got a kick out of re-living NYC in the 1970s, when Times Square was the red-light district and the recession was evident everywhere.
I enjoyed the development of the new characters (I presume existing heroes were explained in earlier installments). The action sequences were written with great dexterity as well...descriptions relied a bit too much on sight at the expense of the other senses, but it was still quite good.
Healy excels at 'humanizing' these paranormal characters. Most superheroes have a painful human past that defines them, yet their identity is so intertwined with their skills it places them in a separate caste altogether. Healy's characters are people first, superheroes second.
Throughout the reading I kept thinking that the action and pacing lend themselves for a phenomenal graphic novel! As a Librarian I often steer my weaker readers toward graphic novels before leveraging them into full print books. This novel is the perfect vehicle to make that transition!
On a personal note, I got a kick out of re-living NYC in the 1970s, when Times Square was the red-light district and the recession was evident everywhere.
May 5, 2018
Despite having enjoyed the previous two books in this series, I must admit to being little skeptical about this installment due to it being a prequel, the main timeline had been progressing nicely and the incidents in this book had generally been covered when talking about the history of that current group. Luckily, my skepticism was unfounded and the author provided us with numerous interesting characters who really brought this story we had already heard about to life.
This book is set back in the 70's and provides details of a blackout suffered by New York and the origin of the baddie that has probably been the toughest adversary of Just Cause through several incarnations of the team, the Destroyer, a technical prodigy who is probably best described as a psychotic teenage version of Tony Stark. Besides the events involving him, the author also does a good job of showing how a superhero team deals with the different attitudes and expectations in a time with distinctly different attitudes from what we have now.
This narrator has done a good job overall with this series and mostly did so again, one nagging annoyance was the weird habit of reading the time that started each chapter as 9 o'clock am etc. rather than simply 9 o'clock or 9 am, it is only a little issue but it did grate slightly.
Overall, this was another strong entry in the Just Cause universe, but I would probably recommend the other two more highly than this one, with volume 2 being particularly strong.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
This book is set back in the 70's and provides details of a blackout suffered by New York and the origin of the baddie that has probably been the toughest adversary of Just Cause through several incarnations of the team, the Destroyer, a technical prodigy who is probably best described as a psychotic teenage version of Tony Stark. Besides the events involving him, the author also does a good job of showing how a superhero team deals with the different attitudes and expectations in a time with distinctly different attitudes from what we have now.
This narrator has done a good job overall with this series and mostly did so again, one nagging annoyance was the weird habit of reading the time that started each chapter as 9 o'clock am etc. rather than simply 9 o'clock or 9 am, it is only a little issue but it did grate slightly.
Overall, this was another strong entry in the Just Cause universe, but I would probably recommend the other two more highly than this one, with volume 2 being particularly strong.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
May 10, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I do like things to do with superheroes. Costumes are great. Masks are even better.
I didn't realise, when first requesting this book, that it was the third in a series. I still found it fairly easy to understand, though. There was some confusion a few times with the different characters, but for the most part, I understood what was going on.
Although the plot of this story wasn't really an original one, I felt that the characters (at least the heroes) definitely made this book worth reading. I even felt some sympathy towards Harlan... at least for a part of the book. (Part of me wonders if he could have turned out differently, if he'd had a bit more attention - of the good kind).
I really liked the idea of the parahumans, but I would have liked a bit more background/history of the origin of the powers. Why do some people develop powers and others don't?
One of the other things I really liked about this book was how human the characters came across as. And being superheroes didn't necessarily mean they were nice people. (I'm looking at Javelin here. I seriously wanted to punch him. I can't imagine how the other characters held back).
I especially liked Imp. There was one line in particular that startled a laugh out of me. And, besides, I particularly liked her power. It maybe wasn't the sort one might think a superhero should have, but it certainly came in handy.
I particularly liked Gretchen and Stan. I really felt sorry for Gretchen, but it seemed she came into her own through the events of the book. And Stan was the classic nice guy. I found their relationship really believable.
I have some mixed feelings about Faith. I liked her for some of the book, but I don't agree with some of the things she did.
I would have liked to see a bit more of some of the other characters. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of this series (despite the bittersweet ending of this book) and I do recommend it for a well-written superhero read.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I do like things to do with superheroes. Costumes are great. Masks are even better.
I didn't realise, when first requesting this book, that it was the third in a series. I still found it fairly easy to understand, though. There was some confusion a few times with the different characters, but for the most part, I understood what was going on.
Although the plot of this story wasn't really an original one, I felt that the characters (at least the heroes) definitely made this book worth reading. I even felt some sympathy towards Harlan... at least for a part of the book. (Part of me wonders if he could have turned out differently, if he'd had a bit more attention - of the good kind).
I really liked the idea of the parahumans, but I would have liked a bit more background/history of the origin of the powers. Why do some people develop powers and others don't?
One of the other things I really liked about this book was how human the characters came across as. And being superheroes didn't necessarily mean they were nice people. (I'm looking at Javelin here. I seriously wanted to punch him. I can't imagine how the other characters held back).
I especially liked Imp. There was one line in particular that startled a laugh out of me. And, besides, I particularly liked her power. It maybe wasn't the sort one might think a superhero should have, but it certainly came in handy.
I particularly liked Gretchen and Stan. I really felt sorry for Gretchen, but it seemed she came into her own through the events of the book. And Stan was the classic nice guy. I found their relationship really believable.
I have some mixed feelings about Faith. I liked her for some of the book, but I don't agree with some of the things she did.
I would have liked to see a bit more of some of the other characters. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of this series (despite the bittersweet ending of this book) and I do recommend it for a well-written superhero read.
May 4, 2018
I received this audiobook for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
I hadn't liked the first book of this series - Just Cause. More than a superhero story, that one had sounded like a teen romance story. And hence I hadn't bothered with the second book. But when I saw this third book in my newsletter, something told me to give this a try and I'm glad that I did.
This book is a prequel to the first book and gives a background of how the heroes reached where they are. It shows the rise of their nemesis Destroyer. Even though it doesn't change my opinion of the first book much, it does explain a few things.
fwiw, this book too had started a little slow. The characters seemed whiny and irritating. But as the book progressed, we get a closer look at their perspectives and see how they feel underappreciated and why they are the way they are.
The story structure itself was unique, as in, I haven't read any book in recent times that follows this "real-time" events. It was like reading a novel version of 24. And it was good.
The narration by Leslie Howard was a pleasure. I loved listening to her voice, narrating the different characters and conveying their emotions. It was a perfect match.
I hadn't liked the first book of this series - Just Cause. More than a superhero story, that one had sounded like a teen romance story. And hence I hadn't bothered with the second book. But when I saw this third book in my newsletter, something told me to give this a try and I'm glad that I did.
This book is a prequel to the first book and gives a background of how the heroes reached where they are. It shows the rise of their nemesis Destroyer. Even though it doesn't change my opinion of the first book much, it does explain a few things.
fwiw, this book too had started a little slow. The characters seemed whiny and irritating. But as the book progressed, we get a closer look at their perspectives and see how they feel underappreciated and why they are the way they are.
The story structure itself was unique, as in, I haven't read any book in recent times that follows this "real-time" events. It was like reading a novel version of 24. And it was good.
The narration by Leslie Howard was a pleasure. I loved listening to her voice, narrating the different characters and conveying their emotions. It was a perfect match.
May 19, 2014
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for review. The coolest city, the most colourful era, the most amazing people. This could only describe New York City in the 1970's and a novel about superheroes. The NYC blackout of 1977 is the pivotal event in this fictional novel. It took me a few chapters to get into this novel but was well worth the wait. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in a good amount of detail before delving into the main plot. The superhero characters were more enjoyable due to their "human qualities", they were fallible and flawed and were more easily definable as human beings with super powers than superheroes with flaws. I found the entire book very easy to read and once the action sequences started I didn't want to stop reading. Could easily see this book in a TV series format, and parts of it reminded me of the movie Push. All in all a very enjoyable read.
May 23, 2014
I received this book in exchange for a review. Never having read a superhero book before I didn't know what to expect. The book is well written and there is noticeable character development through the story. Most, if not all, of the superheroes have character flaws or weaknesses that make them more credible in spite of their rather fantastic superhuman abilities. The story covers less than a day and is suitably fast paced and entertaining. To a fan of this type of book the technical details of how certain things worked would probably have been of more interest than I found them.
One thing that I would take the author to task about is Gretchen. I very much doubt that a girl who had almost been raped a few hours before would have initiated such a physical relationship, as nice as Shane was, quite so soon. But then the author is male!
Despite this one little criticism I found the book entertaining and memorable and can recommend it even if, like me, you are new to this genre.
One thing that I would take the author to task about is Gretchen. I very much doubt that a girl who had almost been raped a few hours before would have initiated such a physical relationship, as nice as Shane was, quite so soon. But then the author is male!
Despite this one little criticism I found the book entertaining and memorable and can recommend it even if, like me, you are new to this genre.
February 27, 2013
What happens when a group of Superheroes feels under appreciated and unnecessary? That's the main theme this novel explores.
This is a prequel to the first two Just Cause novels, and can be read as a stand alone book. If you haven't read the others, you might want to start with this one, as it gives you some background to plot points that are touched upon in the first two books.
I found most of the Heroes here to be a bit unlikable (I suspect this it what the author was going for)...churlish, whiny, and tired of feeling dispensable. The main antogonist is somewhat sympathetic, though not enough that you root for him to succeed.
The first half of the book concentrates on the emotional and mental turmoil the protagonists are experiencing; all of the action is saved for the second half of the book, and once it starts, it never stops.
This is a solid 4.5 stars.
This is a prequel to the first two Just Cause novels, and can be read as a stand alone book. If you haven't read the others, you might want to start with this one, as it gives you some background to plot points that are touched upon in the first two books.
I found most of the Heroes here to be a bit unlikable (I suspect this it what the author was going for)...churlish, whiny, and tired of feeling dispensable. The main antogonist is somewhat sympathetic, though not enough that you root for him to succeed.
The first half of the book concentrates on the emotional and mental turmoil the protagonists are experiencing; all of the action is saved for the second half of the book, and once it starts, it never stops.
This is a solid 4.5 stars.
May 7, 2014
RATING 3.5
Day of the Destroyer is novel told from the perspective of four superhuman people whose lives intertwine inexplicably on one fated day.
What I liked
For the most part, I liked this book. Although the book started out a little sluggishly, the second half more than made up for it.
At the outset, one could feel a little disconnected, reading from four different ideas and wonder where they connect. Normally this type of reading puts me off. But in this book, the change of perspectives was managed quite gracefully. The Author's narrative had almost no flaw.
Mr. Healy's prime objective seemed to have been creating relatable characters, and on that front, he has excelled. We have super heroes who no longer feel like heroes. They are party animals, drug addicts, glorified cops and poster girls. But the hero tag seems to be missing.
Needless to say it is the characters which really brought out the story, at least for me.
Some things I didn't like
Conclusion
Overall, it is a pretty good book. Well written, with a good plot, the novel will interest any comic book lover, as well as most bibliophiles.
But what hooked me in completely were the characters. They really were the best part. These people weren't just super heroes, they were spouses, lovers, friends, colleagues and finally, just men and women trying to make the most of their lives. They were what made the story real. It's depth of the characters that made up wherever the skill of narrative feel short.
Day of the Destroyer is novel told from the perspective of four superhuman people whose lives intertwine inexplicably on one fated day.
What I liked
For the most part, I liked this book. Although the book started out a little sluggishly, the second half more than made up for it.
At the outset, one could feel a little disconnected, reading from four different ideas and wonder where they connect. Normally this type of reading puts me off. But in this book, the change of perspectives was managed quite gracefully. The Author's narrative had almost no flaw.
Mr. Healy's prime objective seemed to have been creating relatable characters, and on that front, he has excelled. We have super heroes who no longer feel like heroes. They are party animals, drug addicts, glorified cops and poster girls. But the hero tag seems to be missing.
Needless to say it is the characters which really brought out the story, at least for me.
Some things I didn't like
Conclusion
Overall, it is a pretty good book. Well written, with a good plot, the novel will interest any comic book lover, as well as most bibliophiles.
But what hooked me in completely were the characters. They really were the best part. These people weren't just super heroes, they were spouses, lovers, friends, colleagues and finally, just men and women trying to make the most of their lives. They were what made the story real. It's depth of the characters that made up wherever the skill of narrative feel short.
May 26, 2014
DAY OF THE DESTROYER
Ian Thomas Healy
(This review is a return for the free copy of the ebook version of DoD)
Quite compelling story! In the beginning I found it was a bit strange that super hero identity and headquarter are known publicly and unhidden. But I then realize that my ideas about how superheroes story should have been shaped by the standard/regular superheroes industry. So, after reading a few chapters I started to get used to the concept of 'Just Cause' super hero a la Healy and found it as interesting.
Although the characters have quite interesting relationship among each other, I feel like wanting to know more about the personality and story of each super hero, harlan, harlan's mother, Irlene, Reggie, Gretchen, and Shane. (Maybe its more elaborated in other series of the Just Cause series?)
To me, Harlan creates sympathy, admiration and fear at once. The more I read about Harlan the more I felt like adoring the persistence and high self-learning part of himself until the point when he actually showed his scary part of personality. Then the admiration to the great side of him started to changed into worries, and ended up with fear by the time the whole city suffered from a total black out which lead to the most interesting parts of the whole story.. Regardless, Harlan still stole my heart for his heart-warming and touching parts with his little sister Reggie. Actually the relationship between Harlan and Reggie is my favorite relationship in the story, other than the relationship between Tommy and Javier. I love and respect Tommy's character, and feel like wanna kick Javier ass!)
The plot is quite interesting since I find some easy-to-guess and expected things, but I also found some of the scene are unexpected, so it has its challenges which makes the whole story is intriguing. The beginning of story is appealing to me, it kept me reading until after a few pages, things started to be a little bit confusing (especially with the characters), but I kept reading and the story re-grabbed my attention. I would say after 1/3 of the story I found that I didn't wanna put the book down!
It's so warm-hearting to see Shane's character, his personality is very believable and needed. I felt so happy to see Gretchen was in the right hand..the big relieve was the 'after shower moment' of Gretchen at his Shane's place (Thanks to Elizabeth – she is a real friend!).
Overall, the story was well written, easy to understand, gives more color to the superheroes story industry, and..potentially to steal many people's hearts.
Thanks Read it & Reap!
Ian Thomas Healy
(This review is a return for the free copy of the ebook version of DoD)
Quite compelling story! In the beginning I found it was a bit strange that super hero identity and headquarter are known publicly and unhidden. But I then realize that my ideas about how superheroes story should have been shaped by the standard/regular superheroes industry. So, after reading a few chapters I started to get used to the concept of 'Just Cause' super hero a la Healy and found it as interesting.
Although the characters have quite interesting relationship among each other, I feel like wanting to know more about the personality and story of each super hero, harlan, harlan's mother, Irlene, Reggie, Gretchen, and Shane. (Maybe its more elaborated in other series of the Just Cause series?)
To me, Harlan creates sympathy, admiration and fear at once. The more I read about Harlan the more I felt like adoring the persistence and high self-learning part of himself until the point when he actually showed his scary part of personality. Then the admiration to the great side of him started to changed into worries, and ended up with fear by the time the whole city suffered from a total black out which lead to the most interesting parts of the whole story.. Regardless, Harlan still stole my heart for his heart-warming and touching parts with his little sister Reggie. Actually the relationship between Harlan and Reggie is my favorite relationship in the story, other than the relationship between Tommy and Javier. I love and respect Tommy's character, and feel like wanna kick Javier ass!)
The plot is quite interesting since I find some easy-to-guess and expected things, but I also found some of the scene are unexpected, so it has its challenges which makes the whole story is intriguing. The beginning of story is appealing to me, it kept me reading until after a few pages, things started to be a little bit confusing (especially with the characters), but I kept reading and the story re-grabbed my attention. I would say after 1/3 of the story I found that I didn't wanna put the book down!
It's so warm-hearting to see Shane's character, his personality is very believable and needed. I felt so happy to see Gretchen was in the right hand..the big relieve was the 'after shower moment' of Gretchen at his Shane's place (Thanks to Elizabeth – she is a real friend!).
Overall, the story was well written, easy to understand, gives more color to the superheroes story industry, and..potentially to steal many people's hearts.
Thanks Read it & Reap!
April 12, 2021
Wow, I just loved this book. This is book three and so far the previous books have followed the hero Mustang Sally. We have been introduced to most of the characters in passing and know the circumstance but this book follows Sally's mother Pony girl and her team mates as they battle Destroyer. The story is told by multiple characters but each plays important roles in the out come. I think this is a great addition to the series because there was so more than what we had all ready learned. The story fleshed out the background story to the characters. The characters once again were well developed and the author has you caring about what happened to them in just a few pages and with plenty of ups and downs, twists and action it had me hooked until the very end. Can't wait to start the next book.
With most of the super villains dead or in jail the Just Cause super hero team have become complacent and are know how more for great parties rather than saving the day. So they are not prepared for a power cut that plunges the whole city into darkness. Looting and lawlessness breaks out, can Pony girl and her fellow hero's get it under control of has all the partying left even them venerable? At the same time a teenage girls powers emerges when she is distressed with disastrous consequences, she makes her way the Just Cause headquarters seeking help, with the FBI hot on her trail. A teenage boy fed up with being bullied is pushed over the edge and he has the technological knowledge to make a bad and dangerous situation even worse.
I like the narrator. She does a great job and gives each character there own voice which helps bring the story alive. She is the same narrator for the previous books but not once did I picture the original characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
With most of the super villains dead or in jail the Just Cause super hero team have become complacent and are know how more for great parties rather than saving the day. So they are not prepared for a power cut that plunges the whole city into darkness. Looting and lawlessness breaks out, can Pony girl and her fellow hero's get it under control of has all the partying left even them venerable? At the same time a teenage girls powers emerges when she is distressed with disastrous consequences, she makes her way the Just Cause headquarters seeking help, with the FBI hot on her trail. A teenage boy fed up with being bullied is pushed over the edge and he has the technological knowledge to make a bad and dangerous situation even worse.
I like the narrator. She does a great job and gives each character there own voice which helps bring the story alive. She is the same narrator for the previous books but not once did I picture the original characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
May 5, 2018
Overall: 4 stars Performance: 5 stars Story: 3 Stars
My review is based on the Audiobook. Day of the Destroyer is a great prequel. It is interesting to read how Destroyer began. I actually feel bad for him at some points. I enjoyed all of the characters new and old. I took 2 stars off the story because of the unnecessary and out of place sex scenes that did nothing to advance the story. I get that it takes place in the 70's but it could be tones down a little. Also I did not like how one of the characters was raped and then a few days later is throwing herself at and having sex with a guy she just met. I understand she is grateful to this guy for helping her in a time of need however she was a virgin when she was raped so it is extremely uncharacteristic of her to be promiscuous. I would seriously recommend the author re-write her part to show how a real rape victim would behave. Other than that The narration is great with good pacing and easy to understand character voices. I look forward to more in the series.
My review is based on the Audiobook. Day of the Destroyer is a great prequel. It is interesting to read how Destroyer began. I actually feel bad for him at some points. I enjoyed all of the characters new and old. I took 2 stars off the story because of the unnecessary and out of place sex scenes that did nothing to advance the story. I get that it takes place in the 70's but it could be tones down a little. Also I did not like how one of the characters was raped and then a few days later is throwing herself at and having sex with a guy she just met. I understand she is grateful to this guy for helping her in a time of need however she was a virgin when she was raped so it is extremely uncharacteristic of her to be promiscuous. I would seriously recommend the author re-write her part to show how a real rape victim would behave. Other than that The narration is great with good pacing and easy to understand character voices. I look forward to more in the series.
August 2, 2022
This book is a big improvement on the other two. Action and a good old fashioned storyline.
Also shows where mustang sally gets her pathetic little crushes from - the only storyline that really did not work, I don't know why the author bothered with it.
I was about to give up on the series but this will keep me going
Also shows where mustang sally gets her pathetic little crushes from - the only storyline that really did not work, I don't know why the author bothered with it.
I was about to give up on the series but this will keep me going
January 24, 2018
A fast-paced recounting of how the Destroyer came to be complete with some history of older members of Just Cause. I like how we see Harlan as a manipulative psychopath; how he sees himself as above those around him the way most psychopaths do. I also like how the heroes aren't all shiny and perfect. They all have personality flaws: unfaithfulness, self destructive behavior, drug addiction, succumbing to nihilism, etc.
What I didn't like, and what cost a star or two for my rating, is how the FBI agents are painted as psychopathic political conservatives. Their political identity didn't need to play into their action whatsoever. They could have just been dirty cops and been left at that. The political hit job was childish. I don't mind an author trying to make a political statement, but simplistic strawman arguments don't help anyone.
What I didn't like, and what cost a star or two for my rating, is how the FBI agents are painted as psychopathic political conservatives. Their political identity didn't need to play into their action whatsoever. They could have just been dirty cops and been left at that. The political hit job was childish. I don't mind an author trying to make a political statement, but simplistic strawman arguments don't help anyone.
November 28, 2022
Love it when heroes are "fleshed out" and given personalities when the capes are off. Author HEALY did that and gave me a story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The man/woman behind the mask, and fist to face action, OH, YEAH!
May 29, 2014
To be frank I thought the concept for this book was really good at least until I started reading it. I generally steer clear of books in the middle of a series for the reasons I'll explain. First, characters and background is already established giving me very little as far as growth and expanding my interest in the story. Secondly, I always feel a disconnect when starting a book in the middle of series like this one. Thirdly, new characters sometimes don't add to the story like they would had I started this series from the beginning.
I found this book to be boring despite a really good concept. For me, the characters fell flat and were just uninteresting. The backstory given for Just Cause Heroes~they already beat the villians and there was no one to really fight instead they party and patrol the city to make their presence known. The only character I really got invested in was Gretchen Gumm. She is a new parahuman with newly discovered abilities. She carried the story the last 150 pages of the book.
As I said the concept is what interested me in the first place. The author has created an interesting universe but one that I'm not likely to revisit even to go back to the first book to complete the series. I wish the author well in his writing adventures. Maybe for someone else this story will resonate for them just doesn't work for me.
I found this book to be boring despite a really good concept. For me, the characters fell flat and were just uninteresting. The backstory given for Just Cause Heroes~they already beat the villians and there was no one to really fight instead they party and patrol the city to make their presence known. The only character I really got invested in was Gretchen Gumm. She is a new parahuman with newly discovered abilities. She carried the story the last 150 pages of the book.
As I said the concept is what interested me in the first place. The author has created an interesting universe but one that I'm not likely to revisit even to go back to the first book to complete the series. I wish the author well in his writing adventures. Maybe for someone else this story will resonate for them just doesn't work for me.
August 19, 2014
Disclaimer: I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review
I'm not entirely sure what to give this book. I did enjoy it although it wasn't what I expected and I found myself disliking many of the superheroes as they came across as whiney and a bit pathetic. Even the villain had the same attributes.
My favourite character was Reggie, I really liked her and thought she was brilliant, even though she wasn't in most of it.
If I could, I'd probably give this 3.5 stars but I just didn't enjoy it enough for 4, sorry. However, I probably would read another book by Ian Thomas Healy and give him another go.
I'm not entirely sure what to give this book. I did enjoy it although it wasn't what I expected and I found myself disliking many of the superheroes as they came across as whiney and a bit pathetic. Even the villain had the same attributes.
My favourite character was Reggie, I really liked her and thought she was brilliant, even though she wasn't in most of it.
If I could, I'd probably give this 3.5 stars but I just didn't enjoy it enough for 4, sorry. However, I probably would read another book by Ian Thomas Healy and give him another go.
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