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House of El #2
The Enemy Delusion
Knowing Krypton’s possible fate, Sera and Zahn find it difficult to continue with their everyday lives. Sera’s enhanced fighting skills may impress General Zod, but they raise suspicions among her fellow soldiers. Zahn is burdened with the knowledge of the underground rebel group’s plans.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2022
5 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Gray
79 books14.2k followersClaudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 21, 2022
Claudia Gray continues to do what she does best in giving us a star-crossed perspective on iconic events, this time in the DC Universe. The nature of the story is familiar enough to me to now feel like comfort food, enabling the other star of the show, the eye popping line art that recreates Krypton in the days leading up to its destruction, which now feels more imminent with each passing panel.
This is proving to be an excellent addition to the Superman mythos, much like with the same author's Star Wars novel I hope graphic novel readers can look beyond the YA label and story elements and appreciate the richness of Gray and Zawadski's imagined world.
This is proving to be an excellent addition to the Superman mythos, much like with the same author's Star Wars novel I hope graphic novel readers can look beyond the YA label and story elements and appreciate the richness of Gray and Zawadski's imagined world.
March 13, 2022
Sera and Zahn discover a horrible fact about their planet just when they begin to connect romantically, now they have to decide what to do about their dire fate.
January 13, 2022
Good second installment of the House of El series, but I would have liked to see more plot progression.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
November 9, 2022
Things are finally picking up towards the end, but that's probably because that's the part of the story that we're all familiar with. I almost wish I had waited to read these all at once, because I had a lot of trouble keeping the different characters and what happened in The Shadow Threat straight.
April 23, 2023
This is the second graphic novel in this series.
It was an enjoyable read that was fairly easy to follow. I really like the illustrations. And I can't wait to see how the story ends.
It was an enjoyable read that was fairly easy to follow. I really like the illustrations. And I can't wait to see how the story ends.
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March 14, 2022
I didn't like this one as much as I remember liking the first. But.. I don't know if that's because this one wasn't as good, or if it's just been so long since I read the first one.
Still entertaining enough that I would read the third one just to see where it all ends up. I mean, I have an idea, obviously, but....
Still entertaining enough that I would read the third one just to see where it all ends up. I mean, I have an idea, obviously, but....
February 22, 2022
I love that this picked up exactly where the first one left off. Absolutely zero time lapsed and that’s what I like. And it didn’t fall into the graphic novel trap of turning pages and feeling like you missed something! Which I always appreciate. I’m definitely excited to see what happens with Sera and Zahn in the conclusion!
January 27, 2022
Soldier Sera and scientist Zahn were born and bred for their positions on Krypton, but have discovered their planet's potential fate. Sera's fighting skills impress General Zod but alienates her fellow soldiers. Zahn has trouble maintaining friendships and studies, especially when he knows about the secret experiments Jor-El and Lara are doing. Jor-El also tries to inform the tribunal about Krypton's future, but he's ignored.
We all know what will ultimately happen to the planet, adding another layer of tension to the already tense storyline. Both Sera and Zahn are genetic misfits in a society where genes determine everything about a person's caste, and the populace, in general, are so convinced of their own superiority that they refuse to look past what they think they know. Sera moved on beyond being a simple soldier following rules, and her comrades don't like that about her. Zahn is seen as obsessive when he keeps worrying about the future of Krypton, and his friends think it's because he's "slumming" with Sera. He's also working with the Midnight group, seen as terrorists, but now it's moving beyond theoretical change to potential damage to upper caste areas, and its members are more than just disillusioned lower caste people.
This is the second book and relies on knowing the events in the first one (read my review) to understand why Sera's so disgruntled with Lara and Jor-El. It definitely carries the feel of the bridging book in a trilogy, because it's really good at ramping up tension as it progresses. Sera and Zahn grow closer despite the differences in their castes, and they both realize that some people around them carry more secrets than they knew. We're aware of the true dangers that their elders dismiss, and realize that the ticking clock is going faster than they know. It continues the story of the Book of El, and I can't wait to see how the next book goes, and if the two survive despite the odds.
We all know what will ultimately happen to the planet, adding another layer of tension to the already tense storyline. Both Sera and Zahn are genetic misfits in a society where genes determine everything about a person's caste, and the populace, in general, are so convinced of their own superiority that they refuse to look past what they think they know. Sera moved on beyond being a simple soldier following rules, and her comrades don't like that about her. Zahn is seen as obsessive when he keeps worrying about the future of Krypton, and his friends think it's because he's "slumming" with Sera. He's also working with the Midnight group, seen as terrorists, but now it's moving beyond theoretical change to potential damage to upper caste areas, and its members are more than just disillusioned lower caste people.
This is the second book and relies on knowing the events in the first one (read my review) to understand why Sera's so disgruntled with Lara and Jor-El. It definitely carries the feel of the bridging book in a trilogy, because it's really good at ramping up tension as it progresses. Sera and Zahn grow closer despite the differences in their castes, and they both realize that some people around them carry more secrets than they knew. We're aware of the true dangers that their elders dismiss, and realize that the ticking clock is going faster than they know. It continues the story of the Book of El, and I can't wait to see how the next book goes, and if the two survive despite the odds.
November 30, 2021
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
4 stars = Great! Might re-read.
I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series. I'm not a huge Superman fan, but I am really getting into this sideways look at his origin story as Krypton is moving toward destruction and the planetary factions are ignoring the truth. There are some nice romantic sidelines to this as well as some mystery and suspense that I enjoyed. While pieces of the Krypton story are familiar, even to someone like me who is not a super fan, the new characters in this give it a fresh vantage point that I am really enjoying. Highly recommend.
4 stars = Great! Might re-read.
I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series. I'm not a huge Superman fan, but I am really getting into this sideways look at his origin story as Krypton is moving toward destruction and the planetary factions are ignoring the truth. There are some nice romantic sidelines to this as well as some mystery and suspense that I enjoyed. While pieces of the Krypton story are familiar, even to someone like me who is not a super fan, the new characters in this give it a fresh vantage point that I am really enjoying. Highly recommend.
January 10, 2022
Even though you know how it's going to end, and even though there's lots of new shows out about Krypton, the idea that it's all genetically locked in, and that people are so altered that to ME they're not really people, they don't really have free will... that Krypton isn't so much a Utopia as a Dystopia, and that Zod was working with Jor El and Lara... I really enjoy this take. While it's been done in various ways, I always find it interesting.
And rather than track the House of El directly, we have two other heroes to watch whose lives intertwine, and it will be painful to watch them go. I look forward to the third and final installment and I'm glad to be along for this ride.
And rather than track the House of El directly, we have two other heroes to watch whose lives intertwine, and it will be painful to watch them go. I look forward to the third and final installment and I'm glad to be along for this ride.
January 27, 2022
I love these characters. Every single one ... even snarky Wil. Such a fun read and just enough intrigue and suspense to keep me guessing!!
January 11, 2025
Sera-Ur and Zahn-Re come from the same world, Krypton, but very different subcultures. Sera is a member of the military caste, and until recently was content to follow orders. Zahn is from the elite science caste, and his keen mind allows him to see solutions others don’t. But it also allows him to see problems others don’t, even ones the ruling council says aren’t problems at all. Ordinarily they’d never have interacted. But Zahn’s cousin Lara performed experiments on Sera that appear to have affected her mind, and now she’s having thoughts military people aren’t supposed to have.
Kryptonian society is very rigid and hierarchal; castes don’t mix, and dissent is dealt with harshly, even things you didn’t know were dissent when you thought of them. Zahn secretly is connected to a resistance group called “Midnight” that has been labeled as “terrorists” by the government. He’s not so sure about that. Having been thrown together by chance, Sera and Zahn are catching feelings for each other that aren’t precisely forbidden, but are suspicious.
The teens have discovered that Lara and her husband Jor-El are definitely up to something forbidden, experiments with technology that’s on the no-no list, and they’re having a baby that was not genetically engineered like normal children are. What they do not know is that Jor-El has discovered that Krypton is doomed, and there’s nothing that can save it.
This is the middle part of a graphic novel trilogy, retelling the backstory of Superman in the style of YA dystopia. As someone who grew up reading Silver Age comics, I wasn’t entirely pleased with Krypton’s change from a flawed but mostly good civilization to a more sterile dystopia. But I do have to admit it makes for some good stories.
As this volume opens, our protagonists are fleeing from law enforcement. They had trespassed in the House of El to steal a “data solid” that might have clues to what Lara was trying to accomplish with her experiment on Sera. They manage to give the police the slip, but the initial information is just a history lesson…except that the slant isn’t the official one, but something the Council might consider seditious. Everything else is locked away, so it must be even more explosive.
While Sera’s thoughts may be more confused than before, she’s also sharper and faster to react than before, which attracts the attention of her commanding officer, General Zod. Zod is a friend of Jor-El’s and is aware of the mounting evidence of Krypton being an unstable planet (though Jor-El has kept the worst from him) and is working with Jor-El on possible solutions. Which sounds good, but we know from “history” that General Zod is eventually sentenced to the Phantom Zone prison for horrible crimes, so his interest in Sera might be more sinister than it looks.
Zahn spots a vulnerability in the capital city’s technological infrastructure. Striking there will cripple the government’s control temporarily, without unnecessary civilian casualties. He informs his contacts in Midnight, who bring him fully into the organization. Unfortunately, the leader of Midnight wants to crank up the plan with additional infrastructure strikes that are far more likely to cause death.
Sera and Zahn find themselves increasingly isolated from their peers and mentors due to their innovative thinking, even though it’s getting results. They also have a quarrel that temporarily isolates themselves from each other. Towards the end of the volume, they reconcile and figure out how to unlock the data solid. And now they know the horrible truth.
The edition of this volume I have has the first chapter of the concluding volume as a preview, as Zahn confronts Jor-El and Lara.
The writing is good, and I find myself interested in the main characters, even though I know that their chances of surviving the end are infinitesimal at best. The art is solid, making Kryptonian architecture and costuming look distinctive and a touch alien despite the very contemporary human-looking character designs.
Unfortunately, this is the middle of a trilogy, so I don’t know if the story sticks the landing.
Content note: Combat against “monsters”, the monsters are killed. Classism.
Recommended primarily to young adults with a casual interest in the Superman mythos and who are okay with downer endings.
Kryptonian society is very rigid and hierarchal; castes don’t mix, and dissent is dealt with harshly, even things you didn’t know were dissent when you thought of them. Zahn secretly is connected to a resistance group called “Midnight” that has been labeled as “terrorists” by the government. He’s not so sure about that. Having been thrown together by chance, Sera and Zahn are catching feelings for each other that aren’t precisely forbidden, but are suspicious.
The teens have discovered that Lara and her husband Jor-El are definitely up to something forbidden, experiments with technology that’s on the no-no list, and they’re having a baby that was not genetically engineered like normal children are. What they do not know is that Jor-El has discovered that Krypton is doomed, and there’s nothing that can save it.
This is the middle part of a graphic novel trilogy, retelling the backstory of Superman in the style of YA dystopia. As someone who grew up reading Silver Age comics, I wasn’t entirely pleased with Krypton’s change from a flawed but mostly good civilization to a more sterile dystopia. But I do have to admit it makes for some good stories.
As this volume opens, our protagonists are fleeing from law enforcement. They had trespassed in the House of El to steal a “data solid” that might have clues to what Lara was trying to accomplish with her experiment on Sera. They manage to give the police the slip, but the initial information is just a history lesson…except that the slant isn’t the official one, but something the Council might consider seditious. Everything else is locked away, so it must be even more explosive.
While Sera’s thoughts may be more confused than before, she’s also sharper and faster to react than before, which attracts the attention of her commanding officer, General Zod. Zod is a friend of Jor-El’s and is aware of the mounting evidence of Krypton being an unstable planet (though Jor-El has kept the worst from him) and is working with Jor-El on possible solutions. Which sounds good, but we know from “history” that General Zod is eventually sentenced to the Phantom Zone prison for horrible crimes, so his interest in Sera might be more sinister than it looks.
Zahn spots a vulnerability in the capital city’s technological infrastructure. Striking there will cripple the government’s control temporarily, without unnecessary civilian casualties. He informs his contacts in Midnight, who bring him fully into the organization. Unfortunately, the leader of Midnight wants to crank up the plan with additional infrastructure strikes that are far more likely to cause death.
Sera and Zahn find themselves increasingly isolated from their peers and mentors due to their innovative thinking, even though it’s getting results. They also have a quarrel that temporarily isolates themselves from each other. Towards the end of the volume, they reconcile and figure out how to unlock the data solid. And now they know the horrible truth.
The edition of this volume I have has the first chapter of the concluding volume as a preview, as Zahn confronts Jor-El and Lara.
The writing is good, and I find myself interested in the main characters, even though I know that their chances of surviving the end are infinitesimal at best. The art is solid, making Kryptonian architecture and costuming look distinctive and a touch alien despite the very contemporary human-looking character designs.
Unfortunately, this is the middle of a trilogy, so I don’t know if the story sticks the landing.
Content note: Combat against “monsters”, the monsters are killed. Classism.
Recommended primarily to young adults with a casual interest in the Superman mythos and who are okay with downer endings.
February 20, 2025
The second chapter continues to unfold the tragedy of Krypton's downfall. Not really touched on, if everyone's roles are proscribed by their DNA and they cannot imagine outside their limited function within Kryptonian society, even the Council which dooms Krypton by its short-sightedness isn't really to blame. They suffer the same defects as every other caste of the world Gray is building here. I'm interested to see where Zod goes in book three. The relationship between Sera and Zahn is developed very well, very compelling writing.
The art is mostly very good. Story storytelling, great architecture and alien settings, and terrific acting. I find Zahn and Jor-El oddly similar looking and have to really pay attention to that S-shaped crest to know which is which during scene transitions (or when they meet!).
The art is mostly very good. Story storytelling, great architecture and alien settings, and terrific acting. I find Zahn and Jor-El oddly similar looking and have to really pay attention to that S-shaped crest to know which is which during scene transitions (or when they meet!).
May 13, 2022
I was expecting a lot more action in this book so I was mildly disappointed about that deficit. And I also think that there this book was really dragging. This book was kind of similar to watching an interesting TikTok and then there is an unnecessary part two, and then when you watch part two they still don't give you the conclusion. Maybe the writer just wanted to make this series a trilogy, but besides that reason, there is not much of a reason for there to be an entire book two that does not have the main conflict occur. Other than that there is a good buildup in the story that puts more people at stake and elaborates on the situation at hand to a fuller extent compared to the first book.
June 1, 2023
I like how this dovetails perfectly with Superman's origins. It's about his future cousin, Sera, (not Supergirl) and Zahn the boy she's interested in from the other side of the tracks so to speak. He's part of the elite while she's a soldier. Kryptonians have been genetically altered to fit the house they belong in (soldier, leader, etc.) Due to Lara's experiments on Sera she's broken out of that programming although she can't tell anyone. Meanwhile Zahn is attempting to tell everyone how Krypton is on the verge of collapse but no one will listen. This is very much a middle volume so don't expect any conclusion here. Zawadzki's line work is excellent too. I only wish the colors weren't so muted.
July 8, 2024
don’t call it a comeback (i say like i personally did not give the first book a bad review)! this book definitely turned it around and got way more engaging. it’s made me think a lot about how i’ve divided sci-fi and fantasy in my own head and made me realize that the two are harder to separate than i previously thought and also maybe i do love sci-fi (anyone who has known me ever would say yes you do love sci-fi). anyways, this book was there for me in a time i needed fictional escapism really badly so maybe there’s some sort of effect of that going on in this review? in any case i feel like my love of sci-fi is reinvigorated and i’m excited but also a little sad to that the next book is the last one (and that, you know, we kinda all know how it ends). 4.5 stars 🌟
March 22, 2022
85%
"This is the price of knowing the truth when everyone else believes a lie. I understand that. Why is it still so hard?"
* gripping story-telling; I'm not usually into superhero comics, but this was about the relatively normal people of Krypton
* I looked up Superman lore after reading this, and I'm very curious to see how this trilogy will end. According to canon, NO ONE survived other than Superman, but maybe somehow Sera and Zahn survive? Or will these two characters we've grown attached to inevitably die? Looking forward to book #3 - I hope it doesn't disappoint!
"This is the price of knowing the truth when everyone else believes a lie. I understand that. Why is it still so hard?"
* gripping story-telling; I'm not usually into superhero comics, but this was about the relatively normal people of Krypton
* I looked up Superman lore after reading this, and I'm very curious to see how this trilogy will end. According to canon, NO ONE survived other than Superman, but maybe somehow Sera and Zahn survive? Or will these two characters we've grown attached to inevitably die? Looking forward to book #3 - I hope it doesn't disappoint!
June 7, 2022
Sera and Zahn are investigating Jor-El and Laura. They aren't sure what those two are up to. Zahn is still working with Midnight and their secret boss is revealed. These two are changed and those around them are still the same. They aren't sure how to move forward and who to trust. I am really enjoying this series and I am not happy about having to wait until 2023 to read the finale. I am enjoying the story of Krypton which is not about Superman and his parents. Sera and Zahn are interesting main characters. I am really excited to finish reading this one.
March 19, 2023
The Enemy Delusion continues the excellence of The House of El. Oh, it's very much a middle volume: the events put into action by V1 won't come to a head until V3. But, we get continued development of our lead characters (who we increasingly see as Romeo and Juliet, heading toward tragedy), and we also rather cleverly dovetail that into the story of Superman, all without taking the focus away from our main characters.
An excellent story by Claudia Gray that I am still astounded is classified as YA, since it's more mature and thoughtful than most of what DC produces.
An excellent story by Claudia Gray that I am still astounded is classified as YA, since it's more mature and thoughtful than most of what DC produces.
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January 13, 2022Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Run Boy Run
BFF Charms: Eventually x2
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Gray Area
Arty Art: Action Packed
Anti-Bonus Factor: Bridge Book Blues
Relationship Status: Sticking Around
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Run Boy Run
BFF Charms: Eventually x2
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Gray Area
Arty Art: Action Packed
Anti-Bonus Factor: Bridge Book Blues
Relationship Status: Sticking Around
Read the full book report here.
January 2, 2023
Our heroes have discover a secret that impact the fate of their world. If you have any knowledge of Krypton then you know what happens to it, but what we don't know is what will happen to our heroes. I would like to know what Zahn is based on what happened in book one. I wonder if we are going to get the answer in the last book? I also realize something about General Zod that I am just like "Oh, no".
Verdict: I am pretty sure I am going to cry when I read the next book.
Verdict: I am pretty sure I am going to cry when I read the next book.
March 26, 2023
Sera is adjusting to her genetic changes and Zahn is struggling even more to fit in. Together they are trying to unlock the information behind a data drive they stole from the people who have Sera her genetic changes.
The story suffered from a dumb “misunderstanding”. There was no reason for Sera to go off about something that wasn’t annoying her before. Her characterization prior to the “fight” was not one that would do that. Once again mediocre writing.
The story suffered from a dumb “misunderstanding”. There was no reason for Sera to go off about something that wasn’t annoying her before. Her characterization prior to the “fight” was not one that would do that. Once again mediocre writing.
May 27, 2023
The second YA book in the House Of El series, telling a different side of comics' most famous origin is still just okay. I thought the choices here were expected and the caste systems not explored enough. The relationship between Zahn and Sera seems forced. The ideas here are interesting and Zod is intriguing but not much actually happened here. The art is still very basic. Overall, a decent yet unspectacular read.
September 9, 2024
This is certainly a "middle" story that suffers the same fate as the middle third of any trilogy. We don't have the freshness of new characters, and we don't have the resolution to the plot. What we see is progression: deeper romance, deeper conspiracy, deeper conflict, deeper truths revealed. The story does a good job in telling that progression. The same as in the first part, the story is written well, and I'm a big fan of the art style. I am looking forward to reading the conclusion.
April 3, 2022
The middle volume of the House of El trilogy with Claudia Gray's perspective on what was happening on Krypton in the lead up to the birth of Kal-el and his parents sending him off to survival on another planet. Trust, loyalty, friendships and curiosity are at the core of this as the action moves steadily towards the planets fate. An enjoyable graphic novel for those who love the Superman world.
April 18, 2023
Much more engaging than the first book though it's nothing I haven't seen before. The coloring's still muddy.
And does anyone else notice these books have a weird smell? I really think it's the way the book is printed. The first book had the same unpleasant smell as well.
Book 1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And does anyone else notice these books have a weird smell? I really think it's the way the book is printed. The first book had the same unpleasant smell as well.
Book 1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 24, 2021
I received a copy of this for free in exchange for a review.
This one picked up right where the first one left off. However not a lot truly happened until the last 10%. I’m not sure exactly where this story can go considering we know what happens with Krypton in the end.
This one picked up right where the first one left off. However not a lot truly happened until the last 10%. I’m not sure exactly where this story can go considering we know what happens with Krypton in the end.
August 31, 2022
Sera and Zahn try to open the secret part of the data solid they stole from Jor-El and Lara. They learn more about Midnight and its leaders. Ultimately, they learn they have less time than they thought. Will Krypton really explode? Can they get anyone to listen?
October 5, 2022
Picks up right exactly where volume one left off. This is a slower volume, but it still moves things along. I'm not sure if I want this series to end basically happy or not. Would it feel cheap to add two more survivors to Krypton? I don't know, but I'm trying to reserve judgement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews