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ninetalevixen 's review for:
Battlecry
by Emerald Dodge
I received a review copy from the author through #ReviewPit. This does not affect my rating or opinions.
3.5 stars.
Since Jill and her teammates are mostly in the NA age range, the youngest team member being her cousin Marco at almost 18, and the narrative gets dark at points, I would consider this New Adult rather than YA, which is nice since I'm in the NA range myself and always in search of characters in a comparable/similar life stage. I love that this isn't about a teenager learning how to use her powers and finding a team — nothing wrong with that, but it's a story that's been told many, many times — but rather a 20-year-old who already has an understanding of her powers and Super society (i.e., the authority umbrella), plus a team to rely on; there's both external and internal conflict as Jillian, aka the titular Battlecry, takes on a leadership role in direct defiance of the elders' teachings.
Each character is on their own journey in certain ways, but at its heart they're a found family, with all the love and bickering (and genuine fights) that you'd expect. They have each other's backs despite their disagreements, and there are quite a few heartwarming domestic scenes: superheroes off the clock, a la The Incredibles! To be completely honest I didn't feel like I connected very strongly with any of them, not even Jill, but I did appreciate their group dynamic and sympathize with their struggles.
Personally I also felt like some of the character development and romance was a bit too overt, not quite organic. But it didn't significantly hinder my enjoyment — on a plot level it's entertaining, and it tackles some interesting issues of ethics and personal values.
rep: biracial secondary character, vegan secondary character
cw:
3.5 stars.
Since Jill and her teammates are mostly in the NA age range, the youngest team member being her cousin Marco at almost 18, and the narrative gets dark at points, I would consider this New Adult rather than YA, which is nice since I'm in the NA range myself and always in search of characters in a comparable/similar life stage. I love that this isn't about a teenager learning how to use her powers and finding a team — nothing wrong with that, but it's a story that's been told many, many times — but rather a 20-year-old who already has an understanding of her powers and Super society (i.e., the authority umbrella), plus a team to rely on; there's both external and internal conflict as Jillian, aka the titular Battlecry, takes on a leadership role in direct defiance of the elders' teachings.
Each character is on their own journey in certain ways, but at its heart they're a found family, with all the love and bickering (and genuine fights) that you'd expect. They have each other's backs despite their disagreements, and there are quite a few heartwarming domestic scenes: superheroes off the clock, a la The Incredibles! To be completely honest I didn't feel like I connected very strongly with any of them, not even Jill, but I did appreciate their group dynamic and sympathize with their struggles.
Personally I also felt like some of the character development and romance was a bit too overt, not quite organic. But it didn't significantly hinder my enjoyment — on a plot level it's entertaining, and it tackles some interesting issues of ethics and personal values.
rep: biracial secondary character, vegan secondary character
cw: