I REALLY wish Storygraph would show separate reads/editions. I read this years ago (March2017, original review at the bottom) and finished the series. I bought the books in all the formats (physical, ebook and audio) in hopes that maybe the boys would like them. My boys aren't really readers. I think one of the boys did a book report on this one ... without really reading it (I remember we read the prologue together, and I'd hoped it would hook him). Years later, a few of my boys ARE getting into audiobooks (have jobs where they can multi-task) so I gave this a listen (I'd just read it before myself) to see if I still felt like this would be one they would like. Answer? YES!

Since reading this originally, I've watched "The Boys" (Amazon series ... very MA, lots of language, sex, violence) but I felt a similarity with this. No language/sex here though. I think one of the most heart-rending acts of violence happens in the prologue, so if you can get past that, you'll be okay. Lots of action, lots of humor, some twists ... I did remember them, even after six years.

The narration was really good - I sped it up a little (I've only recently started doing that).
I will STRONGLY be recommending this to my #3 ... and then #1 and #4, but I'm thinking it will be up #3's alley as far as books go (and he's the one who supposedly read it years ago). I actually wonder about this being a bookclub read ... there are quite a few points to ponder and things to discuss. It has a YA feel, but there's nothing wrong with that. 



*** Original Review March 2017
4.5 stars. I'm really NOT a fan of superheros. I just can't get into all the movies/series lately, based on Marvel and DC Comics. This was a little more x-men-ish. Regular people, "mutated" into Epics with all sorts of powers (and all sorts of clever-ish names). Unfortunately, these powers twist them into evil creatures (or were only bad people given the powers?) The world is basically in ruins as the different superpowers destroy and take over cities, killing without thought.

The story is told from the perspective of David, a boy who saw his father murdered by one of these evil Epics. He wants revenge and retribution. He's got a casual, conversational style to his narration, but he's also really bad a METAPHORS. Seriously bad. He admits this (to us the reader, or to himself) many times. He's got a thing for metaphors (many are similes, which bugged me a bit, but I looked it up and I guess while not all metaphors are similes, all similes are metaphors, so they are no incorrect in calling them metaphors). Example ... "I feel like a brick made of porridge" ... (and then he goes on to explain why this actually does make sense!)

There was also their own profanity (sparks, slontze, calamity) ... which really replaced any regular profanity, leaving this a pretty clean read (Megan is a little bit sexy, and there is a ton of violence, but no language other than this made-up stuff). 

I'd read some of the Mistborn series by this same author (I need to get back to it). It is complex and profound in moments. The writing style here is SO different. Seriously, with the silly metaphors and things David says/thinks, and the total superhero theme, I'm surprised I liked this. But I did. Instead of rolling my eyes, I'd just laugh a little. I thought I had some things figured out, but still was surprised by twists and turns in the story.

Book 2 is available for download ... and on I go!