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The Resonant Duology #1
The Nobody People
When a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities comes out of hiding, their clash with a violent society will spark a revolution—or an apocalypse.
Avi Hirsch has always known his daughter was different. But when others with incredible, otherworldly gifts reveal themselves to the world, Avi realizes that her oddness is something more—that she is something more. With this, he has a terrifying revelation: Emmeline is now entering a society where her unique abilities unfairly mark her as a potential threat. And even though he is her father, Avi cannot keep her safe forever.
Emmeline soon meets others just like her: Carrie Norris, a teenage girl who can turn invisible . . . but just wants to be seen. Fahima Deeb, a woman with an uncanny knack for machinery . . . but it’s her Muslim faith that makes the U.S. government suspicious of her.
They are the nobody people—ordinary individuals with extraordinary gifts who want one only thing: to live as equals in an America that is gripped by fear and hatred. But the government is passing discriminatory laws. Violent mobs are taking to the streets. And one of their own—an angry young man seething with self-loathing—has used his power in an act of mass violence that has put a new target on the community. The nobody people must now stand together and fight for their future, or risk falling apart.
The first book of a timely two-part series, The Nobody People is a powerful novel of love and hope in the face of bigotry that uses a world touched by the fantastic to explore our current reality. It is a story of family and community. It is a story of continuing to fight for one another, no matter the odds. It is the story of us.
Avi Hirsch has always known his daughter was different. But when others with incredible, otherworldly gifts reveal themselves to the world, Avi realizes that her oddness is something more—that she is something more. With this, he has a terrifying revelation: Emmeline is now entering a society where her unique abilities unfairly mark her as a potential threat. And even though he is her father, Avi cannot keep her safe forever.
Emmeline soon meets others just like her: Carrie Norris, a teenage girl who can turn invisible . . . but just wants to be seen. Fahima Deeb, a woman with an uncanny knack for machinery . . . but it’s her Muslim faith that makes the U.S. government suspicious of her.
They are the nobody people—ordinary individuals with extraordinary gifts who want one only thing: to live as equals in an America that is gripped by fear and hatred. But the government is passing discriminatory laws. Violent mobs are taking to the streets. And one of their own—an angry young man seething with self-loathing—has used his power in an act of mass violence that has put a new target on the community. The nobody people must now stand together and fight for their future, or risk falling apart.
The first book of a timely two-part series, The Nobody People is a powerful novel of love and hope in the face of bigotry that uses a world touched by the fantastic to explore our current reality. It is a story of family and community. It is a story of continuing to fight for one another, no matter the odds. It is the story of us.
481 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2019
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5402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
March 8, 2021
The Nobody People by Bob Proehl
I didn't realize I was venturing into reading territory that isn't a good fit for me. Although I enjoyed the characters of Avi Hirsch and his much more than just precocious daughter, Emmeline, this story contained too many juvenile elements for me. I've never been a comic book lover although I can be fond of many role playing games. I think the book has a lot of good elements going for it but I'm the wrong person for the book. Possibly if the story wasn't so big, with so much going on in it, I could have enjoyed it more.
Published September 3rd 2019
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.
I didn't realize I was venturing into reading territory that isn't a good fit for me. Although I enjoyed the characters of Avi Hirsch and his much more than just precocious daughter, Emmeline, this story contained too many juvenile elements for me. I've never been a comic book lover although I can be fond of many role playing games. I think the book has a lot of good elements going for it but I'm the wrong person for the book. Possibly if the story wasn't so big, with so much going on in it, I could have enjoyed it more.
Published September 3rd 2019
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 10, 2019
Update: Book #2 The Somebody People will be out in the fall of 2020!
Original review:
Holy crap.
This was AMAZERBEAMS!!!
There's an X-Men kind of feel to it while Proehl still manages to keep it fresh, exciting and all his own.
I really hope with how this ends it means we will be hearing more from Fahima, Emmeline, and the other characters he created. Otherwise I am gonna be mighty pissed!
Much love to Bob Proehl for my signed ARC received at BookCon! It was amazing to have the opportunity to chat with you and I appreciate you posing for a ridiculous picture with a My Little Pony.
Original review:
Holy crap.
This was AMAZERBEAMS!!!
There's an X-Men kind of feel to it while Proehl still manages to keep it fresh, exciting and all his own.
I really hope with how this ends it means we will be hearing more from Fahima, Emmeline, and the other characters he created. Otherwise I am gonna be mighty pissed!
Much love to Bob Proehl for my signed ARC received at BookCon! It was amazing to have the opportunity to chat with you and I appreciate you posing for a ridiculous picture with a My Little Pony.
September 3, 2019
Bob Proehl brings striking realism to this extraordinary story, delving into the notion of otherness with nuance and complexity. With an ensemble cast of badass, cool-as-hell, and deeply human characters, The Nobody People is a super-fun ride and a timely tale of love, hate, and everything in between.
June 14, 2019
The Nobody People by Bob Proehl is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This has good world building in that some kids are now forced out of being isolated. It is assumed by the government. Why is let to the imagination, we don't first know what is special with these kids or what they might do to them. It builds up the suspense. I liked it but they had so many kids telling their story at first. Good teen and pre teen book!
June 27, 2021
The Nobody People by Bob Proehl is the first book in the science fiction fantasy The Resonant Duology. The tale is one that’s a take on comic book type super heroes set in a world that shuns those with the unique abilities.
The nobody people in the book are those who have some type of special ability and they are known to the world as the Resonants. A reporter named Avi has been asked by the Resonants to help them announce their presence to the world. But Avi has a young daughter who has powers herself and he fears what may happen to her.
I actually read this first book of The Resonant Duology quite a while ago and it’s one review I kept putting off because honestly I just don’t like writing them when I didn’t care much for the book. I was curious to pick up a super hero story expecting maybe a ton of action but my take on this was it was slow and just not very engaging to me at all. I always have that fear with lengthy fantasy type of reads so perhaps it was just me but I won’t be continuing the duology myself.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The nobody people in the book are those who have some type of special ability and they are known to the world as the Resonants. A reporter named Avi has been asked by the Resonants to help them announce their presence to the world. But Avi has a young daughter who has powers herself and he fears what may happen to her.
I actually read this first book of The Resonant Duology quite a while ago and it’s one review I kept putting off because honestly I just don’t like writing them when I didn’t care much for the book. I was curious to pick up a super hero story expecting maybe a ton of action but my take on this was it was slow and just not very engaging to me at all. I always have that fear with lengthy fantasy type of reads so perhaps it was just me but I won’t be continuing the duology myself.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 4, 2019
It’s been a staple of science fiction for decades: the notion that that there are those among us with special abilities. Mutants is the term in X-men. Heroes was the term in the tv show of that title that ran for four seasons. Here, they are called resonants and they are born with special abilities that manifest as they get older. This book posits a special secret school for those with enhanced abilities. And, they have a shared inner world called a Hive where they communicate sort of like Card’s Ender.
And, there are good resonants who want to help the world and angry bitter ones who want to burn the world up. And, a third side of the battle with Homeland Security rounding up these strange beings and putting them in camps in the desert before someone goes Beserk and swallows a city.
It’s well told, initially through the point of view of Avi, a reporter who aims to tell their story and discovers his daughter is one. The focus is on how these new people are strangers in a strange land and how uncomfortable and scared everyone is of them and their powers.
And, there are good resonants who want to help the world and angry bitter ones who want to burn the world up. And, a third side of the battle with Homeland Security rounding up these strange beings and putting them in camps in the desert before someone goes Beserk and swallows a city.
It’s well told, initially through the point of view of Avi, a reporter who aims to tell their story and discovers his daughter is one. The focus is on how these new people are strangers in a strange land and how uncomfortable and scared everyone is of them and their powers.
August 12, 2019
3.5 Stars
I saw another review where someone referred to this as having a very X-Men feel to it and after reading and considering it, I couldn't agree more which I was thrilled about. The X-Men were some of my favorite movies and comics (and cartoons!) growing up.
I need to start by saying, there is a lot going on in this story as it is told in multiple point of views but if you hang in there and stick with it, it does get easier to navigate and keep track of.
And while there are similarities to other stories out there, some from long ago, this story did hold it's own. Very action packed and full of diverse characters and situations that I think most readers will love.
My biggest complaint is the pacing of the story which tended to drag at times and all the multiple point of views could get confusing if you weren't keeping track and paying attention. While the story was engaging even with the slower pacing, the ending was a bit of a shock. As others have mentioned it didn't end so much as just completely stop. As in someone put on the brakes and left so much unsaid, undone, and untold.
I know that book two will hopefully start where this left off and answers all those things left unsaid but it was a bit jarring but will definitely make readers want to pick up book two when it comes out.
Having said all that, I do think this was a rather good start to a series that I think will appeal to a lot of comic books dystopian, action/adventures readers that are looking for something new but not too new or overdone.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I saw another review where someone referred to this as having a very X-Men feel to it and after reading and considering it, I couldn't agree more which I was thrilled about. The X-Men were some of my favorite movies and comics (and cartoons!) growing up.
I need to start by saying, there is a lot going on in this story as it is told in multiple point of views but if you hang in there and stick with it, it does get easier to navigate and keep track of.
And while there are similarities to other stories out there, some from long ago, this story did hold it's own. Very action packed and full of diverse characters and situations that I think most readers will love.
My biggest complaint is the pacing of the story which tended to drag at times and all the multiple point of views could get confusing if you weren't keeping track and paying attention. While the story was engaging even with the slower pacing, the ending was a bit of a shock. As others have mentioned it didn't end so much as just completely stop. As in someone put on the brakes and left so much unsaid, undone, and untold.
I know that book two will hopefully start where this left off and answers all those things left unsaid but it was a bit jarring but will definitely make readers want to pick up book two when it comes out.
Having said all that, I do think this was a rather good start to a series that I think will appeal to a lot of comic books dystopian, action/adventures readers that are looking for something new but not too new or overdone.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
September 3, 2019
Should be five books instead...
Wow, there is a *lot* going on in The Nobody People.
There's enough material here for a full series. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are at least five separate storylines, and each one of those storylines could be its own novel.
Right now, the episodic presentation of the characters' stories feels rushed and incomplete. We get synopses of major events in characters' lives, but these should be expanded considerably. In particular, I really would have liked to read an entire novel about Fahima's backstory. Expanding that small section could make for a fantastic read!
I was interested in the bits and pieces that we got of these different storylines, and I wanted to know more about these characters. Unfortunately, it seems like a mistake to try to fit such an expansive tale into a single ~500 page novel. I'm glad there is going to be at least one sequel because maybe some of the holes will be filled in!
Thanks to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this novel, which will be available for purchase on September 3rd.
Wow, there is a *lot* going on in The Nobody People.
There's enough material here for a full series. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are at least five separate storylines, and each one of those storylines could be its own novel.
Right now, the episodic presentation of the characters' stories feels rushed and incomplete. We get synopses of major events in characters' lives, but these should be expanded considerably. In particular, I really would have liked to read an entire novel about Fahima's backstory. Expanding that small section could make for a fantastic read!
I was interested in the bits and pieces that we got of these different storylines, and I wanted to know more about these characters. Unfortunately, it seems like a mistake to try to fit such an expansive tale into a single ~500 page novel. I'm glad there is going to be at least one sequel because maybe some of the holes will be filled in!
Thanks to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this novel, which will be available for purchase on September 3rd.
October 1, 2019
Couldn't get into it really, lot of skimming. Sort of the X-Men with even more angst and political baggage. I guess if you're up for the lecture you may enjoy it. It does show the worst side of human nature which is accurate I suppose. There's no denying the negative here I'm just not sure it would (will?) be this bad.
If it is that is too sad to imagine...only of course we do.
So to each their own here maybe you'll like it more than me. As I've said about other books, my life has been (and in some way is) hard enough. I really don't need more added angst. So X-Men type plot (bigots hate mutants and government passes "Mutant-Jim Crow" Laws).
If it is that is too sad to imagine...only of course we do.
So to each their own here maybe you'll like it more than me. As I've said about other books, my life has been (and in some way is) hard enough. I really don't need more added angst. So X-Men type plot (bigots hate mutants and government passes "Mutant-Jim Crow" Laws).
September 5, 2019
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/09/05/...
The Nobody People is one of those books with a great premise that maybe looks better on paper than in execution. It is also very ambitious, resulting in some difficulty engaging on my part, simply because a lot was happening and the at times the plot felt all over the place. The novel begins with an introduction to Avi Hirsch, whom I’d initially assumed to be our main protagonist. A former war correspondent, he is a journalist who has taken to doing more local jobs after losing his leg on his last assignment overseas. But due to his expertise on terrorism and explosives, Avi was asked to investigate disturbing reports of young man who was able to carry out a string a suicide bombing attacks at multiple locations without dying himself—and without, apparently, a bomb.
And so begins Avi’s first exposure to the group of super-powered individuals who call themselves “Resonants.” His investigation has drawn their attention, but there is also another reason why they decided to approach him, and that is because they have identified his young daughter Emmeline—whom Avi had always just assumed was especially precocious and gifted—as one of them. Their leader, a man named Bishop, has established a school which he would like Emmeline to attend, where she would be able to learn to use and control her powers.
Eventually though, with the occurrence of even more high-profile cases involving Resonants in the news, they are forced to reveal themselves, and as expected, the response is not exactly friendly.
First off, that author Bob Proehl was inspired by the X-Men is immediately obvious. In fact, if he hadn’t made so many deliberate references to comic books, I might even have called this book a blatant copy-cat rather than the homage it’s probably meant to be. He’s borrowed a lot of ideas from the X-Men universe, from little details like the Bishop Academy in New York to the overarching themes of marginalization and bigotry against the mutants—oops, my bad, I mean the Resonants. This in itself isn’t a negative, per se, since I love the X-Men and Proehl is by no means the first author to be influenced by the comic or use its tropes for himself. That said, I was a little taken aback by how bold some of these similarities were, and a little disappointed that this book wasn’t a tad more original. At times, the story even had a fanfic vibe to it that I found hard to shake.
But my main issue with The Nobody People, as I’ve alluded to already, is the fact that there is just SO. MUCH. GOING. ON. There is a lot of conflict, but not really a unifying thread to make everything feel cohesive. Like I said, I started the book thinking Avi was the main protagonist, and the first handful of pages made me think we were settling for a detective story. Of course, that belief was quickly dispelled as we were introduced to the Resonants, and ultimately, it was Fahima Deeb, a queer Muslim woman with an uncanny supernatural connection to mechanical objects who ended up taking over the reins. But throw in other POVs like Emmeline, Patrick, Carrie and many more others, over time it became increasingly more difficult to feel emotionally invested in each character equally. There were a lot of names to keep track of, and some inevitably fell through the cracks and felt undeveloped, uninteresting.
The story also dragged and rambled at times, coming across as more episodic like a TV series rather than having a distinct beginning, middle, and end (which, while we’re on the topic, was very abrupt and I can’t say I was a fan of the ending at all). To the book’s credit though, I have to say there were many highlights and memorable moments, plus plenty of intrigue. I just wished that all these ideas, themes, plot points, and character motives could have been better pieced together to form a smoother, more cogent and convincing narrative.
Overall, I would say The Nobody People is worth a read if you’re into superhero type fiction, keeping in mind it won’t be offering up anything too new or groundbreaking. The story also had the feel of an ensemble cast TV series with numerous mini-arcs complete with multiple climaxes (and anti-climaxes) which could be quite awkward and tiresome at times. However, the plot was not without its high points, and occasionally an action scene or a particular subplot would really shine through and grab my attention. The way the book ends makes me think this will be a series, one that I feel has some promise. Should a sequel be written, I may be open to continuing with the story.
The Nobody People is one of those books with a great premise that maybe looks better on paper than in execution. It is also very ambitious, resulting in some difficulty engaging on my part, simply because a lot was happening and the at times the plot felt all over the place. The novel begins with an introduction to Avi Hirsch, whom I’d initially assumed to be our main protagonist. A former war correspondent, he is a journalist who has taken to doing more local jobs after losing his leg on his last assignment overseas. But due to his expertise on terrorism and explosives, Avi was asked to investigate disturbing reports of young man who was able to carry out a string a suicide bombing attacks at multiple locations without dying himself—and without, apparently, a bomb.
And so begins Avi’s first exposure to the group of super-powered individuals who call themselves “Resonants.” His investigation has drawn their attention, but there is also another reason why they decided to approach him, and that is because they have identified his young daughter Emmeline—whom Avi had always just assumed was especially precocious and gifted—as one of them. Their leader, a man named Bishop, has established a school which he would like Emmeline to attend, where she would be able to learn to use and control her powers.
Eventually though, with the occurrence of even more high-profile cases involving Resonants in the news, they are forced to reveal themselves, and as expected, the response is not exactly friendly.
First off, that author Bob Proehl was inspired by the X-Men is immediately obvious. In fact, if he hadn’t made so many deliberate references to comic books, I might even have called this book a blatant copy-cat rather than the homage it’s probably meant to be. He’s borrowed a lot of ideas from the X-Men universe, from little details like the Bishop Academy in New York to the overarching themes of marginalization and bigotry against the mutants—oops, my bad, I mean the Resonants. This in itself isn’t a negative, per se, since I love the X-Men and Proehl is by no means the first author to be influenced by the comic or use its tropes for himself. That said, I was a little taken aback by how bold some of these similarities were, and a little disappointed that this book wasn’t a tad more original. At times, the story even had a fanfic vibe to it that I found hard to shake.
But my main issue with The Nobody People, as I’ve alluded to already, is the fact that there is just SO. MUCH. GOING. ON. There is a lot of conflict, but not really a unifying thread to make everything feel cohesive. Like I said, I started the book thinking Avi was the main protagonist, and the first handful of pages made me think we were settling for a detective story. Of course, that belief was quickly dispelled as we were introduced to the Resonants, and ultimately, it was Fahima Deeb, a queer Muslim woman with an uncanny supernatural connection to mechanical objects who ended up taking over the reins. But throw in other POVs like Emmeline, Patrick, Carrie and many more others, over time it became increasingly more difficult to feel emotionally invested in each character equally. There were a lot of names to keep track of, and some inevitably fell through the cracks and felt undeveloped, uninteresting.
The story also dragged and rambled at times, coming across as more episodic like a TV series rather than having a distinct beginning, middle, and end (which, while we’re on the topic, was very abrupt and I can’t say I was a fan of the ending at all). To the book’s credit though, I have to say there were many highlights and memorable moments, plus plenty of intrigue. I just wished that all these ideas, themes, plot points, and character motives could have been better pieced together to form a smoother, more cogent and convincing narrative.
Overall, I would say The Nobody People is worth a read if you’re into superhero type fiction, keeping in mind it won’t be offering up anything too new or groundbreaking. The story also had the feel of an ensemble cast TV series with numerous mini-arcs complete with multiple climaxes (and anti-climaxes) which could be quite awkward and tiresome at times. However, the plot was not without its high points, and occasionally an action scene or a particular subplot would really shine through and grab my attention. The way the book ends makes me think this will be a series, one that I feel has some promise. Should a sequel be written, I may be open to continuing with the story.
June 13, 2019
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! It takes on all sorts of issues while delivering an excellent story that hooked me from the first. I'm a sucker for a superhero book, but this book, while about characters with abilities we'd consider superpowers, isn't just about those abilities. It's about humans and compassion and trying to lead a normal life. It's about people who face all forms of prejudice and about trying to figure out who the real monsters are and what you can do about it when you have to face them. I can't wait to read the next one.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! It takes on all sorts of issues while delivering an excellent story that hooked me from the first. I'm a sucker for a superhero book, but this book, while about characters with abilities we'd consider superpowers, isn't just about those abilities. It's about humans and compassion and trying to lead a normal life. It's about people who face all forms of prejudice and about trying to figure out who the real monsters are and what you can do about it when you have to face them. I can't wait to read the next one.
September 23, 2019
The Bishop Academy in NY hides a secret. Its students are different than other people. They have special abilities....the equivalent of superpowers (although they don't like that word). Called Resonants, they've been in hiding from the general population of the world for a long time, mostly because people fear things that are different or that they can't understand. Avi is a reporter contacted by this group to help them announce their presence to the world. It's a lot for him to take in...especially when it's revealed to him that his young daughter is also a Resonant.
I enjoyed this story. It's well-written and the characters are engaging and mostly well developed. But....I have to be completely honest and say I felt the entire time like it was too much like the X-Men. Wayyy too much like the X-Men. This type of story has been done before.....supers reveal themselves to the world and the S hits the fan. I get that the purpose is to hit at the issues of racism, immigration, etc. But lately that's pretty much been done over and over and over again. I wanted something new from this story.....and it never really materialized.
Enjoyable tale....but nothing new here. A bit disappointing.....
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I enjoyed this story. It's well-written and the characters are engaging and mostly well developed. But....I have to be completely honest and say I felt the entire time like it was too much like the X-Men. Wayyy too much like the X-Men. This type of story has been done before.....supers reveal themselves to the world and the S hits the fan. I get that the purpose is to hit at the issues of racism, immigration, etc. But lately that's pretty much been done over and over and over again. I wanted something new from this story.....and it never really materialized.
Enjoyable tale....but nothing new here. A bit disappointing.....
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
July 4, 2019
This book was a real slog to get through. The plot line (those among us with special abilities) has been done a number of times and much better than this book. The author kept bouncing between mutliple characters and their points of view with several of them borderline boring. In addition, the parent of one of the characters was on a continual whining jag. Finally, the author is in love with f*** bombs, sprinkling them liberally throughout the book to the point it was difficult to find a page without one. I am not sure if this is the way he talks or thinks the younger generation talks or people in general talk. It added nothing to the plot and was hugely distracting.
Other reviewers seem to really enjoy this book so my caution is to check it out of your local library when it becomes available. Do not buy a copy until after you have read it.
I received a free Kindle ARC courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would provide an honest review and post it on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.
Other reviewers seem to really enjoy this book so my caution is to check it out of your local library when it becomes available. Do not buy a copy until after you have read it.
I received a free Kindle ARC courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would provide an honest review and post it on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.
September 6, 2019
I quite enjoyed this book. Imagine a world where everyday people have special abilities and you just found out about them. Would you be intrigued or fearful? This isn’t a book about super heroes. It’s about everyday life, it’s fears and hopes and dreams. It’s about acceptance. Maybe even the end of the world. I’m not sure because this is book one of two. Which is good because The Nobody People just ends (not even a cliff hanger) and now I need to find out what happens next. Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy.
September 30, 2019
As a big Marvel and sci-fi/fantasy fan, I had to see what this book was all about. I really enjoyed the world that Bob Proehl created. It’s hard to use ideas similar to something as popular as X-Men, but the author puts so much thought and detail into making this story his own. Every character’s journey was engrossing. The story was captivating (and not afraid to get graphic with violence) which kept me reading.
When I first requested an ARC of this book to review, it wasn’t made clear that The Nobody People is the first book in a two-part series. (It does say that in the description now.) No spoilers, but it does end abruptly on a giant cliffhanger to set up for the forthcoming book, which was really off-putting. I do think The Nobody People could have wrapped the ending up more while also teasing what’s to come. The book is also quite long at almost 500 pages, so I think this could even be split into 3 books for better pacing.
Overall, The Nobody People is an engaging, timely first part in a new sci-fi/fantasy series.
When I first requested an ARC of this book to review, it wasn’t made clear that The Nobody People is the first book in a two-part series. (It does say that in the description now.) No spoilers, but it does end abruptly on a giant cliffhanger to set up for the forthcoming book, which was really off-putting. I do think The Nobody People could have wrapped the ending up more while also teasing what’s to come. The book is also quite long at almost 500 pages, so I think this could even be split into 3 books for better pacing.
Overall, The Nobody People is an engaging, timely first part in a new sci-fi/fantasy series.
September 11, 2019
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 It started out slow for me then it got really good and then it got a bit boring and lengthy.
August 10, 2019
Why is it society fears what is different? A group with extraordinary abilities has been in hiding for years, outcasts, feared by even their families and now they are bravely coming out from the shadows, only to find themselves caught in the crosshairs of violence.
THE NOBODY PEOPLE by Bob Proehl is the story of innocents with unusual abilities that make them too different for the masses to accept them. Wonderfully drawn characters are completely human with a little extra, yet are seen as monsters.
Sounds like one of those tales that will be completely gripping, but Bob Proehl compacted so many different stories into this one, that it became tedious to keep track and to lace them all together. I was distracted as readers are taken from character to character and back again. Was this a tale of a father determined to regain his footing in the world of journalism? Was it a tale of his young daughter or a tale of how his family imploded? Could it have been a tale of the gifted people, some pushed to the limit and beyond?
One thing for sure, it is certainly filled with turmoil and the unkindness that humanity is so willing to dump on others.
For me, it had everything I thought I could want, just too much of it, which took away from the story for me.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Del Rey! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Del Rey (September 3, 2019)
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: Fantasy | Science Fiction
Print Length: 496 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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THE NOBODY PEOPLE by Bob Proehl is the story of innocents with unusual abilities that make them too different for the masses to accept them. Wonderfully drawn characters are completely human with a little extra, yet are seen as monsters.
Sounds like one of those tales that will be completely gripping, but Bob Proehl compacted so many different stories into this one, that it became tedious to keep track and to lace them all together. I was distracted as readers are taken from character to character and back again. Was this a tale of a father determined to regain his footing in the world of journalism? Was it a tale of his young daughter or a tale of how his family imploded? Could it have been a tale of the gifted people, some pushed to the limit and beyond?
One thing for sure, it is certainly filled with turmoil and the unkindness that humanity is so willing to dump on others.
For me, it had everything I thought I could want, just too much of it, which took away from the story for me.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Del Rey! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Del Rey (September 3, 2019)
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: Fantasy | Science Fiction
Print Length: 496 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 9, 2019
"Remove anything but facts so you can see the thing clearly...start from what you know"
What I know is this book is a mix of X-Men and Brilliance by Marcus Sakey, but with better writing.
'The blurb says 'After decades in hiding, a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities clashes with a world that is threatened by their power.' and that's exactly what The Nobody People is, but there's just so many characters and so much going it was hard to follow all the subplots.
It's a coming-of-age tale for the modern day superhero who doesn't want to be a hero but also doesn't want to be thought of as a freak.
I really enjoyed the way this book handled bigotry and there were some really great parts--I highlighted the hell out of this book-- but there was SO MUCH HAPPENING that I kept flipping back to catch up. I feel like the author condensed five books into one and as a consequence, none of the resonant characters felt fully developed.
Definitely worth a read. I can see this book blowly up if only because it tackles so many of things on people's minds and is bound to be made into a movie or show series.
What I know is this book is a mix of X-Men and Brilliance by Marcus Sakey, but with better writing.
'The blurb says 'After decades in hiding, a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities clashes with a world that is threatened by their power.' and that's exactly what The Nobody People is, but there's just so many characters and so much going it was hard to follow all the subplots.
It's a coming-of-age tale for the modern day superhero who doesn't want to be a hero but also doesn't want to be thought of as a freak.
I really enjoyed the way this book handled bigotry and there were some really great parts--I highlighted the hell out of this book-- but there was SO MUCH HAPPENING that I kept flipping back to catch up. I feel like the author condensed five books into one and as a consequence, none of the resonant characters felt fully developed.
Definitely worth a read. I can see this book blowly up if only because it tackles so many of things on people's minds and is bound to be made into a movie or show series.
June 18, 2019
I read this over the weekend, and it was phenomenal. The first part is definitely XMEN, with a journalist discovering a school for kids with “special abilities” while investigating a terrorist attack by one of those kids. However, this book differentiates itself from XMEN in that this story is much more grounded and more believable than XMEN, and once the gifted people publicly come out, the book becomes more of an allegory on immigration, homophobia and racism and how our society would react under the circumstances. It explores what would happen to our criminal justice system (are those with powers considered an equal class with equal rights? Are superpowers akin to owning firearms?), healthcare (if a doctor uses her abilities to save a patient and the patient dies, what liability is there?), politics (what laws and policies should be enacted?). The world-building and attention to details is impressive, and the book does not shy away from going to dark places and I think it differentiates itself from what’s been done previously in the genre.
September 11, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the publisher.
The Nobody People was a bit of a lukewarm read for me. I love superhero stories, but the concept has been done to death at this point, making it really difficult to write one that doesn’t feel stale. There needs to be an interesting twist, super engaging characters, or just… something new to say. Unfortunately, The Nobody People felt just a bit too cookie-cutter for me.
As other reviewers have noted, one of the bigger flaws of the novel is that it feels like someone has taken a four or five book series and tried to cram it all into a novel. Proehl is trying to do a lot of interesting things with his varied cast of characters, and the book has a bit of a long timeline. In the end, it was too much for one book, and none of it got explored with the depth needed to actually engage readers. Avi, for example, who is one of the major characters, has to come to terms with a crumbling marriage and essentially losing his super-powered daughter as she finds a sense of community with others like herself. All of this ends up feeling very surface level, as there is simply too much going on with the many other characters at the same time.
With super-powered humans going to a school and living largely segregated from regular humans, the novel with inevitably draw comparisons to X-Men. One thing I did like about this book was that it took a lot of the things that were purely allegorical in X-Men (i.e., parallels between the civil rights movement, the fight for gay rights, etc.) and brings them to forefront of the novel. Prejudice against super-powered people doesn’t suddenly mean your garden variety racism has been forgotten, and some of the characters in Proehl’s novels are dealing with intersecting levels of marginalization due to their status as, for example, immigrants, mix-race people, or members of the LGBTQ community, making their experiences more complex.
All in all, this was an okay book, but not necessarily one I’d recommend to anyone. If superhero stories are your speed, there are much better ones out there to read. Some of my favorites are the books in the Reckoners series, by Brandon Sanderson, which takes the interesting angle of making all the super-powered humans villains and giving us a cast of ordinary people fighting back.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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The Nobody People was a bit of a lukewarm read for me. I love superhero stories, but the concept has been done to death at this point, making it really difficult to write one that doesn’t feel stale. There needs to be an interesting twist, super engaging characters, or just… something new to say. Unfortunately, The Nobody People felt just a bit too cookie-cutter for me.
As other reviewers have noted, one of the bigger flaws of the novel is that it feels like someone has taken a four or five book series and tried to cram it all into a novel. Proehl is trying to do a lot of interesting things with his varied cast of characters, and the book has a bit of a long timeline. In the end, it was too much for one book, and none of it got explored with the depth needed to actually engage readers. Avi, for example, who is one of the major characters, has to come to terms with a crumbling marriage and essentially losing his super-powered daughter as she finds a sense of community with others like herself. All of this ends up feeling very surface level, as there is simply too much going on with the many other characters at the same time.
With super-powered humans going to a school and living largely segregated from regular humans, the novel with inevitably draw comparisons to X-Men. One thing I did like about this book was that it took a lot of the things that were purely allegorical in X-Men (i.e., parallels between the civil rights movement, the fight for gay rights, etc.) and brings them to forefront of the novel. Prejudice against super-powered people doesn’t suddenly mean your garden variety racism has been forgotten, and some of the characters in Proehl’s novels are dealing with intersecting levels of marginalization due to their status as, for example, immigrants, mix-race people, or members of the LGBTQ community, making their experiences more complex.
All in all, this was an okay book, but not necessarily one I’d recommend to anyone. If superhero stories are your speed, there are much better ones out there to read. Some of my favorites are the books in the Reckoners series, by Brandon Sanderson, which takes the interesting angle of making all the super-powered humans villains and giving us a cast of ordinary people fighting back.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
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June 18, 2019
This was a really excellent story that grabbed me in the opening pages and never let go - although I must confess to being disappointed that it stopped rather than ended... There are a LOT of loose ends left hanging, and in a way that felt unfinished rather than cliff-hanger'ed.
Despite that, I loved the story - and for me, that's an unusual statement to make. I automatically knock a star off for an abrupt end that leaves the current elements of the story unfinished (as I did here). But usually that knock off also means I have to give an "I'm so disappointed" on the whole book - and no matter how much I might be, I just can't do that here. Proehl has done a magnificent job crafting a world that is utterly believable and
populated by a fantastic, in every sense of the word, mix of characters. The story resonates (no pun intended) with current events and extrapolates the plight of the Resonant to that of minority groups of all shapes and sizes. The story rings clarion-clear and delivers a fantastic punch all wrapped in a delightful package of witty, clever, original storytelling.
There are a lot of possibilities for a sequel/subsequent books - and frankly, the way the story ended demands at least one more. I hope it comes soon - there was so much going on here, with such a panoply of characters, that it would be tough to wait too long and still keep things straight enough in my head to fully enjoy the next installment. And if the next book is anything like this one, I fully intend to enjoy it. This was a fantastic story and I will definitely be keeping Proehl on my watchlist...
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
Despite that, I loved the story - and for me, that's an unusual statement to make. I automatically knock a star off for an abrupt end that leaves the current elements of the story unfinished (as I did here). But usually that knock off also means I have to give an "I'm so disappointed" on the whole book - and no matter how much I might be, I just can't do that here. Proehl has done a magnificent job crafting a world that is utterly believable and
populated by a fantastic, in every sense of the word, mix of characters. The story resonates (no pun intended) with current events and extrapolates the plight of the Resonant to that of minority groups of all shapes and sizes. The story rings clarion-clear and delivers a fantastic punch all wrapped in a delightful package of witty, clever, original storytelling.
There are a lot of possibilities for a sequel/subsequent books - and frankly, the way the story ended demands at least one more. I hope it comes soon - there was so much going on here, with such a panoply of characters, that it would be tough to wait too long and still keep things straight enough in my head to fully enjoy the next installment. And if the next book is anything like this one, I fully intend to enjoy it. This was a fantastic story and I will definitely be keeping Proehl on my watchlist...
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
July 24, 2019
The Nobody People follows acclaimed war-zone journalist Ari as he is hired by a group of humans, dubbed Resonants, with extraordinary abilities. Currently, under the guidance of a headmaster, they attend a school that will help them better harness their powers. For years, they’ve remained hidden until recently, when the decision was made to come forth and let the world know what they can do. Ari has been tasked with interviewing them and producing a story which will introduce them to the public at large. The problem? Not all Resonants believe they will be seen as trustworthy.
Does that sound familiar? I should hope so. I’m surprised Marvel hasn’t already launched a lawsuit.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Look, Marvel doesn’t own the rights to a particular idea or aspect of sci-fi and I’m sure Bob Proehl isn’t the first person to write a book that so closely resembles The X-Men, but for me, it was so similar that it became a distraction. I had a very difficult time getting into this one, if I’m being honest.
The book is filled with characters, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is a big, sprawling story that I assume will be made into a series given the little amount of pay-off we get in the end, but I just didn’t connect with any of the people Proehle presented us here. I found them obnoxious for the most part and terribly unfunny.. I don’t feel like anyone speaks like the characters in this book and when you have so much dialogue, it becomes draining to listen to them speak.
This one just didn’t work for me, in the end. I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as what a few reviewers have said – maybe the next books in the series will become more focused in their execution – but I don’t think this is one I can confidently recommend. Might work better as a TV series.
The Nobody People will be published on September 03rd, 2019
Does that sound familiar? I should hope so. I’m surprised Marvel hasn’t already launched a lawsuit.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Look, Marvel doesn’t own the rights to a particular idea or aspect of sci-fi and I’m sure Bob Proehl isn’t the first person to write a book that so closely resembles The X-Men, but for me, it was so similar that it became a distraction. I had a very difficult time getting into this one, if I’m being honest.
The book is filled with characters, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is a big, sprawling story that I assume will be made into a series given the little amount of pay-off we get in the end, but I just didn’t connect with any of the people Proehle presented us here. I found them obnoxious for the most part and terribly unfunny.. I don’t feel like anyone speaks like the characters in this book and when you have so much dialogue, it becomes draining to listen to them speak.
This one just didn’t work for me, in the end. I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as what a few reviewers have said – maybe the next books in the series will become more focused in their execution – but I don’t think this is one I can confidently recommend. Might work better as a TV series.
The Nobody People will be published on September 03rd, 2019
January 6, 2020
I did not expect to be so taken in by this book, but it is truly excellent. It combines the fantastical abilities of the children in The Institute with the savvy sci-fi smartness of Recursion, and readers of both of those books will be drawn into the world of this one.
One of the things that shines the brightest about this book is the diverse array of characters and perspectives it integrates. We get to hear from a Muslim woman who came of age after 9/11, watching injustice and prejudice close in around her family. There is a gay interracial couple. There is a transgender musician. We hear from privileged and non-privileged perspectives alike, seeing how they each view and think about what’s happening around them.
In fact, this book is all about people who have been othered, and it isn’t just because of skin color or gender identity. This story is about people who have amazing abilities that we sometimes dream about having, like telekinesis and flight, but the abilities go far beyond that. There is a boy whose skin is bark, like a tree, and he can grow any plant he likes right on his body. There is a woman who can open a door to anywhere in the world. There is a boy who can feel all the emotions of those around him. There are strange abilities, like having see-through skin, hundreds of eyes all over your body, or your thoughts broadcast like a thought bubble above your head. There are also dangerous abilities, like being able to completely erase people, things, and even whole places just by thinking about it.
For these people with abilities, called Resonants, it’s time to come out of the dark, and this story follows the consequences of their actions to share themselves with the world.
If you are someone who has been struggling with the political state of our nation, this book might act as a salve. It offers real social and political commentary that is relevant to the world we are living in. It is almost an allegory for what we’ve been experiencing, as seen through a filter of sci-fi realism.
I got lost in every minute of it, both the strange otherworldly powers and the down-to-earth realism of journalism, concerns about family, the fight against prejudice and fear, and so much more.
This is a brilliant book and an incredible world. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
My thanks to Del Rey for my copy of this one to read and review.
One of the things that shines the brightest about this book is the diverse array of characters and perspectives it integrates. We get to hear from a Muslim woman who came of age after 9/11, watching injustice and prejudice close in around her family. There is a gay interracial couple. There is a transgender musician. We hear from privileged and non-privileged perspectives alike, seeing how they each view and think about what’s happening around them.
In fact, this book is all about people who have been othered, and it isn’t just because of skin color or gender identity. This story is about people who have amazing abilities that we sometimes dream about having, like telekinesis and flight, but the abilities go far beyond that. There is a boy whose skin is bark, like a tree, and he can grow any plant he likes right on his body. There is a woman who can open a door to anywhere in the world. There is a boy who can feel all the emotions of those around him. There are strange abilities, like having see-through skin, hundreds of eyes all over your body, or your thoughts broadcast like a thought bubble above your head. There are also dangerous abilities, like being able to completely erase people, things, and even whole places just by thinking about it.
For these people with abilities, called Resonants, it’s time to come out of the dark, and this story follows the consequences of their actions to share themselves with the world.
If you are someone who has been struggling with the political state of our nation, this book might act as a salve. It offers real social and political commentary that is relevant to the world we are living in. It is almost an allegory for what we’ve been experiencing, as seen through a filter of sci-fi realism.
I got lost in every minute of it, both the strange otherworldly powers and the down-to-earth realism of journalism, concerns about family, the fight against prejudice and fear, and so much more.
This is a brilliant book and an incredible world. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
My thanks to Del Rey for my copy of this one to read and review.
September 14, 2019
First off, let me say that I was not aware this was apparently the first of a series, so the ending absolutely ruined it for me.
The beginning of this book was very good. Well written, enjoyable, exciting, but then it devolved quickly. It’s as if Proehl started off with patience and passion, then turned on autopilot and just rushed through the rest. I’ll admit it takes skill to make a 500 page book seem rushed.
The book had so much potential, but he just dropped the ball every time. Avi, the original main character, had so much potential. We spend the first part of the book rooting for the amputated, journalist father who is thrown into this mystery and new world, then he changes completely into a drunk, selfish, spiteful mess.
We’re introduced to Kevin bishop, the first, strongest resonant, who has powers beyond belief, who gets killed off with a whimper, not doing a single thing. Proehl literally created a character than can heal people, yet he has the strongest character die from cancer. Great move, buddy. At least she spoke at his funeral.
Emmeline, who the characters claim to be potentially the strongest yet, is put in this armband and forgotten about.
Patrick, the bad guy (big surprise) gives zero motive for why he does what he does, and he crippled his sister for no reason.
Fahima is the most likeable, even though Proehl makes her relatable and edgy by having her drop the f-bomb more than Gordon Ramsey, for absolutely no reason. He peppers it into her speech at the stupidest times, making it irritating every time she spoke. And this is coming from a vet.
Throughout, you can tell the SJW side of proehl is itching to come out stronger. Ji Yeon is the militaristic face that is supposed to represent the blm/antifa group, but has no likeable qualities, and acts like a self righteous zealot brat, much like many of her real life counterparts.
Proehl dropped the ball trying to make this a series. As a stand alone it would have been a good book. I would have overlooked the obvious comparisons to X-Men and Harry Potter, happily. A new twist on the fairy tail. But he failed to bring out the potential of every single character. I will definitely be passing on the next one.
The beginning of this book was very good. Well written, enjoyable, exciting, but then it devolved quickly. It’s as if Proehl started off with patience and passion, then turned on autopilot and just rushed through the rest. I’ll admit it takes skill to make a 500 page book seem rushed.
The book had so much potential, but he just dropped the ball every time. Avi, the original main character, had so much potential. We spend the first part of the book rooting for the amputated, journalist father who is thrown into this mystery and new world, then he changes completely into a drunk, selfish, spiteful mess.
We’re introduced to Kevin bishop, the first, strongest resonant, who has powers beyond belief, who gets killed off with a whimper, not doing a single thing. Proehl literally created a character than can heal people, yet he has the strongest character die from cancer. Great move, buddy. At least she spoke at his funeral.
Emmeline, who the characters claim to be potentially the strongest yet, is put in this armband and forgotten about.
Patrick, the bad guy (big surprise) gives zero motive for why he does what he does, and he crippled his sister for no reason.
Fahima is the most likeable, even though Proehl makes her relatable and edgy by having her drop the f-bomb more than Gordon Ramsey, for absolutely no reason. He peppers it into her speech at the stupidest times, making it irritating every time she spoke. And this is coming from a vet.
Throughout, you can tell the SJW side of proehl is itching to come out stronger. Ji Yeon is the militaristic face that is supposed to represent the blm/antifa group, but has no likeable qualities, and acts like a self righteous zealot brat, much like many of her real life counterparts.
Proehl dropped the ball trying to make this a series. As a stand alone it would have been a good book. I would have overlooked the obvious comparisons to X-Men and Harry Potter, happily. A new twist on the fairy tail. But he failed to bring out the potential of every single character. I will definitely be passing on the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2019
A fantastic premise with some promise, but ultimately uneven. Part X-Men, part WB, part social commentary: there is a lot thrown in here but it doesn't always come together, and there is a discord throughout with many unresolved story lines (ahem, what is Emmeline's power? What is Fahima's grand plan?) The reader is expected to empathize with characters but the author doesn't necessarily develop the character in depth enough to do so---it leaves the reader with the feeling of watching the story unfold from a distance rather than experiencing it. At some points I appreciated the coolness and distance, and at others found myself disengaged.
I got to the end and found myself thinking, "What? This must be a part 1."
All in all, enjoyable but flawed.
I got to the end and found myself thinking, "What? This must be a part 1."
All in all, enjoyable but flawed.
September 20, 2019
I wish I got into this more. It had so much potential—varied perspectives, X-Men style superheroes, a school for ‘gifted’ children, etc. I was really expecting to love it, but alas, I ended up reading about 25%, skimming up to 50% and then skipping the rest.
I didn’t care for any characters, and that’s beyond just “likeable” or “unlikeable”. They all had one personality trait and that’s basically it. Some, like Fahima, leaned so hard into playing against type that it became a whole new, even worse characterization. She wasn’t funny and blunt; she was an asshole. Avi’s entirely lame personality amounts to journalist, and he doesn’t even seem to be that good at it. And honestly, his (and our) inevitable introduction to the ‘supers’ is one of the worst I’ve ever seen played out. It’s like they each thought of the best way to approach an outsider in this situation...and then intentionally did the exact opposite.
The book was also 500 pages long. It felt even longer. I think there were a lot of interesting ideas Bob Proehl was playing with, but he needed to pick a few and put the rest away. Was his editor on vacation? I feel like if you’re going to recycle so much from different sci-fi and comic tropes/plot-lines, then there has to be something revelatory in all of those pages or else just leave 150-200 of them on the cutting room floor.
I think I’m being so hard on this book because I expect more from a super-powered ensemble story at this point. He’s a competent writer, and most of the ideas on their own were good. I probably would have had more positives to say if I liked the characters more or it dragged less overall, but it didn’t. It’s not one of the worst books I read this year, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have picked this one up.
*Thanks to Random House - Ballantine & Netgalley for an advance copy!
I didn’t care for any characters, and that’s beyond just “likeable” or “unlikeable”. They all had one personality trait and that’s basically it. Some, like Fahima, leaned so hard into playing against type that it became a whole new, even worse characterization. She wasn’t funny and blunt; she was an asshole. Avi’s entirely lame personality amounts to journalist, and he doesn’t even seem to be that good at it. And honestly, his (and our) inevitable introduction to the ‘supers’ is one of the worst I’ve ever seen played out. It’s like they each thought of the best way to approach an outsider in this situation...and then intentionally did the exact opposite.
The book was also 500 pages long. It felt even longer. I think there were a lot of interesting ideas Bob Proehl was playing with, but he needed to pick a few and put the rest away. Was his editor on vacation? I feel like if you’re going to recycle so much from different sci-fi and comic tropes/plot-lines, then there has to be something revelatory in all of those pages or else just leave 150-200 of them on the cutting room floor.
I think I’m being so hard on this book because I expect more from a super-powered ensemble story at this point. He’s a competent writer, and most of the ideas on their own were good. I probably would have had more positives to say if I liked the characters more or it dragged less overall, but it didn’t. It’s not one of the worst books I read this year, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have picked this one up.
*Thanks to Random House - Ballantine & Netgalley for an advance copy!
September 12, 2019
The Nobody People is a book about the people hidden throughout the world with X-Men like powers. One day they announce that they exist to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, the Resonants are NOT considered superheroes. They’re just people trying to exist. Most of the normal humans are fearful of the Resonants and hate them.
For whatever reason, I had a hard time getting through this book. There were definitely times when I flew through some of the chapters, but for the most part, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I did enjoy a few of them and those were the chapters that were really good. But there were so many characters to keep up with and I had to keep stopping to go back to reread certain parts to figure out who was who.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, and really liked the bizarre powers of some of the Resonants. I especially enjoyed the Resonant kids’ school.
The book was ok and I’m glad I read it. I’d like to see where this story goes in book 2.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for an advance copy!*
For whatever reason, I had a hard time getting through this book. There were definitely times when I flew through some of the chapters, but for the most part, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I did enjoy a few of them and those were the chapters that were really good. But there were so many characters to keep up with and I had to keep stopping to go back to reread certain parts to figure out who was who.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, and really liked the bizarre powers of some of the Resonants. I especially enjoyed the Resonant kids’ school.
The book was ok and I’m glad I read it. I’d like to see where this story goes in book 2.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for an advance copy!*
October 7, 2019
The Nobody People by Bob Proehl is a science fiction novel.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House Publishing - Ballantine Del Rey, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The Nobody People. They are also known as "Resonants". Carefully hiding themselves for decades, one of their members decides it is time to go public. They want the world to accept them as they are. They are just people with extraordinary abilities. For example, Carrie can become almost invisible, and Fahima's mind creates machines that can solve even the most intricate problems. Some can fly, some can talk to animals, some can light fires.... But even within their own members, there are some that should stay hidden. In any group of people, there are the good and the bad, and sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the two.
Avi Hirsch, a war reporter, learns that his 9 year old daughter Emmeline is one of the special people, and agrees to enroll her in their school, where he hopes she will finally fit in. He also agrees to be the one to share their news with the world, under the guidance of Headmaster Kevin Bishop.
Unfortunately, the Resonants are treated by most as inhuman, and the bigots have found a new target. The government seems to side with the bigots, and talk about registration starts to sound an awful lot like concentration camps. Although most fear a war, there are some who feel it may be the only way.
My Opinions:
An interesting book, although I found it dragged every now and then. I had trouble getting into the story. It was long and sometimes my mind wandered. I occasionally found myself skimming. Never a good sign. As well, I have no idea of the time-frame of the book, and I hate that. I know that at least a year passes, but it could be 5 for all I could tell, and it felt that while I was reading too. As well, I was unaware that this was Book 1 when I picked it up, and I hate not continuing a series so, now I'm a bit annoyed that I'll have to read more.....
On the plus side, the premise was good, and I loved most of the characters, which were deep enough that you could somewhat relate to them, although I lost track of Carrie somewhere along the way.
The main topic covered the differences between people, whether it be religion, race, disability, or in this case special abilities. It was handled well. We have seen it in our own culture of black vs white, Muslim vs Christian, etc. There are always those who treat the other as a monster, as an abomination. But there are also those that care. It is often fear or resentment, envy or jealousy, that really drive hate, and so it was here. Fear of the unknown, envy of the ability....
I found it difficult to rate this book. The length and slow pace had me barely hanging on, but the overall premise was good. Some people have compared this to the X-MEN comic book series....I'm not a fan of those either. I know a lot of people loved this book, it just didn't do it for me.
Oh well, I guess I'll wait for the next book and hope for an epiphany.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House Publishing - Ballantine Del Rey, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The Nobody People. They are also known as "Resonants". Carefully hiding themselves for decades, one of their members decides it is time to go public. They want the world to accept them as they are. They are just people with extraordinary abilities. For example, Carrie can become almost invisible, and Fahima's mind creates machines that can solve even the most intricate problems. Some can fly, some can talk to animals, some can light fires.... But even within their own members, there are some that should stay hidden. In any group of people, there are the good and the bad, and sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the two.
Avi Hirsch, a war reporter, learns that his 9 year old daughter Emmeline is one of the special people, and agrees to enroll her in their school, where he hopes she will finally fit in. He also agrees to be the one to share their news with the world, under the guidance of Headmaster Kevin Bishop.
Unfortunately, the Resonants are treated by most as inhuman, and the bigots have found a new target. The government seems to side with the bigots, and talk about registration starts to sound an awful lot like concentration camps. Although most fear a war, there are some who feel it may be the only way.
My Opinions:
An interesting book, although I found it dragged every now and then. I had trouble getting into the story. It was long and sometimes my mind wandered. I occasionally found myself skimming. Never a good sign. As well, I have no idea of the time-frame of the book, and I hate that. I know that at least a year passes, but it could be 5 for all I could tell, and it felt that while I was reading too. As well, I was unaware that this was Book 1 when I picked it up, and I hate not continuing a series so, now I'm a bit annoyed that I'll have to read more.....
On the plus side, the premise was good, and I loved most of the characters, which were deep enough that you could somewhat relate to them, although I lost track of Carrie somewhere along the way.
The main topic covered the differences between people, whether it be religion, race, disability, or in this case special abilities. It was handled well. We have seen it in our own culture of black vs white, Muslim vs Christian, etc. There are always those who treat the other as a monster, as an abomination. But there are also those that care. It is often fear or resentment, envy or jealousy, that really drive hate, and so it was here. Fear of the unknown, envy of the ability....
I found it difficult to rate this book. The length and slow pace had me barely hanging on, but the overall premise was good. Some people have compared this to the X-MEN comic book series....I'm not a fan of those either. I know a lot of people loved this book, it just didn't do it for me.
Oh well, I guess I'll wait for the next book and hope for an epiphany.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 1, 2021
I really, really enjoyed reading this book! It sets out a world, not unlike our own, where 'Resonants', people born with varying abilities exist.
As usual, non-Resonants or 'Damps', plain old humans to you and me, kill and drive out what they don't undestand, so the world at large is unaware of both Resonants and that's the way they like it. They all have unique abilities, the one thing they have in common is being able to transport themselves to an almost alternate dimension known as 'The Hive', here. a man named Bishop, not unlike Professor X, has created a safe space, an Academy, where Resonants who tend to activate their abilities when reaching their teens, can firstly become aware that they are not alone, and secondly be offered access to the Academy, where they can learn to control their skills.
It sounds altruistic and sensible, but Bishop is no X, he maintains the population control of Resonants as the more of them there are in one place, the more their powes amplify. They are trying to be stable and known in a world which fears and dreads anything which resembles being more than human.
Into this world comes Avi, a reporter whose story chasing days have decreased to once a year following the loss of his leg in a bombing. His marriage already in knots, torn between his need to track down stories as well as look after his child, Emmeline.When he is apporoached to investigate the bombing of a black church, close to home, he jumps at the chance.
A relatively 'safe' story, he finds himself caught up in the world of the Resonants as well as the FBI , who have noticed on the security recordings that it was not necessarily a bomb that destroyed the church. At the same time , Bishop has decided that Avi is exactly who he wants to break the story of the Resonants before they are discovered to be a potential threat to the world. For someone close to home has pinged Bishop's radar and he is going to need all the help he can get...
A really great opening to a series, I was so excited to find that this is not just a one off novel! inevitable comparisons to the X Men aside, I felt this is a nuanced tale of what it means to be human, more than human and how society treats its outsiders. From the shocking prologue through every gripping page, Bob Proehl has created characters who are flawed, well intentioned, complex and incredibly relatable. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I loved it.
As usual, non-Resonants or 'Damps', plain old humans to you and me, kill and drive out what they don't undestand, so the world at large is unaware of both Resonants and that's the way they like it. They all have unique abilities, the one thing they have in common is being able to transport themselves to an almost alternate dimension known as 'The Hive', here. a man named Bishop, not unlike Professor X, has created a safe space, an Academy, where Resonants who tend to activate their abilities when reaching their teens, can firstly become aware that they are not alone, and secondly be offered access to the Academy, where they can learn to control their skills.
It sounds altruistic and sensible, but Bishop is no X, he maintains the population control of Resonants as the more of them there are in one place, the more their powes amplify. They are trying to be stable and known in a world which fears and dreads anything which resembles being more than human.
Into this world comes Avi, a reporter whose story chasing days have decreased to once a year following the loss of his leg in a bombing. His marriage already in knots, torn between his need to track down stories as well as look after his child, Emmeline.When he is apporoached to investigate the bombing of a black church, close to home, he jumps at the chance.
A relatively 'safe' story, he finds himself caught up in the world of the Resonants as well as the FBI , who have noticed on the security recordings that it was not necessarily a bomb that destroyed the church. At the same time , Bishop has decided that Avi is exactly who he wants to break the story of the Resonants before they are discovered to be a potential threat to the world. For someone close to home has pinged Bishop's radar and he is going to need all the help he can get...
A really great opening to a series, I was so excited to find that this is not just a one off novel! inevitable comparisons to the X Men aside, I felt this is a nuanced tale of what it means to be human, more than human and how society treats its outsiders. From the shocking prologue through every gripping page, Bob Proehl has created characters who are flawed, well intentioned, complex and incredibly relatable. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I loved it.
September 3, 2019
Whew. What a book. I have this narrative rattling around in my head: a family of New Orleans superheroes in a world where supers have been around since ww2. After reading THE NOBODY PEOPLE, I'm happy to put that story on the backsiest of back-burners, because it's going to be YEARS before any story I try to write about modern superheroes isn't just a pale imitation of this one. It takes everything the X-men did well in terms of being a metaphor for the way this country treats "otherness" and just strips the metaphor out and makes you confront it. It's a book that doesn't waste time pretending it's taking place in a world where comic books don't exist. It's a book that says, "what if we just acknowledged that Forge has a super awesome power and didn't just make him a plot device." It's a book that has the stones to say, "Y'know, sometimes Magneto was right." And it is, joyously, maddeningly, give-it-to-me-now the first of two books, the first half of an epic story.
Get it and read it now.
Get it and read it now.
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