Book Review | Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines

Ex-Heroes is the first book in Peter Clines's Ex-Heroes series.

Stealth. Gorgon. Regenerator. Cerberus. Zzzap. The Mighty Dragon. They were heroes, using their superhuman abilities to make Los Angeles a better place.

Then the plague of living death spread around the globe. Billions died, civilization fell, and the city of angels was left a desolate zombie wasteland.

Now, a year later, the Mighty Dragon and his companions protect a last few thousand survivors in their film-studio-turned-fortress, the Mount. Scarred and traumatized by the horrors they’ve endured, the heroes fight the armies of ravenous ex-humans at their citadel’s gates, lead teams out to scavenge for supplies—and struggle to be the symbols of strength and hope the survivors so desperately need.

But the hungry ex-humans aren’t the only threats the heroes face. Former allies, their powers and psyches hideously twisted, lurk in the city’s ruins. And just a few miles away, another group is slowly amassing power . . . led by an enemy with the most terrifying ability of all.

Peter Clines's books are damn fun. After reading 14, I knew I had to see what Clines would do with superheroes and zombies. I was not disappointed.

I'm starting to find I enjoy superhero books. I read Raymond Rose's The Fire Inside a couple of years ago, and I really enjoyed it. I've been wanting some more superhero action. I didn't dream they would be fighting zombies. Win!

There are two things I want when I'm reading a zombie book: science and something new. Ex-Heroes has both. I was surprised and so pleased to find an adequate connection between the superheroes and the zombies. There was also a lot of just plain zombie fun, too.

If you aren't sick of zombies yet and you want something fun to read, Ex-Heroes will provide you with some good entertainment.

7/10: Recommended Read

Discussion:
So let me hear it - are you still loving the zombies or have you had enough? As for superheroes, if you've read a superhero book you loved, I'd love to have some recommendations.

Review: Thief (Icarus Helix #4) by J.E. Medrick

Thief is the fourth book in J.E. Medrick's young adult Icarus Helix series.

Book Description

Single parent household. One friend in the world. Father in jail for double homicide. Poor. Mute.

What would YOU do if you suddenly turned invisible?

15-year old Mason is dealing with just these problems. When he uncovers a crippling family secret that he blames on himself, he knows things need to change. He needs them to change. Not just for himself - but for his mother.

The ability to become a ghost just may be his answer...

Each Icarus Helix novella features a new teenager discovering a superpower. I never know how the next book will relate to the previous installment, but I always have the best time finding out.

Thief features a mute named Marcus who discovers the power to turn invisible. That would be a terrifying yet awesome power to possess! Maybe it's because I'm rereading The Lord of the Rings right now, but the more I think about it, invisibility is the power I would want.

Like the previous installments, Thief was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed finding out more about the Icarus Helix origins, and as always loved discovering how Thief connected with the other Icarus Helix books.

If you haven't checked out the Icarus Helix series yet, check out my reviews for Cheat, Liar, and Coward. This is a great series to follow.

7/10: Recommended

Review: Coward (Icarus Helix #3) by J.E. Medrick

Coward is the third installment of the Icarus Helix series by J.E. Medrick.

Book Description

David West is a normal, nerdy boy. His parents are never home, he is small for his age and he can't get up the courage to get a girlfriend.

But when he accidentally absorbs a shower handle, he realizes he might not be so average, after all.

His freshman year heads quickly for disaster as he crosses paths with the football team.  Now with stress building and nowhere to turn, David's power may be his last road out of mediocrity.  At the moment of truth, will he decide it's easier to be brave... or wicked?

As I've stated in the past, the Icarus Helix series is about teenagers with special powers with each installment being about a different teenager.

Coward - the story of David West - takes the series on a new turn: what happens when a less than popular boy gets a less than desirable power? Will he strive to be a hero or could he be the makings of a villain?

The Icarus Helix series is a lot of fun. You can technically read these books out of order, but I recommend reading them in the order they were released. Each book shows the events taking place from a different perspective, and I love the way everything is developing and unveiling.

If you are a fan of shows like Heroes or Kyle XY, Icarus Helix would be a great series for you.

Additional topics of interest:
Review: Cheat (Icarus Helix #1) by J.E. Medrick
Review: Liar (Icarus Helix #2) by J.E. Medrick

Review: Liar (Icarus Helix #2) by J.E. Medrick

Oh... J.E. Medrick... I see what you did there.  And I loved it!

After enjoying Cheat (Icarus Helix #1), I thought the rest of the series would be entertaining, mostly stand alone reads, but now I'm officially hooked.  These "episodes" are much more intertwined than I expected.

The Icarus Helix series is about teenagers with special powers with each installment being about a different teenager.

Liar features Ellen - a teen who can hear the real truth behind what is actually spoken.  (What a horrible gift to have in adolescence, right?)

Book Description

Marcus Tiller gambled away all of his money to the Bad Men. No sweat - they gave him more. But when his new bets went sour, he became desperate. He signed on with Icarus Consulting to inject newborns with an experimental compound.

Fourteen years later, Ellen discovers a startling ability - she can tell if people are lying. Not only that, but when they do, she can hear their true thoughts.

When a smooth-talking stranger hints at her powers, paranoia starts. Ellen finds herself drawn into best friend drama, tip-toeing around boys and fearing a divorce.

With the masks of people around her shattering, will Ellen learn to live with her power... or be struck down by it?

If you are a fan of Kyle XY, this is the perfect series for you.  I can't wait to see what's in store in Coward (Icarus Helix #3).

Review: Cheat (Icarus Helix #1) by J.E. Medrick

Cheat is the first novella in the Icarus Helix series by J.E. Medrick.

Book Description

How far would you go for money? For Marcus Tiller, gambling debt was an overwhelming shadow on his life. As a neonatal attendant at St. Mercy Four Cities Hospital in need of cash, he became CGT-Inc's ideal pawn. The contract: secretly inject newborns with an experimental compound - for $1,000 a head. But, three years after he began, he disappeared.

Now, 14 years later, the effects of the compound are starting to show. 17-year old Ian Reynolds, an aspiring varsity football player, suddenly finds he can control things with the power of his thoughts. Footballs miraculously end up in his hands, girls' skirts catch sudden drafts and life is good. But the gift comes with a price, both physical and mental.

As Ian tries to understand his power, the big rivalry against the Waredo Firehawks looms. But when a stranger who may know his secret begins leaving him cryptic notes, will Ian decide his power is best left... undiscovered?

I recently mentioned I won a copy of Cheat from The Man Eating Bookworm's site. I was super excited after hearing his great reviews of each release in the Icarus Helix series.

Cheat was a lot of fun and a great start to the series. The way I understand it, each story can be read out of order, but they all tie into each other with a main story arc. I will definitely catch up quickly on the next three books. I have a strong suspicion these will make it into my coveted Sunday night wind down reading time.

If you enjoy quick and entertaining reads of the young adult and extrasensory flavor, you should check out Cheat. ($0.99!) Check out The Man Eating Bookworm or stay tuned right here for more Icarus Helix reviews.

Book Review: The Fire Inside (Sidekicks #1) by Raymond Rose

The Fire Inside is the first book of the Sidekicks series by Raymond Rose.

Book Description

Jack’s life isn’t the most exciting but it’s a life. One that he’s created over the past ten years to suit him. That is, until Bruce, Jack’s best friend comes to town. Bruce, a Federal Agent, is on an uber-secret mission to save the city. Instead, he’s murdered. Suddenly, Jack has no choice but to become what he was before: a crime-fighter. Ten years ago, Jack and Bruce were Teen Protectors, costumed crime-fighters under the tutelage of their mentors, The Protectors. One night, a horrible battle erupted between superheroes and villains that left half of the city ruined and thousands dead. The government banned all superpowers and Jack, presumed dead, remained that way. However, now, Bruce is dead and Jack sets out to solve his best friend’s murder. With the help of new allies (including a man who can turn invisible and a woman who can become pure information), villains old and new (including his ex-girlfriend) bent to stop him, Jack will walk a world he left – a world more complicated and dangerous than he ever knew – and find some answers.

The Fire Inside by Raymond Rose is a great mystery/suspense superhero novel.  Think a non-Disney version of The Incredibles meets The Matrix.

If you are like my husband and anxiously awaiting each new superhero release at the theater, do yourself a favor and bide your time with The Fire Inside.  It is one of those books that reads just like a movie.  In fact, I'd love to see an adaptation.

Even if you aren't necessarily a superhero fan, I still recommend The Fire Inside to fans of mysteries and suspense thrillers.  The superpowers make for dynamic characters and tons of action.

I look forward to the release of a second book in the Sidekicks series.

Review copy provided by author

TBR: Icarus Helix Series by J.E. Medrick

I look forward to reading this series.  The Man Eating Bookworm has been praising these books on his blog and each one sounds even better than the last.  I was lucky enough to win a copy of the first book Cheat last week in a giveaway on his blog!

There are four books in the series so far:

Icarus Helix #1: Cheat

Book Description 

How far would you go for money? For Marcus Tiller, gambling debt was an overwhelming shadow on his life. As a neonatal attendant at St. Mercy Four Cities Hospital in need of cash, he became CGT-Inc's ideal pawn. The contract: secretly inject newborns with an experimental compound - for $1,000 a head. But, three years after he began, he disappeared.

Now, 14 years later, the effects of the compound are starting to show. 17-year old Ian Reynolds, an aspiring varsity football player, suddenly finds he can control things with the power of his thoughts. Footballs miraculously end up in his hands, girls' skirts catch sudden drafts and life is good. But the gift comes with a price, both physical and mental.

As Ian tries to understand his power, the big rivalry against the Waredo Firehawks looms. But when a stranger who may know his secret begins leaving him cryptic notes, will Ian decide his power is best left... undiscovered?

Icarus Helix #2: Liar

Book Description 

Marcus Tiller gambled away all of his money to the Bad Men. No sweat - they gave him more. But when his new bets went sour, he became desperate. He signed on with Icarus Consulting to inject newborns with an experimental compound.

Fourteen years later, Ellen discovers a startling ability - she can tell if people are lying. Not only that, but when they do, she can hear their true thoughts.

When a smooth-talking stranger hints at her powers, paranoia starts. Ellen finds herself drawn into best friend drama, tip-toeing around boys and fearing a divorce.

With the masks of people around her shattering, will Ellen learn to live with her power... or be struck down by it?

Icarus Helix #3: Coward

Book Description 

David West is a normal, nerdy boy. His parents are never home, he is small for his age and he can't get up the courage to get a girlfriend.

But when he accidentally absorbs a shower handle, he realizes he might not be so average, after all.

His freshman year heads quickly for disaster as he crosses paths with the football team.  Now with stress building and nowhere to turn, David's power may be his last road out of mediocrity.  At the moment of truth, will he decide it's easier to be brave... or wicked?

Icarus Helix #4: Thief 

Book Description 

Single parent household. One friend in the world. Father in jail for double homicide. Poor. Mute.

What would YOU do if you suddenly turned invisible?

15-year old Mason is dealing with just these problems. When he uncovers a crippling family secret that he blames on himself, he knows things need to change. He needs them to change. Not just for himself - but for his mother.

The ability to become a ghost just may be his answer...

Cheat is about to take a big skip up in the To Be Read list.  Stay tuned for some Icarus Helix reviews in the near future!