What do you think?
Rate this book
Powerless #1
Powerless
Note: This is an alternate cover for the edition with ISBN 9781301455171.
My name is Martin Molloy. I haven't used my powers in almost two decades. I've been a night security guard for four years and not had a panic attack for nearly ten months.
Then my old teammate and best friend Vincent is murdered by another power. My carefully constructed solitude crumbles around me as the Police, the Powered Crime Agency and the rest of the team search for answers.
All I want is to find out who killed him without having to dredge up too much pain from the past, but when the super-powered killer comes after me, all I'm left with are nightmares.
My name is Martin Molloy. I haven't used my powers in almost two decades. I've been a night security guard for four years and not had a panic attack for nearly ten months.
Then my old teammate and best friend Vincent is murdered by another power. My carefully constructed solitude crumbles around me as the Police, the Powered Crime Agency and the rest of the team search for answers.
All I want is to find out who killed him without having to dredge up too much pain from the past, but when the super-powered killer comes after me, all I'm left with are nightmares.
ebook
First published January 12, 2013
78 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Tony Cooper
26 books22 followersTony Cooper was born and raised in Scotland. He followed the traditional route of becoming a writer/artist by studying Medicine then making videogames for 16 years.
His grimdark urban fantasy superhero series is currently at three books, POWERLESS, KILLING GODS and DIE FAMOUS, and a tie-in comic book SOME KIND OF HERO.
He also created the graphic novel THE MURDER CLUB: USELESS DEATHS, a psychological thriller about a pair of schoolkids who plot to kill a fellow student.
He has also release a collection of dark short stories titled "The Resurrection Tree and Other Stories", and the science fiction comedy novella "Higgs & Soap: Galaxy Delivery".
His grimdark urban fantasy superhero series is currently at three books, POWERLESS, KILLING GODS and DIE FAMOUS, and a tie-in comic book SOME KIND OF HERO.
He also created the graphic novel THE MURDER CLUB: USELESS DEATHS, a psychological thriller about a pair of schoolkids who plot to kill a fellow student.
He has also release a collection of dark short stories titled "The Resurrection Tree and Other Stories", and the science fiction comedy novella "Higgs & Soap: Galaxy Delivery".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 26, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!
As mentioned in other reviews, there are quite a few typos in the first few chapters of the printed book. Mr. Cooper seemed aware of them as he also sent me a code for a free copy of the revised eBook edition along with the book. They were annoying at the start, but faded away towards the middle and end of the novel.
Powerless is a very dark, gritty, and British version of Disney's Incredibles. This is a world where people are born with super powers, all sorts. In the beginning, these 'powereds' helped society, fought crime, and were respected heroes. Then, because of violent clashes and dangerous behavior from these super human beings, the government required powereds to register their alter egos and abilities in a database so that they could be monitored. Next, they are required to declare their super powers to any potential employers and special prisons are built to hold powered people who break laws. Their rights begin to deteriorate further...
The narration switches back and forth from an event that occurred in 1993 and a murder in the 'present day' of 2012 which could have been annoying but was actually a great way to build suspense along both story lines. I felt that the author didn't introduce the, rather large, cast of characters very thoroughly. I kept scrambling to remember who was which hero name/regular name and what powers belonged to which person.
Cooper likes to include layered details of the settings throughout the story. When he describes a room, he highlights everything from the window treatments to the lighting to the metal type of the trash can in the corner. I think that this style of writing would be more conducive to a non-action novel. During the attack scenes, I wanted a flowing sequence rather than break after break to explain what the hallway looked like or where the bathroom was in relation to the front door.
As for the story itself, I felt like it took awhile to build momentum, but by the beginning of the end, I just had to know what happened next. I was really cheering for Martin/Roadblock to figure out the mystery, reclaim his inner hero, and beat the bad guy. For a super hero story, a reader couldn't ask for much more than that.
There were some very disturbing scenes in this book so I would definitely recommend it for the adult reader. If you like to read about good vs evil, super heroes, or people reclaiming inner strength that they have thought that they lost through traumatic events or simply time, you may enjoy Powerless.
As mentioned in other reviews, there are quite a few typos in the first few chapters of the printed book. Mr. Cooper seemed aware of them as he also sent me a code for a free copy of the revised eBook edition along with the book. They were annoying at the start, but faded away towards the middle and end of the novel.
Powerless is a very dark, gritty, and British version of Disney's Incredibles. This is a world where people are born with super powers, all sorts. In the beginning, these 'powereds' helped society, fought crime, and were respected heroes. Then, because of violent clashes and dangerous behavior from these super human beings, the government required powereds to register their alter egos and abilities in a database so that they could be monitored. Next, they are required to declare their super powers to any potential employers and special prisons are built to hold powered people who break laws. Their rights begin to deteriorate further...
The narration switches back and forth from an event that occurred in 1993 and a murder in the 'present day' of 2012 which could have been annoying but was actually a great way to build suspense along both story lines. I felt that the author didn't introduce the, rather large, cast of characters very thoroughly. I kept scrambling to remember who was which hero name/regular name and what powers belonged to which person.
Cooper likes to include layered details of the settings throughout the story. When he describes a room, he highlights everything from the window treatments to the lighting to the metal type of the trash can in the corner. I think that this style of writing would be more conducive to a non-action novel. During the attack scenes, I wanted a flowing sequence rather than break after break to explain what the hallway looked like or where the bathroom was in relation to the front door.
As for the story itself, I felt like it took awhile to build momentum, but by the beginning of the end, I just had to know what happened next. I was really cheering for Martin/Roadblock to figure out the mystery, reclaim his inner hero, and beat the bad guy. For a super hero story, a reader couldn't ask for much more than that.
There were some very disturbing scenes in this book so I would definitely recommend it for the adult reader. If you like to read about good vs evil, super heroes, or people reclaiming inner strength that they have thought that they lost through traumatic events or simply time, you may enjoy Powerless.
May 7, 2021
A "gritty" superhero world with all colors of gray, the central character struggles with PTSD and trying to remain a good man. The challenge is as a Power, he wants to support law and order -- and law and order has decided that Powers should remain Powerless. He was willing to obey the law, until a friend is murdered and he seems to be the next target.
No one in this story is wonderful and sweet and heroic. Heroes, to be heroes, fight against incredible odds. Odds where they can lose ... badly. Martin had been a small-time hero, than a big-time hero, then ... and then the public changed the law and he went into hiding.
Now a friend from his time as a hero has died, and Martin's hero complex demands he figure out the reason even though his power is muscles, not brain. His friend with the brain had died. Can he pull it off without a panic attack or being attacked?
Triggers abound in here. One of the villains is a mind-manipulator, and the author presented it a way four-color comics on the newspaper rack in 7-11 never could.
No one in this story is wonderful and sweet and heroic. Heroes, to be heroes, fight against incredible odds. Odds where they can lose ... badly. Martin had been a small-time hero, than a big-time hero, then ... and then the public changed the law and he went into hiding.
Now a friend from his time as a hero has died, and Martin's hero complex demands he figure out the reason even though his power is muscles, not brain. His friend with the brain had died. Can he pull it off without a panic attack or being attacked?
Triggers abound in here. One of the villains is a mind-manipulator, and the author presented it a way four-color comics on the newspaper rack in 7-11 never could.
July 21, 2022
2.5 stars
Rather more original than the usual superhero offering, this is more of a murder and thriller novel than a story about superheroes. The narrative is very gritty, and considers the possibility of what can happen if all the members of a superhero team don't actually get along with each other.
Why only 2.5 stars? In too many places it feels as though the author has dipped into the Stephen King style of dramatic effects, with exaggerated descriptions of senseless violence that goes on for too long. Regrettably, this detracts from the story, and it degenerates into a literal 'bloody mess'. Some of the plot lines also don't make a lot of sense, most notably Charles' apparent fear at being outed; by 2012 this was no longer a big deal, and his paranoia is actually more than just a bit irritating.
I felt that the author opted for dramatic effect rather than a balanced storyline, which is disappointing.
Rather more original than the usual superhero offering, this is more of a murder and thriller novel than a story about superheroes. The narrative is very gritty, and considers the possibility of what can happen if all the members of a superhero team don't actually get along with each other.
Why only 2.5 stars? In too many places it feels as though the author has dipped into the Stephen King style of dramatic effects, with exaggerated descriptions of senseless violence that goes on for too long. Regrettably, this detracts from the story, and it degenerates into a literal 'bloody mess'. Some of the plot lines also don't make a lot of sense, most notably Charles' apparent fear at being outed; by 2012 this was no longer a big deal, and his paranoia is actually more than just a bit irritating.
I felt that the author opted for dramatic effect rather than a balanced storyline, which is disappointing.
December 1, 2022
Darker super hero story
The powers of the characters are interesting and the plot twists around the super hero group versus a villain with incredible mental powers is somewhat engaging. The use of present tense for chapters set in the past and past tense for chapters occurring in the present is a format that I personally don't care for. I also found it hard to reconcile the anti hero sentiments of the present with the wide variety of social and economic status the former heroes now enjoy. The story itself is an interesting take on what happens when a successful super hero group privately implodes followed shortly after by society turning against the use of super powers. I plan on reading book2 and hopefully will enjoy it.
The powers of the characters are interesting and the plot twists around the super hero group versus a villain with incredible mental powers is somewhat engaging. The use of present tense for chapters set in the past and past tense for chapters occurring in the present is a format that I personally don't care for. I also found it hard to reconcile the anti hero sentiments of the present with the wide variety of social and economic status the former heroes now enjoy. The story itself is an interesting take on what happens when a successful super hero group privately implodes followed shortly after by society turning against the use of super powers. I plan on reading book2 and hopefully will enjoy it.
June 13, 2021
Workers' DistrictVisitors' Center, PresentVisitors' Center, PastResidential District Elementary SchoolFactory Radio TowerLab Complex, PresentLab Complex, Past Lab Complex BasementShipping YardAdministration OfficesMaterial Storage Rail Line Underground RailwayControl TowerLift RideDormitory Revert Tunnels Railway Control Tower Trainyard Central Docks Railway Bridge Docks Pearl, Top Deck and Bridge Pearl, Barracks Pearl, Cargo Bay E99 Processing Complex Morgue Hydroelectric PlantPlant Control Tower Abandoned Tunnels Processing Complex E99 CookerSingularity LabsReceptionWorkstationFinal
June 7, 2022
This book has two timelines 1993 and 2012. The actions from the pasts haunt our former heroes in the future. In 1993 a lot of real hero action happens and in 2012 everything is slower, more routine. I kind of liked the idea, but the writing is so 2012. Very stiff, little comedy and a who-done-it plot with the police being useless...
Also killers motivation to kill would not work in 2022. I don't wish to spoil, but you know what I mean when you read it. Such a reason would be considered insanity today. Powerless aged like milk.
Also killers motivation to kill would not work in 2022. I don't wish to spoil, but you know what I mean when you read it. Such a reason would be considered insanity today. Powerless aged like milk.
July 24, 2018
Tried this one,this one tried to be too much like The Incredibles on a small budget.
I could not really get into it
I could not really get into it
August 13, 2019
Cooper's world-building and intricate plot make this a must-read for superhero fans looking for something a bit on the dark side.
December 4, 2021
Oh I really loved this. Great world building and a really interesting plot. The characters were well developed and interesting to see how the story played out
April 7, 2022
Quite a good book. Some good plot twists and storyline. Some of the characters felt a little too unlikeable and unsympathetic. 4/5
May 30, 2023
Enjoyable read with a couple of caveats. There is a rape scene and there is a story arc which does not make too much sense nowadays.
September 28, 2023
Wow, a very dark, gritty and very English superhero adventure. Fantastic stuff.
September 15, 2025
Prepare yourself for a traumatic journey into the past and present of a retired Super Hero.
Tony Cooper writes a hero story like none other,filled with dread and desperation at every turn.
The beginning of this tale may be slow to some but is worth every second.
Tony Cooper writes a hero story like none other,filled with dread and desperation at every turn.
The beginning of this tale may be slow to some but is worth every second.
June 30, 2016
Powerless is a British version of superhero's. Focusing on Martin, a former hero who now had panic attacks and is just trying to lead a normal life until a close friend of his is murdered by another super.
The plot is basic murder mystery, but it flashes back to 1993 and certain events that happen back then which caused The Pulse superhero team to split up and relates to what happened to Martin's friend's death.
While the book plods along, it is given in first person, in this case Martin's view point. Due to this there is no real descriptions of any of the characters, nor do you know any of the other hero's alternative names. It was hard to get a real grip on any of the characters, of course that could have been the point, to see how much Martin had chosen to distance himself from the team to be normal.
The action scenes are fine, although this is very much a who dun it type of mystery so there is more focus on that than anything else.
The plot is basic murder mystery, but it flashes back to 1993 and certain events that happen back then which caused The Pulse superhero team to split up and relates to what happened to Martin's friend's death.
While the book plods along, it is given in first person, in this case Martin's view point. Due to this there is no real descriptions of any of the characters, nor do you know any of the other hero's alternative names. It was hard to get a real grip on any of the characters, of course that could have been the point, to see how much Martin had chosen to distance himself from the team to be normal.
The action scenes are fine, although this is very much a who dun it type of mystery so there is more focus on that than anything else.
May 10, 2015
I got this book through Goodreads giveaways.
When I read a book, I need the drive to read on. When I read a book, and I start reading again with reluctance, it's not a book for me. There were a lot of details in the book, too much for me. People who like a lot of details about the environment, this might be a book for you, but personally, I just want a good story and I want to be captivated by the book. This one didn't do that.
I also didn't like the time-jumps. I was a little captivated at the end of a chapter, and the next chapter was in another time. So I didn't really like that either.
So I'm really sorry to say that I didn't get to finish the book, I just couldn't bring myself to read on. However, there certainly is a public for this book. And I have respect for every writer, so that's why I still give a 2 out of 5.
When I read a book, I need the drive to read on. When I read a book, and I start reading again with reluctance, it's not a book for me. There were a lot of details in the book, too much for me. People who like a lot of details about the environment, this might be a book for you, but personally, I just want a good story and I want to be captivated by the book. This one didn't do that.
I also didn't like the time-jumps. I was a little captivated at the end of a chapter, and the next chapter was in another time. So I didn't really like that either.
So I'm really sorry to say that I didn't get to finish the book, I just couldn't bring myself to read on. However, there certainly is a public for this book. And I have respect for every writer, so that's why I still give a 2 out of 5.
August 22, 2014
I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of Powerless by Tony Cooper as part of Goodreads First Reads. The premise of the book is very interesting and I could not wait to get started.
Unfortunately, the book was only mildly great. There are some excellent moments and a lot of action sequences that were very exciting. However the beginning of the book slowly plods along and it's hard to get involved in most of the characters. I found myself struggling to remember who each person was and what their hero name was or even if they were "powered".
As the story unfolded, things picked up a bit and it finished out well enough. If you can get through the first quarter of the book then it's quite an enjoyable tale. If you can't handle a slow start, this probably isn't the book for you.
Unfortunately, the book was only mildly great. There are some excellent moments and a lot of action sequences that were very exciting. However the beginning of the book slowly plods along and it's hard to get involved in most of the characters. I found myself struggling to remember who each person was and what their hero name was or even if they were "powered".
As the story unfolded, things picked up a bit and it finished out well enough. If you can get through the first quarter of the book then it's quite an enjoyable tale. If you can't handle a slow start, this probably isn't the book for you.
August 10, 2014
This is a very good story, once you get used to the chapters basically alternating between past and present. I've read many superhero novels and this is one of the better ones. Not sure I want to read a sequel, though. And the editing is poor, even taking into account the differences between American and British English.
August 24, 2014
A decent and interesting plot that is spoilt by too many grammatical and spelling errors that even a half decent proof reader would pick up on. These occur virtually every other page and affect the enjoyment of the book because you keep being brought back from the world of the story because a certain sentence won't make sense because of the errors.
September 10, 2016
I'm reading the 3rd edition, got more pages than this one I chose, unexpected ending
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews