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Menopausal Superheroes #1
Going Through The Change
“The Change” is difficult for everyone, but for these four women, the transformation is bigger than they ever imagined!
They all led completely normal, and completely different lives, with two things in common: they used natural products made by the same small company, and they were all going through menopause. Now instead of finding her hot flashes under control, Helen shoots fire from her fingertips! Patricia’s thick skin isn’t nearly as metaphorical as it used to be – now she’s bulletproof! Jessica’s mood lightened, but so did the rest of her! And Linda’s gone through the biggest changes of all, but she doesn’t have any trouble opening the pickle jar anymore!
Four ordinary women suddenly living extraordinary lives, with one common thread – there’s one person in common in all their lives. Now the Menopausal Superheroes are looking for the woman responsible for taking their “change” to the extreme!
They all led completely normal, and completely different lives, with two things in common: they used natural products made by the same small company, and they were all going through menopause. Now instead of finding her hot flashes under control, Helen shoots fire from her fingertips! Patricia’s thick skin isn’t nearly as metaphorical as it used to be – now she’s bulletproof! Jessica’s mood lightened, but so did the rest of her! And Linda’s gone through the biggest changes of all, but she doesn’t have any trouble opening the pickle jar anymore!
Four ordinary women suddenly living extraordinary lives, with one common thread – there’s one person in common in all their lives. Now the Menopausal Superheroes are looking for the woman responsible for taking their “change” to the extreme!
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2015
About the author
Samantha Bryant
36 books160 followersSamantha is best known for her Menopausal Superhero series of novels through Falstaff Books, well that and her banana bread.
She writes heroes and horror stories, mostly featuring complicated women defying expectations.
If all else fails, check the woods. She likes to get lost there.
She writes heroes and horror stories, mostly featuring complicated women defying expectations.
If all else fails, check the woods. She likes to get lost there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 20, 2015
MENOPAUSE SUCKS! That's why these women in this book all need a bit of extra help.
Linda starts using Dr. Cindy Liu's soap. That lackluster skin dryness, it goes away. Then Linda wakes up with a different body part one morning.
She's a dude. Now I knew this was fiction because she did not poke her husband with it or shake it in his face. Because that's what I would have done. Anyways, she is now a big Hispanic guy instead of the sweet little lady she once was. Her husband is floored. Her kids are pissed. I kept seeing her as this guy. Oh yeah, she has superhuman strength too.
Jessica is a younger woman that has faced ovarian cancer. She is in remission but it sent her into early menopause. Coupled with a self absorbed husband she has been having depression issues. Her mom's friend Dr. Cindy Lui sends her some tea that might help lift her spirits. In the air. Literally.
Patricia is a busy woman. She develops a patch of itchy eczema and her best friend Cindy gives her a salve to use on her back.
That salve has a few side effects.
Then we have Helen. Helen is having some hot flashes. Bad ones. Her hippie daughter brings home some of Dr. Cindy Liu's power protector pills.
Now she can throw fire. Now Helen is the one of the group who likes her new differences. She wants to keep them.
Then Dr. Cindy Lui. She has been doing a few experiments to reverse the aging process. Then when some of these ladies have these changes she becomes intrigued.
Now I will tell you. I believe this book is the beginning of a series because you really get no concrete answer and the ending is wide open. It's still a decent read.
Linda starts using Dr. Cindy Liu's soap. That lackluster skin dryness, it goes away. Then Linda wakes up with a different body part one morning.
She's a dude. Now I knew this was fiction because she did not poke her husband with it or shake it in his face. Because that's what I would have done. Anyways, she is now a big Hispanic guy instead of the sweet little lady she once was. Her husband is floored. Her kids are pissed. I kept seeing her as this guy. Oh yeah, she has superhuman strength too.
Jessica is a younger woman that has faced ovarian cancer. She is in remission but it sent her into early menopause. Coupled with a self absorbed husband she has been having depression issues. Her mom's friend Dr. Cindy Lui sends her some tea that might help lift her spirits. In the air. Literally.
Patricia is a busy woman. She develops a patch of itchy eczema and her best friend Cindy gives her a salve to use on her back.
That salve has a few side effects.
Then we have Helen. Helen is having some hot flashes. Bad ones. Her hippie daughter brings home some of Dr. Cindy Liu's power protector pills.
Now she can throw fire. Now Helen is the one of the group who likes her new differences. She wants to keep them.
Then Dr. Cindy Lui. She has been doing a few experiments to reverse the aging process. Then when some of these ladies have these changes she becomes intrigued.
Now I will tell you. I believe this book is the beginning of a series because you really get no concrete answer and the ending is wide open. It's still a decent read.
August 28, 2016
Going Through the Change is about four women who develop superhero powers via naturopathy and pseudo-science. Can you tell the problems I had with this book? There were lots of things to like about it as well, but this is one of those 'you touched all the wrong spots' books for me.
The book opens with Linda turning into a man. This scene is done well, and it stays on the light-hearted side of body transformations. Of course, I loved American Werewolf in London, so I clearly have a preference for gruesome body horror. If you're a horror light-weight, this book should work well for you. All the powers and changes work on a lighter level, and the pacing never overplays the graphic aspects. It feels more like Adam West Batman versus Christopher Nolan Batman.
Patricia was my favorite character. I liked Jessica as well, and all three of the main protagonists--Patricia, Jessica, and Linda/Leonel--are all likable. They develop authentic relationships, and Patricia, in particular, walks an interesting line between being likable and competent. She also is the character with the most dramatic transformation, which endeared me to her.
Now, onto the parts of the book I hated. All of the characters develop their powers via magic emerald dust made by Dr. Cindy Lu--the Chinese doctor/medicine woman/mad scientist. Superhero stories get away with a lot of 'how we got our powers' absurdity, which is probably why I tend to loathe origin stories, and this book is no exception. There's the magic soap, the magic tea, the magic skin cream...you get the idea. It's all based around pseudo-science garbage, which made for a doubly uninteresting origin story. Yes, Peter Parker got bit by a spider, and that's stupid, but he didn't bathe himself in freaking soap. That's a new level of dumb.
If you can get over the ridiculous kick-off plot, which I wouldn't blame you if you can't--the writing is lighthearted and the characters work well. The idea is hooky--what if older women were superheros?--and the book revolves around these female friendships. Helen is the only character I considered underdeveloped, but the plot makes apparent why that is. Cindy, for all that I hated the stupid reasoning she was a mouthpiece for, is a paranoid and fully developed character that's struggling with the limitations of human knowledge and technology.
The story ends on a cliff-hanger, too, but I was more relieved and less excited. Yes, I want to know what happens to Cindy, but if it involves more emerald-powder-fake-science nonsense, then I'm not sure I care so much. Still, the sequel promises to be about Patricia more, which is great because she had concrete character development from someone who distrusted people and doubted others competency to someone that could be a team player. I liked that.
Rating: 3 stars. There's nothing particularly wrong with this story, and the right person might love it. It's a unique twist on the superhero genre, but too cutesy for my particular taste--which are apparently bloody, graphic, and crude.
https://hdlynn.wordpress.com/2016/08/...
The book opens with Linda turning into a man. This scene is done well, and it stays on the light-hearted side of body transformations. Of course, I loved American Werewolf in London, so I clearly have a preference for gruesome body horror. If you're a horror light-weight, this book should work well for you. All the powers and changes work on a lighter level, and the pacing never overplays the graphic aspects. It feels more like Adam West Batman versus Christopher Nolan Batman.
Patricia was my favorite character. I liked Jessica as well, and all three of the main protagonists--Patricia, Jessica, and Linda/Leonel--are all likable. They develop authentic relationships, and Patricia, in particular, walks an interesting line between being likable and competent. She also is the character with the most dramatic transformation, which endeared me to her.
Now, onto the parts of the book I hated. All of the characters develop their powers via magic emerald dust made by Dr. Cindy Lu--the Chinese doctor/medicine woman/mad scientist. Superhero stories get away with a lot of 'how we got our powers' absurdity, which is probably why I tend to loathe origin stories, and this book is no exception. There's the magic soap, the magic tea, the magic skin cream...you get the idea. It's all based around pseudo-science garbage, which made for a doubly uninteresting origin story. Yes, Peter Parker got bit by a spider, and that's stupid, but he didn't bathe himself in freaking soap. That's a new level of dumb.
If you can get over the ridiculous kick-off plot, which I wouldn't blame you if you can't--the writing is lighthearted and the characters work well. The idea is hooky--what if older women were superheros?--and the book revolves around these female friendships. Helen is the only character I considered underdeveloped, but the plot makes apparent why that is. Cindy, for all that I hated the stupid reasoning she was a mouthpiece for, is a paranoid and fully developed character that's struggling with the limitations of human knowledge and technology.
The story ends on a cliff-hanger, too, but I was more relieved and less excited. Yes, I want to know what happens to Cindy, but if it involves more emerald-powder-fake-science nonsense, then I'm not sure I care so much. Still, the sequel promises to be about Patricia more, which is great because she had concrete character development from someone who distrusted people and doubted others competency to someone that could be a team player. I liked that.
Rating: 3 stars. There's nothing particularly wrong with this story, and the right person might love it. It's a unique twist on the superhero genre, but too cutesy for my particular taste--which are apparently bloody, graphic, and crude.
https://hdlynn.wordpress.com/2016/08/...
June 28, 2016
This book was a fairly entertaining fast read, but it wasn't quite what I expected. The whole premise cried out for more humor, which would have made it much more enjoyable. Sure, there was a tad, but the story leaned much more toward the science fiction side than it did the funny laugh-out-loud romp I was hoping to read.
Still? The idea of menopausal women gaining super powers is inherently funny. I mean, why NOT harness those annoying hot flashes, and turn them into fireballs a gal can throw around? And why suffer from bloating and belching when a saggy old broad can finally put all that gas to good use by using it to defy gravity? I mean, just think of all the money and aggravation a gal could save if she were able to fly wherever she wanted without having to be strapped into an airplane in front of a kicking loud-mouthed kid... or having to wait in those interminable airport lines? And itchy skin? What the heck; why not just be done with it and develop bullet-proof scales and plates? You never can tell when that might come in handy. The fourth member of our menopausal quartet has a slightly different change. She no longer has to ask her husband for help opening a pickle jar. Or for help reaching something on the top shelf... or moving heavy furniture. See, the change makes her much taller, beefier, and endows her with super strength, a deeper voice and LOTS of facial hair. It has also endowed her with a... penis.
See? Lots of untapped potential there for laughs.
However, even though the book disappointed me for its lack of humor, it was still a somewhat enjoyable read. It was definitely DIFFERENT. One downside for me that it's a (gasp!) cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, because they don't provide a satisfactory ending. They're just jumping boards to coerce readers into buying and reading the next book in the series. Series, I can handle. Cliffhangers are just plain annoying and manipulative.
That being said, I will more than likely read the second book in this series. I'm hopeful that there will be more humor in it. If not, I'm still willing to give it a chance. I mean, how often do you get to read about old gal superheroes?
Still? The idea of menopausal women gaining super powers is inherently funny. I mean, why NOT harness those annoying hot flashes, and turn them into fireballs a gal can throw around? And why suffer from bloating and belching when a saggy old broad can finally put all that gas to good use by using it to defy gravity? I mean, just think of all the money and aggravation a gal could save if she were able to fly wherever she wanted without having to be strapped into an airplane in front of a kicking loud-mouthed kid... or having to wait in those interminable airport lines? And itchy skin? What the heck; why not just be done with it and develop bullet-proof scales and plates? You never can tell when that might come in handy. The fourth member of our menopausal quartet has a slightly different change. She no longer has to ask her husband for help opening a pickle jar. Or for help reaching something on the top shelf... or moving heavy furniture. See, the change makes her much taller, beefier, and endows her with super strength, a deeper voice and LOTS of facial hair. It has also endowed her with a... penis.
See? Lots of untapped potential there for laughs.
However, even though the book disappointed me for its lack of humor, it was still a somewhat enjoyable read. It was definitely DIFFERENT. One downside for me that it's a (gasp!) cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, because they don't provide a satisfactory ending. They're just jumping boards to coerce readers into buying and reading the next book in the series. Series, I can handle. Cliffhangers are just plain annoying and manipulative.
That being said, I will more than likely read the second book in this series. I'm hopeful that there will be more humor in it. If not, I'm still willing to give it a chance. I mean, how often do you get to read about old gal superheroes?
April 23, 2015
Going Through The Change is contemporary fiction most suited to women who want a light read about the menopause.
Meet Linda a woman going through the menopause who has been trying Ms Lui's Chinese herbal products to help her with her symptoms. She's been using "Nu Yu" soap and it really has helped her become a new person, in fact it's promoted such a change in hormones that she has turned into a man.
Patricia is an old friend of Cindy Lui, she's suffering from itchy skin as part of her hormonal symptoms. A hard nosed boss at work, the cream that Cindy suggests makes Patricia's skin so hard she becomes bullet proof.
Jessica, is a much younger character, a cancer survivor, she has depression she's been drinking Ms. Lui's tea to make her feel lighter and she literally is light now as she finds herself floating around the room.
Helen suffers from hot flushes, she takes a "surge protector" pill to give her a new super coolness, but the heat needs to go somewhere and she finds she has the ability to make fire.
Even Cindy Lui has her own discoveries, not ready to be retired off, she's taken her own medicines which make her younger. But what has happened to all these women? Why have they had such extreme reactions to Cindy's medicines? In an attempt to study the women Cindy becomes a sinister mad doctor rather than a friend to those looking for an alternative to conventional medical treatments.
There is an abrupt ending which I now realise is a cliff-hanger leading on to the next book in the series. I think I'm left worrying about what the menopause has in-store for me in the near future and I'll be looking at alternative medicine in a different light from now on.
Meet Linda a woman going through the menopause who has been trying Ms Lui's Chinese herbal products to help her with her symptoms. She's been using "Nu Yu" soap and it really has helped her become a new person, in fact it's promoted such a change in hormones that she has turned into a man.
Patricia is an old friend of Cindy Lui, she's suffering from itchy skin as part of her hormonal symptoms. A hard nosed boss at work, the cream that Cindy suggests makes Patricia's skin so hard she becomes bullet proof.
Jessica, is a much younger character, a cancer survivor, she has depression she's been drinking Ms. Lui's tea to make her feel lighter and she literally is light now as she finds herself floating around the room.
Helen suffers from hot flushes, she takes a "surge protector" pill to give her a new super coolness, but the heat needs to go somewhere and she finds she has the ability to make fire.
Even Cindy Lui has her own discoveries, not ready to be retired off, she's taken her own medicines which make her younger. But what has happened to all these women? Why have they had such extreme reactions to Cindy's medicines? In an attempt to study the women Cindy becomes a sinister mad doctor rather than a friend to those looking for an alternative to conventional medical treatments.
There is an abrupt ending which I now realise is a cliff-hanger leading on to the next book in the series. I think I'm left worrying about what the menopause has in-store for me in the near future and I'll be looking at alternative medicine in a different light from now on.
June 28, 2015
This is an interesting and original take on the superhero genre. As a fan of comic books, I'm used to the origin story cycling around characters who are young, just entering into adulthood, but what if the changes happened on the other end of the spectrum? What if the knowledge of years of living could be brought to a whole new experience? This is what the novel focuses on, and does so brilliantly.
Knowing my tastes, I instantly gravitated to Linda. She could theoretically be seen as the character that had the most realistic changes applied to her, or maybe the most drastic. How would a relationship survive if one of the participants changed sex? What if the person you've been with your whole life is different, yet fundamentally the same? It's such a wonderful journey and I'd love to see Linda and her husband more in the future, if the author revisits this universe. I highly rec this book.
Knowing my tastes, I instantly gravitated to Linda. She could theoretically be seen as the character that had the most realistic changes applied to her, or maybe the most drastic. How would a relationship survive if one of the participants changed sex? What if the person you've been with your whole life is different, yet fundamentally the same? It's such a wonderful journey and I'd love to see Linda and her husband more in the future, if the author revisits this universe. I highly rec this book.
August 17, 2017
As a woman who is going through the change, this book appealed to me. I enjoyed it and it had me laughing out loud. It's very creative and there's nothing like it on the market. Well written and highly enjoyable, I recommend it to all women everywhere!
My Rating: 4 stars
My Rating: 4 stars
July 29, 2018
So much fun, and a story I easily relate to.
Okay, so I am peri-menopausal. I'm saddened that I am not harboring some new-found powers thanks to the change. These ladies in this story made menopause kind of fun. Just think for one second here, if you got one power during menopause, what would you choose? This book is a creative look at menopause with a twist. Instead of just raging hormones, what if we turned into a man? Or instead of hot spells, you could wield a ball of fire? Cool, right?!
So this was a quick read, and I'm glad there is more to the series. I need to know what happened to the villain that got away!!
Women, get a copy. Especially if you are over forty! You'll have a blast reading it!
Okay, so I am peri-menopausal. I'm saddened that I am not harboring some new-found powers thanks to the change. These ladies in this story made menopause kind of fun. Just think for one second here, if you got one power during menopause, what would you choose? This book is a creative look at menopause with a twist. Instead of just raging hormones, what if we turned into a man? Or instead of hot spells, you could wield a ball of fire? Cool, right?!
So this was a quick read, and I'm glad there is more to the series. I need to know what happened to the villain that got away!!
Women, get a copy. Especially if you are over forty! You'll have a blast reading it!
April 6, 2021
This was very enjoyable read. There's a good balance between lots of nice touches to the characters and nuanced details, and still moving at a satisfying pace. It also stayed pleasantly in the middle with some serious consequences and danger, and some light moments too. Many times, I would pick it up, only planning to read one chapter, but end up reading 3 -- it was hard to put down. Well done!
January 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Going Through the Change by Samantha Bryant follows five seemingly-normal women, all of whom happen to be going through menopause. However, "the change" isn't all these women have in common -- all of them have undergone inexplicable bodily alterations that have left them with unbelievable new abilities. Eventually, the women cross paths and three of them team up to figure out what has happened to them. Once they determine the common denominator, they go in search of the person responsible and get much more of a fight than they expected.
Going Through the Change is a fun and quick-paced novel. While it is obviously geared toward women, especially middle-aged women, as a young woman I still enjoyed the novel and found myself relating to the emotions behind the character's experiences. The overarching theme of the novel is body- and female-empowerment. Each of the characters have struggles, be it managing a family, body- or age-consciousness, or dealing with a stressful job. However, each of the characters grows (for good or evil) and learns to respect herself and take pride in her new abilities. As someone who cares deeply about female empowerment, I adored this message and the playful way it was portrayed.
The characters themselves are mostly well-developed, and Bryant does a masterful job of interweaving their lives. Linda, Patricia, and Jessica are all well-rounded and complex, and their cultural and experiential differences keep the novel feeling fresh, even as they go through similar (or the same) events. Likewise, these three women provide enough diversity that every reader should be able to relate to at least one of them. Moreover, Suzie and Eva, two of the side characters, are rock stars in their own respect, and David, Linda's husband, shows his depth in the way he handles Linda's change and eventually overcomes it to support her.
A few characters that I would like to have seen more development from are Cindy, Helen, and Nathan. Admittedly, Nathan is a very minor character (and perhaps having one that is just a jerk is fine), but I would liked to have had more from him (jerk-ish or otherwise) so he did not feel quite so two-dimensional. As to Cindy and Helen, both of them begin with strong personalities and clear motives. However, I felt as if a switch were flipped, and they changed into new people a little too quickly. Granted, going through a supernatural change must be rather shocking, but I would have liked to see a more gradual change or at least some sign of indecision or inner conflict from them.
As previously noted, the plot of Going Through the Change moves quickly, which is something I like as a reader. The fast pacing keeps the novel fun, and the twists keep the reader engaged. The chapters ended in ways that encouraged me to keep reading, always wanting more. My only complaint is that the novel seemed to end rather abruptly. It is clear that Bryant is setting us up for a sequel, as there are many important issues left to be resolved. However, I felt like the book went from epic fight scene to stop in a rather short span of time with little-to-no winding down. While this will be a fantastic asset when a sequel is ready to purchase, right now, I feel like a bit like someone turned off my movie three minutes before the credits.
Overall, Going Through the Change is a fun and exciting read. It is inventive and unlike any superhero novel I have ever read. In one of Bryant's author biographies, she states that she is a fan of comics and Joss Whedon, and it shows in her spirited novel and empowering themes. If you love superheroes, feminism, and a dash of humor, you will love Going Through the Change.
Going Through the Change by Samantha Bryant follows five seemingly-normal women, all of whom happen to be going through menopause. However, "the change" isn't all these women have in common -- all of them have undergone inexplicable bodily alterations that have left them with unbelievable new abilities. Eventually, the women cross paths and three of them team up to figure out what has happened to them. Once they determine the common denominator, they go in search of the person responsible and get much more of a fight than they expected.
Going Through the Change is a fun and quick-paced novel. While it is obviously geared toward women, especially middle-aged women, as a young woman I still enjoyed the novel and found myself relating to the emotions behind the character's experiences. The overarching theme of the novel is body- and female-empowerment. Each of the characters have struggles, be it managing a family, body- or age-consciousness, or dealing with a stressful job. However, each of the characters grows (for good or evil) and learns to respect herself and take pride in her new abilities. As someone who cares deeply about female empowerment, I adored this message and the playful way it was portrayed.
The characters themselves are mostly well-developed, and Bryant does a masterful job of interweaving their lives. Linda, Patricia, and Jessica are all well-rounded and complex, and their cultural and experiential differences keep the novel feeling fresh, even as they go through similar (or the same) events. Likewise, these three women provide enough diversity that every reader should be able to relate to at least one of them. Moreover, Suzie and Eva, two of the side characters, are rock stars in their own respect, and David, Linda's husband, shows his depth in the way he handles Linda's change and eventually overcomes it to support her.
A few characters that I would like to have seen more development from are Cindy, Helen, and Nathan. Admittedly, Nathan is a very minor character (and perhaps having one that is just a jerk is fine), but I would liked to have had more from him (jerk-ish or otherwise) so he did not feel quite so two-dimensional. As to Cindy and Helen, both of them begin with strong personalities and clear motives. However, I felt as if a switch were flipped, and they changed into new people a little too quickly. Granted, going through a supernatural change must be rather shocking, but I would have liked to see a more gradual change or at least some sign of indecision or inner conflict from them.
As previously noted, the plot of Going Through the Change moves quickly, which is something I like as a reader. The fast pacing keeps the novel fun, and the twists keep the reader engaged. The chapters ended in ways that encouraged me to keep reading, always wanting more. My only complaint is that the novel seemed to end rather abruptly. It is clear that Bryant is setting us up for a sequel, as there are many important issues left to be resolved. However, I felt like the book went from epic fight scene to stop in a rather short span of time with little-to-no winding down. While this will be a fantastic asset when a sequel is ready to purchase, right now, I feel like a bit like someone turned off my movie three minutes before the credits.
Overall, Going Through the Change is a fun and exciting read. It is inventive and unlike any superhero novel I have ever read. In one of Bryant's author biographies, she states that she is a fan of comics and Joss Whedon, and it shows in her spirited novel and empowering themes. If you love superheroes, feminism, and a dash of humor, you will love Going Through the Change.
September 19, 2015
I was excited to read the blurb for Samantha Bryant’s Going Through the Change because I thought the concept was simply wonderful. Take a bunch of relatively normal post-menopausal women and give them superpowers. What sort of awesome things would these middle-aged superheroines get up to? With great powers, what would be their great responsibilities—gun control? Health care? Education? Ashley Madison adultery websites? Would they need bifocal face masks? Forget each other’s superheroine name? Worry that they’ll be too old to legally fly and have to hang up the cape? Struggle to maintain their secret Fortress of Solitude and Super-Buick on an income that’s only two-thirds of the average male superhero’s take-home? Would they face a glass ceiling that younger, male superheroes fly past?
Bryant does a nice job of introducing the various characters as they acquire their superhero-trope powers—strength, fire, flight, invincible armor. We hear a bit about their normal lives, before they go through the Change. Only for these women, menopause doesn’t just include hot flashes. Their inexplicable new strengths force them to reevaluate their lives and priorities. One woman turns out to be the supervillain, and picks up a henchwoman. One acquires a sidekick. There is mention of the genre-defining “With great power comes great responsibility” mantra. We see these women as they start to figure out who their enemy is, what has happened to them, and how to combine their strengths to work together. Reluctantly, they realize that their “great responsibility” includes protecting each other and innocent bystanders. Except…
Except why is the “strength” superpower defined as turning into a male? Why is the real world Bad Thing that sparks the entire process not evil, injustice, or even a radioactive spider but age discrimination? (Okay, that last one could be pretty cool, if it had gone to some kind of extreme, but it was simply mentioned.) And above all, why why WHY does the story not have an ending? Just as all of this realization is happening, the book just stops. Nothing is resolved, or even defined. If we want to know how anything at all turns out, we will (presumably) have to buy the next book. And—as I said in my cliffhanger rant here—that’s not acceptable behavior toward readers unless we’re talking a short serial with a new chapter coming out every other week.
Sometimes when I’m reading stories with superpowers, I try to think how they would be told in movie or graphic novel form. And I realized that this entire book would not exist. The actual story would be the next book, the huge conflict, the big dark moment. These stories are vignettes, and they would be presented (if at all) in flashbacks or at best in brief opening scenes before the credits.
So here’s my review. I’d give Going Through the Change three stars out of five for its great concept and character descriptions. The writing and settings are professionally well done. The pace is steady, with plenty of tiny action scenes. All that’s missing is the actual story. But I think that author Samantha Bryant has that story to tell. And with all the other things she’s got going for her writing, I’d definitely take a look at that next book.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Bryant does a nice job of introducing the various characters as they acquire their superhero-trope powers—strength, fire, flight, invincible armor. We hear a bit about their normal lives, before they go through the Change. Only for these women, menopause doesn’t just include hot flashes. Their inexplicable new strengths force them to reevaluate their lives and priorities. One woman turns out to be the supervillain, and picks up a henchwoman. One acquires a sidekick. There is mention of the genre-defining “With great power comes great responsibility” mantra. We see these women as they start to figure out who their enemy is, what has happened to them, and how to combine their strengths to work together. Reluctantly, they realize that their “great responsibility” includes protecting each other and innocent bystanders. Except…
Except why is the “strength” superpower defined as turning into a male? Why is the real world Bad Thing that sparks the entire process not evil, injustice, or even a radioactive spider but age discrimination? (Okay, that last one could be pretty cool, if it had gone to some kind of extreme, but it was simply mentioned.) And above all, why why WHY does the story not have an ending? Just as all of this realization is happening, the book just stops. Nothing is resolved, or even defined. If we want to know how anything at all turns out, we will (presumably) have to buy the next book. And—as I said in my cliffhanger rant here—that’s not acceptable behavior toward readers unless we’re talking a short serial with a new chapter coming out every other week.
Sometimes when I’m reading stories with superpowers, I try to think how they would be told in movie or graphic novel form. And I realized that this entire book would not exist. The actual story would be the next book, the huge conflict, the big dark moment. These stories are vignettes, and they would be presented (if at all) in flashbacks or at best in brief opening scenes before the credits.
So here’s my review. I’d give Going Through the Change three stars out of five for its great concept and character descriptions. The writing and settings are professionally well done. The pace is steady, with plenty of tiny action scenes. All that’s missing is the actual story. But I think that author Samantha Bryant has that story to tell. And with all the other things she’s got going for her writing, I’d definitely take a look at that next book.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
April 24, 2015
Combining complex characters, some of whom happen to be women experiencing the menopause, with the engaging simplicity of a classic ZAPPOWW! to the face, Bryant creates a world that offers both escape from reality and an insight into very real issues. Both light-hearted and serious, this novel represents a growth in superhero fiction.
Four women with very different lives are undergoing the menopause. But, in addition to the change and disruption they expected, it brings superpowers: Helen keeps setting things alight; Patricia develops skin so rough it stops bullets; Jessica keeps drifting off the ground; and Linda becomes a muscular Adonis of a man. As their lives overlap they gain answers, but not the ability to control their change.
Filled with dramatic fights, hurled fireballs, super strength, and mad science, this is superhero fiction at its most engaging and entertaining.
However, Bryant isn’t afraid to subvert the tropes. Replacing puberty with the equally biologically disruptive menopause as the trigger for powers produces characters without the usual concerns of youth. Instead, they have the concerns of adults. Combined with the universal dilemmas of suddenly having powers you can’t control, this creates a new perspective on the problems of power, making the protagonists more relevant to more mature readers; readers more concerned by performance reviews and getting enough sleep than exam performance and partying til dawn.
Bryant’s use of a mostly female cast provides equal freshness and accessibility. Each of the protagonists lives a mundane life and responds to it as a person rather than a wish-fulfilment fantasy. While there is Lycra and torn clothing, it is practical Lycra without cleavage cut-outs and tearing consistent with real damage. While there is gymnastics and wrestling, there are no gratuitous close-ups or pressing of heaving flesh.
Although this does have the commendable outcome of making the book diverse, it also strengthens the superhero elements. Seen against this more realistic and nuanced world, the characters’ superpowers are more dramatic and their victories and failures more extreme.
It is perhaps this balance of classic superhero action and inclusion that might ironically put off some readers: the realism risks dampening the pure escapism of smiting those who wrong us; and the fundamental absurdity of superpowers risks appearing to make light of more serious issues. However, these risks stem more from a rigidity in the reader’s expectation of how things should be represented than from any failure in Bryant’s mix.
This diversity and nuance pervades the characters. While the protagonists are all female (Linda’s forced sex-change notwithstanding) and experiencing the menopause, these are neither their defining characteristics nor a common set of challenges.
Unsurprisingly, the supporting cast and antagonists are similarly complex, acting more from plausible – if not always commendable – motives than stereotypical victimhood or villainy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I recommend it to readers looking for an entertaining action adventure that is more than one-dimensional.
I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair review.
Four women with very different lives are undergoing the menopause. But, in addition to the change and disruption they expected, it brings superpowers: Helen keeps setting things alight; Patricia develops skin so rough it stops bullets; Jessica keeps drifting off the ground; and Linda becomes a muscular Adonis of a man. As their lives overlap they gain answers, but not the ability to control their change.
Filled with dramatic fights, hurled fireballs, super strength, and mad science, this is superhero fiction at its most engaging and entertaining.
However, Bryant isn’t afraid to subvert the tropes. Replacing puberty with the equally biologically disruptive menopause as the trigger for powers produces characters without the usual concerns of youth. Instead, they have the concerns of adults. Combined with the universal dilemmas of suddenly having powers you can’t control, this creates a new perspective on the problems of power, making the protagonists more relevant to more mature readers; readers more concerned by performance reviews and getting enough sleep than exam performance and partying til dawn.
Bryant’s use of a mostly female cast provides equal freshness and accessibility. Each of the protagonists lives a mundane life and responds to it as a person rather than a wish-fulfilment fantasy. While there is Lycra and torn clothing, it is practical Lycra without cleavage cut-outs and tearing consistent with real damage. While there is gymnastics and wrestling, there are no gratuitous close-ups or pressing of heaving flesh.
Although this does have the commendable outcome of making the book diverse, it also strengthens the superhero elements. Seen against this more realistic and nuanced world, the characters’ superpowers are more dramatic and their victories and failures more extreme.
It is perhaps this balance of classic superhero action and inclusion that might ironically put off some readers: the realism risks dampening the pure escapism of smiting those who wrong us; and the fundamental absurdity of superpowers risks appearing to make light of more serious issues. However, these risks stem more from a rigidity in the reader’s expectation of how things should be represented than from any failure in Bryant’s mix.
This diversity and nuance pervades the characters. While the protagonists are all female (Linda’s forced sex-change notwithstanding) and experiencing the menopause, these are neither their defining characteristics nor a common set of challenges.
Unsurprisingly, the supporting cast and antagonists are similarly complex, acting more from plausible – if not always commendable – motives than stereotypical victimhood or villainy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I recommend it to readers looking for an entertaining action adventure that is more than one-dimensional.
I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair review.
May 17, 2015
I'm a fan of superhero prose, and I know the author slightly through social media, so I bought this (while it was on sale, I will admit).
I find superhero prose interesting in large part because it can spend more time in the heads of the characters, and on their relationships, rather than feeling the need for a continuous visual spectacle of superpowered fights. For my personal taste, this particular book tips slightly too far over in the direction of thoughts, feelings and relationships versus conflict and action (hence the three stars). The proportion of sequel (characters reflecting on events, told with a combination of moment-by-moment description and summary) is high compared with the scenes (moment-by-moment, conflict-centred encounters in which characters attempt to achieve their goals against opposition). Both elements are in there, and the proportion shifts in favour of scenes towards the end, but it's a slow burn to get there.
Part of that is because there are four viewpoint characters, and the author cycles between them in short chapters, so until they connect up and start taking action, maybe 40% or more of the way through, it feels like the story is moving slowly. For any one character, it is moving slowly, and we're only getting one at a time during that section of the book.
On the upside, the characters are distinct, with different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, family circumstances, issues and responses to those issues. Character is definitely a strength of this author, and I feel that if the book's balance had been more towards action and conflict from an earlier point, it would have earned an easy four stars from me. As it is: three and a half, but rounded down to distinguish it from a true four-star book.
I find superhero prose interesting in large part because it can spend more time in the heads of the characters, and on their relationships, rather than feeling the need for a continuous visual spectacle of superpowered fights. For my personal taste, this particular book tips slightly too far over in the direction of thoughts, feelings and relationships versus conflict and action (hence the three stars). The proportion of sequel (characters reflecting on events, told with a combination of moment-by-moment description and summary) is high compared with the scenes (moment-by-moment, conflict-centred encounters in which characters attempt to achieve their goals against opposition). Both elements are in there, and the proportion shifts in favour of scenes towards the end, but it's a slow burn to get there.
Part of that is because there are four viewpoint characters, and the author cycles between them in short chapters, so until they connect up and start taking action, maybe 40% or more of the way through, it feels like the story is moving slowly. For any one character, it is moving slowly, and we're only getting one at a time during that section of the book.
On the upside, the characters are distinct, with different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, family circumstances, issues and responses to those issues. Character is definitely a strength of this author, and I feel that if the book's balance had been more towards action and conflict from an earlier point, it would have earned an easy four stars from me. As it is: three and a half, but rounded down to distinguish it from a true four-star book.
June 29, 2015
Wow...What a fun read! As a busy mom, I appreciated the quick pace and fast chapters. As a fan of super heroes, I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh twist on ordinary people receiving extraordinary abilities and powers.
My favorite character was Linda, hands down. I loved her kindness and loyalty, but also her ability to be bold when necessary. And the change Linda endures is quite a fascinating one. Bryant does a lovely job exploring it and its ramifications.
I can be a bit Type A, so I also appreciated Patricia. Given that I just endured a few months of horrendous hot flashes, I cackled at the way this menopause symptom became something extraordinary for Helen. (Seriously, can we make that happen in real life?!?!)
I don't want to give away too much, but I'll say that the person who seems to be the villain is interesting and complex. She's also facing her own ticking time bomb (metaphorically speaking), and I'm eager to see what happens to her.
My only complaint is that the book ended and I wasn't ready for it to be over! Of course, that's truly the sign of an engrossing story, leaving you wanting--no begging--for more. I'm so happy this is part of a series. I can't wait to read the next installment!
My favorite character was Linda, hands down. I loved her kindness and loyalty, but also her ability to be bold when necessary. And the change Linda endures is quite a fascinating one. Bryant does a lovely job exploring it and its ramifications.
I can be a bit Type A, so I also appreciated Patricia. Given that I just endured a few months of horrendous hot flashes, I cackled at the way this menopause symptom became something extraordinary for Helen. (Seriously, can we make that happen in real life?!?!)
I don't want to give away too much, but I'll say that the person who seems to be the villain is interesting and complex. She's also facing her own ticking time bomb (metaphorically speaking), and I'm eager to see what happens to her.
My only complaint is that the book ended and I wasn't ready for it to be over! Of course, that's truly the sign of an engrossing story, leaving you wanting--no begging--for more. I'm so happy this is part of a series. I can't wait to read the next installment!
August 10, 2015
I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book. Normally I'm not attracted to books that have bright yellow covers and sort of scream "chick fiction!"
But this story was both funny and a little heartbreaking and I heartily recommend to women whether they are "of a certain age" or merely just enjoy a good tale with some fun characters.
Each of the 4 "superheroes" are women who have gone through menopause at various ages and for various reasons and who, at one point, used skin products created by a mysterious Chinese doctor. The products worked a little too well! Each woman now has a superpower - strength, flight, impervious to bullets and the ability to summon fire - but in the craziest of ways, not what we would normally associate with superheroes.
There's a lot of humor in the book, lots of "suspend your disbelief, all ye who enter here" but it's fast-paced and fun and the characters are very heartfelt and multi-dimensional.
Kudos to the author for writing a book where the women are not shallow backstabbers fighting over a man! Warning: I do believe the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger so hopefully a sequel is in the works.
But this story was both funny and a little heartbreaking and I heartily recommend to women whether they are "of a certain age" or merely just enjoy a good tale with some fun characters.
Each of the 4 "superheroes" are women who have gone through menopause at various ages and for various reasons and who, at one point, used skin products created by a mysterious Chinese doctor. The products worked a little too well! Each woman now has a superpower - strength, flight, impervious to bullets and the ability to summon fire - but in the craziest of ways, not what we would normally associate with superheroes.
There's a lot of humor in the book, lots of "suspend your disbelief, all ye who enter here" but it's fast-paced and fun and the characters are very heartfelt and multi-dimensional.
Kudos to the author for writing a book where the women are not shallow backstabbers fighting over a man! Warning: I do believe the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger so hopefully a sequel is in the works.
September 1, 2015
The most important thing about this novel is how deft it is. The ways the women change are very clever, but the reasons are not obvious at first. As a woman moving into this phase of life, I found the author's characterizations complex and nuanced. I will admit that I cried several times while reading because the characters' inner struggles spoke to me. There is a whole lot more going on here than some women with powers running around. One might even use the term "symbols." I really related to Linda, and I am still processing what I read.
I would not recommend this book to someone looking for a comic book in novel form. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to women who find themselves in a place where they don't know what their bodies will do from day to day and also to the people who love women in that state. The powers might be exaggerated, but the emotions are all right on the money.
I would not recommend this book to someone looking for a comic book in novel form. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to women who find themselves in a place where they don't know what their bodies will do from day to day and also to the people who love women in that state. The powers might be exaggerated, but the emotions are all right on the money.
November 21, 2015
This was flipping awesome. At times realistic and at times surrealistic, it flits around a space between chick lit and comic-book action. The characters are a diverse group, thrown together by a common plight, learning about their new capabilities as they go along. It ends at a familiar point to lovers of the Saturday serial -- in a moment of finally catching a ragged breath before the next exciting scene... So I'll be glued to the author's page waiting for the following book... It's not over yet, I think!
Oh, before I forget: I got this through an Amazon freebie, and I don't know the author. It has a few imperfections in the prose at a few spots, but not enough to really bother me... A few typos also scattered here and there, but not many; the editing is pretty clean.
Oh, before I forget: I got this through an Amazon freebie, and I don't know the author. It has a few imperfections in the prose at a few spots, but not enough to really bother me... A few typos also scattered here and there, but not many; the editing is pretty clean.
February 10, 2016
It's really more of a 3.5. This is a cute story, and the 50-year-old female* superhero novel isn't a genre with a whole lot of breadth (in fact, I'm not really aware of anything else?). So- I want to provide a big shout out to a story trying to reflect an audience that otherwise isn't seeing itself in scifi/ superhero writing. It's also a fun story and the characters personalities are engaging and believable. The overall story is where it stumbles, being both a little too straightforward but then told a little bit too convoluted-ly. Put it in the beach read pile, or the lavatory, for a bit of fun broken into bite sized chapters.
July 2, 2015
I selected Going Through The Change to be my first beach read of the season. I wanted something light, but not cotton candy fluff. I had so much fun reading Going Through The Change. I myself chuckling quite a bit. It's basically a story about women who get superpowers while going through menopause. If that sentence alone doesn't sell you, then something is wrong with you. The story is funny and clever, and Bryant did a great job creating colorful, dimensional characters. Perfect for a light, fun read.
July 14, 2016
Interesting
Having lived through Menopause this book gives one a new slant on the many things females go through at this time in their lives. The author has turned menopause symptoms in to super hero powers. Very suspenseful. Good read.
Having lived through Menopause this book gives one a new slant on the many things females go through at this time in their lives. The author has turned menopause symptoms in to super hero powers. Very suspenseful. Good read.
August 5, 2015
Just didn't work
I tried but this book just was a chore and I finally gave up. Great premise just not able to get into it or the characters. :(
I tried but this book just was a chore and I finally gave up. Great premise just not able to get into it or the characters. :(
September 13, 2015
This is a fun superhero book with menopausal women who become unlikely superheroes. The ending didn't tie up the loose strings; I'm waiting for the sequel.
September 11, 2019
Love the twists and turns.
August 29, 2016
First of all I want to say I was not reading this book because I am not menopausal! It was a free kindel book. Funny, sweet, menopausal super heroes - what more could you want!
April 6, 2020
What I Loved:
Going Through the Change had these great character changes that I was so interested in! I loved reading about the new struggles that each character went through with the introduction of a superhero skill for each person.
How I Felt:
The writing was well-done. The story had a nice flow and was easy to dive into. It was pretty fast-paced and really never slowed down. I liked the way each chapter focused on a different character. It gave different me different angles of the story and the opportunity to view a scene from a different perspective.
The plot focuses on a group of menopausal women who are each using a product made by the same woman. For some reason, these products affect these specific women differently than everyone else, giving them each a superpower. The changes are shocking for the women, and they don’t know what is happening to their bodies. They don’t recognize their changes as superpowers, but as scary anomalies that they try to keep hidden. Through chance events, they begin to meet each other and realize their common enemy is one crazy scientist woman whose products have made the change in them. Now they must come together and embrace their new changes to save themselves and others.
The story begins with introductions to the characters. I struggled just a bit at the beginning. It felt like a lot of character introductions and it took me a few chapters to really get a grasp on who they each are. Once I got through those first chapters, I settled into who the characters were and was able to just sit back and enjoy the story!
The characters were really enjoyable. Linda was my absolute favorite. I found her to be down to earth and all-around just lovely. Linda’s superhero change is the most shocking, and in my opinion, would be the most difficult to accept and live with. The soap she uses changes her from a woman to a man. I appreciated the time spent in the book on the acceptance of this change. It made the story more believable. She had to find acceptance of her new self, then gain acceptance with her husband, and her family. She couldn’t hide her change. It created so many hurdles for her to overcome, and I enjoyed reading about all of them.
The other characters were separated between the good and the bad, which I liked. I was surprised to find that not all the women affected would be choosing a good path. I liked the complexity this added to the story. Jessica begins to float, Helen starts fires with her mind, and Patricia grows full body armor. The way these women each got their superpower, and how they deal with it was a lot of fun to read about. Patricia was my least favorite character. She was hard to get to know and had a pretty rough exterior, which makes sense, she also has a tough exterior with her new body armor! I am curious to see if we get to know her better in the next book in the series.
Overall: This was such a fun book to read! I enjoyed the characters and the overall storyline. It felt like an escape from reality for a bit, which was a nice change.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Going Through the Change for readers that enjoy light stories of action, focusing on the bonds of family and friends.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 4/13/20. All of my book reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
Going Through the Change had these great character changes that I was so interested in! I loved reading about the new struggles that each character went through with the introduction of a superhero skill for each person.
How I Felt:
The writing was well-done. The story had a nice flow and was easy to dive into. It was pretty fast-paced and really never slowed down. I liked the way each chapter focused on a different character. It gave different me different angles of the story and the opportunity to view a scene from a different perspective.
The plot focuses on a group of menopausal women who are each using a product made by the same woman. For some reason, these products affect these specific women differently than everyone else, giving them each a superpower. The changes are shocking for the women, and they don’t know what is happening to their bodies. They don’t recognize their changes as superpowers, but as scary anomalies that they try to keep hidden. Through chance events, they begin to meet each other and realize their common enemy is one crazy scientist woman whose products have made the change in them. Now they must come together and embrace their new changes to save themselves and others.
The story begins with introductions to the characters. I struggled just a bit at the beginning. It felt like a lot of character introductions and it took me a few chapters to really get a grasp on who they each are. Once I got through those first chapters, I settled into who the characters were and was able to just sit back and enjoy the story!
The characters were really enjoyable. Linda was my absolute favorite. I found her to be down to earth and all-around just lovely. Linda’s superhero change is the most shocking, and in my opinion, would be the most difficult to accept and live with. The soap she uses changes her from a woman to a man. I appreciated the time spent in the book on the acceptance of this change. It made the story more believable. She had to find acceptance of her new self, then gain acceptance with her husband, and her family. She couldn’t hide her change. It created so many hurdles for her to overcome, and I enjoyed reading about all of them.
The other characters were separated between the good and the bad, which I liked. I was surprised to find that not all the women affected would be choosing a good path. I liked the complexity this added to the story. Jessica begins to float, Helen starts fires with her mind, and Patricia grows full body armor. The way these women each got their superpower, and how they deal with it was a lot of fun to read about. Patricia was my least favorite character. She was hard to get to know and had a pretty rough exterior, which makes sense, she also has a tough exterior with her new body armor! I am curious to see if we get to know her better in the next book in the series.
Overall: This was such a fun book to read! I enjoyed the characters and the overall storyline. It felt like an escape from reality for a bit, which was a nice change.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Going Through the Change for readers that enjoy light stories of action, focusing on the bonds of family and friends.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 4/13/20. All of my book reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
March 24, 2020
Love this book and it's amazing twist of the norm. The whole series is excellent!
September 12, 2015
Change - Delightful and Refreshing
Four women - Patricia, Linda, Helen and Jessica face menopause. But their Change isn't just mood swings and hot flashes: Linda rapidly sheds her feminity, Patricia has a peculiar skin condition, Helen's hot flashes now excite her and Jessica comes out of her depression as light as air.
The one thing other than the biological change happening to them is their contact with Dr Cindy Liu and her proprietary products they all used.
Not all of them take to the change readily. Not everyone likes their lives wrenched from their hands and decisions made on their behalf. Alliances take shape and boundaries are drawn.
Helen and Cindy vs Patricia, Linda(Leonel) and Jessica. Told from multiple POVs, the story justifies every character's motivation and action. There does tend to be some repetition and some excessive exposition at times but for most part the story was fast and evenly peppered with action and drama.
The concept isn't all that new nor are the powers but post menopausal women gaining superpowers is refreshingly new. Even as old as they are, these women still made mistakes that made them all that much more human and real.
The story took a long time to establish the leads and their powers but compared to the previous superhuman story I read, this one was very engaging. The relationship between the protagonists and their most trusted relatives or companions is enviably deep and strong.
I'd definitely pick up the next one in the series. Yes, the book ends with the chief antagonist, escaping after having caused a havoc.
This is a fun read and I love the cover. Which means I'll be picking up a paperback copy soon. :)
Four women - Patricia, Linda, Helen and Jessica face menopause. But their Change isn't just mood swings and hot flashes: Linda rapidly sheds her feminity, Patricia has a peculiar skin condition, Helen's hot flashes now excite her and Jessica comes out of her depression as light as air.
The one thing other than the biological change happening to them is their contact with Dr Cindy Liu and her proprietary products they all used.
Not all of them take to the change readily. Not everyone likes their lives wrenched from their hands and decisions made on their behalf. Alliances take shape and boundaries are drawn.
Helen and Cindy vs Patricia, Linda(Leonel) and Jessica. Told from multiple POVs, the story justifies every character's motivation and action. There does tend to be some repetition and some excessive exposition at times but for most part the story was fast and evenly peppered with action and drama.
The concept isn't all that new nor are the powers but post menopausal women gaining superpowers is refreshingly new. Even as old as they are, these women still made mistakes that made them all that much more human and real.
The story took a long time to establish the leads and their powers but compared to the previous superhuman story I read, this one was very engaging. The relationship between the protagonists and their most trusted relatives or companions is enviably deep and strong.
I'd definitely pick up the next one in the series. Yes, the book ends with the chief antagonist, escaping after having caused a havoc.
This is a fun read and I love the cover. Which means I'll be picking up a paperback copy soon. :)
May 8, 2015
First off, menopause makes me nervous. Why? Apparently, ALL women go through it eventually. It hits you between 45-55 years old and it could last at least ten years, if not longer. Seriously, that's just cruel. I'm already heading into the age that dictates I should be experiencing some of these symptoms right now. All my friends around me, have been zooming through hot flashes for years, piling on the clothes because they are freezing, then sweating, then quickly stripping off their clothes and shivering until they turn red, before starting the whole cycle all over again. I'm happy to report, I'm not going through that... YET!
Samantha Bryant did a brilliant job in Going Through The Change, of portraying four different women with lives that are completely different, BUT all experiencing the real issues and symptoms of menopause. I was shaking my head, understanding the distress of the woman, but at the same time, laughing as they embraced the change. Superpowers may have had something to do with it? Believe me, when I say, when I have to go through this change of life, I want some superpowers of my own... stopping bullets with my chest sounds good, as some may say, I'm a badass. :)
This novel was quite funny, even hilarious at times and honestly, it feels good to be able to laugh about something so serious. Laughing makes menopause ALMOST bearable.
If you are a woman and you feel like staring life in the face and laughing your ass off, you should read this book. It is a fun, light read. Very entertaining.
My Rating: 5 out 5 Stars (because I love Superheros & humour).
Samantha Bryant did a brilliant job in Going Through The Change, of portraying four different women with lives that are completely different, BUT all experiencing the real issues and symptoms of menopause. I was shaking my head, understanding the distress of the woman, but at the same time, laughing as they embraced the change. Superpowers may have had something to do with it? Believe me, when I say, when I have to go through this change of life, I want some superpowers of my own... stopping bullets with my chest sounds good, as some may say, I'm a badass. :)
This novel was quite funny, even hilarious at times and honestly, it feels good to be able to laugh about something so serious. Laughing makes menopause ALMOST bearable.
If you are a woman and you feel like staring life in the face and laughing your ass off, you should read this book. It is a fun, light read. Very entertaining.
My Rating: 5 out 5 Stars (because I love Superheros & humour).
January 7, 2016
I really liked this book, good premise and gripping storytelling, but I would almost give it 2.5 stars just because of the ending. NO spoilers as usual, but the book has no conclusion at all. It just stops dead at the end of a battle with a less than victorious outcome for our rag-tag band of wanna-be heroes. I thought part of the charm of this story was the haphazard way the potential heroes try to come to grips with their situations and move forward with no clear plans or viable teamwork, because they're not the freaking Avengers, they're just random people. They come to realize they need leadership, teamwork, and planning, but the story stops before they make any headway in achieving any of those things or any clear solutions to their problems. There needed to be a third act to this story. Clearly there will be a sequel, or perhaps a trilogy since that seems to be the only way people write stories now, and that is fine, as long as there is some kind of closure or stopping point for catching your breath in between installments and not just a cliffhanger like it's part one of a 2-part TV episode. But the good part is that I liked the story and characters enough that I want to know what happens next! Granted, maybe it's because I like the idea of middle aged women getting superpowers. But I liked the way these women's personalities made them fall into the "hero" and "villain" roles in pretty interesting and believable ways amidst all the usual unbelievable superhero plot devices.
May 13, 2015
Though I haven’t reached Menopause yet, I have seen others go through it and, just like all women, I dread the day. This brilliant book has put a lighthearted spin on the whole drama of The Change, and made it something new, exciting, funny and bearable for both men and women, well, sort of.
Being a fan of some natural remedies, I liked that this book started out with each woman turning to a natural remedy to try and make The Change easier for them. They look to try and reduce the worst symptoms, but instead create a whole new them.
As we read each chapter, I loved that we got to know each person. It gave us enough time to really get close to them and feel as though we knew their character and personality. We also understood just how they were suffering. I must admit, I liked Linda’s change the most. The description was fantastic and the moments after, as she approached her husband were great as well.
I loved the pace of this story. It was fast-paced and light, making it very easy reading. I am a huge fan of superheroes and really liked that the story had enough speed to make it full of fun and action.
Overall, I just really liked a new take on superheroes, in a fun way. It was great to read a lighthearted, funny story about The Change and see what the ladies do to combat their own changes. I highly recommend this read, whether you’ve hit The Change yourself or not!
Being a fan of some natural remedies, I liked that this book started out with each woman turning to a natural remedy to try and make The Change easier for them. They look to try and reduce the worst symptoms, but instead create a whole new them.
As we read each chapter, I loved that we got to know each person. It gave us enough time to really get close to them and feel as though we knew their character and personality. We also understood just how they were suffering. I must admit, I liked Linda’s change the most. The description was fantastic and the moments after, as she approached her husband were great as well.
I loved the pace of this story. It was fast-paced and light, making it very easy reading. I am a huge fan of superheroes and really liked that the story had enough speed to make it full of fun and action.
Overall, I just really liked a new take on superheroes, in a fun way. It was great to read a lighthearted, funny story about The Change and see what the ladies do to combat their own changes. I highly recommend this read, whether you’ve hit The Change yourself or not!
April 4, 2019
I read this for a local book club and found the initial premise to be interesting. Four older women develop superpowers instead of the well-worn trope of say teenagers or children. I like the basic premise but trust me when I say: this is a comic book without pictures, plain and simple.
The setup is okay and it takes a little while for the women to develop and become used to their powers, which didn't really keep me interested. It isn't until the middle of the book where the actual conflict comes to light and that is where I started to really pay attention. Unfortunately the stakes lag and no one ever really seems to be in any real danger the closer we get to the climax, so I couldn't find myself really caring too much about the characters. I feel like it is a "mostly-complete" story, but it does end on a cliffhanger which irks me. I want a complete story in my books. If it's part of a larger narrative that's fine, but at least give me a beginning, middle and end with book 1. This book has an "end-ish".
I think the other issue I had was it often seemed like the author wasn't sure what she wanted to happen. Often the characters don't know what they're doing, plans are never thought out and there seemed to be no real arc to the story. It was as if the author was writing and just hoping to think of something to move the plot along. It was entertaining for the most part, but I won't be continuing on with the sequels.
The setup is okay and it takes a little while for the women to develop and become used to their powers, which didn't really keep me interested. It isn't until the middle of the book where the actual conflict comes to light and that is where I started to really pay attention. Unfortunately the stakes lag and no one ever really seems to be in any real danger the closer we get to the climax, so I couldn't find myself really caring too much about the characters. I feel like it is a "mostly-complete" story, but it does end on a cliffhanger which irks me. I want a complete story in my books. If it's part of a larger narrative that's fine, but at least give me a beginning, middle and end with book 1. This book has an "end-ish".
I think the other issue I had was it often seemed like the author wasn't sure what she wanted to happen. Often the characters don't know what they're doing, plans are never thought out and there seemed to be no real arc to the story. It was as if the author was writing and just hoping to think of something to move the plot along. It was entertaining for the most part, but I won't be continuing on with the sequels.
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