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Sparks
Sparks
When Ethan Hamil is struck with both the power of electricity and cancer he has to choose his life choices wisely. This is the story about Ethan's journey, to not only help people, but to find out who he really is. Ethan has to balance being the very first hero and battling a deadly disease. Now is the time to dive into the life of Sparks.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2014
2 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
James DeSantis
17 books1,203 followersJust a regular nerd, reading comics and enjoying life the best I can. I've made my own comics, as well as short stories and books. These days I still occasionally try to create some of those.
My main focus here is writing reviews to spread love throughout the comic and manga worlds. I also make YouTube videos with deep dives on comic characters, so come check me out there as well.
Add me if you want to talk anytime! I love nerding out. Now go enjoy reading some good comics!
My main focus here is writing reviews to spread love throughout the comic and manga worlds. I also make YouTube videos with deep dives on comic characters, so come check me out there as well.
Add me if you want to talk anytime! I love nerding out. Now go enjoy reading some good comics!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2023
This book was awesome! It was just like watching a movie. Epic! If you like superhero stories, you will love this for sure! There was never a dull moment and I recommend this to EVERYONE!
January 3, 2015
I'd just like to start off by saying I'm writing this review just after I finished reading it so you should be thankful you're not reading this from a piece of paper because it would be soaked in my tears. I was not expecting to connect with a book that was well under two hundred pages and not one sentence was wasted.
When I fist heard the premiss it made me think of Vicious by V.E Schwab and I think if you've read that you'll enjoy this because you won't hate all the character and find the story had some genuine substance beyond the basic people getting superpowers.
The story follows a man named Ethan who has been diagnosed with cancer and develops superpowers. We follow him on his journey as he finds himself and his purpose.
The writing style was really interesting as we were reading Ethan writing the book and his friend Alex interviewing many different people. I think giving the reader so many different perspectives on Ethan/Sparks made it so easy to understand and root for him. I also liked that he was flawed as a lot of the time protagonists can be written as saintly and angelic like they can do no wrong but I could easily believe that Ethan or a person like him was real. I liked his narrative and how he saw his relationships with the people closest to him, especially his dad. His character was developed so well and it was inevitable that I shed a tear over this book.
If I was to criticise it in any way it would be that it was too short. I just wanted to keep reading more and more but I do have to say it is absolutely perfect just as it is and the selfish needy reader in me will just have to get over it.
When I fist heard the premiss it made me think of Vicious by V.E Schwab and I think if you've read that you'll enjoy this because you won't hate all the character and find the story had some genuine substance beyond the basic people getting superpowers.
The story follows a man named Ethan who has been diagnosed with cancer and develops superpowers. We follow him on his journey as he finds himself and his purpose.
The writing style was really interesting as we were reading Ethan writing the book and his friend Alex interviewing many different people. I think giving the reader so many different perspectives on Ethan/Sparks made it so easy to understand and root for him. I also liked that he was flawed as a lot of the time protagonists can be written as saintly and angelic like they can do no wrong but I could easily believe that Ethan or a person like him was real. I liked his narrative and how he saw his relationships with the people closest to him, especially his dad. His character was developed so well and it was inevitable that I shed a tear over this book.
If I was to criticise it in any way it would be that it was too short. I just wanted to keep reading more and more but I do have to say it is absolutely perfect just as it is and the selfish needy reader in me will just have to get over it.
June 29, 2014
What would you get if DC Comics hijacked John Green and forced him to write a novel about a superhero?
You'd get Sparks, the latest story from the talented indie author James DeSantis.
Ethan Hamil is an average 20-something. He recently broke up with his longtime girlfriend and doesn't want to do anything to better himself.
One day, he hears the words everyone dreads (no, not, "We're making a sequel to the Green Lantern movie." haha): he has cancer and it's rapidly advancing.
As if that's not enough, he's struck by lightning! But that was more a blessing than a curse. Ethan can now control electricity. With a little help from his nerdy best friend, Alex, he becomes Sparks and finds the purpose he'd been looking for: saving people.
If you're a superhero fan like I am, you're going to love this. If you're a fan of heartfelt stories about dying people trying to do good, you're going to obsess over this.
I shed tears at the end. That should tell you something. I have only ever cried at three books before this and I've read thousands.
You know the person writing this is a comic book fan, by the attention to detail. The intense detail is what really makes the story pop. You can easily see the characters in your mind as you read.
The story is beautifully written, a great statement about love, life and death. I read this in one sitting with a dying ereader battery. Such an excellent book. I'm still having what the Internet now calls "feels".
5/5--wonderful!
You'd get Sparks, the latest story from the talented indie author James DeSantis.
Ethan Hamil is an average 20-something. He recently broke up with his longtime girlfriend and doesn't want to do anything to better himself.
One day, he hears the words everyone dreads (no, not, "We're making a sequel to the Green Lantern movie." haha): he has cancer and it's rapidly advancing.
As if that's not enough, he's struck by lightning! But that was more a blessing than a curse. Ethan can now control electricity. With a little help from his nerdy best friend, Alex, he becomes Sparks and finds the purpose he'd been looking for: saving people.
If you're a superhero fan like I am, you're going to love this. If you're a fan of heartfelt stories about dying people trying to do good, you're going to obsess over this.
I shed tears at the end. That should tell you something. I have only ever cried at three books before this and I've read thousands.
You know the person writing this is a comic book fan, by the attention to detail. The intense detail is what really makes the story pop. You can easily see the characters in your mind as you read.
The story is beautifully written, a great statement about love, life and death. I read this in one sitting with a dying ereader battery. Such an excellent book. I'm still having what the Internet now calls "feels".
5/5--wonderful!
January 18, 2015
Where to begin with this one? I love the originality and potential that James DeSantis shows. I have read his work before and I always like reading an author with new ideas. I found the idea of the creation of a superhero combined with a tragic human being a very interesting concept. I don't usually go for the superhero genre but I was intrigued by the idea of how someone with a fatal disease would handle a superpower that he could use for either good or evil. I enjoyed reading it for that reason. I would have liked a little more "meat" to the story and character development and not just with the main character but a build up of the central characters would have been great. There was a tantalizing hint of it but not enough for me. I am a big one for a story within a story that connects. There was enough development that I actually cared for the main character even with all his flaws and was able to find compassion and cheer for his father when he actually showed his son his true side. I said it before and I will say it again. This author keeps improving with each short story and novel and I am looking forward to his next work.
August 23, 2014
I was sent this book for review by the author. Although I was excited to read it, I did not have any major expectations for this book.
After I finished it though, this book had really given me a pleasant surprise!
However, this book had left me puzzled after I read it. It had its flaws,but at the same time, it had some things in it that I really loved.
That's why, after a month of deliberation (and procrastination)I have finally polished up my thoughts enough about it to give my perfectly honest review about this book.
First things first, I have to admit that I loved how the narrator of this book-Ethan Hamil-was so upfront throughout most this story. He didn't sweeten things up and was so completely honest in his opinion that it left me with the impression that I was truly inside his mind.
However, I did have problems with some of the interviews in this novel.
The interviews were not constructed in a manner that seemed professional or formal. It sometimes felt like Alex was just interviewing a friend.
But I liked the fact that the author cleared most of my doubts in the back story and explained things a little further.
However, I found that the emotions were lacking in the characters a little bit. At times, I felt that the author was just "telling" the scenes and not "showing" it,but this problem was largely solved in the scenes where he tells his dad about his cancer.
That scene was one of my favorites from the book and the way his dad reacted formed a lump in my throat. I don't usually cry while reading,so that was quite an accomplishment.
I was,however,disappointed in the way his best friend reacted to his cancer. Any normal best friend would have been crying their eyes out but Alex just gave a shrug and brushed it off.
The sarcasm,however, was wonderful throughout the book and it was another aspect of this novel that I really enjoyed.
The last few interviews were sensibly done, precise and informative and gave different perspectives on the same guy.
His cancer seemed to have been done so very quickly, sometimes I felt like my head was spinning. A few more pages to flesh out the novel would have been great.
AND THEN WE COME TO THE END.
The ending was fantastic! Amazing! Any word in the English language that describes awesome would be relevant.
I am generally a fan of sad endings and this was no exception.
I loved the way things were wrapped up in the end, it left no doubts in my mind about the story or Ethan himself.
Overall, I was very satisfied with the novel. A little bit of fleshing out and emotion, and this would be quite a read.
And because I hate the Good reads rating scale, I will give this novel 3.5/5 stars or an 82%.
This book is perfect for all the superhero fans out there.
After I finished it though, this book had really given me a pleasant surprise!
However, this book had left me puzzled after I read it. It had its flaws,but at the same time, it had some things in it that I really loved.
That's why, after a month of deliberation (and procrastination)I have finally polished up my thoughts enough about it to give my perfectly honest review about this book.
First things first, I have to admit that I loved how the narrator of this book-Ethan Hamil-was so upfront throughout most this story. He didn't sweeten things up and was so completely honest in his opinion that it left me with the impression that I was truly inside his mind.
However, I did have problems with some of the interviews in this novel.
The interviews were not constructed in a manner that seemed professional or formal. It sometimes felt like Alex was just interviewing a friend.
But I liked the fact that the author cleared most of my doubts in the back story and explained things a little further.
However, I found that the emotions were lacking in the characters a little bit. At times, I felt that the author was just "telling" the scenes and not "showing" it,but this problem was largely solved in the scenes where he tells his dad about his cancer.
That scene was one of my favorites from the book and the way his dad reacted formed a lump in my throat. I don't usually cry while reading,so that was quite an accomplishment.
I was,however,disappointed in the way his best friend reacted to his cancer. Any normal best friend would have been crying their eyes out but Alex just gave a shrug and brushed it off.
The sarcasm,however, was wonderful throughout the book and it was another aspect of this novel that I really enjoyed.
The last few interviews were sensibly done, precise and informative and gave different perspectives on the same guy.
His cancer seemed to have been done so very quickly, sometimes I felt like my head was spinning. A few more pages to flesh out the novel would have been great.
AND THEN WE COME TO THE END.
The ending was fantastic! Amazing! Any word in the English language that describes awesome would be relevant.
I am generally a fan of sad endings and this was no exception.
I loved the way things were wrapped up in the end, it left no doubts in my mind about the story or Ethan himself.
Overall, I was very satisfied with the novel. A little bit of fleshing out and emotion, and this would be quite a read.
And because I hate the Good reads rating scale, I will give this novel 3.5/5 stars or an 82%.
This book is perfect for all the superhero fans out there.
March 2, 2015
I believe that this is a new and fresh superhero story that only uses some familiar motifs. In the beginning, twenty-something year old Ethan Hamil has just broken up with his girlfriend after having an argument about his schooling. After suffering from a minor injury, he goes to the doctor to have it checked out. While getting treated for his injury, the doctor runs a test on him and finds out that he has terminal cancer. In the midst of worrying about dying, he survives getting struck by lightening and soon discovers that he has the ability to control electricity. Ethan then adopts the name; "Sparks" to become a superhero. After saving a woman from getting raped, he develops better confidence in himself and makes it his mission to kill all of the gangs in his city before he dies from his cancer. The familiar motifs that James DeSantis uses in the story is that the hero has a troubled relationship with the opposite sex and gets his powers after something bad happens to him. That's pretty much it. Everything else is fresh and new and I really like how the hero knows that his days are numbered yet he doesn't think that he's wasting his time by helping people during his last days on earth. My only criticism of the book is how the story is told. Most of the times it's told through Ethan's point of view and other times it's told through one of Ethan's closest friends by interviewing people about certain events that Ethan did. It was only a little confusing but for the most part, I got the flow of how the story was being told and I hope that "Sparks" gets picked up from a major comic book company because I truly believe that this new superhero is what we need. I think Hollywood is getting sick of remaking so many superheroes that we need new ones. The public certainly wants new superheroes and I believe that James DeSantis is the one who can deliver us one.
June 29, 2014
As the first stand alone novel from James DeSantis, he has brought us Sparks, the tale of Ethan Hamil. Diagnosed with cancer early in the story, Ethan is quickly gifted with the power of electricity and becomes the vigilante Sparks with the one year he has left to live.
The story in and of itself is an interesting one given the lack of immortality which consumes this character as opposed to other more traditional superheroes whom rarely die in their stories, much less stay dead afterwards. However, Ethan is the narrator of the story, writing down his tale in the text we are reading, so there's never a large worry that he won't survive any encounters he comes across. This allows for a lack of worry and a lessening of the suspense which the story could have possessed.
It's quite short at roughly 137 pages and is a fairly quick read. It's told in two different ways: one is through Ethan's perspective leading up to his writing of his tale (and ultimate death) while the other is through the eyes of his friend Alex after the main events interviewing people involved in the different situations which involved Sparks. It's an interesting, "Carrie-esc" format to go with and it works fairly well, but can take readers out of the main plot since many of the events discussed in this part are never touched on in the main plot.
Overall, I did enjoy "Sparks." It's a new way to approach superheros and the ending leaves the potential for a sequel in the future, should DeSantis decide to further evolve the world of "Sparks."
For a more detailed review, including thoughts on the ending, see the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74fL...
The story in and of itself is an interesting one given the lack of immortality which consumes this character as opposed to other more traditional superheroes whom rarely die in their stories, much less stay dead afterwards. However, Ethan is the narrator of the story, writing down his tale in the text we are reading, so there's never a large worry that he won't survive any encounters he comes across. This allows for a lack of worry and a lessening of the suspense which the story could have possessed.
It's quite short at roughly 137 pages and is a fairly quick read. It's told in two different ways: one is through Ethan's perspective leading up to his writing of his tale (and ultimate death) while the other is through the eyes of his friend Alex after the main events interviewing people involved in the different situations which involved Sparks. It's an interesting, "Carrie-esc" format to go with and it works fairly well, but can take readers out of the main plot since many of the events discussed in this part are never touched on in the main plot.
Overall, I did enjoy "Sparks." It's a new way to approach superheros and the ending leaves the potential for a sequel in the future, should DeSantis decide to further evolve the world of "Sparks."
For a more detailed review, including thoughts on the ending, see the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74fL...
January 14, 2015
WOW! Was not expecting that at all. I went in thinking it would be a fun read but nothing really extraordinary or anything that would move me. I was so mistaken. This book is so good and emotional. This is not a book I would normally read, it is not something I would have read to be honest because I am not into superheroes even though I like watching movies and tv shows about them, but never was even curious about reading a book with a superhero in it. The story is really good with lots of action and even a little romance in the mix.
******A bit of a SPOILER ahead******
The story is about your normal guy that is really nothing special, he is just happy with having a normal boring life but then disaster strikes, literally. He gets a power he learns to control and use for helping others. Unfortunately he does not get to live with his power for too long because he was battling cancer. I won't tell you anymore because I don't want to spoil anything but it was sad, I cried a lot. I really wanted a happy ending but I guess we can't get everything we want sometimes.
The author's writing style is really good, I liked the flow on the story and the characters are awesome and very likable.
I have to say that the author knows how to get emotions going, I was feeling Ethan's pain and the struggles with his disease.
Although it was a sad story to me, it is also a very powerful story, one that will make you think about being good and helping others.
The story is not all sad, it had plenty of action and funny parts as well.
Definitely recommend reading this one, it will surprise you.
******A bit of a SPOILER ahead******
The story is about your normal guy that is really nothing special, he is just happy with having a normal boring life but then disaster strikes, literally. He gets a power he learns to control and use for helping others. Unfortunately he does not get to live with his power for too long because he was battling cancer. I won't tell you anymore because I don't want to spoil anything but it was sad, I cried a lot. I really wanted a happy ending but I guess we can't get everything we want sometimes.
The author's writing style is really good, I liked the flow on the story and the characters are awesome and very likable.
I have to say that the author knows how to get emotions going, I was feeling Ethan's pain and the struggles with his disease.
Although it was a sad story to me, it is also a very powerful story, one that will make you think about being good and helping others.
The story is not all sad, it had plenty of action and funny parts as well.
Definitely recommend reading this one, it will surprise you.
July 2, 2014
This book was a pleasant surprise! I experienced the first fifth as being a bit difficult to get into, so I was afraid I would end up not liking this book very much. After Ethan got his powers though, things quickly picked up and the book became very addicting!
So, let's talk about Ethan Hamil, the main character. I enjoyed him as a protagonist - he wasn't the most original character, but he was likable and easy to identify with. His relationship with Vanessa was great, although I would have liked some more interaction between him and Alex (now we're talking interaction in the form of just hanging out, not talking about power-related stuff), as I would have liked to see a bit more of their relationship. Also, props to the author for the intersectionality aspect in this book - a protagonist of Middle Eastern descent (based on his last name, although his race is never clearly specified) with a black love interest is really uncommon in fiction overall.
At the end of each chapter, there was an interview. The different people who were interviewed had very different voices, and truly felt like different people. I also like the fact that not all of the interviewed characters admired Sparks, as well.
When starting this book, I quickly realized that it was very short. This made me a bit concerned, as I was afraid that it would feel too rushed. That was not the case. Although this book spans over a year, I thought it was quite nicely paced (except for the very first part, as mentioned above), and the message of the novel was carried out nicely.
So, let's talk about Ethan Hamil, the main character. I enjoyed him as a protagonist - he wasn't the most original character, but he was likable and easy to identify with. His relationship with Vanessa was great, although I would have liked some more interaction between him and Alex (now we're talking interaction in the form of just hanging out, not talking about power-related stuff), as I would have liked to see a bit more of their relationship. Also, props to the author for the intersectionality aspect in this book - a protagonist of Middle Eastern descent (based on his last name, although his race is never clearly specified) with a black love interest is really uncommon in fiction overall.
At the end of each chapter, there was an interview. The different people who were interviewed had very different voices, and truly felt like different people. I also like the fact that not all of the interviewed characters admired Sparks, as well.
When starting this book, I quickly realized that it was very short. This made me a bit concerned, as I was afraid that it would feel too rushed. That was not the case. Although this book spans over a year, I thought it was quite nicely paced (except for the very first part, as mentioned above), and the message of the novel was carried out nicely.
August 19, 2014
I received this book from the author for a honest review!
Wow! I cannot thank the author, Jame DeSantis, enough for giving me the chance to read this book! Trust me when I say if I could give this more than 5 stars I would! James is an amazing author and it really shows in Sparks! I absolutely love this book - from the characters, to the story line, and all of the emotional touches in between! Right from the beginning and all the way to end I was completely taken by it, read right through it in one sitting! The main character, Ethan, just captured my heart and even now, hours after finishing it, I can't get this book out of my head. I laughed and cried the whole way through! Every few books you read you come across one that you just know will stick with you forever, one that years down the line something will happen that will bring you back to it's pages....Sparks, for me, is one of those books!
Wow! I cannot thank the author, Jame DeSantis, enough for giving me the chance to read this book! Trust me when I say if I could give this more than 5 stars I would! James is an amazing author and it really shows in Sparks! I absolutely love this book - from the characters, to the story line, and all of the emotional touches in between! Right from the beginning and all the way to end I was completely taken by it, read right through it in one sitting! The main character, Ethan, just captured my heart and even now, hours after finishing it, I can't get this book out of my head. I laughed and cried the whole way through! Every few books you read you come across one that you just know will stick with you forever, one that years down the line something will happen that will bring you back to it's pages....Sparks, for me, is one of those books!
January 11, 2015
I'll start out by saying I didn't even know about Sparks. I just like the books James writes. I blindly bought it and it was worth it. Sparks is about a guy who is dying and spends the rest of his days helping the people of NYC. I honestly don't have anything bad to say about this book. It may not be the most original thing in the world but honestly what is nowadays. With this book you're gonna get love heartbreak and maybe even a little inspiration. I like the way the book is wrote. It's told from a current and future perspective that all gets tied in together at the end. Not gonna lie I did see one piece of the ending coming but it was minor so no big deal. If you're looking for a superhero story this is the book for you. If you're looking for a love story this is kinda the book for you. Aside from the Exterminator series I'd say this is probably the best piece of work I've read from James. Get it. It's worth it.
June 29, 2014
Sparks is an amazing story about a young man who is recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. Through a freak storm, he is given a special ability that allows him to fight crime around New York City.
The emotions and insight to the feelings that someone like him could experience are wonderfully written out. You share in the joys and pains that he goes through.
DeSantis is one of my all time favorite authors. Never been disappointed yet and always looking forward to his latest books!
The emotions and insight to the feelings that someone like him could experience are wonderfully written out. You share in the joys and pains that he goes through.
DeSantis is one of my all time favorite authors. Never been disappointed yet and always looking forward to his latest books!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews