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The Other Eight
Superpowers have turned out to be a disappointment. Heat vision? Super strength? Flight? They are nowhere to be found. Instead, powers like photosynthesis or the ability to spontaneously change hair color seem to be the best the world can offer. To make matters worse, the gifted individuals tend to suffer from psychological issues. Nonetheless, in hopes of finding enough functional meta-humans to form a squad, in 1965 the US military created The Guardian Project. The head of the Army's current incarnation of the project hires Dr. Adam Aiken, a psychologist specializing in the meta-human condition, to filter out the most dangerously unbalanced of the prospective super-soldiers. The screening process is to be done with all possible secrecy. This proves to be more easily said than done. A misfiring superpower leaks news of the recruitment effort to the public, attracting a flood of misfit meta-humans from around the nation, each hungry for heroic validation. A sleazy PR officer knows publicity when he sees it and converts the secret program into a nationally broadcast competition with all of the dignity and grace of a reality show. The ultimate prize is a coveted spot on a government sanctioned super team.
The Other Eight follows the exploits of the applicants deemed sane enough for consideration. On one side are earnest but underpowered heroes like the twitch-inducing Nonsensica or the fluorescent tube-hurling Phosphor. On the other are the better equipped but less dedicated recruits like walking good luck charm Johnny on The Spot and seed-spitting loose cannon The Hocker. Who will win a place on the team, and what will be done about the jilted heroes who didn't make the cut?
The Other Eight follows the exploits of the applicants deemed sane enough for consideration. On one side are earnest but underpowered heroes like the twitch-inducing Nonsensica or the fluorescent tube-hurling Phosphor. On the other are the better equipped but less dedicated recruits like walking good luck charm Johnny on The Spot and seed-spitting loose cannon The Hocker. Who will win a place on the team, and what will be done about the jilted heroes who didn't make the cut?
214 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2014
10 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 28, 2022
A very funny take on a bunch of second stringer super heroes who end up saving the day.
September 27, 2019
I admit to not being into all this super hero stuff -- a bit of batman is as far as it goes with me. So why was i reading this book? Because it was written by Joseph -- nuff said.
The reason i don't like the normal super hero thing is that it's all just plain stupid: get bit by a radio active spider and suddenly you can climb walls and beat the hell out of super villains. Yeah, whatevah! But 'The Other Eight' takes that just plain stupid thing to the most silly it can get and just has some fun with it. And, i have to say, it actually works.
At last a super hero story that actually sets out to be silly, rather than a silly super hero story trying it's hardest to be serious.
So yeah, i like it. Because every now and again one needs a bit of silly in ones life and this book fills that spot exceptionally well.
Great writing, fun characters, fun story, just fun.
Enjoy.
The reason i don't like the normal super hero thing is that it's all just plain stupid: get bit by a radio active spider and suddenly you can climb walls and beat the hell out of super villains. Yeah, whatevah! But 'The Other Eight' takes that just plain stupid thing to the most silly it can get and just has some fun with it. And, i have to say, it actually works.
At last a super hero story that actually sets out to be silly, rather than a silly super hero story trying it's hardest to be serious.
So yeah, i like it. Because every now and again one needs a bit of silly in ones life and this book fills that spot exceptionally well.
Great writing, fun characters, fun story, just fun.
Enjoy.
April 27, 2014
This review is for the Kindle edition ebook.
Disclosure: I was given my copy of this book by the author as a review copy.
Misfits, the US Army, and a top-secret project. What could possibly go wrong with that?
A group of humans with advanced capabilities are recruited by the US Army for a top-secret project called The Guardian Project. When the project is accidentally leaked, it becomes a reality show in spite of all the secrecy.
This book is not laugh out loud funny, but there is plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor in it. As someone that spent 20 years in the US military, there is enough fact to keep my interest. Yet, there is enough satire to remind me it really is fiction. I love the way the supposed less worthy come through to win the battle and convince the commanding officer they are worth keeping. I thought Afterthought was the best character of all.
Joseph Lallo writes books today because there are people that read them. Stories such as this one lend a bit of fun to our reading pleasure. While not everyone will see the humor in this story, those that do will be glad they read it.
I am going to recommend this book to those who enjoy reading subtle humor and satire. Those who enjoy seeing fun poked at the military will also enjoy it. It will not please all readers, because not all readers will understand the humor buried in this book. For myself, I really like the way this author writes, and will continue to read his books.
Disclosure: I was given my copy of this book by the author as a review copy.
Misfits, the US Army, and a top-secret project. What could possibly go wrong with that?
A group of humans with advanced capabilities are recruited by the US Army for a top-secret project called The Guardian Project. When the project is accidentally leaked, it becomes a reality show in spite of all the secrecy.
This book is not laugh out loud funny, but there is plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor in it. As someone that spent 20 years in the US military, there is enough fact to keep my interest. Yet, there is enough satire to remind me it really is fiction. I love the way the supposed less worthy come through to win the battle and convince the commanding officer they are worth keeping. I thought Afterthought was the best character of all.
Joseph Lallo writes books today because there are people that read them. Stories such as this one lend a bit of fun to our reading pleasure. While not everyone will see the humor in this story, those that do will be glad they read it.
I am going to recommend this book to those who enjoy reading subtle humor and satire. Those who enjoy seeing fun poked at the military will also enjoy it. It will not please all readers, because not all readers will understand the humor buried in this book. For myself, I really like the way this author writes, and will continue to read his books.
May 14, 2014
Like many self-published books this one has the occasional spelling mistake and grammatical error, but due to Joseph's natural ability to keep the reader engaged - those errors seem to fade into the background.
Departing drastically from his previous series (both The Book of Deacon and Bypass Gemini) The Other Eight is nonetheless definitely worth the $2.99 price tag.
This quirky story is an ingenious idea about a bunch of misfit 'super heroes' thrown into an impromptu reality show due to a potential 'hero' spilling the beans on a secret miltary operation. The novel casts these misfits together on their reality journey where unlikely friendships form and these heroes band together. A classic good vs evil battle with quintessential twists and turns.
This novel is indeed humourous and while maybe not everyone's cup of tea, it kept me entertained and turning the page. I would definitely recommend it. Please take a chance and experience the world of Joseph Lallo's writing!
Departing drastically from his previous series (both The Book of Deacon and Bypass Gemini) The Other Eight is nonetheless definitely worth the $2.99 price tag.
This quirky story is an ingenious idea about a bunch of misfit 'super heroes' thrown into an impromptu reality show due to a potential 'hero' spilling the beans on a secret miltary operation. The novel casts these misfits together on their reality journey where unlikely friendships form and these heroes band together. A classic good vs evil battle with quintessential twists and turns.
This novel is indeed humourous and while maybe not everyone's cup of tea, it kept me entertained and turning the page. I would definitely recommend it. Please take a chance and experience the world of Joseph Lallo's writing!
June 5, 2014
Fantastic!
I received a free copy of this by winning a drawing for a set of the SF/F NaNoWriMo StoryBundle.
The book follows the exploits of a bunch of not-particularly-super superheroes as they try to make the cut for the Army's nascent superhero team. In this fiction, a small number of people naturally have superpowers, but everybody gets weak and silly powers, like the ability to get attacked by a swarm of bees, or the ability to photosynthesize.
The plot is pretty transparent, because the book is far too lighthearted to have any ending other than a happy one. That said, the excellent humor and fast pacing make it a short but very pleasant read. I normally prefer relatively long forms of fiction, but this short book is actually a good length for the story - it could certainly be longer, but it doesn't feel like we're missing critical details.
I received a free copy of this by winning a drawing for a set of the SF/F NaNoWriMo StoryBundle.
The book follows the exploits of a bunch of not-particularly-super superheroes as they try to make the cut for the Army's nascent superhero team. In this fiction, a small number of people naturally have superpowers, but everybody gets weak and silly powers, like the ability to get attacked by a swarm of bees, or the ability to photosynthesize.
The plot is pretty transparent, because the book is far too lighthearted to have any ending other than a happy one. That said, the excellent humor and fast pacing make it a short but very pleasant read. I normally prefer relatively long forms of fiction, but this short book is actually a good length for the story - it could certainly be longer, but it doesn't feel like we're missing critical details.
January 28, 2016
I really liked this book. It's also the first E-book that I finished reading, and I'm having some good opinion of E-books now thanks to this book. It's a really fresh book, in my opinion. Useless superpowers! Who would have thought of Gracias and his ability to give people *grassy ass*. It's really an enjoyable read even though there were a few errors here and there. I like how the characters actually grow and develop, they feel more real that way, one thing I really disliked was how convenient everything was! It had a very cliche ending, but overall I really enjoyed the book and I like the dialogue in it, it's fun and quirky! For a first successful NaNoWriMo work, I'd say Joseph R. Lallo is off to a good start. I'm looking forward to more books by him!
April 29, 2014
If you have ever ran around your house with a makeshift cape around you neck, if you have ever tried coming up with your own catch phrase, or envisioned yourself saving the day in some made up catastrophe then this is the book for you. If you have not done any of these things then you should seriously read this book.
Joseph Lallo has taken the age old story of superhero vs. Villain and shook it up, modernized it a bit and dare I say he has even poked fun at it. I thought the book was hilarious and hope to see more about these characters. I hope you read this book.
Joseph Lallo has taken the age old story of superhero vs. Villain and shook it up, modernized it a bit and dare I say he has even poked fun at it. I thought the book was hilarious and hope to see more about these characters. I hope you read this book.
June 16, 2014
This was a very entertaining read. There were a few typos that were distracting, but I read in the end that it was a NaNoWriMo writing, and all was forgiven. The plot more than makes up for the grammatical errors. I'm definitely interested in reading more from this author, and would love to see this world become more fleshed out in future books.
May 26, 2014
Picked this up through the story bundle.
Hilarious!! Really great what if premise. I found the story really enjoyable! The character Gracias was my favourite.
Humourus book not to be taken seriously!
Hilarious!! Really great what if premise. I found the story really enjoyable! The character Gracias was my favourite.
Humourus book not to be taken seriously!
June 10, 2014
nice reading, novel approach to super heroes.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews