The Rise of Renegade X (Renegade X, #1)

Oct 10, 2010 Lyndsey marked it as to-read

Shelves: i-recommend, reviewed-2010, reviewed-5-stars, about-superpowers-or-odd-abilities, favorites, about-school-for-heroes-or-villains, about-strange-cities

This book was great. Very campy. Alot of superhero/supervillian jokes, but even non-comic book fans could relate. Damien Locke is hilarious and I would love to be best friends with Renegade X. Not to mention, read another book about him. Here are just a few great quotes from the book:

I've been kidnapped by a madman in tights and a cape.

I explained that I'd been homeschooled but that didn't help. She must have been picturing cavemenlike supervillians in capes grunting and showing me how to rub tw...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, cool-heroes

(Re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com)

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that I won’t forgive a book for if it gives me fantastic characters. Plot holes? Cliches? Incest? Like the annoying girl you tolerate because her brother is way hot, I’ll welcome all those flaws if the characters are bitching.

And boy are Chelsea M. Campbells characters bitching!

Which is not to say that the book is full of plot holes and clichés. Incest on the other hand… No, I kid. (Although, Damien does spe...more

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Mar 17, 2010 nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, for-review, read-in-2010

The Rise of Renegade X is an unconventional tale that explores an avenue of both superheroes and supervillains in a whole new YA adventure. And it plays out to be a super fun ride!

First and foremost, what really makes this book so enjoyable is the voice of our leading protagonist, Damien Locke. He's got a well mixed blend of snark, sarcasm, and teenage kid idiocy. Like any teen his age, he can't help but get himself into trouble. Only his kind of trouble involves the lives of both family and fr...more The Rise of Renegade X is an unconventional tale that explores an avenue of both superheroes and supervillains in a whole new YA adventure. And it plays out to be a super fun ride!

First and foremost, what really makes this book so enjoyable is the voice of our leading protagonist, Damien Locke. He's got a well mixed blend of snark, sarcasm, and teenage kid idiocy. Like any teen his age, he can't help but get himself into trouble. Only his kind of trouble involves the lives of both family and friends.

But not only is Damien Locke the shining star of the novel, he is followed by some very enjoyable secondary characters. Whether it's his mad-scientist mom, or his safety first father, or the two smart (yet very different) girls who have both taken a romantic interest in Damien - each one has a unique voice and provides a certain vivaciousness that keeps the story at a constant entertaining level.

Through the rest of the journey of caped heroes, evil villains, nagging siblings, and budding love interests, we see Damien in a constant battle with the unforeseen force of his heritage. Being that he is one of the few people in history to have the infamous "X" mark on his thumb, proving that he is product of both superhero and supervillain - he actually has a chance to choose his destiny. After being raised by his supervillain mom for the last 16-years, the boy has a flair for mischief. But little by little we see the good side start to come into focus. But which side will he choose?

Overall Consensus: The Rise of Renegade X isn't your average superhero tale. Sure it's got the capes and a devious plan to take over the world, but it also explores the avenue of the superheroes and villains as regular people underneath the tight garb and special powers. It's not all about fighting good versus evil, but shows the love between family that gives the book a believable feel. The characters themselves are wild and vivid, always providing interesting dialogue and I loved them all. It's an exciting ride from start to finish; displaying a few super powers of its own. Fantastic debut from Chelsea Campbell!(less)

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Dec 14, 2011 Liyana rated it 5 of 5 stars

It has everything I wanted in a book, which I didn't think was possible. I am honestly finding it difficult to say what I loved about the RoRX (read: everything) so I'll just put down a list. People, this is why I don't review books I have read, loved and put away for a while. The story, the characters just sit in my heart and brain comfortably. The thought of reviewing it just seems silly. I'd rather just have you guys find the wonder for yourself and be pleasantly, extremely surprised. This is...more It has everything I wanted in a book, which I didn't think was possible. I am honestly finding it difficult to say what I loved about the RoRX (read: everything) so I'll just put down a list. People, this is why I don't review books I have read, loved and put away for a while. The story, the characters just sit in my heart and brain comfortably. The thought of reviewing it just seems silly. I'd rather just have you guys find the wonder for yourself and be pleasantly, extremely surprised. This is just the full meal of a book, guis!

But for you people, I shall try.

1. The cover. It's sort of like a comic book, but it's also like a movie scene. Damien is wearing his costume looking oh so yummy. Instead of a serious look on his face and a cape swishing about his broad, manly shoulders, you have him smirking enigmatically onto the streets below. Trouble is his name. The Maharani of Mayhem and Mysteries approve. The font!!

2. The back cover. It is an epic mashup of comic/graphic novel and book. Hmm, Damien and co. in graphic novel form would be really nice. Especially if the same artist who did the cover does it.

3. The plot. AHAHA! Amazing, truly amazing. Everything is really likeable, from the pranks, wisecracks to the villains. They're all kooky and weird in a good way. Also, Campbell makes superheroes look like the boring, and not exciting people they truly are. Zzz. *smiles contentedly*

Okay, here's a teaser to sate your appetite while you're waiting for your Amazon order to process.

Footsteps pound up the stairs. "Kat, honey, I thought I heard something," her mom calls. She pushes the door all the way open, quickly surveying the situation, her eyes flicking from me on the floor to Kat on the bed. "I told you to leave this open." She drags the octopus over to hold the door open as wide as possible. "Were you two...?" She struggles to come up with the right way to phrase it. "...sitting on the bed just now? I thought I heard squeaking."

You know, while copying down the teasers, it occured to me that this book is written in present tense. Usually, that would make my right eye twitch. This just shows that when it's done right, and when the storytelling is engaging enough, things like that are not a concern.(less)

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Nov 22, 2011 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

I... was really conflicted about this book. One one hand, I loved it and had a good time, but on the other, I'm cringing and wanting so badly to put this book under a pile of dirty clothes and just... never look at it again.
So, guilty pleasure? yes.

It's got the whole superheroes vs villains theme going on, and with all superhero/villain books, Campbell thought to add in the whole "there's a grey area!" and "change your destiny!" themes. Which isn't wrong; I like a nice cliche when written nicel...more

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Feb 23, 2011 A Canadian Girl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, 4-stars, egmont

The Rise of Renegade X begins with its protagonist, Damien, waiting to become sixteen and get the V on his thumb that signals he will become a supervillain. With his supervillain mother - the Mistress of Mayhem (aka Marianna Locke), - his friends and a bunch of strangers on hand at his birthday party to witness this milestone in his life, Damien eagerly waits for the clock to turn to midnight. Unfortunately, when the clock does strike twelve, Damien’s thumbprint forms a horrifying X, which basic...more The Rise of Renegade X begins with its protagonist, Damien, waiting to become sixteen and get the V on his thumb that signals he will become a supervillain. With his supervillain mother - the Mistress of Mayhem (aka Marianna Locke), - his friends and a bunch of strangers on hand at his birthday party to witness this milestone in his life, Damien eagerly waits for the clock to turn to midnight. Unfortunately, when the clock does strike twelve, Damien’s thumbprint forms a horrifying X, which basically means the inconceivable: his father is a superhero (with an H on his thumb)! Determined to find out the truth about how this could have happened, Damien asks his mother for details but she refuses to divulge anything. So, he resorts to snooping through his mother’s diary and then creates a list of potential superheroes that may be his father.

When Damien does finally meet his father, his dad manages to convince Marianna to let Damien stay with him for a while so that Damien can see what it’s like to be a superhero. Much to Damien’s shock, Marianna agrees because it’s a great opportunity for Damien to learn about the enemy (and it allows her to not have Damien underfoot as she works on her super secret nefarious project). With an X on his thumb, Damien better be prepared to work extremely hard to have it changed to a V or risk having the X become an H!

The Rise of Renegade X does a great job of looking at the power of choices. Normally those born with the “super” gene are fated to either go to Vilmore and become a supervillain or go to Heroesworth Academy and become a superhero. However, Damien has the luxury of being able to choose who he becomes because it’s ultimately his actions that will determine whether he becomes a supervillain or a superhero.

Speaking of Damien, I absolutely adored his character! He had such a snarky voice and I loved all the high jinks he got up to. For example, the girl Damien is interested in thinks he’s a supervillain and the girl who is sort of interested in him thinks he’s a superhero, and Damien doesn’t hesitate to use the situation to his advantage. Naturally, it backfires.

I also really loved the ending which was surprising (but in a good way). Sometimes tough decisions need to be made and you have to do what you consider to be right despite the fact that not everybody will be happy with your choices.

One of the things that was unclear in The Rise of Renegade X though was the genetics behind how superpowers were inherited and what triggered the H, V or X to show up on one’s thumb specifically on their sixteenth birthday. Since I’m in the science stream, that stood out for me right away but I’m not sure if most people would be putting as much thought into that. (less)

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Feb 05, 2011 MaryBookSwarm rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really, really enjoyed this story (when you finish a book in just a couple of hours and don't just skim the thing, you know it's good!). It was fun and snarky. Yay for the anti-hero. Or at least a kid who's convinced he is an anti-hero, hates heroes and everything to do with them, and swears he'll never be a hero.

But is he really the villian he thinks he is (and really wants to be)? Well, he's dating a supervillian chick who's power is shapeshifting. He "punishes" those who annoy him with rob...more

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Nov 08, 2010 BookKids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, teen

I like that there are all sorts of issues sneakily raised by the book. The main premise of the book is that a person is either born a hero or a villain — it’s in their genes. So, Damien is problematic since he actually gets to choose. He’s actions will ultimately determine his eventual designation, not just his genes. And Damien fights this.

Also, because people are considered to be genetically determined, no one is able to fight the designation given. So, that means that some unpleasant, decided...more

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Oct 14, 2010 Kari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-review-from-publisher-author, books-i-own, read-teen

Entertaining, comical and plenty villainous, The Rise of Renegade X is a great mix of superheroes/villains, the elements that readers have loved in comics for years, and plenty of ties in and connections to the YA genre in general. Campbell has created a great world where superheroes and villains exist openly, even if their specific identities are kept a secret, while also making it believable.

Damien has been raised by only his mom, a supervillain who has taught him plenty of the tricks of her t...more Entertaining, comical and plenty villainous, The Rise of Renegade X is a great mix of superheroes/villains, the elements that readers have loved in comics for years, and plenty of ties in and connections to the YA genre in general. Campbell has created a great world where superheroes and villains exist openly, even if their specific identities are kept a secret, while also making it believable.

Damien has been raised by only his mom, a supervillain who has taught him plenty of the tricks of her trade. He is arrogant and cocky, while still holding some sensitive, deeper aspects as well. The general view, both in the book and for readers, tends to be that villains have no shred of good in them. Damien, however, is a perfect example of the fallacies of this, and is very relatable, apart from the whole aspires to be a supervillain and might have a slightly skewed since of right and wrong thing. Damien is amusing, comes up with some great trips, and has a fantastic stream of consciousness with a flat, straight forward sense of humor that comes with the world he lives in and what he aspires to be. The changes in his mindset and self as the book progresses are great, some of them obvious to the reader but still blind to him, and others coming as a great surprise.

Kat is kind, despite a few mistakes in the past, and a great friend to Damien. Together, they are very realistic and relatable and their interactions are both endearing and amusing. Sarah, too, adds a very sensible aspect to both Damien and the story, coming off as a nutjob but still having plenty of great qualities that make her character worthwhile.

The plot itself holds at an overall steady pace. While some areas did drag, the back stories and overall development of not only the world but the characters—both main and side—help make up for this and shadow it. From the way Damien finds out about the identity of his father, to his reactions to it and where things continue to progress from there, The Rise of Renegade X is filled with twists, both funny and shocking. The writing is bold, giving a strong voice to Damien and filled with surprising amounts of both detail and Damien’s mentality.

Overall, The Rise of Renegade X is a great read for anyone who likes actions. While some parts are mildly campy, this isn’t a typical superhero kind of book and will appeal to more than the comic book addicts. Damien is a strong central character with a big decision to make, even if he thinks the answer is clear. Both the plot and the final outcome of that decision will keep the reader interested, as will the well developed cast of characters.

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Sep 04, 2010 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book can be described in one word as Fantastic!

Fantastic characters, fantastic world built, fantastic plot….yup, you guessed it fantastic all the way around. So fantastic, in fact, that I can’t decide where to start.

Shall I begin by speaking about Golden City? Ok, sure, that’s a great place to start. I mean, where else can supervillains and superheros co-exist but in a place that sounds so very much from the heart of a comic book? Golden City , at times, gave off a very distinct 50′s era vi...more

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May 31, 2010 Rachael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Damien Locke can’t wait for his sixteenth birthday when his right thumbprint will form a V, officially marking him as a supervillain. Imagine his surprise and outrage when instead an X appears. There’s only one possibly way this could’ve happened: his supervillain mother doing it with a superhero. Blech. A superhero, of all people! To make matters worse, Damien now has to live with his superhero family. With his plans of villainy temporarily foiled, Damien must figure out what to do in the meant...more

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May 30, 2010 Connie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Better than I expected!

I have to admit it, I bought this book for the lulz. I thought a book about a poor little supervillain who is FORCED to live with his superhero dad and experience personal growth was going to be HILARIOUSLY bad. I mean, I thought it was going to be so epically horrible that we'd be mocking this until we all died.

I thought wrong.

Okay, the premise is still a little goofy, and the teenaged angst is still a little... well, maybe I'd like it more if I were still a teenager, and...more

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May 05, 2010 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Damien had spent his whole life believing himself to be pure supervillain--despite the mystery that is his father. But on the day of his sixteenth birthday, instead of a v appearing on his thumb, he gets himself the mythical Third Letter--x. The apparent offspring of a villain and a hero, Damien knows he'd be the laughing stock of the villainous world if this gets out, not to mention completly ineligable for the top Supervillain school in the country. To better understand the severity of this is...more
Damien had spent his whole life believing himself to be pure supervillain--despite the mystery that is his father. But on the day of his sixteenth birthday, instead of a v appearing on his thumb, he gets himself the mythical Third Letter--x. The apparent offspring of a villain and a hero, Damien knows he'd be the laughing stock of the villainous world if this gets out, not to mention completly ineligable for the top Supervillain school in the country. To better understand the severity of this issue, he goes on a hunt to find his superhero daddy, and finds out he's the host of a kid's safety program him and his BFFL Kat have mocked since they were youngins. Though more attractive a sperm donor then his less extravigant options, Damien is dismayed. Especially when BabyDaddy insists on having Damien spend the next six weeks with him.

Okay, is it possible to adore a book as much as I adored Renegade X? I think not.

I loved the entire concept from the start--world full of superheroes, story set in a New York City like metropolis with the highest villain/hero concentration in the world. And, like any city with a high concentration of anything, there are many a-colorful person. Has-been heroes taking jobs as dog trainers, bullies and mean girls wearing gloves on their right hands as a fashion statement to pretend they're villains. Folks born with a fucked up gene that decides for them what they will be: villain, hero or civilian. Criminal, savior or victim. And those really are the only options.

Damien was, hands down, the least-whiniest sixteen year old I've ever had the privelage to read about. Sure, he was sarcastic and snarky (my people!) but in a way that didn't make me want to rip out his intestines and choke him with it. That, my friends, is a rare treat indeed. I could totes picture this kid running around bitchslapping babydaddies and causing some X-rated chaos (ah-oooooooh!), and ya'll know if there's one thing I love, its a realistic protagonist. (Ignoring that fact that it took a novel about superheroes to get there).

I loved the whole black sheep angle Campbell took when sending Damien to live with his superhero family. For a few pages there, it felt like I was reading one of those middle grade shenanigan-laced adventures that ya'll know you love. You know, if everyone stopped making those hit-or-miss sex jokes.

The only problems I really had with Renegade X was the romance and the end. The romance, because (like everything else these days) it felt forced and a little out of place. Don't get me wrong, Damien and Kat were cute together and all that, but I didn't really see how they were in a relationship. Because they already tried that, see, but she used her Evil ShapShifting Power to make out with his best friend at a party a year ago, so I'm like, um, doesn't that warrant permanent seperation? I think so.

The end was what really drove me batshit. SPOILERS When Damien chooses to leave his eeeevil mother, who raised him, in favor of the superhero family he just met because its the right thing to do! I was about ready to tear this shit a new one. Whats this saying to you? That there can only be black and white, and you better pick white or yer going downstairs? Did it never occur to him that abondoning the women who made your meals and kissed your boo-boos would be just as negative a reflection on your character? And you can do this to your mother (who's a perfectly nice lady, aside from the whole mad scientist shtick) because she's a villain, but you can't dump your girlfriend, who's also a villain, only she made out with your best friend on your birthday while you were dating? Are you fucking serious?

So, aside from some obvious Good v. Evil cliches, Renegade X had the best protagonist I've read in a long time, and I sincerly hope there's more of him in Ms. Campbell's writing future.(less)

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Mar 31, 2010 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: zz-challenge-new-author-2010, first-reads, zz-challenge-bcc-fantasy-2010, dogs, fantasy, humor, read-in-2010, romance, series-reminder, urban, young-adult, owned-paper, twitter-author, superhero

4.5 really, a terrific book.

First of all, keep in mind that this is an advanced copy, so any and all items are subject to change. That being said, I doubt much will change. I'm not a great editor and was too caught up in the story to pay much of attention, but I didn't note any typos or or other obvious errors (and I often do).

Anyway, the experience starts with the great cover. The design is echoed on the cover page and the first page of each chapter. The font type for both the text and page nu...more 4.5 really, a terrific book.

First of all, keep in mind that this is an advanced copy, so any and all items are subject to change. That being said, I doubt much will change. I'm not a great editor and was too caught up in the story to pay much of attention, but I didn't note any typos or or other obvious errors (and I often do).

Anyway, the experience starts with the great cover. The design is echoed on the cover page and the first page of each chapter. The font type for both the text and page numbers are very cool and set a graphic-novel-like tone. (Although I would have liked the type font to be a bit larger, it didn't actually bother me, which surprised be me because I'm used to my adjustable font ebooks now. Maybe because it was so dark?)

The premise is very cute, about a kid, Damian Locke, raised by his supervillain mad scientist mom to aspire to heights (ha - he's afraid of heights) of supervillainy, only to find out suddenly on his 16th birthday that his dad was actually a hated superhero. So it's sort-of a nature vs. nurture exploration. But the writing takes the story well beyond the cute premise into being a really fun and thoughtful book with tons of humor, sarcasm, irony, adventure, and heart. The author captured the best elements of superhero stories and turned a few upside down and inside out. As most of us realize at some point, very little in this world is black and white. It turns out that even heroes and villains have to deal with shades of gray. And that goes double (triple, quadruple) for teens growing up and trying to figure out what the heck their parents and friends are thinking and doing.

The author did a great job of writing Damian, his best-friend Kat and his new friend Sarah. All three really ring true, especially Damian. He's that sarcastic, witty kid with the hard shell and inner softy we all want for a best friend (except I'm not good enough with the banter to keep up with him). It was so easy to get swept up in his story that I read the entire book in 2 sittings. It had a great flow and just kept my interest the entire time. I also identified with, or at least recognized, his mom and dad all too well, both good points and bad. I'd like to think that his mom was a bit more cartoonishly obvious as a supervillain, but unfortunately selfishness and neglect aren't restricted to the villain genetic lines. His dad seems pretty obvious at first and has a few lines that just floored me with his one-track mentality, but he got a bit more interesting by the end.

This is a book that will appeal to a really wide range of readers. It's good for both adults and teens, male and female. Younger teens or tweens would have to be pretty good readers, but there isn't really anything inappropriate for kids who aren't super-sheltered (there are mentions of where he was conceived, kissing in school).

Overall it was a great, entertaining story and I hope you guys will all pick it up and support this newly-published but long-suffering writer. And make sure there will be more books to follow!(less)

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Apr 05, 2011 Dee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Well...I had high hopes for this book. This is Campbell's first published novel, which is easy to tell. However, I'm going to keep an eye on her. She knows how to pick a topic for reluctant readers. My 15-year-old son, who is an avid graphic novel fan, was waiting for me to finish the book so he could get his hands on it. This is akin to a miracle.

Damien finds out that he is the product of a supervillain mom and a superhero dad. This gives him the unique opportunity to choose his own destiny. Sh...more

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Dec 15, 2010 Rosalia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, young-adult, superheroes, scifi

When a superhero or villain turns 16 they get a V or and H telling the world what they are. If you are the child of a superhero and a villain you get an X and your behavior will choose your fate. They make it a point over the course of the book to establish that not all superheroes are necessarily good people just like not all villains are necessarily going to be bad people. There is also a lot of prejudice. Should someone who is the children of villains be helped when they will most likely end...more

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May 13, 2010 JG (The Introverted Reader) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, 4_stars, author_american, fantasy, fiction, just_plain_fun, read_in_2010, reviewed, young_adult

Damien Locke is the son of the Mistress of Mayhem, a mad scientist supervillain living in Golden City. On his sixteenth birthday, he has a huge party to celebrate his thumbprint becoming a "V," meaning that he's a born supervillain. Except that it doesn't. It becomes a mythical "X," which can only mean one thing: his dad must be a superhero. Where does that leave Damien?

I had a lot of fun reading this! Damien might not be the most scientific supervillain, or the strongest, but he is definitely c...more Damien Locke is the son of the Mistress of Mayhem, a mad scientist supervillain living in Golden City. On his sixteenth birthday, he has a huge party to celebrate his thumbprint becoming a "V," meaning that he's a born supervillain. Except that it doesn't. It becomes a mythical "X," which can only mean one thing: his dad must be a superhero. Where does that leave Damien?

I had a lot of fun reading this! Damien might not be the most scientific supervillain, or the strongest, but he is definitely clever and creative, a combination that leads to some ingenious plans. But he also felt like a normal teen. He freaks out when his whole life plan and everything he knows about himself is thrown into question. He hides them well, but he has some insecurities. He's sarcastic but tries his best to be a good boyfriend and friend. Girls baffle him but he keeps trying. If he makes up his mind that he's got a reason to get revenge on someone, he takes it in ways that are totally unpredictable and frequently hilarious. He just can't help caring about the people around him in spite of himself.

I liked the way that this adventurous superhero story can also be read as a story about choices. Just because your parents are good or bad doesn't mean that you have to follow in their footsteps. Just because you think that you were born to be one thing doesn't mean that you can't at least try doing something else.

The other characters were great too. Kat was so totally random and fun and well-developed. She messes up before the story even begins and she feels awful about it. Sarah is just a geek to the rest of her school, but Damien finds out that she's brilliant and loyal. The supervillains didn't spend a lot of time being villainous, but they were great villains when they wanted to be.

There's a little bit of a love triangle, and I can see it happening under the circumstances, but the book would have been just as good if not better without it. But we all know that I am sick and tired of love triangles.

The superhero/villain thing had me thinking this might be more a middle grade book. Now that I've read it, I would put it firmly in the YA section. There's nothing graphic in the book, but Damien is a pretty normal 16-year-old guy, and what do teen guys think about? You got it. He just makes a few innuendos about sex and nothing serious happens, but it is in there.

I highly recommend it for the young adult and adventure-loving adult crowd! It was just a lot of fun and I enjoyed every minute of it. (less)

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Mar 05, 2012 Clinton Harding rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wish there were books like “Rise of Renegade X” on the shelves at my school library when I was that tender, impressionable age. Maybe I would have gotten into reading earlier than I did. This novel is perfect for boy readers who have a hard time making the transition between comic books to novels. Author Chelsea Campbell does well in transplanting the action of a superhero story into a novel. Yeah, there are cliché moments and tongue-and-cheek dialogue, but regardless I had fun. The novel does...more I wish there were books like “Rise of Renegade X” on the shelves at my school library when I was that tender, impressionable age. Maybe I would have gotten into reading earlier than I did. This novel is perfect for boy readers who have a hard time making the transition between comic books to novels. Author Chelsea Campbell does well in transplanting the action of a superhero story into a novel. Yeah, there are cliché moments and tongue-and-cheek dialogue, but regardless I had fun. The novel does not take itself seriously and so it’s charming. It. Is. Fun! More often than not, I found myself grinning from ear-to-ear like a crazed fool.

Each of the characters here has his or her own voice, a unique personality that distinguishes them. More importantly, no one is wearing a black or white jersey. Well, some characters do. Most are wearing grey. It’s the supervillians who tend to be typical and who live up to expectations. What I found wonderful and interesting are the moments when the heroes act like villains; I won’t throw out a example and ruin the fun of a particular scene. This is what makes main character Damien Locke so fun to read, though. He’s in a moral grey area. Like his codename—Renegade X—suggests, he’s caught between two worlds, his mom is a supervillian and his dad’s a superhero. Are villainy and heroism products of how one is raised or something more deeply seeded? That is the question in the novel that Damien has to answer. Nature or nurture? And you know what, though he does some maniacal, evil things, I was cheering for him every step toward the climax.

Another thing about Damien that makes this novel shine is his voice, the first-person narrative style. Damien is our narrator from beginning to end and his voice is snarky, smart, and wickedly fun. His comments on the world around him are hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. Everything comes at the reader fast, which moves the story along at a great pace.

One other point I want to make. The narrative, Damien’s thoughts and actions as well as the actions of people around him, can veer into adult situations. There is talk about sex, promiscuity, and the characters do curse. None of this marks the book as R or NC-17. In fact, I applaud the author for being so bold as to not shy away from these issues. She handles everything tastefully and with tact. Kudos, Ms. Campbell, for adding a little steam to the story that makes the narrative realistic but not smutty; boy’s won’t gag over some of the more tender or explicit scenes either.

Bottom line, this is a fun and awesome read for a teenage boy. Damien Locke is trying to discover and struggling with who he’s supposed to be, and every teenage boy will relate to the journey he takes in “Rise of Renegade X”.
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May 15, 2010 Mel Boulrice rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-debut-2010, fantasy, ya

(originally posted on my blog: http://hefollowedmehome.blogspot.com/)
Damien (aka Renegade X) is not just some punk with a cocky attitude who wants to be a villain, he's real and likable and although he may not want to admit it, he has a conscience. I loved the way Chelsea captured Damien's inner struggles and included his thoughts...which didn't always match what he said and had me giggling. Not only does he have his super hero/villain issues to deal with, there's his ex-girlfriend, Kat, whom he...more

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Jul 14, 2010 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: debut-authors

I really, really enjoyed this story (when you finish a book in just a couple of hours and don't just skim the thing, you know it's good!). It was fun and snarky. Yay for the anti-hero. Or at least a kid who's convinced he is an anti-hero, hates heroes and everything to do with them, and swears he'll never be a hero.

But is he really the villian he thinks he is (and really wants to be)? Well, he's dating a supervillian chick who's power is shapeshifting. He "punishes" those who annoy him with robo...more

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Mar 26, 2010 Karin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, youngadult

Welcome to Golden City where superheroes and supervillains mingle with ordinary citizens. We meet the main character, Damien Locke, on the eve of his 16th birthday – the day his “V” is supposed to appear in his thumbprint. The day his fate is officially sealed. The day he becomes a REAL supervillain. His “V” will ensure his admission to Vilmore, the university for aspiring villains. So, standing in front of a crowd of people as the clock strikes Midnight, Damien watches as his thumbprint shifts…...more

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Aug 07, 2010 Lea rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: high school and up

Damien Locke thinks he has things all figured out as he prepares to turn sixteen. He's charging ten bucks a head for tourists to watch the unveiling of his V, the mark on his thumb that will identify him as a supervillain, and he's finally getting revenge on the former best friend who made out with his (now ex-) girlfriend at Damien's last birthday party. But when midnight rolls around, Damien gets an X instead of V, and he discovers that his mother's long ago fling with a superhero puts Damien'...more

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Jun 24, 2010 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Are your parents supervillians or superheroes? If you are anything like me or Damien Locke then your parents might be both. Sixteen year old Damien Locke wants to be a badass from top to bottom and has set out to follow in the footsteps of his supervillian mom, the Mistress of Mayhem. Thing is, there might be a small problem standing in the way of everything he has planned. He seems to give a rats@$$ about other people. Damien moves in with his dad, a superhero, and plots to prove he is the supe...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Coquille Fleur rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: comic book lovers, teen boys, teen girls, adult YA lovers

Recommended to Coquille by: My favorite cube-neighbor Emily

Shelves: fantasy, ya

This book has the perfect premise, so clear-cut yet utterly original. Fans of comic books and superheroes will absolutely eat this baby up. I devoured this book pretty quickly considering my lack of free time. The pace is fast and the writing is snappy, snarky, and sometimes snippy. Damien is a Supervillian, about to get his V (a sign that appears on the thumb on one's 16th birthday), but when the day arrives, complete with a money-making party for tourists, his world crumbles as an X appears. L...more This book has the perfect premise, so clear-cut yet utterly original. Fans of comic books and superheroes will absolutely eat this baby up. I devoured this book pretty quickly considering my lack of free time. The pace is fast and the writing is snappy, snarky, and sometimes snippy. Damien is a Supervillian, about to get his V (a sign that appears on the thumb on one's 16th birthday), but when the day arrives, complete with a money-making party for tourists, his world crumbles as an X appears. Luckily, his best friend and also villain, Kat, has already received her super-power, so she shape-changes into Damien complete with a V on his thumb for the cameras. What follows is one crazy adventure after another as Damien struggles with his now uncertain future. Life isn't as black and white as it seemed just a day ago when there were either Heroes or Villains, but nothing in between. Receiving an X was just an urban legend, or so Damien thought. Why would a Supervillain ever do it with a Superhero? They hate each other, right...right?

As Damien finds out his mother's dirty little secret linking him to his past, his world is turned upside-down and he has to navigate a whole new reality where he is half Hero. It's up to him to decide whether he will turn the X into a V or an H, depending on his behavior. Chelsea Campbell writes with humor and a strong voice that really puts the reader in Damien's head as he struggles with the archetypical teen problems of who he is and what he is going to be when he grows up -- if he even makes it that long.

The world of this novel is tight, detailed, totally believable. I was sucked right in. Damien is hilarious, sometimes exasperating, but always loveable in a quirky kind of way. There were times when I thought this book was predictable, but ultimately the way he got to the end I figured on was not at all what I was expecting. His self-appointed sidekick, Cosine, was adorable, but I struggled a bit with the obligatory YA love triangle. This book actually had two love triangles going on, with Damien and his ex-best friend fighting over Kat and Kat and Cosine fighting over Damien. All in all, it worked out satisfactorily, but for those folks who hate a love triangle, be warned. Give this book a chance, regardless, though, because the writing is fresh, the pace is rockin', and it's all around an amazing world to be in. I was sad to turn to the last page. The ending is satisfying, standing on its own, but Campbell does hint at more to come. I can only hope there is a sequel. I'd read it for sure.(less)

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Jan 20, 2012 Shari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, ya-reading-challenge-2012, reviewed, books-that-have-been-waiting-to-be

Damien Locke, future super villain has grand plans to attend Vilmore, the elite boarding school for up and coming super villains. Unfortunately the X that appears on his thumb the night of his sixteenth birthday turns his life upside down. Now he will have to prove himself a villain or a hero.

My absolute favorite part of The Rise of Renegade X has to be main character Damien. His hysterical sarcasm had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. Truly the characters of this book were amazi...more

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Jul 06, 2010 Madeline Smoot rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

I like that there are all sorts of issues sneakily raised by the book. The main premise of the book is that a person is either born a hero or a villain — it’s in their genes. So, Damien is problematic since he actually gets to choose. He’s actions will ultimately determine his eventual designation, not just his genes. And Damien fights this.

Also, because people are considered to be genetically determined, no one is able to fight the designation given. So, that means that some unpleasant, decided...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Bayla rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: criminal-protagonist

*3.5 stars*

Damien is turning 16, and as the son of a supervillain, his thumbprint will change to a V (for villain) on his birthday. But - it doesn't. And it doesn't change to an H (for hero) either. Instead, it changes to an X - he's half hero and half villain. Now Damien's actions, and not his genetics, will determine whether he's hero or villain...

Fun premise, and enjoyable discussion of choices and consequences. Not a fan of the love triangle though.

Cleanreaders beware: Since this book primar...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Brandi Bette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: booktalks-at-benicia-schools

Damien Locke lives in an alternate universe inhabited by superheroes, supervillains, and regular people. If you are a hero, a letter H appears on your thumb when you turn 16. If you are a villain, you get a V. On his 16th birthday, Damien gets an X. He is half hero, half villain, the product of a one-night stand between his mad-scientist supervillain mother and superhero father Crimson Flash, otherwise known as Gordon Tines. Gordon is certain that his son will become a full-fledged hero, but the...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comic-book, ya, novel, humor

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 16, 2010 Additeenlibrarian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

One reason this book was a fun read is its unusual sense of right and wrong. Our "hero" is also a villain, his friends are villains (but some aren't so bad), his parents are a mixture of hero/villain. When his 16th birthday comes around, Damien doesn't automatically get the V on his thumb he was expecting. Instead, he gets an X. Which means he has a choice to make: good guy or bad guy?

This book is funny, unusual, and unpredictable. There's action and romance and humor. Despite the cover art, wh...more

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The Rise of Renegade X (Renegade X #1)

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