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Shadow's Path #1
Not That Kind of Good Guy
Conspiracy Theories Meet Superhero Reality
ALL IT TAKES
It’s there for anyone to There are dark forces at work on the world, working to destroy civilization. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing. We need a good guy.
NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES—BUT SOME DO
For a generation, individuals have arisen with super powers, able to change the course of history, or at least save a few lives. But these people have free will—and not all choose to work for the forces of good. We need someone with an unblotted escutcheon, a Galahad for the 21st Century, someone pure of ethics and morality.
NOT THAT KIND OF GOOD GUY
What we get is the product of a broken childhood, raised in the foster system of one of America’s most dangerous inner cities, his wisdom comes from drug addicts and whores. Maybe he’s not the hero we asked for, but he’s the hero we need. And he’s about to hit puberty.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
John Ringo is the New York Times best-selling author of the Black Tide Rising series, the Posleen War series, the Through the Looking Glass series, and more, including the Troy Rising series, of which Live Free or Die is the first installment. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction.
ALL IT TAKES
It’s there for anyone to There are dark forces at work on the world, working to destroy civilization. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing. We need a good guy.
NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES—BUT SOME DO
For a generation, individuals have arisen with super powers, able to change the course of history, or at least save a few lives. But these people have free will—and not all choose to work for the forces of good. We need someone with an unblotted escutcheon, a Galahad for the 21st Century, someone pure of ethics and morality.
NOT THAT KIND OF GOOD GUY
What we get is the product of a broken childhood, raised in the foster system of one of America’s most dangerous inner cities, his wisdom comes from drug addicts and whores. Maybe he’s not the hero we asked for, but he’s the hero we need. And he’s about to hit puberty.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
John Ringo is the New York Times best-selling author of the Black Tide Rising series, the Posleen War series, the Through the Looking Glass series, and more, including the Troy Rising series, of which Live Free or Die is the first installment. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2025
157 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
John Ringo
96 books1,832 followersJohn Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 16, 2025
By any sane metric this is a terrible book. It is 400 pages of Ringo's ideology, which is basically that the world is secretly ruled by a rich elite for their own pleasure, that bad guys are all rapists and child abusers, and that the good guys have their heads so far up their bottoms that they cannot see what is going on. This of course makes it fine for the protagonist to kill bad guys without any form of legal process because, well, they're bad and the hero is good - end of argument.
So why have I given this 400 page diatribe five stars? Well despite the flawed ideology and deliberately (it must be deliberate, mustn't it?) cliched plot Ringo can tell a story. I started the book intending to read only a couple of chapters and ended up devouring the entire book in a single five hour stint. I feel slightly soiled as a result, but I have to confess I did thoroughly enjoy reading it.
I really cannot recommend this book. It is nonsense, and to the extent that anyone could take it seriously it is dangerous nonsense. Still, there is considerable entertainment to be had here. Just go into it with your eyes open.
So why have I given this 400 page diatribe five stars? Well despite the flawed ideology and deliberately (it must be deliberate, mustn't it?) cliched plot Ringo can tell a story. I started the book intending to read only a couple of chapters and ended up devouring the entire book in a single five hour stint. I feel slightly soiled as a result, but I have to confess I did thoroughly enjoy reading it.
I really cannot recommend this book. It is nonsense, and to the extent that anyone could take it seriously it is dangerous nonsense. Still, there is considerable entertainment to be had here. Just go into it with your eyes open.
August 14, 2025
I’m usually a Ringo fan, but this time his pauses to explain his hobbyhorses went on far too long. After an initial combat scene we slog along for about a hundred pages while a thirteen year old genius (we knows he’s a genius because we get told that a lot and also he occasionally breaks into Star Trek style technobabble. What we don’t get is to see him being smart.), anyway this kid genius has to explain what I assume are Ringo’s current Fox News approved obsessions.
When the plot is allowed to peek through it’s the usual ringo stuff. But those peeks are few and always back away if there’s a chance for political postering.
When the plot is allowed to peek through it’s the usual ringo stuff. But those peeks are few and always back away if there’s a chance for political postering.
July 28, 2025
Refund Please
I don’t even know where to begin here. I actually looked forward to this book for a while. What I was NOT expecting was a thinly veiled q anon propaganda novel. The entire world is run by child transporting pedos and everyone is evil. Except for the protagonist who is a tween Jason Bourne/Albert Einstein super assassin, India, China, and oh yeah the Russian Mob. Forgot about X and Newsmax who run the only legitimate media outlets. Everything else is controlled by the child molesting super cartel. I expect some outrageous premises in a sci fi superhero genre but this is absurd. I didn’t sign up for a tween Batman on crack waving his q propaganda pamphlet everywhere he goes. I consider myself pretty right leaning but this is conspiracy craziness to the extreme. And NOT the tongue in cheek sort. This is the first time in forever that I feel duped and would gladly accept my $10 back. If you’re reading this do yourself a favor and go with the hard pass.
I don’t even know where to begin here. I actually looked forward to this book for a while. What I was NOT expecting was a thinly veiled q anon propaganda novel. The entire world is run by child transporting pedos and everyone is evil. Except for the protagonist who is a tween Jason Bourne/Albert Einstein super assassin, India, China, and oh yeah the Russian Mob. Forgot about X and Newsmax who run the only legitimate media outlets. Everything else is controlled by the child molesting super cartel. I expect some outrageous premises in a sci fi superhero genre but this is absurd. I didn’t sign up for a tween Batman on crack waving his q propaganda pamphlet everywhere he goes. I consider myself pretty right leaning but this is conspiracy craziness to the extreme. And NOT the tongue in cheek sort. This is the first time in forever that I feel duped and would gladly accept my $10 back. If you’re reading this do yourself a favor and go with the hard pass.
May 9, 2025
Almost boring.
Not a lot of focus on the superpowers, very large focus on not so thinly veiled conspiracy theories and current US political topics.
I have read just about all of Ringo’s work, and the best is amazing, from maple syrup wars to zombies on cruise ships, to alien invasions. This was not the best…
I won’t be buying a sequel, and will stick with re reading the aforementioned great stuff
Not a lot of focus on the superpowers, very large focus on not so thinly veiled conspiracy theories and current US political topics.
I have read just about all of Ringo’s work, and the best is amazing, from maple syrup wars to zombies on cruise ships, to alien invasions. This was not the best…
I won’t be buying a sequel, and will stick with re reading the aforementioned great stuff
May 9, 2025
You know the thing about "Show, don't tell"? well four or five chapters in, it's been almost entirely "tell". It gets exhausting having almost all of the chapters being the main character talk about their history. Endlessly. to everyone. for many many pages.
This just seems like lazy story telling to me. I say this as someone who has read and enjoyed a whole lot of Ringo's previous works.
This just seems like lazy story telling to me. I say this as someone who has read and enjoyed a whole lot of Ringo's previous works.
May 8, 2025
Awesome
Awesome is not good enough. Well written characters. I do not want to meet this kid. Knows too much with a chip on his shoulder. He has great reasons. Great action. Well written. This is so much fun. Thank you!
Awesome is not good enough. Well written characters. I do not want to meet this kid. Knows too much with a chip on his shoulder. He has great reasons. Great action. Well written. This is so much fun. Thank you!
May 9, 2025
More, more more !!!! Please
All my #1 favorite books seem to have John Ringo's name on them. This is no exception. I'm patiently waiting for the next installment. Best think since the Palidin of Shadows.
All my #1 favorite books seem to have John Ringo's name on them. This is no exception. I'm patiently waiting for the next installment. Best think since the Palidin of Shadows.
May 8, 2025
oh. John Ringo. no.
Modern liberals will *HATE* this. Conservatives will alternate between glee and horror. Nothing about this is comfortable. This is raw and unfiltered.
The MC is verbose and opinionated.
I don’t know if there will be a sequel. Mr Ringo is usually quite successful when exercising his id.
I’m not sure I liked it. Strange to call something like this ‘MarySue’, but the secret agency fighting back against evil was a bit too powerful to seriously believe they needed to hide.
Modern liberals will *HATE* this. Conservatives will alternate between glee and horror. Nothing about this is comfortable. This is raw and unfiltered.
The MC is verbose and opinionated.
I don’t know if there will be a sequel. Mr Ringo is usually quite successful when exercising his id.
I’m not sure I liked it. Strange to call something like this ‘MarySue’, but the secret agency fighting back against evil was a bit too powerful to seriously believe they needed to hide.
July 21, 2025
This book reads like an author angry at the portion of his audience that is begging for inclusion. So much hate is directed at the LGTBQ+ community that it dominates the story. And there is a interesting story buried under all the anger here. This feels like a story that started out with a lot to say about the flaws and problems of the adoption situation in the US interwoven with a superhero story but the author can't go more than a couple pages without spewing hate. If an author doesn't want to include LGBTQ+ characters either because they are uncomfortable or don't want to misrepresent a community that's fine. I'll be disappointed but I won't be mad. This book is worse than a disappointment because of all the hate. There are the bones of an interesting conspiracy/mystery; an exploration of the world facing some kind of massive threat which causes a re-awakening of super powers. Really interesting world building and hints of something huge that the author does not talk about because their right wing American anger is more important. There are interesting character potentials that get brushed aside for anger and hate.
November 8, 2025
I knew that I wasn’t going to like this book after reading only the first thirty pages, but I wanted to be able to write an informed review, so I kept going.
The main character was unrealistic. While I understand that in a book about superheroes, there are going to be unrealistic elements, this exceeded the scope of the story. I felt like Michael was based off of middle school boys that I knew, and the interactions that he had with the other people in the book did not go how they would have in real life.
Everyone else in the book treated whatever Michael said as fact or truth without any sort of checking or questioning. He spends so much time in this book convincing people to see the world the way he does (with very little to no pushback or needed effort). Or, he gives people that already see the world the way he does the “courage” to actually oppose other ways of living or thinking and the knowledge/evidence to back up why this is the “right way” to live or think. Adults and peers alike seemed to worship the ground he walked on and never once found his antics annoying or didn’t believe what he was telling them.
Speaking of “right way”, Michael’s entire character seems to be a way for the author to prove that there is a “right way” to grow up in the foster system, and that if there are any disadvantaged people who are blaming the way they grew up then they’re in fact just lazy or are living incorrectly. Michael is extremely intelligent, but it’s explained several times that he took advantage of free college classes from a very young age. He’s been through so many different instances of extreme violence and trauma, and yet he can compartmentalize all of this and has a level of emotional intelligence that is never explained. It’s never (to my memory) explained that he has worked through any of this in any sort of regularly attended therapy sessions. He’s just that smart.
In addition to where he was raised and the influence (or lack thereof) that it had on his character, I found the way he spoke to be inconsistent. Most of the book he seemed to speak with rather “normal” diction, using standard vocabulary and grammar structure. But then seemingly at random that would switch to more closely resemble the vocabulary and grammar structure of AAVE. While I can understand that he very well likely would have picked up speaking in this manner given where the book stated he was raised, the fact that it was shown so sparsely was an interesting choice. I feel it would have made sense for him to either speak with that sort of diction at all times, and possibly be able to modify how he spoke when he was speaking with adults (perhaps from experience with adults, such as teachers, requiring him to speak “correctly” or having to create a sort of “standard” way to speak to adults after going through so many different foster homes) or when he was speaking with other “academics” (as, again, he was a fellow academic). OR I think it would have made sense for him to either have tried to get away from speaking how he heard his peers speaking in the foster system in Baltimore as he continued to educate himself in many different fields, but still have that diction and manner instilled within him that could come out should he want to present himself in a certain light or perhaps in situations where emotions were high. The randomness of it just felt sloppy and not well thought out.
Regarding his intelligence, Michael often goes into how he has many alternate identities that he writes published papers under and is a respected authority in many different fields of study. This is never questioned. The people he tells about this just accept that he’s telling the truth and that he actually is all of these other people. He's part of some super secret group of people who are all collectively working online to take down The Society, who have been secretly ruling the world for generations. Even there, his knowledge and understanding of everything is revered even by the people who are in charge of this movement.
The use of minority characters in this book seem to all fall into pushing a “right way” to live these identities. Essentially having all these main characters saying “Look, I’m not racist/homophobic/transphobic/etc, as long as you behave how I think you should”. In regards to the woman who is claimed to have essentially raised Michael, even as he was passed around in the foster system, we don’t actually get any sort of scenes where we get any emotional sense of how close they were and it very much came off similar to people making racist comments and then backing it up with “It’s okay, I have a black friend”.
There are many places in which the book walks this weird line between defending the oppression of other cultures and painting white people as now oppressed because they’ve been painted as the oppressors.
All of this in conjunction with the fact that I just did not find the plot or the world-building engaging left me with no choice but to rate this book one star.
The main character was unrealistic. While I understand that in a book about superheroes, there are going to be unrealistic elements, this exceeded the scope of the story. I felt like Michael was based off of middle school boys that I knew, and the interactions that he had with the other people in the book did not go how they would have in real life.
Everyone else in the book treated whatever Michael said as fact or truth without any sort of checking or questioning. He spends so much time in this book convincing people to see the world the way he does (with very little to no pushback or needed effort). Or, he gives people that already see the world the way he does the “courage” to actually oppose other ways of living or thinking and the knowledge/evidence to back up why this is the “right way” to live or think. Adults and peers alike seemed to worship the ground he walked on and never once found his antics annoying or didn’t believe what he was telling them.
Speaking of “right way”, Michael’s entire character seems to be a way for the author to prove that there is a “right way” to grow up in the foster system, and that if there are any disadvantaged people who are blaming the way they grew up then they’re in fact just lazy or are living incorrectly. Michael is extremely intelligent, but it’s explained several times that he took advantage of free college classes from a very young age. He’s been through so many different instances of extreme violence and trauma, and yet he can compartmentalize all of this and has a level of emotional intelligence that is never explained. It’s never (to my memory) explained that he has worked through any of this in any sort of regularly attended therapy sessions. He’s just that smart.
In addition to where he was raised and the influence (or lack thereof) that it had on his character, I found the way he spoke to be inconsistent. Most of the book he seemed to speak with rather “normal” diction, using standard vocabulary and grammar structure. But then seemingly at random that would switch to more closely resemble the vocabulary and grammar structure of AAVE. While I can understand that he very well likely would have picked up speaking in this manner given where the book stated he was raised, the fact that it was shown so sparsely was an interesting choice. I feel it would have made sense for him to either speak with that sort of diction at all times, and possibly be able to modify how he spoke when he was speaking with adults (perhaps from experience with adults, such as teachers, requiring him to speak “correctly” or having to create a sort of “standard” way to speak to adults after going through so many different foster homes) or when he was speaking with other “academics” (as, again, he was a fellow academic). OR I think it would have made sense for him to either have tried to get away from speaking how he heard his peers speaking in the foster system in Baltimore as he continued to educate himself in many different fields, but still have that diction and manner instilled within him that could come out should he want to present himself in a certain light or perhaps in situations where emotions were high. The randomness of it just felt sloppy and not well thought out.
Regarding his intelligence, Michael often goes into how he has many alternate identities that he writes published papers under and is a respected authority in many different fields of study. This is never questioned. The people he tells about this just accept that he’s telling the truth and that he actually is all of these other people. He's part of some super secret group of people who are all collectively working online to take down The Society, who have been secretly ruling the world for generations. Even there, his knowledge and understanding of everything is revered even by the people who are in charge of this movement.
The use of minority characters in this book seem to all fall into pushing a “right way” to live these identities. Essentially having all these main characters saying “Look, I’m not racist/homophobic/transphobic/etc, as long as you behave how I think you should”. In regards to the woman who is claimed to have essentially raised Michael, even as he was passed around in the foster system, we don’t actually get any sort of scenes where we get any emotional sense of how close they were and it very much came off similar to people making racist comments and then backing it up with “It’s okay, I have a black friend”.
There are many places in which the book walks this weird line between defending the oppression of other cultures and painting white people as now oppressed because they’ve been painted as the oppressors.
All of this in conjunction with the fact that I just did not find the plot or the world-building engaging left me with no choice but to rate this book one star.
July 1, 2025
A world with superheroes. The MC is a foster kid from the hood in Baltimore who trips over to superpowered status when he is almost killed by MS-13.
He was horribly abused and neglected while growing up, but also is very smart. He smarts off constantly.
He dislikes all liberals, the ruling classes of America, the worthless government at all levels, and all evil people. For some reason most bad guys he encounters are also pedos and rapists.
Well written scenes and characters, who also serve as a backdrop for the MC's rants. I was stuck between a five for the writing and scenes, and a one for the rants.
This is one of the better quality rants, the main character was discussing why the state governments leave poor children in foster and care homes in crime ridden ghettos instead of moving them to safer areas--
“Money,” Michael snapped, locking eyes with DiAngelo. “Filthy lucre. Fat stacks. Because every child in foster care represents a little pile of green. The more children, the more green. The more children, the more social workers, which means more promotions and more green. If they could just get the green without the pain-in-the-ass kids, they’d be happier.
“And if anyone so much as mutters ‘Is it really wise to put children in a place with so much violence, hell, and anarchy?’ they’re called ‘racists’ and ‘white supremacists’ and people who want to ‘take money out of the mouths of poor children’ and ‘people who want to destroy urban black culture’ who are, let me make sure everyone hears in the back, ‘RAAACISTS!’”
He was horribly abused and neglected while growing up, but also is very smart. He smarts off constantly.
He dislikes all liberals, the ruling classes of America, the worthless government at all levels, and all evil people. For some reason most bad guys he encounters are also pedos and rapists.
Well written scenes and characters, who also serve as a backdrop for the MC's rants. I was stuck between a five for the writing and scenes, and a one for the rants.
This is one of the better quality rants, the main character was discussing why the state governments leave poor children in foster and care homes in crime ridden ghettos instead of moving them to safer areas--
“Money,” Michael snapped, locking eyes with DiAngelo. “Filthy lucre. Fat stacks. Because every child in foster care represents a little pile of green. The more children, the more green. The more children, the more social workers, which means more promotions and more green. If they could just get the green without the pain-in-the-ass kids, they’d be happier.
“And if anyone so much as mutters ‘Is it really wise to put children in a place with so much violence, hell, and anarchy?’ they’re called ‘racists’ and ‘white supremacists’ and people who want to ‘take money out of the mouths of poor children’ and ‘people who want to destroy urban black culture’ who are, let me make sure everyone hears in the back, ‘RAAACISTS!’”
August 16, 2025
It took a long time to get into this book. Character building is important, but the main character was still being 'built' with 30 pages left in the novel.
Far too much plot is developed in character conversation. Sometimes you just have to describe what the world is, and what is going on, without quotation marks.
I read a library book version. I really would like to know, from someone that reads this book in a digital format, just how many times 'Michael'...tugged on his earlobe. It seems like once a chapter, and sometimes every other page. It got to the point of...the author just has to be padding the word count!
Then the end is reached, a wee bit of action happens, and ...
Well, I would put down money that the sequel is already being written. Maybe something will happen in that book.
And...another thing. NOTHING to do with the author or the book...but it is weird and mysterious. Many, many, many hardback books have the title of the book at the top of each page of the odd-numbered - right side - pages. The name of this book is "Not that kind of GOOD guy". My hardback copy, on every odd, right hand page, at the top...says "Not that kind of guy." He's not 'good' anymore?
Far too much plot is developed in character conversation. Sometimes you just have to describe what the world is, and what is going on, without quotation marks.
I read a library book version. I really would like to know, from someone that reads this book in a digital format, just how many times 'Michael'...tugged on his earlobe. It seems like once a chapter, and sometimes every other page. It got to the point of...the author just has to be padding the word count!
Then the end is reached, a wee bit of action happens, and ...
Well, I would put down money that the sequel is already being written. Maybe something will happen in that book.
And...another thing. NOTHING to do with the author or the book...but it is weird and mysterious. Many, many, many hardback books have the title of the book at the top of each page of the odd-numbered - right side - pages. The name of this book is "Not that kind of GOOD guy". My hardback copy, on every odd, right hand page, at the top...says "Not that kind of guy." He's not 'good' anymore?
August 15, 2025
Monolog City.
First few pages are an exciting fight. The next 10% to 15% is excruciating monolog by our MC. Up to the halfway point this book was 70% tell don't show. Heck even the initial fight was about half internal monolog.
Also - the MC is extremely over powered. In the opening sequence he is a young teenager without any powers but he kills 13+ gangsters who are armed with machetes and machine guns. (I said young teenager, but he mostly acts like he is a jaded 40 year old marine - which is confusing as hell in his flash backs to when he was 5, 9 and/or 13)
If you can get about 50% through the book it does get better. Less monologing more interacting with people and more action.
But. The elephant in the room is the politics. To enjoy this book just think of it all occurring in an alternate fantasy dimension where every fear the Right wing MAGA crowd has about the Left is dialed up to 11. 1000% over the top. If you can suspend your belief that much then the last half of the book is a pretty decent Super AntiHero story. (As long as you can ignore every character except the MC being a thin 2D version of a real character)
First few pages are an exciting fight. The next 10% to 15% is excruciating monolog by our MC. Up to the halfway point this book was 70% tell don't show. Heck even the initial fight was about half internal monolog.
Also - the MC is extremely over powered. In the opening sequence he is a young teenager without any powers but he kills 13+ gangsters who are armed with machetes and machine guns. (I said young teenager, but he mostly acts like he is a jaded 40 year old marine - which is confusing as hell in his flash backs to when he was 5, 9 and/or 13)
If you can get about 50% through the book it does get better. Less monologing more interacting with people and more action.
But. The elephant in the room is the politics. To enjoy this book just think of it all occurring in an alternate fantasy dimension where every fear the Right wing MAGA crowd has about the Left is dialed up to 11. 1000% over the top. If you can suspend your belief that much then the last half of the book is a pretty decent Super AntiHero story. (As long as you can ignore every character except the MC being a thin 2D version of a real character)
May 17, 2025
More Fun From Ringo
I'vw been a Ringo reader for some time now; Ghost is one I regularly reread just for kicks. So I keep my eye out for anything new he writes and have just finished this, his latest Mash up a comic book, sci-fi world where some folks have super powers with cabalistic forces for good and evil, along with some of the realities of the foster care system, and imagine a 13 year old genius, adopted youg man with vast stores of knowledge about a very wide range of things, stir in some ADHD and OCD traits and you have a protagonist who has been a loner for a long time (not to mention a killer of enemies) who is suddenly asked to get along with people. It's a hoot, especially as he winds up raising up other young super heroes. As one might expect, the story ends with a setup for another book about our hero - and I'm absolutely down with that. This was a whole lot of fun!
I'vw been a Ringo reader for some time now; Ghost is one I regularly reread just for kicks. So I keep my eye out for anything new he writes and have just finished this, his latest Mash up a comic book, sci-fi world where some folks have super powers with cabalistic forces for good and evil, along with some of the realities of the foster care system, and imagine a 13 year old genius, adopted youg man with vast stores of knowledge about a very wide range of things, stir in some ADHD and OCD traits and you have a protagonist who has been a loner for a long time (not to mention a killer of enemies) who is suddenly asked to get along with people. It's a hoot, especially as he winds up raising up other young super heroes. As one might expect, the story ends with a setup for another book about our hero - and I'm absolutely down with that. This was a whole lot of fun!
May 8, 2025
Great, raw, cluttered and political as well with a H
I've always liked Ringo books. Even when he shows the raw horror of mankind. And I like this book too. But it is cluttered, lots of sources of inspiration from lots of genres (you will see) that things can get confusing. It's like he took his favorite moves out then in a bag and threw it in a dryer and made a supporting cast of what came out without getting lost or broken.
The good, the character stays true to himself. He never bends his will or gives up. Politics and racism is addressed often and loudly and I think very clearly.
The bad'ish, the character is young for what he accomplished. But my biggest issue is that the character makes a big deal about a secret and spends the rest of the book telling everyone.
I like the book but have issues though I am hoping for a sequel.
I've always liked Ringo books. Even when he shows the raw horror of mankind. And I like this book too. But it is cluttered, lots of sources of inspiration from lots of genres (you will see) that things can get confusing. It's like he took his favorite moves out then in a bag and threw it in a dryer and made a supporting cast of what came out without getting lost or broken.
The good, the character stays true to himself. He never bends his will or gives up. Politics and racism is addressed often and loudly and I think very clearly.
The bad'ish, the character is young for what he accomplished. But my biggest issue is that the character makes a big deal about a secret and spends the rest of the book telling everyone.
I like the book but have issues though I am hoping for a sequel.
August 18, 2025
Different
So kids get super powers and then have to bend the knee to the government or have them taken away
On top of that a secret organisation runs most of the world governments and limits the amount of power the Supers can develop, less they become a threat
Lastly a 2nd secret organisation that's fighting the 1st and trying to protect the children they use for financial gain and sacrifice
Into all of this comes a kid that is a member of the 2nd secret organisation and develops super powers, has an IQ off the charts and has every reason to dislike the other secret organisation
It's cleverly set up, well told and a fascinating read. Politics rears its head a few times and in this scenario it's justified as they play a fundamental part in how the story develops and is told
Really looking forward to the next book
So kids get super powers and then have to bend the knee to the government or have them taken away
On top of that a secret organisation runs most of the world governments and limits the amount of power the Supers can develop, less they become a threat
Lastly a 2nd secret organisation that's fighting the 1st and trying to protect the children they use for financial gain and sacrifice
Into all of this comes a kid that is a member of the 2nd secret organisation and develops super powers, has an IQ off the charts and has every reason to dislike the other secret organisation
It's cleverly set up, well told and a fascinating read. Politics rears its head a few times and in this scenario it's justified as they play a fundamental part in how the story develops and is told
Really looking forward to the next book
June 23, 2025
Michael is a thirteen-year-old orphan who grew up in a ghetto, raised by a transexual black prostitute. He is also extremely intelligent and a smartarse. For reasons unknown, he is bestowed with superpowers. The Junior Super Corps enlists him, but he doesn't quite fit in. In the background, world spanning shadow organisations spar within vast hidden conspiracies.
This is a controversial book even for Mr. Ringo. Michael is an fast talking, clever, precocious youngster with ADHD. He does not fit the establishment mould, mostly because he speaks truth often uncomfortable. While the book suffers from excessive infodumps, especially at the start, and is in perhaps too many ways a platform for Mr. Ringo's ideology, it also exposes harsh truths about society which many people would benefit from hearing. Mr. Ringo can write engaging prose and good action scenes with his eyes clothes. Writing something that delivers a message while having a terribly contrived backstory is quite a feat. If you're the kind of person who is offended by strong and controversial opinions, you will be offended. I may not agree with Mr. Ringo's political views as a whole, but I respect him for approaching and explaining them in an honest and mature, albeit often hilariously smartarse, manner.
https://www.books.rosboch.net/2025/06...
This is a controversial book even for Mr. Ringo. Michael is an fast talking, clever, precocious youngster with ADHD. He does not fit the establishment mould, mostly because he speaks truth often uncomfortable. While the book suffers from excessive infodumps, especially at the start, and is in perhaps too many ways a platform for Mr. Ringo's ideology, it also exposes harsh truths about society which many people would benefit from hearing. Mr. Ringo can write engaging prose and good action scenes with his eyes clothes. Writing something that delivers a message while having a terribly contrived backstory is quite a feat. If you're the kind of person who is offended by strong and controversial opinions, you will be offended. I may not agree with Mr. Ringo's political views as a whole, but I respect him for approaching and explaining them in an honest and mature, albeit often hilariously smartarse, manner.
https://www.books.rosboch.net/2025/06...
June 16, 2025
Sometimes a hero with an awful upbringing is just the right one for the job
Michael was an orphan 'in the system' with a dreadful history. In this version of America, "Supers" exist. Michael 'acquires' powers and joins Junior Super Corps. Growing up, he learned three rules: big boys don't cry; never snitch: and always get revenge.
His team at JSC help him with number 3 in a spectacular fashion.
Warning: contains descriptions of violence, including sexual violence against children. Despite this, I recommend it to those who can move past it and see how it has made Michael into the "Not that Kind of Good Guy" that was needed.
The Pentatonix arrangement of Hallelujah is an excellent pick for Momma's send off.
Michael was an orphan 'in the system' with a dreadful history. In this version of America, "Supers" exist. Michael 'acquires' powers and joins Junior Super Corps. Growing up, he learned three rules: big boys don't cry; never snitch: and always get revenge.
His team at JSC help him with number 3 in a spectacular fashion.
Warning: contains descriptions of violence, including sexual violence against children. Despite this, I recommend it to those who can move past it and see how it has made Michael into the "Not that Kind of Good Guy" that was needed.
The Pentatonix arrangement of Hallelujah is an excellent pick for Momma's send off.
May 14, 2025
John rings is God
Every single thing this guys written I've read at least three times..5 stars is an injustice!! But ill tell my favorite cause I read it 5 times.. Yellow eyes. The book fantastical. But the treatise at the end about the transie govt and beaurocrats??? Did I spell it right?? Is one of the mist amazing and in depth dive into the Machiavelli machinations of how the world really works you'll ever read. And vorpal blade series, troy, zombies. This guy is a fan rockstar. I have lived a full life just getting a glimpse into your mind. I like the way you think. Ferros plugin
Every single thing this guys written I've read at least three times..5 stars is an injustice!! But ill tell my favorite cause I read it 5 times.. Yellow eyes. The book fantastical. But the treatise at the end about the transie govt and beaurocrats??? Did I spell it right?? Is one of the mist amazing and in depth dive into the Machiavelli machinations of how the world really works you'll ever read. And vorpal blade series, troy, zombies. This guy is a fan rockstar. I have lived a full life just getting a glimpse into your mind. I like the way you think. Ferros plugin
May 19, 2025
We get it
As a superhero book it's fine. Ringo is a good writer. I started reading him with There Will Be Dragons. Loved the whole series. Loved it. Loved Live Free or Die. Whole series. Still reread those books.
This one as much about making a political point as telling a story, and he's making points that are.... overly simplistic. He's writing to people who live in his echo chamber. It's irritating because I'm a fan of his writing and I've watched him go deeper and deeper into Q or MAGA and the books get worse and worse.
I expect this trend will continue and I'll probably still read the next one, but my enthusiasm fades with each book.
As a superhero book it's fine. Ringo is a good writer. I started reading him with There Will Be Dragons. Loved the whole series. Loved it. Loved Live Free or Die. Whole series. Still reread those books.
This one as much about making a political point as telling a story, and he's making points that are.... overly simplistic. He's writing to people who live in his echo chamber. It's irritating because I'm a fan of his writing and I've watched him go deeper and deeper into Q or MAGA and the books get worse and worse.
I expect this trend will continue and I'll probably still read the next one, but my enthusiasm fades with each book.
May 25, 2025
NTKOGG but the kind this world needs....
Yes this book deals with super heros but here they are human flawed, the main character was raised in the hood. His 6.4" black Mama with a baritone voice this only family until he finds the truth of his birth. Who his parents are and why he was abandoned in an alleyway in the worst part of America. He survives and becomes a real hero, just not that kind of good guy. John Ringo knocks it out of the park again and I read this as he was making it on substack this book was even better than the ruff draft we first read! If you like flawed heroes doing good and smartly this book you will love...
Yes this book deals with super heros but here they are human flawed, the main character was raised in the hood. His 6.4" black Mama with a baritone voice this only family until he finds the truth of his birth. Who his parents are and why he was abandoned in an alleyway in the worst part of America. He survives and becomes a real hero, just not that kind of good guy. John Ringo knocks it out of the park again and I read this as he was making it on substack this book was even better than the ruff draft we first read! If you like flawed heroes doing good and smartly this book you will love...
July 24, 2025
First in the new series Shadow's Path was released in May, and the sequel, Welcome to the Jungle comes in October. It's a new world - people with super powers have been being born for a generation. Some work for good and to save the world, others only or themselves. Michael is basically good, but has had a rough life. Rescued by a trans prostitute as a baby in an alley, he has been through a hellish environment of foster care at its worst. He's the target of gangs in Pittsburg, and soon finds himself in a different situation because of said gangs. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next.
September 22, 2025
Pretty sure that everyone can find something to dislike about this book: it take potshots at the left; potshots at the right; involves lots of conspiracy theories; portrays trans people in both negative and positive lights; and details seemingly unending abuse of children, particularly those in the foster care systems. Even with all of that, it still entertains and tells an interesting story. Let's hear it for the 13 year old super genius who gains super powers and takes on the world, while even gaining some friends in the process. Not nearly my favorite of Ringo's books, but good enough that I'll definitely be reading the next one.
July 9, 2025
First john ringo book to really disappoint
I love John Ringo books as a general rule? Full of action and fun. This book was so far right and so dismissive of progressive people( progressive in the political sense) that they were caricatures of real people.
The book comes down to progressive people evil child molesting killers bad, conservative maga people fantastic people. This is a two dimensional book and in my opinion the worst he has ever written. I wish I could get
my money back on this one.
I love John Ringo books as a general rule? Full of action and fun. This book was so far right and so dismissive of progressive people( progressive in the political sense) that they were caricatures of real people.
The book comes down to progressive people evil child molesting killers bad, conservative maga people fantastic people. This is a two dimensional book and in my opinion the worst he has ever written. I wish I could get
my money back on this one.
May 8, 2025
Holy Cow, Batman!!!
I can see why some people were offended by this book, because their job is to be offended. This book, in addition to being a rip-roaring coming-of-age adventure, is a raw testament to everything that is wrong in our society. A multi-generational Deep State that plays the Left against the Right, and vice versa, while an ominous warning of the coming Storm plays in the background. Mike might not be that kind of good guy, but I want to read more of his story.
I can see why some people were offended by this book, because their job is to be offended. This book, in addition to being a rip-roaring coming-of-age adventure, is a raw testament to everything that is wrong in our society. A multi-generational Deep State that plays the Left against the Right, and vice versa, while an ominous warning of the coming Storm plays in the background. Mike might not be that kind of good guy, but I want to read more of his story.
May 11, 2025
WEF meets Super heroes, and a boy genius leads the way.
What can i say…John Ringo writes great characters. The super hero vibe crossed with reality bites, the dichotomy of good vs evil, and genuine kindness in the face of adversity makes for a great intro to a new series. Can’t wait for more while Ringo attacks all of the stupid groupthink in our world today. If you like Kurt Schlicter, you’ll like this.
What can i say…John Ringo writes great characters. The super hero vibe crossed with reality bites, the dichotomy of good vs evil, and genuine kindness in the face of adversity makes for a great intro to a new series. Can’t wait for more while Ringo attacks all of the stupid groupthink in our world today. If you like Kurt Schlicter, you’ll like this.
June 3, 2025
It's lighter than GHOST
A very gritty tale of an abused (in every way) superb genius. An then he learns he has superpowers - in a place that doesn't want him to use them.
He becomes the superhero who !Alex citizens nervous and bad guys go bury themselves in a Peru to avoid - if they are allowed to survive. Typical classic excellent John Ringo. He's been gone way too long. Pray for a series. I am. Johnringorulz!!!!
A very gritty tale of an abused (in every way) superb genius. An then he learns he has superpowers - in a place that doesn't want him to use them.
He becomes the superhero who !Alex citizens nervous and bad guys go bury themselves in a Peru to avoid - if they are allowed to survive. Typical classic excellent John Ringo. He's been gone way too long. Pray for a series. I am. Johnringorulz!!!!
October 30, 2025
I heard Mr. Ringo discuss the book on a podcast and loved his description of its "origin story". Great ideas and he's a wonderful story teller. Unfortunately there are so many conspiracy theories and random chunks of undiscussed world building (superpower origin?, angels & demons?, world-wide future threat?, human sacrifice?, ear tugging???, etc) that the book became a slog. It really needs another draft or two.
May 8, 2025
An awesome conclusion to an awesome story!
Author John Ringo continues to delight. As usual, great everything: Characters, Plot, Action, Human Interest. The only bad part was that it had to finally end. I REALLY REALLY hope that there's a sequel! Read this story NOW! You WILL be very glad you did. :)
Author John Ringo continues to delight. As usual, great everything: Characters, Plot, Action, Human Interest. The only bad part was that it had to finally end. I REALLY REALLY hope that there's a sequel! Read this story NOW! You WILL be very glad you did. :)
June 2, 2025
another great one
Love Mr Ringo’s books. Amazing character development with enough quirky to keep them real. Also enough questionably correct insights to piss of the right people. Don’t always agree with it all but appreciate it all enough to keep me chuckling and titillated throughout the read.
Thanks again for another enjoyable and memorable page turner.
Love Mr Ringo’s books. Amazing character development with enough quirky to keep them real. Also enough questionably correct insights to piss of the right people. Don’t always agree with it all but appreciate it all enough to keep me chuckling and titillated throughout the read.
Thanks again for another enjoyable and memorable page turner.
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