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clek625's review
5.0
I loved this book.
That's it. That's the review.
Just kidding. But not about loving it, because I absolutely did, further proven by the fact that I finished this in less than a day. I seriously woke up early to finish it before work. I'm by no means a "superhero fanatic," but what I am a huge fan of is an action-packed, fast-paced plot, characters with original voices that are so strong I'm convinced they're living and breathing somewhere in the world, and witty dialogue that makes me actually laugh out loud on multiple occasions.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE excels in each of these things and more, and the only thing that I hate is I can't be Meg's friend. We would get along great. She's so sassy and sarcastic and questions every unbelievable event that goes on around her with a roll of her eyes and a super (get it) relatable line. The most relatable, fun, and real protagonist I've read in a really long time.
But I can't just single out Meg, because every character had such a prominent presence in the book, each standing strong with unique and real personalities that had me loving them all. Aside from the awesome tone of the book and the lovable characters, the plot itself was genius and so creative. I never saw anything coming, which I feel is not the norm especially in high-acton, superhero-esque stories.
It takes a lot as of late for me to really lose myself in a story and want to race through the pages to see what happens next, but it came effortlessly with COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I will 100% be recommending this book to everyone I know, including those who aren't the biggest superhero fans, because this book is so much more than that. Taylor Simonds crafted a beautiful debut that's full of wit, heart, and friendship, and I can't wait to read many more of her stories in the future.
That's it. That's the review.
Just kidding. But not about loving it, because I absolutely did, further proven by the fact that I finished this in less than a day. I seriously woke up early to finish it before work. I'm by no means a "superhero fanatic," but what I am a huge fan of is an action-packed, fast-paced plot, characters with original voices that are so strong I'm convinced they're living and breathing somewhere in the world, and witty dialogue that makes me actually laugh out loud on multiple occasions.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE excels in each of these things and more, and the only thing that I hate is I can't be Meg's friend. We would get along great. She's so sassy and sarcastic and questions every unbelievable event that goes on around her with a roll of her eyes and a super (get it) relatable line. The most relatable, fun, and real protagonist I've read in a really long time.
But I can't just single out Meg, because every character had such a prominent presence in the book, each standing strong with unique and real personalities that had me loving them all. Aside from the awesome tone of the book and the lovable characters, the plot itself was genius and so creative. I never saw anything coming, which I feel is not the norm especially in high-acton, superhero-esque stories.
It takes a lot as of late for me to really lose myself in a story and want to race through the pages to see what happens next, but it came effortlessly with COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I will 100% be recommending this book to everyone I know, including those who aren't the biggest superhero fans, because this book is so much more than that. Taylor Simonds crafted a beautiful debut that's full of wit, heart, and friendship, and I can't wait to read many more of her stories in the future.
megs_baer's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mikaylakennedy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
Me aggressively recommending this book to everyone for the next year:
HEY. I HOPE YOU PLAN TO READ THIS BOOK.
Taylor Simonds is the best debut I've read this year, and I promise not to shut up about this for the next year.
This book featured so many things I LOVE, like:
- Sarcastic, absolutely-done-with-your-bullshit MC
- Funny AF one-liners
- Absolutely fantastic voice
- SuPeRhErOeS
I could probably pitch this book best to people who read Patrick Ness' The Rest of Us Just Live Here and were expecting those average, every day people to become the protagonist of the story, because that's exactly what this book did.
I originally planned this to be a succinct, in-depth review but it turns out my brain is only capable of producing love goo for this. I'll settle again for yelling again to READ IT.
Me aggressively recommending this book to everyone for the next year:
HEY. I HOPE YOU PLAN TO READ THIS BOOK.
Taylor Simonds is the best debut I've read this year, and I promise not to shut up about this for the next year.
This book featured so many things I LOVE, like:
- Sarcastic, absolutely-done-with-your-bullshit MC
- Funny AF one-liners
- Absolutely fantastic voice
- SuPeRhErOeS
I could probably pitch this book best to people who read Patrick Ness' The Rest of Us Just Live Here and were expecting those average, every day people to become the protagonist of the story, because that's exactly what this book did.
I originally planned this to be a succinct, in-depth review but it turns out my brain is only capable of producing love goo for this. I'll settle again for yelling again to READ IT.
healingtothemax's review against another edition
3.0
Fun debut targeted for "comic book superhero fans" (and non-fans such as how our heroine starts out). The writer's enthusiasm and love for her genre bounces us through the page count, over shaky plot connectors and speeds past character reveals. There's room for a sequel (or five) and the world-building is easily relatable. Yes this is how the world would be if superheroes existed, light swearing (unnecessary and jarring because it is so infrequent), no icky kissing between anybody! plus wild action sequences and plenty of superpowered fighting/instant healing. Stretchy limbs crossed the author wins a cross-media deal, CD is a natural property waiting for its animated series adaptation.
bookishwiccan's review against another edition
4.0
Full review is up on my blog!
www.thebookishwiccan.wordpress.com
www.thebookishwiccan.wordpress.com
nerdypotsie's review
3.0
I liked the characters, but this book was cheesy and extremely predictable.
dreamstobecome's review against another edition
5.0
Taylor Simonds takes the tropes, formulas, props, costumes and structure of your favorite comic books and superhero cinema, shakes it all up, and creates a beautifully witty mosaic of rearranged pieces called “Collateral Damage.” This book has all the proper earmarks of both YA and superhero lit, layered expertly within a surprisingly in depth plot and delightful characters. Narrator Meg is perfectly snarky with exactly the right amount of justice and love fueling her fire, and all of the characters she encounters along the way are fully realized and easy to connect with and imagine as a reader. For a debut novel, this is an impressive and exciting book and I am confident that Simonds will go on to dazzle and amaze - good storytelling is clearly one of her many superpowers.
captain_valour's review against another edition
5.0
Ok, can I just say how amazing this idea is? A world with supers and how people deal with it that aren’t super powered. I instantly ate it up!!!!
The story had my attention from the beginning with Meg and her protective umbrella. And her poor car. It was so believable and Meg’s sarcasm is what made it for me. The book would not have been the same without it!
The story is filled with twists and turns you don’t expect for sure. Some I guessed at, but they happened in ways that I didn’t see, which makes me so happy! I’m not a fan of when the whole book is easily foreseen, so thank you for that Taylor!!
Also, the ending: GOLD. Such a fantastic way to turn the whole story around. Wasn’t sure how it was going to end honestly. But I’m so happy with the ending, even if a cried a little
The story had my attention from the beginning with Meg and her protective umbrella. And her poor car. It was so believable and Meg’s sarcasm is what made it for me. The book would not have been the same without it!
The story is filled with twists and turns you don’t expect for sure. Some I guessed at, but they happened in ways that I didn’t see, which makes me so happy! I’m not a fan of when the whole book is easily foreseen, so thank you for that Taylor!!
Also, the ending: GOLD. Such a fantastic way to turn the whole story around. Wasn’t sure how it was going to end honestly. But I’m so happy with the ending, even if a cried a little
reading_and_dreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Funny take on what it's really like to live in a world with super heroes. Also - found family which is fantastic.