It’s Friday so this means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Thea reviews Only Superhuman by Christopher L. Bennett…
…a superhero novel that, unfortunately, isn’t very good, and calls to mind the very worst stereotypes in superhero fiction. Head over to Kirkus to get the full scoop.
NOTE: The Kirkus review is missing this excerpted scene from the book (after “this fantastically memorable scene:”)! This should be included, in case you were wondering and want a taste of Only Superhuman. Kirkus has updated the review, quote now included!
255 Comments
hapax
October 19, 2012 at 5:03 pmOh. My. GAWD.
I was really looking forward to this one, and am disappointed to hear that it is an enormous step BENEATH the not-too-high-bar set by Heinlein’s FRIDAY. (Unless Emry ends up happily barefoot and pregnant at the end as well?)
Worst of all was Bennett’s defensive response. How on earth could anyone hope to write about superhero culture and NOT be aware of the hypersexualized misogyny prevalent in the field for decades?
Gaaah. Now I need to go re-read HERO to cheer myself up.
goodguy76
October 21, 2012 at 6:56 amHave a try reading the lab by Jack Heath. It is YA novel but is really good.
Sarah N.
October 22, 2012 at 4:54 pmhapax, you know what’s even worse? He’s written two novels for the Marvel universe already. I suppose Marvel is largely better than DC, so he has some excuse, but it pissed me off enough to respond to his comment that he’s this out of touch. This book was terrible.