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geek lit at its best
“If you are a geek (or even a closet geek) you will really like this book. It helps to be at least at some time be a comic book fan, but in no way is it necessary. I bought a copy of the book for a friend whose interest in comic books has never moved passed movies, and he wound up have to wait to read it because his wife stole it and read it first. They both loved it.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-22. -
Invincible: Enjoyable and Fun
“I purchased this book used on a Friday night and had it read by Tuesday morning. The dialog, both internal and external, felt right for what was occurring with the main characters. As an role-playing gamer, I also read this with an eye to using anything I could get from this book in my games, and was not disappointed. It's an easy read, and I'll recommend it to anyone who likes the superhero genre.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-09-22. -
Not all that super
“I bought this book because the premise was interesting and the exposition was quite engaging. The novel promised big things but unfortunately it didn't deliver. The story seemed to stall in first gear. The plot dragged out and I didn't form any real attachment to any of the characters. The climax was quite flat and the exciting "twist" wasn't really that Earth shattering. ”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-09-18. -
4 of 5 members found this review helpful.
Soon I Will Dissolve in My Own Irony
“Dr. Impossible is your classic under-achieving super-villain, the kind Terry Pratchett mocked mercilessly with Evil Harry Dread and His Shed of Doom in The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable. Impossible's tried twelve times already to take over the world, and the pesky super heros have defeated him every time. So as he ramps up for the 13th effort, there's not much question what's going to happen this time; only how it's going to happen. You have to be a very good writer to carry suspense in that situation, better than Mr. Grossman, I fear.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-07-24.
The narrative voice shifts back and forth between the villainous Dr. Impossible and newly minted superhero(ine) Fatale, a angst-ridden cyborg. A writer needs to be able to establish and maintain two distinct narrative voices to bring this trick off. As other reviewers have noted, Mr. Grossman's efforts are only spottily successful. Many of the favorable reviews are from the audio version, where the narrator can do the work the author should have done.
Much of the novel is given over to the characters backstories, but between the current superheroes and super-villains, and older, retired or defeated superheroes and villains, you really need the character table at the end of the book to even half way keep track of what's going on.
And you need a strong story. But the actual story here is minimalist.
But the great problem facing Mr. Grossman is that he cannot establish and maintain a consistent narrative tone. One page might read like a satiric pastiche of bad 1950's comic books; the next page threatens to dissolve in its own irony. Even the super bad guy, Dr. Impossible, waffles badly between arrogant James Bond villain and karking, whiny petulance. Sometimes in the same paragraph.
Sure, the author successfully parodies comic books, but that's a pretty easy target. They very nearly do it to themselves. Beyond that, it's pretty disappointing. Save your money, or go to the secondhand bookstore. I love fantasy and science fiction, and grew up on comics, but this is just poorly written.” -
0 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Splendid storytelling and indepth characters
“This is one of the best books I've ever read in this genre. Exceptional story and I love how you really get into the minds of all the characters. I've shared this book with everyone I know and they've all loved it. This is a must read for any comicbook fan, but really it's just a great read for anyone. ”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-07-06.
