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A review by abby_ace_of_books
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
4.25
I don't care that it's cliche, you can pry the secret identity nemeses trope from my lifeless hands.
I think this is my third time reading Renegades, and it never fails to astound me how 550 pages can feel like 300 if you're deeply invested in a book. While book one is probably my least favorite in the trilogy, it sets up nicely for the rest of the series by establishing the tension that will only grow from here.
Nova is an Anarchist, determined to bring down the Renegades and prove that superheroes aren't all that they seem. Adrian is a Renegade with a new secret identity - the Sentinel - and he intends to find his mother's murderer and bring them to justice. When Nova infiltrates the Renegades, she and Adrian must conceal their secret identities from each other while also working towards their respective goals. There are a few plot twists (I don't remember how many I called the first time I read it), but the main strength of this book - and the series as a whole - is the tension. There are so many close calls that I'm constantly on the edge of my seat. I do wish there was a little less plot armor for the characters and a little more urgency, but considering I read it in about a day, those issues are obviously minimal.
I really like the cast of characters, especially with the conflicting dynamics between the two sets of "found families." I love the relationship between Oscar and Ruby in the background (it's so cute yet doesn't intrude on the story), and I like both of their personalities as well because they're just fun in general. Danna is the only character in that group I don't love, but she's also not super present. Adrian's power is super cool to me and I like how conflicting his morals are. I'm not particularly fond of any of the Anarchists, but I do find Winston intriguing (I think because of something in later books but I can't remember). I love Nova as a protagonist, and while she isn't anything particularly unique, she's enjoyable to read about and I like her contrast to Adrian.
Renegades is a YA sci-fi novel following the stories of superheroes and supervillains alike. (I'd also recommend this to those who are fans of the dynamics between Silco and Jinx from Arcane).
4.25/5
I think this is my third time reading Renegades, and it never fails to astound me how 550 pages can feel like 300 if you're deeply invested in a book. While book one is probably my least favorite in the trilogy, it sets up nicely for the rest of the series by establishing the tension that will only grow from here.
Nova is an Anarchist, determined to bring down the Renegades and prove that superheroes aren't all that they seem. Adrian is a Renegade with a new secret identity - the Sentinel - and he intends to find his mother's murderer and bring them to justice. When Nova infiltrates the Renegades, she and Adrian must conceal their secret identities from each other while also working towards their respective goals. There are a few plot twists (I don't remember how many I called the first time I read it), but the main strength of this book - and the series as a whole - is the tension. There are so many close calls that I'm constantly on the edge of my seat. I do wish there was a little less plot armor for the characters and a little more urgency, but considering I read it in about a day, those issues are obviously minimal.
I really like the cast of characters, especially with the conflicting dynamics between the two sets of "found families." I love the relationship between Oscar and Ruby in the background (it's so cute yet doesn't intrude on the story), and I like both of their personalities as well because they're just fun in general. Danna is the only character in that group I don't love, but she's also not super present. Adrian's power is super cool to me and I like how conflicting his morals are. I'm not particularly fond of any of the Anarchists, but I do find Winston intriguing (I think because of something in later books but I can't remember). I love Nova as a protagonist, and while she isn't anything particularly unique, she's enjoyable to read about and I like her contrast to Adrian.
Renegades is a YA sci-fi novel following the stories of superheroes and supervillains alike. (I'd also recommend this to those who are fans of the dynamics between Silco and Jinx from Arcane).
4.25/5