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Velveteen vs. #1-2
Velveteen vs. The Early Adventures
In a world where superhumans are bought and sold by corporate interests and children are pressed into heroism whether they like it or not, it can be difficult to tell the good from the evil. For Velma “Velveteen” Martinez, there was never any real chance for a normal life. Her parents sold her to the Super Patriots, Inc. as soon as her powers manifested, reasoning that the world’s largest superhuman management company would be better suited to care for her...and the money didn’t hurt. Before she knew what was happening, Vel was swept into a world of appearances and expectations, molded to become a hero and manipulated by the people she was meant to trust.
Is it any wonder she walked away as soon as she had the opportunity?
Now an adult, Vel has found herself swept back into the superheroic world, entangled with seasonal powers and fighting the people who were once her friends as she tries to retain her freedom, her independence, and her sense of right and wrong. What’s someone whose only power is bringing toys to life supposed to do? And is there any chance that justice will prevail?
These short stories encompass the first two volumes of Velveteen’s adventures, from the very beginning to her climactic battle against the Super Patriots, Inc.
Is it any wonder she walked away as soon as she had the opportunity?
Now an adult, Vel has found herself swept back into the superheroic world, entangled with seasonal powers and fighting the people who were once her friends as she tries to retain her freedom, her independence, and her sense of right and wrong. What’s someone whose only power is bringing toys to life supposed to do? And is there any chance that justice will prevail?
These short stories encompass the first two volumes of Velveteen’s adventures, from the very beginning to her climactic battle against the Super Patriots, Inc.
629 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
30 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Seanan McGuire
507 books17.1k followersHi! I'm Seanan McGuire, author of the Toby Daye series (Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, Late Eclipses), as well as a lot of other things. I'm also Mira Grant (www.miragrant.com), author of Feed and Deadline.
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2025
I love books. Winning/reading books for review copies became my hobby during the pandemic, but I have never as happy to have a publisher tell me I won than when I got the physical copy of this book. The only thing I would have liked (other than more stories, because these were great) were some more artwork. I understand the high price of the book but I think it was worthy of at least a few more prints. Velma was sold by her parents to a superhero corporation after an unfortunate incident at the Natural History Museum. When she turned 18 she took advantage of the right to quit, but nothing is ever quite that easy. This collection of short stories is filled with her adventures which I hope are not ended. A world with superhero’s who are licensed and marketed is scary but somehow realistic. I love this book and it will be a part of my forever dragon horde of books.
January 6, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for the advanced copy of this serial collection. Below is my honest review.
Finally, a chance to catch up on Velveteen's adventures! I have hardcover copies of the first three collections, but they're rare and limited print, so they're packed up in protective covering with all of my special books. I didn't want to mess them up! So when I saw this on Netgalley, I knew I MUST have a copy to read. It's one of the few Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant works I haven't touched before now.
I really liked Velveteen, but some of the side characters really caught my fancy - especially Tag, Victory Anna, and the Princess. I really like the concepts behind so many of the power sets, and they were a lot of fun to read.
Looking forward to more!!
Recommended for fans of McGuire/Grant, superpowers, comic books, and serial stories.
Finally, a chance to catch up on Velveteen's adventures! I have hardcover copies of the first three collections, but they're rare and limited print, so they're packed up in protective covering with all of my special books. I didn't want to mess them up! So when I saw this on Netgalley, I knew I MUST have a copy to read. It's one of the few Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant works I haven't touched before now.
I really liked Velveteen, but some of the side characters really caught my fancy - especially Tag, Victory Anna, and the Princess. I really like the concepts behind so many of the power sets, and they were a lot of fun to read.
Looking forward to more!!
Recommended for fans of McGuire/Grant, superpowers, comic books, and serial stories.
December 8, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC!
I can't pick just one favorite thing about McGuire's work, but I feel like her imagination vies for that spot. Any work of McGuire's you pick up, and she has generously given us a plethora to choose from, you can tell she's thought a GREAT deal about what she's writing about.
Velveteen is no different. Imagine a world where super powers are real, and you can be recruited to specific teams to help you learn how to be a more effective hero. That's the world Velveteen lives in, and at the beginning of this collection, has just left. Velma "Velveteen" Martinez has left saving the world behind for a quieter life, but somehow trouble keeps finding her, and she finds ir hard to refuse the call.
The first part of this book feels a little more disjointed in the stories than the latter half, but those stories are important and set the back drop for the second half. And when you get to the second half, what was Velveteen vs the Multiverse, it is so engaging. The cast expands, the stakes are upped, and you find yourself admiring just how much THOUGHT McGuire put into the heroine that animates plushes.
I had trouble putting this down, I had dreams about these stories, and I have a pretty awful book hangover from this. I cannot recommend this book enough
I can't pick just one favorite thing about McGuire's work, but I feel like her imagination vies for that spot. Any work of McGuire's you pick up, and she has generously given us a plethora to choose from, you can tell she's thought a GREAT deal about what she's writing about.
Velveteen is no different. Imagine a world where super powers are real, and you can be recruited to specific teams to help you learn how to be a more effective hero. That's the world Velveteen lives in, and at the beginning of this collection, has just left. Velma "Velveteen" Martinez has left saving the world behind for a quieter life, but somehow trouble keeps finding her, and she finds ir hard to refuse the call.
The first part of this book feels a little more disjointed in the stories than the latter half, but those stories are important and set the back drop for the second half. And when you get to the second half, what was Velveteen vs the Multiverse, it is so engaging. The cast expands, the stakes are upped, and you find yourself admiring just how much THOUGHT McGuire put into the heroine that animates plushes.
I had trouble putting this down, I had dreams about these stories, and I have a pretty awful book hangover from this. I cannot recommend this book enough
December 27, 2024
I am a huge Seanan McGuire fan and I have such a soft spot for superhero books (which is a surprisingly sparse genre). This book was everything I hoped for and more. There is biting commentary on large corporations and capitalism as well as the most complex relationships and heart tugging emotional moments. I had no idea where each episode would take me, but I loved every second.
The book is divided two books combined into one, and within each of those they are divided into mini episodes which are all self-contained standalones so it was nice to be able to drop in and out since it is a very large tome (544 pages).
The full table of contents from the publisher's website:
VELVETEEN VS. THE JUNIOR SUPER PATRIOTS
Velveteen vs. The Isley Crawfish Festival
Velveteen vs. The Midnight Coffee Society
Velveteen vs. The Flashback Sequence
Velveteen vs. The Old Flame
Velveteen vs. The Junior Super Patriots, West Coast Division
Velveteen vs. The Eternal Halloween
Velveteen vs. The Ordinary Day
Velveteen vs. Patrol
Velveteen vs. The Blind Date
APPENDIX A: Velveteen and Allies
APPENDIX B: Relevant Team Rosters
VELVETEEN VS. THE MULTIVERSE
Velveteen vs. Blacklight vs. Sin-Dee
Velveteen vs. The Holiday Special
Velveteen vs. The Secret Identity
Velveteen vs. Martinez and Martinez vs. Velveteen
Velveteen vs. The Alternate Timeline
Velveteen vs. The Retroactive Continuity
Velveteen Presents Victory Anna vs. All These Stupid Parallel Worlds
Velveteen vs. The Uncomfortable Conversation
Velveteen vs. Bacon
Velveteen vs. The Robot Armies of Dr. Walter Creelman, DDS
Velveteen vs. The Fright Night Sorority House Massacre Sleepover Camp
Velveteen vs. Vegas
Velveteen Presents Victory Anna vs. The Difficulties With Pan-Dimensional Courtship
Velveteen vs. Legal
Velveteen Presents Jackie Frost vs. Four Conversations and a Funeral
Velveteen vs. Jolly Roger
Velveteen vs. Everyone
Velveteen vs. The Epilogue
APPENDIX A: Velveteen and Allies
APPENDIX B: Relevant Team Rosters
The website says that there are plans for there to be another volume released, and I cannot wait for more. I just wish I could justify buying it for myself.
The book is divided two books combined into one, and within each of those they are divided into mini episodes which are all self-contained standalones so it was nice to be able to drop in and out since it is a very large tome (544 pages).
The full table of contents from the publisher's website:
VELVETEEN VS. THE JUNIOR SUPER PATRIOTS
Velveteen vs. The Isley Crawfish Festival
Velveteen vs. The Midnight Coffee Society
Velveteen vs. The Flashback Sequence
Velveteen vs. The Old Flame
Velveteen vs. The Junior Super Patriots, West Coast Division
Velveteen vs. The Eternal Halloween
Velveteen vs. The Ordinary Day
Velveteen vs. Patrol
Velveteen vs. The Blind Date
APPENDIX A: Velveteen and Allies
APPENDIX B: Relevant Team Rosters
VELVETEEN VS. THE MULTIVERSE
Velveteen vs. Blacklight vs. Sin-Dee
Velveteen vs. The Holiday Special
Velveteen vs. The Secret Identity
Velveteen vs. Martinez and Martinez vs. Velveteen
Velveteen vs. The Alternate Timeline
Velveteen vs. The Retroactive Continuity
Velveteen Presents Victory Anna vs. All These Stupid Parallel Worlds
Velveteen vs. The Uncomfortable Conversation
Velveteen vs. Bacon
Velveteen vs. The Robot Armies of Dr. Walter Creelman, DDS
Velveteen vs. The Fright Night Sorority House Massacre Sleepover Camp
Velveteen vs. Vegas
Velveteen Presents Victory Anna vs. The Difficulties With Pan-Dimensional Courtship
Velveteen vs. Legal
Velveteen Presents Jackie Frost vs. Four Conversations and a Funeral
Velveteen vs. Jolly Roger
Velveteen vs. Everyone
Velveteen vs. The Epilogue
APPENDIX A: Velveteen and Allies
APPENDIX B: Relevant Team Rosters
The website says that there are plans for there to be another volume released, and I cannot wait for more. I just wish I could justify buying it for myself.
May 31, 2025
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
This is a collection of short stories that, all together, end up telling a comprehensive story about Vel, who had to go on the run from her superhero past, and the various battles she has to fight along the way- leading up to the inevitable boss battle. Even though there were several characters, they were well-written and easy to sympathize with. The superheroes that just make cameos have fun names and varying power sets, so that was entertaining. There are a lot of creative ideas explored, not only with differing powers, but also with their origins. The stories at the beginning start out more lighthearted, and as you get to learn more about the awful things the characters have had to deal with, the stories take on a more serious tone and add urgency to the situation. The conclusion of it all was pretty satisfying, even though you know it's leading right into more adventures immediately.
This was a unique take on superheroes, and I'm definitely going to read more of the Velveteen stories. I'm invested in these characters now and need to know what happens next.
This is a collection of short stories that, all together, end up telling a comprehensive story about Vel, who had to go on the run from her superhero past, and the various battles she has to fight along the way- leading up to the inevitable boss battle. Even though there were several characters, they were well-written and easy to sympathize with. The superheroes that just make cameos have fun names and varying power sets, so that was entertaining. There are a lot of creative ideas explored, not only with differing powers, but also with their origins. The stories at the beginning start out more lighthearted, and as you get to learn more about the awful things the characters have had to deal with, the stories take on a more serious tone and add urgency to the situation. The conclusion of it all was pretty satisfying, even though you know it's leading right into more adventures immediately.
This was a unique take on superheroes, and I'm definitely going to read more of the Velveteen stories. I'm invested in these characters now and need to know what happens next.
March 2, 2025
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5
Wow. WOW! This is 100% a five star book!
I have been aware of author Seanan McGuire's "Velveteen" series for a number of years now, but I hadn't been motivated enough to crack open one of the books - for no particular reason other than that I've a lot of books in my TBR pile already. though I would also have to admit that the covers lead me to thinking these are treacly YA superhero books. Of course, being the fan of McGuire's work that I am, I should know better.
Velma Martinez has a super power. She can manipulate objects - in her case, children's toys - to do her bidding. She is given the superhero name of "Velveteen" when her parents sold her to the Super Patriots, Inc corporation, which manages all super heroes.
But Velma walked away from the organization as soon as she was legally able to do so. Unfortunately for her, she was then branded a Super Villain - after all, why would anyone leave a hero group if they weren't otherwise opposed to doing good? Fortunately for Velma, the State of Oregon was willing to stand up to the powerful Super Patriots, Inc and offer Velveteen the job of being the state's official super hero, giving Velma protection from the Super Patriots as long as she stayed within Oregon's borders.
This book combines a number of short stories, combined to tell a novel-length story. We learn a lot about Velma's early years, her troubles with the Super Patriots, her loves and betrayals and her various encounters with alternate reality versions of her friends and enemies - generally these versions are not the friends or enemies they are in her reality.
The stories lead to a major confrontation (I really don't want to give too much away - you really should read this) but the stories themselves work as stand-alone fiction.
Despite the comic-book-look of the covers, this isn't light, superhero fiction. This is about people. A person, Velma, in particular. And the reason we're reading about her is because of who she is and the special things she's going to do. And because she's got super powers, as do her friends, there are going to be some battles, and people are probably going to die.
This is not to say there aren't light moments. I laughed aloud when I read: "As for what’s so important … we’ve got ourselves a leprechaun infestation." Some of the characters and their powers, and the use of the powers... Humorous stuff! Even Velveteen, sending an army of teddy bears to battle is a great, comic image despite the seriousness of the situation.
I can't believe that I didn't trust that Seanan McGuire, one of my favorite writers, would deliver such a powerful work (or series of works). I'm now seeking out all the Velveteen books. You should, too.
Looking for a good book? Velveteen Vs. The Early Adventures by Seanan McGuire is truly superb superhero fantasy. Read it. Just, read it.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. WOW! This is 100% a five star book!
I have been aware of author Seanan McGuire's "Velveteen" series for a number of years now, but I hadn't been motivated enough to crack open one of the books - for no particular reason other than that I've a lot of books in my TBR pile already. though I would also have to admit that the covers lead me to thinking these are treacly YA superhero books. Of course, being the fan of McGuire's work that I am, I should know better.
Velma Martinez has a super power. She can manipulate objects - in her case, children's toys - to do her bidding. She is given the superhero name of "Velveteen" when her parents sold her to the Super Patriots, Inc corporation, which manages all super heroes.
But Velma walked away from the organization as soon as she was legally able to do so. Unfortunately for her, she was then branded a Super Villain - after all, why would anyone leave a hero group if they weren't otherwise opposed to doing good? Fortunately for Velma, the State of Oregon was willing to stand up to the powerful Super Patriots, Inc and offer Velveteen the job of being the state's official super hero, giving Velma protection from the Super Patriots as long as she stayed within Oregon's borders.
This book combines a number of short stories, combined to tell a novel-length story. We learn a lot about Velma's early years, her troubles with the Super Patriots, her loves and betrayals and her various encounters with alternate reality versions of her friends and enemies - generally these versions are not the friends or enemies they are in her reality.
The stories lead to a major confrontation (I really don't want to give too much away - you really should read this) but the stories themselves work as stand-alone fiction.
Despite the comic-book-look of the covers, this isn't light, superhero fiction. This is about people. A person, Velma, in particular. And the reason we're reading about her is because of who she is and the special things she's going to do. And because she's got super powers, as do her friends, there are going to be some battles, and people are probably going to die.
This is not to say there aren't light moments. I laughed aloud when I read: "As for what’s so important … we’ve got ourselves a leprechaun infestation." Some of the characters and their powers, and the use of the powers... Humorous stuff! Even Velveteen, sending an army of teddy bears to battle is a great, comic image despite the seriousness of the situation.
I can't believe that I didn't trust that Seanan McGuire, one of my favorite writers, would deliver such a powerful work (or series of works). I'm now seeking out all the Velveteen books. You should, too.
Looking for a good book? Velveteen Vs. The Early Adventures by Seanan McGuire is truly superb superhero fantasy. Read it. Just, read it.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC.
I had requested this ARC because the cover was so cute (fighting stuffies so adorable) and the description sounded like something so different than the usual superhero book or comic. I am really glad I stepped out of my usual reads because this was 5 stars and made me realize I do like some superhero books.
It reads like a comic in novel form, so there are like episodes of her adventures that are short and wrap up quickly but Velveteen’s story grows and is interconnected between them all. In this world people having super powers is more of a given due to either genetic or environmental reasons but powers tend me to be rather random and some are never realized due to the randomness (such as the power to other bake things perfectly or only hit green lights). If their powers are more significant those these potential superhero’s are ‘purchased’ as kids and trained up to be employees of the company run by a rather ominous department just referred to as Marketing. They have the choice to leave when they turn 18 and that is what Veleveteen did. This novel covers her adventures as a child growing up in the corporation and then once she is an adult how she fights to stay free of them and still feel like she is making a difference. I love that she doesn’t have the usual main character type powers but rather has the power to animate toys to fight for her, and that she tends to use forgotten toys and always asks for their permission to buy them to be used in battles.
The only thing I would say, please keep in mind I read an early ARC so therefore additional editing could happen, is that at the end of the grouping of the sections there is an appendix that will have spoilers so I would recommend skipping over them.
I had requested this ARC because the cover was so cute (fighting stuffies so adorable) and the description sounded like something so different than the usual superhero book or comic. I am really glad I stepped out of my usual reads because this was 5 stars and made me realize I do like some superhero books.
It reads like a comic in novel form, so there are like episodes of her adventures that are short and wrap up quickly but Velveteen’s story grows and is interconnected between them all. In this world people having super powers is more of a given due to either genetic or environmental reasons but powers tend me to be rather random and some are never realized due to the randomness (such as the power to other bake things perfectly or only hit green lights). If their powers are more significant those these potential superhero’s are ‘purchased’ as kids and trained up to be employees of the company run by a rather ominous department just referred to as Marketing. They have the choice to leave when they turn 18 and that is what Veleveteen did. This novel covers her adventures as a child growing up in the corporation and then once she is an adult how she fights to stay free of them and still feel like she is making a difference. I love that she doesn’t have the usual main character type powers but rather has the power to animate toys to fight for her, and that she tends to use forgotten toys and always asks for their permission to buy them to be used in battles.
The only thing I would say, please keep in mind I read an early ARC so therefore additional editing could happen, is that at the end of the grouping of the sections there is an appendix that will have spoilers so I would recommend skipping over them.
December 21, 2024
This is a collection of short stories from two older books combined for this edition. I own the first two books in hardback, but hadn't read them yet, so this only made sense to read in ebook as I won't mess up my books. Loved this collection. The first part introduces us to Velma Velveteen Martinez who as an adult fled her superhero world when she realized how corrupt and mind controlling the company was. She supports herself as a temp worker keeping a low profile to escape the company from finding her. Her goal is to get to Oregon, where the company has no say over her, it's quite the adventures to get her there.
The second part of the book, she is working as a superhero for Portland Oregon, with her goal to bring the company down. It is darker in how she works to bring about her goals.
Ultimately, it's a fast read for being such a large book because 1. It's very well written, 2. The main characters are fully developed. 3. You want to root for Velma to get a happy(?) Life by her own control. 4. The stories are short format, allowing the reader to go at their own pace. Thank you to subterranean press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
The second part of the book, she is working as a superhero for Portland Oregon, with her goal to bring the company down. It is darker in how she works to bring about her goals.
Ultimately, it's a fast read for being such a large book because 1. It's very well written, 2. The main characters are fully developed. 3. You want to root for Velma to get a happy(?) Life by her own control. 4. The stories are short format, allowing the reader to go at their own pace. Thank you to subterranean press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
January 12, 2025
4 Stars
Reminiscent of the broad themes seen in X-Men and The Boys, this is a world whereby genetic mutations, radiation, exotic pathogen, or mad science manifests as the odd power that can be utilized for good or evil. These unique superhumans are supported and technically employed by Super Patriots Inc., a company who claims to have their best interests, and the safety of the public, in mind.
As this collection of short stories run their course, the reader follows intrepid heroine Velma “Velveteen” Martinez, toy animator extraordinaire, who was sold into the machine as a minor and because she didn’t neatly fit into Super Patriot’s agenda, her world was shattered. So, according to her, things are “fucked up times five billion” as Velveteen soon finds out, you’re either with the Super Patriots or you’re against them. They turn you against loved ones and loved ones against you, isolate you so you have no choice but to rely and depend upon their generosity and resources. They don’t take no for an answer, and they certainly don’t fight fair. Though Velveteen simply wants to be left alone and lead a normal life, the Super Patriots won’t let her go in peace, and her allies (and some who are not) have other plans for Velveteen instead.
Obviously, don’t let that cute cover fool you. Though this has moments of fun and whimsy, this is quite the angsty read and a pointed look at corporate greed, child abandonment and abuse, brainwashing, betrayal, and painful love. Toss in the multiverse, magic, Santa Claus (yes you read that right), and the real manifestations of the seasons, and you have a well rounded, extensive alternate reality where being superhuman just might get you killed.
Rest assured though, this is buoyed by really fantastic friends who make the bestest found family, and this book is full of hope with a message about doing what’s profoundly difficult but, deep down in your bones, right, all led by a likable (albeit cantankerous) heroine who stands up not only for herself but for many others as well!
I haven’t read much Seanan McGuire, but this is a sign to do more!
Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press via NetGalley for an e-copy to review honestly
Reminiscent of the broad themes seen in X-Men and The Boys, this is a world whereby genetic mutations, radiation, exotic pathogen, or mad science manifests as the odd power that can be utilized for good or evil. These unique superhumans are supported and technically employed by Super Patriots Inc., a company who claims to have their best interests, and the safety of the public, in mind.
As this collection of short stories run their course, the reader follows intrepid heroine Velma “Velveteen” Martinez, toy animator extraordinaire, who was sold into the machine as a minor and because she didn’t neatly fit into Super Patriot’s agenda, her world was shattered. So, according to her, things are “fucked up times five billion” as Velveteen soon finds out, you’re either with the Super Patriots or you’re against them. They turn you against loved ones and loved ones against you, isolate you so you have no choice but to rely and depend upon their generosity and resources. They don’t take no for an answer, and they certainly don’t fight fair. Though Velveteen simply wants to be left alone and lead a normal life, the Super Patriots won’t let her go in peace, and her allies (and some who are not) have other plans for Velveteen instead.
Obviously, don’t let that cute cover fool you. Though this has moments of fun and whimsy, this is quite the angsty read and a pointed look at corporate greed, child abandonment and abuse, brainwashing, betrayal, and painful love. Toss in the multiverse, magic, Santa Claus (yes you read that right), and the real manifestations of the seasons, and you have a well rounded, extensive alternate reality where being superhuman just might get you killed.
Rest assured though, this is buoyed by really fantastic friends who make the bestest found family, and this book is full of hope with a message about doing what’s profoundly difficult but, deep down in your bones, right, all led by a likable (albeit cantankerous) heroine who stands up not only for herself but for many others as well!
I haven’t read much Seanan McGuire, but this is a sign to do more!
Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press via NetGalley for an e-copy to review honestly
December 17, 2024
I had an amazingly fun time reading this book!
We have a whole lot of short comic-like stories told in novel form, that chronicle Velveteen and her separation from the Junior Superhero League
I loved Velveteen! From start to finish her snarky personality, love for her friends, and asking for the toys permission before recruiting them all made me not want to put this down.
At over 500 pages, I thought it would take me a while to read all the stories, but they were all fast-paced and so interesting that I didn't want to put the book down even to go to bed. This made me awful tired the next morning, but it was totally worth it.
I will absolutely be reading all Velveteen Stories in the future!
We have a whole lot of short comic-like stories told in novel form, that chronicle Velveteen and her separation from the Junior Superhero League
I loved Velveteen! From start to finish her snarky personality, love for her friends, and asking for the toys permission before recruiting them all made me not want to put this down.
At over 500 pages, I thought it would take me a while to read all the stories, but they were all fast-paced and so interesting that I didn't want to put the book down even to go to bed. This made me awful tired the next morning, but it was totally worth it.
I will absolutely be reading all Velveteen Stories in the future!
October 16, 2024
Thank you NetGalley, Subterranean Press, and, as always, the delightful Seanan McGuire for this fabulous eARC.
If you are a fan of any of Ms. McGuire's work, you're in for a treat... if you're not a fan of her work, read this one anyway. Whether you read Velveteen as the allegory it could be with an artfully brutal takedown of childhood exploitation, vicarious living through parenting, and our capitalist society or simply as the marvelously crafted adventure it certainly is, you're bound to have a grand time with this one! Can I give 6 stars?
If you are a fan of any of Ms. McGuire's work, you're in for a treat... if you're not a fan of her work, read this one anyway. Whether you read Velveteen as the allegory it could be with an artfully brutal takedown of childhood exploitation, vicarious living through parenting, and our capitalist society or simply as the marvelously crafted adventure it certainly is, you're bound to have a grand time with this one! Can I give 6 stars?
January 27, 2025
Loved this collection. The Velveteen series was one of the few things written by Seanan I hadn't read yet, so having a bunch of them in one collection was amazing. They were so good. Velveteen is one of my favorite superheroes now.
October 22, 2025
A surprisingly complicated storyline.
It was a great read from cover to cover, and an interesting twist on life as a superhero. Great development throughout the collection of stories.
It was a great read from cover to cover, and an interesting twist on life as a superhero. Great development throughout the collection of stories.
January 22, 2025
Amazing. Brilliant. I loved Velveteen from start to finish. This is what Superhero stories are meant to be.
March 3, 2025
Wild ride from the real McGuire
Epic imagination, epic snark, and almost eerie insights into the human condition. OK for YA, interesting and fun for OA.
Epic imagination, epic snark, and almost eerie insights into the human condition. OK for YA, interesting and fun for OA.
July 4, 2025
Reads like a comic book with little mini-adventures telling a larger story. Fun read, deep themes, good take on what a superhero society might look like and evolve into.
December 21, 2025
A really fun read! I love the chapter titles of Velveteen vs and will always root for her and her friends in the fight against the Super Patriots and their evil schemes for superheroes!
February 6, 2025
This collects Seanan's Velveteen universe stories, which focuses on a future where superheroics were absorbed into corporations that low key control a lot of the world, one superhero who's getting out from under them and trying to get her life together, and all the wild and wacky multiverse happenings that happen because of this. Also sometimes you realize you're gay because your girlfriend from another universe busts into yours and ends up trying to save you. (You'll have to read to find out who.)
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