Fans of Spider-Man, silver age comics, and alternate history will enjoy this novel of teen angst and metahumans! This coming of age story is set in...
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Jul 02, 2008
Larry
rated it: 
http://meta-tainment.com/2008/03/15/quic...
bravemenrun.pngI read the novel, “Brave Men Run” ( by
Matthew Wayne Selznick ) on a single flight from Detroit to Denver. Was it short in comparison to some novels? Yes. But I was able to finish the book because I just could not put it down. It was that engaging.
It is the story of a teenage boy who is struggles with being different. He has the attributes of a cat, and a strength proportion more than his own. An outcast, but not for More...
bravemenrun.pngI read the novel, “Brave Men Run” ( by
Matthew Wayne Selznick ) on a single flight from Detroit to Denver. Was it short in comparison to some novels? Yes. But I was able to finish the book because I just could not put it down. It was that engaging.
It is the story of a teenage boy who is struggles with being different. He has the attributes of a cat, and a strength proportion more than his own. An outcast, but not for More...
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Apr 20, 2009
Shaun
rated it: 
Brave Men Run is an interesting take on the superhero genre. It follows Nate Charters--an outsider with an unusual appearance and special abilities that he must keep secret--as he deals with the daily trials and tribulations of high school. Then Dr. William Donner appears on the scene, declaring to the world that super-powered humans exist and they are demanding autonomy. Before long, Nate finds himself caught up in a world entering the Sovereign Era and the confusion of learning the truth of
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Nov 25, 2011
Lynn
rated it:
This was the first podiobook (www.podiobooks.com) I ever listened to, and I loved it (what surprised me).
Usually, I keep my distance from YA/ coming-of-age-stories - I am not YA anymore, so I have no real interest in reading books about YA. (And that is said with the greatest respect towards YA-authors and YA. ;-) )
I somehow started listening to this one, though, and I was sucked right into it. I really liked the story - MWS has created an interesting and captivating al More...
Usually, I keep my distance from YA/ coming-of-age-stories - I am not YA anymore, so I have no real interest in reading books about YA. (And that is said with the greatest respect towards YA-authors and YA. ;-) )
I somehow started listening to this one, though, and I was sucked right into it. I really liked the story - MWS has created an interesting and captivating al More...
Jul 09, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
I had a feeling I would like this book, because I'm a big fan of 80s X-Men comics (including the New Mutants stuff), as well as 80s teen movies, and from what I was reading about it online before I read it, it seemed like this would be in kind of the same vein.
It was, which was good, but at the same time, every time I thought one thing was going to happen in the novel, Selznick went in a completely different direction, one that was often more satisfying than what I'd been expecting. More...
It was, which was good, but at the same time, every time I thought one thing was going to happen in the novel, Selznick went in a completely different direction, one that was often more satisfying than what I'd been expecting. More...
May 21, 2011
Tim
rated it:
Brave Men Run proved the impossible by showing me a young adult book I could enjoy. Normally, I am turned off by stories about teenagers because I just don't care about the troubles they face. I'm not trying to be insensitive, I'm just saying most of the YA I've read seemed childish and petty. Brave Men Run is far from that, and gives me hope in YA.
Selzick has crafted well rounded, and unique superheroes that explore high school drama in a way that evokes interest and sympathy. His pr More...
Selzick has crafted well rounded, and unique superheroes that explore high school drama in a way that evokes interest and sympathy. His pr More...
Apr 25, 2011
Gerold
rated it: 
I picked up the first 11 chapters as a free book downloaded on iTunes. It was just getting to the really interesting stage at the end of the free book - I had to have the rest. The author does a good job of telling readers where to get the rest of the book and in my case, I simply downloaded the podcasts from iTunes (the entire book is available for free as podcasts on iTunes and the Author's website).
Nate Charters has grown up being different - not only does he look different but he a More...
Nate Charters has grown up being different - not only does he look different but he a More...
Oct 18, 2010
Eric
rated it:
It's 1985 and teenagers, superheroes, and secret government organizations rule the world. Overall, a pretty good read. But there's a ton of '80s name checking going on here, and that makes me kinda itchy. Kids are listening to Duran Duran, going on dates to see The Breakfast Club, and dressing like Corey Feldman and Madonna. Eek! At least the author threw in a couple of Darby Crash and Raymond Pettibon references. After all, I don't recall the '80s being a single, never-ending John Hughes movie.
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Feb 18, 2011
Krystal
rated it: 
What I liked:
The guy's got a nice face. Selznick has a really interesting premise. I wanted to know how Nate was connected to the whole Sovereign issue, and I thought his reaction to it was very realistic. I also thought having it set in the 80's was . . . charming, I guess. I was born in the 80's, so I don't really have much memory of that time period.
What I didn't like:
The guy's scrawny, but dressed in a suit cut for a bruiser. For what was covered in this book--N More...
The guy's got a nice face. Selznick has a really interesting premise. I wanted to know how Nate was connected to the whole Sovereign issue, and I thought his reaction to it was very realistic. I also thought having it set in the 80's was . . . charming, I guess. I was born in the 80's, so I don't really have much memory of that time period.
What I didn't like:
The guy's scrawny, but dressed in a suit cut for a bruiser. For what was covered in this book--N More...
Sep 22, 2009
Rosanna
rated it:
This is a comfortable book to like; despite the premise of the super hero and comic book genre. It's really much more down to earth than that and reads more as a familiar parable that we all can relate to.
The angsty but very likable teenager in turmoil, feeling he is different as he moves on his own journey of self discovery.....all along with family secrets once hidden and endless obstacles to break through on that journey.
It finds a way to make the whole genre real and familiar fo More...
The angsty but very likable teenager in turmoil, feeling he is different as he moves on his own journey of self discovery.....all along with family secrets once hidden and endless obstacles to break through on that journey.
It finds a way to make the whole genre real and familiar fo More...
May 23, 2009
Michael
rated it:
I've only read a handful of fiction books in the past few years. Most of the time a novel cannot keep my attention and I end up not finishing it. This was definitely not the case with Matt Selznick's Brave Men Run. In a word, "wow."
It was very well written and full of enough detail to keep me interested without sensory overload. I was not fortunate enough to have caught the podcast edition of this book, so I may go back and check that out.
I don't want to give aw More...
It was very well written and full of enough detail to keep me interested without sensory overload. I was not fortunate enough to have caught the podcast edition of this book, so I may go back and check that out.
I don't want to give aw More...
Aug 10, 2011
This was such a great story. The story takes us into the world of the 80's US where "powered people" are starting to to emerge outside of the government's own labs. A great start to what i hope will become a longer series.
May 12, 2010
Jack
rated it:
An awkward teen with a major secret gets nervous when people with extraordinary powers declares himself to the world, and suggests that there are hundreds or thousands more like him. Fun stuff, in the comic-book-story-as-novel subgenre.
Jun 05, 2011
Matt
rated it:
I went to this high school, junior high really, so I've a soft spot in my heart for the place. A perfect YA read, written years before people even thought that it would be a good market to aim for. More, please.
Dec 21, 2008
Evo
rated it:
Listened to the fantastic audiobook http://podiobooks.com/title/brave-men-ru... years ago. I think Matt made some modifications when it was picked up by Swarm for print publication, so I'm checking that newer version out with my eyes.
Jul 16, 2008
Ron
rated it:
Although this story is said to be part “Breakfast Club” and “X-Men”, I think it’s closer to being like the television show “Hereos”. Rather than being introduced to a super character with a total understanding of their abilities, the main character has a lot of questions about himself, family, and others like him. This isn’t the typical story in which the hero is a grown man wearing tights and a cape (by the way, when then the official super hero uniform?). Unlike other super hero stories, th
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Jun 14, 2011
Really enjoyed this YA metahuman novel set in the 1980s. The free podcast is available for download from iTunes, or go to http://bravemenrun.com/
Aug 14, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
A decent origins book for a superhero novel. I would love to see the action pick up in the 2nd novel.
Dec 07, 2010
Riley
rated it:
Felt like a weird throwback to the young adult Paul Zinder novels of the 1970s.
Aug 16, 2009
Jodi
rated it:
I went back and reloaded this onto my I-Pod for a second listen and even though I remember most of the story it just brought back the overwhelming feeling of "dang I love this story!" The way he writes and his voice inflections when reading it really puts you into the land that the book takes place in.
I can't wait to hear more by Matthew and highly recommend his books to anyone who enjoys a good clean feel-good fantasy story.
I can't wait to hear more by Matthew and highly recommend his books to anyone who enjoys a good clean feel-good fantasy story.
Dec 28, 2010
Bryan457
rated it: 
A young man with heightened senses and strength deals with being different. It is the beginning of the sovereign era, a time when people with superhuman abilities have been shown to be living among us. Nate falls in love, discovers the truth about his father and the government agency that is interested in his abilities.
Sep 29, 2011
Simon
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 30, 2008
Doublejack
rated it:
Surprisingly entertaining. Deservedly on the "Best Free Audiobooks" list.
Sep 08, 2009
Jon
rated it:
An excellent revisitation of the 80's and a compelling story as well. Really my only complaint was that it felt like this was the first half (or maybe tenth) of a much larger work. Must have more.
Feb 05, 2009
Jerry
rated it:
If you like the emerging superhero story and the 80's, you're gonna love this book! A fast fun read that I hope will lead to many more stories of the Sovereign Era.
Apr 03, 2010
Jared
rated it:
Great hook--it's the 80s teen movie with superpowers. If that appeals to you, you'd probably dig it.
Mar 21, 2010
Edward
rated it:
A great 1980's adventure with a new kind of super hero. Selnick captures the 1980's to perfection.
