Your fantasy tragedict's discreet and reliable dealer
(I Also Write Children's Books!)
Monday, February 8, 2016
Woohoo! RELEASE DAY!
It is here! Everybody who pre-ordered and didn't get the ARC, go get it! Wow, sales are brisk. I still don't see physical orders up - I'll bug my publisher.
Ok, loved the new book. But, I have one MAJOR complaint. You keep mentioning the various games they play in the books, first with RTS one from the first novel whose name already escapes me, and most recently with Grimoire of Nursery Rhymes and they just sound so interesting. As interesting as the books themselves and now I want to play them.
I have to admit, every time you give them a game and they describe it, I jump on Google just to see if it really exists. If you're going to keep teasing me with these interesting sounding games, then make some friends in the industry who can bring them to life.
Please, stop being such a VG tease. You're killing me here.
For teddy bears and machine guns, I agree. For this new one - it seams like a cross between bioshock, dark descent and among the sleep. Or whatever other mismatched survival game you choose.
It's too vague for me to actually bite is my point.
I've been thinking about Teddy Bears and Machine Gus. And I think I've figured out. There was a game I saw once before that focused on Toys but that was a clone of TF2 and not that fun. What I image Teddy Bears and machineguns being would play more like a variation of pikmin.
My theory. You start by selecting: Race: Toys | Candy | Junk. In multiplayer the map then takes place in a house where the players then pick one of Six Settings:Bedroom | Loungeroom | Laundry | Kitchen | Garage | Theatre | Office
You start as a General for whichever force you choose. And in your starting position you have "Gatherers" (up to six) which you wake up. You then leed your gatherers to scout the area, and assign them to bring back recourses.
Which resources you bring back then determine which of up to 30 other different types of minions / tanks / soldiers / etc you can brede or craft. Additionally in your area as you explore you can find and "wake up" monsters / toys / food people and they will join the force of whoever wakes them.
Afterwards is where the pvp starts obviously. And the Micro-transactions talked about in the stories are simply starters. Items purchased will be present in your base when you start the game and will be designed more for early start "gather materials quicker" or that upgrade your troops AI or other such non-game-breaking mechanics.
I just realised what's wrong with Book 3. It's actually Book 2.
When I was thinking things over in my head this book minus the content about them having to find a new base feels exactly like the standard book 2 for a series of this nature. I would easily have bought into book threes content (especially the stuff of ready not being allowed to flirt and the types of mistakes Penny made with who she was trusting) if all this stuff happened before the moon adventure.
Yep. After the big self-guilt scene (where she thinks she let her friends to their death) it just feels wrong for Penny to just keep making that mistake.
Richard this one was better than the last two wonderful book and excellently done can't wait to see what you can come up with next for the story thank you for an enjoyable read
I really enjoyed the new story but I found there was a hole that I found slightly annoying. Their base, there is no background detail and it was a bit frustrating. You can get some hints but How, Why, who etc.
Apart form that, I enjoyed this story much more than Book 2
Agreed. I would have loved to see a lot more of... everything. I like the book, but wish that there had been more detail to everything. I would have liked to see how they solved the puzzle, or what is down below. Maybe in the next book? But, I've been wanting more detail about Ray since the first book, and still don't.
Much better then book two but still not as good as book one. For a book named about having minions, no minions really seemed to be miniony...
Though that interesting ending, wow, I did not see that coming. Also wondering how many of the hints are saw are actual hints of the future and how many I just think I see but don't actually exist.
I notice there's still no paperback version for sale. A delay for additional line-editing, since they can't push an update once the ink has hit the paper? An issue with the printer?
Ditto. I have slowly been listening to the first one with my kids as a goodnight story for a while now and starting to run out of book. They are a bit too young to read but do love listening to it.
Actually "Please don't tell my parents I have groupies" would have been a good working title. Although to be fair the title of each book has mainly referee to the last act of each book. Not to the main story itself.
Your supervillain series is great! I have read all of your books except wild children, which I am starting soon. I only have one complaint about your henchmen book. The lesbian part. I mean... what?
This series is angled towards a PG audience, and your adding this? I can understand if you are trying to promote same sex marriage, but this is going to discourage a lot of people from reading your books. I don't have anything against it, but it was completely shocking in a children's book.
Anyone who is discouraged from reading these or any books because of a scene like that is a close minded idiot.
I doubt he is trying to promote anything with these books but entertainment. In case you haven't noticed Tween's and Teen's are a lot more excepting of same sex relations, especially female ones.
Besides the fact that in this instance it was such a minor thing. Roberts does a great job of making his characters as realistic as possible. That scene was realistic and did add something to the story.
Have you watch the programming for Kids these days, I've seen R rated movies that are tamer then some of the stuff on CW and ABC Family. The truth is that same sex relations are a part of life, nothing anyone says or does will ever change that.
What J said, plus there's already been loads of kissing in the books -- some Ray/Penny ones, some others, including the Will/Cassie one (which was specifically noted from Penny's POV to look a bit saucy).
The idea that it's somehow less "PG" if it's girls is just crazy, and really unfair.
Also, J really is right: young readers tend to be a lot more open-minded. It's not like *no* young homophobes exist, of course, but enough to seriously be a danger to a book series? No way. (I mean look at Percy Jackson with Nico, for instance, if anything he's just got *more* popular.) The majority of their reaction will be [shrug], trust me ....
... and the rest of it, well -- mainly: a) furious because they like Penny with Ray, b) delighted because they'd like Penny with Cassie, c) exasperated because they'd prefer Penny with Claire, d) indifferent because they're shipping other people, or e) obliviously wrapped up in crossovers and debating who would win in a fight, d’you think, Penny or Toph? Etc. and so on.
Ok, I understand that, and am not criticizing same sex relationships, but this may discourage close minded or traditionalist parents from buying this book for their children. this would decrease sales, which would decrease money, which would increase debt, and pretty soon richard roberts will be a starving hobo, which means no more books for us.
I've been trying very hard to be polite but are you an idiot? That argument it terrible. I don't know many parents who read every book their kids want. The Young adult label generally means it is appropriate for most people. Even if they did object, the kids would complain until they got there way.
And if you have paid attention to history, controversy over a book's content is a guaranteed boost in sales. Not to mention close minded and traditionalist parents aren't that likely to buy books like these in the first place.
Just sounds a bit naive I think, or maybe lives in a pretty conservative area?
Really though Revan, you don’t have to worry about that. They don’t have nearly enough clout these days to make a big dent in a writer’s sales, let alone turn a bestseller into a hobo. I mean even Dumbledore getting outed back in the day was a big shock-gasp thing, and the HP movies promptly went on breaking sales records. I wouldn't worry too hard.
Everyone need to calm down on this. Revan isn't wrong. There will be parents who object to 2 middle-school girls kissing. That's just a fact. However Revan, I think you are overthinking the problem. This is a series where kids become supervillains and commit crimes. Parents who allow their children to read this series will probably not object to a lesbian scene. There are far more objectionable content in this series than that.
I know what Revan was saying, and I know his point isn't totally wrong. But he is greatly overstating the effects it will have.
What set me off was the implications that a writer should kowtow to the minority just because they may get offended. I'm a writer, not an author, I love writing, but I doubt I will ever be published. In highschool I forced a meeting with the Principle and my creative writing teacher because she failed my story because I didn't change a scene she didn't like.
It's a matter of integrity for me. Roberts might not care at all. but it kinda pushed my button. I got nothing against you Revan, and wasn't trying to attack you personally, just your statement/question.
At this point, I'm not having any issues. I couldn't believe the ultra-orthodox Rabbi across the street let his 11 year old daughter read my books, but he did. Maybe the adults who would complain would also never read the books to find out what's in them. I don't know.
I write my books however I want, and yes, I am continually amazed that there seems to be no controversy. Once in a blue moon someone gives me a one star review complaining I've offended them, but that's it.
My personal opinion. Cassie kissing Penny (or girls acting romantic to other girls in general) will actually encourage young girls to read it. Even if they have no interesting in 'doing' that kinda thing.
Young girls like scandal. ^_^ And besides it's not like the innuendo about Ms Lutra isn't actually WORSE than anything Penny herself has done. She's positively a rolemodel for the healthy tweenage girl :P (If you ignore the being in charge of a gang of juvenile delinquents with super powers)
I was half expecting for Penny or Claire to suggest Ray go live with someone else. I mean if Rays home life is as bad as it sounds, combined with the connections of the Penny and Claire's parents, they could legally get Ray removed. Also they could just send Lucy over to have a nice little chat.
Kristy just imagine the awkwardness if Ray lived at Penny's house. I know it won't happen but it's fun to think about.
^_^ I think if Penny ever wanted her relationship with Ray to advance, they would most likely have to get out of the house. I see it way more likely Ray would end up living at Claires, then whenever Penny goes over Claire and her mum are all "We'll just leave you to alone. Don't do anything I wouldn't" (wink wink)
I agree it would be much more likely for Ray to move in with Claire. Although that would put some strain on the relationship. I don't think Ray would do anything, it's just Penny is insecure and she would see phantoms where there were none.
I'm totally on board with the Penny and Ray relationship.
Bearing in mind that we already have Ray's comments about his parents not leaving him alone if he stayed in town. If we don't get an over-the-top horrible fantasy explanation for that, or maybe some kind of less awful familial/cultural obligations issue, Ray's backstory might be the darkest part of the whole series.
to be honest I don't expect to ever get the full insight into Ray's home life. Until he we learn what is really going on, we will think up much worse things. Generally we are all effected by different things, so the worst case scenario is different for each of us. And Ray is by all accounts a child of abuse. Which makes it really hard for him to stand up to his parents. They can't physically hurt him anymore, but to me it sounded more like emotional and verbal abuse.
That's why I said about them having connections, if they could legally take him away, the would have little recourse. And sending Lucy would just be spiteful. Hell I could see her doing it on her own if she found out, she likes the kids.
Based on Ray him self, I doubt he lives with anyone in the Community. I think he lives with his parents who are just regular people. They dislike the super community because of something that happened in the past. Maybe it's only one parent and the other died in a super fight or a hero failed to save them. Either way they take their frustrations out on Ray.
Rays obsession with the super community is why it's not likely that his parents have a connection to the community, if they were even D list villains he would be more scornful of it and wouldn't be playing at being a villain. He is so obsessed with Supers because being they have power, and he doesn't(didn't). He grew up feeling powerless and potentially has a form PTSD. Which is also why he still feels powerless towards his parents. Also why I think it's emotional, verbal, and mental abuse, those are so much harder to overcome then physical abuse.
Weelll, I'm leaning more toward non-villain a**hats. I've always hated the idea of turning 'real' heroes or villains into supers of some kind. Like, Hitler was really demon possessed, or secretly a vampire, or something, which is why he was so evil. And, Einstein was inspired by alien astronauts, or some other guiding hand. Cause, you know, regular humans can’t be extremely good or bad, heroic or evil, or whatever without outside help. I know several slime-ball parents, who deserve forced sterilization. So, they don’t need to be supers, or were turned to evil cause someone did them wrong, or anything. Normal every day human a**hats parents are bad enough.
Sorry, that came off as harsh. But, we just had our neighbors evicted from the apartments after complaints from "everybody" about animal abuse. Their kids are just as bad - a whole new generation of trash.
I am making a Please Don't Tell my parents (insert here) video game! It sucks right now, but the first level is almost complete! I also have an OC supervillain that I am going to include in the game. I want to advertise your books on both the video game and the video game's website. Is their any reason (legal or otherwise) that I cannot do that?
Fan work laws? Also, It doesnt have anything to do with Teddy Bears And Machine Guns. Sorry! I am working with 2d animation software. I may create a TBAMG game in unity.
If you mean Toph Beifong from the Avatar cartoons(my favorite character of both series BTW, I believe she would give Penny a run for her money. There are too many variables to say one way or the other. Penny has no current defense against Toph's earth bending. But Toph's blindness and limited power set is a big weakness when dealing with Penny's wide array of tools. There is a situation for almost every character where they can beat another in combat.
In the comics, I believe every time Batman has fought Superman, Batman won. Even though Superman should be able to kill Batman with ease.
It's the biggest problem with any VS. discussion. Especially when you pull from multiple sources.
Yeah I’m not sure who’d win! Toph can burrow, of course, if she needs to, which Penny’d have a hard time keeping up with. On the flipside, Penny can teleport, and young!Toph had a bit of confusion dealing with airbenders floating around, so she might have a hard time keeping up with that. (Though she’d know where she was once she rematerialized … ) Penny has a lot of different tech types, with different offensive capabilities. But they don’t tend to be *very* forceful, so probably nothing that would cut through some earthbending rock-armor if Toph decided to go that route. She could maybe trap her somehow; then again Toph could bury her mostly in earth if she got a chance. Of course, if she hit Toph with a penny that would settle it, but Toph’s good at dogding and blocking. I guess mostly, it would come down to what kind of inventions Penny had with her. If she had something that could float, of did some REALLY fast teleporting, she might win. But if Toph knew she could do that she’d probably win. I guess it'd come down to how prepared they were, probably. It'd be entertaining because they're both such quick thinkers (but really, the trash-talking/rant part would be the most fun).
the thing with Penny is that she needs to be prepared to go into a fight. There are a million inventions she could make to fight Toph, but she doesn't have them. I believe at the moment she really only as the gun thing from her dad, the teleport bracelets, and i believe another offensive weapon we haven't seen she made for the football game.
The only way to decide is to know the whole set up for the fight.
Not only that. Under deathbattle rules Vera would count as outside support. Although she may get away with the Machine except it is made of metal and easily bent.
Deathbattle rules? are you referencing something particular? Vera has an intelligence of her own so I agree she wouldn't be allowed. Not to mention Penny doesn't have her around anymore. The Machine is simply an extension of Penny's will and can't not truly act of its own accord, so it is a tool. Yes the Machine is metal, but it has already proven it can absorb ALL forms of energy, including magic. So I bet Bending abilities wouldn't work on it.
I'm with you on Penny's weakness. She can be awesome when she has a chance to think, or plan. But, if she gets ambushed - she is in trouble. Cassie showed that when she ambushed her in the classroom. So, if Toph Beifong walked around a corner, ran into Penny, and then decided to throw down with her - Penny would get 'crushed' - probably between two big rocks.
Now, if Penny were armed for bar mitzvah, well then that is a whole different kettle of Gefilte Fish. Penny can make short teleport hops, but needs to recover. So, it would depend on how fast Toph is in figuring it out. Hmmm, if Penny did like she did with Marvelous - going high, well, then she could rain down destruction on her. Well, assuming that she actually has some weapon to use. Ha - maybe use the Push Rod to lift some rock up high and drop it on Toph? It'd be primitive for a Mad Scientist of her caliber, but you know, whatever works.
For some reason I really love all the Jewish references for some reason.
And yeah, Penny is human, with all the normal human limitations. So without her toys she's just a really smart norm. Luck for her the Machine is an amazing thing. And she's started to remember to bring her other toys, specifically the teleport bands.
(chuckle) In the first book, when Penny went to stop Ray from messing with the Science Fair, she said something like she was armed for bar mitzvah. I have always remembered that line - have no idea of what it means.
It's a play on "Armed for Bear" which means heavily armed. It's is derived from bear hunting, which requires larger and stronger weapons as bear are hard to kill. A Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age ceremony which I believe is celebrated around the 12th to 14th birthday. Not sure the exact age. The "Bat" for some reasons is sometimes "Bar".
I would imagine it was a pun derived from the fact that they are in the age range for a Bar Mitzvah, and that was kinda their coming out. Or its just Roberts making a funny, and I think way too much about this stuff.
Itcould be both. Bar Mitzvah can be rough. Italian ones especially with all that plate smashing. On the other hand I've head Bar Mitvah also been used as slag (of sorts) for a pub brawl. Although I'm not sure of the connection there either so it's not new slang.
But putting all that aside. Penny at the time didn't know she would be running into Marcia. At the time she thought it would just be Ray, who was celebrating coming into his power by trashing a science fair.
Coming into power. Coming of age. Could be a pun on multiple levels.
Hey all, thanks for the explanation. I had heard of "armed for bear," and actually know bar mitzvahs, but hadn't put the two together, or with coming of age. Thanks.
Getting back to Penny. I think the only time Penny actually had the tech that could take on Toph (Vera not being allowed) was the sugar tank cursed penny combo she used on Marvelous. Marvelous is basically the same weight class and Toph if you assume bending counts as magic. Cursed penny, sugar weapons cause sugar is a plant and unbendable, plus some of her sugar weapons had sleep potion style of effects. None of her other tech or inventions would have a chance.
Screwattack's deathbattle on YouTube. Basically a bunch of geeks and a bunch of animators make videos based on "if random character a fought random character b no holds bar who would win".
Although they usually try to match people with similar skills or power sets. Like ironman vs lex Luthor. Or superman vs goku.
Their two main rules are: only content from official Canon, no calling in support / side kicks, and no preperation time. Basically as if the combatants met randomly and found themselves fighting.
Under deathbattle rules Penelope would have iffy pickings. Most of her victories are based on having unknown tech or random strategies that her oponents aren't expecting: and a heavy reliance on her team mates. Only person she's beaten solo is Marvelous and that's cause the Machine eats magic.
Ok a friend of mine has shown me a few, I know I saw the Goku vs Superman. There fun to watch, but I sometimes wonder if their fanboydom doesn't trump a bias opinion.
But yes there are only a few points in the books so far that Penny would have a chance of winning against any bending ability. In order for Penny to be a solo act, she will need to learn to control her power better. She needs lots of different tools, and she needs to start making then more durable.
So. I was having a discussion the other day and I realized that all of E-Claire's costumes are modeled off anime characters (No idea if these are actual references) :D
I'm not all that familiar with anime, but those look way too close to the written descriptions to be a coincidence. Unless those outfits are a common anime theme, I'd have to say Claire's costumes are references.
The Bear pajamas have grown to be very common in Japanese culture, or at least in American views of the culture. Lain was probably one of the first and best known ones.
The Lolita outfit, is super common all over. I've never actually heard of the Anime Scarlet Mansion, but it's a somewhat standard Magic Girl costume.
I know Ranma a friend was obsessed with it. But the costume or general appearance isn't unique to Ranma. I've seen it a few times in other ones.
They are definitely anime inspired even if Roberts never seen any.
I was lookinh for specefic examples that matched the books descriptions. The bear Pj's were the easiest. the loli outfit was weird. buut the one most noticible piece the white chrystanthenum i couldnt find anywhere in a costume.
Scarlet mansion is a sounoff ova from 'Touhou Project' though and is one of the few examples i could find of knee length petticoats with 'white blouse' as goth loli is usually heavy on the black, and magical girls are usually colour coordinated. the only other possible hit was Magica Madoka which featured the flower in her movie costume but otherwise looked wrong colour wise.
and as for cat girl. that was Frustrating at first. Catgirl character mostly seam to overlap with maid and goth loli but Claires outfit was specifically said to be furry and revealing. Then i rememberred this. it was a reoccuring outfit in the comic as well as the anime and a lot of the costumes that are modelled like this were based of this exact image.
the problem with anime is the overlap in everything. Most of the appearances of anime characters is taken from their culture. For every example you can find, there are a dozen others.
oh i totally agree. i mean all those links have something wrong with them with the possible exception of lain.
But if i werecallowing outfit inspirations to be more sexy than cute - than claires cat outfit being white tiger not orange sound more like nekomonogatari. except that nekomonogatari only her hair, ears and tail were furry. but the clotĥng fits nekomonogatari white and later when she gets the tiger powers.
And if i was just going off the clothes alone (essentially denim shorts and bathers) i could draw at least three other anime into this.
On my Kindle when I woke up this morning.
ReplyDeleteI made the mistake of starting a re-read of Super Villain last night, so I still have another hour or so to go before I can read Henchmen.
Congratulations on the release of Henchmen. Happy to hear that sales are doing well. It's a great read and I'll be pushing it on all my friends.
ReplyDeleteI tried to stay up late last night to put up the review as soon as it launched but ended up having to wait till this morning.
ReplyDeleteI had to remember to turn my Kindle off airplane mode. Took me about 4-5 hours total to read. I rather enjoyed it :) Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteDistracted me from work today...but totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteGreat story!
Hurray! I'm ... somewhat glad I missed the date it was delivered to my kindle last night, can't wait to read it tonight. :)
ReplyDeleteReview is up.
ReplyDeleteIve wanted book 4 since i finished the ARC
ReplyDeleteOk, loved the new book. But, I have one MAJOR complaint. You keep mentioning the various games they play in the books, first with RTS one from the first novel whose name already escapes me, and most recently with Grimoire of Nursery Rhymes and they just sound so interesting. As interesting as the books themselves and now I want to play them.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, every time you give them a game and they describe it, I jump on Google just to see if it really exists. If you're going to keep teasing me with these interesting sounding games, then make some friends in the industry who can bring them to life.
Please, stop being such a VG tease. You're killing me here.
For teddy bears and machine guns, I agree. For this new one - it seams like a cross between bioshock, dark descent and among the sleep.
DeleteOr whatever other mismatched survival game you choose.
It's too vague for me to actually bite is my point.
I'm a fan RTS and would love to play Teddy Bears and Machine Guns
DeleteI've been thinking about Teddy Bears and Machine Gus. And I think I've figured out. There was a game I saw once before that focused on Toys but that was a clone of TF2 and not that fun. What I image Teddy Bears and machineguns being would play more like a variation of pikmin.
DeleteMy theory. You start by selecting:
Race: Toys | Candy | Junk.
In multiplayer the map then takes place in a house where the players then pick one of
Six Settings:Bedroom | Loungeroom | Laundry | Kitchen | Garage | Theatre | Office
You start as a General for whichever force you choose. And in your starting position you have "Gatherers" (up to six) which you wake up. You then leed your gatherers to scout the area, and assign them to bring back recourses.
Which resources you bring back then determine which of up to 30 other different types of minions / tanks / soldiers / etc you can brede or craft. Additionally in your area as you explore you can find and "wake up" monsters / toys / food people and they will join the force of whoever wakes them.
Afterwards is where the pvp starts obviously. And the Micro-transactions talked about in the stories are simply starters. Items purchased will be present in your base when you start the game and will be designed more for early start "gather materials quicker" or that upgrade your troops AI or other such non-game-breaking mechanics.
Need more. The story is great, but needs well another book or ten to satisfy this reading hunger.
ReplyDeleteI just realised what's wrong with Book 3. It's actually Book 2.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was thinking things over in my head this book minus the content about them having to find a new base feels exactly like the standard book 2 for a series of this nature. I would easily have bought into book threes content (especially the stuff of ready not being allowed to flirt and the types of mistakes Penny made with who she was trusting) if all this stuff happened before the moon adventure.
Autocorrelation. Ray not being allowed to flirt.
DeleteYep. After the big self-guilt scene (where she thinks she let her friends to their death) it just feels wrong for Penny to just keep making that mistake.
DeleteRichard this one was better than the last two wonderful book and excellently done can't wait to see what you can come up with next for the story thank you for an enjoyable read
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the new story but I found there was a hole that I found slightly annoying. Their base, there is no background detail and it was a bit frustrating. You can get some hints but How, Why, who etc.
ReplyDeleteApart form that, I enjoyed this story much more than Book 2
K
Agreed. I would have loved to see a lot more of... everything. I like the book, but wish that there had been more detail to everything. I would have liked to see how they solved the puzzle, or what is down below.
DeleteMaybe in the next book?
But, I've been wanting more detail about Ray since the first book, and still don't.
Devoured it over two days. Loved all the way through.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I can't wait for March for the novella.
Much better then book two but still not as good as book one. For a book named about having minions, no minions really seemed to be miniony...
ReplyDeleteThough that interesting ending, wow, I did not see that coming. Also wondering how many of the hints are saw are actual hints of the future and how many I just think I see but don't actually exist.
I read a review that said that the writer saw it coming. But, I did not.
DeleteSo now the fun question...when does book 4 come out. :D
ReplyDeleteI notice there's still no paperback version for sale. A delay for additional line-editing, since they can't push an update once the ink has hit the paper? An issue with the printer?
ReplyDelete'We are just waiting on the printer. It should be a day or two.' That is what my publisher said two days ago.
DeleteI see Amazon is listing the paperback now. The printer has an interesting definition of "a day or two". Operating on Ganymede time, are they?
DeleteGreat! Now all I need is to have one of the bookstore chains in Singapore to order it. :(
DeleteAmazon fulfillment on this order seems to involve a slow boat to China... perhaps they can drop off a copy when they're in the neighborhood? :)
DeleteI just checked out the amazon sample. Oh my god.
ReplyDelete"Still dazed, her grip practically hung in mind."
The typo from the first draft is still there. I told you about it. You even replied, confirming that it was a typo.
Please tell me it isn't in the final version. If it is I'm going to cry a little.
Every single first printing of a book I've ever read has typos. Even the biggest publishers miss typos on a regular basis.
DeleteI noticed that the 'mistake' with the Audit and Penny's Pencil was corrected. But, there were several others...
DeleteAlso, will there be a book/short story on how Marcia got her superpower?! that would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteNaw, that is just the curse of the protagonist.
ReplyDeleteDitto. I have slowly been listening to the first one with my kids as a goodnight story for a while now and starting to run out of book. They are a bit too young to read but do love listening to it.
ReplyDeleteWill there be a book 4?
ReplyDeleteThere's a Book 4 (Please Don't Tell My Parents I Have A Nemesis) and a Book 5.
DeleteHeh. It would be hilarious if the title of the last book was, 'Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm A Superhero.'
ReplyDeleteSo when can we start bugging for release dates for book 4 and 5...
ReplyDeleteActually "Please don't tell my parents I have groupies" would have been a good working title.
ReplyDeleteAlthough to be fair the title of each book has mainly referee to the last act of each book. Not to the main story itself.
Need book 4... if i dont get it soon ill become a book zombie and eat authors brains!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! I just found this!
ReplyDeletemysuperpoweredlife.blogspot.com
Your supervillain series is great! I have read all of your books except wild children, which I am starting soon. I only have one complaint about your henchmen book. The lesbian part. I mean... what?
ReplyDeleteThis series is angled towards a PG audience, and your adding this? I can understand if you are trying to promote same sex marriage, but this is going to discourage a lot of people from reading your books. I don't have anything against it, but it was completely shocking in a children's book.
Also, I thought the Ouroborus SV name was really clever.
DeleteAnyone who is discouraged from reading these or any books because of a scene like that is a close minded idiot.
DeleteI doubt he is trying to promote anything with these books but entertainment. In case you haven't noticed Tween's and Teen's are a lot more excepting of same sex relations, especially female ones.
Besides the fact that in this instance it was such a minor thing. Roberts does a great job of making his characters as realistic as possible. That scene was realistic and did add something to the story.
Have you watch the programming for Kids these days, I've seen R rated movies that are tamer then some of the stuff on CW and ABC Family.
The truth is that same sex relations are a part of life, nothing anyone says or does will ever change that.
What J said, plus there's already been loads of kissing in the books -- some Ray/Penny ones, some others, including the Will/Cassie one (which was specifically noted from Penny's POV to look a bit saucy).
DeleteThe idea that it's somehow less "PG" if it's girls is just crazy, and really unfair.
Also, J really is right: young readers tend to be a lot more open-minded. It's not like *no* young homophobes exist, of course, but enough to seriously be a danger to a book series? No way. (I mean look at Percy Jackson with Nico, for instance, if anything he's just got *more* popular.) The majority of their reaction will be [shrug], trust me ....
... and the rest of it, well -- mainly: a) furious because they like Penny with Ray, b) delighted because they'd like Penny with Cassie, c) exasperated because they'd prefer Penny with Claire, d) indifferent because they're shipping other people, or e) obliviously wrapped up in crossovers and debating who would win in a fight, d’you think, Penny or Toph? Etc. and so on.
Ok, I understand that, and am not criticizing same sex relationships, but this may discourage close minded or traditionalist parents from buying this book for their children. this would decrease sales, which would decrease money, which would increase debt, and pretty soon richard roberts will be a starving hobo, which means no more books for us.
DeleteI've been trying very hard to be polite but are you an idiot? That argument it terrible. I don't know many parents who read every book their kids want. The Young adult label generally means it is appropriate for most people. Even if they did object, the kids would complain until they got there way.
DeleteAnd if you have paid attention to history, controversy over a book's content is a guaranteed boost in sales.
Not to mention close minded and traditionalist parents aren't that likely to buy books like these in the first place.
And I apologize for calling you an idiot.
Just sounds a bit naive I think, or maybe lives in a pretty conservative area?
DeleteReally though Revan, you don’t have to worry about that. They don’t have nearly enough clout these days to make a big dent in a writer’s sales, let alone turn a bestseller into a hobo. I mean even Dumbledore getting outed back in the day was a big shock-gasp thing, and the HP movies promptly went on breaking sales records. I wouldn't worry too hard.
Everyone need to calm down on this. Revan isn't wrong. There will be parents who object to 2 middle-school girls kissing. That's just a fact.
DeleteHowever Revan, I think you are overthinking the problem. This is a series where kids become supervillains and commit crimes. Parents who allow their children to read this series will probably not object to a lesbian scene. There are far more objectionable content in this series than that.
I know what Revan was saying, and I know his point isn't totally wrong. But he is greatly overstating the effects it will have.
DeleteWhat set me off was the implications that a writer should kowtow to the minority just because they may get offended.
I'm a writer, not an author, I love writing, but I doubt I will ever be published. In highschool I forced a meeting with the Principle and my creative writing teacher because she failed my story because I didn't change a scene she didn't like.
It's a matter of integrity for me. Roberts might not care at all. but it kinda pushed my button. I got nothing against you Revan, and wasn't trying to attack you personally, just your statement/question.
At this point, I'm not having any issues. I couldn't believe the ultra-orthodox Rabbi across the street let his 11 year old daughter read my books, but he did. Maybe the adults who would complain would also never read the books to find out what's in them. I don't know.
DeleteI write my books however I want, and yes, I am continually amazed that there seems to be no controversy. Once in a blue moon someone gives me a one star review complaining I've offended them, but that's it.
My personal opinion. Cassie kissing Penny (or girls acting romantic to other girls in general) will actually encourage young girls to read it. Even if they have no interesting in 'doing' that kinda thing.
DeleteYoung girls like scandal.
^_^ And besides it's not like the innuendo about Ms Lutra isn't actually WORSE than anything Penny herself has done.
She's positively a rolemodel for the healthy tweenage girl :P
(If you ignore the being in charge of a gang of juvenile delinquents with super powers)
@kipendrik. Missed your comment but you missed a potential outcome.
DeleteIf Penny not only stays in but embraces the Villain route. Maybe she'll get the harem ending with Ray as her 1st and Cassie her 2nd.
That's what I'm voting for. I personally think the sooner Penny gives up the light side and goes all enigmatic overlord the better this story will be.
I was half expecting for Penny or Claire to suggest Ray go live with someone else. I mean if Rays home life is as bad as it sounds, combined with the connections of the Penny and Claire's parents, they could legally get Ray removed. Also they could just send Lucy over to have a nice little chat.
DeleteKristy just imagine the awkwardness if Ray lived at Penny's house. I know it won't happen but it's fun to think about.
^_^ I think if Penny ever wanted her relationship with Ray to advance, they would most likely have to get out of the house.
DeleteI see it way more likely Ray would end up living at Claires, then whenever Penny goes over Claire and her mum are all "We'll just leave you to alone. Don't do anything I wouldn't" (wink wink)
I agree it would be much more likely for Ray to move in with Claire. Although that would put some strain on the relationship. I don't think Ray would do anything, it's just Penny is insecure and she would see phantoms where there were none.
DeleteI'm totally on board with the Penny and Ray relationship.
Bearing in mind that we already have Ray's comments about his parents not leaving him alone if he stayed in town. If we don't get an over-the-top horrible fantasy explanation for that, or maybe some kind of less awful familial/cultural obligations issue, Ray's backstory might be the darkest part of the whole series.
Deleteto be honest I don't expect to ever get the full insight into Ray's home life. Until he we learn what is really going on, we will think up much worse things. Generally we are all effected by different things, so the worst case scenario is different for each of us.
DeleteAnd Ray is by all accounts a child of abuse. Which makes it really hard for him to stand up to his parents. They can't physically hurt him anymore, but to me it sounded more like emotional and verbal abuse.
That's why I said about them having connections, if they could legally take him away, the would have little recourse. And sending Lucy would just be spiteful. Hell I could see her doing it on her own if she found out, she likes the kids.
Im still guessing D list villains who tend to get drunk orbhigh and or violent (or all three) whenever a plan fails.
DeleteEither that or no parents and he lives in placement of some kind. That would be the most embarrsing but easiest to fix.
Based on Ray him self, I doubt he lives with anyone in the Community. I think he lives with his parents who are just regular people. They dislike the super community because of something that happened in the past. Maybe it's only one parent and the other died in a super fight or a hero failed to save them. Either way they take their frustrations out on Ray.
DeleteRays obsession with the super community is why it's not likely that his parents have a connection to the community, if they were even D list villains he would be more scornful of it and wouldn't be playing at being a villain.
He is so obsessed with Supers because being they have power, and he doesn't(didn't). He grew up feeling powerless and potentially has a form PTSD. Which is also why he still feels powerless towards his parents. Also why I think it's emotional, verbal, and mental abuse, those are so much harder to overcome then physical abuse.
Weelll, I'm leaning more toward non-villain a**hats.
DeleteI've always hated the idea of turning 'real' heroes or villains into supers of some kind. Like, Hitler was really demon possessed, or secretly a vampire, or something, which is why he was so evil. And, Einstein was inspired by alien astronauts, or some other guiding hand. Cause, you know, regular humans can’t be extremely good or bad, heroic or evil, or whatever without outside help.
I know several slime-ball parents, who deserve forced sterilization.
So, they don’t need to be supers, or were turned to evil cause someone did them wrong, or anything.
Normal every day human a**hats parents are bad enough.
Sorry, that came off as harsh. But, we just had our neighbors evicted from the apartments after complaints from "everybody" about animal abuse. Their kids are just as bad - a whole new generation of trash.
DeleteYou know, after thinking about it, I don't want to know Ray's History. It would just piss me off.
DeleteFor the most part I agree with you Dark. You don't need to be super to be true evil. or good.
DeleteI am making a Please Don't Tell my parents (insert here) video game! It sucks right now, but the first level is almost complete!
ReplyDeleteI also have an OC supervillain that I am going to include in the game. I want to advertise your books on both the video game and the video game's website. Is their any reason (legal or otherwise) that I cannot do that?
Does it involve 6eddy bears or machine guns? Bbs I would think normal parody and fan work laws apply here.
DeleteFan work laws? Also, It doesnt have anything to do with Teddy Bears And Machine Guns. Sorry! I am working with 2d animation software. I may create a TBAMG game in unity.
DeleteOh. I meant - so long as you don't profit from the advertising or the game you should be free to do what you want.
DeleteAlso, Toph would get her ass handed to her by penny. Just saying
ReplyDeleteIf you mean Toph Beifong from the Avatar cartoons(my favorite character of both series BTW, I believe she would give Penny a run for her money. There are too many variables to say one way or the other.
DeletePenny has no current defense against Toph's earth bending. But Toph's blindness and limited power set is a big weakness when dealing with Penny's wide array of tools.
There is a situation for almost every character where they can beat another in combat.
In the comics, I believe every time Batman has fought Superman, Batman won. Even though Superman should be able to kill Batman with ease.
It's the biggest problem with any VS. discussion. Especially when you pull from multiple sources.
Yeah I’m not sure who’d win! Toph can burrow, of course, if she needs to, which Penny’d have a hard time keeping up with. On the flipside, Penny can teleport, and young!Toph had a bit of confusion dealing with airbenders floating around, so she might have a hard time keeping up with that. (Though she’d know where she was once she rematerialized … ) Penny has a lot of different tech types, with different offensive capabilities. But they don’t tend to be *very* forceful, so probably nothing that would cut through some earthbending rock-armor if Toph decided to go that route. She could maybe trap her somehow; then again Toph could bury her mostly in earth if she got a chance. Of course, if she hit Toph with a penny that would settle it, but Toph’s good at dogding and blocking. I guess mostly, it would come down to what kind of inventions Penny had with her. If she had something that could float, of did some REALLY fast teleporting, she might win. But if Toph knew she could do that she’d probably win. I guess it'd come down to how prepared they were, probably. It'd be entertaining because they're both such quick thinkers (but really, the trash-talking/rant part would be the most fun).
Delete/wall of text
Deletethe thing with Penny is that she needs to be prepared to go into a fight. There are a million inventions she could make to fight Toph, but she doesn't have them. I believe at the moment she really only as the gun thing from her dad, the teleport bracelets, and i believe another offensive weapon we haven't seen she made for the football game.
DeleteThe only way to decide is to know the whole set up for the fight.
Not only that. Under deathbattle rules Vera would count as outside support. Although she may get away with the Machine except it is made of metal and easily bent.
DeleteDeathbattle rules? are you referencing something particular?
DeleteVera has an intelligence of her own so I agree she wouldn't be allowed. Not to mention Penny doesn't have her around anymore.
The Machine is simply an extension of Penny's will and can't not truly act of its own accord, so it is a tool. Yes the Machine is metal, but it has already proven it can absorb ALL forms of energy, including magic. So I bet Bending abilities wouldn't work on it.
I'm with you on Penny's weakness. She can be awesome when she has a chance to think, or plan. But, if she gets ambushed - she is in trouble.
DeleteCassie showed that when she ambushed her in the classroom.
So, if Toph Beifong walked around a corner, ran into Penny, and then decided to throw down with her - Penny would get 'crushed' - probably between two big rocks.
Now, if Penny were armed for bar mitzvah, well then that is a whole different kettle of Gefilte Fish.
Penny can make short teleport hops, but needs to recover. So, it would depend on how fast Toph is in figuring it out.
Hmmm, if Penny did like she did with Marvelous - going high, well, then she could rain down destruction on her. Well, assuming that she actually has some weapon to use.
Ha - maybe use the Push Rod to lift some rock up high and drop it on Toph? It'd be primitive for a Mad Scientist of her caliber, but you know, whatever works.
For some reason I really love all the Jewish references for some reason.
DeleteAnd yeah, Penny is human, with all the normal human limitations. So without her toys she's just a really smart norm. Luck for her the Machine is an amazing thing. And she's started to remember to bring her other toys, specifically the teleport bands.
(chuckle) In the first book, when Penny went to stop Ray from messing with the Science Fair, she said something like she was armed for bar mitzvah. I have always remembered that line - have no idea of what it means.
DeleteIt's a play on "Armed for Bear" which means heavily armed. It's is derived from bear hunting, which requires larger and stronger weapons as bear are hard to kill.
DeleteA Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age ceremony which I believe is celebrated around the 12th to 14th birthday. Not sure the exact age. The "Bat" for some reasons is sometimes "Bar".
I would imagine it was a pun derived from the fact that they are in the age range for a Bar Mitzvah, and that was kinda their coming out. Or its just Roberts making a funny, and I think way too much about this stuff.
Itcould be both. Bar Mitzvah can be rough. Italian ones especially with all that plate smashing.
DeleteOn the other hand I've head Bar Mitvah also been used as slag (of sorts) for a pub brawl. Although I'm not sure of the connection there either so it's not new slang.
But putting all that aside. Penny at the time didn't know she would be running into Marcia. At the time she thought it would just be Ray, who was celebrating coming into his power by trashing a science fair.
Coming into power. Coming of age. Could be a pun on multiple levels.
Hey all, thanks for the explanation.
DeleteI had heard of "armed for bear," and actually know bar mitzvahs, but hadn't put the two together, or with coming of age. Thanks.
Getting back to Penny. I think the only time Penny actually had the tech that could take on Toph (Vera not being allowed) was the sugar tank cursed penny combo she used on Marvelous. Marvelous is basically the same weight class and Toph if you assume bending counts as magic. Cursed penny, sugar weapons cause sugar is a plant and unbendable, plus some of her sugar weapons had sleep potion style of effects. None of her other tech or inventions would have a chance.
DeleteScrewattack's deathbattle on YouTube. Basically a bunch of geeks and a bunch of animators make videos based on "if random character a fought random character b no holds bar who would win".
ReplyDeleteAlthough they usually try to match people with similar skills or power sets. Like ironman vs lex Luthor. Or superman vs goku.
Their two main rules are: only content from official Canon, no calling in support / side kicks, and no preperation time. Basically as if the combatants met randomly and found themselves fighting.
Under deathbattle rules Penelope would have iffy pickings. Most of her victories are based on having unknown tech or random strategies that her oponents aren't expecting: and a heavy reliance on her team mates. Only person she's beaten solo is Marvelous and that's cause the Machine eats magic.
Ok a friend of mine has shown me a few, I know I saw the Goku vs Superman. There fun to watch, but I sometimes wonder if their fanboydom doesn't trump a bias opinion.
DeleteBut yes there are only a few points in the books so far that Penny would have a chance of winning against any bending ability. In order for Penny to be a solo act, she will need to learn to control her power better. She needs lots of different tools, and she needs to start making then more durable.
We should Poll for a penny vs. Toph deathbattle
DeleteSo. I was having a discussion the other day and I realized that all of E-Claire's costumes are modeled off anime characters (No idea if these are actual references) :D
ReplyDelete(Serial Experiment Lain) http://tinyurl.com/z3fxwqf
(Scarlet Mansion) http://tinyurl.com/gqlhsfz
(ranma) http://tinyurl.com/z3jslc8
I'm not all that familiar with anime, but those look way too close to the written descriptions to be a coincidence. Unless those outfits are a common anime theme, I'd have to say Claire's costumes are references.
DeleteThe Bear pajamas have grown to be very common in Japanese culture, or at least in American views of the culture. Lain was probably one of the first and best known ones.
DeleteThe Lolita outfit, is super common all over. I've never actually heard of the Anime Scarlet Mansion, but it's a somewhat standard Magic Girl costume.
I know Ranma a friend was obsessed with it. But the costume or general appearance isn't unique to Ranma. I've seen it a few times in other ones.
They are definitely anime inspired even if Roberts never seen any.
I was lookinh for specefic examples that matched the books descriptions. The bear Pj's were the easiest.
Deletethe loli outfit was weird. buut the one most noticible piece the white chrystanthenum i couldnt find anywhere in a costume.
Scarlet mansion is a sounoff ova from 'Touhou Project' though and is one of the few examples i could find of knee length petticoats with 'white blouse' as goth loli is usually heavy on the black, and magical girls are usually colour coordinated. the only other possible hit was Magica Madoka which featured the flower in her movie costume but otherwise looked wrong colour wise.
and as for cat girl. that was Frustrating at first. Catgirl character mostly seam to overlap with maid and goth loli but Claires outfit was specifically said to be furry and revealing. Then i rememberred this. it was a reoccuring outfit in the comic as well as the anime and a lot of the costumes that are modelled like this were based of this exact image.
the problem with anime is the overlap in everything. Most of the appearances of anime characters is taken from their culture. For every example you can find, there are a dozen others.
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Deleteoh i totally agree. i mean all those links have something wrong with them with the possible exception of lain.
DeleteBut if i werecallowing outfit inspirations to be more sexy than cute - than claires cat outfit being white tiger not orange sound more like nekomonogatari. except that nekomonogatari only her hair, ears and tail were furry. but the clotĥng fits nekomonogatari white and later when she gets the tiger powers.
And if i was just going off the clothes alone (essentially denim shorts and bathers) i could draw at least three other anime into this.