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Hide or Seek: The Superpower Protection Program
A Read with Jenna Book Club Pick!
You Never Know Who’s Listening
Nick Pappas—a teenage boy with nascent superpowers—has his world turned upside down when he’s taken into witness protection after his superhero father is murdered on national television. But things are not what they appear to be in the small town he’s relocated to. He soon discovers that, not only is it populated with family members of super villains, but it’s also a prison and he’s considered one of its most dangerous inmates. He can’t be sure who to trust, and to make matters worse, he’s developing powers of his own—with no way to control them.
You Never Know Who’s Listening
Nick Pappas—a teenage boy with nascent superpowers—has his world turned upside down when he’s taken into witness protection after his superhero father is murdered on national television. But things are not what they appear to be in the small town he’s relocated to. He soon discovers that, not only is it populated with family members of super villains, but it’s also a prison and he’s considered one of its most dangerous inmates. He can’t be sure who to trust, and to make matters worse, he’s developing powers of his own—with no way to control them.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2023
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 28, 2023
Hide or Seek is Dan Didio's first prose novel. I met Dan and his lovely bride at GalaxyCon this past weekend. The actual release date for this book isn't until April 11, but they had copies of the book with them at the convention. After reading the back cover and speaking with the couple about it, I decided to give the book a shot. That is how I, a man of 50+ years, would become the first person to officially purchase a copy of this book which is aimed at a decidedly younger demographic. Heck, when my children were younger, I often enjoyed reading their books as much as they did, so why not?
This book is listed as being for 3rd-4th grades, but I think it would be better suited for middle-schoolers. That being said, I really enjoyed the story. I read the prologue and first two chapters while taking a snack break at the convention. I was hooked.
The initial set-up introduces us to a world of Enhanced Humans (super-heroes and super-villains). Where it goes from there was always a surprise. The main character is a teenage boy whose life is turned upside down suddenly and he spends the rest of the novel trying to find out what is happening to him and how he can get back to his former life. As new characters are introduced in his new life, this book evokes feelings of the old television show The Prisoner. Are his friends really his friends? Who can he trust?
Didio's background in comic books is evident in more than just the inclusion of super-powered characters and other science fiction elements. His storytelling techniques would fit in very well in that more visual medium. I actually had to chuckle while reading one particular chapter that introduced an important character. They are described as being a silhouette with their back to the other character in the scene. This would be great in a comic book, television, or movie that was keeping the revelation of that character secret for later. In a prose format, I had to wonder why they had to be in silhouette? It still works though.
I've done my best to avoid spoilers, but I think it is safe to say this story is left open for a sequel or two (more?). If Didio writes a continuation to this story, rest assured I will be preordering a copy. Or at the very least looking for his booth at the next convention.
This book is listed as being for 3rd-4th grades, but I think it would be better suited for middle-schoolers. That being said, I really enjoyed the story. I read the prologue and first two chapters while taking a snack break at the convention. I was hooked.
The initial set-up introduces us to a world of Enhanced Humans (super-heroes and super-villains). Where it goes from there was always a surprise. The main character is a teenage boy whose life is turned upside down suddenly and he spends the rest of the novel trying to find out what is happening to him and how he can get back to his former life. As new characters are introduced in his new life, this book evokes feelings of the old television show The Prisoner. Are his friends really his friends? Who can he trust?
Didio's background in comic books is evident in more than just the inclusion of super-powered characters and other science fiction elements. His storytelling techniques would fit in very well in that more visual medium. I actually had to chuckle while reading one particular chapter that introduced an important character. They are described as being a silhouette with their back to the other character in the scene. This would be great in a comic book, television, or movie that was keeping the revelation of that character secret for later. In a prose format, I had to wonder why they had to be in silhouette? It still works though.
I've done my best to avoid spoilers, but I think it is safe to say this story is left open for a sequel or two (more?). If Didio writes a continuation to this story, rest assured I will be preordering a copy. Or at the very least looking for his booth at the next convention.
July 8, 2023
It was so lovely to get to read Dan’s first novel and I’ll admit, it wasn’t what I was expecting ! Part of me was a little disappointed and thrown off by the turns the book took. It wasn’t bad by any means, heck, I intended to take it slow, but next thing I knew, I was already done with it! The ending left me a little speechless I won’t lie, Didio truly had me baffled. Enjoyable, thought-provoking and playing with perception this novel was a solid read. Could be read for the age group intended or older (myself; a young adult)
I’ll admit, I had a laugh when I took a break and realized that the meaning of the title had been staring at me for some time.
I also really loved Dan’s references to Greek Mythology, all well placed and eye opening to what was going on beneath the surface.
All in all, a really enjoyable read that makes you reflect on just what’s going on ! Can’t wait to see if Didio continues this world and gives us more of Nick’s story !!
I’ll admit, I had a laugh when I took a break and realized that the meaning of the title had been staring at me for some time.
I also really loved Dan’s references to Greek Mythology, all well placed and eye opening to what was going on beneath the surface.
All in all, a really enjoyable read that makes you reflect on just what’s going on ! Can’t wait to see if Didio continues this world and gives us more of Nick’s story !!
November 7, 2022
3.5 stars out of 5 stars.
Hide and Seek was a book marketed as Middle Grade. To be fair, I've definitely passed Middle Grade book age but I still like to read them so I was quite excited for this one when I saw the premise. Superhero parents? Count me in.
The book itself was fine. It felt a bit odd that a Middle Grade book, which is targeted to 10 to 15 year old but I typically see as being for 12 year old, having a Main Character that was 16. However it did work as it never got explicit or anything. The book description felt like it would be an action packed story full of fighting while it became more of a mystery. It was therefore not entirely what I expected this book to be.
Do I feel like people should give it a chance? Absolutely. It's an enjoyable story, well-written and it has superheroes. Was it entirely for me? No. Was it as the premise described entirely? No. But that doesn't mean I don't still like it, I definitely still do.
I was provided by an ARC of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hide and Seek was a book marketed as Middle Grade. To be fair, I've definitely passed Middle Grade book age but I still like to read them so I was quite excited for this one when I saw the premise. Superhero parents? Count me in.
The book itself was fine. It felt a bit odd that a Middle Grade book, which is targeted to 10 to 15 year old but I typically see as being for 12 year old, having a Main Character that was 16. However it did work as it never got explicit or anything. The book description felt like it would be an action packed story full of fighting while it became more of a mystery. It was therefore not entirely what I expected this book to be.
Do I feel like people should give it a chance? Absolutely. It's an enjoyable story, well-written and it has superheroes. Was it entirely for me? No. Was it as the premise described entirely? No. But that doesn't mean I don't still like it, I definitely still do.
I was provided by an ARC of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2022
Enjoyed this book. When I read about it being a superhero book I did think yeah it's gonna be like Marvel movies with a lot of action in. It does have some action in but I felt it was more of a mystery than action book. The main character is always trying to find out why things are happening to him or the whole town he finds himself taken to. Regardless of this thought enjoyed it. It got me wanting to read on further to find out what happens faster. Hope this is the first to a series as I finished the book thinking there was a lot left open for another book.
March 3, 2023
We enjoyed this book but the children felt uncomfortable with some of the gender and racial issues. They thought that some of their mixed race friends or friends with gender sensitivities may feel distressed reading this book. I am certain that the author would not want to offend but the children thought it worth mentioning.
March 4, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book for an honest review. This is a middle grade superhero read involving action and mystery. It was also a "coming into his own" kind of vibe. Look forward to the next book.
February 19, 2023
I was given a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
November 1, 2022
What worked:
I’ve read a few books where kids have superhero parents but Nick’s father has been a questionable parent. The summary accompanying this post sums up the plot nicely as Nick and his mom are herded to Crucible where his mom says they’ll be able to live safely. Their handler seems shady and all of Nick’s questions are answered with ambiguity and vagueness. There are no connections to the outside world and Nick finds everything just a bit off. His name is changed to Theo and his former identity as Nick is erased from all digital footprints. The only place Nick exists is in his own mind. Crucible is the place his father wanted Nick and his mother to relocate in case of trouble but something’s amiss.
The initial pages seem like the book is headed toward an action-adventure but it develops into a mystery of sorts. Nick doesn’t like not knowing what’s going on with his life so he’s determined to figure out the secrets surrounding Crucible. Characters frequently warn him that his every move is being watched so it sometimes feels like Nick is a lab rat under the control of an unseen organization. Characters fear punishment when they don’t “follow the script” and it’s unclear which characters are the good guys and the bad guys. Nick’s not even sure if he can trust his new “friends” since they won’t tell him the truth and try to avoid him. The author allows Nick to ponder his new reality throughout the book and doesn’t reveal the true nature of Crucible until the plot nears the end.
The author endows the teenage characters with some uncommon powers. Nick’s temper causes him to become hot and fiery but he has no idea how to control it. Jerry is a curious character because they don’t identify with gender pronouns and are actually three people in one. I won’t elaborate but this character causes Nick a great deal of confusion in the first half of the book. Another boy is able to transport to different locations although his magic comes at a price. A girl is able to absorb and redirect energy, which can come in handy. It’s unknown if the adults have powers but it’s silly to assume none of them do. Mirrors have a special place in the plot and contribute to the eerie atmosphere of Crucible.
What didn’t work as well:
The blurb accompanying the post reveals way more than it should so opportunities for surprise are lost. This book is listed with middle-grade titles on NetGalley, Amazon lists it for grades 3-4, and the main character is sixteen. It can easily be read by middle-grade students since it’s not violent, vulgar, or embellished with sexual moments.
The Final Verdict:
The listings don’t say this book is the first of a new series but I assume that’s the case. It feels like this book is setting the stage for a sequel since there are issues left unresolved. Overall, the mysterious story is entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.
I’ve read a few books where kids have superhero parents but Nick’s father has been a questionable parent. The summary accompanying this post sums up the plot nicely as Nick and his mom are herded to Crucible where his mom says they’ll be able to live safely. Their handler seems shady and all of Nick’s questions are answered with ambiguity and vagueness. There are no connections to the outside world and Nick finds everything just a bit off. His name is changed to Theo and his former identity as Nick is erased from all digital footprints. The only place Nick exists is in his own mind. Crucible is the place his father wanted Nick and his mother to relocate in case of trouble but something’s amiss.
The initial pages seem like the book is headed toward an action-adventure but it develops into a mystery of sorts. Nick doesn’t like not knowing what’s going on with his life so he’s determined to figure out the secrets surrounding Crucible. Characters frequently warn him that his every move is being watched so it sometimes feels like Nick is a lab rat under the control of an unseen organization. Characters fear punishment when they don’t “follow the script” and it’s unclear which characters are the good guys and the bad guys. Nick’s not even sure if he can trust his new “friends” since they won’t tell him the truth and try to avoid him. The author allows Nick to ponder his new reality throughout the book and doesn’t reveal the true nature of Crucible until the plot nears the end.
The author endows the teenage characters with some uncommon powers. Nick’s temper causes him to become hot and fiery but he has no idea how to control it. Jerry is a curious character because they don’t identify with gender pronouns and are actually three people in one. I won’t elaborate but this character causes Nick a great deal of confusion in the first half of the book. Another boy is able to transport to different locations although his magic comes at a price. A girl is able to absorb and redirect energy, which can come in handy. It’s unknown if the adults have powers but it’s silly to assume none of them do. Mirrors have a special place in the plot and contribute to the eerie atmosphere of Crucible.
What didn’t work as well:
The blurb accompanying the post reveals way more than it should so opportunities for surprise are lost. This book is listed with middle-grade titles on NetGalley, Amazon lists it for grades 3-4, and the main character is sixteen. It can easily be read by middle-grade students since it’s not violent, vulgar, or embellished with sexual moments.
The Final Verdict:
The listings don’t say this book is the first of a new series but I assume that’s the case. It feels like this book is setting the stage for a sequel since there are issues left unresolved. Overall, the mysterious story is entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.
August 30, 2024
The writing could’ve used a few more passes to help streamline it a little more, but on the whole this is above average storytelling.
I met Dan DiDio at a comic book convention last weekend, and the extended conversation that followed led me to picking up Hide or Seek so I could repay his time (the man is gregarious when he starts going!). As one of the driving forces behind DC Comics for the better part of the years since the turn of the millennium, regardless of what some fans will say, he’s clearly exhibited a creative mind both in his own work and what he’s helped shepherd from others. He told me the book started out as a Netflix pitch, which isn’t overly surprising.
Much of its shape runs parallel to the kind of storytelling you’ll find on modern TV shows. It’s got plot points in common with one of the many unfairly overlooked DC shows from recent years, Stargirl. But in the final analysis it’s got its own heart.
And it follows comic book logic in a way few ever consider. Since Crisis on Infinite Earths (and the dawn of the Silver Age that suggested it), DC has been obsessed with rebooting continuity. Sometimes characters remember, sometimes they don’t. The funny thing is, this isn’t really relegated only to DC. Fans of The Matrix and its sequels will recognize the same phenomenon. Sometimes life will feel like a pattern you want to break but can’t, no matter how hard you try.
And that’s the uncommon ending. I don’t know if DiDio will ever get to write another book in Nick Pappas/Theo Alexander’s story, but this is a perfect ending if he doesn’t. It’s even perfectly cyclical, if you think about it, in more ways than just the driving experiences. It’s not just our main character who doesn’t get to see everything. But the reader doesn’t need to be anywhere near as frustrated.
Since Harry Potter exploded, a lot of writers have flooded the market with similar, inferior books and series. If you reduce Hide or Seek to that level you’re doing it, and yourself, a disservice.
I met Dan DiDio at a comic book convention last weekend, and the extended conversation that followed led me to picking up Hide or Seek so I could repay his time (the man is gregarious when he starts going!). As one of the driving forces behind DC Comics for the better part of the years since the turn of the millennium, regardless of what some fans will say, he’s clearly exhibited a creative mind both in his own work and what he’s helped shepherd from others. He told me the book started out as a Netflix pitch, which isn’t overly surprising.
Much of its shape runs parallel to the kind of storytelling you’ll find on modern TV shows. It’s got plot points in common with one of the many unfairly overlooked DC shows from recent years, Stargirl. But in the final analysis it’s got its own heart.
And it follows comic book logic in a way few ever consider. Since Crisis on Infinite Earths (and the dawn of the Silver Age that suggested it), DC has been obsessed with rebooting continuity. Sometimes characters remember, sometimes they don’t. The funny thing is, this isn’t really relegated only to DC. Fans of The Matrix and its sequels will recognize the same phenomenon. Sometimes life will feel like a pattern you want to break but can’t, no matter how hard you try.
And that’s the uncommon ending. I don’t know if DiDio will ever get to write another book in Nick Pappas/Theo Alexander’s story, but this is a perfect ending if he doesn’t. It’s even perfectly cyclical, if you think about it, in more ways than just the driving experiences. It’s not just our main character who doesn’t get to see everything. But the reader doesn’t need to be anywhere near as frustrated.
Since Harry Potter exploded, a lot of writers have flooded the market with similar, inferior books and series. If you reduce Hide or Seek to that level you’re doing it, and yourself, a disservice.
May 17, 2023
Dan Didio has spent decades working with some of the most talented writers on the planet… Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, and many others. Suffice it to say that he learned something from those collaborations. Dan has created an interesting world here that really seems like the first chapter of a much longer epic. The characters are well thought out, and their motivations all make sense. The antagonists are somewhat enigmatic and you’re not really sure if they are bad or simply misunderstood by our protagonist Nick/Theo. The novel starts out with a bang and pulls you in right away. After that it’s mostly the story of a boy trying to figure out how to make sense of his previous life and the new world he’s been dropped into. Some of the language here would make it suitable for middle school students and older, but as an adult I was just as invested in the story and characters. This seems to be a strong start to a new world, and I’ll definitely check in to any future stories taking place in this world, to see how these characters grow and change.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews