A trans superhero story that hits the right notes. It’s somewhat conventional in terms of the actual plot, like the villains plan and the twist and the powers people have, the worldbuilding, etc. But cleverly shows how much more complicated a trans life is by having that normal plot line with a character dealing with transphobia and homophobia in their every day life.

The main character knows she is trans and sneaks away from their absolutely horrid parents to be herself, paint her nails—when there’s a super hero fight and Dreadnought is killed in action before her vary eyes. Passing the “mantle” of the powers onto her, her body undergoes a change in which she becomes her ideal self. In this case, a conventionally attractive teenage girl. Manifesting who she is internally, externally. Which, by the way, there’s some interesting scenes about the internalized conventional beauty standards and the powers transforming her about. But it’s also wish fulfillment that is explicit and I am here for. Every single transformation in super heroes is like this. Guys get ripped overnight every time.

Subsequently, her parents are terrible about it and want her to go to the doctor to ironically change her back, because they don’t want to, or try to understand. Her best friend starts objectifying her, and that whole dynamic is done very well to illustrate some toxic guy modes in the “nice guy” trope. And, oh yeah, she needs to like be a super hero now too.

I really thought the teenage and trans aspects to the story were fantastic and really fresh to have the super hero identity interrelate to the everyday aspects to the story. Had the plot for the villain been a bit more nuanced like the protagonist it would have been a 5 star book.

Audiobook narration wise, it was good but not fantastic. She sounds a bit old to narrate a YA character, so it was a bit weird until you get used to it. Not a bad narrator by any means.