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The Enemies Trilogy #1
Enemies Like These
Jumping off a building is a hell of a way to find out you can fly. When Alex Manners doesn’t hit the ground, he learns he’s a superhero. But he’s not very good at it. He’s being stalked, his memory is full of holes, and someone’s been leaving him pictures of a dead friend. The harder he looks, the more he finds that the city’s network of superheroes isn’t to be trusted. And that his robot-wielding arch nemesis may be the only friend he has.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2015
11 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 6, 2025
This sounded just weird and quirky and queer enough that I thought I'd like it.
I have instead given up at about 35% because although I still like the idea, the execution is killing me.
It's so frustrating because it's a fun idea, but the humour falls flat because there is next to no effort put in to make us care about the characters who are entirely two-dimensional, almost caricatures of stereotypes. This is a short book, about 270 pages, so at nearly 100 pages in if the characterisation is not it, I don't think it will ever be.
The writing is 90% lists of actions and smarmy dialogue, 5% a single inner thought a character has, and 5% clear attempts to show depth that just don't work considering how unserious everything else is portrayed. No imagery, no context, nada. Sort of emotionless. And speaking of the characters again, why are we hopping between so many different heads in such a short book? I feel like if Gardner had focused more on Alex only, we would have had a much better time getting to know and liking him, which would have kept me reading. But I just don't care about him or his problems or his dead friend even thought I honestly tried to.
The only time I was remotely invested was when Indestructoman's wife did that one thing. It came so suddenly.I kind of was having a hard time believing it because it was not set up at all tbh, but it hit me like a punch and I was like "YES, okay, things are about to get real!". And then we had Psi talking to the Moon and asking it to bring someone back from the dead and something about a villain also making the same deal for the same price with more nefarious intent I think? IDK because I realised I didn't really care, the book was trying to do way too much at this point without giving anything proper care and attention.
I reiterate - still think the idea is so fun (and I did like some of the dialogue, Malevolence was sort of funny occasionally), but as I didn't like the characters or the writing/execution, I just don't want to keep reading. Boop.
I have instead given up at about 35% because although I still like the idea, the execution is killing me.
It's so frustrating because it's a fun idea, but the humour falls flat because there is next to no effort put in to make us care about the characters who are entirely two-dimensional, almost caricatures of stereotypes. This is a short book, about 270 pages, so at nearly 100 pages in if the characterisation is not it, I don't think it will ever be.
The writing is 90% lists of actions and smarmy dialogue, 5% a single inner thought a character has, and 5% clear attempts to show depth that just don't work considering how unserious everything else is portrayed. No imagery, no context, nada. Sort of emotionless. And speaking of the characters again, why are we hopping between so many different heads in such a short book? I feel like if Gardner had focused more on Alex only, we would have had a much better time getting to know and liking him, which would have kept me reading. But I just don't care about him or his problems or his dead friend even thought I honestly tried to.
The only time I was remotely invested was when Indestructoman's wife did that one thing. It came so suddenly.I kind of was having a hard time believing it because it was not set up at all tbh, but it hit me like a punch and I was like "YES, okay, things are about to get real!". And then we had Psi talking to the Moon and asking it to bring someone back from the dead and something about a villain also making the same deal for the same price with more nefarious intent I think? IDK because I realised I didn't really care, the book was trying to do way too much at this point without giving anything proper care and attention.
I reiterate - still think the idea is so fun (and I did like some of the dialogue, Malevolence was sort of funny occasionally), but as I didn't like the characters or the writing/execution, I just don't want to keep reading. Boop.
January 1, 2019
Here’s a quick review:
It was bad
Which made me sad because there was decent diversity
But it was free, so no surprise there
The pacing was terrible
And the worldbuilding was confusing
The characters were boring
And they had stupid named
(I know it’s acknowledged in verse that Good Guy is a stupid name but his secret identity is Alex Manners)
The trans character’s backstory didn’t make sense, dude, just tell your sister you are trans instead of brainwashing everyone around her to tell her about your gender. Trans characters have terrible rep already, can you not make them more sympathetic and well developed?
Side note: the book was listed as an ace book??? there was no ace character in book one tho?????
Anyways, really not a good book
The plot twist was confusing and I don’t think it was properly
And it was so boring to read, even though it was an action novel
It was bad
Which made me sad because there was decent diversity
But it was free, so no surprise there
The pacing was terrible
And the worldbuilding was confusing
The characters were boring
And they had stupid named
(I know it’s acknowledged in verse that Good Guy is a stupid name but his secret identity is Alex Manners)
The trans character’s backstory didn’t make sense, dude, just tell your sister you are trans instead of brainwashing everyone around her to tell her about your gender. Trans characters have terrible rep already, can you not make them more sympathetic and well developed?
Side note: the book was listed as an ace book??? there was no ace character in book one tho?????
Anyways, really not a good book
The plot twist was confusing and I don’t think it was properly
And it was so boring to read, even though it was an action novel
October 26, 2021
In a future world, after the zombie uprisings, the world has gone on to produce super heroes and the super villains they fight. Moving from one apocalyptic event to another we meet our MC Alex Manners/Good Guy. New to the scene is Malevolence, a speedster who has a penchant for robotic hijinks but isn't big on ending the world he lives in. He quickly becomes Good Guy's arch nemesis, but almost as quickly, they call truce to work together to stop another super villain's plans for world destruction. Arch nemesis's to friends. There are stranger things afoot however when Good Guy discovers he's having black outs and time is unexplainably missing. He's also not the only one. There's a deep, rich back story for Good Guy, and he's a host of anxiety and depression. Well, written, and suitably creepy in parts. Reviewers that complain of poor spelling/editing should try reading it again as it has apparently been fixed.
October 18, 2019
This is not my usual genre read but I heard the author do a reading and decided I'd like to meet these characters. I enjoyed the lively banner between Alex and Malcolm. These guys are not the everyday hero or villain I was used to seeing or reading about. I would have enjoyed a little more backstory on how these guys came into being. Maybe that will come in future episodes.
I was disconcerted however with the copy I was reading. There were a number of pages missing that I felt might have given me some insight into what was happening with Alex and Brooks. The copy was missing pages from 162 to 169 and I can't help but think there was something important there. Even when I had finished...I still wondered.
I was disconcerted however with the copy I was reading. There were a number of pages missing that I felt might have given me some insight into what was happening with Alex and Brooks. The copy was missing pages from 162 to 169 and I can't help but think there was something important there. Even when I had finished...I still wondered.
June 21, 2018
This series is an extremely enjoyable read! Loved the take on superheroes and the liveliness of the characters. Full of a lot of original ideas and fresh twists on old favorites.
The characters are definitely the best part of the books, but the plots are intriguing as well. Loved it, heartily recommend to anyone with even the vaguest interest in superheroes.
The characters are definitely the best part of the books, but the plots are intriguing as well. Loved it, heartily recommend to anyone with even the vaguest interest in superheroes.
June 26, 2018
I'm not a huge superhero story kinda person but I LOVED this.
The universe, the plot twist, how diverse the characters and their backgrounds are, the balance between drama and humor.
Alex and Mal's frenemy storyline was excellent and hilarious.
The universe, the plot twist, how diverse the characters and their backgrounds are, the balance between drama and humor.
Alex and Mal's frenemy storyline was excellent and hilarious.
February 2, 2019
Rose
Parts of this book were very interesting and parts were not. Even though I had some trouble reading this book I was able to finish it. It just wasn't my mind of reading. Perhaps it will be yours! Keep reading!
Parts of this book were very interesting and parts were not. Even though I had some trouble reading this book I was able to finish it. It just wasn't my mind of reading. Perhaps it will be yours! Keep reading!
May 18, 2022
Fun and easy-to-read with hysterical, snort-inducing quips. One of my favorites being “But he’s drawn his line … He will not have sex beside corpses.”
June 7, 2017
If you love super heroes (or villains) witty dialog and a fast paced story, you will love this book. I knew I was buying the next book in the series before I was a full 1/3 of the way through this one. The rest of the book didn't disappoint either, it got even better. The characters were amazingly well written, the narration has a unique voice that really enhances the story, and the plot kept me guessing all the way to the very end. This is a great book and well worth the read.
April 24, 2017
This was so much fun
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews