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Empowered #1
Agent
The world says those with superpowers are either heroes or villains. But what if you're both? Mathilda Brandt isn't the angry, out-of-control teenager she was before she got out of jail. She's hungry for a chance at a normal life, but when a gang threatens her sisters, she has no choice but to use her illegal superpower to protect them. A secretive government agency gives her a choice: go back to prison for life, or infiltrate a notorious super-villain group in order to stop a psychotic Empowered. To save her city, her family, and herself, Mat must become the last thing she ever wanted to be again: a criminal. Empowered: Agent is the first book in Dale Ivan Smith's The Empowered urban fantasy series. If you like heroes and villains, you'll love this fast-paced, suspenseful read featuring a strong female hero.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
361 people are currently reading
1011 people want to read
About the author
Dale Ivan Smith
22 books50 followersI love writing fantasy novels, as well as reading, watching and gaming fantasy and science fiction of all kinds. I'm also a librarian for Oregon's largest public library system.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
August 9, 2018
As some of you already know, I was raised on a healthy, well-balanced diet of comic books and cartoon movies. I'm conditioned. I'm always eager to discover new stories about people with superpowers. The Fates (read - Mihir) wanted me to start my SPFBO judging adventure with a book about empowered human beings. I'm cool with that.
Agent focuses on Mat Brands (aka Vine), an angry young woman who wants nothing more than to take care of her family and lead a normal life. Not an easy task for the empowered. Even more complicated for empowered on parole. Despite her best efforts, she ends up with the choice to go back to prison or infiltrate a group of superpowered criminals.
Mat's superpowers aren't very impressive. She is classified as a Botanical Catalyst which is a fancy way of saying she can control plants. She can't stop hearing plants in her mind. She hears them sleep. She hears them suffer and feel when they need water. As someone who loves nature and walking barefoot, I think it's a fantastic power that can enhance the sense of unity with the world around us. On the other hand, speaking with plants and growing them, no matter how fast, isn't going to impress people wowed by real, kick-ass superpowers.
That's one of the reasons why Mat turned rogue in her youth. She was too lame to join the Hero Council and too different to socialise with regular people. Her desire to belong somewhere lead her to join The Renegades - a group of innocuous villains.
Yes, we've all seen it before in YA novels. An alienated and angsty teenager with few aces up her sleeve turns rogue but remains good at heart. It's not new, but it's done well. Mat is headstrong, snarky, and fearless. I enjoyed discovering the world through her eyes, although at times I felt irritated by her explosive behaviour. Behaviour that gets her into a lot of troubles.
The first-person narrative is tricky. The reader becomes aware of the events and characters of the story through the narrator's views and knowledge. First-person POV is an imperfect witness by definition, unable to fully see and comprehend events in their entirety as they unfurl. It can make the story engaging or boring. I liked Mat's voice, but I'm afraid many potential readers may dislike her because of her sometimes immature behaviour.
Secondary characters are somewhat one-dimensional. We have a good and a bad cop (who's actually good), loving grandmother, troubled siblings, insta-hate between female team members that soon turns into friendship, and psychotic villain. All of them feel underdeveloped and slightly flat.
Mat's siblings and they're behaviour is unbelievable (especially sudden change of hearts). Mat's and Keisha insta-hate resulting in name calling grew old very fast and made for an unpleasant eye-rolling experience. Women in fiction need to stop calling each other bitches, especially if it's done million times.
The main villain, Mutter, should be terrifying. Instead, he's ridiculous. His powers are funky and dangerous; I'll give you that. Unfortunately, he's a one-dimensional bad guy who gets high on messing with people's head or pulling the wings off a fly. Call him Mr Psycho. Near the end of the book, Miss Co-Psycho joins Mr Psycho to wreak some havoc and increase the sense of danger. Very surprising. I'm still shocked.
The plot is easily accessible and easy to follow, if slightly predictable. The outcome was easy to guess from the beginning. Some clever twists and turns made up for it, though and allowed me to entertain a certain level of doubt. I saw the ending. I wasn't shocked, but I was entertained. And it's a good thing.
The writing is simple, neat and well edited. It serves the story and never gets in the way. There were two or three similes that feel a bit over the top in a juvenile way, like this one:
Overall, though, the writing is good and easy to follow.
Superpowers are the heart of any superhero story. I'm satisfied with Smith's ideas and their displays. Mat's powers shouldn't be underestimated. Give her some vines and trees, and prepare for the mayhem. There's a speedster who wasn't fast enough, a gal controlling metal and a guy controlling air currents. These powers aren't new, but I enjoyed them anyway. Well done.
In the end, I liked this book. It's not perfect. It has some flaws, weak characterisation being the main one. On the other hand, the story engaged and entertained me. I felt motivated to turn the pages, even when what I saw in my mind's eye was silly. The pacing is excellent, and some action scenes impressed me with vivid imagery. So, despite numerous eye-rolling moments, I plan to continue with the series. It's a great palate cleanser.
Additionally, take into account I'm slowly but inevitably rolling towards my forties. I'm pretty sure that younger audience will be able to identify with Mat in a more intimate way than I.
Agent focuses on Mat Brands (aka Vine), an angry young woman who wants nothing more than to take care of her family and lead a normal life. Not an easy task for the empowered. Even more complicated for empowered on parole. Despite her best efforts, she ends up with the choice to go back to prison or infiltrate a group of superpowered criminals.
Mat's superpowers aren't very impressive. She is classified as a Botanical Catalyst which is a fancy way of saying she can control plants. She can't stop hearing plants in her mind. She hears them sleep. She hears them suffer and feel when they need water. As someone who loves nature and walking barefoot, I think it's a fantastic power that can enhance the sense of unity with the world around us. On the other hand, speaking with plants and growing them, no matter how fast, isn't going to impress people wowed by real, kick-ass superpowers.
That's one of the reasons why Mat turned rogue in her youth. She was too lame to join the Hero Council and too different to socialise with regular people. Her desire to belong somewhere lead her to join The Renegades - a group of innocuous villains.
Yes, we've all seen it before in YA novels. An alienated and angsty teenager with few aces up her sleeve turns rogue but remains good at heart. It's not new, but it's done well. Mat is headstrong, snarky, and fearless. I enjoyed discovering the world through her eyes, although at times I felt irritated by her explosive behaviour. Behaviour that gets her into a lot of troubles.
The first-person narrative is tricky. The reader becomes aware of the events and characters of the story through the narrator's views and knowledge. First-person POV is an imperfect witness by definition, unable to fully see and comprehend events in their entirety as they unfurl. It can make the story engaging or boring. I liked Mat's voice, but I'm afraid many potential readers may dislike her because of her sometimes immature behaviour.
Secondary characters are somewhat one-dimensional. We have a good and a bad cop (who's actually good), loving grandmother, troubled siblings, insta-hate between female team members that soon turns into friendship, and psychotic villain. All of them feel underdeveloped and slightly flat.
Mat's siblings and they're behaviour is unbelievable (especially sudden change of hearts). Mat's and Keisha insta-hate resulting in name calling grew old very fast and made for an unpleasant eye-rolling experience. Women in fiction need to stop calling each other bitches, especially if it's done million times.
The main villain, Mutter, should be terrifying. Instead, he's ridiculous. His powers are funky and dangerous; I'll give you that. Unfortunately, he's a one-dimensional bad guy who gets high on messing with people's head or pulling the wings off a fly. Call him Mr Psycho. Near the end of the book, Miss Co-Psycho joins Mr Psycho to wreak some havoc and increase the sense of danger. Very surprising. I'm still shocked.
The plot is easily accessible and easy to follow, if slightly predictable. The outcome was easy to guess from the beginning. Some clever twists and turns made up for it, though and allowed me to entertain a certain level of doubt. I saw the ending. I wasn't shocked, but I was entertained. And it's a good thing.
The writing is simple, neat and well edited. It serves the story and never gets in the way. There were two or three similes that feel a bit over the top in a juvenile way, like this one:
I felt my anger inside me, like a volcano about to explode
Overall, though, the writing is good and easy to follow.
Superpowers are the heart of any superhero story. I'm satisfied with Smith's ideas and their displays. Mat's powers shouldn't be underestimated. Give her some vines and trees, and prepare for the mayhem. There's a speedster who wasn't fast enough, a gal controlling metal and a guy controlling air currents. These powers aren't new, but I enjoyed them anyway. Well done.
In the end, I liked this book. It's not perfect. It has some flaws, weak characterisation being the main one. On the other hand, the story engaged and entertained me. I felt motivated to turn the pages, even when what I saw in my mind's eye was silly. The pacing is excellent, and some action scenes impressed me with vivid imagery. So, despite numerous eye-rolling moments, I plan to continue with the series. It's a great palate cleanser.
Additionally, take into account I'm slowly but inevitably rolling towards my forties. I'm pretty sure that younger audience will be able to identify with Mat in a more intimate way than I.
April 20, 2017
This was a good read. There was some action, awesome super powers and a nicely paced story. But at the same time it never fully pulled me into the story. Even though I didn't enjoy it as much as I would've liked, there was still a lot that I did enjoy. I was in the mood for a book about superpowers and this book definitely delivered when it came to that. I liked reading about the different superpowers and what was possible with them and there's an awesome scene at the end involving superpowers. The story was also well done and progressed nicely. The book is mostly story driven with less focus on the characters.
The story follows Mat who has been in prison for years and now has a chance to get out, but things aren't that easy and eventually she ends up with the choice to go back to prison or infiltrate a group of criminals. The world is a bit of a harsh one, if you're an empowered, either you never use your power or you have to join the hero council. If you don't pick one of those options you're labeled a criminal.
There are some great scenes in this book. I liked reading about the powers and especially Mathilda's power. She can control plants, which seemed really cool. Although it did make me a bit sad how often she uses/ has to use her powers to hurt or kill plant life. Towards the ending there's this great action packed scene that turns things around and makes me curious where the story will go from there. On the other hand there were also some parts that didn't quite work for me, there's one scene that I skimmed as it was a bit gruesome. But mostly I just didn't feel as invested for the most part of the book. The start and the ending of the book were really good though.
Another one of the issues I had with this book was Mathilda's personality. For the most part I didn't find her a likeable character. She's angry and bitter a lot and often gets angry about small things. I felt like her anger caused more problems than necessary. And I did think she acted realistic, but I didn't really like reading about her and felt like she got angry a bit too often. There's a scene were her anger causes a big problem for them and it just didn't seem worth it as she was there for something more important and almost jeopardized that. The side characters mostly we don't get to know too well or they aren't nice people.
The world building is pretty minimal, we get to know what we need to to understand the story, but I would've liked to know more. That might be just me though as I like lots of world building in books. And here there was only the minimum that was necessary to follow the story. It's a bit of an alternate history type of world, as some things are the same, but there have been wars and events in the past that didn't happen in ours. I couldn't get a good grip of what that war actually was about and the empowered their role in all of this. And things like how and why the empowered exists is something we don't get an answer to either, but I think no one actually knows that. As at the end it's hinted we might figure that out later in the series.
To summarize: I would recommend this one if you're looking for a good story driven book with superpowers. I enjoyed reading this one, but the story never fully grabbed me and I wasn't as invested as I would like. But there were also some really good parts, like the start and the action filled scene at the end and I liked reading about the different superpowers. The main character Mathilda wasn't a likeable character in my opinion. She did seem realistic, I just didn't like reading about her as much. She got angry a bit too often in my opinion and about small things as well, there's even a scene in which her anger caused a problem. I also felt a bit sad about all the plants she had to hurt or kill during the story. There is minimal world building, but there is enough to follow the story. I just like to see the world come alive a bit more and here our knowledge stayed pretty limited. Mostly I did enjoy this one, it just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
The story follows Mat who has been in prison for years and now has a chance to get out, but things aren't that easy and eventually she ends up with the choice to go back to prison or infiltrate a group of criminals. The world is a bit of a harsh one, if you're an empowered, either you never use your power or you have to join the hero council. If you don't pick one of those options you're labeled a criminal.
There are some great scenes in this book. I liked reading about the powers and especially Mathilda's power. She can control plants, which seemed really cool. Although it did make me a bit sad how often she uses/ has to use her powers to hurt or kill plant life. Towards the ending there's this great action packed scene that turns things around and makes me curious where the story will go from there. On the other hand there were also some parts that didn't quite work for me, there's one scene that I skimmed as it was a bit gruesome. But mostly I just didn't feel as invested for the most part of the book. The start and the ending of the book were really good though.
Another one of the issues I had with this book was Mathilda's personality. For the most part I didn't find her a likeable character. She's angry and bitter a lot and often gets angry about small things. I felt like her anger caused more problems than necessary. And I did think she acted realistic, but I didn't really like reading about her and felt like she got angry a bit too often. There's a scene were her anger causes a big problem for them and it just didn't seem worth it as she was there for something more important and almost jeopardized that. The side characters mostly we don't get to know too well or they aren't nice people.
The world building is pretty minimal, we get to know what we need to to understand the story, but I would've liked to know more. That might be just me though as I like lots of world building in books. And here there was only the minimum that was necessary to follow the story. It's a bit of an alternate history type of world, as some things are the same, but there have been wars and events in the past that didn't happen in ours. I couldn't get a good grip of what that war actually was about and the empowered their role in all of this. And things like how and why the empowered exists is something we don't get an answer to either, but I think no one actually knows that. As at the end it's hinted we might figure that out later in the series.
To summarize: I would recommend this one if you're looking for a good story driven book with superpowers. I enjoyed reading this one, but the story never fully grabbed me and I wasn't as invested as I would like. But there were also some really good parts, like the start and the action filled scene at the end and I liked reading about the different superpowers. The main character Mathilda wasn't a likeable character in my opinion. She did seem realistic, I just didn't like reading about her as much. She got angry a bit too often in my opinion and about small things as well, there's even a scene in which her anger caused a problem. I also felt a bit sad about all the plants she had to hurt or kill during the story. There is minimal world building, but there is enough to follow the story. I just like to see the world come alive a bit more and here our knowledge stayed pretty limited. Mostly I did enjoy this one, it just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
August 11, 2019
I'm not a huge fan of the 'former criminal goes undercover working for the police' trope in the first place, but it was still a pretty good read. I was wondering as I was reading the prequel books whether they were going to be really necessary to the plot and I think that if you are planning on reading this I would definitely take a look at them because this book kind of just assumes you know most of the background information. I guess all you REALLY need to know is 'she was in jail and now she's out', but I like having the background information.
I think one of my favorite things about this series are the different powers that everyone has. I've always liked Mat's powers and the different ways in which she can use them and Mutter did some really interesting things with his powers as well. I like when an author takes a power that you would normally not think was very 'useful' and show the creative ways in which it could really mess someone up. Unfortunately the characters themselves seemed a little bit two-dimensional but it was still a very readable story. I would possibly considering continuing the series if it was on Kindle Unlimited or something, but as of now I think I'm just going to leave it here.
I think one of my favorite things about this series are the different powers that everyone has. I've always liked Mat's powers and the different ways in which she can use them and Mutter did some really interesting things with his powers as well. I like when an author takes a power that you would normally not think was very 'useful' and show the creative ways in which it could really mess someone up. Unfortunately the characters themselves seemed a little bit two-dimensional but it was still a very readable story. I would possibly considering continuing the series if it was on Kindle Unlimited or something, but as of now I think I'm just going to leave it here.
August 17, 2019
3.5 stars
January 21, 2017
I was given a copy of this story and I decided to write a review of it because I was so surprised at how good it was, considering how I had thought it was a second cousin to a comic book when I first looked at it. Mat (Mathilda) is a young woman who spent five years in prison for using a superpower without permission. Now she has been released and she wants to behave, but fate doesn't seem to want her to stay on the straight and narrow. She has two younger sisters and a dying grandmother to take care of, and is finding it hard to get a job. To protect her family, she does things she swore she would never do again. She also goes undercover in a rogue organization to get information and things begin to move even faster. There are very few breathing spaces between the action scenes from then on right to the conclusion. The writing is fairly smooth, pulling you along so you are eager to find out what happens next. Still, there are a number of unanswered questions about Support (the group backing Mat in her undercover work), the Scourge (the group Mat is trying to get info on), a new weapon that emerges, and Mat's expanding powers. But I guess that's what the next book is for! This is really a good read and doesn't have a cliffhanger, just questions that I hope are answered in the next book!
July 27, 2017
*Source* Amazon
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Empowered: Agent is the first book in Dale Ivan Smith’s The Empowered urban fantasy series. This series actually begins 5 years from when this story picks up. There is a novella called Renegade that features a 16-year old Mathilda (Mat) Brandt. 16-year old Mat lives in a world where you must make a choice if you have powers. You can either join the Hero Council, or go Rogue. There are no third choices. If you are caught and are not registered with Hero Council, you may very well end up in prison for the rest of your life. Mat, after being captured, was sent away to a special corrections facility for those with powers.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Empowered: Agent is the first book in Dale Ivan Smith’s The Empowered urban fantasy series. This series actually begins 5 years from when this story picks up. There is a novella called Renegade that features a 16-year old Mathilda (Mat) Brandt. 16-year old Mat lives in a world where you must make a choice if you have powers. You can either join the Hero Council, or go Rogue. There are no third choices. If you are caught and are not registered with Hero Council, you may very well end up in prison for the rest of your life. Mat, after being captured, was sent away to a special corrections facility for those with powers.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
December 22, 2021
Mat has worked on the wrong side of the law before, and she'll have to do it again.
But this time she's not doing it by choice, she's being a spy.
While I was never really pulled into the thrall of the story fully, I still enjoyed it.
The book is paced well with action packed scenes and an interesting magic system, however the world building was quite small and at times, non existent. Mat was an average character, she's very flawed and sometimes I was very annoyed which sucked me out of the story.
The whole going undercover thing was really cool.
However, we all flawed so I guess Mat was a very realistic character.
But this time she's not doing it by choice, she's being a spy.
While I was never really pulled into the thrall of the story fully, I still enjoyed it.
The book is paced well with action packed scenes and an interesting magic system, however the world building was quite small and at times, non existent. Mat was an average character, she's very flawed and sometimes I was very annoyed which sucked me out of the story.
The whole going undercover thing was really cool.
However, we all flawed so I guess Mat was a very realistic character.
July 14, 2021
I love when an author can make an anti-hero the hero, and Dale Ivan Smith has done that in this fascinating novel! In an age when Nixon was a successful President and later Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Empowered are either sanctioned or required to foreswear their powers or be imprisoned. Enter Mat, an Empowered recently released from special lock-up for a juvenile crime; add a sick grandmother, twin sisters and the pull of her previous criminal past and you have a brilliantly plotted adventure with interesting characters. This is a perfect way to start this series.
January 25, 2018
Not surprised that still did not really warm up to Matilda/Mat Brandt. She did however sort of redeem herself some but the resolution of her second adventure was too quick and almost too easy at books end.
Kind of anticlimactic after the whole build-up to get there in my opinion.
Kind of anticlimactic after the whole build-up to get there in my opinion.
July 20, 2017
A solid read for a self-published freebie. The world-building is simple but fun; it's not just that Empowered people exist, but it's also an alternate history - one in which Richard Nixon prevented a nuclear war from escalating into global destruction "after Washington DC had been destroyed by a Soviet nuke fired from Cuba." (So I guess Kennedy didn't stop the Soviets...) This only shows up, at least in this book, incidentally, but I am charmed by Nixon being considered a hero in this universe.
Mat is a good character, an interesting woman with a skill - manipulating growing plants - that is clearly much more useful (and lethal) than anyone gives her credit for. The Hero Council choice of "join us if we can use you, otherwise you must swear to never use your power" seems rather terrible to me, a bit of shoddy world-building but I guess it's needed for the plot. Her choices and actions are reasonable, especially as circumstances paint her into a corner. I like that she has a family she cares about, and I also like the lack of romance (though I suspect one is building).
The writing is okay. There are few obvious errors (such as a character being identified by name before Mat would actually know her name) but also few flashes of brilliance. Mostly it's just somewhat flat. I didn't feel particularly pulled along or emotionally invested, and this, plus uneven pacing toward the end, contributed to a general feeling of anticlimax.
Mat is a good character, an interesting woman with a skill - manipulating growing plants - that is clearly much more useful (and lethal) than anyone gives her credit for. The Hero Council choice of "join us if we can use you, otherwise you must swear to never use your power" seems rather terrible to me, a bit of shoddy world-building but I guess it's needed for the plot. Her choices and actions are reasonable, especially as circumstances paint her into a corner. I like that she has a family she cares about, and I also like the lack of romance (though I suspect one is building).
The writing is okay. There are few obvious errors (such as a character being identified by name before Mat would actually know her name) but also few flashes of brilliance. Mostly it's just somewhat flat. I didn't feel particularly pulled along or emotionally invested, and this, plus uneven pacing toward the end, contributed to a general feeling of anticlimax.
May 27, 2018
Amazing Read!
Definitely a 5-star book. Not a superhero story, but surely a book about an angry woman who gets out of prison and has to fight the burdens of being different, in a place where her differences keep her from finding gainful employment to care for her family. Two younger sisters and an ailing grandmother mean the world to her, but how to prove she’s changed and make them proud of her when it seems every circumstance is working against her. This is a problem that plagues most men & women who come out of correctional institutes every day around the world.
And you just might do the unimaginable. Mat is basically forced into using her powers for good this time, while pretending to be bad. But who exactly are the “good” guys these days? Seems to mirror our current culture a bit more than I’d like, but the story is just so real that you feel torn along with the characters.
Fast-paced, descriptive and never a full moment, I flew through this book and have already started the next. Who knew powerful plants could be so stunningly written as characters. Amazing.
Definitely a 5-star book. Not a superhero story, but surely a book about an angry woman who gets out of prison and has to fight the burdens of being different, in a place where her differences keep her from finding gainful employment to care for her family. Two younger sisters and an ailing grandmother mean the world to her, but how to prove she’s changed and make them proud of her when it seems every circumstance is working against her. This is a problem that plagues most men & women who come out of correctional institutes every day around the world.
And you just might do the unimaginable. Mat is basically forced into using her powers for good this time, while pretending to be bad. But who exactly are the “good” guys these days? Seems to mirror our current culture a bit more than I’d like, but the story is just so real that you feel torn along with the characters.
Fast-paced, descriptive and never a full moment, I flew through this book and have already started the next. Who knew powerful plants could be so stunningly written as characters. Amazing.
September 17, 2017
This is the first full instalment in the Empowered series, picking up when Mat has been released from prison (the previous two novellas took us through her empowerment, joining the Renegades, her crime, prison and then release). On her release, however, she discovers that her sisters are involved with a gang - that she knows are really after her - and her gran is sick. But having to avoid all criminals, not use her powers, and behave at all costs - or else risk prison or worse - what can she do?
I really enjoyed this book, and found it well-written, full of great characters that really brought the action to life. It definitely made for an excellent first full instalment in the Empowered series, and I'd highly recommend the series for all fantasy lovers - but definitely read the novellas (Renegade at least) first, so you have a firm grounding in the world of Mat and the Empowered series and it'll all make sense!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
I really enjoyed this book, and found it well-written, full of great characters that really brought the action to life. It definitely made for an excellent first full instalment in the Empowered series, and I'd highly recommend the series for all fantasy lovers - but definitely read the novellas (Renegade at least) first, so you have a firm grounding in the world of Mat and the Empowered series and it'll all make sense!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
September 24, 2017
Not bad, sort of your standard girl with superpowers gets pulled into something she doesn't want to do and then goes about kicking ass and taking names. I thought she was a little too quick to jump to the "I need to kill this guy" stage, but I also felt her conundrum.
I do, however, have to ask such YA heroines always have to be so unfailingly aggressive and unpleasant. And I'm not just talking about Mat either. All the young women who wanted to look tough were just bulldogs with spiky personalities. I swear, you'd think this was the only version of tough authors had ever heard of.
All in all, not bad, just nothing superb or stand-out about it either. It felt a little short on details, considering how long it was, but had enough action not to drag. I'd be willing to read another of the series, but I'm not racing out to buy the sequel either. A solid 3-star read.
I do, however, have to ask such YA heroines always have to be so unfailingly aggressive and unpleasant. And I'm not just talking about Mat either. All the young women who wanted to look tough were just bulldogs with spiky personalities. I swear, you'd think this was the only version of tough authors had ever heard of.
All in all, not bad, just nothing superb or stand-out about it either. It felt a little short on details, considering how long it was, but had enough action not to drag. I'd be willing to read another of the series, but I'm not racing out to buy the sequel either. A solid 3-star read.
November 29, 2017
Vine is not your typical super-spy.
She doesn't have extensive training, lots of high tech spy gear and heavy duty weaponry like Bond or Flint. She does have a sick grandmother, younger twin sisters, and a criminal record which give a world spanning government agency a handle with which to control her. The agency, known by the name "Support," uses their handle to force Vine, A.K.A. Mat, to infiltrate the world's most notorious terrorist organization and maneuver around one of the most deadly and psychopathic Empowered criminals in the world.
If you are fan of either super hero or of spy novels, you will likely enjoy this novel. The plot is intriguing; the characters believable (as long as one accepts the concepts of super powered people); and the action we'll paced. All in all an excellent read.
She doesn't have extensive training, lots of high tech spy gear and heavy duty weaponry like Bond or Flint. She does have a sick grandmother, younger twin sisters, and a criminal record which give a world spanning government agency a handle with which to control her. The agency, known by the name "Support," uses their handle to force Vine, A.K.A. Mat, to infiltrate the world's most notorious terrorist organization and maneuver around one of the most deadly and psychopathic Empowered criminals in the world.
If you are fan of either super hero or of spy novels, you will likely enjoy this novel. The plot is intriguing; the characters believable (as long as one accepts the concepts of super powered people); and the action we'll paced. All in all an excellent read.
January 31, 2017
This was a difficult review to write... I didn't love the book, but I hate it either. I didn't connect with the characters. I couldn't bring myself to care about the main character. The writing was good, the plot was interesting. The story was just okay for me. This was intriguing enough for me to continue. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this first full book in this series, having recently read the prequel novella Renegade that told us the story of how Mathilda "Mat" Brandt got herself into trouble.
Now five years later, she has been released from Special Corrections, a prison for those who are Empowered, or have special powers, but have not become part of the Hero Council, who govern all the Empowered. Mat had one of two choices - join the Hero Council or sign on the dotted line to vow never to use her powers again. She chose the latter. Part of that deal was having a parole officer of sorts, who checks up regularly to make sure she has not crossed to the "dark side" again.
Unfortunately, she does cross that line in order to save herself and her family by extension, so now she is faced with a different set of choices - either infiltrate a dangerous group of rogue Empowered or go back to prison, but this time for life. This time she chooses the first option, although it is not an easy one. She has to pretend to be the bad villain she is portrayed as being just for being a Botanist Catalyst, in other words, being good at feeling and hearing plants, helping them to grow or killing them. Although this power is not deemed as dangerous or even admired, it sure comes in handy at times! With the "help" of her old friend Gus from the Renegades group (from the novella), she manages to get in the group, but soon realises it is not a particular nice group to be a part of.
The leader is a slime ball - no other way to describe him and he gets off on making people suffer. I so wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face so many times. The only other female in the group at the beginning is a nasty piece of work at first and only begins to warm up to Mat when she saves her life. I didn't like Keisha at first, but eventually I came round, understanding how threatened she felt by Mat and her powers, even though she is a powerful Empowered herself. Gus, I couldn't make out at first, until he revealed why he had run away from the Renegades when they were attacked - his explanation all made sense, but what happened to him was just pure evil!
I liked Mat - she's no longer the angry teenager - she now an angry young woman, who is learning to control that anger more often. She really cares for her family and they are the only reason she became a "criminal" once more even if it meant her grandmother would no longer talk to her. I really hope that situation improves in the next book!
Now five years later, she has been released from Special Corrections, a prison for those who are Empowered, or have special powers, but have not become part of the Hero Council, who govern all the Empowered. Mat had one of two choices - join the Hero Council or sign on the dotted line to vow never to use her powers again. She chose the latter. Part of that deal was having a parole officer of sorts, who checks up regularly to make sure she has not crossed to the "dark side" again.
Unfortunately, she does cross that line in order to save herself and her family by extension, so now she is faced with a different set of choices - either infiltrate a dangerous group of rogue Empowered or go back to prison, but this time for life. This time she chooses the first option, although it is not an easy one. She has to pretend to be the bad villain she is portrayed as being just for being a Botanist Catalyst, in other words, being good at feeling and hearing plants, helping them to grow or killing them. Although this power is not deemed as dangerous or even admired, it sure comes in handy at times! With the "help" of her old friend Gus from the Renegades group (from the novella), she manages to get in the group, but soon realises it is not a particular nice group to be a part of.
The leader is a slime ball - no other way to describe him and he gets off on making people suffer. I so wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face so many times. The only other female in the group at the beginning is a nasty piece of work at first and only begins to warm up to Mat when she saves her life. I didn't like Keisha at first, but eventually I came round, understanding how threatened she felt by Mat and her powers, even though she is a powerful Empowered herself. Gus, I couldn't make out at first, until he revealed why he had run away from the Renegades when they were attacked - his explanation all made sense, but what happened to him was just pure evil!
I liked Mat - she's no longer the angry teenager - she now an angry young woman, who is learning to control that anger more often. She really cares for her family and they are the only reason she became a "criminal" once more even if it meant her grandmother would no longer talk to her. I really hope that situation improves in the next book!
October 2, 2021
Finished Strong.
Mathilda Brandt is an ex-con just trying to keep herself clean. Her crime was using her powers to control plants when she was a teenager.
The writing and pacing were good in this book, but I had two issues with it.
The biggest issue was the premise the whole story was built on. In this world, if you have powers, you apply to the government. If the government wants your power, you become a hero and work for them. If the government doesn’t want your powers, you sign an agreement that you can never use your powers again or you end up in prison for life or worse.
If powers were real and you had them, it would be like having another sense or like having another set of limbs. Mathilda can hear the plants calling to her as she goes about her daily business. This premise would be like applying to a government sprinting team, if they want you, you can run for them, but if they don’t want you, you spent the rest of your life in a wheelchair never to walk again. A policy like this is going to make a lot of “criminals”.
Also, if you get a life sentence for using your powers, the moment you make a minor infraction, you are now an outlaw. So, if you are looking at a life sentence or a death sentence at a minimum, what is the motivation for someone to surrender peacefully to law enforcement? It’s a totally illogical premise.
The second problem I had with the first half of the book was Mathilda’s choices. Use her powers to save her younger sisters from being assaulted by gangbangers. Either spy for the government or end up in prison for life. Both weren’t really a choice as 99 out of 100 people would save their families and spy for the government. These are the choices Mathilda makes and then spends pages dwelling on her so-called choices… sigh. The lack of real choices Mathilda has at the beginning of the book makes the story seem very linear.
There is some real potential here, but it feels like the author skip getting a developmental edit which might have added some badly needed nuance to the story.
I struggled hard to get through the first half of the book, but thankfully, the second half got much better. It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
Mathilda Brandt is an ex-con just trying to keep herself clean. Her crime was using her powers to control plants when she was a teenager.
The writing and pacing were good in this book, but I had two issues with it.
The biggest issue was the premise the whole story was built on. In this world, if you have powers, you apply to the government. If the government wants your power, you become a hero and work for them. If the government doesn’t want your powers, you sign an agreement that you can never use your powers again or you end up in prison for life or worse.
If powers were real and you had them, it would be like having another sense or like having another set of limbs. Mathilda can hear the plants calling to her as she goes about her daily business. This premise would be like applying to a government sprinting team, if they want you, you can run for them, but if they don’t want you, you spent the rest of your life in a wheelchair never to walk again. A policy like this is going to make a lot of “criminals”.
Also, if you get a life sentence for using your powers, the moment you make a minor infraction, you are now an outlaw. So, if you are looking at a life sentence or a death sentence at a minimum, what is the motivation for someone to surrender peacefully to law enforcement? It’s a totally illogical premise.
The second problem I had with the first half of the book was Mathilda’s choices. Use her powers to save her younger sisters from being assaulted by gangbangers. Either spy for the government or end up in prison for life. Both weren’t really a choice as 99 out of 100 people would save their families and spy for the government. These are the choices Mathilda makes and then spends pages dwelling on her so-called choices… sigh. The lack of real choices Mathilda has at the beginning of the book makes the story seem very linear.
There is some real potential here, but it feels like the author skip getting a developmental edit which might have added some badly needed nuance to the story.
I struggled hard to get through the first half of the book, but thankfully, the second half got much better. It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
May 25, 2019
Yaay! I have completed yet another SPFBO book!
I first read the Empowered Prequel around a year ago and wanted to read the full-fledged series. I am glad I had the chance to at least read the first book.
It continues off the story where Mathilda Brandt, an imprisoned rare empowered convict is currently on parole from using her plant mastery power against normals. She is struggling feuding with her ungrateful younger sisters who are too busy oggling with gangsters, and her steadfast grandmother Ruth whose health is deteriorating due to an incurable disease.
Her visits with her PO officer Winterfeld are more of a nonstop annoying rant that if she continues to fail getting a new job soon as an excon in a struggling economy where people like her are unwanted, she will return to prison forever.
That is, until she is offered a difficult choice: Join the support forces as a snitch to an underground Empowered terrorist organization and hopefully be promoted to the inner circle, or life in prison.
Mat doesn't like the options she is granted, but if it means saving her family, she is willing to risk herself.
The story might have been done many times before in Urban Fantasy, but Mathilda's mixture between bitterness, high morals and street smarts make her an interesting character. Things would have been so much easier if lesser empowered could use their abilities in the open without fear of arrest as long as they didn't harm others. The world is in disarray and I think things would be far better if people like her could use their rare abilities to find cures for diseases and other useful things instead of being forced to live as shadows of themselves always fearful of getting caught using their powers for even the most menial of mundane things, or join the military, a prospect that might not be too enticing for a teenage girl with anger issues and an ability that the militia don't find to be useful at first sight.
The story is a bit slow to develop, but it reaches a nice conclusion which will entice the reader to continue reading. It is indeed a very fun series.
I first read the Empowered Prequel around a year ago and wanted to read the full-fledged series. I am glad I had the chance to at least read the first book.
It continues off the story where Mathilda Brandt, an imprisoned rare empowered convict is currently on parole from using her plant mastery power against normals. She is struggling feuding with her ungrateful younger sisters who are too busy oggling with gangsters, and her steadfast grandmother Ruth whose health is deteriorating due to an incurable disease.
Her visits with her PO officer Winterfeld are more of a nonstop annoying rant that if she continues to fail getting a new job soon as an excon in a struggling economy where people like her are unwanted, she will return to prison forever.
That is, until she is offered a difficult choice: Join the support forces as a snitch to an underground Empowered terrorist organization and hopefully be promoted to the inner circle, or life in prison.
Mat doesn't like the options she is granted, but if it means saving her family, she is willing to risk herself.
The story might have been done many times before in Urban Fantasy, but Mathilda's mixture between bitterness, high morals and street smarts make her an interesting character. Things would have been so much easier if lesser empowered could use their abilities in the open without fear of arrest as long as they didn't harm others. The world is in disarray and I think things would be far better if people like her could use their rare abilities to find cures for diseases and other useful things instead of being forced to live as shadows of themselves always fearful of getting caught using their powers for even the most menial of mundane things, or join the military, a prospect that might not be too enticing for a teenage girl with anger issues and an ability that the militia don't find to be useful at first sight.
The story is a bit slow to develop, but it reaches a nice conclusion which will entice the reader to continue reading. It is indeed a very fun series.
May 24, 2023
Oh goodness, not another book with a woman main character with an explosive temper to prove they have the ability to do a man's action-adventure urban fantasy (or whatever) story. Third or fourth book in a row and it is getting old. I hope this trope dies soon. Though of all the ones I've read, only this one makes sense - she is YOUNG, and a delinquent who spent time in youth services. She is the model of explosive temper and it works for her. (The Victorian mystery one was absolutely atrocious.)
A villain dragged into being a double-agent in a world where the heroes are part of the status quo. Vibes of the Government is Always right ... but at the same time Is Rebellion always Wrong? What is the difference between rebellion and criminal?
Ivy doesn't have a focus in her life yet, other than keeping her family alive. May the Powers the Be Above save them all if Ivy every learns focus and how to control her temper.
Good mix of powers. Fairly interesting. Her temper gets old for me ... but then, again, four books with explosive tempers in a row so not entirely this manuscripts fault (you think superhero, Victorian mystery, sci-fi, and urban fantsay-murder mystery wouldn't overlap like this - hopefully the next book will break this particular unwelcomed streak).
Overall, above average.
A villain dragged into being a double-agent in a world where the heroes are part of the status quo. Vibes of the Government is Always right ... but at the same time Is Rebellion always Wrong? What is the difference between rebellion and criminal?
Ivy doesn't have a focus in her life yet, other than keeping her family alive. May the Powers the Be Above save them all if Ivy every learns focus and how to control her temper.
Good mix of powers. Fairly interesting. Her temper gets old for me ... but then, again, four books with explosive tempers in a row so not entirely this manuscripts fault (you think superhero, Victorian mystery, sci-fi, and urban fantsay-murder mystery wouldn't overlap like this - hopefully the next book will break this particular unwelcomed streak).
Overall, above average.
January 22, 2017
I loved the complexity and the outcome of this story! Mathilda is a rogue Empowered, a very rare person in this alternate reality and the only survivor of a government attack on her group. Her unique power was manipulating plants of all kinds. She served a few years in prison and then had to swear not to use her powers, ever, in any circumstance. Above all else, Mat wanted to take care of her family, who apparently turned on her for seeming to return to a life of crime. However, the government manipulated her fate and forced her to infiltrate a truly dangerous group for their purposes. She desperately needed to make a friend of a vicious enemy Empowered, then she felt responsible for the woman. Mat’s powers proved the turning point in a multi-layered “game” of betrayal. I am looking forward to more of this author’s writing!
June 1, 2020
I enjoyed the story a lot! It never dragged and kept me interested. My only gripe is all my fault. For some reason I thought this story had some romance elements and kept wondering who the love interest was/when he'd make an appearance. Turns out theres nothing of the sort in these books, which is a bummer because I thought it was going to be so interesting to see if she fell for someone in the bad guy group and the choices she would have to make about that ect. I think a little love interest would have for sure been fun to read about!
I'm SUPER interested in really slow burn romances that arent in your face, so I was excited about Mat and the cute agents interactions were written. no pushy feelings/thoughts about how hot they are ect. I was thinking "Now this is a nice change in pace" and turns out its not gonna go anywhere fun haha. Thats fine though! just threw me for a loop haha
I'm SUPER interested in really slow burn romances that arent in your face, so I was excited about Mat and the cute agents interactions were written. no pushy feelings/thoughts about how hot they are ect. I was thinking "Now this is a nice change in pace" and turns out its not gonna go anywhere fun haha. Thats fine though! just threw me for a loop haha
October 13, 2017
Interesting take on super powered baddies...
I enjoyed this novel immensely. The angry young woman forced into infiltrating a group of bad guys to protect her family isn't all that new but this author added super powers to the good guys and the bad guys and made it way more interesting! Mat is newly released from prison for using her unsanctioned powers when she gets forced into spying on the group in her area by the government. She does it to protect her family and stay out of prison. It's a wild ride to the end and I couldn't put down the story!
I enjoyed this novel immensely. The angry young woman forced into infiltrating a group of bad guys to protect her family isn't all that new but this author added super powers to the good guys and the bad guys and made it way more interesting! Mat is newly released from prison for using her unsanctioned powers when she gets forced into spying on the group in her area by the government. She does it to protect her family and stay out of prison. It's a wild ride to the end and I couldn't put down the story!
June 5, 2022
Mat is an unsanctioned empowered human just released from prison in a world dominated by super heroes. As part of her parole, she is tasked with infiltrating a criminal gang called the Scourge. She unwillingly takes the job hoping to improve living conditions for her sisters and obtain medicine for her grandmother. But she has to go undercover to do this and act like the renegade she used to be, but be smarter. Can she survive the nutcase in charge of her cell? Will she be able to do all of what is asked of her? Read the tale and find out!
May 31, 2017
A very different take on super heroes (and villains)
I was very intrigued when I read the description of this book, and it didn't disappoint. It's a very different take on the superhero genre, one in which the heroes control the powers and the only other choice is to be a villain. I look forward to reading the next.
My only issue with the book is a pet peeve of mine. There's an odd lack of contractions at times, which takes me out of the story a bit.
I was very intrigued when I read the description of this book, and it didn't disappoint. It's a very different take on the superhero genre, one in which the heroes control the powers and the only other choice is to be a villain. I look forward to reading the next.
My only issue with the book is a pet peeve of mine. There's an odd lack of contractions at times, which takes me out of the story a bit.
March 13, 2020
Great Beginning!
This was a book that made me mad throughout all of it. Not at the book, but at the circumstances of the main character and thus world. There's heroes and villains, but the heroes act like villains and the villains could be heroes. The way that this world treats the main character is infuriating! But..., I could not stop until I finished this book. Yes I felt upset but I was intrigued. So now it looks like I'll be moving on to the next book. Give it a try.
This was a book that made me mad throughout all of it. Not at the book, but at the circumstances of the main character and thus world. There's heroes and villains, but the heroes act like villains and the villains could be heroes. The way that this world treats the main character is infuriating! But..., I could not stop until I finished this book. Yes I felt upset but I was intrigued. So now it looks like I'll be moving on to the next book. Give it a try.
July 5, 2020
Only those that have wanted powers, get to keep their powers, not Mattie, with her unwanted “plant” powers.
Mat, or Mattie as she liked to be called, is fresh out of jail for trying to fight to keep her powers. She’s shunned by humans, and the “hero” powered people alike. No one to give her a job, 2 baby twin sisters, and a sick gran to care for make it impossible to “go straight.” She knew it’d be hard, but not this hard.
Mat, or Mattie as she liked to be called, is fresh out of jail for trying to fight to keep her powers. She’s shunned by humans, and the “hero” powered people alike. No one to give her a job, 2 baby twin sisters, and a sick gran to care for make it impossible to “go straight.” She knew it’d be hard, but not this hard.
November 16, 2021
I read this book for free and won't be reading others unless they are also free. The story is a mixed bag. I had trouble with the main character; she was incredibly whiny and full of self-pity. Finally, a little more than half way through, the story became more focused.
I did read the whole book. The premise is intriguing, if not totally unique. It has possibilities, but I'm still not total engaged with the main character.
I did read the whole book. The premise is intriguing, if not totally unique. It has possibilities, but I'm still not total engaged with the main character.
February 1, 2017
The good and bad of Super powers
An intriguing story around an alternative world and family values
The characters are great and draw you into the story along with them
The ending leaves you wanting to get to the next book to find out what will happen next
"I was gifted this ebook and willingly give this my honest review"
An intriguing story around an alternative world and family values
The characters are great and draw you into the story along with them
The ending leaves you wanting to get to the next book to find out what will happen next
"I was gifted this ebook and willingly give this my honest review"
July 23, 2017
I loved this book -supernatural in a different way
Excellent story. I was captivated from the beginning. Mat is trying to stay out of trouble. Trouble seems to find her. She is angry, trapped and special. The book reminded me of the lengths we will go to help and protect the ones we love. I felt sad for Mat, worried & excited. Really different story. Starting book 2
Excellent story. I was captivated from the beginning. Mat is trying to stay out of trouble. Trouble seems to find her. She is angry, trapped and special. The book reminded me of the lengths we will go to help and protect the ones we love. I felt sad for Mat, worried & excited. Really different story. Starting book 2
January 28, 2018
Exciting , entertaining read
A different take on superheroes and their gifts. Mat must infiltrate a villainous cell in order to find out what its leader is planning. A well written, exciting story that keeps you gripped from the start. You relate to some of the characters and some you love to hate. Well worth a read.
A different take on superheroes and their gifts. Mat must infiltrate a villainous cell in order to find out what its leader is planning. A well written, exciting story that keeps you gripped from the start. You relate to some of the characters and some you love to hate. Well worth a read.
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