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The Miranda Contract
THE MIRANDA CONTRACT
Supervillain. Pop Star.
Sometimes the life we're given isn't the life we'd choose for ourselves.
For the past five years, Dan Galkin has been lying to everyone about just how ordinary he is. But Dan's the grandson of The Mad Russian: one of the world's most powerful, and insane, supervillains. And Dan has powers too. He's a living battery, able to absorb and discharge electricity with his mind. Normally he keeps his powers hidden, but when the old man returns with an offer to make his grandson heir apparent, any chance at an ordinary life is blown apart.
Miranda Brody thought she wanted to be a pop star, but now she's got the international profile and the entourage, she doesn't recognize the Miranda she has become. After getting caught up in the cross-fire between Dan and his grandfather, Miranda realizes there's more to life than being famous. Staying alive, for example, becomes a high priority. And not falling in love with the pizza boy comes a close second.
Labeled by society, trapped by expectation.
Dan and Miranda might actually be able to change everything.
As long as they don't kill each other first.
Supervillain. Pop Star.
Sometimes the life we're given isn't the life we'd choose for ourselves.
For the past five years, Dan Galkin has been lying to everyone about just how ordinary he is. But Dan's the grandson of The Mad Russian: one of the world's most powerful, and insane, supervillains. And Dan has powers too. He's a living battery, able to absorb and discharge electricity with his mind. Normally he keeps his powers hidden, but when the old man returns with an offer to make his grandson heir apparent, any chance at an ordinary life is blown apart.
Miranda Brody thought she wanted to be a pop star, but now she's got the international profile and the entourage, she doesn't recognize the Miranda she has become. After getting caught up in the cross-fire between Dan and his grandfather, Miranda realizes there's more to life than being famous. Staying alive, for example, becomes a high priority. And not falling in love with the pizza boy comes a close second.
Labeled by society, trapped by expectation.
Dan and Miranda might actually be able to change everything.
As long as they don't kill each other first.
356 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2014
16 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Ben Langdon
10 books55 followersBen Langdon’s stories reflect the collision between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
He has written for adults (Forget, to Live and The Scoundrel’s Wife) and for Young Adults (The Miranda Contract and The Adventures of Charlie Conti), as well as editing a couple of short story anthologies (This Mutant Life and Bad Company).
He teaches at a local high school and has presented at conferences such as OzComic Con, the Hero Round Table, Hero Town and the Kang O Meerteek Writers Panel. When he’s speaking, he usually tackles issues such as reflecting diversity in superhero fiction, the power of empathy, representing the local and universal in writing about place, the importance of identifying self in characters and the positive effects of reading for young readers and adults.
He lives in Geelong, Victoria.
He has written for adults (Forget, to Live and The Scoundrel’s Wife) and for Young Adults (The Miranda Contract and The Adventures of Charlie Conti), as well as editing a couple of short story anthologies (This Mutant Life and Bad Company).
He teaches at a local high school and has presented at conferences such as OzComic Con, the Hero Round Table, Hero Town and the Kang O Meerteek Writers Panel. When he’s speaking, he usually tackles issues such as reflecting diversity in superhero fiction, the power of empathy, representing the local and universal in writing about place, the importance of identifying self in characters and the positive effects of reading for young readers and adults.
He lives in Geelong, Victoria.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 23, 2014
The Miranda Contract is a thoroughly entertaining adventure, firmly in the style and tradition of the classic comic book super heros most of us are familiar with: Spider-man, Iron man, the Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, and the rest. It's an easy, fast-moving read aimed at a young-adult audience, so it doesn't have quite the dark edge you can find in some of the graphic novels aimed at an older audience (Sandman, for example, or Watchmen), but it's still a fun read for people of any age who like the super hero genre.
Our hero here is 17-year-old Dan Galkin, for whom super powers have not created quite the fantasy life one might imagine. He's still figuring out what to make of his life, and still working through the consequences of gaining power before gaining judgment; the center of the story is Dan's process of coming to grips with his role in family, friends, and the world. With lots of action and not a little romance throughout.
Although I certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes the superhero setting, a couple of things stop me from giving it a 5-star rating. Early in the story the characters sometimes feel a little uneven or inconsistent. Miranda's initial reaction to Dan is actively negative, for example, and it's not clear why that is. There are also a few places where it's not entirely clear who is where or how they got there in an action sequence.
For the most part these are minor issues though, and they largely disappear by the midpoint of the novel. All in all, a fun and satisfying adventure!
Our hero here is 17-year-old Dan Galkin, for whom super powers have not created quite the fantasy life one might imagine. He's still figuring out what to make of his life, and still working through the consequences of gaining power before gaining judgment; the center of the story is Dan's process of coming to grips with his role in family, friends, and the world. With lots of action and not a little romance throughout.
Although I certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes the superhero setting, a couple of things stop me from giving it a 5-star rating. Early in the story the characters sometimes feel a little uneven or inconsistent. Miranda's initial reaction to Dan is actively negative, for example, and it's not clear why that is. There are also a few places where it's not entirely clear who is where or how they got there in an action sequence.
For the most part these are minor issues though, and they largely disappear by the midpoint of the novel. All in all, a fun and satisfying adventure!
March 23, 2014
I started reading this books yesterday late evening, just meaning to get through the first few chapters... and then I couldn't stop. I read the whole thing in one sitting. Finished around 3am. It was awesome. Sure there were a few tiny snatches (you tend to notice these as a writer) but none big enough to get onto the radar of a casual reader.
The book was extremely well written with lots of action and suspense. The characters were quite interesting and most motivations were well explained.
I loved the way Langdon made his world come alive and I could really sort of see Melbourne in my mind although I've never been there. He added just enough detail to make it real.
The one thing I thought was missing was ... After all, the descriptions of Dan's powers and the way he felt about them was superb, so this detail let me down a bit (not enough to take off a star though).
If you like superhero stories with a twist, this is definitely something for you.
The book was extremely well written with lots of action and suspense. The characters were quite interesting and most motivations were well explained.
I loved the way Langdon made his world come alive and I could really sort of see Melbourne in my mind although I've never been there. He added just enough detail to make it real.
The one thing I thought was missing was ... After all, the descriptions of Dan's powers and the way he felt about them was superb, so this detail let me down a bit (not enough to take off a star though).
If you like superhero stories with a twist, this is definitely something for you.
March 31, 2014
The Miranda Contract begins with a wallop of vivid scenery as you are literally thrown into the turbulent life of Dan Galkin: teenager, uber, fast food worker, with relatives that gives a whole new meaning to the definition of a modern family.
Author Ben Langdon packs this story with a checklist of everything any science fiction and fantasy fan could ever ask for. Action? Yes. High octane adventure? Of course. Romantic sparks flying between our hero and the gorgeous girl? Absolutely.
A few minor quibbles: The character of the Mad Russian is beyond intriguing, and almost overwhelms the story to the point where my interest shifts away from Dan as I wanted even more of a back story of this man.
Also, there were times I felt the exposition would get a bit bogged down with excessive description. Shortened points of exposition would have helped the story to flow a bit smoother in some parts.
In summary: This is a must read book. Mr. Ben Langdon, we want a sequel, and we want one now. Lets get those fingers flying over that keyboard!
Note: I will be adding to this review in the future. There is more to this book than anyone can glean from just a first reading.
Author Ben Langdon packs this story with a checklist of everything any science fiction and fantasy fan could ever ask for. Action? Yes. High octane adventure? Of course. Romantic sparks flying between our hero and the gorgeous girl? Absolutely.
A few minor quibbles: The character of the Mad Russian is beyond intriguing, and almost overwhelms the story to the point where my interest shifts away from Dan as I wanted even more of a back story of this man.
Also, there were times I felt the exposition would get a bit bogged down with excessive description. Shortened points of exposition would have helped the story to flow a bit smoother in some parts.
In summary: This is a must read book. Mr. Ben Langdon, we want a sequel, and we want one now. Lets get those fingers flying over that keyboard!
Note: I will be adding to this review in the future. There is more to this book than anyone can glean from just a first reading.
July 9, 2020
There's always gonna be bumps in the road when old gods are displaced by new gods. Just ask Darkseid. His son Orion has been a thorn in his side for years. The same can be said for the Mad Russian and his grandson, Danya Galkin. Maybe the kid doesn't want to rule the world? Maybe he just wants to work at a fast food restaurant for the rest of his life? So be it. Supervillainy isn't for everyone.
January 12, 2015
*A copy was provided by the author (Ben Langdon-Kalamity Press) in exchange for an honest review*
I honestly can’t remember the last time I picked up a superhero book—unless you count graphic novels. But I watch a lot of “superhero” TV and movies and can’t quite seem to get enough. So, when Ben queried me to read his debut novel, I was really excited. And let me just say, The Miranda Contract does not disappoint. This book reads just like a really good season of Smallville. Great cast of characters, a formidable villain and just enough of a love interest to keep things interesting.
Our MC, Dan, is the grandson of the top dog of supervillains, The Mad Russian. When he was younger, Dan was one of his grandfather’s pawns. Now he keeps his powers hidden the best he can, and hopes The Mad Russian doesn’t resurface. All at once his life is tossed about: his grandfather is back and wants him as his protégé. To top it off his life collides with that of famous pop star Miranda Brody, when he is forced to join her security detail. Together they make quite the pair, and embark on a mission to end The Mad Russian’s reign of terror for good.
The Miranda contract is quality story telling. All the pieces fit perfectly in Langdon’s well-crafted world of superheroes and supervillains. The action keeps the story rolling, and readers will get sucked in from chapter one. This is the first book in The Small Gods series and I can’t wait to read the rest! Perfect for fans of science fiction, but with the ability to appeal to just about anyone, I am definitely recommending this one!
I honestly can’t remember the last time I picked up a superhero book—unless you count graphic novels. But I watch a lot of “superhero” TV and movies and can’t quite seem to get enough. So, when Ben queried me to read his debut novel, I was really excited. And let me just say, The Miranda Contract does not disappoint. This book reads just like a really good season of Smallville. Great cast of characters, a formidable villain and just enough of a love interest to keep things interesting.
Our MC, Dan, is the grandson of the top dog of supervillains, The Mad Russian. When he was younger, Dan was one of his grandfather’s pawns. Now he keeps his powers hidden the best he can, and hopes The Mad Russian doesn’t resurface. All at once his life is tossed about: his grandfather is back and wants him as his protégé. To top it off his life collides with that of famous pop star Miranda Brody, when he is forced to join her security detail. Together they make quite the pair, and embark on a mission to end The Mad Russian’s reign of terror for good.
The Miranda contract is quality story telling. All the pieces fit perfectly in Langdon’s well-crafted world of superheroes and supervillains. The action keeps the story rolling, and readers will get sucked in from chapter one. This is the first book in The Small Gods series and I can’t wait to read the rest! Perfect for fans of science fiction, but with the ability to appeal to just about anyone, I am definitely recommending this one!
April 5, 2014
This is a superhero story without too much ka-pow and over the top super heroics. The Avengers-type heroes are nowhere to be seen and the story is told through the eyes of a normal kind of kid, Dan. He's the grandson of a supervillain and apparently was tricked into being a bad guy too for a short time. It's not really clear how long, but the point of the story is that years later he needs to become a hero to stand against his grandfather. There's some nicely drawn (written!) characters here including Bree who is probably the most powerful but also the one least likely to intervene; and there's a boy with shark teeth who is underused, but I guess you can't do too much with lots of characters. As it is Dan and Miranda take central stage in the story and (yes, there's a bit of romance) take the reader through the streets.
The villain of the piece is an old supervillain and instead of being a crazy mad man (he is called the mad russian) there are times when he comes across as pretty sensitive ad sympathetic. There's clearly more to the story than is in this book and I suppose there'll be a sequel later. I hope so. It's got potential to grow bigger.
The villain of the piece is an old supervillain and instead of being a crazy mad man (he is called the mad russian) there are times when he comes across as pretty sensitive ad sympathetic. There's clearly more to the story than is in this book and I suppose there'll be a sequel later. I hope so. It's got potential to grow bigger.
March 15, 2014
Best Thing: Superheroes in Melbourne. There's a big fight on the Westgate Bridge and every time I go across it now I think about that fight.
Worst Thing: A bit hard to understand the changes in time at the start.
Bonus: I like that there are asian characters. Not the main ones but there are some secondary characters like Luke Ma.
Worst Thing: A bit hard to understand the changes in time at the start.
Bonus: I like that there are asian characters. Not the main ones but there are some secondary characters like Luke Ma.
April 26, 2014
I won a copy of this book. I haven't read a superhero book before and usually like stuff in the real world like John Green or Sophie Kinsella. BUT, this was a great book. It didn't go into lots of detail about superheroes. It left the reader to figure out a lot of the stuff, and that gave more time to building realistic characters. Dan is a believable teenager first, who happens to be able to control electricity. Miranda is realistic too, although her celebrity world is not explored as much as I'd have liked.
The relationships are really well done. Dans family is much like ones I know but without the super problems. His mum is neurotic and that stress plays a big part in how Dan turns out. His dad is gone and his grandfather takes on the father role although that doesn't work out well either.
Dan's friends are believable too although I'd like to have read about a good, close friend. Turns out Dan doesn't have much in the way of close friends. His friends are more mercenary. There's always something in it for them. I'm looking at you Halo!
Miranda and Dan hook up. That was inevitable. It's on the back of the book and you kind of see it coming. I liked their quiet times at the river and then later at Dan's childhood home. It's a slow burn love. When they do kiss - I'm not putting in a spoiler because it's obvious they hook up - it's nice and sad at the same time.
The ending was also nice and sad and nice again. I guess there will be a second book and they can do end some more time together without having to run for their lives.
Like I said at the start - I usually read realistic books, but this one brings enough realism and enough really good characters that I enjoyed myself immensely.
I haven't reviewed before because I've never won a book before.
I recommend it for anyone who likes teen books. It's got adventure and troubled family life. The characters have great voices. And it's set in Australia. I'm from Adelaide but have been to Melbourne enough to pick up most of the references. I hope future books get to spend some time out of Melbourne - would love to see Dan and Miranda come to the City of Churches.
The relationships are really well done. Dans family is much like ones I know but without the super problems. His mum is neurotic and that stress plays a big part in how Dan turns out. His dad is gone and his grandfather takes on the father role although that doesn't work out well either.
Dan's friends are believable too although I'd like to have read about a good, close friend. Turns out Dan doesn't have much in the way of close friends. His friends are more mercenary. There's always something in it for them. I'm looking at you Halo!
Miranda and Dan hook up. That was inevitable. It's on the back of the book and you kind of see it coming. I liked their quiet times at the river and then later at Dan's childhood home. It's a slow burn love. When they do kiss - I'm not putting in a spoiler because it's obvious they hook up - it's nice and sad at the same time.
The ending was also nice and sad and nice again. I guess there will be a second book and they can do end some more time together without having to run for their lives.
Like I said at the start - I usually read realistic books, but this one brings enough realism and enough really good characters that I enjoyed myself immensely.
I haven't reviewed before because I've never won a book before.
I recommend it for anyone who likes teen books. It's got adventure and troubled family life. The characters have great voices. And it's set in Australia. I'm from Adelaide but have been to Melbourne enough to pick up most of the references. I hope future books get to spend some time out of Melbourne - would love to see Dan and Miranda come to the City of Churches.
August 5, 2016
I just found out that I won this book on goodreads giveaways. I am really excited because I really wanted to win this. I can't wait to read it and I hope the book comes soon.
EDIT:
I have now read the book and it was great! This is the first book I've read that has to do with superheroes/villains so I was giving it high hopes. I wasn't let down. One thing that made me really interested in it was that the author portrayed the people with superpowers very differently than how other people would. In the miranda contract ordinary people think the super-people (known as ubers) are kind of freaks. They think they are entertainment. Something they'd go see in a show because they have powers or green skin. Also unlike what most people would do, the author wrote it revolving around the super-villains.Every main uber in it had been a villain at some point.I think it's great that the author wrote the book this way because it's not something that you'd come around often. It was a great read and I can't wait to read the next one.
October 13, 2014
This is one of my first forays into the superhero novel genre. I have read comics, urban fantasy, high fantasy, sci-fi, etc., but find that the superhero novel is more different than just content, it also has a unique style and focus.
This book is improving for me upon reflection and greater familiarity with the genre.
There are several things that this book got right. The pacing was very high energy, with very little down time. The scenery/setting was described in an economical yet effective way. (I hate having to read paragraph after paragraph about how the light plays peekaboo with the shadows on the buildings towering over the faintly fish-scented streets.) Quality over quantity here, definitely. The action was done very well, especially the descriptions of Dan & his powers (I especially liked the ocean scene). The ending of the book was satisfying and natural, did not feel forced or convenient, and definitely left room for a follow-up (which I like). There is a good cast of characters which are very intriguing, with (mostly) believable interactions.
This brings me to what the book missed the mark on. These characters are so intriguing because aside from Dan (who is fairly well fleshed out), we are given these tiny amuse-bouche morsels of information regarding their past, motives, and character but never the main course. I am the kind of person who needs an explanation of WHY even if it's 5 words long. The other concern is the relationship development between Miranda & Dan. However, I did think that there was a satisfying character arc & development for Dan & Miranda.
This book is definitely worth taking a chance on if you have any fondness for superhero stories with a ton of action and well written scenes. I am anticipating that another book will come out in this same world, and fully plan on reading it.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book is improving for me upon reflection and greater familiarity with the genre.
There are several things that this book got right. The pacing was very high energy, with very little down time. The scenery/setting was described in an economical yet effective way. (I hate having to read paragraph after paragraph about how the light plays peekaboo with the shadows on the buildings towering over the faintly fish-scented streets.) Quality over quantity here, definitely. The action was done very well, especially the descriptions of Dan & his powers (I especially liked the ocean scene). The ending of the book was satisfying and natural, did not feel forced or convenient, and definitely left room for a follow-up (which I like). There is a good cast of characters which are very intriguing, with (mostly) believable interactions.
This brings me to what the book missed the mark on. These characters are so intriguing because aside from Dan (who is fairly well fleshed out), we are given these tiny amuse-bouche morsels of information regarding their past, motives, and character but never the main course. I am the kind of person who needs an explanation of WHY even if it's 5 words long. The other concern is the relationship development between Miranda & Dan. However, I did think that there was a satisfying character arc & development for Dan & Miranda.
This book is definitely worth taking a chance on if you have any fondness for superhero stories with a ton of action and well written scenes. I am anticipating that another book will come out in this same world, and fully plan on reading it.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2016
I was a bit confused when I started reading this book, but I quickly got the general idea of the world in which is set and how things worked in it. I have to say, I loved the fact that it was set in Melbourne, I think it's the first book that I've ever read that takes place in Australia.
I also loved that Miranda was older than Dan, that was something new and exciting as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the story and, most of all, the character development, I think the Dan and Miranda from the beginning of the book are nothing like the people they become at the end. It did get a little though to get through sometimes.
I didn't quite understand how the Mad Russian's powers worked, but I can say the rest were awfully awesome! Maybe I got a bit lost sometimes due to the fact that English is not my mother language, but still it was a very easy read that kept me thinking about it even when I was supposed to be studying.
I gave it only three stars because I felt like some things were left inconclusive, for example the story behind Dan's birth or his dad's death. Suleyman is also someone I'd love to know more about, as he turned out to have and ability too (I didn't see that one coming) and his relationship with Miranda was lovely even though I felt like there weren't enough scenes to prove it.
Halo was like the most confusing character I've ever came across, and I still don't know what side he was on half of the time. I guess he's one of those ''every man by himself'' kind of guy, although the epilogue showed what I thought was a very different side of him, and it was quite adorable to be honest.
Well those are my thoughts on the book, I don't usually do reviews and I guess you can tell huh? Also I'm Spanish, so yeah... Anyway, I really liked this book and if you're in a villain/hero-mood then I'd totally recommend it!
I also loved that Miranda was older than Dan, that was something new and exciting as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the story and, most of all, the character development, I think the Dan and Miranda from the beginning of the book are nothing like the people they become at the end. It did get a little though to get through sometimes.
I didn't quite understand how the Mad Russian's powers worked, but I can say the rest were awfully awesome! Maybe I got a bit lost sometimes due to the fact that English is not my mother language, but still it was a very easy read that kept me thinking about it even when I was supposed to be studying.
I gave it only three stars because I felt like some things were left inconclusive, for example the story behind Dan's birth or his dad's death. Suleyman is also someone I'd love to know more about, as he turned out to have and ability too (I didn't see that one coming) and his relationship with Miranda was lovely even though I felt like there weren't enough scenes to prove it.
Halo was like the most confusing character I've ever came across, and I still don't know what side he was on half of the time. I guess he's one of those ''every man by himself'' kind of guy, although the epilogue showed what I thought was a very different side of him, and it was quite adorable to be honest.
Well those are my thoughts on the book, I don't usually do reviews and I guess you can tell huh? Also I'm Spanish, so yeah... Anyway, I really liked this book and if you're in a villain/hero-mood then I'd totally recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2014
I got a copy of this book for an honest review.
My Review
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Although the concept of "gods" makes me cringe a little, I actually really enjoyed this book. Dan Galkin tries to runaway from his destiny of being a supervillian, a destiny being forced on him by his grandfather. I loved Dan's sarcasm. In my opinion, there's no better way to deal when you're surrounded by people that hate you. Sarcasm is always the way to go.
The love interest, Miranda, is quite spunky. In the beginning, I thought she was going to be one of those weak female characters that are often found in science fiction novels, but was pleasantly surprised that she was the opposite.
My favorite character was Bree. She was not one of the primary characters, but I liked her a lot. I adored her laid-back attitude about everything.
Halo was a character I just couldn't understand. At first I hated him, then I fell in love with him, and then I was just plain confused. He's very deceptive, sneaky...yet helpful.
The author's writing style was easy to read and understand. The story starts out pretty hectic, slows down and then picks right back up with heavy action-packed scenes. My emotions were all over the place. I say a job well done to the author! There was some strong language used, but it was brief only happened three times that I can recall, and very easy to ignore.
I gave The Miranda Contract 3.5/5 stars because it was way better than just being an "ok" type of book, yet it didn't quite hit a 4-star rating. I'm still confused about how Dan's grandfather's powers work. I'm also very curious to know other things such as: How did the Mad Russian become mad? How did Sully get his job?
Overall, I was very satisfied and it was a book I did not regret reading.
My Review
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Although the concept of "gods" makes me cringe a little, I actually really enjoyed this book. Dan Galkin tries to runaway from his destiny of being a supervillian, a destiny being forced on him by his grandfather. I loved Dan's sarcasm. In my opinion, there's no better way to deal when you're surrounded by people that hate you. Sarcasm is always the way to go.
The love interest, Miranda, is quite spunky. In the beginning, I thought she was going to be one of those weak female characters that are often found in science fiction novels, but was pleasantly surprised that she was the opposite.
My favorite character was Bree. She was not one of the primary characters, but I liked her a lot. I adored her laid-back attitude about everything.
Halo was a character I just couldn't understand. At first I hated him, then I fell in love with him, and then I was just plain confused. He's very deceptive, sneaky...yet helpful.
The author's writing style was easy to read and understand. The story starts out pretty hectic, slows down and then picks right back up with heavy action-packed scenes. My emotions were all over the place. I say a job well done to the author! There was some strong language used, but it was brief only happened three times that I can recall, and very easy to ignore.
I gave The Miranda Contract 3.5/5 stars because it was way better than just being an "ok" type of book, yet it didn't quite hit a 4-star rating. I'm still confused about how Dan's grandfather's powers work. I'm also very curious to know other things such as: How did the Mad Russian become mad? How did Sully get his job?
Overall, I was very satisfied and it was a book I did not regret reading.
December 14, 2014
First ill say this book was very different from anything I've yet to read. It's exciting from beginning to end with danger, violence the Uberhumans and the humans living amounts each other in Australia. Dan an Uberhuman who has the power to suck energy pretty much immediately falls for a pop star Miranda Brody.
His grandfather The Mad Russian who disappeared for five years after teaching Dan , Halo, Lily and Bree to use their powers and they badiclly destroy a city . Dan gets caught ending up in a superhuman program to use him for good and keep him out of trouble.
When he first sees Miranda he helps her with his powers. Which leads his grandfather to him who then in turn uses Miranda to get to Dan.
“The girl’s the key. Dan really loves her, stupid kid, and that makes it easy."
The Mad Russians words.
But it doesn't make it as easy as he thinks. From here Dan and Miranda go through explosions, cars being thrown at them, building collapsing them and a lot more action.
This book is very good, unique and at times kind of horrifying.
The Uberhumans have some very cool powers but they don't all use them for good so when it bad it's really bad.
You need to read this book.
If your looking for adventure, a lot of destruction, a bit if a young love story and good you'll love this
His grandfather The Mad Russian who disappeared for five years after teaching Dan , Halo, Lily and Bree to use their powers and they badiclly destroy a city . Dan gets caught ending up in a superhuman program to use him for good and keep him out of trouble.
When he first sees Miranda he helps her with his powers. Which leads his grandfather to him who then in turn uses Miranda to get to Dan.
“The girl’s the key. Dan really loves her, stupid kid, and that makes it easy."
The Mad Russians words.
But it doesn't make it as easy as he thinks. From here Dan and Miranda go through explosions, cars being thrown at them, building collapsing them and a lot more action.
This book is very good, unique and at times kind of horrifying.
The Uberhumans have some very cool powers but they don't all use them for good so when it bad it's really bad.
You need to read this book.
If your looking for adventure, a lot of destruction, a bit if a young love story and good you'll love this
February 19, 2015
This was a great book. A different approach to most of the typical super-being stories that I've read.
I enjoyed the way the story played out. There were times at the beginning were I was a bit confused but I think the story got stronger as it went, as the plot, and motivation of the characters became clearer.
The writing style is very visual, which made for some very nice scenes, especially the end fight and the one on the bridge. The trade-off though, was that it slowed the pacing down a bit. But for me, I thought it was worth it, I won't forget the imagery of those scenes and a few others, for a long time.
There were some great characters in this story! I loved Suleyman, Bree, Halo, Grandfather Time, was a particular favorite. And of course, The Mad Russian, he was a perfect blend of bad guy, and a man you couldn't help feeling a bit bad for what he was missing out on in his pursuit of power.
I am looking forward to hopefully seeing another book Mr. Langdon!
I enjoyed the way the story played out. There were times at the beginning were I was a bit confused but I think the story got stronger as it went, as the plot, and motivation of the characters became clearer.
The writing style is very visual, which made for some very nice scenes, especially the end fight and the one on the bridge. The trade-off though, was that it slowed the pacing down a bit. But for me, I thought it was worth it, I won't forget the imagery of those scenes and a few others, for a long time.
There were some great characters in this story! I loved Suleyman, Bree, Halo, Grandfather Time, was a particular favorite. And of course, The Mad Russian, he was a perfect blend of bad guy, and a man you couldn't help feeling a bit bad for what he was missing out on in his pursuit of power.
I am looking forward to hopefully seeing another book Mr. Langdon!
November 21, 2014
This was a good superhero read.
There was plenty of 'superhero vs villain' butt-kicking action going on! Add to that a reluctant romance, which of course we knew would happen from chapter one! Toss in some awkward family relations and you have a hero worth cheering for!
The world building of this story was done with skill and an eye for future books. It is a world/story that I would like to re-visit.
I recommend this book to readers of the Action and Science Fiction - Superheroes genres.
There was plenty of 'superhero vs villain' butt-kicking action going on! Add to that a reluctant romance, which of course we knew would happen from chapter one! Toss in some awkward family relations and you have a hero worth cheering for!
The world building of this story was done with skill and an eye for future books. It is a world/story that I would like to re-visit.
I recommend this book to readers of the Action and Science Fiction - Superheroes genres.
October 17, 2014
I give this novel a 4.5 stars, but because it's from a small publisher I'm going to bump it up to 5. It's not at Man Booker or Nebula Award levels, obviously, but there's a spark of greatness in the way his characters come alive on the page. Another few books, another few years, and I think a lot more people will be running to read Langdon's books.
The storyline of The Miranda Contract comes a bit second to the characters and set-up (see later), but it is a competent and engaging story. In a nutshell you've got Dan, a teenager who is a mutant who can control machines and power around him. It's a cool power and comes across in a very visual way - Dan taps into phones, over-rides locks and can even spark lightning at enemies. The plot sees Dan torn between family and independence - he is dragged into his family's dark history (it's full of supervillains - generally on the crazy side too!). His grandfather is an over-powered madman, interestingly called The Mad Russian, and Dan is being coerced into killing an innocent (???) American celebrity. Dan doesn't want to do it, so there comes a kind of road story where Dan and Miranda are running for their lives. There is a suitable conclusion - the good guys win but aren't triumphant in all areas. And there's an opening for the sequel or series. Looking at the website it looks like the second book comes out next year.
The characters - and especially the characterization - is really, really good. Dan is a likable guy. He starts a bit whiney and jaded, but that's probably understandable. He gets his life into gear and his priorities, so by the middle and especially the end of the book, Dan Galkin is a hero. We root for him and he deserves that support.
Miranda also gets an interesting character development - starting out as a two-dimensional Britney Spears/Miley Cyrus pop star brat. Given that some of the chapters are from Miranda's point of view, the reader is able to see 'where' she comes from and the recent events that have shaped her character. She's mature - probably more mature than Dan. She's also older than Dan, which is an interesting dynamic. Having said that, there is a bit of a problem in the way Dan and Miranda come together. It's clearly a YA book, and a key element of most YA books is romance. The two main characters get together, yes, and I'm a bit hesitant to say it's a flawless execution there. It seems a bit rushed, but there's some cute moments so I'll overlook it.
The Mad Russian is a nut job. He comes across as increasingly desperate, and the chapters showing his side of things just reinforce the idea that he is a mad god - the power he has at his fingertips is deliberately beyond description (he can seemingly do anything). This actually works. Physically he is a villain who cannot be beaten. The action and story turns to his mental state instead - and the flashbacks and confrontations show how The Mad Russian's Achilles Heel is in his mental framework. He is falling apart.
There are other minor characters and they have enough space in the book to show their spark without overwhelming Dan and Miranda. There are 'walk-ons' like Tabitha at Dan's workplace who have a part to play in the story. She shakes him up a bit to get rid of some of the jaded cynicism. She comes out of the page in a vibrant and aggressive way - and it's this approach to characterization that really makes this a great book. Other characters stay with you for a long time - I'm thinking of Halo and Evie (I'd love to add a spoiler but, no...)
I'd recommend this book to fans of comic books, but don't expect endless action. This book is about characters and a slower, growing realization. Dan has great powers - the fights are pretty dynamic and clear - but it's the way the characters grow that is the best part of this novel. I think that the next book will be focused on Halo more, which is great, and I'm confident it'll be just as good (if not better).
The storyline of The Miranda Contract comes a bit second to the characters and set-up (see later), but it is a competent and engaging story. In a nutshell you've got Dan, a teenager who is a mutant who can control machines and power around him. It's a cool power and comes across in a very visual way - Dan taps into phones, over-rides locks and can even spark lightning at enemies. The plot sees Dan torn between family and independence - he is dragged into his family's dark history (it's full of supervillains - generally on the crazy side too!). His grandfather is an over-powered madman, interestingly called The Mad Russian, and Dan is being coerced into killing an innocent (???) American celebrity. Dan doesn't want to do it, so there comes a kind of road story where Dan and Miranda are running for their lives. There is a suitable conclusion - the good guys win but aren't triumphant in all areas. And there's an opening for the sequel or series. Looking at the website it looks like the second book comes out next year.
The characters - and especially the characterization - is really, really good. Dan is a likable guy. He starts a bit whiney and jaded, but that's probably understandable. He gets his life into gear and his priorities, so by the middle and especially the end of the book, Dan Galkin is a hero. We root for him and he deserves that support.
Miranda also gets an interesting character development - starting out as a two-dimensional Britney Spears/Miley Cyrus pop star brat. Given that some of the chapters are from Miranda's point of view, the reader is able to see 'where' she comes from and the recent events that have shaped her character. She's mature - probably more mature than Dan. She's also older than Dan, which is an interesting dynamic. Having said that, there is a bit of a problem in the way Dan and Miranda come together. It's clearly a YA book, and a key element of most YA books is romance. The two main characters get together, yes, and I'm a bit hesitant to say it's a flawless execution there. It seems a bit rushed, but there's some cute moments so I'll overlook it.
The Mad Russian is a nut job. He comes across as increasingly desperate, and the chapters showing his side of things just reinforce the idea that he is a mad god - the power he has at his fingertips is deliberately beyond description (he can seemingly do anything). This actually works. Physically he is a villain who cannot be beaten. The action and story turns to his mental state instead - and the flashbacks and confrontations show how The Mad Russian's Achilles Heel is in his mental framework. He is falling apart.
There are other minor characters and they have enough space in the book to show their spark without overwhelming Dan and Miranda. There are 'walk-ons' like Tabitha at Dan's workplace who have a part to play in the story. She shakes him up a bit to get rid of some of the jaded cynicism. She comes out of the page in a vibrant and aggressive way - and it's this approach to characterization that really makes this a great book. Other characters stay with you for a long time - I'm thinking of Halo and Evie (I'd love to add a spoiler but, no...)
I'd recommend this book to fans of comic books, but don't expect endless action. This book is about characters and a slower, growing realization. Dan has great powers - the fights are pretty dynamic and clear - but it's the way the characters grow that is the best part of this novel. I think that the next book will be focused on Halo more, which is great, and I'm confident it'll be just as good (if not better).
March 28, 2014
http://desirablereads.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Dan lives in a world where people with special powers exist, where super-villains make peoples lives miserable and super heroes fight them. Unfortunately, Dan used to belong to the former category. His grand father is The Mad Russian, the leader of all super-villains. His grand father was the only one Dan ever looked up to but the Mad Russian manipulated him and ended up losing him forever. Dan now leads a seemingly ordinary life but those close to him know he is far from ordinary. He has the ability to control electric energy around him but he wants to stay hidden far from worlds attention. Even though he has separated him self from everything evil he is still being judged for who he was but everything changes when the Mad Russian comes back and this time he wants Dan to become his heir.
Miranda is a super star who has come very far from her origins, so far that she does not even know who she is any more, she is on a world tour when her path intervenes with Dan's. she is caught in the crossfire between Dan and The Mad Russian.
As Dan and Miranda survive the Mad Russians attacks one at a time they find unexpected allies in each other. They work as a team in their journey to defeat Dan's grandfather and come across many foes and friends. But sometimes it is very hard to distinguish between the two. Will Dan be able to let go of his past and come forward as hero from this battle of wills?
Review:
*I was given a free copy of the book for an honest review*
The Miranda Contract is a book I fully expected to enjoy. To make reviewing easier I have decided to divide the book in to two parts:
The first half left me dizzy and confused as to what was actually going on. Somewhere near 25% of the book I realized the author was writing in a comic book style. The thing is comic books have drawings to help readers visualize the scenes and characters when you are writing about such characters you have to give a bit more info as to where they are coming from. The Mad Russian who is supposed to be a super-villain does not speak proper English. I get that he is a Russian but his English did not need to be so poor, he is a very old experienced mastermind after all. So why did I not stop? I am a huge sucker for super heroes and a good story line, that's why.
The second half was the saving grace of the book. The characters became more real and things start to make sense. The pace got faster and action a lot better. I just wish it had not taken 100 or more pages to get there. The detachment I felt in the beginning was gone by the end and I became invested in characters.
I really enjoyed Dan and Miranda's chemistry though there was scene where they were supposed to be fighting on street. I never found out what they were fighting over. I would have enjoyed more scenes between them where they snap at each other.
All in all its a book with great potential and with good editing it can become a lot better.Best of luck to Ben Langdon!
Recommended comic book and super hero fans.
Synopsis: Dan lives in a world where people with special powers exist, where super-villains make peoples lives miserable and super heroes fight them. Unfortunately, Dan used to belong to the former category. His grand father is The Mad Russian, the leader of all super-villains. His grand father was the only one Dan ever looked up to but the Mad Russian manipulated him and ended up losing him forever. Dan now leads a seemingly ordinary life but those close to him know he is far from ordinary. He has the ability to control electric energy around him but he wants to stay hidden far from worlds attention. Even though he has separated him self from everything evil he is still being judged for who he was but everything changes when the Mad Russian comes back and this time he wants Dan to become his heir.
Miranda is a super star who has come very far from her origins, so far that she does not even know who she is any more, she is on a world tour when her path intervenes with Dan's. she is caught in the crossfire between Dan and The Mad Russian.
As Dan and Miranda survive the Mad Russians attacks one at a time they find unexpected allies in each other. They work as a team in their journey to defeat Dan's grandfather and come across many foes and friends. But sometimes it is very hard to distinguish between the two. Will Dan be able to let go of his past and come forward as hero from this battle of wills?
Review:
*I was given a free copy of the book for an honest review*
The Miranda Contract is a book I fully expected to enjoy. To make reviewing easier I have decided to divide the book in to two parts:
The first half left me dizzy and confused as to what was actually going on. Somewhere near 25% of the book I realized the author was writing in a comic book style. The thing is comic books have drawings to help readers visualize the scenes and characters when you are writing about such characters you have to give a bit more info as to where they are coming from. The Mad Russian who is supposed to be a super-villain does not speak proper English. I get that he is a Russian but his English did not need to be so poor, he is a very old experienced mastermind after all. So why did I not stop? I am a huge sucker for super heroes and a good story line, that's why.
The second half was the saving grace of the book. The characters became more real and things start to make sense. The pace got faster and action a lot better. I just wish it had not taken 100 or more pages to get there. The detachment I felt in the beginning was gone by the end and I became invested in characters.
I really enjoyed Dan and Miranda's chemistry though there was scene where they were supposed to be fighting on street. I never found out what they were fighting over. I would have enjoyed more scenes between them where they snap at each other.
All in all its a book with great potential and with good editing it can become a lot better.Best of luck to Ben Langdon!
Recommended comic book and super hero fans.
March 1, 2015
This is my (biased) author view, of course. I've spent the last five years with Dan Galkin and his dysfunctional family. Coming up to the first anniversary of its publication, 'The Miranda Contract' has done really well. As my first novel, I had no idea how things would turn out, so I'm utterly amazed and thankful for the international support it has received.
So far there have been over 3000 copies sold, and the majority of these were through kindle sales. Before The Miranda Contract I had very little experience with ebooks so I assumed my book would be enjoyed in a physical format. It's true that I've made over 100 physical sales but that pales in comparison to the ebook revolution that's obviously taken place.
I'm thankful for the reviews the book has received both here on Goodreads and on Amazon and other, independent review sites. As my first novel, I never expected perfection. There are rough spots and moments of confusion with character motivation, but I am very pleased with how it's turned out.
The story follows Dan Galkin, a 17 year old kid who just wants to live his life on his own terms. He's a bit lost, really, and works as a pizza delivery boy even though he has amazing powers over the electronic world. Sure, he can mentally command mobile phones, automatic doors and the TV, but he doesn't want anything to do with that world.
The thing is, his grandfather is a supervillain called The Mad Russian, and family has a habit of thinking they know what's best. For Dan, that means joining the family business of supervillain badness. Throw in a celebrity called Miranda Brody and you've got a classic tale of a boy having to grow up into the man he thinks he wants to be. It's a coming of age story as well as a story of heroism - of standing up for what you know to be right even against the odds.
I hope you enjoy the story, and I also hope you'll share with me your feelings and thoughts.
The sequel to The Miranda Contract will be The Halo Effect and I hope it'll be available sometime this year.
Later in 2015 I expect to release the first in a related series, but aimed at a younger audience. The Adventures of Charlie Conti.
So far there have been over 3000 copies sold, and the majority of these were through kindle sales. Before The Miranda Contract I had very little experience with ebooks so I assumed my book would be enjoyed in a physical format. It's true that I've made over 100 physical sales but that pales in comparison to the ebook revolution that's obviously taken place.
I'm thankful for the reviews the book has received both here on Goodreads and on Amazon and other, independent review sites. As my first novel, I never expected perfection. There are rough spots and moments of confusion with character motivation, but I am very pleased with how it's turned out.
The story follows Dan Galkin, a 17 year old kid who just wants to live his life on his own terms. He's a bit lost, really, and works as a pizza delivery boy even though he has amazing powers over the electronic world. Sure, he can mentally command mobile phones, automatic doors and the TV, but he doesn't want anything to do with that world.
The thing is, his grandfather is a supervillain called The Mad Russian, and family has a habit of thinking they know what's best. For Dan, that means joining the family business of supervillain badness. Throw in a celebrity called Miranda Brody and you've got a classic tale of a boy having to grow up into the man he thinks he wants to be. It's a coming of age story as well as a story of heroism - of standing up for what you know to be right even against the odds.
I hope you enjoy the story, and I also hope you'll share with me your feelings and thoughts.
The sequel to The Miranda Contract will be The Halo Effect and I hope it'll be available sometime this year.
Later in 2015 I expect to release the first in a related series, but aimed at a younger audience. The Adventures of Charlie Conti.
April 12, 2014
The book begins with a prologue, which is usually a fantasy thing, but it works well here because it shoves the reader right into the chaos of Dan's childhood. Everything that happens after that really makes him who he is in the book - the bad and the good. He's a likeable kid, really, but prone to moodiness and a bit sullen at times. When Miranda comes on the scene she manages to bring out the hero inside him, but the biggest transformation is over Dan's journey to taking responsibility for himself. He comes from a kooky family including a supervillain grandfather but he doesn't want to hurt or corrupt people. He wants his own life and that's something a lot of teenagers want too.
This is aimed at a Young Adult, clearly. There's clashes with parents and grandparents. There's trying to be cool without seeming to try too hard. There's a girl. There's a cooler guy who might steal the girl.
I think there's more to it than that though. The villain is The Mad Russian and it's through his characterisation that we get to some very subtle and powerful writing. He's flawed, he's a maniac, but he's also lost and a bit tragic. The other supervillains like Grimm and even the very old fashioned time traveller are also tragic figures. Their time has passed.
The story is paced well. Very fast in the prologue followed by a very dull and systematic introduction to Dan's ordinary life as a seventeen year old. When the action starts up again it's like a chainsaw - loud, fast and dangerous. Lots of stuff happens and the reader really does get to enjoy done comic book action scenes. There's down times too, but it all heads towards an end which is unavoidable. There's a really nice scene right at the end between Dan and his grandfather - music, dancing, death (maybe?).
This is aimed at a Young Adult, clearly. There's clashes with parents and grandparents. There's trying to be cool without seeming to try too hard. There's a girl. There's a cooler guy who might steal the girl.
I think there's more to it than that though. The villain is The Mad Russian and it's through his characterisation that we get to some very subtle and powerful writing. He's flawed, he's a maniac, but he's also lost and a bit tragic. The other supervillains like Grimm and even the very old fashioned time traveller are also tragic figures. Their time has passed.
The story is paced well. Very fast in the prologue followed by a very dull and systematic introduction to Dan's ordinary life as a seventeen year old. When the action starts up again it's like a chainsaw - loud, fast and dangerous. Lots of stuff happens and the reader really does get to enjoy done comic book action scenes. There's down times too, but it all heads towards an end which is unavoidable. There's a really nice scene right at the end between Dan and his grandfather - music, dancing, death (maybe?).
April 10, 2015
Danya Galkin's "Mad Russian" Grandfather called to mind Hellboy having Grigori Rasputin as the son of Baba Yaga, although his powers are more in line with the Slavic god Perun.
Dan has been directionless and under the eye of the government since his Grandfather manipulated all of the "Small Gods", Halo who rivaled with Dan and could see the thoughts within a mind with merely a glance, Bree who can turn herself and others to dust, and Lily with a icy exterior and the granddaughter of Pearl (Yellow Peril), on of the Mad Russian's generation of old "gods" (including Grim, Seraphima, Grandfather Time and Doctor Death).
He thought his dad and grandfather had "died", but the Mad Russian has plans for him - plans involving Miranda - and Dan can either go along with them, try to get away, or stand and fight.
With both their lives on the line it's a clash of gods Old and Small, and no real choice at all if Dan Galkin is to live with himself.
Dan has been directionless and under the eye of the government since his Grandfather manipulated all of the "Small Gods", Halo who rivaled with Dan and could see the thoughts within a mind with merely a glance, Bree who can turn herself and others to dust, and Lily with a icy exterior and the granddaughter of Pearl (Yellow Peril), on of the Mad Russian's generation of old "gods" (including Grim, Seraphima, Grandfather Time and Doctor Death).
He thought his dad and grandfather had "died", but the Mad Russian has plans for him - plans involving Miranda - and Dan can either go along with them, try to get away, or stand and fight.
With both their lives on the line it's a clash of gods Old and Small, and no real choice at all if Dan Galkin is to live with himself.
July 31, 2014
Another good new Victorian writer. Langdon edited two superhero anthologies and I've heard him at a writers panel. He's got interesting ideas about understated superhero writing. Good book for me and for my eldest son. I'd recommend this to early to mid high school kids, especially boys. Lots of obvious things happen in the plot but there is also a surprising amount of subtleties - I enjoyed what was hinted at, especially about the wider world. Interesting questions were raised and I think some will be answered in later books.
March 26, 2014
I read this book for a review and I have to say I am impressed with how much I enjoyed reading about heros and villains! This book was well thought out and worth reading! I read it in one week. I am a girl and would have preferred some more lovey dovey conflict between Dan and Miranda and more of an explanation of what happened between Dan and the Mad Russian/ his grandfather when Dan was younger before his father died, but other than that, I loved it! Can't wait for the rest of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2014
Dark world with a hero that shines despite his crap upbringing. It's a good superhero story but without the knock-off superheroes of some other stories. These heroes (and villains) are people first and powers second. It works well as a YA story but despite a bit of romance it's fully a supers book.
June 30, 2019
Just another day at work for the seventeen-year-old Dan until his past turns up to change his life, again.
Dan Galkin was only twelve when his grandfather the ‘Mad Russian’ had decided that him and fellow ubers would become the new gods. He trained them up until he thought they were ready and let them loose on the world. The arrival of these young gods didn’t particularly go to plan and the grandfather disappeared, most thought he had died, but this left Dan vulnerable and he ended up being placed in a programme where he could be monitored and make sure he didn’t use his powers getting into mischief.
Miranda Brody just your normal type of girl, a wannabe popstar or was until she was molded into what her agents thought she should be. She comes to Melbourne from a tragedy in one of her other shows which has had a really negative effect on her and she tries to move forward from that. Suleyman, her bodyguard really tries hard to make Miranda as happy as she can be, after all he did promise her father, but Suleyman turns out to be more than just a bodyguard.
Dan and Miranda are thrown together because his grandfather has planned an outrageous comeback, he wants Dan to kill Miranda so he can become the next generation of a god.
I found this an enjoyable read, not your typical ‘superhero’ read. The story had a good course and the plot was identifiable. The only issues I had were, at times, I would read a chapter then go to the next chapter and feel like I hadn’t read a few chapters as the story had jumped ahead somewhat. I found this especially with the relationship and characterisation of Dan and Miranda. Overall the characters were well written and have depth, leaving you wanting to find out more about them (which is what Langdon was trying to do I think!). We will most definitely hear more about Halo (a very complex character), Bree, Grandfather time and Dan’s mum (I can see a story there). Thank you to Ben Langdon for bringing this story to us and hope that the series does well for you!
Go on have a read, you know you want to…
March 8, 2017
This really is a coming-of-age story (kid becoming man), though more in the Peter Parker/Kitty Pryde kind of way. Previous superhero reading experience not needed.
I found myself pulled through a new story about a brand new world, but I also experienced flashbacks to comics I'd read, as a kid. Magneto, the X-Men, The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and others. Though the characters are unique and the comparison is mostly genre-related.
We start off meeting Dan Galkin and the eponymous Miranda, spending only just enough time to have an idea who they are, then we are off to The Mad Russian (think Magneto, but really crazy) and things pick up.
The author deals evenly, with the characters. All major characters (and some minor) are given their internal moments, a chance for us to see the depths to them. Even The Mad Russian, insane and loose-nuke that he is, is not just “the bad guy”. In fact, there's more then a bit to pity, for him. But no one is short shrifted or just stereotyped. They all have stories, though most are only hinted at (stay tuned, for further issues!.. I mean, novels).
Dan and Miranda get alternating chapters as the main viewpoint characters. The Mad Russian also has a number, along with a couple others. Each of these helps deepen the character, as well as give us different takes on events that have occurred.
While I did find that the suspense faltered, near the end, the climax was everything you want, in a superhero story. One detail that I definitely appreciated was the world-building. The world of the novel is richly suggested, but treated as matter-of-fact. It just is. It comes alive, more believably, because of that.
I enjoyed the world, the characters, and the story, and I intend to read the sequel, when it comes out.
November 29, 2014
Different ,very exciting read
First ill say this book was very different from anything I've yet to read. It's exciting from beginning to end with danger, violence the Uberhumans and the humans living amounts each other in Australia. Dan an Uberhuman who has the power to suck energy pretty much immediately falls for a pop star Miranda Brody.
His grandfather The Mad Russian who disappeared for five years after teaching Dan , Halo, Lily and Bree to use their powers and they badiclly destroy a city . Dan gets caught ending up in a superhuman program to use him for good and keep him out of trouble.
When he first sees Miranda he helps her with his powers. Which leads his grandfather to him who then in turn uses Miranda to get to Dan.
“The girl’s the key. Dan really loves her, stupid kid, and that makes it easy."
The Mad Russians words.
But it doesn't make it as easy as he thinks. From here Dan and Miranda go through explosions, cars being thrown at them, building collapsing them and a lot more action.
This book is very good, unique and at times kind of horrifying.
The Uberhumans have some very cool powers but they don't all use them for good so when it bad it's really bad.
You need to read this book.
If your looking for adventure, a lot of destruction, a bit if a young love story and good you'll love this.
First ill say this book was very different from anything I've yet to read. It's exciting from beginning to end with danger, violence the Uberhumans and the humans living amounts each other in Australia. Dan an Uberhuman who has the power to suck energy pretty much immediately falls for a pop star Miranda Brody.
His grandfather The Mad Russian who disappeared for five years after teaching Dan , Halo, Lily and Bree to use their powers and they badiclly destroy a city . Dan gets caught ending up in a superhuman program to use him for good and keep him out of trouble.
When he first sees Miranda he helps her with his powers. Which leads his grandfather to him who then in turn uses Miranda to get to Dan.
“The girl’s the key. Dan really loves her, stupid kid, and that makes it easy."
The Mad Russians words.
But it doesn't make it as easy as he thinks. From here Dan and Miranda go through explosions, cars being thrown at them, building collapsing them and a lot more action.
This book is very good, unique and at times kind of horrifying.
The Uberhumans have some very cool powers but they don't all use them for good so when it bad it's really bad.
You need to read this book.
If your looking for adventure, a lot of destruction, a bit if a young love story and good you'll love this.
March 1, 2015
'The Miranda Contract' is a great example of Australian superhero fiction, not just because of the subtle world building and the relatable characters, but mostly because it features Melbourne. The city is an important part of the story, both in the past and the present story lines. Australia has its fair share of science fiction writers, and fantasy has a well established fantasy writers, but superhero writers are still only emerging.
I've met Ben Langdon since 'The Miranda Contract' was published, and I've worked with him on an Australian short story anthology. I'm confident that we will read a lot more from this writer, not only about the lives of Dan and Miranda (and Halo) but who knows where he will go after this series.
I've met Ben Langdon since 'The Miranda Contract' was published, and I've worked with him on an Australian short story anthology. I'm confident that we will read a lot more from this writer, not only about the lives of Dan and Miranda (and Halo) but who knows where he will go after this series.
April 3, 2015
Review: THE MIRANDA CONTRACT by Ben Langdon
I chose to read this book as part of a group read in the Goodreads Group "Pro-Active Destruction." not sure what to expect, I leaped in anyways, and "honey, the water is just fine." to my immense surprise, I totally grokked it and enjoyed it immensely.
When I commenced to read, I confess my hopes weren't high. Superheroes? ROCK star? Just "not my thing":). But that turned out to be SO wrong, a sure case of judging before trying. Not only is the story excellently written and compelling, it's absorbing, intriguing, and utterly absorbing. The author balances a wide cast of characters, fully examines each, and makes them cohere. Even the secondary characters are fully fleshed out, and the book is an overall joy.
I chose to read this book as part of a group read in the Goodreads Group "Pro-Active Destruction." not sure what to expect, I leaped in anyways, and "honey, the water is just fine." to my immense surprise, I totally grokked it and enjoyed it immensely.
When I commenced to read, I confess my hopes weren't high. Superheroes? ROCK star? Just "not my thing":). But that turned out to be SO wrong, a sure case of judging before trying. Not only is the story excellently written and compelling, it's absorbing, intriguing, and utterly absorbing. The author balances a wide cast of characters, fully examines each, and makes them cohere. Even the secondary characters are fully fleshed out, and the book is an overall joy.
March 1, 2015
Dan and Miranda both are pretending to be somebody their not.
Dan was a 12 year supervillian forced and manipulated by his grandfather The Mad Russian. Dan can absorb and see electricity, He‘s been hiding for 5 years when his grandfathers starts hunting him down.
Miranda a pop star singing songs she doesn't like wearing clothes that are not her. Somebody wants them together so they can start a new kind a war against the people.
This is the first time a read a book like this, for a group read and I did enjoy it, it’s still not my kind of book but I had no trouble finishing it. I liked Dan’s powers. I ‘m not to crazy about the villains part but that’s just my personal taste.
Dan was a 12 year supervillian forced and manipulated by his grandfather The Mad Russian. Dan can absorb and see electricity, He‘s been hiding for 5 years when his grandfathers starts hunting him down.
Miranda a pop star singing songs she doesn't like wearing clothes that are not her. Somebody wants them together so they can start a new kind a war against the people.
This is the first time a read a book like this, for a group read and I did enjoy it, it’s still not my kind of book but I had no trouble finishing it. I liked Dan’s powers. I ‘m not to crazy about the villains part but that’s just my personal taste.
April 11, 2015
Good friend and colleague, Ben's writing is amazing. You can tell he has grown up with comics and I think he is a bit of a geek - in a good way. His attention to the balance between good and evil is admirable and shows that he isn't interested in black and white dichotomies. There is attention to character in this story, and I anxiously await the sequel. Look for more writers coming from Kalamity Press.
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