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Livewire
A brand-new Valiant origin story, Livewire is a fun, riveting sci-fi novel with a compelling romance at its core.
Amanda McKee is a psiot, an evolved subspecies of humanity with mysterious psychic powers. According to billionaire Toyo Harada and his secret research organization, the Harbinger Foundation, she has the ability to talk to machines, control technology, and even see into a secret parallel world that exists inside the Digital World. But Harada wants Amanda to keep that last bit under wraps—along with the fact that she’s his adopted daughter.
But when a man from the twenty-seventh century named Matsuoka Sho appears, intent on killing her to save his future, she realizes her days of hiding who she really is are over. Especially after Matsuoka gives her an ominous “One day, you and Toyo will destroy humankind.” At first, Amanda doesn’t want to believe it. But when techno-soldiers from the future kidnap her father and drag him into the Digital World, she has no choice but to follow. Going into the Digital World with her hot, time-traveling frenemy and fighting off mecha soldiers with her psiot powers? That’s one thing. But can she handle learning the truth about who Toyo Harada really is?
Amanda McKee is a psiot, an evolved subspecies of humanity with mysterious psychic powers. According to billionaire Toyo Harada and his secret research organization, the Harbinger Foundation, she has the ability to talk to machines, control technology, and even see into a secret parallel world that exists inside the Digital World. But Harada wants Amanda to keep that last bit under wraps—along with the fact that she’s his adopted daughter.
But when a man from the twenty-seventh century named Matsuoka Sho appears, intent on killing her to save his future, she realizes her days of hiding who she really is are over. Especially after Matsuoka gives her an ominous “One day, you and Toyo will destroy humankind.” At first, Amanda doesn’t want to believe it. But when techno-soldiers from the future kidnap her father and drag him into the Digital World, she has no choice but to follow. Going into the Digital World with her hot, time-traveling frenemy and fighting off mecha soldiers with her psiot powers? That’s one thing. But can she handle learning the truth about who Toyo Harada really is?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
2919 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Raughley
15 books675 followersSarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything from manga to SF/F TV to Japanese Role Playing Games, but she will swear up and down that she was inspired by ~Jane Austin~ at book signings. On top of being a YA Writer, she is currently completing a PhD in English, because the sight of blood makes her queasy (which crossed Medical School off the list).
She is represented by The Bradford Literary Agency.
So far, you can also find her on Twitter, where work ethic goes to die.
She is represented by The Bradford Literary Agency.
So far, you can also find her on Twitter, where work ethic goes to die.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 25, 2025
Andy P
I had the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was about Black Girl Magic…..Literally! Andy is gifted with psychic powers and they are not always used for good. She is tasked with saving humanity while dealing with typical teenage girl stuff such as body image issues, race and acceptance.
The book started out a bit confusing and the plot jumped around a bit. I think a little more character development would help the flow of the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
I had the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was about Black Girl Magic…..Literally! Andy is gifted with psychic powers and they are not always used for good. She is tasked with saving humanity while dealing with typical teenage girl stuff such as body image issues, race and acceptance.
The book started out a bit confusing and the plot jumped around a bit. I think a little more character development would help the flow of the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
April 22, 2025
Thank you to Blackstone publishing and NetGalley for a chance to read this early!
This was very fun.
I really enjoyed our main character Amanda. She was spunky, fun, kind, but also she was a teenager who made a lot of mistakes and is trying to figure out her life and her not so natural abilities.
Now I’ve never read any of the valiant comics or anything so I did feel a little just thrown into this world and the working of pisots but I feel like the author made it to where Amanda feels like that too since she is the only known one. I do wish there would’ve been a little more building on that in the beginning but I will probably now read those comics because learning about Amanda has made me very interested in more of this world and story.
The middle did feel very bogged down but the ending really saved this for me. I loved the fight scenes I thought they were pretty well crafted and they get quite brutal which was a nice surprise I wasn’t expecting the fight scenes to be so intense.
Overall it was a favorite but it has a lot of potential and has made me super interested in other works in this world and I’m excited to explore those too.
This was very fun.
I really enjoyed our main character Amanda. She was spunky, fun, kind, but also she was a teenager who made a lot of mistakes and is trying to figure out her life and her not so natural abilities.
Now I’ve never read any of the valiant comics or anything so I did feel a little just thrown into this world and the working of pisots but I feel like the author made it to where Amanda feels like that too since she is the only known one. I do wish there would’ve been a little more building on that in the beginning but I will probably now read those comics because learning about Amanda has made me very interested in more of this world and story.
The middle did feel very bogged down but the ending really saved this for me. I loved the fight scenes I thought they were pretty well crafted and they get quite brutal which was a nice surprise I wasn’t expecting the fight scenes to be so intense.
Overall it was a favorite but it has a lot of potential and has made me super interested in other works in this world and I’m excited to explore those too.
July 28, 2025
ARC review | ⭐️⭐️ | YA Sci-Fi
Release date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was sooo excited when I got approved for this ARC but much to my dismay, it was another big let down for me. My biggest gripe is that this felt - at best - like a first draft. The plot, pacing, and writing was all over the place. The reveals never felt exciting because they were so obvious. The characters were painfully juvenile. Overall, I wish this had about 2 more years of editing to go through because the concept itself was interesting and fresh. Unfortunately I won’t be recommending anyone pick this up :/
Release date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was sooo excited when I got approved for this ARC but much to my dismay, it was another big let down for me. My biggest gripe is that this felt - at best - like a first draft. The plot, pacing, and writing was all over the place. The reveals never felt exciting because they were so obvious. The characters were painfully juvenile. Overall, I wish this had about 2 more years of editing to go through because the concept itself was interesting and fresh. Unfortunately I won’t be recommending anyone pick this up :/
July 15, 2025
Initial Thoughts:
I’m convinced Sarah Raughley named this character after Limewire—because Andy-P (the “P” is for Princess) might as well be a digital virus. Well, not really—she’s just a teenage girl with some powerful psiot abilities and a long list of mistakes she’s trying to make up for. Even after finishing the novel, I still wish Raughley had done a better job explaining what a psiot actually is—but maybe that’s on me for not reading the comics first. That said, the world she builds here is vibrant and fast-paced, both in the digital realm and on the neon streets of Japan, where the story takes place. It feels cyberpunk and futuristic, but the racism Andy faces as a Black girl in Japan makes parts of the story feel painfully rooted in the past.
Despite all that, Andy’s journey is powerful. Through her digital battles, strained family ties, and emotional growth, she becomes a more capable psiot—and a more grounded person.
Characters:
Andy-P—real name Amanda McKee—is full of spunk and charisma, and you like her from the jump. After leaving New York due to a humiliating incident, she reinvents herself at an American school in Japan (with help from her wildly rich and powerful adoptive father). I only wish we’d gotten more father-daughter interactions throughout the story. He’s always in the background, someone Andy is desperate to impress, but his presence is felt more than seen until the very end. If he’d had more screen time early on, his later impact would have landed harder.
That said, if more dad time meant less Lily time, I’m out. Lily—Andy’s best friend and unofficial social media manager—is a total gem. She lights up every scene she’s in and is the definition of ride-or-die. Sho, another close friend, is a solid character too. He brings emotional weight with a tragic backstory and helps ground the plot while staying fiercely loyal to Andy.
Plot and Writing:
The writing? Solid. The plot? Kind of chaotic. Raughley throws you right into the world with barely a whisper of exposition about what a psiot is, expecting you to come in with comic book knowledge. The pacing also felt uneven—there’s a dramatic opening fight, followed by a slower “wild goose chase” section, and then a final stretch that speeds toward its twists and reveals. Some of those twists were predictable (I saw one major one coming a mile away), and while the digital world-building was interesting—especially the idea of “digital castles” where people hide their truest selves—I wish the story had unfolded more organically. Still, the concept of exploring digital castles was rich and gave Andy some strong emotional growth that the castle couldn’t quite keep up with.
One of the strongest undercurrents of the novel is race. Raughley doesn’t center the plot on it, but the microaggressions and judgments Andy faces as a Black girl in Japan are woven into the narrative with care. Combined with her body image struggles and the pressure of living up to her father’s expectations, Andy’s character feels layered and real in a way that transcends genre.
Conclusion:
If you’re in the mood for a cyberpunk story with a fiery teenage protagonist, high-stakes digital warfare, and powerful friendships, Livewire is a fun ride. Yes, it drops you in without much hand-holding and has some structural hiccups, but the characters (especially Lily!) and emotional depth carry it through. A flawed but compelling sci-fi read that punches up the genre with heart and humor.
I’m convinced Sarah Raughley named this character after Limewire—because Andy-P (the “P” is for Princess) might as well be a digital virus. Well, not really—she’s just a teenage girl with some powerful psiot abilities and a long list of mistakes she’s trying to make up for. Even after finishing the novel, I still wish Raughley had done a better job explaining what a psiot actually is—but maybe that’s on me for not reading the comics first. That said, the world she builds here is vibrant and fast-paced, both in the digital realm and on the neon streets of Japan, where the story takes place. It feels cyberpunk and futuristic, but the racism Andy faces as a Black girl in Japan makes parts of the story feel painfully rooted in the past.
Despite all that, Andy’s journey is powerful. Through her digital battles, strained family ties, and emotional growth, she becomes a more capable psiot—and a more grounded person.
Characters:
Andy-P—real name Amanda McKee—is full of spunk and charisma, and you like her from the jump. After leaving New York due to a humiliating incident, she reinvents herself at an American school in Japan (with help from her wildly rich and powerful adoptive father). I only wish we’d gotten more father-daughter interactions throughout the story. He’s always in the background, someone Andy is desperate to impress, but his presence is felt more than seen until the very end. If he’d had more screen time early on, his later impact would have landed harder.
That said, if more dad time meant less Lily time, I’m out. Lily—Andy’s best friend and unofficial social media manager—is a total gem. She lights up every scene she’s in and is the definition of ride-or-die. Sho, another close friend, is a solid character too. He brings emotional weight with a tragic backstory and helps ground the plot while staying fiercely loyal to Andy.
Plot and Writing:
The writing? Solid. The plot? Kind of chaotic. Raughley throws you right into the world with barely a whisper of exposition about what a psiot is, expecting you to come in with comic book knowledge. The pacing also felt uneven—there’s a dramatic opening fight, followed by a slower “wild goose chase” section, and then a final stretch that speeds toward its twists and reveals. Some of those twists were predictable (I saw one major one coming a mile away), and while the digital world-building was interesting—especially the idea of “digital castles” where people hide their truest selves—I wish the story had unfolded more organically. Still, the concept of exploring digital castles was rich and gave Andy some strong emotional growth that the castle couldn’t quite keep up with.
One of the strongest undercurrents of the novel is race. Raughley doesn’t center the plot on it, but the microaggressions and judgments Andy faces as a Black girl in Japan are woven into the narrative with care. Combined with her body image struggles and the pressure of living up to her father’s expectations, Andy’s character feels layered and real in a way that transcends genre.
Conclusion:
If you’re in the mood for a cyberpunk story with a fiery teenage protagonist, high-stakes digital warfare, and powerful friendships, Livewire is a fun ride. Yes, it drops you in without much hand-holding and has some structural hiccups, but the characters (especially Lily!) and emotional depth carry it through. A flawed but compelling sci-fi read that punches up the genre with heart and humor.
August 22, 2025
I was first drawn to this book by the cover. After reading the synopsis, I was intrigued. I'm always up for a good superhero story, but I had never heard of Livewire until I did an internet search. This made me curious to see if and how the author would integrate our modern tech and social media into her story.
I was under the impression that this book was general adult, so I was caught off guard by teenager, "Andy P" the rich influencer, in the first several chapters. I was not prepared for teens, high school, the language, the angst and all the things that come with a kid who had to grow up too fast. Definitely YA! Honestly,I had to put the book down and mentally reset before diving back in. As someone who works with teens, I usually read to escape that world—not revisit it. But, I did pick the book up again. The second time, I was able to prepare myself for the read and get through it. I actually enjoyed parts, especially when Sho made an appearance. But, I still struggled in spots throughout.
I enjoyed the author's world-building for both the real world and the digital world. I also liked the action scenes and felt they were well written. Many of the characters may be relatable to teens. Amanda was a dynamic character with several struggles within, without, past, present and future; not that being a teen is hard enough! I liked that she was a person of color being portrayed as intelligent despite her struggles. I liked that despite the things Amanda went through, she had a great friend in Lily. While this is a sci-fi read, I think students would appreciate Amanda's flaws, her grit, and her journey.
Overall, this story was just okay for me. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and I wanted more depth from side characters like Sho and Lily. Having more info about a psiot and maybe even more of Amanda's past will help readers understand and appreciate her story more, especially if they've never heard of Livewire. The ending left me with more questions.
With the revival of popularity of comic heroes and anti-heroes, I think YA readers who enjoy action and a strong female leads will be interested in trying out this book. I think they will have a positive reaction to this new read.
I appreciate the author, Sarah Raughley, Blackstone Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
My rating 2.5-3 stars: That means...There may have been a few moments that I liked. There maybe have been a few things that bothered me while reading this book and it may have been slow in parts. I would still recommend this book; it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.
I was under the impression that this book was general adult, so I was caught off guard by teenager, "Andy P" the rich influencer, in the first several chapters. I was not prepared for teens, high school, the language, the angst and all the things that come with a kid who had to grow up too fast. Definitely YA! Honestly,I had to put the book down and mentally reset before diving back in. As someone who works with teens, I usually read to escape that world—not revisit it. But, I did pick the book up again. The second time, I was able to prepare myself for the read and get through it. I actually enjoyed parts, especially when Sho made an appearance. But, I still struggled in spots throughout.
I enjoyed the author's world-building for both the real world and the digital world. I also liked the action scenes and felt they were well written. Many of the characters may be relatable to teens. Amanda was a dynamic character with several struggles within, without, past, present and future; not that being a teen is hard enough! I liked that she was a person of color being portrayed as intelligent despite her struggles. I liked that despite the things Amanda went through, she had a great friend in Lily. While this is a sci-fi read, I think students would appreciate Amanda's flaws, her grit, and her journey.
Overall, this story was just okay for me. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and I wanted more depth from side characters like Sho and Lily. Having more info about a psiot and maybe even more of Amanda's past will help readers understand and appreciate her story more, especially if they've never heard of Livewire. The ending left me with more questions.
With the revival of popularity of comic heroes and anti-heroes, I think YA readers who enjoy action and a strong female leads will be interested in trying out this book. I think they will have a positive reaction to this new read.
I appreciate the author, Sarah Raughley, Blackstone Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
My rating 2.5-3 stars: That means...There may have been a few moments that I liked. There maybe have been a few things that bothered me while reading this book and it may have been slow in parts. I would still recommend this book; it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.
March 23, 2025
ARC Reader Review – Livewire by Sarah Raughley
Thank you for the chance to read an advanced copy of Livewire. As an ARC reader, I was eager to see Sarah Raughley’s interpretation of this complex DC character, and overall, the story offered a compelling and introspective take on what it means to wield power in the public eye.
What I Loved:
Livewire’s Character Arc – Her inner conflict was portrayed with nuance, and I appreciated how the story gave space for her emotional and psychological journey. She felt like a fully realized character navigating the consequences of past choices.
Themes with Depth – The narrative touches on redemption, power dynamics, identity, and control in a way that feels timely and thought-provoking. It adds weight to the action and makes the story stand out in the superhero genre. ( A lot of Black girl magic!)
Writing Style – Raughley’s writing is clear and compelling. The tone strikes a balance between introspection and momentum, making it easy to read while still hitting emotional beats.
What Could Be Stronger:
Supporting Characters – Some side characters felt underdeveloped, especially compared to the depth given to Livewire. A bit more attention to their backgrounds or motivations could elevate the overall narrative.
Pacing in the Middle – While the opening and ending are strong, the middle of the book slowed a little. A tighter progression there would keep the energy more consistent.
DC Universe Context – For readers less familiar with Livewire or her history, a touch more background or grounding in the world would improve accessibility and immersion.
Final Thoughts:
Livewire is a thoughtful and character-driven story that goes beyond standard superhero fare. It offers a unique lens on power, responsibility, and public perception—all while staying true to the comic book spirit. I think readers will appreciate its intelligence, heart, and emotional-honesty. This is a must read!! GET INTO IT!!!
Thank you for the chance to read an advanced copy of Livewire. As an ARC reader, I was eager to see Sarah Raughley’s interpretation of this complex DC character, and overall, the story offered a compelling and introspective take on what it means to wield power in the public eye.
What I Loved:
Livewire’s Character Arc – Her inner conflict was portrayed with nuance, and I appreciated how the story gave space for her emotional and psychological journey. She felt like a fully realized character navigating the consequences of past choices.
Themes with Depth – The narrative touches on redemption, power dynamics, identity, and control in a way that feels timely and thought-provoking. It adds weight to the action and makes the story stand out in the superhero genre. ( A lot of Black girl magic!)
Writing Style – Raughley’s writing is clear and compelling. The tone strikes a balance between introspection and momentum, making it easy to read while still hitting emotional beats.
What Could Be Stronger:
Supporting Characters – Some side characters felt underdeveloped, especially compared to the depth given to Livewire. A bit more attention to their backgrounds or motivations could elevate the overall narrative.
Pacing in the Middle – While the opening and ending are strong, the middle of the book slowed a little. A tighter progression there would keep the energy more consistent.
DC Universe Context – For readers less familiar with Livewire or her history, a touch more background or grounding in the world would improve accessibility and immersion.
Final Thoughts:
Livewire is a thoughtful and character-driven story that goes beyond standard superhero fare. It offers a unique lens on power, responsibility, and public perception—all while staying true to the comic book spirit. I think readers will appreciate its intelligence, heart, and emotional-honesty. This is a must read!! GET INTO IT!!!
September 1, 2025
What happens when you’re the most powerful person in the room… and still feel completely alone?
That’s the question Sarah Raughley throws at us in Livewire, a high-octane YA sci-fi set in the Valiant Universe that smashes tech-powered action into a raw, personal story about identity, belonging, and the cost of trying to save the world.
I loved the story in Livewire! The story of Livewire isn’t just about saving the world; it’s about surviving it when the world doesn’t know what to make of you.
The story is action-packed, giving you (and the main character) little time to breathe until something else happens. It is low on spice and the love arc, which is something that I think made a lot of sense and did not take away from the sci-fi action aspect of the story.
Most of the characters were well-developed, and I enjoyed the raw relationship problems between Amanda and Toyo. These are really the most important characters in the novel, as the story and problems revolve around them.
Don’t get me wrong, I did like the ending; however, I thought it was too quick. There is a lot of story built up throughout the story, but the ending came way too fast, without a real finishing arc and a final “boss fight” if you want to call it that.
Read the full review on Fully-Booked
That’s the question Sarah Raughley throws at us in Livewire, a high-octane YA sci-fi set in the Valiant Universe that smashes tech-powered action into a raw, personal story about identity, belonging, and the cost of trying to save the world.
I loved the story in Livewire! The story of Livewire isn’t just about saving the world; it’s about surviving it when the world doesn’t know what to make of you.
The story is action-packed, giving you (and the main character) little time to breathe until something else happens. It is low on spice and the love arc, which is something that I think made a lot of sense and did not take away from the sci-fi action aspect of the story.
Most of the characters were well-developed, and I enjoyed the raw relationship problems between Amanda and Toyo. These are really the most important characters in the novel, as the story and problems revolve around them.
Don’t get me wrong, I did like the ending; however, I thought it was too quick. There is a lot of story built up throughout the story, but the ending came way too fast, without a real finishing arc and a final “boss fight” if you want to call it that.
Read the full review on Fully-Booked
March 15, 2025
Livewire follows 16 year old Andrea Porter who possesses the ability to control technology. In addition to keeping this superpower hidden she must also grapple high school conflicts, and navigate a strained relationship with her adoptive father Toyo Harada. Everything comes crashing down when a young assassin comes, claiming “one day, you and Toyo will destroy humankind.”
I thought the world-building was great and the Digital World was a unique twist. Each digital castle was well described and I found myself wondering what mine would look like. Livewire had many layers to the story. Andrea grappling with self-acceptance, the good vs evil narrative, complex motivations, and ethical power concerns. A case of how far someone will go to achieve their ideal world.
Outside of the superpower aspect Andrea’s struggles were very relatable for teenagers, especially black teens. Navigating identity issues, body image concerns, and peer acceptance, the author did a great job showing the misplaced search for acceptance.
The first few pages were a bit of a challenge to understand, but the story quickly smooths out after that. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sci-fi/superhero books where the heroine is flawed but redeemable
I received an early copy of Livewire from Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I thought the world-building was great and the Digital World was a unique twist. Each digital castle was well described and I found myself wondering what mine would look like. Livewire had many layers to the story. Andrea grappling with self-acceptance, the good vs evil narrative, complex motivations, and ethical power concerns. A case of how far someone will go to achieve their ideal world.
Outside of the superpower aspect Andrea’s struggles were very relatable for teenagers, especially black teens. Navigating identity issues, body image concerns, and peer acceptance, the author did a great job showing the misplaced search for acceptance.
The first few pages were a bit of a challenge to understand, but the story quickly smooths out after that. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sci-fi/superhero books where the heroine is flawed but redeemable
I received an early copy of Livewire from Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 4, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the free digital arc of Livewire.
I rated this a 2 because I just did not enjoy this at all. Even from the beginning, I wasn't feeling it, no matter how much I wanted to. From the writing to the chaotic plot and pacing, I wasn’t invested at all. Even though this was less than 300 pages, it both felt too short and too long. There was a point when I thought the worldbuilding was getting interesting, but then it went completely south and derailed for me. I was not aware that Amanda McKee is based on a superhero comic, but I think I would prefer it that way because I just don’t think this was a good story at all. I also wasn't aware that this was an adult novel because it read as YA.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, especially because I plan to read multiple books by the author, but this didn't inspire any confidence in my potential enjoyment of her other works. Overall, I don’t think I would recommend this one.
I rated this a 2 because I just did not enjoy this at all. Even from the beginning, I wasn't feeling it, no matter how much I wanted to. From the writing to the chaotic plot and pacing, I wasn’t invested at all. Even though this was less than 300 pages, it both felt too short and too long. There was a point when I thought the worldbuilding was getting interesting, but then it went completely south and derailed for me. I was not aware that Amanda McKee is based on a superhero comic, but I think I would prefer it that way because I just don’t think this was a good story at all. I also wasn't aware that this was an adult novel because it read as YA.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, especially because I plan to read multiple books by the author, but this didn't inspire any confidence in my potential enjoyment of her other works. Overall, I don’t think I would recommend this one.
April 14, 2025
16 yr old FMC was adopted by billionaire Toyo Harada. Andy's hidden superpower is used to save humanity by Harada. That's until an assassin arrives wanting to kill Andy.
💾 Black FMC
💾 Technology Superpower
💾 Character Growth
💾 Romance
💾 Digital World
The story didn't pull me in immediately. It definitely took a little to set everything up and get going with the main plot but once it started I was really enjoying it. I loved the idea of the Digital World and the journey that Andy and Sho went through. This really added another added layer that made the story exciting. The world-building of that world was done well, I liked that I could picture it.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
💾 Black FMC
💾 Technology Superpower
💾 Character Growth
💾 Romance
💾 Digital World
The story didn't pull me in immediately. It definitely took a little to set everything up and get going with the main plot but once it started I was really enjoying it. I loved the idea of the Digital World and the journey that Andy and Sho went through. This really added another added layer that made the story exciting. The world-building of that world was done well, I liked that I could picture it.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
May 28, 2025
Amanda McKee is a Psiot. A person born with powers. She can access and talk to machines with her mind. She’s trying to live a relatively normal life, when things get out of control.
I’ve been a fan of Valiant Comics for years. Livewire is a character that I’ve never gone out of my way to read about, but I’ve been looking forward to these Valiant novels.
For a character that I’m not really fond of and a writer I’ve never read before, I enjoyed this book. Amanda McKee was a fantastic character. Her supporting cast was great. The ways in which she used her powers were inventive and exciting.
Whether you’re a long time fan of the comics or you’ve never heard of them before, take a chance on Livewire. You won’t regret it.
I’ve been a fan of Valiant Comics for years. Livewire is a character that I’ve never gone out of my way to read about, but I’ve been looking forward to these Valiant novels.
For a character that I’m not really fond of and a writer I’ve never read before, I enjoyed this book. Amanda McKee was a fantastic character. Her supporting cast was great. The ways in which she used her powers were inventive and exciting.
Whether you’re a long time fan of the comics or you’ve never heard of them before, take a chance on Livewire. You won’t regret it.
quit-dnf
August 10, 2025DNF @ page 27. Thanks to Blackstone for the ARC, but I am soooo not the target audience for this book. On the bright side, although it may not have been the author’s intent, Sarah Raughley does a swell job of capturing just how annoying and vapid wealthy-elite teenage internet influencers are. I don’t care to watch these dopes on YouTube, and I certainly can’t stand reading about them even if they have superpowers of some sort, which have thus far been ill-defined and only good for helping Amanda win a contest of Mean Girl insults against a K-Pop kiddo. I only made it through two chapters and a few pages into a third before deciding this might be some of the most insufferable writing of the year so far.
September 2, 2025
⭐⭐⭐.75
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
I thought Raughley wrote a story that is full of action and also connects with your feelings. She does a good job of creating a world where superpowers are not just something that looks cool, but a main part of the social and political fights. I found Amanda's journey from a shy teen to a confident young woman to be really interesting, and her struggle to control her powers is a strong example of learning to accept who she really is.
However, I found some parts of the story annoying. The story moves very fast, which can sometimes make it jump around without much to link it all together. Also, while the other characters are well-thought-out, a few of them seemed too immature and could be annoying, which made me lose patience at times.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
I thought Raughley wrote a story that is full of action and also connects with your feelings. She does a good job of creating a world where superpowers are not just something that looks cool, but a main part of the social and political fights. I found Amanda's journey from a shy teen to a confident young woman to be really interesting, and her struggle to control her powers is a strong example of learning to accept who she really is.
However, I found some parts of the story annoying. The story moves very fast, which can sometimes make it jump around without much to link it all together. Also, while the other characters are well-thought-out, a few of them seemed too immature and could be annoying, which made me lose patience at times.
January 20, 2026
Great job on explaining high tech stuff in a simple way that I can understand it. If that didn’t happen, this book would’ve been terrible. Great imagination with cyber space, time travel and interaction of all the characters involved. This would make a great movie. Many people might find in an unbelievable storyline of an Asian male abducting an African-American child. Well, it’s so happens. If you look things up statistically, you will find it most likely listed under transracial adoptions. There’s not much information to be had in the year 2026 because it’s still fairly new to be documented.
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August 22, 2025*Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for early copy for review*
I did dnf 30% in because I could not stand the writing style anymore.
They say don't judge a book by itcover and that could not be more correct than for this one. So based on the cover I believed that Amanda or Andrea was in her 20s and doing the whole vigilante thing. No this starts with her in high school as influencer with a very young ya writing style. This needs a new summary, cover and to be advertised as a teen book.
I did dnf 30% in because I could not stand the writing style anymore.
They say don't judge a book by itcover and that could not be more correct than for this one. So based on the cover I believed that Amanda or Andrea was in her 20s and doing the whole vigilante thing. No this starts with her in high school as influencer with a very young ya writing style. This needs a new summary, cover and to be advertised as a teen book.
September 8, 2025
Andrea is just another typical teen girl, from the outside looking in. She goes to the rich kid high school, thanks to her adopted father who happens to be one of the richest men in the world. She's also a social media super star, which just adds to her hype. But on the inside, she's the only person in the world with super powers. She's able to control, and talk to, technology with her mind.
Check out my full review here! Posted 9/10/2025
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Check out my full review here! Posted 9/10/2025
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
October 9, 2025
The cover was what initially caught my attention, and after reading the synopsis, I was definitely interested. I enjoy a good superhero story, but I hadn’t heard of Livewire before, so I looked her up online. That search made me even more curious to see how the author might incorporate modern technology and social media into the narrative.
Let’s see who can unlock more achievements in geometry dash lite
Let’s see who can unlock more achievements in geometry dash lite
October 25, 2025
The characters are well-developed, and the plot is fast-paced with unexpected twists. Raughley’s unique world-building and emotional depth make it a captivating read that keeps you hooked until the very end. Highly recommended! italian brainrot characters
February 19, 2025
First experience with this author! Thank you to Blackstone for the earc in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this story. It was emotional, exciting and kept me entertained the entire time! Character growth was so good!
October 28, 2025
The story and the setting Sarah had set was super interesting!! I did find myself having to read certain parts over again to understand what was happening. But I do feel that the author did a great job writing out and setting the scene so I still enjoyed the book regardless
August 6, 2025
DNF.
I think by and large the writing/voice put me off too much.
I think by and large the writing/voice put me off too much.
October 17, 2025
This is really my first venture into the sci-fi space. I'm really more of a fantasy reader myself, but I did enjoy this. It was interesting to read something a bit outside of my norm.
October 21, 2025
A Terminator in the Digital World. Andy-P/Amanda must Sarah Conner the current social media obsessed world with her Kyle Reese/Sho.
September 2, 2025
this book was pretty hard to finish. I wanted to like it, but it felt like such an early draft of a story that needed a lot more polish. It pretty directly lifts from a lot of references that stand out starkly - Persona 5 is a big one, and I get hints of Evangelion, Pacific Rim, maybe a little Carrie, and strangely "Friday" by Rebecca Black. It does a lot of telling instead of showing.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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