Suddenly Super

by Jen Calonita

What if Violet became an agent of Syndrome?

Fourteen-year-old Violet Parr lives by two rules: hide her superpowers, and blend in. But when a mysterious woman named Mirage claims that her parents have been killed by the National Super Agency, Violet realises everything she thought she knew about her life might be a lie.

The only person that can protect Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack is the powerful Syndrome, who says that he's Mr Incredible's biggest fan...

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fairy Tales, Romance

363 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Hi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).

I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!

I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.

I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.

I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!

xo
Jen

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

I liked it at first but I hit a wall with the writing and I felt like I wanted to hide from the story.. that make sense?

I had an icky feeling with syndrome's plot so well done there.
The Icky feeling didn't go away 😕 though.. not saying anything bad, but this is just my experience.

There was also the feeling of so many pieces missing, and the writing at times didn't make sense.

It definitely had potential, but, at least for me, it wasn't there.

I'll probably check out the author's other work at some point.. with Mount tbr being so high *shrugs * not sure when.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just watched the movie The Incredibles for the first time not too long ago, and after watching the movie, I decided it was time to read the Twisted Tale version of it. I’m glad I did because the book would have made NO SENSE without knowing the source material. This one was interesting because it was similar to the movie except that Violet ends up unwittingly helping Syndrome instead of her father. I liked seeing Violet become more confident in herself. As with the movie, my favorite character was baby Jack-Jack. I also liked seeing more of Kari the babysitter. Another solid installment in the Twisted Tales series.

Seriously, Jack-Jack is great! Look how happy he is!

[Atlanta Colling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not gonna lie when I say I was so excited to read this Twisted Tale! When they originally announced The Incredibles 2, I went to see it the weekend of release (using my cousin as an excuse to see it 😂) so I’m defo a fan of the movies.

This twisted tale is mainly focused on Violet as she becomes an Agent of Syndrome who as we all know is the bad guy.

This is a perfect addition to the Twisted Tales series!

[✨Lauren✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Incredibles is one of my favourite Pixar films so when I heard that it was getting the Twisted Tales treatment, I was really looking forward to finding out what they were going to do to switch things up. Fair to say I wasn’t disappointed. The story focuses on the Parr children (Violet especially) and what happens when Syndrome takes them under his wing and trains them to help him carry out a secret mission. I personally really liked this concept and how it gave a fresh perspective on the original film, making it more interesting and exciting. Violet goes through a journey of self-discovery throughout the book and starts to gain more confidence in herself and her abilities, which was great. There were a few nods to other Pixar films within the story too (without giving too much away they involve a van and a seaside restaurant), which I thought was really clever. On the whole, Suddenly Super is a great addition to the Twisted Tales series and makes one of my favourite Disney films even better.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic retelling, and it's the first that the original was the movie that it's retelling, I'm pretty sure, and I had such a great time reading it!

[Joshua · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have several, SEVERAL, problems with this book:

1. Mirage has worked for Syndrome for 6 months. But also 2 years. But also 1 year. This is just one of the MANY inconsistencies this book has.
2. Why do these American superheros all talk like British people? How hard is it to swap out the words "mum" and "biscuit" for "mom" and "cookie"?
3. Too much Mirage. I mean, I love Mirage in the movie, but this book fucking ruined her so it would have been better to leave her out as much as possible.
4. Not enough Mastermind. Mastermind was straight up the best character in this book.
4.5. But I know for a FACT she was referred to as HE several times by people who were supposed to know who she was before the big reveal that she is, in fact, a woman. I feel like the author probably just didn't decide she was going to be a woman until she got to that part.
5. (Chanting:) Plot holes Plot holes Plot holes!
6. Not enough Jack Jack.
7. Why would this book end on a cliffhanger when we all know there's never going to be a sequel?

[SplatterGunk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is such a missed opportunity. Sadly most of these Disney “Twisted Tales” books are, but this one is a hard missed opportunity.

You can tell a story to a younger audience without writing it in a tone that talks down to the audience or oversimplifies everything. Have faith in your audience to understand the material and understand context.

I have also read fanfiction with less plot holes and better sequence planning. For a world of superheroes, this narrative is entirely too convenient and the ending is entirely too rushed for this to be the level of intense or enjoyable it’s trying to come across as.

Also would have been worth at least one more star if Monique or Mirage had actually been Mastermind the whole time

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that definitely fit with the movie. It was cool to see how the characters, Violet specifically, adapted to the new roles. It was cool to see a bit more backstory for Mirage as well.

[Laura.has.too.many.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

* This is a standalone and therefore unrelated to the other Twisted Tales books.

Violet Parr has always hidden her powers and tried to blend in with the regular humans, but her Super powers sometimes have a kind of their own and therefore she is always on her guard. But when her mother mysteriously disappears to get her dad from a conference and does not return, leaving Violet with her little brothers and a strange woman claiming she will be attacked by a Super Villain soon. Violet and her brothers leave with the strange woman, since her boss Syndrome claims he can help to solve all Violets problems if she goes on a mission for him.

Pro's:
+ This is a very linear hero-story and even though there were multiple POV, the story stayed on the same timeline and following the same pace. It made the story very easy to follow and very enjoyable to read.
+ I like how teenage-y Violet is in this story, all the woo's of teenagers are mentioned and still she goes through a lot of adult emotions and processes, making this also a fun book for adults to read. It caters to a lot of readers and I think that is quite exceptional for a story like this.

Con's:
- I never found The Incredibles very interesting and as a result I've never seen the movie. That means I have no point of reference for this book. Even in this book the characters don't really do anything for me and the villain is not even that impressive or impactful.

This was a very easy story to follow and to read, even when The Incredibles is a movie/ characters that never were able to capture my attention. It is a very basic hero-story in a nutshell, but there is enough action to capture your attention until the end of the book. I've never seen the movie, not am I now interested to, and therefore I cannot comment to this book in comparison to the movie. It was basic fun for young and older readers and if you like the Disney universe this book will be fun enough for you.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

[2.5 stars]

When I picked up signs that my favorite introverted superhero on the planet was being a full-blown introvert, I knew I'd have high hopes for this book. However, this one didn't quite meet my expectations. About halfway through the book, I felt like so many elements were missing and not up to par(r) (no pun intended). I'm sad to say that I almost didn't finish the book.

Firstly, where did Edna Mode go?! My favorite eccentric designer (sorry, Cruella, you're second), who plays a crucial role in plot development, was completely missing. She could have at least been mentioned when Dash and Violet found the supersuits, and she could've helped them develop their powers and escape from Syndrome and Mirage! She'd have been the most incredible (wink, wink) addition to the plot if the author had considered using her pure genius and comedic wit.

I would have also loved to see more of how Violet and Dash value their family and realize that their family is what makes them Super - not their powers, exactly, but the teamwork, support, and love they have for each other is what makes the Incredibles such an awesome team in the movies. I don't think this message shone through quite so much, as we focused more on Violet's internal fear and struggle with having powers than her family dynamic being explored. Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl being MIA for three-quarters of the plot doesn't help with the lack of family fluff to make this book truly shine.

I also would have enjoyed a new revelation from Violet after she escapes Syndrome. The supervillain taught her to control her powers using rage and grief over the supposed loss of her parents, but what if she realized that love and the urge to protect rather than destroy could also channel her powers? That would have been a better lesson and moral to bring into the story, rather than just basing Violet's entire character arc on realizing that her powers aren't bad after all.

(Don't think you can sneak the mention of Brad Bird past me, though.)

[Yashoda Jaikaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Violet was lowkey so annoying

[Merel Van · Rating 2 out of 5]

+ Loved to read more about Syndromes plans and gadgets.
- The story started in a very slow pace.
- Would have liked to read the perspective of many other characters.
- Predictable and lack of excitement.

[Worm of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely in my top three out of the series. I really enjoyed how Violet took charge and I like the villain Master Mind she was awesome as well for the small role she had in the book. Overall, really fun read.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice fun easy read!

[Nele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an easy read. I just wanted more.
And more Jack-Jack please.

[Ckat Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) New favorite Twisted Tale!

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like it needed at least another 3 chapters for the end battle. Didn't hate it, I just wanted more of it.

Loved the rest of the story, too, plus the addition of Violet's friends.

[Nyla Diilio · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who absolutely loves The Incredibles, I went into this one super excited, and overall, it was definitely a fun read.

The storyline was honestly one of the strongest parts for me, I really loved the twist on such a familiar world, and seeing these characters in a different light made it feel fresh and exciting. It had that nostalgic feel while still bringing something new, which I really appreciated. The action, family dynamics, and bigger stakes kept me invested, and it was easy to stay engaged because I genuinely wanted to see how everything would play out.

That being said, there were definitely a few moments where I felt a little confused. Mirage and her role in everything sometimes felt a bit unclear, and there were points where I had to pause and piece together exactly what was going on. Some of the dialogue also got a little messy during heavier back-and-forth conversations, and there were times when I wasn’t fully sure who was speaking, which pulled me out of the story a bit.

Still, despite those confusing moments, I really did enjoy it. It was entertaining, creative, and a great concept for fans of the original movie. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was still a solid read with enough nostalgia, intrigue, and emotional depth to make it worth it. If you’re already a fan of The Incredibles, this is definitely a fun twist on a beloved story.

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, enjoyable read, even though it felt a bit contrived.
I was questioning some character decisions, and I had to keep reminding myself that Violet was 14. Syndrome was a creep and Mirage was annoying. Dash and Jack Jack were the best parts of this book.
There were a few plot holes such as how long Mirage had worked for Syndrome. And I'm sure the book called Mastermind a man at the beginning, but a woman at the end. oh well. It was fun nonetheless

[Leighann Word · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first “twisted tale” book I’ve read so far and it was good!! I’ve never been a huge fan of The Incredibles movies but this was a cute book filled with adventure and action! Perfect for kids/young adults but also the adult Disney lovers out there (including me).
It had a good message to it too! You have to make mistakes and learn from them… but also, trust your intuition!

[Lilly Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet was my favorite character in the incredibles movie with so much unused powers. So in this book I was expecting her to find her true power and use it. She did use it but she wasn’t the one to save the day at the end of the book which kind of threw me off.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story is action-packed and described in great detail, providing a vivid depiction throughout, the writing style gets a bit too lengthy and tedious. Nonetheless, the tone of naiveté adopted throughout the story was a sweet touch.

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished "Suddenly Super." It is totally awesome, one of the best, if not the best "Twisted Tale" I've read. The plot is authentic enough to be fully enjoyed, but twisted enough to fit both categories.

[Alison Solberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick and easy read. I like how different the story was to the original but it still sort of paralleled it. I wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed though.

[Sam Riner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot for the life of me figure out why this isn't being released in the United States. Violet calling her mom "Mum" gives me hives. But I'm glad I own it. I'll consider this Jen's redemption and only give her books going forward a small side eye.

[Hannahk Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this take on the Incredibles! I wasn’t sure about this book but it got really good!

[CourtOfBooksandPixieDust · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Violet is one of my favorite Pixar characters so I was really looking forward to this one! I thought the twist on the story where Violet and her brothers get trained by Syndrome was really interesting. The only thing I missed was probably more scenes with the rest of the family and Frozone for example as they only make short appearances in the book. Also loved the Easter eggs and nods to other Pixar movies.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If only he could see the look on Mr Incredible’s face when he realised his Super children were now super villains.”

Fourteen-year-old Violet Parr lives by two rules: hide her superpowers, and blend in. But when a mysterious woman named Mirage claims that her parents have been killed by the National Super Agency, Violet realises everything she thought she knew about her life might be a lie. The only person that can protect Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack is the powerful Syndrome, who says that he's Mr Incredible's biggest fan...

We get to see a different side of Violet in this book compared to the Violet we see in the film. Here she’s cautious, scared of her unpredictable powers and their implications. All she wants is to be normal and keep her family safe. I really liked getting to see a vulnerable version of Violet. It helped spur the story along but also helped her feel realistic. No teenager would suddenly feel confident in their abilities, regardless of what someone told them, and Violet sticks with this. She is hesitant at first before finding what works for her at her own pace. She’s inquisitive, ensuring that her and her brothers’ best interests are at heart and when they aren’t, she fights like hell to ensure their safety. I think this was the perfect version of Violet.
I much preferred this version of Mirage to the one we see in the film too. Whilst she’s not entirely innocent, we get to see that Syndrome manipulates her into doing his bidding, using her insecurities and vulnerabilities against her. I liked that she wasn’t perfect and that despite her grumbles, she truly did care about the wellbeing of the Parr kids.
Syndrome seems more unhinged in this story than in the film and I think is suits him perfectly. He’s spurred on by revenge and it makes him sloppy and eager to cause havoc. I liked that we got to even have a few chapters in his POV just to get a taste of his delusion. Across the book, he is portrayed very well.

I’m a big fan of The Incredibles movies so I was very excited when I saw that there was a Twisted Tales book coming out centred around the first film. And it didn’t disappoint! The plot is great. It’s fast paced and an easy read - time seems to fly by when reading this book! The characters are well thought out and really match the versions we know from the film. I liked that we got multiple POVs throughout the story as well as it helped add further depth to the plot and allowed a deeper connection to multiple characters. The whole essence of The Incredibles was captured perfectly in this story - I could clearly see it playing out in my head which I absolutely love! The ending was fantastic, a brilliant wrap up for such a fast-paced, thrilling story.

Overall, Suddenly Super is an amazing addition to the Twisted Tales series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but it felt like it was far too long for the story that was told! I didn’t really care about Mirage at all, yet there are chapters focusing on just her and I just skimmed them in the end.

The ending was also disappointing? They set it up like there’s going to be a sequel, with Mirage and Mastermind following Violet and Helen in the car, but none of these books get sequels! I know the movie ends in a way that leads on to a sequel, so maybe the book was trying to do the same thing? No idea, but it didn’t work for me.

Also, my book for some reason was British? I know I’m in the UK, but never in this series have I experienced a books words be changed to the British equivalent? Like “mum” instead of “mom” and “nappy” instead of “diaper”… I hated it, and found it super distracting. The story is in America! It shouldn’t matter where it’s published. The author is American, I don’t understand why the one I read was British.

But in the positives, I really liked Violet and her progression. Dash was the highlight of the book, with his character coming across from the movie perfectly and arguably the best out of everybody.

But, like other reviewers… where was Edna? I missed her a lot, and she was the one glaring thing missing from the story. We needed Auntie Edna!