Superheroes Anonymous by Lexie Dunne
Series: Superheroes Anonymous #1
Published by Harper Voyager Impulse
Published on: November 18 2014
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Everybody in Chicago has a “superhero sighting” story. So when a villain attacks editorial assistant Gail Godwin and she’s rescued by superhero Blaze, it’s a great story, and nothing more. Until it happens again. And again.
Now, the media has dubbed her Hostage Girl, nobody remembers her real name, and people are convinced that Blaze is just Gail’s boyfriend Jeremy in disguise. Gail’s not so sure. All she knows is that when both Jeremy and Blaze leave town in the same week, she’s probably doomed. Who will save her now?
But when the villains miraculously lose interest, Gail is able to return to her life…until she wakes up strapped to a metal table by a mad scientist who hasn’t read the news. Escaping, and now more than human herself, she’s drawn into a secret underground world of superheroes. She’ll have to come to terms with her powers (and weakness) to make it in the new society, and it’s not easy. After all, there’s a new villain on the rise, and she has her sights set on the one and only Hostage Girl.
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As big a fan of superheroes as I am, I’ve actually read very few books that are superhero focused: Jennifer Estep’s Bigtime series, After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi . . . maybe one or two others that didn’t immediately spring to mind, but that’s pretty much it.
Of those, Superheroes Anonymous is most similar to Bigtime, but that’s a very kind comparison . . .
Gail Godwin lives in a world filled with superheroes and villains. When our story begins, she’s just an ordinary human, which is a problem, b/c she’s constantly getting taken hostage. She gets taken hostage so frequently that, like the superheroes and villains she so often rubs elbows with, she has her own moniker:
Hostage Girl.
YEP. Gail Godwin is Hostage Girl.
“But why is Gail Godwin always getting taken hostage?” you ask.
B/c the superhero/villain community thinks she’s Chicago’s #1 superhero’s girlfriend, that’s why.
And even Gail herself doesn’t know if that’s true. Her incredibly hot (but somewhat slacker) boyfriend Jeremy certainly could be her habitual rescuer Blaze, but . . . for whatever reason, Gail doesn’t think so.
But what she thinks becomes irrelevant when Jeremy breaks up with her, accepts a job transfer to Miami, and Blaze is seen rescuing new damsels in distress in the same city.
Poor Gail.
But at least she’s no longer getting kidnapped several times a week, right?
Wrong.
Someone didn’t the memo, and when evil Dr. Mobius snatches Gail from a local coffee house with the intent of performing Mad Scientist experiments on her, Blaze isn’t there to stop him.
After spending an indeterminate amount of time weighing the pros and cons of attempting to launch her own breakout vs. continuing to feel sorry for herself and waiting to be rescued, she eventually escapes (under dubious circumstances), stumbles into a bank robbery, and spineless-ninny-that-she-is, manages to occupy the villain until the superheroes arrive.
Then she blacks out.
She wakes up at Superhero Headquarters where she’s to be tested to determine the extent of the new villain-occupying abilities she now has thanks to Dr. Mobius’ aforementioned experiments.
And that’s pretty much all that happens in this book. Yeah, she finds out, once and for all, Blaze’s true identity, and yeah, the previously mentioned bank robber is part of a bigger sinister plot, but do we find out anything about that plot?
NOPE.
The book ends in a cliffhanger of DOOM, with us knowing neither what the Bad Guy is after, nor why it’s important, and with Gail being accused of being a Bad Guy herself.
The end.
Seriously. It’s like the book was cut in half, and that’s all we got.
Add to that Gail being a chump who calmly embraced her Hostage Girl status for years, and well . . . her incremental character growth wasn’t quite enough to overcome that less than flattering first impression.
Still, it was a highly entertaining read, and if you like mousy heroines who struggle with self-doubt, but (presumably) go on to eventually discover their self-worth, then I would definitely recommend Superheroes Anonymous. Whether you want to wait for the next installment, or dive in right now is your call.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I hate books with sudden ends. I think I hate them more than cliffhangers. This is a “no, thank you” for me.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Hidden Masters of Marandur by Jack Campbell
OH NO IT DIDN’T—I could never get over the end. Seriously I would chunk a book at the wall and curse it with fiery deaths. Plus Hostage Girl? REALLY?
Felicia The Geeky Blogger recently posted…Audiobook Review: What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries
“Hostage Girl”, seriously? Haha! That is pretty bad. I really do not like mousey main characters, so this book I’ll be giving a skip. Great review though! :]
Ugh, sorry about the cliffhanger Jessica! I’m not sure I’d love this book even with my love of superheroes, you know I hate a TSTL heroine but I’ll keep this series on my radar, maybe book 2 will be better?! I’d highly recommend Lola Dodge’s Manhattan Ten series if you like superheroes, it’s more PNR but highly entertaining.
Lori recently posted…{Blog Tour} Review: SILK by Chris Karlsen + Giveaway
If I’m reading a book about superheroes, I want them to be badasses! It’s sort of implied in the superhero title 😉 Gail doesn’t sound like a heroine I could really root for (that’s not to say that non-badass female characters aren’t amazing, they absolutely can be, Gail just doesn’t quite sound like she falls in that category), and it’s a shame the book felt unfinished (beyond the cliffhanger). Thanks for your thoughts Jessica!
I’m not a fan of spineless ninnies as MCs (note to Gail – that might be why superhero boyfriend dumped you) even if they eventually become a superhero. So i think I’ll skip this one. I did enjoy your entertaining review though. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Travel by the Book ~ Cold Mountain/Asheville
Yeah, it was cute but I really hated the cliffie and wanted to shake Gail. How do you let yourself gain the moniker of “Hostage Girl”?!? That’s horrible.
Mary recently posted…Comfort Reads
You know what is funny? I love superheroes, in movies, tv series, in cartoons, you name it but I really, really don’t love reading about them! I have no idea why. So sorry this was such a disappointment for you.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Author Interview and Guest Post: Golden by Melinda Michaels
Okay, so skipping this one. I recently read some Aphrodite books by Julie Kenner, and if you ignore the YA looking new covers (as it really is not YA), you might enjoy those humorous superhero books.
Aurian recently posted…Recommendations from Karin for March 2015.
I love superhero comics and movies, but I’ve yet to read about one in a book. Sorry this one didn’t work. The heroine doesn’t sound appealing to me either.
Sophia Rose recently posted…The Relationship Coach by Sylvia McDaniel #Review
Not sure if I like the premise enough. The protagonist sounds too passive for my liking, though I can see the potential for funny situations in that. I’m into superheroes too, but don’t we already have a Blaze? Big half-vamp guy, spends his days & nights chopping other vampires’ heads? I’m loving your review though 🙂
Ramona recently posted…2015 Trends In YA Fiction
Yep, I enjoy growth in my books so this one is for me until I see how it ends. Oh I hate HATE those kind of endings. I may read this one if I have the next one depending on how that one ends. *sigh*
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Product Review: #XOVoxBox from Influenster
Maybe not then…
blodeuedd recently posted…Dark Detectives – ed by Stephen Jones
its like a book of introductions. Like that’s only half of what could’ve been a good story except the author took her time developing the plot. Or lack thereof?
Thanks for reading this, now I don’t have to.
Braine recently posted…Gush & Gripe: I’m a Horrible Fangirl!
a two-star rating should’ve convinced me to stay away, right? Oddly, I’m feeling the opposite.
Joy recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 142
On dear, I don’t think I’ll read it then! 🙂
kara-karina recently posted…Psychological Thriller Early Review: Murder in Hindsight by Anne Cleeland
Hostage Girl is only an acceptable moniker if it’s ironic, imo. Is there anything more annoying than a helpless character who’s always getting kidnapped? <— One of my least favourite happenings in UF, actually. The only superhero book that comes to mind is Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson, which I haven't read – but I do own a copy!
Danya recently posted…Series Review: Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs
This sounds a bit ridiculous but more in a bad way than good. I’m not a fan of books that don’t have a decent conclusion either. 🙁 Sorry this one wasn’t better for you!
Candace recently posted…Blog Tour & Giveaway: Review of Charmer’s Death by Beate Boeker
And this had such potential with a cool title and all that! I think I’d get a bit too annoyed with the MC and that cliffhanger sounds awful!! 🙁
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
flipping loved this review! lmbo, you called her a chump, lols! I love that 😉
sharonda recently posted…Tuesday Jams #119
Oh yes I was curious about this one when I first saw it but I didn’t fenally read it, maybe I did the right choice there. I’m sorry it was like that for you but I understand too. I think I’ll pass in the end. Thanks for the review!
Weeeell, I think I’ll totally wait for the next one and its reviews before I jump into it, because even if I like the idea of Hostage Girl because it has a lot of hilarious possibilities… a book that seems like half a book is not something I’d care too much for!
Great review Jessica!
Pili recently posted…Mark This Book Monday: ARC Review of Claimed by Sarah Fine!!
Will you read the next one? Even though you didn’t rate it high, with a cliff hanger like that you almost have to find out what happens. But maybe you’re just over it? I laughed a lot during your review, so I’m wondering if this is a book that would make me laugh or if that’s just your brilliant way of describing the frustrations. IDK I’m on the fence, so it’s going on my maybe pile for now. Great review!
Berls recently posted…What Would Your Patronus Be? |Harry Potter MOTW
Sounds like it might be a fun read, but with my mountain of reading material, I think I’ll pass. I’m curious, will you read on? Thanks for sharing!
sherry fundin recently posted…Pirates & Treasures ~ A Pirate Looks at Forty by Chip Bell ~ Review & Giveaway
Does sound like it has decent entertainment value, and I can relate with those types of heroines because more my personality style
Hmmm…I have a strange love/hate relationship with superheroes. This sounds almost like a kind of superhero satire kind of read, if I’m not getting the vibe wrong. Or am I? I might actually enjoy that, depending on the writing style. Though evil cliffy makes me wanna wait for at least the second one to come out.
Livia recently posted…The Diamond Conspiracy by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris
Oh bummer. Such a cute premise. Maybe when more installments are out it will pick up and the heroine will get stronger.
You’re right, the ending was a big disappointment as it just…ended. Right in the middle of something too, like it was missing some pages. Very disappointing! I didn’t like some of the decisions Gail made, but will pick up the next book one of these days to see what happens next. Great review!
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