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nickystrickland's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I wasn't sure where this one was heading and then the tying up of what became an interesting way to twist the pov of assumption. Creating a 'what if' this was how things were perceived.
I wasn't sure where this one was heading and then the tying up of what became an interesting way to twist the pov of assumption. Creating a 'what if' this was how things were perceived.
carissa15's review
2.0
I did not really enjoy this book. To start, it was a difficult novel to really get into. The book is sci-fi/fantasy which is a little different from what I normally read but I decided to give it a shot because a friend suggested it. However, the first half was extremely slow and at some points downright boring. I typically read a lot but during most of the book I could not will myself to sit still and just read it.
Now don't get me wrong, some parts were interesting, but the majority was slow. The last 50 pages were very action packed and enjoyable to read but almost the rest of it was rough. When I read a book, I really enjoy when there is a mystery to solve or even just something that the main character does not know. However, this book did not contain a mystery of any kind and the plot was just layed out for you. Also, I really enjoy when there is a romantic interest for the main character. Now, while there was a romantic interest it was a very small part of the book and it was not fully embraced. I would have enjoyed this book more if there was a bit more substance or if it contained more of my must have substances but if you like sci-fi/fantasy a lot you would probably enjoy it.
To add on, this book was written from two different points of view. I do enjoy this technique and it was a positive part of this book. I think the two different view were very helpful and it added a unique spin on the book. Overall, I would give this book a 2.5 out of 5 rating because it was just not up my alley. The book wasn't for me and I honestly would not read it again.
Now don't get me wrong, some parts were interesting, but the majority was slow. The last 50 pages were very action packed and enjoyable to read but almost the rest of it was rough. When I read a book, I really enjoy when there is a mystery to solve or even just something that the main character does not know. However, this book did not contain a mystery of any kind and the plot was just layed out for you. Also, I really enjoy when there is a romantic interest for the main character. Now, while there was a romantic interest it was a very small part of the book and it was not fully embraced. I would have enjoyed this book more if there was a bit more substance or if it contained more of my must have substances but if you like sci-fi/fantasy a lot you would probably enjoy it.
To add on, this book was written from two different points of view. I do enjoy this technique and it was a positive part of this book. I think the two different view were very helpful and it added a unique spin on the book. Overall, I would give this book a 2.5 out of 5 rating because it was just not up my alley. The book wasn't for me and I honestly would not read it again.
bellatora's review
5.0
When I read [b:After the Golden Age|8665134|After the Golden Age (Golden Age, #1)|Carrie Vaughn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408489200s/8665134.jpg|13536680] I was desperate for a sequel. I loved the story of Celia, the powerless daughter of superheroes. And I especially loved her sweet, beautiful romance with superhero Doctor Arthur Mentis. I kept looking for other equally engrossing superhero books but never found any. Well, I finally got a sequel. Not the one I had wanted, but I loved it anyway.
I thought the sequel would pick up shortly after the first book ended. Nope. Instead, it’s about 17 years later and Celia and Arthur are happily married with two daughters. The book switches POVs between Celia, now head of West Corp., and Anna, her teenage daughter who is hiding the fact that she has a superpower. I love Celia and I loved hearing her story again, even if she was much older than I thought she would be. Anna I was more wary about. Yet another angsty teen? After the Golden Age didn't cover Celia’s angsty teen years, instead introducing her as a young adult, and I liked that. Thankfully, Vaughn knows how to handle Anna's storyline so that it never grates.
Anna’s story is pretty typical for a YA heroine. Her parents don’t understand her. She has an annoying younger sibling. She’s unpopular, with a group of similarly unpopular friends. Her male friend likes her. She develops a crush on a hot, mysterious dude. She has a falling out with her best friend. But there are slight twists to these typical plot points that keep it from being too ordinary.
First of all, Anna is the daughter of famous parents (a respected superhero and a powerful corporate executive) and the granddaughter of an even more famous couple (the most popular superheroes in the city), and must handle all the pressure that standing in the shadows of that much fame brings. Also, Anna’s male friend/romantic interest is her partner superhero and her best friend and her have a falling out because her best friend wants to be much more public with her powers than Anna feels comfortable. As the story moved closer to the climax I liked Anna’s story more and more. And I liked that her parents were far less clueless than they seemed. 99% of adults in young adult fiction have no idea and, often, little interest that their children are being sucked into some crazy world of sparkling vampires or what-have-you.
I still adored Celia’s story more and could’ve done with another book just from her POV. She’s a meddling do-gooder – she may not be the shadowy, nefarious Executive that Danton Majors accuses her of being, and she always has the best interests of Commerce City at heart, but Celia does secretly influence people and events. And good intuition and a clear heart have always been Celia's superpowers. Being the CEO of West Corp. and using her influence there to fight crime and help the city is every bit as valuable as the superheroes on the street. Vaughn has done a very nice job of evolving Celia from a determined young woman to a determined mother and business woman.
One of the joys of the Golden Age series is that they play so well with classic comic book tropes. Kidnapped hostage! Heroes coming together to save the day! Overly complicated death traps! Crazed supervillain! It was all kinds of fun. And oddly moving.
Dreams of the Golden Age does what good sequels do: provide a fresh story that feels like an organic evolution from the previous book. Here’s to more books in this series.
I thought the sequel would pick up shortly after the first book ended. Nope. Instead, it’s about 17 years later and Celia and Arthur are happily married with two daughters. The book switches POVs between Celia, now head of West Corp., and Anna, her teenage daughter who is hiding the fact that she has a superpower. I love Celia and I loved hearing her story again, even if she was much older than I thought she would be. Anna I was more wary about. Yet another angsty teen? After the Golden Age didn't cover Celia’s angsty teen years, instead introducing her as a young adult, and I liked that. Thankfully, Vaughn knows how to handle Anna's storyline so that it never grates.
Anna’s story is pretty typical for a YA heroine. Her parents don’t understand her. She has an annoying younger sibling. She’s unpopular, with a group of similarly unpopular friends. Her male friend likes her. She develops a crush on a hot, mysterious dude. She has a falling out with her best friend. But there are slight twists to these typical plot points that keep it from being too ordinary.
First of all, Anna is the daughter of famous parents (a respected superhero and a powerful corporate executive) and the granddaughter of an even more famous couple (the most popular superheroes in the city), and must handle all the pressure that standing in the shadows of that much fame brings. Also, Anna’s male friend/romantic interest is her partner superhero and her best friend and her have a falling out because her best friend wants to be much more public with her powers than Anna feels comfortable. As the story moved closer to the climax I liked Anna’s story more and more. And I liked that her parents were far less clueless than they seemed. 99% of adults in young adult fiction have no idea and, often, little interest that their children are being sucked into some crazy world of sparkling vampires or what-have-you.
I still adored Celia’s story more and could’ve done with another book just from her POV. She’s a meddling do-gooder – she may not be the shadowy, nefarious Executive that Danton Majors accuses her of being, and she always has the best interests of Commerce City at heart, but Celia does secretly influence people and events. And good intuition and a clear heart have always been Celia's superpowers. Being the CEO of West Corp. and using her influence there to fight crime and help the city is every bit as valuable as the superheroes on the street. Vaughn has done a very nice job of evolving Celia from a determined young woman to a determined mother and business woman.
One of the joys of the Golden Age series is that they play so well with classic comic book tropes. Kidnapped hostage! Heroes coming together to save the day! Overly complicated death traps! Crazed supervillain! It was all kinds of fun. And oddly moving.
Dreams of the Golden Age does what good sequels do: provide a fresh story that feels like an organic evolution from the previous book. Here’s to more books in this series.
hollylynna's review
4.0
Fun! I totally enjoyed this story about superheroes. Amos to old superhero and ushering in of the new.
heyt's review
3.0
I enjoyed the world of Commerce City enough to pick up this second installment but it was very different than the first. I found that while interesting to follow the story of the teenage supers they seemed a lot younger than their given ages. In the first novel Celia at seventeen seemed vastly older than Anna at seventeen. I very much enjoyed the who's the real villain bit although it didn't have as much of a wow factor as I had hoped. Overall it was a fun and fast read about finding yourself and the power of secrets.
drey72's review against another edition
4.0
drey’s thoughts:
Dreams of the Golden Age takes place decades after After the Golden Age; Celia West is older now and has children of her own. She's been keeping an eye out on her daughters, wondering if they've inherited her parents' powers, and if they'd tell her if they did. But just in case, Celia's been keeping track of the local supernaturals, info that comes in handy when grainy videos surface featuring new additions to the vigilante scene - even if only to alleviate her worries that her daughter Anna's out there...
Anna does have powers, and part of the angst in Dreams of the Golden Age is her figuring out what that power's good for. It's not offensive or useful like her friends' - and they take the time to remind her of that, like teenagers do. Mixed with the teen angst is a plot with a delusional villain (aren't they all) trying to take over Commerce City, reluctant allies, and a health scare. Dreams of the Golden Age is entertaining and fun, and I loved this look at superheroes' beginnings, with its snappy dialogue and fun characters.. The kids are idealistic, even when they're snotty brats (they're really not, they're just teenagers!). The adults worry, as parents do. And the villain needs help. Like, seriously.
Pick this up if you're a fan of superheroes, or just plain ol' good storytelling!
drey's rating: Excellent!
This review was originally posted on drey's library
testpattern's review
3.0
Kids these days are lucky that there are solid, entertaining books like this to escape into.
bydandii's review
4.0
It isn't often that I think we a sequel is superior to it's predecessor. This is one of those times.
New Mutant-esque teen power discovery without becoming trite or descending to lowest YA common denominator.
New Mutant-esque teen power discovery without becoming trite or descending to lowest YA common denominator.