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The Misshapes #1
The Misshapes
Some people have powers.
Some people do not.
And some people may just change the world.
Sarah Robertson is one of those people.
Sarah Robertson is no ordinary girl — she can control the weather with her emotions. But in a town where superheroes walk the streets, her powers aren’t enough for the prestigious Hero Academy. Instead of being accepted to the school of her dreams, Sarah is marked as an outcast with power — a Misshape.
Now she’s stuck with a group of fellow Misshapes, her dreams on hold. Yet has an intriguing (and smoking hot) new mentor, and an unexpected romance blooms with superstar Hero dreamboat Freedom Boy. And when Doolittle Falls comes under threat of annihilation, Sarah will learn just how powerful she is when she’s forced to choose between her friends and the destiny she’s always wanted. And she may just kick some supervillain butt in the process.
Some people do not.
And some people may just change the world.
Sarah Robertson is one of those people.
Sarah Robertson is no ordinary girl — she can control the weather with her emotions. But in a town where superheroes walk the streets, her powers aren’t enough for the prestigious Hero Academy. Instead of being accepted to the school of her dreams, Sarah is marked as an outcast with power — a Misshape.
Now she’s stuck with a group of fellow Misshapes, her dreams on hold. Yet has an intriguing (and smoking hot) new mentor, and an unexpected romance blooms with superstar Hero dreamboat Freedom Boy. And when Doolittle Falls comes under threat of annihilation, Sarah will learn just how powerful she is when she’s forced to choose between her friends and the destiny she’s always wanted. And she may just kick some supervillain butt in the process.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2014
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633 people want to read
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October 28, 2014
First Paragraph: I don’t remember how old I was the first time I saw a man fly. I was very small; I remember that much. My arms were tightly locked around my dad’s neck. He was giving me a piggyback ride through our perfectly ordinary town center. It was a crisp and cold fall day. Our heads craned upward as we tried to name the various clouds in the sky, giving them shapes, personalities, and identities. Mom still lived with us. I didn’t know about her abilities yet.
Quick Note: I don't think this YA book quite qualifies for the big red warning I throw up when I review hardcore cannibals-eating-and-raping-everybody-Mike-Mullin-style YA, but despite being kid-friendly, The Misshapes is not middle grade. There's some language and adult themes, but if a child sat through The Dark Knight (and they should, or their parents have failed them), they should have no trouble with The Misshapes.
Do you love superheroes, Esteemed Reader? Unless this is your first time reading this blog, you know I do. Writing a superhero novel is one of the top items on my bucket list (Banneker Bones has no super powers, alas), and whatever the story, if a character has superpowers, I'm interested.
The trick in writing about characters with superpowers is the same as writing about magic or zombies or any other subject. First, invest the reader in the character, then you can put them in whatever compelling situation you choose and pages will be turned. That's what I love about The Misshapes and particularly the paragraph above, which is one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read.
Alex Flynn first hooks us with the situation in sentence one: this is a world in which people can fly--or we'd be hearing about the time Sarah saw a man fly rather than just the first time. As a comic book junkie, I'm hooked at least enough to read to the end of the first chapter, but then Flynn sets the hook with the last sentence. Mom is apparently gone--not dead, but gone--and she also has abilities. Things just got personal. I'm interested in the world of the story and I'm now interested in our protagonist, Sarah Robertson, whose mother has left her and who may have inherited superpowers.
16-year-old Sarah Robertson does indeed have superpowers, She's pretty much teenage Storm:
I flipped the switch on the humidifier. The plastic mechanism inside it whirred. A warm skein of moist air poured out of the nozzle. I waved my hand through it a couple of times and tried to focus my emotions on the jet. With a small dark thought and a little tension in my muscles, I was able to shepherd the rising moisture and form a small cloud. It looked like a floating pile of marshmallows.
How much fun is that? If you're like me, Esteemed Reader, you're hooked already and there's no need for you to read the rest of this review. Go ahead and buy your copy of The Misshapes. You can always come back and read this later:) And you'll be glad you did. The Misshapes is a fun book with a lot of heart and some truly interesting characters.
Sarah lives in a world where superheros and villains are an everyday thing. Rather than concocting a scheme in which everyone in the town of Doolittle Falls is bitten by a radioactive spider, Alex Flynn has a much simpler explanation:
Mom said that Heroes have been around since the dawn of time. Throughout the ages, people have held them in high esteem and great disdain, depending on whether they’re fighting in a war or trying to rule a country.
Some of the national celebrities wear their capes around town, like Freedom Man, but almost everyone else Clark Kents it. Mom explained it like this: Everyone is born without powers, but as they grow older, they develop. And once puberty hits, boom, you’re a full-on one-person crime-fighting machine. Or, in some cases, crime-causing. But until that point, you’re in limbo, with some traces of powers to come. Some may find that they can control the elements, like turning rocks into liquid. Others may just be able to fly, although very few can without some assisted propulsion.
She tried to explain how superpowers happened once. They’re the result of a small rogue chromosome that broke off from the rest of the genes thousands of years ago. That was all well and good, but when some virus interacted with this chromosome, it transformed it into a source of potential superpowers. That’s how Heroes came into existence, and that’s how they marry other Heroes and they pass down powerful powers from kid to kid. The process of finding out who was going to have awesome powers, the right kind of powers, was similar to finding a prima ballerina. Prima ballerinas are discovered when they’re young, when experts check the make of their feet and their legs to determine whether they’ll develop into sylphs that you can throw around.
So there you have it. We've got a town full of superheros and you just know that sooner or later some villains are going to present themselves. There's some dark threats on the horizon that will likely follow Sarah into the sequels, assuming there will be some (don't worry-there's no cliffhanger ending, just room for more story if readers want it).
Comparisons to Harry Potter are inevitable to most middle grade and young adult books written A.R. (After Rowling). I'm not about to tell you The Misshapes is basically Harry Potter with superheroes instead of wizards, nor is it the book version of Sky High. It's its own thing. Oh sure, the superheroes play a game that very much reminded me of quidditch, but more complicated and without brooms. But in some ways, Sarah Robertson is kind of the anti-Harry Potter, or Bizzaro Harry, if you will:)
Why do I say this? Well, Sarah's parents weren't killed by a super-villain. Sort of the opposite (or bizzaro-site):
I was rudely awoken by the sound of Megan’s whiskey-tinged drawl. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Bane of Innsmouth’s little daughter. Oh, and let’s not forget, the sister of Stupor Man.” She lowered her sunglasses and glared at me. “You know no one wants you here. Half their parents tried to kill your mom, and with your brother drunk all the time your family doesn’t have the best rep.” It was a rude awakening, to say the least.
That's a coincidence, you say? Could be. But then Sarah gets a letter (true, it's not delivered by an owl) from the superhero Hogwarts uninviting her to attend. She actually gets it at a superhero party and is shamed in front of the group she most wants to be part of rather than triumphing over the family that's done her wrong. Doomed to never become a proper superhero (or is she...), Sarah becomes a Misshape.
I don't know if this Harry Potter stuff really holds up, so I'll drop it. Just struck me as interesting as all.
The Misshapes is a hilarious book perfect for fans of The Tick and other humorous superhero stories. Some of the powers, such as one boy's ability to conjure back-up singers, kept me chuckling and turning pages to the end. And there's plenty of social satire and a metaphorical discussion on class--lots of those going around now that America is at peak inequality. I had a good time making my way through this book and you will too.
As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from The Misshapes:
Even though there are a lot of Heroes in this town, parents are still pretty mistrusting of strangers. A town with Heroes can draw villains out of the woodwork.
Luke yelled after us as we made our way to the stands, “You should come to my place after the game. I mean, my parents’ place. They’re not home and …” He stopped and started again. “I’m having an after-party. You should come.”
“Can my friends come or is this a party of two, Luke?” said Christie.
He turned bright red. “No. I mean yes. Of course they can.”
She smiled at him and he melted to the floor. Not literally though. That power would be gross.
The more I looked at her, the more I realized that even though she was a Normal, she totally had superpowers—she was super hot, she was super rich, and she lived in this super neighborhood.
Professor Cyclopso is so creepy. He always stares at the girls with his one eye.
Quick Note: I don't think this YA book quite qualifies for the big red warning I throw up when I review hardcore cannibals-eating-and-raping-everybody-Mike-Mullin-style YA, but despite being kid-friendly, The Misshapes is not middle grade. There's some language and adult themes, but if a child sat through The Dark Knight (and they should, or their parents have failed them), they should have no trouble with The Misshapes.
Do you love superheroes, Esteemed Reader? Unless this is your first time reading this blog, you know I do. Writing a superhero novel is one of the top items on my bucket list (Banneker Bones has no super powers, alas), and whatever the story, if a character has superpowers, I'm interested.
The trick in writing about characters with superpowers is the same as writing about magic or zombies or any other subject. First, invest the reader in the character, then you can put them in whatever compelling situation you choose and pages will be turned. That's what I love about The Misshapes and particularly the paragraph above, which is one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read.
Alex Flynn first hooks us with the situation in sentence one: this is a world in which people can fly--or we'd be hearing about the time Sarah saw a man fly rather than just the first time. As a comic book junkie, I'm hooked at least enough to read to the end of the first chapter, but then Flynn sets the hook with the last sentence. Mom is apparently gone--not dead, but gone--and she also has abilities. Things just got personal. I'm interested in the world of the story and I'm now interested in our protagonist, Sarah Robertson, whose mother has left her and who may have inherited superpowers.
16-year-old Sarah Robertson does indeed have superpowers, She's pretty much teenage Storm:
I flipped the switch on the humidifier. The plastic mechanism inside it whirred. A warm skein of moist air poured out of the nozzle. I waved my hand through it a couple of times and tried to focus my emotions on the jet. With a small dark thought and a little tension in my muscles, I was able to shepherd the rising moisture and form a small cloud. It looked like a floating pile of marshmallows.
How much fun is that? If you're like me, Esteemed Reader, you're hooked already and there's no need for you to read the rest of this review. Go ahead and buy your copy of The Misshapes. You can always come back and read this later:) And you'll be glad you did. The Misshapes is a fun book with a lot of heart and some truly interesting characters.
Sarah lives in a world where superheros and villains are an everyday thing. Rather than concocting a scheme in which everyone in the town of Doolittle Falls is bitten by a radioactive spider, Alex Flynn has a much simpler explanation:
Mom said that Heroes have been around since the dawn of time. Throughout the ages, people have held them in high esteem and great disdain, depending on whether they’re fighting in a war or trying to rule a country.
Some of the national celebrities wear their capes around town, like Freedom Man, but almost everyone else Clark Kents it. Mom explained it like this: Everyone is born without powers, but as they grow older, they develop. And once puberty hits, boom, you’re a full-on one-person crime-fighting machine. Or, in some cases, crime-causing. But until that point, you’re in limbo, with some traces of powers to come. Some may find that they can control the elements, like turning rocks into liquid. Others may just be able to fly, although very few can without some assisted propulsion.
She tried to explain how superpowers happened once. They’re the result of a small rogue chromosome that broke off from the rest of the genes thousands of years ago. That was all well and good, but when some virus interacted with this chromosome, it transformed it into a source of potential superpowers. That’s how Heroes came into existence, and that’s how they marry other Heroes and they pass down powerful powers from kid to kid. The process of finding out who was going to have awesome powers, the right kind of powers, was similar to finding a prima ballerina. Prima ballerinas are discovered when they’re young, when experts check the make of their feet and their legs to determine whether they’ll develop into sylphs that you can throw around.
So there you have it. We've got a town full of superheros and you just know that sooner or later some villains are going to present themselves. There's some dark threats on the horizon that will likely follow Sarah into the sequels, assuming there will be some (don't worry-there's no cliffhanger ending, just room for more story if readers want it).
Comparisons to Harry Potter are inevitable to most middle grade and young adult books written A.R. (After Rowling). I'm not about to tell you The Misshapes is basically Harry Potter with superheroes instead of wizards, nor is it the book version of Sky High. It's its own thing. Oh sure, the superheroes play a game that very much reminded me of quidditch, but more complicated and without brooms. But in some ways, Sarah Robertson is kind of the anti-Harry Potter, or Bizzaro Harry, if you will:)
Why do I say this? Well, Sarah's parents weren't killed by a super-villain. Sort of the opposite (or bizzaro-site):
I was rudely awoken by the sound of Megan’s whiskey-tinged drawl. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Bane of Innsmouth’s little daughter. Oh, and let’s not forget, the sister of Stupor Man.” She lowered her sunglasses and glared at me. “You know no one wants you here. Half their parents tried to kill your mom, and with your brother drunk all the time your family doesn’t have the best rep.” It was a rude awakening, to say the least.
That's a coincidence, you say? Could be. But then Sarah gets a letter (true, it's not delivered by an owl) from the superhero Hogwarts uninviting her to attend. She actually gets it at a superhero party and is shamed in front of the group she most wants to be part of rather than triumphing over the family that's done her wrong. Doomed to never become a proper superhero (or is she...), Sarah becomes a Misshape.
I don't know if this Harry Potter stuff really holds up, so I'll drop it. Just struck me as interesting as all.
The Misshapes is a hilarious book perfect for fans of The Tick and other humorous superhero stories. Some of the powers, such as one boy's ability to conjure back-up singers, kept me chuckling and turning pages to the end. And there's plenty of social satire and a metaphorical discussion on class--lots of those going around now that America is at peak inequality. I had a good time making my way through this book and you will too.
As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from The Misshapes:
Even though there are a lot of Heroes in this town, parents are still pretty mistrusting of strangers. A town with Heroes can draw villains out of the woodwork.
Luke yelled after us as we made our way to the stands, “You should come to my place after the game. I mean, my parents’ place. They’re not home and …” He stopped and started again. “I’m having an after-party. You should come.”
“Can my friends come or is this a party of two, Luke?” said Christie.
He turned bright red. “No. I mean yes. Of course they can.”
She smiled at him and he melted to the floor. Not literally though. That power would be gross.
The more I looked at her, the more I realized that even though she was a Normal, she totally had superpowers—she was super hot, she was super rich, and she lived in this super neighborhood.
Professor Cyclopso is so creepy. He always stares at the girls with his one eye.
February 20, 2015
Misshapes is about a world in which superheroes and villains exist and I have to say I've never actually read anything like this before; at least along the lines of Superman type heroes, so it was a change up for me and I was excited to be able to read it. It was rather fun to read about it, regardless of the problems in the writing. The character Alice quickly became my favorite character and I loved her sense of humor.
The book continued to make me laugh and some lines were labeled: 'the. best. line. ever' in my notes.
Now, while there is romance (possibly a love triangle in the making) the insta-love between Sarah and Freedom Boy felt like a ball out of left field. So much so that I was instantly suspicious of his motives! The inconsistencies that plagued the book was if nothing else, very annoying, so much so that I was re-reading paragraphs very slowly to make sure I was reading it correctly.
For example, there's a scene of Sarah and Freedom Boy flying, and one minute she's on his back, and then the next she's in his arms in the span of a single sentence without explanation of how she got there. This sort of thing happens a good deal. Some people may not even notice or care, but others will, if like me, find it annoying. Unexpected problems popped up out of no-where in the writing without any lead-in or build up, making it feel unnatural and giving me that feeling of shock you get when you hit an unexpected pot hole in the road you somehow managed to not see coming. Despite the stories premise there were just some unrealistic scenes taking place that I couldn't just get past. For example, Sarah having a conversation with a semi-naked guy in a sandbox...in the middle of the woods. There were other instances, but I don't want to spoil the story.
The authors made a great world for their characters, but it wasn't that solidly built and the characters were rather one dimensional. Sarah, our main protagonist, despite some of the character growth still managed to feel flat to me by the end of it all. By chapter fifteen I was wondering if Freedom Boy had an actual name at all and the fact that it took until chapter fifty-three, damn near the end of the book for us to learn it was ridiculous, and was even more compounded by the simple truth that we learned his name at the same time Sarah did, despite her dating him since nearly the beginning of the book.
To top it off the authors pulled a Deus ex machina at the end with the rather sudden and abrupt appearance of the "stranger" to fix the problem. As it was, we got no explanation of how the person got there that fast, if they were just hanging out near-by, (then why didn't they help out sooner?) or if the person just had (obviously unbeknown to the reader) sonic boom style speed, we'll never know unfortunately.
Regardless of all these problems and inconsistencies in the book (small as they may have been, they still bugged me) I liked it, and still surprisingly so enjoyed the story and will more than likely be picking up the next in the series.
This review was originally posted on Wall 2 Wall
"Meet up?" Alice said, shaking her head. "I can't let you go off on your own in the dangerous world of chain stores. You may wind up looking lie a total skank for your date."
Right. I did want to look honorable.
"Or seven worse, you might not look like one," she added.
The book continued to make me laugh and some lines were labeled: 'the. best. line. ever' in my notes.
"I have one friend here, I think, and the rest are just vaguely hostile."
Now, while there is romance (possibly a love triangle in the making) the insta-love between Sarah and Freedom Boy felt like a ball out of left field. So much so that I was instantly suspicious of his motives! The inconsistencies that plagued the book was if nothing else, very annoying, so much so that I was re-reading paragraphs very slowly to make sure I was reading it correctly.
For example, there's a scene of Sarah and Freedom Boy flying, and one minute she's on his back, and then the next she's in his arms in the span of a single sentence without explanation of how she got there. This sort of thing happens a good deal. Some people may not even notice or care, but others will, if like me, find it annoying. Unexpected problems popped up out of no-where in the writing without any lead-in or build up, making it feel unnatural and giving me that feeling of shock you get when you hit an unexpected pot hole in the road you somehow managed to not see coming. Despite the stories premise there were just some unrealistic scenes taking place that I couldn't just get past. For example, Sarah having a conversation with a semi-naked guy in a sandbox...in the middle of the woods. There were other instances, but I don't want to spoil the story.
The authors made a great world for their characters, but it wasn't that solidly built and the characters were rather one dimensional. Sarah, our main protagonist, despite some of the character growth still managed to feel flat to me by the end of it all. By chapter fifteen I was wondering if Freedom Boy had an actual name at all and the fact that it took until chapter fifty-three, damn near the end of the book for us to learn it was ridiculous, and was even more compounded by the simple truth that we learned his name at the same time Sarah did, despite her dating him since nearly the beginning of the book.
To top it off the authors pulled a Deus ex machina at the end with the rather sudden and abrupt appearance of the "stranger" to fix the problem. As it was, we got no explanation of how the person got there that fast, if they were just hanging out near-by, (then why didn't they help out sooner?) or if the person just had (obviously unbeknown to the reader) sonic boom style speed, we'll never know unfortunately.
Regardless of all these problems and inconsistencies in the book (small as they may have been, they still bugged me) I liked it, and still surprisingly so enjoyed the story and will more than likely be picking up the next in the series.
This review was originally posted on Wall 2 Wall
October 13, 2014
***I received this book free through the Goodreads First Reads Program***
For me, this was around a 3.5, but I was pleasantly surprised, so I’m rounding up. I thought the book was really sweet. It kind of reminded me of the movie Sky High with its heroes and sidekicks (in this case, Misshapes). It started a little slow because there was a lot of exposition at first, but it was an enjoyable read, and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.
Plot:
Sarah, who can control weather with her emotions, finds out she didn’t make it into the Hero Academy. Even though she has to attend regular high school, she manages to catch the attention of Freedom Boy, the son of the town’s biggest superhero. She also meets Sam, a Hero Academy graduate whose powers are similar to hers, and begins to train with him, so she can try for the academy again next year.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s school forces her and all of the other kids with powers to attend a class to learn to use their powers responsibly. Being part of the class on its own stigmatizes her and the others as Misshapes, people with powers that are too unusual or weak to be considered worthy of the Hero Academy. She is already an outcast because her mom is in hiding for being a supervillain. While studying with the other Misshapes, she learns that having powers like hers isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And when she and the other misshapes are threatened with the loss of their powers, she may even become a hero.
Characters:
Sarah is a typical 16 year-old girl. She is boy crazy and just wants to be part of the in-crowd. She grows considerably as the book progresses. Freedom Boy, the object of Sarah’s affections, is sketchy to say the least. As much as she would like to trust him, certain things happen that make it impossible.
Wanting to go to the Academy and become “worthy” of Freedom Boy’s approval, she starts training with Sam. Sam is sweet, but I don’t think the book focuses on Sarah’s relationship with him as much as it could have. Personally, I would like to have seen more of him than Freedom Boy.
We do get to see a lot of the Misshapes. Sarah’s brother Johnny (who can turn water into alcohol) was kicked out of the Academy. He’s resentful but not for the reasons you would expect. There’s also Alice (she can communicate with animals), who quickly becomes Sarah’s best friend and helps her to realize that she is fine just the way she is. The Misshapes have a wide variety of talents, all of which are somewhat amusing.
There are also the heroes, which are the equivalent of the popular kids. They, too, have a wide variety of powers, but they also believe that the Misshapes and normals (people with no powers at all) aren’t worthy of their attention.
Writing:
The copy I received was an unedited one; amazingly, there were fewer errors than many of the edited books I’ve read. One of the reviews I read mentioned that it’s hard to determine who the audience of the book is, and I would have to agree a little with that. The book does have child-like superhero names (Freedom Boy, Aqua Kid, etc.), and the romance is very non-descript, so you would think it was meant for younger readers. At the same time, it has a few curse words here and there, and there are several references to sluts and other derogatory terms.
The Bottom Line:
Although the book was “younger” than I would usually read, I still enjoyed it. I even found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. In terms of plot, the immediate action is resolved, but at the end of the book, you can tell the story isn’t really over. If a sequel does come out, I would definitely read it.
For me, this was around a 3.5, but I was pleasantly surprised, so I’m rounding up. I thought the book was really sweet. It kind of reminded me of the movie Sky High with its heroes and sidekicks (in this case, Misshapes). It started a little slow because there was a lot of exposition at first, but it was an enjoyable read, and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.
Plot:
Sarah, who can control weather with her emotions, finds out she didn’t make it into the Hero Academy. Even though she has to attend regular high school, she manages to catch the attention of Freedom Boy, the son of the town’s biggest superhero. She also meets Sam, a Hero Academy graduate whose powers are similar to hers, and begins to train with him, so she can try for the academy again next year.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s school forces her and all of the other kids with powers to attend a class to learn to use their powers responsibly. Being part of the class on its own stigmatizes her and the others as Misshapes, people with powers that are too unusual or weak to be considered worthy of the Hero Academy. She is already an outcast because her mom is in hiding for being a supervillain. While studying with the other Misshapes, she learns that having powers like hers isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And when she and the other misshapes are threatened with the loss of their powers, she may even become a hero.
Characters:
Sarah is a typical 16 year-old girl. She is boy crazy and just wants to be part of the in-crowd. She grows considerably as the book progresses. Freedom Boy, the object of Sarah’s affections, is sketchy to say the least. As much as she would like to trust him, certain things happen that make it impossible.
Wanting to go to the Academy and become “worthy” of Freedom Boy’s approval, she starts training with Sam. Sam is sweet, but I don’t think the book focuses on Sarah’s relationship with him as much as it could have. Personally, I would like to have seen more of him than Freedom Boy.
We do get to see a lot of the Misshapes. Sarah’s brother Johnny (who can turn water into alcohol) was kicked out of the Academy. He’s resentful but not for the reasons you would expect. There’s also Alice (she can communicate with animals), who quickly becomes Sarah’s best friend and helps her to realize that she is fine just the way she is. The Misshapes have a wide variety of talents, all of which are somewhat amusing.
There are also the heroes, which are the equivalent of the popular kids. They, too, have a wide variety of powers, but they also believe that the Misshapes and normals (people with no powers at all) aren’t worthy of their attention.
Writing:
The copy I received was an unedited one; amazingly, there were fewer errors than many of the edited books I’ve read. One of the reviews I read mentioned that it’s hard to determine who the audience of the book is, and I would have to agree a little with that. The book does have child-like superhero names (Freedom Boy, Aqua Kid, etc.), and the romance is very non-descript, so you would think it was meant for younger readers. At the same time, it has a few curse words here and there, and there are several references to sluts and other derogatory terms.
The Bottom Line:
Although the book was “younger” than I would usually read, I still enjoyed it. I even found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. In terms of plot, the immediate action is resolved, but at the end of the book, you can tell the story isn’t really over. If a sequel does come out, I would definitely read it.
October 3, 2014
I received an ARC via Goodreads which didn't influence my review one way or the other. I have to admit it, I wasn't thrilled with the beginning of this one. Other parts I really enjoyed but if I hadn't felt obligated to read this because that's part of the covenant I entered into in winning it, I might not have gotten to the better parts.
Part of my problem with the beginning was I'm not a fifteen year old girl anymore, like our protagonist is. Sarah spends the first few chapters fan girling over Freedom Boy. Almost every thought is either about him or getting into Hero Academy. Here's the thing, I didn't like girls like that even when I was fifteen.
The story does settle down though, especially once Sarah's mentor Sam enters the picture and is pretty enjoyable from there in. But let me back up to the beginning. All Sarah wants, other than to meet Freedom Boy, is to get into Hero Academy. Her mother used to be the dean there before she went all super villainess. But things aren't in her favor. Not only did Mom turn in her hero cape, Sarah's brother, Johnny, dropped out of the school, opting to go to Harris High with Normals (non-powered kids) and Misshapes (kids whose super powers are frankly not that super). Her dad is a Misshape and frankly Misshapes have a hard place to be. They're looked down upon by the Heroes but they don't fit in with the kids with no powers either.
Sarah's young dreams take a hit. SHe is denied entry into the Academy but Dr. Mann, the new dean promises her, if she shapes up her weather control (she uses emotion for this), then she can get in the following year. For now, she's relegated to the Civics class in Harris High with her fellow Misshapes. However, for some reason, Freedom Boy wants to date her.
And in those early OOoo dating Freedom chapters, I found myself wishing either Johnny or her cousin Betty were the lead. They share the ability to turn any water into alcohol and it could kill them if they aren't careful. Frankly, that was more interesting to me than yet another weather controller. Also, sometimes Sarah does things without consequence, like the whole tornado thing. That bugged me a bit.
But then Sarah stumbles over a naked young man who turns out to be another Academy drop out who can control weather and has a very cool job with a local company. Sam is willing to train Sarah.
As the story progresses, Sarah is torn between desperately wanting to be a hero and fitting in with her Misshape friends. Soon there are dark things in Doolittle Falls. The stakes do get very high and none of the Misshapes will escape unscathed if something isn't done.
I did like this over all, in spite of my feelings about the beginning. However, I would have liked to see the hints of bad things ahead coming earlier in the story than we got them. Much earlier. It felt like there was no real threat to the story until about mid-way in. Before that, it was just, can she train hard enough to get into the Academy.
One thing I didn't take into consideration in my review because I had an uncorrected proof and I'm hoping the grammar blips and formatting issues will be taken care of later, is the font. I really hope this isn't the font they're going to use. It's miniscule, very hard to read. So, if you like superheroes, you'll probably enjoy this
Part of my problem with the beginning was I'm not a fifteen year old girl anymore, like our protagonist is. Sarah spends the first few chapters fan girling over Freedom Boy. Almost every thought is either about him or getting into Hero Academy. Here's the thing, I didn't like girls like that even when I was fifteen.
The story does settle down though, especially once Sarah's mentor Sam enters the picture and is pretty enjoyable from there in. But let me back up to the beginning. All Sarah wants, other than to meet Freedom Boy, is to get into Hero Academy. Her mother used to be the dean there before she went all super villainess. But things aren't in her favor. Not only did Mom turn in her hero cape, Sarah's brother, Johnny, dropped out of the school, opting to go to Harris High with Normals (non-powered kids) and Misshapes (kids whose super powers are frankly not that super). Her dad is a Misshape and frankly Misshapes have a hard place to be. They're looked down upon by the Heroes but they don't fit in with the kids with no powers either.
Sarah's young dreams take a hit. SHe is denied entry into the Academy but Dr. Mann, the new dean promises her, if she shapes up her weather control (she uses emotion for this), then she can get in the following year. For now, she's relegated to the Civics class in Harris High with her fellow Misshapes. However, for some reason, Freedom Boy wants to date her.
And in those early OOoo dating Freedom chapters, I found myself wishing either Johnny or her cousin Betty were the lead. They share the ability to turn any water into alcohol and it could kill them if they aren't careful. Frankly, that was more interesting to me than yet another weather controller. Also, sometimes Sarah does things without consequence, like the whole tornado thing. That bugged me a bit.
But then Sarah stumbles over a naked young man who turns out to be another Academy drop out who can control weather and has a very cool job with a local company. Sam is willing to train Sarah.
As the story progresses, Sarah is torn between desperately wanting to be a hero and fitting in with her Misshape friends. Soon there are dark things in Doolittle Falls. The stakes do get very high and none of the Misshapes will escape unscathed if something isn't done.
I did like this over all, in spite of my feelings about the beginning. However, I would have liked to see the hints of bad things ahead coming earlier in the story than we got them. Much earlier. It felt like there was no real threat to the story until about mid-way in. Before that, it was just, can she train hard enough to get into the Academy.
One thing I didn't take into consideration in my review because I had an uncorrected proof and I'm hoping the grammar blips and formatting issues will be taken care of later, is the font. I really hope this isn't the font they're going to use. It's miniscule, very hard to read. So, if you like superheroes, you'll probably enjoy this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2015
On the Outside, Wanting In
I know, I know. Between getting superpowers around the onset of puberty, and navigating the usual high school angst in the context of a superhero academy, there are literally dozens of pretty heavy handed novels that rework this heavily plowed ground. But, every now and then someone comes up with a new angle, an interesting plot, and appealing characters who give the old superhero academy chestnut a recharge. That's what I feel we have here.
The special ingredients in this book are an emphasis on outsider success, a romance involving smart teens, a twisty plot, a fully realized hero community, and a fine sense of wonder seasoned with a lighter-than-usual touch and good humor. The book isn't grim or unrelentingly swoony or full of whinging might-have-beens. The high school drama is kept to a minimum and the shallow mean girl/bully stuff is pretty much relegated to the background.
As an added bonus, the book is very well written. Many books, even ones I've very much enjoyed, lay on the action and the snappy dialogue but don't work too hard at setting scenes or creating context. Not so here. The authors are willing to pause and build up little scenes, (say, the heroine being sneaked into an event by a hero who can hypnotize the ticket taker with her mind control skills), and they make an extra effort to add grace notes and passing observations that help build up the characters and set the scenes of even the quieter non-action sequences. The result is that the primary characters seem more thoughtful than usual, the hero world seems deeper than usual, and much of the descriptive writing is just richer and more rewarding than usual. The overall feeling isn't "literary", but it is nice to have a super hero actioner that has a little weight and writerly craftsmanship to it.
But, I'm laying it on a little thick. At bottom this is a fun and engaging romp with predictable messages and an engaging feel, but many clever variations and some sly humor. It is entertaining; it doesn't wander off in weird directions, and it introduces the reader to a group of heroic companions who are shaped quite nicely, thank you very much.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
I know, I know. Between getting superpowers around the onset of puberty, and navigating the usual high school angst in the context of a superhero academy, there are literally dozens of pretty heavy handed novels that rework this heavily plowed ground. But, every now and then someone comes up with a new angle, an interesting plot, and appealing characters who give the old superhero academy chestnut a recharge. That's what I feel we have here.
The special ingredients in this book are an emphasis on outsider success, a romance involving smart teens, a twisty plot, a fully realized hero community, and a fine sense of wonder seasoned with a lighter-than-usual touch and good humor. The book isn't grim or unrelentingly swoony or full of whinging might-have-beens. The high school drama is kept to a minimum and the shallow mean girl/bully stuff is pretty much relegated to the background.
As an added bonus, the book is very well written. Many books, even ones I've very much enjoyed, lay on the action and the snappy dialogue but don't work too hard at setting scenes or creating context. Not so here. The authors are willing to pause and build up little scenes, (say, the heroine being sneaked into an event by a hero who can hypnotize the ticket taker with her mind control skills), and they make an extra effort to add grace notes and passing observations that help build up the characters and set the scenes of even the quieter non-action sequences. The result is that the primary characters seem more thoughtful than usual, the hero world seems deeper than usual, and much of the descriptive writing is just richer and more rewarding than usual. The overall feeling isn't "literary", but it is nice to have a super hero actioner that has a little weight and writerly craftsmanship to it.
But, I'm laying it on a little thick. At bottom this is a fun and engaging romp with predictable messages and an engaging feel, but many clever variations and some sly humor. It is entertaining; it doesn't wander off in weird directions, and it introduces the reader to a group of heroic companions who are shaped quite nicely, thank you very much.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
March 31, 2015
Check out www.UtopiaNeverComes.blogspot.com for more reviews on current and upcoming releases.
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Maybe I am drawn to books about rag tag Superheroes since I don't read comic books any more, but this is the 3rd I have read this year... plus I read another at the end of the year last year. I was hoping to say that this one was as good as the others, but if I put them side by side, Misshapes would not be my first choice.
Misshapes are people with powers that are deemed useless to their peers. With that idea in mind, the book sounds like it has great potential. It is definitely different from the others I've read in that sense. Sadly, the dialogue in the book was often monotone and uncharacteristic for teenage characters. While I liked the overall idea of the story, I was often able to guess what would happen next. And sometimes I enjoy being able to do that, but with the entire book being predictable, it took a lot of the fun out of reading.
If you are looking for a really great book about superheroes, here are a couple that I actually really liked:
Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs
School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough
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Maybe I am drawn to books about rag tag Superheroes since I don't read comic books any more, but this is the 3rd I have read this year... plus I read another at the end of the year last year. I was hoping to say that this one was as good as the others, but if I put them side by side, Misshapes would not be my first choice.
Misshapes are people with powers that are deemed useless to their peers. With that idea in mind, the book sounds like it has great potential. It is definitely different from the others I've read in that sense. Sadly, the dialogue in the book was often monotone and uncharacteristic for teenage characters. While I liked the overall idea of the story, I was often able to guess what would happen next. And sometimes I enjoy being able to do that, but with the entire book being predictable, it took a lot of the fun out of reading.
If you are looking for a really great book about superheroes, here are a couple that I actually really liked:
Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs
School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough
January 25, 2015
Fluffy, charming.
Could have used a better copy editor. There are typos and the writing is occasionally lazy. Also they use "mulling" when they mean "milling" ("mulling about"), and one central character, Freedom Boy, inexplicably doesn't use contractions for three-quarters of the book, then suddenly starts, for no apparent reason.
OK, but those quibbles aside, it's a fun superpowers story with inventive abilities (de-evolution, dousing, a boy who is accompanied by three spectral duwop backup singers). And the authors cleverly think through how the powers might be used. (At one point the backup singers are sent to distract the villains by singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" over and over.) Plus I like that the heroine is totally addled by lust and never really suffers for it, which is great; this book is the opposite of slut-shaming.
Could have used a better copy editor. There are typos and the writing is occasionally lazy. Also they use "mulling" when they mean "milling" ("mulling about"), and one central character, Freedom Boy, inexplicably doesn't use contractions for three-quarters of the book, then suddenly starts, for no apparent reason.
OK, but those quibbles aside, it's a fun superpowers story with inventive abilities (de-evolution, dousing, a boy who is accompanied by three spectral duwop backup singers). And the authors cleverly think through how the powers might be used. (At one point the backup singers are sent to distract the villains by singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" over and over.) Plus I like that the heroine is totally addled by lust and never really suffers for it, which is great; this book is the opposite of slut-shaming.
October 27, 2014
If you have a tween or teenager in the house or if you just want, as I did, a break from the postmodern behemoths at your bedside, this is a hip, literate, and appropriately counter-cultural YA novel for you.
With a winning heroine, brisk plot, excellent message about non-conformity, and lots of in-jokes for the culture-loving adult reader, I can't recommend this book more! READ IT NOW! I can't wait for book 2.
With a winning heroine, brisk plot, excellent message about non-conformity, and lots of in-jokes for the culture-loving adult reader, I can't recommend this book more! READ IT NOW! I can't wait for book 2.
May 8, 2015
Main character has the common sense of a can of beans.
July 16, 2017
Could use some editing, but still an enjoyable read. my 13 y.o. son liked it too.
June 18, 2022
2.5/5
I enjoyed the characters but I felt like the plot was confusing when it tried to explain the world building
I enjoyed the characters but I felt like the plot was confusing when it tried to explain the world building
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October 3, 2023Suspenseful, Intimate, and funny
January 31, 2017
This book is very interesting and full of creative imaginations. It is my favorite genre fantasy. The author expresses each character in a unique way.
June 25, 2016
Characters: 3/10
Plot: 4/10
Writing: 3/10
I made it to page 60 (Chapter 11).
From the get-go, this book had a Sky High kind of vibe--the over-the top hero names, the dramatic clash of heroes and villains, the "misshapes" with lame powers, etc. I wasn't expecting it to be the best book ever, but fun, lighthearted, and entertaining. Unfortunately, it felt like I was reading fanfiction online.
I had trouble suspending my disbelief at times--not even with the superhero elements, but just the characters. Like, Sarah's best friend stops talking to her for a year, and then they just hit it off again without a hitch? Or Freedom Boy (btw, AWFUL superhero names, and I can't tell if it's supposed to be funny or not) hovering in front of Sarah for 10 seconds in the middle of a game, then asking her out?
Unfortunately, the writing itself is the worst aspect of this book. There's a lot of telling instead of showing (eg: "It came as a shock. They were talking about me. My heart sank."). A lot of short, simple sentences will show up in a row in a place that doesn't require the succinct tension that brings (eg: "School was canceled. The town shut down. Most of New England shut down as well. We had to hide out.").
There were too many YA clichés. The insta-best friend who you click with immediately. The mall scene shopping for the perfect date outfit. The bullying that must be stopped by the protagonist.
I couldn't enjoy this book because I felt like I was beta-reading for a classmate in a creative writing class, and all I could do was find errors and make critical comments.
Plot: 4/10
Writing: 3/10
I made it to page 60 (Chapter 11).
From the get-go, this book had a Sky High kind of vibe--the over-the top hero names, the dramatic clash of heroes and villains, the "misshapes" with lame powers, etc. I wasn't expecting it to be the best book ever, but fun, lighthearted, and entertaining. Unfortunately, it felt like I was reading fanfiction online.
I had trouble suspending my disbelief at times--not even with the superhero elements, but just the characters. Like, Sarah's best friend stops talking to her for a year, and then they just hit it off again without a hitch? Or Freedom Boy (btw, AWFUL superhero names, and I can't tell if it's supposed to be funny or not) hovering in front of Sarah for 10 seconds in the middle of a game, then asking her out?
Unfortunately, the writing itself is the worst aspect of this book. There's a lot of telling instead of showing (eg: "It came as a shock. They were talking about me. My heart sank."). A lot of short, simple sentences will show up in a row in a place that doesn't require the succinct tension that brings (eg: "School was canceled. The town shut down. Most of New England shut down as well. We had to hide out.").
There were too many YA clichés. The insta-best friend who you click with immediately. The mall scene shopping for the perfect date outfit. The bullying that must be stopped by the protagonist.
I couldn't enjoy this book because I felt like I was beta-reading for a classmate in a creative writing class, and all I could do was find errors and make critical comments.
August 31, 2015
Superheroes are real in this novel by Alex Flynn, the first of the Misshapes series, but unfortunately, some people aren't strong enough or have too unusual a power to be considered 'super' - this, Misshapes.
Sarah is one of the kids with an unusual power - the ability to control weather. Her mother is a villain, involved in the destruction of a town nearby, and on the run from the other superheroes, specifically Freedom Man, her arch-enemy. When Sarah attends a ballgame for heroes, she gets a chance to meet Freedom Boy and winds up in a bit of a pickle - her family (brother and father) don't want anything to do with the Heroes, she doesn't get into the superhero academy with her beloved cousin/best friend, Betty, and finally, she can't control her powers at all.
But she manages to meet a man who can mentor her, as well as another man who's considered the dean of the superhero academy - and they both think she has the right stuff to get involved. The only problem is someone's coming after the Misshapes and her new boyfriend, Freedom Boy, might just be involved. Which side should she choose - her dream of being a superhero, or fighting alongside her fellow weirdos?
A fun story with some engaging characters. I give it three stars because it seemed the author was more about telling than showing Sarah's emotions, particularly when the story is told from her p.o.v.
Sarah is one of the kids with an unusual power - the ability to control weather. Her mother is a villain, involved in the destruction of a town nearby, and on the run from the other superheroes, specifically Freedom Man, her arch-enemy. When Sarah attends a ballgame for heroes, she gets a chance to meet Freedom Boy and winds up in a bit of a pickle - her family (brother and father) don't want anything to do with the Heroes, she doesn't get into the superhero academy with her beloved cousin/best friend, Betty, and finally, she can't control her powers at all.
But she manages to meet a man who can mentor her, as well as another man who's considered the dean of the superhero academy - and they both think she has the right stuff to get involved. The only problem is someone's coming after the Misshapes and her new boyfriend, Freedom Boy, might just be involved. Which side should she choose - her dream of being a superhero, or fighting alongside her fellow weirdos?
A fun story with some engaging characters. I give it three stars because it seemed the author was more about telling than showing Sarah's emotions, particularly when the story is told from her p.o.v.
January 22, 2016
The Misshapes the coming storm is a fast paced story. It is about a town called doolittle where superheroes and normal people live together, there is also another category there called misshapes. Misshapes are people with powers which society thinks are basically useless and are therefore shunned since they don't belong with the elite superheroes at the academy(superhero school)or with the normal people. This story is about a girl named Sarah. Sarah has a power but she doesn't know how to use it that's whats stopping her from going to the academy which she thinks is her dream. But her powers aren't the only thing holding her back she also has some family complications holding her back. Will sarah make it into the academy or will she realize she is okay where she is with her new friends? This is a very good story and I definitely recommend it.
January 22, 2016
The Misshapes the coming storm is a fast paced story. It is about a town called Doolittle where superheroes and normal people live together, there is also another category there called misshapes. Misshapes are people with powers which society thinks are basically useless and are therefore shunned since they don't belong with the elite superheroes at the academy(superhero school)or with the normal people. This story is about a girl named Sarah. Sarah has a power but she doesn't know how to use it that's whats stopping her from going to the academy which she thinks is her dream. But her powers aren't the only thing holding her back she also has some family complications holding her back. Will sarah make it into the academy or will she realize she is okay where she is with her new friends? This is a very good story and I definitely recommend it.
December 14, 2015
The Misshapes by Alex Flynn is about a girl named Sarah who controls the weather with her emotions. Her mom was accused of destroying a town. Sarah is determined to get in to the Hero Academy , but because of how her brother got out of the academy and her mom turned into a villain and her dad works at a facility it makes it really hard for her, but when she receives her letter her life turns upside down .From to be hero to misshape.Life takes many different turns when she meets america's favorite hero, Freedom boy .She also has to fight to keep misshapes their powers with the help of her friends
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August 11, 2015This is just a place to keep something until I finish the book....anyhow -- This girl is half Irish (father) and half Iranian (mother) and the book doe NOT focus on her religion. *GASP* anyhow need to put that part on Tumblr. Will do later. Thus far this book is awesome. Like I said still reading.
February 10, 2021
I'm going to be a little biased considering the authors are my cousin and his wife. I loved this book a ton! It drew you in from the first sentence. " I don't remember how old I was the first time I saw a man fly." I can't wait to keep reading more!
Want to read
March 1, 2017I received a copy of this book from Polis Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2017
One of the best books I've read for a while. believable characters, good pace, and nice drama
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