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O P E N I N G H O O K:
For hundreds of years, prodigies were feared by the rest of the world. We became hunted. Tormented. Feared and oppressed. We were believed to be witches and demons, freaks and abominations. We were stoned and hanged and set afire while crowds gathered to watch with cruel eyes, proud to be ridding the world of one more pariah.
They were right to be afraid.
Hundreds of years. Who whould have stood for it?
(Page 1, US hardcover edition)
"The world needs heroes." "That's what they keep telling us... but we both know the world would be better off without heroes. Without villains. Without any of us, getting in the way of normal, happy people and their normal, happy lives."
~RENEGADES
If you've been looking for a novel that feels like a comic book sprung to life, look no further: RENEGADES by Marissa Meyer is exactly what you've been coveting! It's hard to capture the world of superheroes and super villains in prose, and most authors don't even try. They come off as cliche or boring or are so packed with information that readers wind up skim-reading past the battles to get back to the story. I've tried reading this genre a few times and been burned. There are very few books that I would consider to be good or great because it's just so hard to bring this medium to life. Luckily, RENEGADES is one of the best ones I've read so far: There are a few action-packed battles and scenes with heroes saving the day, but there's so much more going on, too. There are fun cliches such as falling for the enemy, and, of course, heroes with secret identities. There's also a lot of gray thrown into the mix. Being a Hero (a Renegade here) doesn't mean you're automatically perfect, even though society seems to think so. Likewise, villains have more depth to them than just being evil for no good reason. There are many types of villains in this world, and the Anarchists are just one. But there's so much more at play, too, because RENEGADES brings both good and bad traits in both "sides" to light and explores morality in a way that really appealed to me and kept me engaged. Readers will feel for main character Nova right from the beginning. Growing up, she believed that the Renegades would save anyone. When her family is murdered in front of her, she barely escapes with her life. The Renegades never come, and she grows up disillusioned with them. She would rather be an Anarchist like her uncle and bring down the Renegades. The Renegades aren't perfect, but everyone thinks they are. She thinks a lot of them are big bullies and that people without powers have grown too reliant on a safety net that might not always be there. After her family of Anarchists is threatened by the Renegades, Nova decides to go undercover and join the organization she hates to take it down from within... Our other main character is Adrian, a Renegade who never even had to go through Trials in order to prove himself and join the organization. His mother was one of the original Renegades and killed in battle, then he was adopted by his two fathers, two more of the original members. His power might not be amazing, but it's really cool: He can draw anything and bring it to life--albeit the size he drew it. He's recently discovered that by giving himself special tattoos, he can gain cooler superpowers such as the use of fire and superior jumping ability that will help him in battle. He creates an alter-ego called Sentinel and helps out on the sly. Nobody knows who the Sentinel is or whose side he's on. He's dangerous in his own way. But maybe this way, he can get answers that have been kept from him... RENEGADES is hefty, coming in at almost 600 pages, but it reads really fast and the reader instantly wants more. It can, at times, be predictable, but it's in a way that works. I also really like Nova's journey and can't wait to see how she changes and expands and blossoms in the second book. I also can't wait to continue Adrian's journey and see the way he changes. I think the two of them are going to change one another and society for the better and bring some much needed fresh blood and ideas to a society desperately in need of help. I also really liked that this book wasn't JUST about battles and heroic deeds. There is story and motivation here, too. I also really enjoyed seeing the Renegades Trials--and seeing what they have mutated into over the years--and love that the Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition Annotates this specific chapter with words and ideas straight from Meyer herself. This was such a great scene, and I loved the extra insight. I'm so glad that Macmillan made this goodie available to readers and that I could get my hands on it! It's hard to talk about my favorite moments in this one because I don't want to spoil anything, but RENEGADES was a lot of fun and exactly what I have been looking for in the superhero novel genre. Definitely one of my favorite books of 2017! |
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C O N T E N T R A T I N G S
Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Romance: G (.Attraction, but no kissing )
Language: --
Violence: PG (.Typical superhero violence; most graphic scene is when a family is murdered in the first chapter, but it's not a visual scene. )
Other: --
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C O V E R D E S I G N:
This is such a striking cover! I stare at it for a while every time I see it.
In person? The finished copy is even more gorgeous!! All the red is metallic and shiny! Very eye-catching cover!
(Although, after HEARTLESS and all the fancy books Macmillan has put out with Leigh Bardugo, I'm extremely surprised there's nothing beneath the dust jacket unless you buy an exclusive edition at Target1)
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O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: RENEGADES
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: Nov. 7, 2017
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends / Macmillan
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.
The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.
Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.
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GIVEAWAY
During Will You Rise or Will You Fall?,
we're giving away a book of YOUR CHOICE
from the event!
It could be RENEGADES!
we're giving away a book of YOUR CHOICE
from the event!
It could be RENEGADES!
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL to any country that Book Depository ships to. You can also claim an e-book as a prize; it doesn't have to be a physical copy!
You must be at least 13 years old to enter or have a parent's permission!
Enter now!
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