I got the files for Summer of Lob from my publisher! Those of you who felt like they needed to know more about Bull and Bull-adjacent people, here's your backstory. Anyone who feels left out of ARC mailings, either the novella or the full book, this thread is for your complaints - but discussions of content are also welcome. Whatever you want, folks. You're the fans. Go hog wild*.
*No hogs are present in either the novella or the Supervillain books. Goats, yes. Hogs, no.
*Spoilers follow in my review and impressions*
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to remove this comment if it is not in line with your expectations for the thread.
I'll toss my first impressions on here and in the spoiler thread as well. Like Henchmen I'll be doing a second read soon.
The novella started off a bit confusing due to having no background on the story or the characters. This is probably fixed by some blurb at some point on the anthology synopsis where it says something about backstory on Bull and everyone else. Your email blurb covered it, but I'm looking at the novella only.
Review and impressions:
I found this to be a fun "quick" read. It is a fresh view into the Supervillian world. Writing, plot points, and locations were very unique all leading to a very new feeling for the series. The overarching plot of Bull in LA and his motivations was exceptionally well done. Very similar to Supervillain where a chain of happenstance leads the character away from their desired goal and into their newfound role. Each scene was believable and the plot driving mechanics kept the pace high and in the realm of belief (excluding the fact it's a fictional universe). Additionally, the vast majority of characters mentioned were very well introduced and fleshed out. The most entertaining character was Goodnight due to matching my sense of humor. I was hoping for a 1...2...3...BullOS fatal error, but close enough. Having Evolution, though foreshadowed, was a very welcome surprise. Evolution is a much talked about but little known character in the series. Most lines involving Evolution are more "You fought Evolution" than this is what Evolution is, does, looks like, and acts.
The intro for Foxy and Carbuncle was jarring when the main character had yet to be introduced. However, this is more an aspect of being in an anthology/novella format where something attention grabbing is needed than a detriment to the story. Also, Dr. Righteous' motivations seemed erratic. First it was against people but loving their creations, at least furniture. Then his motivation turned to hating cars which have lots of furniture or at least seats. I personally don't see much difference between a sofa and a car back seat. Having more about Goodnight would have been welcome instead of her two scenes, one of which was exceptionally short.
Overall I would place this as a very fun and good read. Not as good as Supervillian (which was phenomenal) but better than Moon.
An aside I've been wanted to put for quite a while: my personal theme song for the series is Heroes by Alesso.
I'm halfway through reading Henchmen, have not read the book here. Just answer this - am I completely right in assuming Bull's ex wife (Claudia's mum) is Evolution?
DeleteCause that was what I got from the scenes in the first half of Henchmen!
She is not, her mother is an apparently immortal named Irene. She appears to have some metamorphic abilities, and has a tail.
DeleteShe can change color, but in such detail that she can (for example) superficially mimic a robot. And you forgot the sharp teeth! They made it much harder to pass for human than the tail. Wear a loose shirt and wrap the tail around your waist, and you're good.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It was indeed much more like an introduction to a brand new world than backstory to the normal one, but that made it very fun to read. Finally we find out more about Evolution, which was also pretty cool. The ending was a bit abrupt, but still nice. I hope we will get more Bull novellas.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read it but I'll be very interested in novellas about other adult characters that show up in the books. I'm thinking about Master Scorpion, The Audit, Brain Akk, The Minx, while they were still active and in their prime.
DeleteHa! Probably nobody's ever getting The Minx's adventures. They tended to the lurid.
DeleteYou could always write and publish it with an NC16 rating or something?
DeleteI want to read the Audit vs Bull fight.
ReplyDelete"No hogs are present in either the novella or the Supervillain books."
ReplyDeleteMr. Piglington gets a mention, but never appears. Also, he's animatronic. Poor, cynical, artificially porcine Mr. Piglington.
I need to find the novella first. I gather it's been officially released now?
ReplyDeleteIt's in an anthology amazon says will be available in March, but ARC readers got a copy.
DeleteThe downside is that one has to buy an anthology with the work of authors that are unfamiliar (at least to me) in order to own a copy of the novella. The upside is that, in my opinion, the novella is good enough to be worth the price of the whole anthology. A really good view of superhero L.A. in 1969, great characters, mad science that's particularly mad, and we finally get to see this Evolution we've been hearing about.
On the upside, you may get to know a bunch of other authors that you may enjoy.
DeleteQuick question, I see the book is called The Indomitable 10, and assume there are novellas by 10 authors in it. But do any others take place in the Don't Tell My Parents universe?
ReplyDeleteGood question! Only that one story is by me, and thus it's the only one that takes place in my universe. Curiosity Quills has a bunch of superhero related authors, and wanted to make a collection of us.
DeleteI have no idea what the other stories are like. I haven't read them. I can promise you that mine is a good third the length of my novels, so there's meaty content just from me.
Do you know those other authors in general?
DeleteOnly very loosely! I haven't gotten to read the rest of the stories. Like any anthology, I'm guessing some are great and some are terrible. I'm guessing my story will be the best and the longest, but... that tends to be true regardless. I'm pretty good at this.
DeleteI loved this book so much!!! Will there be another???????
ReplyDeleteI think it's supposed to be a 5 book series.
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