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Superior
A superhero's intern falls in love with a supervillain's apprentice in this star-crossed LGBT YA story from The Book Smugglers.
Here's the thing about being a superhero intern: there's a lot less crime fighting than you think there will be, what with the whole liability issue and the administrative headache of constantly monitoring the Heroic Help Hotline. The most action that Jamie sees happens when he is kidnapped by the supervillain of the week--and then waits for his boss, Captain Superior, to show up and rescue him. Again.
On his most recent nabbing, Jamie gets to meet Tad, Terrorantula's new villainous apprentice. Even though they are supposed to be on opposite sides (or are they?), sparks fly almost immediately. So, when Tad offers to give Jamie much-needed self-defense classes, how could Jamie pass the opportunity to hang out with the coolest (and hottest) guy he knows?
But Tad has a secret--one that threatens the budding relationship between the two teenage sidekicks, and could destroy Captain Superior forever.
Here's the thing about being a superhero intern: there's a lot less crime fighting than you think there will be, what with the whole liability issue and the administrative headache of constantly monitoring the Heroic Help Hotline. The most action that Jamie sees happens when he is kidnapped by the supervillain of the week--and then waits for his boss, Captain Superior, to show up and rescue him. Again.
On his most recent nabbing, Jamie gets to meet Tad, Terrorantula's new villainous apprentice. Even though they are supposed to be on opposite sides (or are they?), sparks fly almost immediately. So, when Tad offers to give Jamie much-needed self-defense classes, how could Jamie pass the opportunity to hang out with the coolest (and hottest) guy he knows?
But Tad has a secret--one that threatens the budding relationship between the two teenage sidekicks, and could destroy Captain Superior forever.
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First published August 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
September 9, 2016
Well HELLO there…A superhero story that doesn’t focus on the superhero?! *grins ear to ear* Count me in! I stumbled across this story last weekend by chance and I’m over the moon happy that I did. Countless hours of clicking around amazon paid off.
This short story has everything I love about superhero/supervillain tales. We have the humor, flirty banter, ridiculous hero names, friendship, and blurry lines between good & evil. I loved it! Where have you been all of my life Jessica Lack? :D
Welcome to Urbanopolis! A city filled with citizens living day to day alongside supers and villains. Jaime is our fun, sarcastic guide through Urbanopolis and Captain Superior’s
”I leer a bit and wiggle my eyebrows, just to test the waters. Tad finally cracks a small smile. “Are you trying to pick me up?” he asks.
“Is it working?”
“You remember that I’m part of the reason you’re tied up, right?”
“Kinky.”
Tad’s expression is a little bit pained and a little bit amused; it’s a good look on him. “Your Stockholm Syndrome is worrying.”
I loved Jaime’s voice! His fast, flip, sarcastic mouth made me smirk and giggle at page one. The hilarious *snap*back and forth banter fuels this fast moving story through action, revenge, and kisses! I adored it all. This gem made my
So grab your cape and jump in! I can’t wait for more from Ms. Lack.
Highly recommended.
August 22, 2016
THAT WAS THE CUTEST THING I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME. If you loved Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, you'll love this quirky, funny novella about a bi boy interning for a superhero and then falling in love with a supervillain's apprentice. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It's short! It's sweet! You'll laugh! You'll be happy! Seriously. Go buy it. It's $1.99 on ebook retailers. You have nothing to lose.
March 20, 2020
rep: bi half-Japanese mc, mlm li
THAT'S SOME CUTE SHIT MY GUYS
altho the mc is just like, horny on main at all times
THAT'S SOME CUTE SHIT MY GUYS
altho the mc is just like, horny on main at all times
Read
August 20, 2016We publish it and it's out today *\o/* - a supercute Gay YA romance between a superhero intern and a supervillain apprentice.
We have a giveaway on Amazon right now: https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/3d726ac...
We have a giveaway on Amazon right now: https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/3d726ac...
May 29, 2023
People in Urbanopolis are used to dealing with weird stuff. When half the population gets turned into farm animals, or the shopping mall starts levitating and firing laser cannons, that’s just, like, a typical Thursday.
This was so cute. Little bit angsty, super adorable and just what I needed today!
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because I desperately wanted it to be longer!
This was so cute. Little bit angsty, super adorable and just what I needed today!
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because I desperately wanted it to be longer!
April 26, 2017
I WOULD READ 200,000 WORDS OF THIS
June 27, 2017
4.5 stars
This was everything and I need a full-length novel of this.
This was everything and I need a full-length novel of this.
July 30, 2017
This was so much fun!
It was an interesting approach to the Superhero task and the impact these personalities have in everyday's life for people. It was very reminiscent of Civil War, in a way, if you want. Only with some ridiculously questionable villains; but I liked the idea of not really idolizing heroes, of making them just as much "people" as everyone else, showing that they are not excusable, no matter how much good they may bring.
Also, the thing between Jamie and Tad! Even in such short time, it was really engaging and entertaining... It may have appeared a tiny bit rushed (again, the story was too short), but the development was very nice.
A pleasant short reading for those of us who like superhero stuff and cute boys' stories.
It was an interesting approach to the Superhero task and the impact these personalities have in everyday's life for people. It was very reminiscent of Civil War, in a way, if you want. Only with some ridiculously questionable villains; but I liked the idea of not really idolizing heroes, of making them just as much "people" as everyone else, showing that they are not excusable, no matter how much good they may bring.
Also, the thing between Jamie and Tad! Even in such short time, it was really engaging and entertaining... It may have appeared a tiny bit rushed (again, the story was too short), but the development was very nice.
A pleasant short reading for those of us who like superhero stuff and cute boys' stories.
March 24, 2017
That was a super quick and adorable story.
I liked how the author is like 'No one is totally bad or totally good, we're all in-between' because that's the way we are in real life. The super hero did bad things for 'the greater good' and the super villain doesn't hesitate to save children.
I liked the way the relationship between Jamie and Tad evolved, even though I would have loved a bit more, because that's just a novella and I'm pretty sure it would make a great full-length novel. It felt a bit rushed sometimes, but as I said, what can you expect from a novella ?
But overall it was cute, and I would totally recommend it to everyone.
3.75
I liked how the author is like 'No one is totally bad or totally good, we're all in-between' because that's the way we are in real life. The super hero did bad things for 'the greater good' and the super villain doesn't hesitate to save children.
I liked the way the relationship between Jamie and Tad evolved, even though I would have loved a bit more, because that's just a novella and I'm pretty sure it would make a great full-length novel. It felt a bit rushed sometimes, but as I said, what can you expect from a novella ?
But overall it was cute, and I would totally recommend it to everyone.
3.75
November 5, 2018
Can this short story really live up to its awesome premise? Yes, yest it can, but it needed to be longer in order to create more tension. Still, I look forward to more from this author.
September 1, 2016
Basically this book is about two guys falling in love and that's it. Yes, it's cute. The world building is meh, the dilemma is weak to the point that I have read this before in fan-fiction. Luckily I love fan-fiction so this didn't bother me. The love was sort of insta love but hey 56 pages I can live with it. All in all I enjoyed this but I must warn if you're not into love/m+m stories I wouldn't recommend.
October 15, 2016
This book has EVERYTHING I could ever ask for in my L(G)BT novels. Super powers? Check. Funny writing? Check. Gorgeous cover art? Check. Drama? CHECK!! My only grievance with this story is that it's NOT A FULL NOVEL! I went into it being excited that it was so short but I wish there was at least another...200 pages to explore the characters that I immediately fell in love with. The ending was rushed, mostly because of the nature of the short story, but it made me happy nonetheless.
September 20, 2016
This was adorable.
More thoughts: http://ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org/20...
More thoughts: http://ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org/20...
June 3, 2017
this was super cute and really great i would like 50 more please
February 13, 2017
This was so much fun! <333 If you're in the mood for a short superhero story that doesn't take itself too seriously, while also being surprisingly full of heart, pick this up.
March 21, 2017
I absolutely loved this novella!
Superior is adorable story about superhero's intern Jamie and the villain's intern Tad. Lots of sweet and heartfelt moments. The optimistic tone of the story is precious. Also I like the concept of "ordinary humans' life in city full of superheroes and villains". I like this take on popular superhero trope.
The romance is sweet and swoon-worthy. I like these kids;)
I adore this story. I need more.
The actual rating is 4.5 stars.
Superior is adorable story about superhero's intern Jamie and the villain's intern Tad. Lots of sweet and heartfelt moments. The optimistic tone of the story is precious. Also I like the concept of "ordinary humans' life in city full of superheroes and villains". I like this take on popular superhero trope.
The romance is sweet and swoon-worthy. I like these kids;)
I adore this story. I need more.
The actual rating is 4.5 stars.
August 6, 2017
This was so cute!!! Just wish it'd been a lot longer.
September 8, 2020
Usually i dont read books this short but this one sold me with its witty narration and the easy to digest story. Also intern as a superhero? A really good concept!
July 30, 2018
43a Leitura do Ano:
É incrível a minha capacidade de simplesmente sair à esmo pelo site da Amazon, tropeçar em histórias que eu NUNCA ouvir falar, cair apaixonado por elas... E nunca ter ninguém para pirar comigo, em modo fanboy. Posso citar vários exemplos que ainda me machucam - tipo Superhero, da Eli Easton - mas o nome mais recente desta lista é nada mais nada menos que Superior, de Jessica Lack.
O que me chamou a atenção, em primeiro lugar, foi a capa. Tão colorida, e com um traço maravilhoso, que eu tinha que saber mais sobre o quê o livro iria falar... E quanto mais eu descobria sovre ela, mais eu precisava ler. Afinal, não é todo dia que vemos uma novela sobre super heróis que traz a narrativa de um siderkick com um ajudante de super vilão. E este é apenas o ponta pé inicial de uma narrativa fantástica que me cativou do começo ao fim.
Pra começar, apesar do mundo em que a história se passa ser dominado pela tuma dos uniformes coloridos de lycra, o foco da autora é totalmente nos ajudantes e nas pessoas comuns. A forma cotidiana como todos os personagens lidam com os "super problemas" é engraçada e sensacional - sem falar na coragem da novela em tirar todo o glamour de se lidar com os heróis e em como nem sempre os caras de capa são as figuras mais admiráveis do mundo. Muito longe disto.
Então, nós temos Jamie. O protagonista é tão bem humorado e lida com o seu trabalho de um jeito tão único e ultra carismático que não tem como não ficar investido na narrativa logo de cara. Daí vem a forma como conhece Tad, e como ambos lidam com o fato de que estão em lados opostos da "justiça", e tudo de um jeito tão crível e adorável e - acima de tudo - real... Não tinha como não torcer pelos dois. Eu simplesmente estava em um montanha russa sem cinto, e adorando cada momento.
Mesmo sendo uma novela muito bem desenvolvida e que se encerra em si mesma sem deixar pontas soltas, eu não queria que o livro acabasse. Na verdade, queria passar mais tempo com os personagens - seja através de mais paginas ou mesmo de uma continuação... Pois estava conectado desta forma com este mundo. Mas, como a vida não é justa, Superior não é um volume de 500 páginas. E tudo o que me restou foi aceitar este fato - já imensamente feliz por ter tido a oportunidade de conhecer esta história.
É incrível a minha capacidade de simplesmente sair à esmo pelo site da Amazon, tropeçar em histórias que eu NUNCA ouvir falar, cair apaixonado por elas... E nunca ter ninguém para pirar comigo, em modo fanboy. Posso citar vários exemplos que ainda me machucam - tipo Superhero, da Eli Easton - mas o nome mais recente desta lista é nada mais nada menos que Superior, de Jessica Lack.
O que me chamou a atenção, em primeiro lugar, foi a capa. Tão colorida, e com um traço maravilhoso, que eu tinha que saber mais sobre o quê o livro iria falar... E quanto mais eu descobria sovre ela, mais eu precisava ler. Afinal, não é todo dia que vemos uma novela sobre super heróis que traz a narrativa de um siderkick com um ajudante de super vilão. E este é apenas o ponta pé inicial de uma narrativa fantástica que me cativou do começo ao fim.
Pra começar, apesar do mundo em que a história se passa ser dominado pela tuma dos uniformes coloridos de lycra, o foco da autora é totalmente nos ajudantes e nas pessoas comuns. A forma cotidiana como todos os personagens lidam com os "super problemas" é engraçada e sensacional - sem falar na coragem da novela em tirar todo o glamour de se lidar com os heróis e em como nem sempre os caras de capa são as figuras mais admiráveis do mundo. Muito longe disto.
Então, nós temos Jamie. O protagonista é tão bem humorado e lida com o seu trabalho de um jeito tão único e ultra carismático que não tem como não ficar investido na narrativa logo de cara. Daí vem a forma como conhece Tad, e como ambos lidam com o fato de que estão em lados opostos da "justiça", e tudo de um jeito tão crível e adorável e - acima de tudo - real... Não tinha como não torcer pelos dois. Eu simplesmente estava em um montanha russa sem cinto, e adorando cada momento.
Mesmo sendo uma novela muito bem desenvolvida e que se encerra em si mesma sem deixar pontas soltas, eu não queria que o livro acabasse. Na verdade, queria passar mais tempo com os personagens - seja através de mais paginas ou mesmo de uma continuação... Pois estava conectado desta forma com este mundo. Mas, como a vida não é justa, Superior não é um volume de 500 páginas. E tudo o que me restou foi aceitar este fato - já imensamente feliz por ter tido a oportunidade de conhecer esta história.
August 20, 2016
Oh my, this was absolutely adorable, sweet, and funny. Just the right fluffy shortie for in between longer reads and when you need a pick me up.
Despite the light tone and the snark and humour that shines through the first person narration and despite the short length, Superior has surprisingly much depth.
This book pays homage to superhero/villain stories and what I really love is that it not only plays with its expectations and tropes but also shows both love for these stories and adds a nice little twist to our perception. Superior doesn’t promote a black and white world view and that’s something that I really, really appreciate.
The romance between the two boys is absolutely sweet and I think it is well-developed and believable. I love the intimacy between them, the tenderness, but since there’s also banter and some conflict, I find it very well-balanced. Something that I thought was also really well done is that the book feels sexy and hot without actually going there. It was just right and those kisses… Man! Wow, just wow.
I do think, however, that this book should have been longer. More world building would have been great and it felt rushed in parts.
But I do recommend it. Definitely a good read and I think this publisher is one that I will keep an eye on.
______________________
Genre: romance, YA, short story
Tags: superheroes
Rating: 4 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love Romance
Despite the light tone and the snark and humour that shines through the first person narration and despite the short length, Superior has surprisingly much depth.
This book pays homage to superhero/villain stories and what I really love is that it not only plays with its expectations and tropes but also shows both love for these stories and adds a nice little twist to our perception. Superior doesn’t promote a black and white world view and that’s something that I really, really appreciate.
The romance between the two boys is absolutely sweet and I think it is well-developed and believable. I love the intimacy between them, the tenderness, but since there’s also banter and some conflict, I find it very well-balanced. Something that I thought was also really well done is that the book feels sexy and hot without actually going there. It was just right and those kisses… Man! Wow, just wow.
I do think, however, that this book should have been longer. More world building would have been great and it felt rushed in parts.
But I do recommend it. Definitely a good read and I think this publisher is one that I will keep an eye on.
______________________
Genre: romance, YA, short story
Tags: superheroes
Rating: 4 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love Romance
March 22, 2017
Jamie é um estagiário de um super heroi e Tad de um super vilão; eles se conhecem durante um confronto entre os "chefes" e rola um clima entre os dois. A história não tem profundidade, mas a proposta não é essa mesmo. É uma perspectiva diferente sobre super herois e como seria se eles fossem algo comum (tão comum que tem estagiário).
A narrativa sarcástica e bem adolescente whatever do Jamie foi divertida de ler e os momentos de romance foram fofinhos.
Não acho que é o tipo de história que vai fazer diferença na sua vida, mas pode te deixar felizinho por ter lido. Não seria minha primeira opção pra recomendar, mas gostei :)
A narrativa sarcástica e bem adolescente whatever do Jamie foi divertida de ler e os momentos de romance foram fofinhos.
Não acho que é o tipo de história que vai fazer diferença na sua vida, mas pode te deixar felizinho por ter lido. Não seria minha primeira opção pra recomendar, mas gostei :)
February 7, 2017
Hilarious, cute and perfectly ridiculous.
June 20, 2018
A teen interning for a superhero begins to fall in love with a teen interning for a supervillain in this m/m romance story. Who wouldn't be intrigued by that premise? I certainly was and I wasn't disappointed; it was SO cute. Despite only being 50 pages long, the romance didn't feel rushed and the plot felt well-developed. The characters came to life on the page and Jamie, the protagonist, was funny and sarcastic in equal measures. Would highly recommend for a short, fun pride month read.
December 31, 2016
Short and sweet novella about an intern/sidekick working for a local superhero. Cute m/m romance, snarky but earnest main character, cool mom character that I'd honestly like to read more about. I'm keeping my eye out for more by the author!
February 9, 2021
Rep: East Asian bi mc, gay li
September 14, 2016
Okay, that was so fucking adorable.
October 27, 2016
cuteness :')
September 20, 2018
Super fun
This short story was a blast to read. It’s not grounded in reality and I didn’t care. Go go interns. 4.0 for mustard guns.
This short story was a blast to read. It’s not grounded in reality and I didn’t care. Go go interns. 4.0 for mustard guns.
January 31, 2017
I love this concept!!
So essentially, a superhero's intern/apprentice meets a villain's intern/apprentice and they fall for each other. Jamie (the superhero's intern) knows his job inside and out. He knows he's going to be kidnapped and used as a pawn to draw the attention of Captain Superior, but he's okay with that. During one of his almost regularly scheduled kidnappings at the hands of Terrorantula, he meets Tad, the villanous intern, and he's hot. It's forbidden, but they can't help themselves.
Over the story, Jamie has to consider whether Tad is actually evil or not. He has to deal with the decisions Tad makes and the consequences of them, and decide whether persuing something with him is something he can actually do.
I loved Superior, and I kind of wish it wasn't just a novella.
It's surprisingly sweet, but maybe I'm just a sucker for a M/M romance where they're on opposite sides.
So essentially, a superhero's intern/apprentice meets a villain's intern/apprentice and they fall for each other. Jamie (the superhero's intern) knows his job inside and out. He knows he's going to be kidnapped and used as a pawn to draw the attention of Captain Superior, but he's okay with that. During one of his almost regularly scheduled kidnappings at the hands of Terrorantula, he meets Tad, the villanous intern, and he's hot. It's forbidden, but they can't help themselves.
Over the story, Jamie has to consider whether Tad is actually evil or not. He has to deal with the decisions Tad makes and the consequences of them, and decide whether persuing something with him is something he can actually do.
I loved Superior, and I kind of wish it wasn't just a novella.
It's surprisingly sweet, but maybe I'm just a sucker for a M/M romance where they're on opposite sides.
July 18, 2017
2.5 stars.
This story was too short, waaayy too short. Although I enjoyed the premise and characters, I just wish the story had been further fleshed out. It was fun enough to read, but overall I just wanted more
This story was too short, waaayy too short. Although I enjoyed the premise and characters, I just wish the story had been further fleshed out. It was fun enough to read, but overall I just wanted more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews