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Renegade X #4
The Phobia of Renegade X
Damien's always been afraid of heights, but he's never been afraid of fieldwork or of being in the spotlight. At least, he wasn't before the gala—the one where his grandpa nearly caused a massacre and heroes from the League almost killed his best friend. Now he finds himself dreading the very things he used to love, and all he wants is to skate by in school, avoid fieldwork, and keep a low profile.
But avoiding his fears isn't as easy as he hopes, especially when the school decides to send him and his best friend to hunt down a dangerous criminal. And as if that isn't bad enough, it turns out he also has to pass a flying test if he wants to make it through the school year, even though his debilitating fear of heights means it's pretty much impossible.
In order to pass the test and catch a criminal, Damien accepts help from unlikely allies. But when his mission goes south and he accidentally lets a terrible weapon fall into the wrong hands, he'll have to overcome his doubts and save his friends from a psychotic killer bent on using his worst fears against him.
But avoiding his fears isn't as easy as he hopes, especially when the school decides to send him and his best friend to hunt down a dangerous criminal. And as if that isn't bad enough, it turns out he also has to pass a flying test if he wants to make it through the school year, even though his debilitating fear of heights means it's pretty much impossible.
In order to pass the test and catch a criminal, Damien accepts help from unlikely allies. But when his mission goes south and he accidentally lets a terrible weapon fall into the wrong hands, he'll have to overcome his doubts and save his friends from a psychotic killer bent on using his worst fears against him.
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First published August 9, 2017
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About the author
Chelsea M. Campbell
29 books312 followersChelsea M. Campbell grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains a lot. And then rains some more. She finished her first novel when she was twelve, sent it out, and promptly got rejected. Since then she's written many more novels, earned a degree in Latin and Ancient Greek, become an obsessive knitter and fiber artist, and started a collection of glass grapes. Besides writing, studying ancient languages, and collecting useless objects, Chelsea is a pop-culture fangirl at heart and can often be found rewatching episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Parks and Recreation, or dying a lot in Dark Souls.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 27, 2017
The Phobia of Renegade X took a departure from the previous books. In those there was a main bad guy, a plot or story that Damien needed to overcome and defeat. It was a tangible person, or group… like The Truth from The Betrayal of Renegade X. In Phobia, Damien still had something to overcome and defeat but this time it was himself, which made the story feel different.
At first I wasn’t sure it was enough to carry a whole book, Damien trying to overcome his phobia’s, but the more I read the more I enjoyed the change. It forced Damien into looking more introspectively at himself, and that gave me scenes I’ve been looking forward to between Damien and his loved ones. It forced Damien into being more intimate. Damien hates intimacy, except for his intimacy with Kat. He loves that. Like most teenage boys.
In the first book, The Rise of Renegade X, Damien discovered who his father was, and with a dad came a new family. The following two books were not only about how Damien fit in with Heroes in general, and what that meant for his Villain family and friends, but it was also about Damien learning how to coexist within this new family. There were a few sweet moments between them early on, but you keep waiting for more. You keep waiting for their interactions to feel like real connections. In my opinion, we got that while reading The Phobia of Renegade X. Or, we at least get to see Damien’s wall crack and start to crumble. I love his relationship with his dad, but it was something I expected would happen. The bigger moments were the developments happening between Damien and his sister.
And of course, there was Damien’s personal growth. I know I’m just a reader, and he’s not real, but I’m still so very proud of him. I’m not only proud of him for how he handled the flying test, but I’m also proud of him for his emotional growth. He’ll always be who he is, but I think he’s learning to be the best part of himself. I love character growth, and Chelsea Campbell is doing a great job of writing Damien’s developing maturity.
So, now the book is over. It’s been somewhere around 2-3 years between installments. I’m glad I’m usually a patient reader. I wait happily, because I know it’ll be worth it. And hey, there’s already a title, “The Rival of Renegade X”. Ooooh, I wonder who that is! I sure can’t wait to find out. Hopefully in 2019!
Read this review, and so many others like it, on Birdie Bookworm!
At first I wasn’t sure it was enough to carry a whole book, Damien trying to overcome his phobia’s, but the more I read the more I enjoyed the change. It forced Damien into looking more introspectively at himself, and that gave me scenes I’ve been looking forward to between Damien and his loved ones. It forced Damien into being more intimate. Damien hates intimacy, except for his intimacy with Kat. He loves that. Like most teenage boys.
In the first book, The Rise of Renegade X, Damien discovered who his father was, and with a dad came a new family. The following two books were not only about how Damien fit in with Heroes in general, and what that meant for his Villain family and friends, but it was also about Damien learning how to coexist within this new family. There were a few sweet moments between them early on, but you keep waiting for more. You keep waiting for their interactions to feel like real connections. In my opinion, we got that while reading The Phobia of Renegade X. Or, we at least get to see Damien’s wall crack and start to crumble. I love his relationship with his dad, but it was something I expected would happen. The bigger moments were the developments happening between Damien and his sister.
And of course, there was Damien’s personal growth. I know I’m just a reader, and he’s not real, but I’m still so very proud of him. I’m not only proud of him for how he handled the flying test, but I’m also proud of him for his emotional growth. He’ll always be who he is, but I think he’s learning to be the best part of himself. I love character growth, and Chelsea Campbell is doing a great job of writing Damien’s developing maturity.
So, now the book is over. It’s been somewhere around 2-3 years between installments. I’m glad I’m usually a patient reader. I wait happily, because I know it’ll be worth it. And hey, there’s already a title, “The Rival of Renegade X”. Ooooh, I wonder who that is! I sure can’t wait to find out. Hopefully in 2019!
Read this review, and so many others like it, on Birdie Bookworm!
March 30, 2021
I had to take a break from this series because honestly these books are just so angsty. I read some other reviews that mentioned this being a departure from the previous books and that this one has a tonal shift, and it's funny that I agree with that for opposite reasons that those people mentioned.
Considering this was about Damien's fear for fieldwork after everything happened in the last book, I was ready for the angst. But this was probably the calmest book of the series. Whereas before all of Damien's conflicts were because he's a little shit who doesn't communicate well, his conflicts were because he had his heart in the right place with helping his friends and things just happened to go a bot sideways.
i will say that Sarah continues to annoy me, which still bothers me since I loved her in the first book. She just thinks she knows everything, and when Damien tried to tell her e wasn't ready for fieldwork again, she threw a hissy fit over it as if she really has any input into how he feels on the matter. I think she's a terrible friend and the only good thing she's brought to the table is Riley, which is funny because I hated him when he was first introduced to the series. He's exactly the kind of friend Damien needs, and he was really supportive of Damien's decisions while he was working through his struggled. Unlike Sarah.
Considering this was about Damien's fear for fieldwork after everything happened in the last book, I was ready for the angst. But this was probably the calmest book of the series. Whereas before all of Damien's conflicts were because he's a little shit who doesn't communicate well, his conflicts were because he had his heart in the right place with helping his friends and things just happened to go a bot sideways.
i will say that Sarah continues to annoy me, which still bothers me since I loved her in the first book. She just thinks she knows everything, and when Damien tried to tell her e wasn't ready for fieldwork again, she threw a hissy fit over it as if she really has any input into how he feels on the matter. I think she's a terrible friend and the only good thing she's brought to the table is Riley, which is funny because I hated him when he was first introduced to the series. He's exactly the kind of friend Damien needs, and he was really supportive of Damien's decisions while he was working through his struggled. Unlike Sarah.
August 21, 2017
Oh wow. Phobia feels like a bit of a tonal shift for the Renegade X books. They've always been lighter reads for me, even with the heavier elements, but this time around, Campbell puts Damien through the emotional wringer.
Damien is really struggling now. The fallout of his grandfather's betrayal and Riley's accident is weighing on him, he's feuding with Zach (of all people!), and he's facing the fact that he may not be cut out for hero work of any kind now. Things are bleak, man.
I don't want to recap the plot summary. I only wanted to say that there are so many well-done scenes in this book. It might be my favorite entry in the series. (Or second favorite. I really liked the first.) Kat's confrontation with Sarah is wonderfully written because you can see both sides of that argument. Both young women have it right, from their perspective. (Though, for real: #TeamKat.) And Damien and Gordon together broke my heart. Damien tends to look past his father, and this is the first time I felt he addressed him as an actual person, and not just the random guy who pays the bills.
If this is the direction the series is going, I am here for it. (Well, I'm here for it anyway. But you know what I mean.)
Damien is really struggling now. The fallout of his grandfather's betrayal and Riley's accident is weighing on him, he's feuding with Zach (of all people!), and he's facing the fact that he may not be cut out for hero work of any kind now. Things are bleak, man.
I don't want to recap the plot summary. I only wanted to say that there are so many well-done scenes in this book. It might be my favorite entry in the series. (Or second favorite. I really liked the first.) Kat's confrontation with Sarah is wonderfully written because you can see both sides of that argument. Both young women have it right, from their perspective. (Though, for real: #TeamKat.) And Damien and Gordon together broke my heart. Damien tends to look past his father, and this is the first time I felt he addressed him as an actual person, and not just the random guy who pays the bills.
If this is the direction the series is going, I am here for it. (Well, I'm here for it anyway. But you know what I mean.)
May 22, 2018
This was an awesome read. It gave me some serious anxiety at some parts and the way that it was going kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Damien and friends are awesome and really grab you throughout the entire book. The ending reminds me of book 2 (TRIALS) but it was really fun especially to see Damien evolving as a character and accepting his strengths and weaknesses. Great read and can't wait for the next one to be released!
August 31, 2017
These books never fail to make me crack up or smiled and of course it was a great book by the rest
But for a minute I thought Kat would die I was seriously crying but everything turned out okay lol
And when Damien convinced his uncle to give him a second chance at the end that was hilarious 😂😂
But for a minute I thought Kat would die I was seriously crying but everything turned out okay lol
And when Damien convinced his uncle to give him a second chance at the end that was hilarious 😂😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2021
I've read a bunch of reviews that describe this story as whiny and full of self pity. I will argue against this perception for the following reasons:
Damien has a very strong sense of right and wrong, which has been a consistent aspect of his character throughout the series so far. To expect him not to be seriously affected by the events in The Betrayal of Renegade X would be wholly unjustified, so it is understandable that he is almost crippled by self doubt in his ability to not cause harm to his friends during field work and missions. I appreciated his determination to pass his flying test despite his uncle's antagonism
And yes, Sarah is irritating, but the wonderful thing about this series is that it's all about flawed characters and relationships.
Damien has a very strong sense of right and wrong, which has been a consistent aspect of his character throughout the series so far. To expect him not to be seriously affected by the events in The Betrayal of Renegade X would be wholly unjustified, so it is understandable that he is almost crippled by self doubt in his ability to not cause harm to his friends during field work and missions. I appreciated his determination to pass his flying test despite his uncle's antagonism
And yes, Sarah is irritating, but the wonderful thing about this series is that it's all about flawed characters and relationships.
February 17, 2018
[4.5 stars] I liked the book. I expected to like the book, since I'd liked the first three in the series (and two novellas: whee!), but of course, sometimes that doesn't work out. I got a bit annoyed with Damien in this volume, but at the same time, his self-pity made sense. The events of those three books and two novellas have been taking an emotional toll on Damien, and it shows up here. It didn't make the book any less readable: I was still eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. (That half star is for page-turning-ness.) Some parts of the plot were more interesting to me than others: the Amelia/Zach storyline grabbed me more than I thought it would, while the parts about fieldwork, well, didn't. But I read this series more for the world they're set in and the characters, and that didn't disappoint. Damien and Kat's relationship felt deeper in this book, Amelia is both less annoying and yet the same irritating sister she's been since the first book, and Helen seemed more of a person in her own right and not just "the stepmother." I wouldn't recommend this as your introduction to the series, but it's a good installment.
February 13, 2019
This is kind of a let-down after the exciting plots of the last couple books. This time Renegade X spends his time dealing with PTSD and working on overcoming his phobias. The action takes a background to these issues and what are presented as long simmering conflicts feel like they come out of nowhere. The whole book felt like a filler episode, treading water by focusing on minor character development and the results of those changes on the status quo in order to set the stage for the next important episode of the overarching story. Which for a book series that takes a year or so to come out, is a major problem.
The characters are still fun, although Renegade X is a lot more subdued and less snarky due to his PTSD and new tendency to wallow in self-loathing. Without his righteous, if misplaced, anger to serve as a driving force, the book has a lot of lulls and is mostly just the main character repeatedly whining that nobody understands him.
The plot and eventual antagonist are not very compelling, so the only things that kept me going was the momentum from the investment I already had in these characters from the last few books.
The characters are still fun, although Renegade X is a lot more subdued and less snarky due to his PTSD and new tendency to wallow in self-loathing. Without his righteous, if misplaced, anger to serve as a driving force, the book has a lot of lulls and is mostly just the main character repeatedly whining that nobody understands him.
The plot and eventual antagonist are not very compelling, so the only things that kept me going was the momentum from the investment I already had in these characters from the last few books.
August 24, 2018
Eh
By far my least favorite of the series. It was very whiney and very woe is me. Damien has been a chatecter thats made me laugh and cheer for him the entire series up til now. He faced with many different struggles and for over 80% of the book he refuses to face them head on. The author also creates unnecessary i guess drama. Like when we find out why hes scared of heights. There was several things he could have done with that info. Like A ) ask it to be reversed. Or B) once you know the answer to something logically its easier to over come. Hes also allowed to get away with being lazy and selfish. I feel his support grouo is more of a circle of yes men. He needs a good kick in the rear. I hope to see some major character growth in the books to come.
By far my least favorite of the series. It was very whiney and very woe is me. Damien has been a chatecter thats made me laugh and cheer for him the entire series up til now. He faced with many different struggles and for over 80% of the book he refuses to face them head on. The author also creates unnecessary i guess drama. Like when we find out why hes scared of heights. There was several things he could have done with that info. Like A ) ask it to be reversed. Or B) once you know the answer to something logically its easier to over come. Hes also allowed to get away with being lazy and selfish. I feel his support grouo is more of a circle of yes men. He needs a good kick in the rear. I hope to see some major character growth in the books to come.
November 23, 2021
This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the fact that it was quite focused on Damien's internal struggles and his insecurities. Kat and Riley were both fantastic in this book, and it's funny that my opinions on them have changed so much from book two. Sarah I still don't love. We saw Gordon and Damien's relationship change somewhat in this book, which was nice. And Amelia had a lot happen too. Her and Damien are sibling goals - constantly bickering but there when it counts. Damien's mom is messed up (but we knew that). Overall, this was a great installment in the series, and I'm super happy that I read it. Also, Damien flew! 4.5 stars.
December 14, 2017
Toxic main character
Writer makes the main character toxic to everyone around him. I’ve never read a book with so many negatives hitting the main character. It’s almost a running gag where every chapter he hurts his family/friends, screws their relationship up, or just completely fails at something. The only thing that turns out good is bittersweet because of the person he has to deal with. No spoiler but the end of the book you will see what i mean.
Read this if you want a main character who is always screwed over. Luckily no NTR so thats good.
Writer makes the main character toxic to everyone around him. I’ve never read a book with so many negatives hitting the main character. It’s almost a running gag where every chapter he hurts his family/friends, screws their relationship up, or just completely fails at something. The only thing that turns out good is bittersweet because of the person he has to deal with. No spoiler but the end of the book you will see what i mean.
Read this if you want a main character who is always screwed over. Luckily no NTR so thats good.
August 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book, for many of the same reasons that I enjoyed the previous ones. Damien is snarky and dificult, but also very likable, and you can't help rooting for him. I have decided to take one star away, however, because of the increased angst. Teenage angst is part of the series, and Damien certainly has more reason for it than most teenagers, but when it becomes too much the book is not as fun. Excellent ending, though.
I'll be happy to read anything the author writes in this series.
I'll be happy to read anything the author writes in this series.
abandoned
June 17, 2022My husband and I were reading this one out loud to each other aaaaaaaages ago, because we’re weird and that’s what we always used to do in the car, but two kids (the first one showed up early less than a week after we started this book) have majorly gotten in the way of that these days, and so we just never finished it. And I always meant to go back and just finish it myself, but it felt kinda wrong, and now I can’t even find the book anymore! Sooooo…maybe one day I’ll get back to Damien and crew? If I can ever focus on anything more than manga again?
October 15, 2017
The characters feel like real people and not cardboard. I especially loved the interaction between Damien and his sister and father. Those, along with finally addressing the fear of heights, were the best part of the book.
The main framing story about super hero assignments works a bit poorly and I somewhat dislike that Damien didn't try to squirm from the flying test on behalf of acing electricity.
All in all, this book was improvement over the previous one.
The main framing story about super hero assignments works a bit poorly and I somewhat dislike that Damien didn't try to squirm from the flying test on behalf of acing electricity.
All in all, this book was improvement over the previous one.
October 26, 2017
Damien is a typical teenager. everything seems like or death, . but in this case he's right a lot more than he is wrong. As he battles his fears and decide whether he wants to be a hero Damien deals with his siblings, parents, a flying test and a scary villan named Frank. Chelsea Campbell gives each of the side characters more depth as the story goes on. Though it is painfully slow, Damien or hero also matures here and there.
May 4, 2022
Loved this - not quite as much as previous volume - but still devoured in one day. Great character development stuff interesting plot. Some of the interpersonal stuff was baffling to me but I remember very similar stuff being baffling to me as a teenager so that checks out as plausible....
No content/trigger notes not bc there couldn't be some useful ones but bc I have had a migraine all day so I won't remember correctly.
No content/trigger notes not bc there couldn't be some useful ones but bc I have had a migraine all day so I won't remember correctly.
February 12, 2018
I enjoyed this book but not as much as #3.
Maybe this is all on me but I'm used to an antagonist. Someone trying to stop the hero. And often times I don't find that in this series. There's events that conspire against the protagonist but because there isn't a person orchestrating them it feels almost random. And it doesn't build tension like a big antagonist.
Maybe this is all on me but I'm used to an antagonist. Someone trying to stop the hero. And often times I don't find that in this series. There's events that conspire against the protagonist but because there isn't a person orchestrating them it feels almost random. And it doesn't build tension like a big antagonist.
February 21, 2018
1. How does the healing power via shape shifting thing work? As Kat can transform to inanimate objects without a bloodstream, wouldn't that expel the poison? I am confused.
2. REGARDLESS, this series continues to be fun.
2. REGARDLESS, this series continues to be fun.
May 8, 2020
Great continuation
So far I have just really enjoyed the ability to follow the simple care if the development and storyline. ITIT is easily engage of I'll , the characters are The perfect encapsulation of many of the different circumstances we face in real life
So far I have just really enjoyed the ability to follow the simple care if the development and storyline. ITIT is easily engage of I'll , the characters are The perfect encapsulation of many of the different circumstances we face in real life
August 29, 2017
Great
😄😀😇😮😀😁😂😉😇😇 I think that says it all
Done
Stop putting minimum amount of words I like to read not write
😄😀😇😮😀😁😂😉😇😇 I think that says it all
Done
Stop putting minimum amount of words I like to read not write
December 26, 2017
3.9 stars
Damien was wallowing in self-pity and self-doubt the whole time and it really bogged down the story.
Damien was wallowing in self-pity and self-doubt the whole time and it really bogged down the story.
January 26, 2020
Great read
Love the character of Damien his voice and personality are hilarious although at times in this book his self flagellation was a bit much.
Love the character of Damien his voice and personality are hilarious although at times in this book his self flagellation was a bit much.
November 8, 2021
All of the problems I had with book three were fixed in this book. Helen was an actual part of the book instead of being sidelined to the plot. Gordon actually had a many growing moments up to be a parent of Damian. The plot was not totally predictable and Damian had to learn to share leadership and that he did not need to be in charge the entire time. He also learned to overcome come his greatest fear which was amazing and lead to him becoming a a better person. Also Amelia had more strength of character then she had showed before in not wanting to sleep with her boyfriend go girl.
Now to the parts that I did not like as well, Sarah seemed to get sidelined she used to be Damian's best friend now she is barely there. Alex and Jess are mentioned in passing I don't even remember them actually doing anything.
Also the romance while this author has many talents on writing she struggles through romance it's sappy and does not add to the overall story, which is about trying to fit in when you are a child of two worlds. While I like both Kat and Damian as people sometimes what Damian says about Kat is so out of character that it does not add to his overall story arc. I like that Damian has someone who supports him and is a villain and I like them both and I like them together just not when that is the focus.
This was a great book and now I want to read the next one.
Now to the parts that I did not like as well, Sarah seemed to get sidelined she used to be Damian's best friend now she is barely there. Alex and Jess are mentioned in passing I don't even remember them actually doing anything.
Also the romance while this author has many talents on writing she struggles through romance it's sappy and does not add to the overall story, which is about trying to fit in when you are a child of two worlds. While I like both Kat and Damian as people sometimes what Damian says about Kat is so out of character that it does not add to his overall story arc. I like that Damian has someone who supports him and is a villain and I like them both and I like them together just not when that is the focus.
This was a great book and now I want to read the next one.
January 24, 2018
Necesito más de ellos 😭😭💜 Damien y Riley son la mejor pareja de superhéroes que puede existir
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