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trin's review against another edition
3.0
The story of Doctor Impossible, a super-genius super-villain, and Fatale, a Bionic Woman-like wannabe superhero. This novel gives comic books the SERIOUS BUSINESS treatment, which mostly just seems to mean that the battle sequences are kind of confusing and it’s really depressing. There’s none of the joyfulness that sometimes raises its head in even the most downbeat comics; I think even Batman would consider this novel bleak. It’s still well-written, as evidenced by how much I hurt for these characters, but as they end the book almost exactly where they started it, I almost don’t see the point of reading it. It just made me sad. And unless you’re the frickin’ [book: Great Gatsby]—which is transcendent in its tragedy—I really don’t need you, book, to make me feel sad and hopeless.
hirvimaki's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly enjoyable look at the foibles and humorous banalities of the lives behind the masks of super-heroes and -villains. When you get a look at the inner dialogue of two of the most powerful meta-humans around you might just think you went to high school with them. Well written, dryly funny, and interesting because it is NOT about superpowers, but rather about the neurosis behind the superpowers.
I felt it stumbled just a bit at the end in the big reveal/final showdown, but not enough to tarnish the charm of this book as a whole.
Now I think I shall swear vengeance and go take over the world.
I felt it stumbled just a bit at the end in the big reveal/final showdown, but not enough to tarnish the charm of this book as a whole.
Now I think I shall swear vengeance and go take over the world.
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
[b:Soon I Will Be Invincible|645180|Soon I Will Be Invincible|Austin Grossman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176689611s/645180.jpg|955983] is an entertaining book that embraces the superhero genre without irony or self-consciousness.
The book tells the stories of two enhanced humans. One is a villain, named Doctor Impossible. He is possibly the smartest human being on the planet, and suffers from Malign Hypercognition Disorder.
Fatale is a cyborg who had half her body rebuilt after a horrible bus accident in Brazil. After a tour with the NSA, she in invited to join the Champions, the world's premiere superhero team, to help them find the escaped Doctor Impossible and the missing superhero ColdFire.
As the story progresses th, histories of the characters are revealed, Doctor Impossible's plans progress, and the web of connections between them all become apparent.
This book is very well written, with moments of real brilliance. It is not as good at the end as it is at the beginning, but still very good. There were a few disappointing factors. One is the obviousness with which the author lifted the Champions from DC's Justice League. There are differences, of course, but all the main beats are there. Another is not really a fault with the book but with the reviewers and marketing. In several places it mentions that the book turns superhero tropes inside out. I just don't see it. It seems like the people who said that (reviewers and marketing drones alike) haven't read a superhero comic in a long time, or perhaps not at all. Soon I Will Be Invincible was a very well written example or a thoughtful, character driven, post-[b:Watchmen|472331|Watchmen|Alan Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175041710s/472331.jpg|4358649] superhero story.
I will definitely be reading this one again.
The book tells the stories of two enhanced humans. One is a villain, named Doctor Impossible. He is possibly the smartest human being on the planet, and suffers from Malign Hypercognition Disorder.
Fatale is a cyborg who had half her body rebuilt after a horrible bus accident in Brazil. After a tour with the NSA, she in invited to join the Champions, the world's premiere superhero team, to help them find the escaped Doctor Impossible and the missing superhero ColdFire.
As the story progresses th, histories of the characters are revealed, Doctor Impossible's plans progress, and the web of connections between them all become apparent.
This book is very well written, with moments of real brilliance. It is not as good at the end as it is at the beginning, but still very good. There were a few disappointing factors. One is the obviousness with which the author lifted the Champions from DC's Justice League. There are differences, of course, but all the main beats are there. Another is not really a fault with the book but with the reviewers and marketing. In several places it mentions that the book turns superhero tropes inside out. I just don't see it. It seems like the people who said that (reviewers and marketing drones alike) haven't read a superhero comic in a long time, or perhaps not at all. Soon I Will Be Invincible was a very well written example or a thoughtful, character driven, post-[b:Watchmen|472331|Watchmen|Alan Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175041710s/472331.jpg|4358649] superhero story.
I will definitely be reading this one again.
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
This is a twist on the classic superhero story, in that its told from the perspective of a supervillain. Its actually a lot of fun, with lots of humor and the occasional poignant moment. It does get a little cliched at times, but its all good.
authoraugust's review against another edition
1.0
1 star = unfinishable.
Poor writing, overdone topic.
Poor writing, overdone topic.
embereye's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun superhero book. Some of the mysteries I guessed very early on, some I did not. Although this has been done before (the humanity of superheroes), I still enjoyed a slightly different take on the theme and the writing made me chuckle.
ptothelo's review against another edition
4.0
I wish we found out more about Doctor Impossible's past exploits, but sometimes even a couple of words is enough to paint a vivid picture of the character and the world. It was pretty fun read about the the nuts and bolts of being a super villain, being part a superhero team.
linden_tea's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
marvelousmooch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5