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The Icarus Project #2
Shades of Gray
AFTER THE FALL OF NIGHT
Jet and Iridium—best friends turned bitter enemies—teamed up to foil the evil plans of the rogue superhero known as Night, but in defeating him they inadvertently destroyed the secret Corp-Co transmitter whose frequency kept the metapowered heroes of the Squadron in line. Now these heroes have turned against New Chicago, ransacking the city they once protected.
Even worse, the powerful antisuperhero group known as Everyman has taken advantage of the chaos to fan the flames of prejudice against all superpowered men and women. Just when New Chicago needs them most, Jet and the small band of heroes who have remained on the right side of the law find themselves the targets of suspicion and outright hatred.
Things aren’t going much better for Iridium. When she springs her father, a notorious supervillain, from prison to help her fight the marauding ex-superheroes, she finds that Corp-Co still has some nasty tricks up its sleeve.
But when the most dangerous man alive, the sociopath known as Doctor Hypnotic, suddenly surfaces, Jet and Iridium will once again be called upon to set aside their differences. Yet in the process, deeply buried secrets will come to light that will change everything the former best friends think they know about each other and themselves.
Jet and Iridium—best friends turned bitter enemies—teamed up to foil the evil plans of the rogue superhero known as Night, but in defeating him they inadvertently destroyed the secret Corp-Co transmitter whose frequency kept the metapowered heroes of the Squadron in line. Now these heroes have turned against New Chicago, ransacking the city they once protected.
Even worse, the powerful antisuperhero group known as Everyman has taken advantage of the chaos to fan the flames of prejudice against all superpowered men and women. Just when New Chicago needs them most, Jet and the small band of heroes who have remained on the right side of the law find themselves the targets of suspicion and outright hatred.
Things aren’t going much better for Iridium. When she springs her father, a notorious supervillain, from prison to help her fight the marauding ex-superheroes, she finds that Corp-Co still has some nasty tricks up its sleeve.
But when the most dangerous man alive, the sociopath known as Doctor Hypnotic, suddenly surfaces, Jet and Iridium will once again be called upon to set aside their differences. Yet in the process, deeply buried secrets will come to light that will change everything the former best friends think they know about each other and themselves.
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Jackie Kessler
26 books334 followersSome kids want to grow up to be doctors, or movie stars, or political assassins. Me, I wanted to draw comic books. Not Archie comics, either—superhero comic books. Maybe it was all the heavily muscled guys in spandex…
Around the time I was 15, I realized that as much as I enjoyed drawing (note that I’m saying nothing about the quality of those pics), it was a lot of fun putting words in the characters’ mouths. I didn’t know the term “fanfic” back then, but I started writing stories about the X-Men, Alpha Flight, and the Teen Titans. Didn’t do anything with those stories, other than horrify my mother. She asked why I couldn’t write nice stories, you know, about bunnies. Nope—me, I wanted to write about power. About magic. About hot guys in spandex. And about beating those guys bloody and senseless. (In retrospect, maybe I really did want to horrify my mother. Hey, not my fault. When I was a kid, I busted her doodling on the cover of New Teen Titans #6. Argh!)
So maybe it’s ironic that the book I wound up writing had nothing to do with overly muscled men and everything to do with scantily clad women. (Well, temporarily scantily clad.) Oh, right, and demons.
Previously, I was the fantasy editor for Wild Child Publishing. Along with working with terrific authors and editors, I’d been fortunate enough to interview a number of fabulous people for WCP, including Margaret Weis (I think Raistlin was my first crush).
In case you’re wondering, I live in Upstate New York, along with my Loving Husband and two Precious Little Tax Deductions, two cats, and about 9,000 comics. (But actually, that number is now closer to 8,000, thanks to a flooded basement. Alas!)
Around the time I was 15, I realized that as much as I enjoyed drawing (note that I’m saying nothing about the quality of those pics), it was a lot of fun putting words in the characters’ mouths. I didn’t know the term “fanfic” back then, but I started writing stories about the X-Men, Alpha Flight, and the Teen Titans. Didn’t do anything with those stories, other than horrify my mother. She asked why I couldn’t write nice stories, you know, about bunnies. Nope—me, I wanted to write about power. About magic. About hot guys in spandex. And about beating those guys bloody and senseless. (In retrospect, maybe I really did want to horrify my mother. Hey, not my fault. When I was a kid, I busted her doodling on the cover of New Teen Titans #6. Argh!)
So maybe it’s ironic that the book I wound up writing had nothing to do with overly muscled men and everything to do with scantily clad women. (Well, temporarily scantily clad.) Oh, right, and demons.
Previously, I was the fantasy editor for Wild Child Publishing. Along with working with terrific authors and editors, I’d been fortunate enough to interview a number of fabulous people for WCP, including Margaret Weis (I think Raistlin was my first crush).
In case you’re wondering, I live in Upstate New York, along with my Loving Husband and two Precious Little Tax Deductions, two cats, and about 9,000 comics. (But actually, that number is now closer to 8,000, thanks to a flooded basement. Alas!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 19, 2010
Okay, yes, I coauthored the book, so I'm biased. But I've been rereading it -- or, really, reading it for the first time as a book, not a manuscript or page proofs or even an ARC -- and I have to admit...I really am enjoying it as a reader. And that's a pretty cool feeling.
Thank you for reading SHADES OF GRAY. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for reading SHADES OF GRAY. I hope you enjoy it!
May 23, 2010
Shades of Gray picks up and continues on from Black and White. After revealing the academy has been using mind control on all the super heroes, Iridium and Jet hope to stop them once and for all. Now that the super heroes are no longer under the control of the academy, things are a bit chaotic. Some of the super heroes did not like learning that they were puppets and have taken to vandalism and a life of crime. Others like Jet are still super heroes. Iridium and Jet will have to band together to stop the villains from taking over New Chicago. As well as stay out of the clutches of the academy.
Shades of Grey is just as awesome as Black and White. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I read it in one day. These books need to be made into either movies or television series. This book featured more super heroes and villains. It was nice to get to learn more about Jet and Iridium before they became who they are today. Not to give anything away but I hope to see Jet and Iridium battle it out some more. Shades of Grey is gold!
Shades of Grey is just as awesome as Black and White. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I read it in one day. These books need to be made into either movies or television series. This book featured more super heroes and villains. It was nice to get to learn more about Jet and Iridium before they became who they are today. Not to give anything away but I hope to see Jet and Iridium battle it out some more. Shades of Grey is gold!
June 26, 2020
The only thing I hate about this series is that it's only 2 books. Seriously I want more
April 22, 2014
Leseeindruck
Ich dachte erst ich mag dieses Buch ein bisschen weniger als das erste. Ich hätte einfach nicht so viel zweit zwischen erstem und zweitem Band verstreichen lassen sollen. Noch eins hat mich gestört und zwar die Sache mit Taser, er hätte die Möglichkeit gehabt seinen Posten aufzugeben oder zu wechseln. Ich finde er hätte mehr haben können als er sich geholt hat.
An sich war die Geschichtespannungsgeladen, in beiden Passagen im Jetzt und Damals und sogar in den netten Zwischensequenzen. Ich würde mich freuen wenn es nochmal eine kleine Novelle oder einen Kurzgeschichtensammlung von den beiden dazu geben würde. Muss mich gleich mal umsehen.
Superheld sein, das reißt schon und es definitiv ein Thema das in den letzten Jahren zu sehr vernachlässigt wurde. Schließlich braucht jeder mal einen mächtigen Helfer der gegen enorme Schurken kämpft.
Ich dachte erst ich mag dieses Buch ein bisschen weniger als das erste. Ich hätte einfach nicht so viel zweit zwischen erstem und zweitem Band verstreichen lassen sollen. Noch eins hat mich gestört und zwar die Sache mit Taser, er hätte die Möglichkeit gehabt seinen Posten aufzugeben oder zu wechseln. Ich finde er hätte mehr haben können als er sich geholt hat.
An sich war die Geschichtespannungsgeladen, in beiden Passagen im Jetzt und Damals und sogar in den netten Zwischensequenzen. Ich würde mich freuen wenn es nochmal eine kleine Novelle oder einen Kurzgeschichtensammlung von den beiden dazu geben würde. Muss mich gleich mal umsehen.
Superheld sein, das reißt schon und es definitiv ein Thema das in den letzten Jahren zu sehr vernachlässigt wurde. Schließlich braucht jeder mal einen mächtigen Helfer der gegen enorme Schurken kämpft.
March 18, 2016
This picks up where Black and White left off. While many questions are answered (extrahumans and their origins, etc), there was a few things that were left unanswered. Mainly, the whereabouts of a certain evil asshat. Overall, I enjoyed this. Not quite as much as the first one though.
I liked that Jet (Joan) and Iri (Callie) join forces and overcome their shared pasts. I liked the end. It wass fitting and a new path.
I liked that Jet (Joan) and Iri (Callie) join forces and overcome their shared pasts. I liked the end. It wass fitting and a new path.
June 7, 2010
When I received this book as an ARC I was thrilled and nearly out of my mind with joy. I totally adored the first book, Black & White and I couldn't wait to read this one. I completely lost the memory of any other books and jumped head first into the world of superheroes and supervillians again
I will try to keep this review spoiler free but it will probably contain a few spoilers from book one, so stop reading if you haven't read that one. You should go to a bookstore and redeem this mistake. *wink*
The first thing I really loved about this book is the, for lack of a better word, organization. You've heard me bitch about some books with multiple POVs and now I tell you that's the thing I adored in this book. Each chapter has the name of the hero it's about at the start and I never felt lost. Again we also have the NOW and THEN parts and I was so happy to get a glimpse at Arclights and Nights background. We also get a new part in Shades of Gray: between the NOW and THEN parts are interludes. I won't tell you anything about them just that OMG I hope we get more about them. Cryptic much? I know.
The NOW chapters are all about Jet and Iridium again. We see what happens after the Fall of Night and the destruction of the Corp Co commlinks system. The superheroes are free, more or less, and the reaction to this varies extremely. Jet and a few fellow heroes try to get the mess sorted out but they are just not enough to go against the uprising rabids. This is Jet's chance to show them what she's really made of. I liked Jet more in this book. I can't even say why, but she didn't seem as pitiful in this book. I learned to understand her more and I really wanted everything to work out for her.
I still adore Iridium with her witty and bitching comments. She made me laugh so much. I was happy to see that at least some good thing happen to her too.
The THEN chapters are centered around the life of Jet's and Iridium's parents and how life as a superhero was at that time. We see how their relationships develop and how it all became so messy. I have to admit, at some points I was screaming and raving at the characters. I told them: No, don't do that and OMG why would you do that? but unfortunately they ignored me. I have to work on my changing the past skills. I enjoyed the unique voices of Vixen, Luster (that's Arclight's original superhero name), Blackout, Angelica and Night. The resemblance between children and parents was wonderfully handled. I got attached to these characters really fast and it pained me so much more to see what happens to them.
The plot in this novel is fast paced and will keep you at the edge of your seat. It makes you want to strangle the authors when they switch to THEN although you just have to know what happens next in the NOW parts but after reading the unwanted part you want to know what happens there. You will feel like you have a little shadow power with voices in your head, too. One surprising thing: I would have never thought that this book would make me cry, but it did. It is heart wrenching from time to time.
I noticed one thing in Shade of Gray that confused me a bit. The names of all the heroes. At times I was totally sure that this one hero is a man cuz the name is a male one and then bang it's a woman. Or is Kai a female name? In Germany, only boys are called that.
All in all Shade of Gray is an excellent hero story with wonderful characters and a story that will break your heart. Fast paced from the start, it will never let your attention shift to something else. Ms. Kittredge & Ms. Kessler really have super writing powers. Recommended to everyone who at least still remembers his or her love for superheroes.
I will try to keep this review spoiler free but it will probably contain a few spoilers from book one, so stop reading if you haven't read that one. You should go to a bookstore and redeem this mistake. *wink*
The first thing I really loved about this book is the, for lack of a better word, organization. You've heard me bitch about some books with multiple POVs and now I tell you that's the thing I adored in this book. Each chapter has the name of the hero it's about at the start and I never felt lost. Again we also have the NOW and THEN parts and I was so happy to get a glimpse at Arclights and Nights background. We also get a new part in Shades of Gray: between the NOW and THEN parts are interludes. I won't tell you anything about them just that OMG I hope we get more about them. Cryptic much? I know.
The NOW chapters are all about Jet and Iridium again. We see what happens after the Fall of Night and the destruction of the Corp Co commlinks system. The superheroes are free, more or less, and the reaction to this varies extremely. Jet and a few fellow heroes try to get the mess sorted out but they are just not enough to go against the uprising rabids. This is Jet's chance to show them what she's really made of. I liked Jet more in this book. I can't even say why, but she didn't seem as pitiful in this book. I learned to understand her more and I really wanted everything to work out for her.
I still adore Iridium with her witty and bitching comments. She made me laugh so much. I was happy to see that at least some good thing happen to her too.
The THEN chapters are centered around the life of Jet's and Iridium's parents and how life as a superhero was at that time. We see how their relationships develop and how it all became so messy. I have to admit, at some points I was screaming and raving at the characters. I told them: No, don't do that and OMG why would you do that? but unfortunately they ignored me. I have to work on my changing the past skills. I enjoyed the unique voices of Vixen, Luster (that's Arclight's original superhero name), Blackout, Angelica and Night. The resemblance between children and parents was wonderfully handled. I got attached to these characters really fast and it pained me so much more to see what happens to them.
The plot in this novel is fast paced and will keep you at the edge of your seat. It makes you want to strangle the authors when they switch to THEN although you just have to know what happens next in the NOW parts but after reading the unwanted part you want to know what happens there. You will feel like you have a little shadow power with voices in your head, too. One surprising thing: I would have never thought that this book would make me cry, but it did. It is heart wrenching from time to time.
I noticed one thing in Shade of Gray that confused me a bit. The names of all the heroes. At times I was totally sure that this one hero is a man cuz the name is a male one and then bang it's a woman. Or is Kai a female name? In Germany, only boys are called that.
All in all Shade of Gray is an excellent hero story with wonderful characters and a story that will break your heart. Fast paced from the start, it will never let your attention shift to something else. Ms. Kittredge & Ms. Kessler really have super writing powers. Recommended to everyone who at least still remembers his or her love for superheroes.
July 28, 2014
This was an AMAZING sequel to Black and White. I actually had no idea that this was co-written with another author, but it definitely explains the switching perspectives. But it's actually so seamless in terms of voice and style that...man, you really can't tell it was written by two people.
Think X-Men meets 1984 meets Joss Whedon. Again.
Maybe a hint of Harry Potter, as well, actually.
In the sequel, we get a lot more backstory, which is lovely. Since backstory is pretty much the best part of the first novel.
We also get THREE revolving plotlines, and it's written so that you know the order. You have Night's and Arclight's generation, as well as present-day Jet and Iridium, but in between are segments of "Interludes" (with all new characters that are sort of extrahumans, but not. iT'S COOL, I PROMISE!)
This rating is really more of a 4.5, to be honest, but that's just because I don't buy the whole "Jet and Iridium are straight women only into men" thing. So sue me. But it was well written.
The backstory was way more intriguing than the current story, to be honest. But I felt that way about the last book, as well. I think it's because the current story is so sort of like "SO WHAT?" until you read the backstory chapters and you're like "OH GOD THAT'S WHY."
This book is DEFINITELY a set up for a book 3.
Anyways, as always:
DO READ THIS BOOK IF: you love action heroines, you love superheroes, you love twisting plots and sub plots, you love creative powers and quippy heroes
DO NOT READ THIS IF: you hate angsty plot devices, you can't stand slightly forced sounding romance (I'm sorry, but iridium and jet 4eva ok?), you have sensitive "feels" and don't like to be punched in them
Think X-Men meets 1984 meets Joss Whedon. Again.
Maybe a hint of Harry Potter, as well, actually.
In the sequel, we get a lot more backstory, which is lovely. Since backstory is pretty much the best part of the first novel.
We also get THREE revolving plotlines, and it's written so that you know the order. You have Night's and Arclight's generation, as well as present-day Jet and Iridium, but in between are segments of "Interludes" (with all new characters that are sort of extrahumans, but not. iT'S COOL, I PROMISE!)
This rating is really more of a 4.5, to be honest, but that's just because I don't buy the whole "Jet and Iridium are straight women only into men" thing. So sue me. But it was well written.
The backstory was way more intriguing than the current story, to be honest. But I felt that way about the last book, as well. I think it's because the current story is so sort of like "SO WHAT?" until you read the backstory chapters and you're like "OH GOD THAT'S WHY."
This book is DEFINITELY a set up for a book 3.
Anyways, as always:
DO READ THIS BOOK IF: you love action heroines, you love superheroes, you love twisting plots and sub plots, you love creative powers and quippy heroes
DO NOT READ THIS IF: you hate angsty plot devices, you can't stand slightly forced sounding romance (I'm sorry, but iridium and jet 4eva ok?), you have sensitive "feels" and don't like to be punched in them
February 5, 2017
This book, perhaps the most unfortunately timed naming of a novel in the history of the world, like the first book in the series, Black and White, was a wonderful page turning super hero/super villain tale. As with most series, inconsistencies do start to pile up a bit over time, but overall it was a great sequel. Perhaps by intent, perhaps by accident, Iri's character seemed a bit off this time around, with her character seeming less self assured and capable as in the first tale. Perhaps by intent, to show that even she couldn't keep events from getting out of hand. I was also a little surprised at the original tone of Jett and Iri's meeting, considering the outcome in the first novel. Though if it only had been a few days, I suppose both characters had been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and things were still processing. Despite that, the characters are for the most part engaging, with the possible exception of Taser, whom seemed a little to convenient and forced in the plot. Other than that, the plot was solid. The same system of present and then flash backs and then present worked divinely as last time and added further insight and characterization. It also helped highlight the issue of domestic abuse, hopefully adding awareness of that issue for readers. Of course, while there was some effort to bow wrap the ending, it seems there are a lot of unresolved things left. Seems readers are perhaps left to tackle those in the play ground of the mind, as best I can determine this is the last in the series and this was published more than half a decade ago. That said, for fans of super hero fiction, read this, after you read part 1 in black and white.
July 23, 2015
Just like the first book of this series, Black and White, I love this book. Shades of Gray shows that there is not solely good and bad in the superhero world. Good heroes going bad, bad heroes turning good, neutral people turning good or bad is the forefront of this book. In the backdrop is the past showing the corporate, political choices that created and eventually mistreated th oribinal superheroes.
In the end there is so much chaos due to the ending of Black and White and the superheroes can not handle it alone. It takes everyone to gets some order back into the world.
The book itself was a long book with many short chapters. It went back and forth from the past to the present. I loved the format. The only problem I had, which was similar to book 1, is that it is easy to put this book down for several weeks while reading other books. So the ebbs and flow of the story did not drive me to complete the book. I completed it "whenever" and I was happy to do so but the story did not drive me to complete the book. That being said, I would definitely read a 3rd book in the series if one came out. Yet seeing that the first 2 books of the series came out over 5 years ago I do not think any more books are coming out in this series.
In the end there is so much chaos due to the ending of Black and White and the superheroes can not handle it alone. It takes everyone to gets some order back into the world.
The book itself was a long book with many short chapters. It went back and forth from the past to the present. I loved the format. The only problem I had, which was similar to book 1, is that it is easy to put this book down for several weeks while reading other books. So the ebbs and flow of the story did not drive me to complete the book. I completed it "whenever" and I was happy to do so but the story did not drive me to complete the book. That being said, I would definitely read a 3rd book in the series if one came out. Yet seeing that the first 2 books of the series came out over 5 years ago I do not think any more books are coming out in this series.
April 12, 2013
I enjoyed the first book in this series, Black and White, but I think this one is better. This continues the story of the two main characters - Jet and Iridium - but also delves into a lot of the background, particularly concentrating on the previous generation of heroes.
There is plenty of superheroic action and, in fine comics tradition, the characters private lives are also covered. But, a warning to those after the black and white, good vs evil world-setting prevalent in many comics - you won't find that here. These characters areessentially human despite their superpowers and they have the same range of motivations and flaws as normal humans.
It's possibly not absolutely essential to read the first book in this series before reading this one, but it is advised. There is some exposition to cover the events of the first book, but you won't be getting the full picture if you haven't read it.
I don't know if the authors are planning more books in this series, but I certainly hope they are. They have left the ending somewhat open - if they decide to end it here, the major plots have been resolved but, like all good comics, there are still plenty of supervillains to fight :)
There is plenty of superheroic action and, in fine comics tradition, the characters private lives are also covered. But, a warning to those after the black and white, good vs evil world-setting prevalent in many comics - you won't find that here. These characters areessentially human despite their superpowers and they have the same range of motivations and flaws as normal humans.
It's possibly not absolutely essential to read the first book in this series before reading this one, but it is advised. There is some exposition to cover the events of the first book, but you won't be getting the full picture if you haven't read it.
I don't know if the authors are planning more books in this series, but I certainly hope they are. They have left the ending somewhat open - if they decide to end it here, the major plots have been resolved but, like all good comics, there are still plenty of supervillains to fight :)
January 20, 2014
Shades of Grey is the perfect sequel to Black & White in that it is a more polished version of it's predecessor with a little bit of embellishment. But I didn't like the last book that much. Fortunately a few of my big concerns are taken care of. True to it's name, this book is where the gray scale becomes more apparent. Not only that but our protagonists are being proactive. But I think the best improvement is in the flashbacks. They tie into the main plot far more than in the previous book and build a great atmosphere. But the flaws of the last book are still there. While our heros are active there is a flighty quality to their attention, never touching down too long on a conflict or battle. The antagonist and his defeat make no sense. And there is a sense that the author don't care much for building any mystery or suspense. Very disappointing. Also the interludes, while good a few times, are largely extraneous and the fact that the took place in the present but were places pel mel in both present and flashback sections of the book drove me mad.
June 21, 2016
So good! After finishing Black and White, I couldn't wait to read this, and I actually liked this one better!
The story was so interesting, and with the new information about the Icarus project and Martin Moore, it keeps you glued to the pages, trying to figure out the mystery for yourself. I also love the flashbacks to Jet and Iridium's parents, and their time as heroes, too. To me, it's so cool and unexpected that the way these stories are written is in a way that, the further you get into the present and future, the farther you go back into the past, and it makes for some great storytelling.
The action sequences were great, as were the little nods to other superhero comics and films. (Was that shade thrown at the Avengers in the end?!)
And, like the title, I love how everything in this story is truly in a shade of gray, and it isn't black and white, like we were thought to believe. Just take a look at Jet and Iridium's parents! Bet you didn't see that coming.
So four stars to this, and I hope they're working on a third!
The story was so interesting, and with the new information about the Icarus project and Martin Moore, it keeps you glued to the pages, trying to figure out the mystery for yourself. I also love the flashbacks to Jet and Iridium's parents, and their time as heroes, too. To me, it's so cool and unexpected that the way these stories are written is in a way that, the further you get into the present and future, the farther you go back into the past, and it makes for some great storytelling.
The action sequences were great, as were the little nods to other superhero comics and films. (Was that shade thrown at the Avengers in the end?!)
And, like the title, I love how everything in this story is truly in a shade of gray, and it isn't black and white, like we were thought to believe. Just take a look at Jet and Iridium's parents! Bet you didn't see that coming.
So four stars to this, and I hope they're working on a third!
September 20, 2010
This book picked up right from where the last one left off, and seems to be a game changer, unusual for a second book in a series.
In the last book we learned about Jet and Iridium as kids and how they became enemies. This time around we get to see the tentative friendship start back up between Jet and Iridium, along with their parents allowing us to see them in a new light.
The past and the present come clashing together in the main story, the past of the parents, the past of the Corp-Co, and the past of how extrahumans came to be. The past storyline seemed to resonate so much with what was going on in the now. Once all the secrets had been told, Jet and Iridium realized that how things were done in the past would no longer work and also gave them new enemies to find in the future. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!!
In the last book we learned about Jet and Iridium as kids and how they became enemies. This time around we get to see the tentative friendship start back up between Jet and Iridium, along with their parents allowing us to see them in a new light.
The past and the present come clashing together in the main story, the past of the parents, the past of the Corp-Co, and the past of how extrahumans came to be. The past storyline seemed to resonate so much with what was going on in the now. Once all the secrets had been told, Jet and Iridium realized that how things were done in the past would no longer work and also gave them new enemies to find in the future. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!!
March 15, 2011
The Sequel (apparently under the Icarus Project #2) to Black and White. Makes me wonder if they are working on a #3. It's a fun, easy read. Some of the descriptions and dialogue are a bit amatuerish- almost cliche and forced. There is an intersting spin to heroes, and villians and how they are created, as well as the shades of gray for right and wrong. These authors have written many of other books seperate from each other but they are in vampire-romance/fantasy that I am not interested in. If you're looking for a fresh take on heroes this book is for you. Of course I totally recommend reading "Black and White" first. i also love the interesting superhero names they have.
September 16, 2010
Fun alternative future history book continues the series about what horrifying consequences that come from the creation of an genetically-engineered nd potentially mentally-unstable corporate-sponsored cadre of superheroes and villains when the all of the controls seemingly came off. Chaos ensues and secrets long hidden begin to emerge.
August 3, 2015
A sequel to the good super hero novel Black and White. It delves into the past of the parents of Jet and Iridium's parents as well as the future of New Chicago and the super heroes that are supposed to protect it. A good easy read and their were loose ends at the end of the book but as far as I know, no sequel was ever written.
Shelved as 'hibernating'
August 29, 2010Hibernating right now b/c I wanted to go back and re-read Black and White before starting in on this one... loved that the first time and I can't imagine this second book in the series will be much different once I get to reading it :)
December 16, 2010
Wow! This one was even better than Black and White!!!
I loved the world building in this book and seeing more of the history of the superheroes and Corp, but I think my favorite part was the "latents"...
I don't want to give any spoilers, but this one is definitely worth reading! :)
I loved the world building in this book and seeing more of the history of the superheroes and Corp, but I think my favorite part was the "latents"...
I don't want to give any spoilers, but this one is definitely worth reading! :)
May 9, 2011
In the process of reading this and I'm enjoying it very much. It starts off right where the first book, Black and White, left off.
It was pretty good. I enjoy almost any tale of super powered individuals in the modern world. This one isn't as good as the wildcards books but it isn't bad.
It was pretty good. I enjoy almost any tale of super powered individuals in the modern world. This one isn't as good as the wildcards books but it isn't bad.
March 10, 2013
Now don't get excited, this isn't THAT book. This is the second in the series that started with "Black and White" and is about superheroes/supervillains. I am definitely enjoying the books and look forward to the next one.
August 19, 2013
Second in the series and doesn't let you down only problem is I want more. What can I say this is a fantastic series when superheros fight against each other and humans have to decide are they going to hide or fight with them!
August 6, 2010
Just wow. Will review.
July 22, 2010
This was a great addition to the series!!! I was sad to reach the end of the book... :)
December 8, 2013
I have to say that Jet is my favorite character in this book. I am looking forward to reading 'Black and White.'
February 4, 2014
Short review. AWESOME!!! Could've been two books, it's jam packed from start to finish, and I really, really, really hope someday to see a third. READ THESE BOOKS!
December 19, 2021
This was written like the previous one going back and forth between the present and flashbacks.
I could have skipped all the flashback chapters, they just weren't interesting.
And the ending was very rushed. The last 20 pages felt like the author all of a sudden decided not to do a third book and tried to wrap everything up as best she could.
I liked the main story though, it was a very good superhero story.
I could have skipped all the flashback chapters, they just weren't interesting.
And the ending was very rushed. The last 20 pages felt like the author all of a sudden decided not to do a third book and tried to wrap everything up as best she could.
I liked the main story though, it was a very good superhero story.
July 29, 2019
An enjoyable follow up, wrapping up most loose ends. Not quite to five star level but I hope there is some kind of follow up
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 26, 2021
Even much better than its predecessor.
It gives all the (older) characters so much dimension.
It gives all the (older) characters so much dimension.
January 15, 2011
I can't believe I didn't review this when I actually read it!
I finally broke down and bought it from Amazon because DCPL didn't show any signs of buying it--although now it looks like they did. Oh, well, I couldn't wait.
This was a great follow-up to Black and White, and answers a question that fantasy & SF don't tackle often enough--i.e., what happens when the Evil Empire/Corporation/Whatever is actually defeated?
In this case, chaos, as Corp-brainwashed superheroes shed their programming and go rogue, en masse. It's left to Jet and a few other vastly overburdened stalwarts to attempt to keep order in New Chicago. Meanwhile, Iridium is breaking her father out of jail and discovering that the partnership she'd always dreamed of isn't quite what she wanted it to be. And now, Doctor Hypnotic, the most powerful supervillain alive, is out of lockup too...
This book has a new twist--in addition to the alternating voices of Jet and Iri, we get the alternating voices of their parents, as well, showing where it all started to go wrong. In some ways, their sections were hard to read, with the foreknowledge that all these idealistic, naive kids are so, so very doomed.
Although this book ended with a pretty satisfactory resolution, there are enough loose ends and mysteries left unsolved that I'm hopeful for a 3rd book in the series!
I finally broke down and bought it from Amazon because DCPL didn't show any signs of buying it--although now it looks like they did. Oh, well, I couldn't wait.
This was a great follow-up to Black and White, and answers a question that fantasy & SF don't tackle often enough--i.e., what happens when the Evil Empire/Corporation/Whatever is actually defeated?
In this case, chaos, as Corp-brainwashed superheroes shed their programming and go rogue, en masse. It's left to Jet and a few other vastly overburdened stalwarts to attempt to keep order in New Chicago. Meanwhile, Iridium is breaking her father out of jail and discovering that the partnership she'd always dreamed of isn't quite what she wanted it to be. And now, Doctor Hypnotic, the most powerful supervillain alive, is out of lockup too...
This book has a new twist--in addition to the alternating voices of Jet and Iri, we get the alternating voices of their parents, as well, showing where it all started to go wrong. In some ways, their sections were hard to read, with the foreknowledge that all these idealistic, naive kids are so, so very doomed.
Although this book ended with a pretty satisfactory resolution, there are enough loose ends and mysteries left unsolved that I'm hopeful for a 3rd book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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