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Supra/normal: No More Superheroes
For sixteen-year-old Julie Jackson, being able to punch through brick walls and shrug off knives and bullets is no dream. It's a curse that could land her in prison for the rest of her life, or worse.A generation after the Supranormal War decimated the world, Julie lives in hiding with a group of other gifted teenagers, called Supras. Guarded by a telepathic veteran, they try to stay one step ahead of the Normalizers. This ruthless police force, immune to their powers, is tasked with hunting them down to prevent another war. When Julie breaks their cover to rescue another Supra, the Normalizers soon attack their hideout and capture their guardian.Forced to flee, Julie and her friends have one last hope. The rescued Supra, a frightened young man named Steve, carries a mutated gene that makes him the only one able to use his powers against the Normalizers. However, before they can use his ability to save their mentor, Julie must face her greatest fear, and discover the truth about their origins. If they succeed in their desperate mission, they may become the heroes the world told them they could never be.
252 pages, Hardcover
Published March 15, 2021
About the author
A.S. McDermott
6 books16 followersA.S. McDermott was born in England but now lives in South Carolina with his family and assorted cats. He has been writing since he was a wee lad, but has only recently begun publishing his work. Aside from novels and short stories, he also writes screenplays and directed the short horror film The Party (2010). When not writing, he likes to swim, watch movies and take naps.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2020
Supra/normal is... kind of refreshing, actually. It's not just a straight-up superhero action movie sort of thing, but nor is it in the gritty deconstructive oeuvre that's perhaps even more popular than Straight Up Superheroes these days. Superheroes (or 'supranormals', or just 'supras' for short) are real, and the world knows it; unfortunately, though, a war involving supras has left the population at large extremely distrustful of those with powers. So it's not The Boys, where supes are real and just the worst people; nor is it Watchmen, in which superheroes are real-ish and maybe the worst people. It's perhaps... if you ever read the CHERUB books, which were about a bunch of teenage spies, it's like that but with superheroes instead of just normal badass humans. Overall, though, it feels pretty original, not just like it's retreading things that have been done too many times already.
Our protagonist is, unbeknownst even to her at the start, a supra, and it turns out that there's a charming little bunch of other teenage supras (I don't usually read any YA, but I think this probably falls into that category) hiding out so that they don't all get imprisoned or executed by the supra-hating regime. The core cast is just the right size; there are enough of them to have interesting group dynamics and be able to solve problems in different ways, but not so many that a reader could lose track. They're all well-defined and likeable, except when they're not supposed to be.
I will say, though, that my two favourite characters in the book deserve better: they're introduced, spend a couple of chapters being the best, and then disappear from the narrative, with only a line or two of dialogue later on to indicate that anyone even remembers that they existed. There's definitely scope for a sequel (or more than one) here, though, so perhaps we'll find out what happened to them in the future.
Anyway, I really liked Supra/normal, and I suspect that people in the more YA-ish age bracket might like it even more; what worked for me will hopefully work for them, too, and any bits to which I was broadly indifferent might well be of some interest to them!
Our protagonist is, unbeknownst even to her at the start, a supra, and it turns out that there's a charming little bunch of other teenage supras (I don't usually read any YA, but I think this probably falls into that category) hiding out so that they don't all get imprisoned or executed by the supra-hating regime. The core cast is just the right size; there are enough of them to have interesting group dynamics and be able to solve problems in different ways, but not so many that a reader could lose track. They're all well-defined and likeable, except when they're not supposed to be.
I will say, though, that my two favourite characters in the book deserve better: they're introduced, spend a couple of chapters being the best, and then disappear from the narrative, with only a line or two of dialogue later on to indicate that anyone even remembers that they existed. There's definitely scope for a sequel (or more than one) here, though, so perhaps we'll find out what happened to them in the future.
Anyway, I really liked Supra/normal, and I suspect that people in the more YA-ish age bracket might like it even more; what worked for me will hopefully work for them, too, and any bits to which I was broadly indifferent might well be of some interest to them!
June 9, 2020
Good starter for a (hopefully) fun and thrilling adventure to come. The book is filled with a lot of action and adventure that it was hard to put down once I was at the halfway mark. Definitely recommend checking this out.
April 10, 2022
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3jsntZG.
Julia got her powers when she was 12 and has spent the last 4 years doing her best to stop bullies while keeping a low profile. No one must know she has super strength and invincibility or else the Supreme President and his band of normalizers will arrest them and give them a choice: join in the hunt for other supra's or be killed. When she saves her crush from the certain death in the gym she reveals her closely kept secret and goes on the run. While in hiding she is found by the supposedly evil doctor that played a key role in the war between Supra's and Normal's that led to their banning. The Doc takes her back to their home where she meets with Penny, Leon, and Monica and everything seems to be going great until they learn that another Supra has been found because of her escape. Now they must band together if they want to save others like them.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book has been staring at me since the moment I got it in the mail and I have been anxiously awaiting it's turn on my TBR list. I will say that it was worth the wait, but in your case why wait?
Most of the superpowers are pretty typical. Super strength, super intelligence, flight, and flame. Superheroes and all things super-powered are banned. Based on that (which is in the synopsis on the back of the book, in different words) I got a lot of Incredibles vibes. Once I started the book, however, I was very wrong. I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I greatly enjoyed the read. I started the book and finished it the next day. I will say that I feel the synopsis on the back focuses too much on Steve versus the actual main character in the story. Yes, he plays a part, but I don't feel it was as big of a deal as the overview made it seem.
I kept waiting on him to take charge when honestly I spent most of the book not liking his character. He whined more than any teenage boy or girl I have ever met and outside of his power was pretty useless. My favorite character was Penny. Although a 12 year old in pigtails seems a bit odd. Pigtails are normally for younger girls, but hey to each their own. Who doesn't love a sweet little nerd girl who can build her own AI?
I hope that this book leads to others where we find out more that happens to this little band of outcasts. I want to know how they make their future and if their ultimate dream becomes a reality. The author does a good job of making petulant teen characters that you want to strangle at times and like at others. Especially Monica. I didn't like her at all at the beginning, but by the end she had grown on me. I can't say I'm attached to her, but she isn't that bad. Then there is Leon. Although he is the oldest I just want to bubble wrap him and keep him cocooned in safety. Amusing considering his back-story.
If you love superheroes you should really read this book.
Julia got her powers when she was 12 and has spent the last 4 years doing her best to stop bullies while keeping a low profile. No one must know she has super strength and invincibility or else the Supreme President and his band of normalizers will arrest them and give them a choice: join in the hunt for other supra's or be killed. When she saves her crush from the certain death in the gym she reveals her closely kept secret and goes on the run. While in hiding she is found by the supposedly evil doctor that played a key role in the war between Supra's and Normal's that led to their banning. The Doc takes her back to their home where she meets with Penny, Leon, and Monica and everything seems to be going great until they learn that another Supra has been found because of her escape. Now they must band together if they want to save others like them.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book has been staring at me since the moment I got it in the mail and I have been anxiously awaiting it's turn on my TBR list. I will say that it was worth the wait, but in your case why wait?
Most of the superpowers are pretty typical. Super strength, super intelligence, flight, and flame. Superheroes and all things super-powered are banned. Based on that (which is in the synopsis on the back of the book, in different words) I got a lot of Incredibles vibes. Once I started the book, however, I was very wrong. I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I greatly enjoyed the read. I started the book and finished it the next day. I will say that I feel the synopsis on the back focuses too much on Steve versus the actual main character in the story. Yes, he plays a part, but I don't feel it was as big of a deal as the overview made it seem.
I kept waiting on him to take charge when honestly I spent most of the book not liking his character. He whined more than any teenage boy or girl I have ever met and outside of his power was pretty useless. My favorite character was Penny. Although a 12 year old in pigtails seems a bit odd. Pigtails are normally for younger girls, but hey to each their own. Who doesn't love a sweet little nerd girl who can build her own AI?
I hope that this book leads to others where we find out more that happens to this little band of outcasts. I want to know how they make their future and if their ultimate dream becomes a reality. The author does a good job of making petulant teen characters that you want to strangle at times and like at others. Especially Monica. I didn't like her at all at the beginning, but by the end she had grown on me. I can't say I'm attached to her, but she isn't that bad. Then there is Leon. Although he is the oldest I just want to bubble wrap him and keep him cocooned in safety. Amusing considering his back-story.
If you love superheroes you should really read this book.
January 25, 2021
I am sure you all remember THE BREAKFAST CLUB from director, John Hughes? Well, take the captured teen angst of that film, throw in some awesome superhero action in a future society on the verge of being a dystopia, and you have SUPRA/NORMAL.
Author, A.S. McDermott, does a fantastic job with this story and the characters within. I would imagine any teen, or even young adult, would find the characters super relatable. Especially the main protagonist, Julie Jackson, with a character arc that develops just enough in this story to "lead" us into what I have a feeling will be a "hard-hitting" sequel. The author captures the collective angst of not only Julie, but the entire group of misfit protagonists, in a very impactful and respectful way. I was most impressed at how true Julie Jackson's character registered to me as true, having being written from a female prospective.
In terms of structure, I felt it was true to the hero's journey model, and the plot itself moved along at a nice, steady pace: not too slow, not too fast. Nicely done here.
I also feel that most readers will find the story content and characters to be very relevant. There is some social commentary embedded within the story, at least I felt, in regards to how society looks at alternative lifestyles, as well as bullying, and even politics. Social context is very important when writing for the public, I am sure most would agree--even in the urban fantasy genre--and McDermott does a good job at commenting on such societal issues through the development of his characters, while keeping the story and action on pace and not letting it get bogged down. Nice balance here.
The action itself, I very much enjoyed! Being a wannabe writer myself, I can appreciate how hard it is to show a fight, or battle, without making it feel like you are merely explaining the technical details and intricacies of an action sequence. I can honestly say that I never felt like things were being explained to me, and more so that I felt immersed in the action of the good stuff when it came down to it!
Overall, a super fun read, true to its genre, and relevant to the time in which it was written. I am very much looking forward to the sequel and rest of the saga--hint, hint; wink, wink to the author.
Author, A.S. McDermott, does a fantastic job with this story and the characters within. I would imagine any teen, or even young adult, would find the characters super relatable. Especially the main protagonist, Julie Jackson, with a character arc that develops just enough in this story to "lead" us into what I have a feeling will be a "hard-hitting" sequel. The author captures the collective angst of not only Julie, but the entire group of misfit protagonists, in a very impactful and respectful way. I was most impressed at how true Julie Jackson's character registered to me as true, having being written from a female prospective.
In terms of structure, I felt it was true to the hero's journey model, and the plot itself moved along at a nice, steady pace: not too slow, not too fast. Nicely done here.
I also feel that most readers will find the story content and characters to be very relevant. There is some social commentary embedded within the story, at least I felt, in regards to how society looks at alternative lifestyles, as well as bullying, and even politics. Social context is very important when writing for the public, I am sure most would agree--even in the urban fantasy genre--and McDermott does a good job at commenting on such societal issues through the development of his characters, while keeping the story and action on pace and not letting it get bogged down. Nice balance here.
The action itself, I very much enjoyed! Being a wannabe writer myself, I can appreciate how hard it is to show a fight, or battle, without making it feel like you are merely explaining the technical details and intricacies of an action sequence. I can honestly say that I never felt like things were being explained to me, and more so that I felt immersed in the action of the good stuff when it came down to it!
Overall, a super fun read, true to its genre, and relevant to the time in which it was written. I am very much looking forward to the sequel and rest of the saga--hint, hint; wink, wink to the author.
June 17, 2020
McDermott's debut novel will knock you off your seat if you aren't careful which makes me wonder if he isn't a Supra as well! His characters are well formed and consistent. I cannot wait for the next installation!
August 10, 2020
A unique and gripping new distopian tale. The characters are rife with personality, and the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some language, so not for very young readers. This would make a great graphic novel, too!
April 26, 2021
McDermott's debut novel will knock you off your seat if you aren't careful which makes me wonder if he isn't a Supra as well! His characters are well formed and consistent. I cannot wait for the next installation!
April 12, 2022
I am so glad that I picked this as my first read in April! I love YA books, and this one does NOT disappoint.
As far as style goes, McDermott's is pretty laid back. It reads like a YA book. There's no long drawn out, flowery prose, but that's perfectly acceptable. Instead of focusing on making the words nice, we instead get a really solid storyline and setting. The world that McDermott has built is both well-thought out and very well-rounded. It's a broad setting, and I'm here for it.
The pacing was a big sluggish at the start. I couldn't get past how silly it all sounded. But the words were so gosh-darn good and lighthearted that I just had to keep going. But after that, it was one punch after another, and it did NOT stop. I was clutching the edge of my seat for the last twenty percent of the book.
But the characters are where McDermott really shines! Julie managed to grab me from the get-go, and I was rooting for her, watching her grow, holding my breath for her—She’s phenomenal. All of the characters have their own role, and they all seamlessly fit together.
My only complaint?
That there’s no sequel. LOL
Full review: https://aejohnsonwrites.wordpress.com...
As far as style goes, McDermott's is pretty laid back. It reads like a YA book. There's no long drawn out, flowery prose, but that's perfectly acceptable. Instead of focusing on making the words nice, we instead get a really solid storyline and setting. The world that McDermott has built is both well-thought out and very well-rounded. It's a broad setting, and I'm here for it.
The pacing was a big sluggish at the start. I couldn't get past how silly it all sounded. But the words were so gosh-darn good and lighthearted that I just had to keep going. But after that, it was one punch after another, and it did NOT stop. I was clutching the edge of my seat for the last twenty percent of the book.
But the characters are where McDermott really shines! Julie managed to grab me from the get-go, and I was rooting for her, watching her grow, holding my breath for her—She’s phenomenal. All of the characters have their own role, and they all seamlessly fit together.
My only complaint?
That there’s no sequel. LOL
Full review: https://aejohnsonwrites.wordpress.com...
July 23, 2020
This is an amazing book about super heroes. It takes the genre, throws it into a blender, and adds some different ingredients to the mix. It is a kick ass book with seemingly non-stop action, but it also takes time to shape its characters and make them real and believable. Julie Jackson is one fine protagonist, coping with her super powers in a world that wants to destroy her. The other "supras" all are relatable and are portrayed in an honest way. The author gets the teenage angst right, and what did anyone think would happen if you give super powers to teens and tweens? This is a wonderful, awesome, and emotional story that leaves plenty of room for a sequel (fingers crossed). Watch out MCU, there is a new breed of super hero around and this one is ripe for a film version - I can see Kiernan Shipka in the role of Julie. This is a great summer read for the YA crowd but also for readers of all ages.
July 13, 2020
Excellent read with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Must read!
Loved the world McDermott created. Especially in times like this we all need to be heroes and stand up for those who are being bullied. Love that the characters are fighting to bring back hope in a world where apathy has been reigning and rewarded.
Seriously, picked up the book to read while the kids were playing outside in the afternoon sun and finished it just before bed. I could not put it down!!!
I cannot wait for the next book! I sure hope the writer is writing! I have do many questions and I must know what happens next!
Loved the world McDermott created. Especially in times like this we all need to be heroes and stand up for those who are being bullied. Love that the characters are fighting to bring back hope in a world where apathy has been reigning and rewarded.
Seriously, picked up the book to read while the kids were playing outside in the afternoon sun and finished it just before bed. I could not put it down!!!
I cannot wait for the next book! I sure hope the writer is writing! I have do many questions and I must know what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews