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Action Figures #6
Power Play
One of our super-heroes is missing.
It took a devastating attack on Kingsport to reunite the Hero Squad, but their reunion proves short-lived after Lightstorm vanishes following the battle, leaving the team without its most powerful member at the worst possible time.
Damage Inc. is back and more dangerous than ever, thanks to the mysterious mastermind known only as the Foreman arming them with enough firepower to take on the Hero Squad — but for what sinister purpose? The Squad is determined to find out, but the answers could cost them dearly.
Psyche takes center stage for this game-changing chapter in the Action Figures saga, which includes the bonus short story, Action Figures – Live Free or Die.
This is when everything changes!
It took a devastating attack on Kingsport to reunite the Hero Squad, but their reunion proves short-lived after Lightstorm vanishes following the battle, leaving the team without its most powerful member at the worst possible time.
Damage Inc. is back and more dangerous than ever, thanks to the mysterious mastermind known only as the Foreman arming them with enough firepower to take on the Hero Squad — but for what sinister purpose? The Squad is determined to find out, but the answers could cost them dearly.
Psyche takes center stage for this game-changing chapter in the Action Figures saga, which includes the bonus short story, Action Figures – Live Free or Die.
This is when everything changes!
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2017
9 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Michael C. Bailey
29 books35 followersMichael C. Bailey is a professional writer from Falmouth, Massachusetts who kind of hates writing bios.
Michael has been a working writer since 1998 when he simultaneously (and at the same time) sold his first freelance article to Renaissance Magazine and landed a job as a staff reporter for the Enterprise Newspapers. Michael recently ended his time at the Enterprise to focus on his creative writing.
Over the years Michael has contributed several more articles to Renaissance Magazine and other local publications, and has since 2004 been a staff writer for two New England-based renaissance faire production companies: Pastimes Entertainment and the Connecticut Renaissance Faire.
In September 2013, Michael's debut novel "Action Figures" became available on Amazon.com.
Michael has been a working writer since 1998 when he simultaneously (and at the same time) sold his first freelance article to Renaissance Magazine and landed a job as a staff reporter for the Enterprise Newspapers. Michael recently ended his time at the Enterprise to focus on his creative writing.
Over the years Michael has contributed several more articles to Renaissance Magazine and other local publications, and has since 2004 been a staff writer for two New England-based renaissance faire production companies: Pastimes Entertainment and the Connecticut Renaissance Faire.
In September 2013, Michael's debut novel "Action Figures" became available on Amazon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 28, 2017
For readers- a good read, for the author a critical review.
If you're a reader who's gotten to this point read this book. It's as good a the rest of the series.
Now stop reading this review because there will be spoilers.
.
.
.
Now for the critical review. This is reallyjust for the author. It's not going to be complimentary since it's a critical review and by nature focuses on everything that wasn't done right, or could have been done better or may have been an odd choice.
This is done by to discourage the author but as more of a "this is something that you should put some thought into or maybe work on." It is in noway meant to be insulting or offensive to the author.
Let's start with the structure. The structure of the book is fine and dandy. Except for the was it affects the this part of the series.
In the fourth book the author performed what I think of as a format screw in which they changed from a first person protagonist/ third person supporting character into an every character gets first person perspective because hey screw it. Upon reading this book it became clear that this was to help setup Sara as a second protagonist for when the author put Carrie on a bus, in addition to helping to flesh out the rest of the characters.
This justifies a questionable choice of novel order. I feel (and this is purely subjective, so take with a grain of salt) that it would have been better to have book six be about carrie finding space, reinforcing her status as protagonist and allowing a solid representation of the space politics to cover an entire book. The next book would essentially be the book I just read. The theoretical book eight would this be able to follow the drama and events which happen on earth without having a "meanwhile elsewhere" interlude. This would ensure that the events on earth would be fresh In The readers mind when they were reading the book rather then what happened two books ago.
When you include the apparent Rip van Winkle that Carrie has gone through part of me fears the author may choose to only dedicate half of a book on a potential space adventure, which would feel like a wasted opportunity for the author to dip thier toe in a different genre.
On a different issues I would like to point out that the beginning of the book starts out with a massive volley of idiot balls.
Not only are the experienced hero only too happy to leave a nationally broadcasted treasure trove of alien technology virtually unguarded but the professional paranoids in the national guard were fine with them doing it. This could have been easily avoided by the aliens arrogantly assuring the "primitive naked apes" that they had things well in hand, or the guardsmen arrogant officer claiming he didn't need or want any filthy metahumans any near his duty station. A paragraph or two would have sufficed. But nope instead everyone looks like a fat happy sheep walking to the slaughter. Additionally the author fail to make any mention of the astrama of the dead vanguardian. No I assume the alien recovered it, or there were gouges in the hands which indicated the mysterious organisation had stolen those as well. Because apparently nobody could care about the alien artifact which give one of the main characters thier power and have proven to be removable. Nothing to worry about there right? Just skim on past and nobody will notice.
Another thing for the author to consider is the mysterious organisation. Especially thier motives. The organisation has been too big of an influence to have thier motives limited to money or power. They need an ideal. A driving force that justifies in thier eyes all the horrors they commit. Simple greed and ambition are motive for gangs and thugs like manticore and the land sharks. Sharona and her group need a cause which matches thier competence and passion. Intruly hope the author manages to write them well because screwjng them up could ruin whichever book they come to light in.
As a overall review for the author I would like to say the author writes well and knows thier limits. They waited until the fifth book in the series before they started to experiment with thier writing which shows they put the time in to getting a solid foundation on the fundamentals which is an excellent indicator of a author who will only improve with time. I truly hope to see at least five more books from this series (space adventure, homecoming, a couple of books on the organisation and another book where the hero squad graduates from the protectorate and becomes a mature team on thier own with government contacts and all)
Best regards, LC
If you're a reader who's gotten to this point read this book. It's as good a the rest of the series.
Now stop reading this review because there will be spoilers.
.
.
.
Now for the critical review. This is reallyjust for the author. It's not going to be complimentary since it's a critical review and by nature focuses on everything that wasn't done right, or could have been done better or may have been an odd choice.
This is done by to discourage the author but as more of a "this is something that you should put some thought into or maybe work on." It is in noway meant to be insulting or offensive to the author.
Let's start with the structure. The structure of the book is fine and dandy. Except for the was it affects the this part of the series.
In the fourth book the author performed what I think of as a format screw in which they changed from a first person protagonist/ third person supporting character into an every character gets first person perspective because hey screw it. Upon reading this book it became clear that this was to help setup Sara as a second protagonist for when the author put Carrie on a bus, in addition to helping to flesh out the rest of the characters.
This justifies a questionable choice of novel order. I feel (and this is purely subjective, so take with a grain of salt) that it would have been better to have book six be about carrie finding space, reinforcing her status as protagonist and allowing a solid representation of the space politics to cover an entire book. The next book would essentially be the book I just read. The theoretical book eight would this be able to follow the drama and events which happen on earth without having a "meanwhile elsewhere" interlude. This would ensure that the events on earth would be fresh In The readers mind when they were reading the book rather then what happened two books ago.
When you include the apparent Rip van Winkle that Carrie has gone through part of me fears the author may choose to only dedicate half of a book on a potential space adventure, which would feel like a wasted opportunity for the author to dip thier toe in a different genre.
On a different issues I would like to point out that the beginning of the book starts out with a massive volley of idiot balls.
Not only are the experienced hero only too happy to leave a nationally broadcasted treasure trove of alien technology virtually unguarded but the professional paranoids in the national guard were fine with them doing it. This could have been easily avoided by the aliens arrogantly assuring the "primitive naked apes" that they had things well in hand, or the guardsmen arrogant officer claiming he didn't need or want any filthy metahumans any near his duty station. A paragraph or two would have sufficed. But nope instead everyone looks like a fat happy sheep walking to the slaughter. Additionally the author fail to make any mention of the astrama of the dead vanguardian. No I assume the alien recovered it, or there were gouges in the hands which indicated the mysterious organisation had stolen those as well. Because apparently nobody could care about the alien artifact which give one of the main characters thier power and have proven to be removable. Nothing to worry about there right? Just skim on past and nobody will notice.
Another thing for the author to consider is the mysterious organisation. Especially thier motives. The organisation has been too big of an influence to have thier motives limited to money or power. They need an ideal. A driving force that justifies in thier eyes all the horrors they commit. Simple greed and ambition are motive for gangs and thugs like manticore and the land sharks. Sharona and her group need a cause which matches thier competence and passion. Intruly hope the author manages to write them well because screwjng them up could ruin whichever book they come to light in.
As a overall review for the author I would like to say the author writes well and knows thier limits. They waited until the fifth book in the series before they started to experiment with thier writing which shows they put the time in to getting a solid foundation on the fundamentals which is an excellent indicator of a author who will only improve with time. I truly hope to see at least five more books from this series (space adventure, homecoming, a couple of books on the organisation and another book where the hero squad graduates from the protectorate and becomes a mature team on thier own with government contacts and all)
Best regards, LC
April 22, 2018
Another excellent installment
This is just an excellent superhero series. The characters care about each other, the plot moves along nicely, and everyone continues to grow and develop. If you liked the last several you’ll enjoy this one as well. We get a different main characters point of view in this version and Sarah has her own issues to overcome including the disappearance of her best friend.
If I had any criticism it is that Sarah’s internal voice is very similar to Carrie’s. You think after all she’s going through she be a little bit different. Nonetheless fun stuff and I’ll probably jump right into the issue seven.
This is just an excellent superhero series. The characters care about each other, the plot moves along nicely, and everyone continues to grow and develop. If you liked the last several you’ll enjoy this one as well. We get a different main characters point of view in this version and Sarah has her own issues to overcome including the disappearance of her best friend.
If I had any criticism it is that Sarah’s internal voice is very similar to Carrie’s. You think after all she’s going through she be a little bit different. Nonetheless fun stuff and I’ll probably jump right into the issue seven.
September 13, 2020
One of my favourite hero series
I didn’t think I’d like the story without Carrie but this was actually great. Sarah and Matt have become stars. Would love a book just spotlighting Missy though. She needs to do more.
I didn’t think I’d like the story without Carrie but this was actually great. Sarah and Matt have become stars. Would love a book just spotlighting Missy though. She needs to do more.
March 15, 2017
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I had been anxiously awaiting this issue of Action Figures, especially given what happened to Carrie at the end of the previous book. Would it be told from her perspective? Would it deal with the characters left behind? Maybe a blend of both?
I was really pleased to hear the story told from Sara "Psyche" Danvers's viewpoint. She's Carrie's best friend, so she's got a lot of insight into the way Carrie thinks, and that translates well into her narration. Her struggles as the new team leader seem quite genuine as she realizes how heavy the mantle of responsibility can be.
While the stories are still about teens, they're getting "grittier" as the teens mature into adulthood - and there's a feeling of lost innocence at various points in the book, especially when tough, but necessary, decisions are made.
And although this is ultimately a superhero series, I very much like that the real story is about the growth of the characters. They're all quite relatable, and Michael Bailey captures that struggle quite well.
Now, I'm looking forward to the 7th book!
I had been anxiously awaiting this issue of Action Figures, especially given what happened to Carrie at the end of the previous book. Would it be told from her perspective? Would it deal with the characters left behind? Maybe a blend of both?
I was really pleased to hear the story told from Sara "Psyche" Danvers's viewpoint. She's Carrie's best friend, so she's got a lot of insight into the way Carrie thinks, and that translates well into her narration. Her struggles as the new team leader seem quite genuine as she realizes how heavy the mantle of responsibility can be.
While the stories are still about teens, they're getting "grittier" as the teens mature into adulthood - and there's a feeling of lost innocence at various points in the book, especially when tough, but necessary, decisions are made.
And although this is ultimately a superhero series, I very much like that the real story is about the growth of the characters. They're all quite relatable, and Michael Bailey captures that struggle quite well.
Now, I'm looking forward to the 7th book!
March 21, 2017
I wasn't sure how I was going to enjoy this story, the first in the series not told from the perspective of Carrie "Lightstorm" Hauser, a character I've come to know and love ... but then, I've come to know and love ALL the characters in Mike Bailey's sizable arsenal, so I needn't have worried.
With Carrie out in space doing her galactic thing, focus switches to Sara "Psyche" Danvers, Carrie's best friend, who is left to pick up the pieces after a devastating attack on Kingsport by an alien force. While holding together what's left of the Hero Squad, they come to the decision that the time for secret identities is over - and oh boy, does that open a can of worms. But the story doesn't stop there. Bailey has a LOT going on in this story, and the action is almost non-stop from beginning to end. This is probably the most serious book in the series (except perhaps Book Four).
I can't help but wonder where the series goes from here. But I'll be waiting in line for the next installment!
With Carrie out in space doing her galactic thing, focus switches to Sara "Psyche" Danvers, Carrie's best friend, who is left to pick up the pieces after a devastating attack on Kingsport by an alien force. While holding together what's left of the Hero Squad, they come to the decision that the time for secret identities is over - and oh boy, does that open a can of worms. But the story doesn't stop there. Bailey has a LOT going on in this story, and the action is almost non-stop from beginning to end. This is probably the most serious book in the series (except perhaps Book Four).
I can't help but wonder where the series goes from here. But I'll be waiting in line for the next installment!
November 29, 2023
3rd reading- this time I want to give it 2 stars. It was probably the momentum of the previous books that had me rating it so highly in the first place. It feels like the adults connected to the main cast took an idiot pill or something. Or maybe, it just feels like that because I'm more of an age with those adults rather than the teenagers who are the protagonists of this story? This story felt like the classic adults are useless, kids must save the world plot.
April 18, 2017
Oh my gosh, what a ride! This book is told in the perspective of Sara, but I still love Carrie more. Sara is more serious and at the same time took longer to grow up than Carrie and the others did. She's still trying to atone and that's commendable but it became rapidly boring. I would prefer a book told in the perspective of Missy.
But hey all the characters are awesome, even some of the villain!
The series is worth the money I spent on it.
But hey all the characters are awesome, even some of the villain!
The series is worth the money I spent on it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews