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Raptors #1
Sidekick
My name is Sawyer William Vincent—I know, it sounds like three first names—but most people know me as the Red Raptor.
Well, technically no one knows I'm the Red Raptor, he's just a bit more popular.
Wow. Enough about my name. Let me start over. I’m a superhero—the legendary Black Harrier’s partner. Not sidekick. I don't care if I'm still in high school. We work together to bring down the city's most dangerous villains.
When the Black Harrier gets a mysterious note, then goes missing in New York City, things are pretty much left up to me.
But don’t worry... I’ve got this. Piece of cake.
If you like Tim Drake as Robin or ever wondered what Peter Parker would be like if he lived in Gotham, Raptors is right up your alley.
From Washington Post Bestseller Jaime Castle and CJ Valin comes a new superhero universe perfect for fans of both DC and Marvel. Actually, it’s for fans of anything superhero-related… You’re gonna like it. Promise.
Well, technically no one knows I'm the Red Raptor, he's just a bit more popular.
Wow. Enough about my name. Let me start over. I’m a superhero—the legendary Black Harrier’s partner. Not sidekick. I don't care if I'm still in high school. We work together to bring down the city's most dangerous villains.
When the Black Harrier gets a mysterious note, then goes missing in New York City, things are pretty much left up to me.
But don’t worry... I’ve got this. Piece of cake.
If you like Tim Drake as Robin or ever wondered what Peter Parker would be like if he lived in Gotham, Raptors is right up your alley.
From Washington Post Bestseller Jaime Castle and CJ Valin comes a new superhero universe perfect for fans of both DC and Marvel. Actually, it’s for fans of anything superhero-related… You’re gonna like it. Promise.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
110 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Castle
45 books196 followersJaime Castle hails from the great nation of Texas where he lives with his wife and two children and enjoys anything creative. A self-proclaimed comic book nerd and artist, he spends what little free time he can muster with his art tablet.
Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.
Fantasy:
The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth
Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)
RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele
HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion
The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)
Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic
Science Fiction:
This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis
ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)
Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com
Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.
Fantasy:
The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth
Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)
RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele
HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion
The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)
Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic
Science Fiction:
This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis
ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)
Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 30, 2023
Teen story that lacks oomph is replaced by fawning over pretty girls. 4 of 10 stars
May 20, 2021
This was a fun YA superhero tale. I've read a bunch of superhero stories lately (ranging from great to awful) and this one was a solid entry into the genre. The fantasy world was very much standard DC comics style but we got a decent story and the characters were likeable enough and easy to root for. We got a good mix of action, superpowers, drama, coming of age stuff, and even a hint of romance that kept the story and engaging one!
The story was good. We followed young sidekick Sawyer William Vincent. Sawyer had no specific superpowers but did have a strange ability to learn anything after being show it a single time. He was the Robin in a Batman & Robin type superhero team. We got to learn a bit about his life before it was derailed by the fact that his mentor, Black Harrier, went missing. It was up to Sawyer to find out what had happened to the city's missing superhero!
I enjoyed the tale and felt like we got a good balance between the character work and the action/superhero elements of the story and that helped with making it easier to root for Sawyer and get sucked into the story.
The story sold itself on being a Batman & Robin clone with a bit of Spiderman mixed in for good measure and that is exactly what we got. It was not particularly original but it was comfortably familiar to fans of the genre and writing duo of Catle and Valin still managed to deliver an engaging tale and some characters that felt worthwhile investing time in.
All in all this was a good YA superhero tale and I'll read the sequels for sure!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Audio Note: Jack Meloche gave a good performance with the audio. His character voices were decent and he successfully brought the story to life!
The story was good. We followed young sidekick Sawyer William Vincent. Sawyer had no specific superpowers but did have a strange ability to learn anything after being show it a single time. He was the Robin in a Batman & Robin type superhero team. We got to learn a bit about his life before it was derailed by the fact that his mentor, Black Harrier, went missing. It was up to Sawyer to find out what had happened to the city's missing superhero!
I enjoyed the tale and felt like we got a good balance between the character work and the action/superhero elements of the story and that helped with making it easier to root for Sawyer and get sucked into the story.
The story sold itself on being a Batman & Robin clone with a bit of Spiderman mixed in for good measure and that is exactly what we got. It was not particularly original but it was comfortably familiar to fans of the genre and writing duo of Catle and Valin still managed to deliver an engaging tale and some characters that felt worthwhile investing time in.
All in all this was a good YA superhero tale and I'll read the sequels for sure!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Audio Note: Jack Meloche gave a good performance with the audio. His character voices were decent and he successfully brought the story to life!
March 29, 2021
This is the first book in a Young Adult series about superheroes! The cover brought me in but the writing kept me turning the page! I admit there are some parts that I feel aren't needed, but the overall story did not disappoint. I needed to know what was next! And I can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!
March 10, 2021
A superhero story that is rare, but unique and that's part of the charm. Think spiderman homecoming in terms of being from the point of view of a teenage superhero sidekick or partner. To rival the best of anything DC or Marvel puts out. A lot of Easter eggs and nods to the head to other superheroes
October 7, 2023
This is an absolutely brilliant story, following the adventures of a young (16yrs – well he is about 6 and a half minutes into the story anyway) boy, who has a form of Visual or Intuitive Mimicry, the ability to watch another person perform any action, from cooking, to advanced combat techniques, as well as having a type of Eidetic memory (the ability to remember basically anything he reads or sees).
These abilities mean that he is able to do basically anything he wants, as long as he has seen someone else do it first.
The story follows our young hero in both his life as a troubled teenager, and as the sidek…. sorry, ‘Partner’ of the Legendary Superhero ‘Black Harrier’, who is the Guardian of New York City.
This is a Dystopian future, in which there are multiple Superhero’s and of course, wherever there are Hero’s there are Villains.
Before I go too much further, I should mention that this audiobook was so good, that I finished it in a single sitting. I couldn’t stop listening it was just so exceptional, with such brilliant characters.
The story is really well done, there are reminders of a lot of other Hero based series, the book has a real ‘The Boys’ feel to it, with some of the other Heroes in the story having a lot of similarities to the characters in that series (Homelander and Eaglestar both have the same level of Self-indulgent arrogance and superiority). There are several heroes that are similar, as well as the Leadership of the Guild being similar to the Seven, again, that Superiority and thinking they are better than everyone else, even other Supers. There are also elements of series like X-Men and Marvel, with a wide range of Superheroes and Supervillains all with a rather fascinating range of powers and abilities.
The real difference in this series is just how the main character of Sawyer, or Red Raptor, tells the story and relates to the reader. The narrative and dialogue are just so well done, there is a constant element of humour that really adds to the overall series. This is a highly intelligent and creative story, with an in-depth, gritty and highly realistic story, which is impressive given the genre.
Sawyer is a really fascinating character, with his mimicry ability, he is able to learn basically anything, but this leaves him in a difficult position of how he fits in without giving himself away. The story covers his life at home, where he lives with his Mother, who is an alcoholic smoker who drinks herself unconscious most nights. We also get to see his school life, in which he has a crush on the head cheerleader Fabiola, but is constantly tortured by the school bully, Logan. He is trapped with Logan, he can’t pound him into next week without giving himself away, but he also doesn’t want to be bullied by some dumb gorilla with the intelligence of a fresh roadkill.
To make things worse, his relationship with his actual Mentor and Superhero basically revolve around sentences of less than 5 syllables, and are usually less than helpful.
Whilst he loves the Superhero game, at the start of this book, we find Sawyer/Red Raptor kind of torn, as he does not know if he wants to continue to be this thing he has become, and it is here that we get a really good look at the psychological aspects of Sawyer, a Teenage boy with incredible gifts, no parental figures to speak of, (A drunk for a mother, and the only Father figure is a womanising vigilante who if he’s lucky, he gets 6 syllables instead of 5 a night.
It is whilst pondering his future that several events occur, and this is what really sets the main story in motion. The first is the introduction of Osprey, another Superhero, with a Black Harrier fetish, who Sawyer immediately starts crushing on, and as a result, loses focus on the bigger picture.
The other main story line, is that Black Harrier, Frank Douglas, goes missing.
This results in a stunning series of events that is going to rock New York City to the core, but more to the point, is going to change the young life of Sawyer Willian Vincent, alias Red Raptor, to his very core.
The character building in this series is beyond exceptional. The series starts with the main characters already fully evolved, having been active Superheroes in their current set up for over 3yrs, and we come in to this and get to learn about Sawyer and Frank (through Sawyer’s eyes) from this mature perspective. As stated previously, Sawyer is such a fascinating character, but there are also some other really amazing characters as well, such as Osprey, and many others who I am not going to mention to avoid giving away spoilers. I will only say that Osprey is just sensational, and brings so much to the story.
The world building in this book is incredibly detailed, covering every aspect of the story. Castle and Vailin have crafted this multifaceted, and beautifully crafted, Dystopian world for their characters to tell this story in, one in which there are numerous Supers, both good and bad, with a spectacular array of abilities and powers. These range from the organic, such as Sawyer’s abilities, but some of them are technological (think Batman and all of his wonderful toys).
There is so much detail, but the Authors have been clever, whilst we learn a lot of this world in this book, we don’t get all. They have left things for future books.
This is a series that is going to be so worth getting lost in, as the characters are not only utterly enthralling, but very intelligent, and have the best dialogue, making this such a fun story. The Main Villain is someone who would give The Joker a run for his money, and is just brilliant in how vicious he is.
I will give the Authors credit though, whilst there is a lot of violence and aggression in this book, it is not over the top, it has been very cleverly done, so that it is at a level that is still Older ‘Young Adult’ friendly, as there is not a lot of gratuitous violence or language. The language has been very cleverly taken care of (You’ll see).
This is like ‘The Boys’ meets ‘Monty Python’, and the outcome is just exceptional, you won’t be disappointed.
If you like a good superhero story, action, adventure, even just a good Sci-fi story, this is one you will not want to miss out on, as it will be one of the best books of 2021.
These abilities mean that he is able to do basically anything he wants, as long as he has seen someone else do it first.
The story follows our young hero in both his life as a troubled teenager, and as the sidek…. sorry, ‘Partner’ of the Legendary Superhero ‘Black Harrier’, who is the Guardian of New York City.
This is a Dystopian future, in which there are multiple Superhero’s and of course, wherever there are Hero’s there are Villains.
Before I go too much further, I should mention that this audiobook was so good, that I finished it in a single sitting. I couldn’t stop listening it was just so exceptional, with such brilliant characters.
The story is really well done, there are reminders of a lot of other Hero based series, the book has a real ‘The Boys’ feel to it, with some of the other Heroes in the story having a lot of similarities to the characters in that series (Homelander and Eaglestar both have the same level of Self-indulgent arrogance and superiority). There are several heroes that are similar, as well as the Leadership of the Guild being similar to the Seven, again, that Superiority and thinking they are better than everyone else, even other Supers. There are also elements of series like X-Men and Marvel, with a wide range of Superheroes and Supervillains all with a rather fascinating range of powers and abilities.
The real difference in this series is just how the main character of Sawyer, or Red Raptor, tells the story and relates to the reader. The narrative and dialogue are just so well done, there is a constant element of humour that really adds to the overall series. This is a highly intelligent and creative story, with an in-depth, gritty and highly realistic story, which is impressive given the genre.
Sawyer is a really fascinating character, with his mimicry ability, he is able to learn basically anything, but this leaves him in a difficult position of how he fits in without giving himself away. The story covers his life at home, where he lives with his Mother, who is an alcoholic smoker who drinks herself unconscious most nights. We also get to see his school life, in which he has a crush on the head cheerleader Fabiola, but is constantly tortured by the school bully, Logan. He is trapped with Logan, he can’t pound him into next week without giving himself away, but he also doesn’t want to be bullied by some dumb gorilla with the intelligence of a fresh roadkill.
To make things worse, his relationship with his actual Mentor and Superhero basically revolve around sentences of less than 5 syllables, and are usually less than helpful.
Whilst he loves the Superhero game, at the start of this book, we find Sawyer/Red Raptor kind of torn, as he does not know if he wants to continue to be this thing he has become, and it is here that we get a really good look at the psychological aspects of Sawyer, a Teenage boy with incredible gifts, no parental figures to speak of, (A drunk for a mother, and the only Father figure is a womanising vigilante who if he’s lucky, he gets 6 syllables instead of 5 a night.
It is whilst pondering his future that several events occur, and this is what really sets the main story in motion. The first is the introduction of Osprey, another Superhero, with a Black Harrier fetish, who Sawyer immediately starts crushing on, and as a result, loses focus on the bigger picture.
The other main story line, is that Black Harrier, Frank Douglas, goes missing.
This results in a stunning series of events that is going to rock New York City to the core, but more to the point, is going to change the young life of Sawyer Willian Vincent, alias Red Raptor, to his very core.
The character building in this series is beyond exceptional. The series starts with the main characters already fully evolved, having been active Superheroes in their current set up for over 3yrs, and we come in to this and get to learn about Sawyer and Frank (through Sawyer’s eyes) from this mature perspective. As stated previously, Sawyer is such a fascinating character, but there are also some other really amazing characters as well, such as Osprey, and many others who I am not going to mention to avoid giving away spoilers. I will only say that Osprey is just sensational, and brings so much to the story.
The world building in this book is incredibly detailed, covering every aspect of the story. Castle and Vailin have crafted this multifaceted, and beautifully crafted, Dystopian world for their characters to tell this story in, one in which there are numerous Supers, both good and bad, with a spectacular array of abilities and powers. These range from the organic, such as Sawyer’s abilities, but some of them are technological (think Batman and all of his wonderful toys).
There is so much detail, but the Authors have been clever, whilst we learn a lot of this world in this book, we don’t get all. They have left things for future books.
This is a series that is going to be so worth getting lost in, as the characters are not only utterly enthralling, but very intelligent, and have the best dialogue, making this such a fun story. The Main Villain is someone who would give The Joker a run for his money, and is just brilliant in how vicious he is.
I will give the Authors credit though, whilst there is a lot of violence and aggression in this book, it is not over the top, it has been very cleverly done, so that it is at a level that is still Older ‘Young Adult’ friendly, as there is not a lot of gratuitous violence or language. The language has been very cleverly taken care of (You’ll see).
This is like ‘The Boys’ meets ‘Monty Python’, and the outcome is just exceptional, you won’t be disappointed.
If you like a good superhero story, action, adventure, even just a good Sci-fi story, this is one you will not want to miss out on, as it will be one of the best books of 2021.
March 19, 2021
I read this as an ARC.
Good story. The characters are reasonably well thought out. It is a very 4-color kind of story with everyone and everything being over the top like the golden age comics. Not what I would normally read but I will definitely be reading more of the series.
Good story. The characters are reasonably well thought out. It is a very 4-color kind of story with everyone and everything being over the top like the golden age comics. Not what I would normally read but I will definitely be reading more of the series.
March 28, 2021
Outstanding entry into the Superhero world
This is a wonderful trip into a new world of super heroes. This is good for adults, kids, and adults who are kids at heart.
This is not dark and angry. It is light, fun and enjoyable. It is safe for the family but still has a solid plot.
I'm ready for the next installment!
This is what I expect from Jaime Castle. I have not read anything by Mr. Valin before this. I will search out his work now.
This is a wonderful trip into a new world of super heroes. This is good for adults, kids, and adults who are kids at heart.
This is not dark and angry. It is light, fun and enjoyable. It is safe for the family but still has a solid plot.
I'm ready for the next installment!
This is what I expect from Jaime Castle. I have not read anything by Mr. Valin before this. I will search out his work now.
January 19, 2022
Pretty much just a DC ripoff...except the characters aren't nearly as well developed as in the comics or movies (which is saying something).
The plot was cookie-cutter and predictable while the dialogue was cringe-worthy and eye roll-inducing.
The only real redeemable part of the book was Amber, the AI (who may have been modeled off of Tiffany Amber Gleeson(?)...there was an allusion to a 90's TV show in there). It was the only truly unique part of the story and even though her lines were corny, they were lame is a good way.
The plot was cookie-cutter and predictable while the dialogue was cringe-worthy and eye roll-inducing.
The only real redeemable part of the book was Amber, the AI (who may have been modeled off of Tiffany Amber Gleeson(?)...there was an allusion to a 90's TV show in there). It was the only truly unique part of the story and even though her lines were corny, they were lame is a good way.
January 28, 2022
2021 Best Indie Book Award Winner!
April 11, 2021
If you're a fan of superhero action comics, with a pulp-style flavor and a snappy, wide-eyed first person narrator, this series opener is for you. The opening chapters touch all the right notes - action, danger, romantic love interest, a missing superhero, a sinister villain, along with more action and danger. The book works well as a stand-alone, but promises more fun-filled adventure in upcoming novels.
Now for me, the main character got a little tiresome with his bungling, jump right in style, and the story slowed for me about half way in (thus the four stars) - but your mileage may vary and that kind of character arc might be right up your alley. The ending and resolution, however, was satisfactory as it tied up and explained pretty much all of my questions about this superhero team's relationships. Again, recommended for fans of the genre, or for those who want to get into pulpy superhero stories.
Now for me, the main character got a little tiresome with his bungling, jump right in style, and the story slowed for me about half way in (thus the four stars) - but your mileage may vary and that kind of character arc might be right up your alley. The ending and resolution, however, was satisfactory as it tied up and explained pretty much all of my questions about this superhero team's relationships. Again, recommended for fans of the genre, or for those who want to get into pulpy superhero stories.
March 24, 2021
The authors deliver a fun ride that makes the most of the first-person narrative in the superhero setting, telling the tale of a trusty sidekick who must rise to the occasion and tackle villains out of his league. If you like superheroes and rooting for the underdog, definitely give this one a shot!
July 15, 2023
I came across this book in the Audible Plus catalog. I had never heard of this series or authors but the superhero genre is one of my favorites so I thought I would download this and try it out. I'm really glad I did. I thought this book was a lot of fun. It's a blatant ripoff of Batman, but I still was able to appreciate it for what it was.
The main character (Red Kite) is the sidekick to a Batman-esque hero (Black Harrier). In this case, the MC is the Tim Drake version of Robin (the previous version of the Red Kite was blown up by the Joker-esque villain, just like the Jason Todd version of Robin). The original Red Kite is off being his own superhero (just like Dick Grayson). There is even a female superhero that will probably become a love interest (just like Spoiler). So yeah, lots of parallels to the Batman stories.
I still had a really good time listening to this. I thought the story was fun, I thought some of the villains were really interesting. I liked the action. Overall, it was just a fun time. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. This was an unexpected surprise.
The main character (Red Kite) is the sidekick to a Batman-esque hero (Black Harrier). In this case, the MC is the Tim Drake version of Robin (the previous version of the Red Kite was blown up by the Joker-esque villain, just like the Jason Todd version of Robin). The original Red Kite is off being his own superhero (just like Dick Grayson). There is even a female superhero that will probably become a love interest (just like Spoiler). So yeah, lots of parallels to the Batman stories.
I still had a really good time listening to this. I thought the story was fun, I thought some of the villains were really interesting. I liked the action. Overall, it was just a fun time. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. This was an unexpected surprise.
October 13, 2021
Though inspired by Batman & Robin, this was a refreshing take on the genre. I really enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to book 2
June 11, 2022
Sawyer has spent the last 3 years working as Black Harrier's partner. Not sidekick, never sidekick. They are partners. Or, at least, he thought they were. But when Black Harrier suddenly disappears, Sawyer begins to realize that he didn't know much about Black Harrier at all. Will Sawyer be able to find him before something bad happens?
This was a superhero book that seemed darker than a typical superhero book. Our protagonist struggles at school, not because he's not smart, but because he spends his evenings and nights patrolling the city streets. Then his troubles are compounded when his mom finds his computer and tablet and accuses him of selling drugs in order to buy these things. Unable to offer an alternative explanation, his mom ends up grounding him, which puts a real crimp in his nighttime activities just when the Harrier has disappeared.
I really liked the way that Sawyer's relationship with his mother changes over the course of the book. While they do not have a great relationship, it is clear that they love each other and at the beginning of the book, they have fallen into dysfunctional patterns. Though their relationship is not perfect at the end, it is heading in the right direction, and I appreciated that.
The action sequences in the book were also really good. Between the action sequences and the self-talk that Sawyer engages in, there is hardly any downtime. While there were definitely times that Sawyer's self-talk got a bit too whiny and self-pitying. Overall, though, the self-talk allowed for some great insight.
I definitely did not see the twist coming at the end, but it did fit with the overall plot.
The narrator, Jack Meloche, did a good job too, and I will definitely be putting the sequel on my TBR list.
This was a superhero book that seemed darker than a typical superhero book. Our protagonist struggles at school, not because he's not smart, but because he spends his evenings and nights patrolling the city streets. Then his troubles are compounded when his mom finds his computer and tablet and accuses him of selling drugs in order to buy these things. Unable to offer an alternative explanation, his mom ends up grounding him, which puts a real crimp in his nighttime activities just when the Harrier has disappeared.
I really liked the way that Sawyer's relationship with his mother changes over the course of the book. While they do not have a great relationship, it is clear that they love each other and at the beginning of the book, they have fallen into dysfunctional patterns. Though their relationship is not perfect at the end, it is heading in the right direction, and I appreciated that.
The action sequences in the book were also really good. Between the action sequences and the self-talk that Sawyer engages in, there is hardly any downtime. While there were definitely times that Sawyer's self-talk got a bit too whiny and self-pitying. Overall, though, the self-talk allowed for some great insight.
I definitely did not see the twist coming at the end, but it did fit with the overall plot.
The narrator, Jack Meloche, did a good job too, and I will definitely be putting the sequel on my TBR list.
August 6, 2025
My prior review got deleted somehow, but I loath this book so much I had to replace it. It’s a formulaic superhero story that absolutely never breaks out from that formula. The storyline, characters, and setting are lifted wholesale from other, better works, barely changed from their source material. If you’ve heard of Batman before, you don’t need this book.
Beyond being a shameless rip off, the books intolerable. The dialogue is annoying. The main character’s mom isn’t a real character, but is instead from an SNL skit about Alcoholism. The other women characters are two dimensional at best, when they’re not just the vehicle for the least compelling sexuality of any book I’ve ever read. The entire thing is embarrassingly predictable. Even for a work that’s not attempting to do or be much, this is a genuinely embarrassing effort.
Beyond being a shameless rip off, the books intolerable. The dialogue is annoying. The main character’s mom isn’t a real character, but is instead from an SNL skit about Alcoholism. The other women characters are two dimensional at best, when they’re not just the vehicle for the least compelling sexuality of any book I’ve ever read. The entire thing is embarrassingly predictable. Even for a work that’s not attempting to do or be much, this is a genuinely embarrassing effort.
April 18, 2021
An enjoyable superhero sidekick story, there may be some blurred lines as some characters are straight rips of their archtype but it still tells its own story well. Also strangely similar to the other novel sidekicks; super power chronicles. which also features a sidekick named raptor with the same powers and back story .
May 21, 2021
Four chapters in and I am done.
This is simple, four chapters and not one good character. I don't mean morally good, I mean well written. They are all cookie cutter tropes. The mother, the bully, the bully's parents, the principle, the friend, they are all cheap knockoffs. I quit because it just seemed a waste of time lacking any attempt at originality.
This is simple, four chapters and not one good character. I don't mean morally good, I mean well written. They are all cookie cutter tropes. The mother, the bully, the bully's parents, the principle, the friend, they are all cheap knockoffs. I quit because it just seemed a waste of time lacking any attempt at originality.
May 25, 2021
Excellent super hero adventure. Needs to be read by all.
April 16, 2022
meh
Even skimmed, this one was barely tolerable. On the edge of a DNF given the nonsensical nature of the story. If food, it’d be gas station food that turned on ya.
Even skimmed, this one was barely tolerable. On the edge of a DNF given the nonsensical nature of the story. If food, it’d be gas station food that turned on ya.
July 15, 2025
RAPTORS: SIDEKICKS by Jaime Castle and CJ Valin is a fantastic superhero novel that manages to do what so many other superhero fiction fails to: remain earnest throughout. As Superman (2025) shows, not every movie has to be a zany send-up like Deadpool or a rigid deconstruction of morality like Watchmen. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love both those kind of superhero stories but its nice to have something that just feels like "fun" comic books.
In this case, Sawyer William Vincent is Red Raptor AKA Red Kite. A fifteen-year-old who has been taken in by the Black Harrier as the third of his name. Sawyer hates being referred to as Red Kite, holds himself up against the previous two (one having become a "real" hero and the other dying, sound familiar?), and he's not terribly fond of the concept of a sidekick. Still, he's a fundamentally likable sort of fellow. His coming of age drama is a familiar one and if you like Batman, a lot of the characters will come off as stand-ins like Osprey for Barbara Gordon. That isn't a problem, though, and I'd be massively hypocritical if I found it to be so.
One of the things I do love about superhero novels is taking the archetypes of characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Superman, and so on in order to put them through different lens. Due to the serialized nature of storytelling, we'll never have definitive consequences for most of their actions but a novel can have their stand-ins grow, marry, die, or become corrupted. Some may find this cheap but others may feel like it is an advantage of the medium.
The characters are unique despite their similarities to Batman and the Bat-Family, though. In much the same way Terry McGinnis was different from Dick Grayson. Sawyer is a great character as he's fully capable of doing the job but is aware, at least on some level, how utterly weird it is for a random billionaire to make him a superhero. He also still has to go to high school and keep this from his recovering addict mother, which only adds to the issues he faces. Watching Sawyer befriend the original Kite while dealing with his unreciprocated crush on Osprey feels all too familiar to young men who had older brothers as well as loves that could never be.
The actual plot of the books is less important than the characters reactions to them. Yes, a superhero gets kidnapped and yes there is questions of how to juggle school with a secret identity but the heart of the story is Sawyer figuring out whether he even wants to be a superhero. After all, what sort of life is it it to have to keep answering to a bunch of people who think you're not ready to be a superhero (when they're still willing to use them as sidekicks).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has an earnestness that worked really well in the Superman (2025) and yet an awareness of the tropes and ideas of superhero stories that translates well to fiction. Real change and character growth shows up in these pages and it was entertaining from beginning to end.
In this case, Sawyer William Vincent is Red Raptor AKA Red Kite. A fifteen-year-old who has been taken in by the Black Harrier as the third of his name. Sawyer hates being referred to as Red Kite, holds himself up against the previous two (one having become a "real" hero and the other dying, sound familiar?), and he's not terribly fond of the concept of a sidekick. Still, he's a fundamentally likable sort of fellow. His coming of age drama is a familiar one and if you like Batman, a lot of the characters will come off as stand-ins like Osprey for Barbara Gordon. That isn't a problem, though, and I'd be massively hypocritical if I found it to be so.
One of the things I do love about superhero novels is taking the archetypes of characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Superman, and so on in order to put them through different lens. Due to the serialized nature of storytelling, we'll never have definitive consequences for most of their actions but a novel can have their stand-ins grow, marry, die, or become corrupted. Some may find this cheap but others may feel like it is an advantage of the medium.
The characters are unique despite their similarities to Batman and the Bat-Family, though. In much the same way Terry McGinnis was different from Dick Grayson. Sawyer is a great character as he's fully capable of doing the job but is aware, at least on some level, how utterly weird it is for a random billionaire to make him a superhero. He also still has to go to high school and keep this from his recovering addict mother, which only adds to the issues he faces. Watching Sawyer befriend the original Kite while dealing with his unreciprocated crush on Osprey feels all too familiar to young men who had older brothers as well as loves that could never be.
The actual plot of the books is less important than the characters reactions to them. Yes, a superhero gets kidnapped and yes there is questions of how to juggle school with a secret identity but the heart of the story is Sawyer figuring out whether he even wants to be a superhero. After all, what sort of life is it it to have to keep answering to a bunch of people who think you're not ready to be a superhero (when they're still willing to use them as sidekicks).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has an earnestness that worked really well in the Superman (2025) and yet an awareness of the tropes and ideas of superhero stories that translates well to fiction. Real change and character growth shows up in these pages and it was entertaining from beginning to end.
November 10, 2022
Reader thoughts: There were quite a few things I enjoyed with this book and quite a few I disliked.
I liked that the heroes weren't overpowered. What can Sawyer do? He can learn martial arts by watching videos. That's it. He doesn't have super strength/flexibility/laser eyes/etc. The other heroes seemed about the same. They had Batman-level tech but no real powers.
I liked the MC's funny commentary . . . mostly. He kept talking dirty, which put me off and made me consider not finishing the book. He was always looking at girls' butts or boobs and thinking about getting into bed with them. It happened at least once per chapter. Nasty mind. Yuck.
I did like that the girl wasn't mary sueish and that Sawyer saw her flaws (that she didn't plan when attacking).
I didn't like that she and the cheerleader girl from school were both flirting with Sawyer for no real reason. Power fantasy, much?
The plot was decent. The action was decent. The danger felt real since the powers were minimal, and Sawyer kept ending up in the hospital, except that he healed way too quickly. The dialogue was pretty funny, and the bad guys were suitably bad (no sympathetic villains and betrayals by new friends).
I wanted someone in charge, though. I like it when the superheroes are working with the government or with their own organization (like in Wearing the Cape: A Superhero Story). I wanted someone to be on the radio, calling in for help and telling supers where to go. Instead, Sawyer just wanders around and helps whomever. That sounds rather inefficient and dangerous.
Writer thoughts: Superheroes is a rather specific genre with several tropes readers want to see. Castle brought in these elements: secret identities, costumes, fun tech, bad guys with a message, a deadly countdown, action and injuries, balancing superhero life with normal life, self-doubt, and daring rescues.
I liked that the heroes weren't overpowered. What can Sawyer do? He can learn martial arts by watching videos. That's it. He doesn't have super strength/flexibility/laser eyes/etc. The other heroes seemed about the same. They had Batman-level tech but no real powers.
I liked the MC's funny commentary . . . mostly. He kept talking dirty, which put me off and made me consider not finishing the book. He was always looking at girls' butts or boobs and thinking about getting into bed with them. It happened at least once per chapter. Nasty mind. Yuck.
I did like that the girl wasn't mary sueish and that Sawyer saw her flaws (that she didn't plan when attacking).
I didn't like that she and the cheerleader girl from school were both flirting with Sawyer for no real reason. Power fantasy, much?
The plot was decent. The action was decent. The danger felt real since the powers were minimal, and Sawyer kept ending up in the hospital, except that he healed way too quickly. The dialogue was pretty funny, and the bad guys were suitably bad (no sympathetic villains and betrayals by new friends).
I wanted someone in charge, though. I like it when the superheroes are working with the government or with their own organization (like in Wearing the Cape: A Superhero Story). I wanted someone to be on the radio, calling in for help and telling supers where to go. Instead, Sawyer just wanders around and helps whomever. That sounds rather inefficient and dangerous.
Writer thoughts: Superheroes is a rather specific genre with several tropes readers want to see. Castle brought in these elements: secret identities, costumes, fun tech, bad guys with a message, a deadly countdown, action and injuries, balancing superhero life with normal life, self-doubt, and daring rescues.
December 15, 2021
I loved this book. Before it was even finished I was downloading the next book, I enjoyed it that much. I usual prefer cozy mysteries but every now and again I like a change and who doesn't love the big budget super hero film? Where you don't need much story but lots of action and spectacular fight scenes. Well with this book you get the best of both worlds. Plenty of action, a good backstory and a little mystery as to what has happened to the main super hero. I really liked the characters and could see them gracing the silver screen, the authors obviously had a lot of fun writing this book and coming up with different names. It was fun that the sidekick (actually the main character) is still at school and having to deal with bullies, which I think most people can relate to but in this case the bully gets his comeuppance. Just a fun book for any super hero fan.
What happens when the main super hero of New York goes missing? The super villains come out to play and it is left up to his sidekick (sorry his fifteen year old partner) to pick up the slack and make the streets safe once again. That is when he isn't in detention or grounded. Can Red Raptor step up to the challenge find his mentor, stay out of the way of the school bully and go up against some super villains who have escaped a maximum security prison? Oh and get his homework done all before the start of school?
I liked the narrator. He used some very good voices to bring the characters to life, I especially liked the voice he gave the French chief.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
What happens when the main super hero of New York goes missing? The super villains come out to play and it is left up to his sidekick (sorry his fifteen year old partner) to pick up the slack and make the streets safe once again. That is when he isn't in detention or grounded. Can Red Raptor step up to the challenge find his mentor, stay out of the way of the school bully and go up against some super villains who have escaped a maximum security prison? Oh and get his homework done all before the start of school?
I liked the narrator. He used some very good voices to bring the characters to life, I especially liked the voice he gave the French chief.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 8, 2025
Superhero stuff is normally right up my alley but this didn’t do it for me. It’s not the story so much as I didn’t like Sawyer, the main protagonist. I just didn’t find him likable.
Then there are weird things like his mother just “decides” to make a major change and presto she’s all better and immediately on Sawyer’s case about stuff she’d ignored for years.
There’s the principal who (not giving away the specifics) couldn’t be bothered to look a security cameras before making certain assumptions. In fact, he never did which I would absolutely have been demanding.
So what did I like? I liked Osprey. She was a nice character but her treatment by Sawyer early on was just bad. They sorted things out but it wasn’t deserved.
I also liked Black Harrier’s previous sidekick. He was a decent guy, looked out for Sawyer (when possible), and began to see him like a little brother.
The main problem with this story, though, is it was 100% a ripoff of Batman. Black Harrier = Batman, first sidekick was Nightwing (right down to never being adopted), second sidekick was Jason Todd, and third sidekick was Damian Wayne. (Tim Drake was ignored again.) TBH, I’m surprised DC Comics doesn’t know about this but I’m not telling them.
Then there are weird things like his mother just “decides” to make a major change and presto she’s all better and immediately on Sawyer’s case about stuff she’d ignored for years.
There’s the principal who (not giving away the specifics) couldn’t be bothered to look a security cameras before making certain assumptions. In fact, he never did which I would absolutely have been demanding.
So what did I like? I liked Osprey. She was a nice character but her treatment by Sawyer early on was just bad. They sorted things out but it wasn’t deserved.
I also liked Black Harrier’s previous sidekick. He was a decent guy, looked out for Sawyer (when possible), and began to see him like a little brother.
The main problem with this story, though, is it was 100% a ripoff of Batman. Black Harrier = Batman, first sidekick was Nightwing (right down to never being adopted), second sidekick was Jason Todd, and third sidekick was Damian Wayne. (Tim Drake was ignored again.) TBH, I’m surprised DC Comics doesn’t know about this but I’m not telling them.
February 9, 2024
This was a quick moving young adult superhero story with an obvious Batman and Robin vibe. Sawyer (Red Raptor) had a sort of photographic reflexes ability which gives him incredible martial arts abilities. His relationship with Black Harrier is strange, but perhaps no more strange than the relationship of Batman and Robin. When Black Harrier disappears, Sawyer tries to pick up the slack but gets little help. In fact, in some of these unhappiest and least enjoyable scenes in the novel his mother and the school help his bully by punishing Sawyer for ducking so that the bully hit a locker instead of his face. I had trouble with that. It was so over the top that it damaged the necessary suspension of disbelief that makes these stories work.
I also wasn’t thrilled with the big bad and his master plan. It tied everything together nicely enough (perhaps too nicely) but it never really clicked for me and dragged me into the story.
I also wasn’t thrilled with the big bad and his master plan. It tied everything together nicely enough (perhaps too nicely) but it never really clicked for me and dragged me into the story.
June 3, 2021
From Jaime Castle, one of the minds behind The Buried Goddess Saga, and C. J. Valin, Sidekick (should be "Partner") is an exciting super hero story following The Red Kite- I mean, Red Raptor.
Red Raptor, AKA Sawyer, is the Partner of one of the best crime fighting super heroes in New York City. Sawyer struggles to juggle his heroic life, highschool, and his developing social life, but it gets a bit more difficult when his super hero mentor goes missing and he's the only one who can rescue him.
Sidekick is a thrilling story with just the right amounts of high school drama, super villain shenanigans, heroic fights, and a dash of romance.
The audiobook was performed by Jack Meloche. His performance was perfect for the role and suited the main protagonist quite well.
Red Raptor, AKA Sawyer, is the Partner of one of the best crime fighting super heroes in New York City. Sawyer struggles to juggle his heroic life, highschool, and his developing social life, but it gets a bit more difficult when his super hero mentor goes missing and he's the only one who can rescue him.
Sidekick is a thrilling story with just the right amounts of high school drama, super villain shenanigans, heroic fights, and a dash of romance.
The audiobook was performed by Jack Meloche. His performance was perfect for the role and suited the main protagonist quite well.
June 18, 2021
This was definitely a Batman and Robin with a little Batgirl thrown in. The villains were kind of quirky. Like a Batman villain would he. The main villain was definitely Joker like. Still I enjoyed it overall. It had sub plots and a few twists. I won’t spoil anything. I will read the next installment because I want to see the Red Raptor’s new team. Not a big DC fan or Batman and Robin fan for that matter but it’s worth the read. I figured out the plot way before the end but I will leave it at that. It was kind of obvious. No matter it was still very enjoyable to read.
December 22, 2021
What a blast! A cleverly written fun and easy narrative that just begs to be binge-read!
The story is presented in a first person POV for each character and is brimming with action, teenage snark, parental language controls and some cheeky references to famous movies and tv series, all tied together with laugh-out-loud moments, a school bully and a yucky school principal.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the story except some evidence of poor editing; a number of errors should have been easily noticed and fixed up, hence only 4 stars.
The story is presented in a first person POV for each character and is brimming with action, teenage snark, parental language controls and some cheeky references to famous movies and tv series, all tied together with laugh-out-loud moments, a school bully and a yucky school principal.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the story except some evidence of poor editing; a number of errors should have been easily noticed and fixed up, hence only 4 stars.
May 21, 2023
This is one of those books with a good concept that fell just a little short of the mark for me. So many of the little back stories in this were too similar to other super hero characters. The main character is fun sometimes but he is also a hormonal teenager which can get a touch annoying. The reveals in the story were fun, if a little predictable.
I will say though that even with all that I did enjoy the book overall and will be reading the next one, I just dont think its a book I would necessarily reccomend l.
I will say though that even with all that I did enjoy the book overall and will be reading the next one, I just dont think its a book I would necessarily reccomend l.
August 12, 2023
A super fun, superhero series featuring a not-sidekick with a bit of a naming complex, a character with an aggressive coffee fixation, a bully with a hero complex, and funny spiderman-Gotham-Marvel vibes.
Really enjoyed these books. Lots of twists, turns, and surprises with a classic, vintage comic book feel and plenty of action, snark, and heart.
Also has some "Zoom" vibes with a hero recruitment drive that reveals some rather oddly talented individuals (I use the term 'talented' rather loosely here).
Really enjoyed these books. Lots of twists, turns, and surprises with a classic, vintage comic book feel and plenty of action, snark, and heart.
Also has some "Zoom" vibes with a hero recruitment drive that reveals some rather oddly talented individuals (I use the term 'talented' rather loosely here).
September 1, 2024
This was a stereotypical teen story of a nerd who likes the pretty girl who doesn't notice him and is picked on by the bully who is a jock. He is hiding superpowers and arguing with his mom.
Sadly, the book doesn't really have any creative twist. The superhero team is an obvious copy of Batman and Robin. The bad guys are really dumb (literally sharing their plans in every fight) and the big reveal isn't that big of a reveal (saw it coming at least halfway through the book).
So, it's a fun read, but it didn't have the creativity and wonder that I usually get from a superhero story.
Sadly, the book doesn't really have any creative twist. The superhero team is an obvious copy of Batman and Robin. The bad guys are really dumb (literally sharing their plans in every fight) and the big reveal isn't that big of a reveal (saw it coming at least halfway through the book).
So, it's a fun read, but it didn't have the creativity and wonder that I usually get from a superhero story.
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