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Wearing the Cape #2
Villains Inc.
FIGHTING THE FUTURE. Astra has finished her training and is now a full-fledged Sentinel, but things are not going well. She suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the public revelation of her relationship with Atlas has caused her popularity to nose-dive.To complicate things, the Teatime Anarchist's intervention has changed the course of events--leaving her with lots of knowledge about the way the future was before the Big One, a complete future-history that is now out of date. And just when she thinks she's getting a handle on things, unfolding events (a bank-robbery and a horrific murder) show that one of the nastier pieces of the old future isn't so out of date after all; unless she solves a murder before it happens, Blackstone is going to die.
262 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2011
136 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Marion G. Harmon
25 books291 followersMarion G. Harmon picked up a Masters of History degree because he likes stories. He resides in Las Vegas, where he dabbles in various aspects of financial planning while trying to get the people in his head onto the page so they’ll stop pestering him.
Addendum: M.G.Harmon still lives in Las Vegas, but has ceased telling other people how to invest their money to become a "professional author," whatever that is. He has written nine books, all about Astra and Company. They still won't leave him alone.
Addendum: M.G.Harmon still lives in Las Vegas, but has ceased telling other people how to invest their money to become a "professional author," whatever that is. He has written nine books, all about Astra and Company. They still won't leave him alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 27, 2023
Very nice Superhero prose book. The series plot slows well and has some good plot hooks. Recommended
June 6, 2023
Villains Inc picks up a few months after Wearing the Cape ends. Astra is in a bad way becoming a source of tabloid headlines over a few missteps she has made between books. None of these are particularly bad things from the reader’s perspective but it’s easy to imagine the tabloids twisting facts to sell some papers. Add to that that Astra is still dealing with having lost Atlas, the love of her life, to the Ring attack at Whittier Base.
Then Godzilla strikes—or at least a Godzilla—and we are immediately reminded why Harmon is so good with his superhero worldbuilding. A green terrorist is trying to save the environment by planting Godzilla eggs in major water sources near big cities. New York and Tokyo have already been hit, now it’s Chicago’s turn and boy is it exciting—even though it’s just a teaser to introduce the new book.
The real plot revolves around a mysterious shape-changing thief and the super villains trying to kill him (or her). The Sentinels discover that Villains Inc (a supervillain enforcer group) has been resurrected by the Chicago mob and now the mob is in a civil war as members of Villains Inc try to take over. Chicago’s Sentinels are trapped in the middle and the population is furious that they can’t stop the villains from fighting. There is plenty of excellent action and a couple of great new supers added to the mix and once again Astra is forced to grow. This is an excellent story all around.
I listened to the book in audio this time and was disappointed by the change in narrators. Perhaps I would feel differently if Caitlin Kelly had read both of the books, but K. F. Lim’s reading of Wearing the Cape was a hard act to follow that I was halfway through Villiain’s Inc before I started to warm to Kelly’s characterizations. It’s not that she’s not a competent reader, but it’s almost always a bad decision to switch narrators midstream. Lim had brought these characters to life for us and now we had to get acquainted with them all over again. It was as if we had slipped over into a parallel universe and as a result all the characters were just slightly off from what we were expecting.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Then Godzilla strikes—or at least a Godzilla—and we are immediately reminded why Harmon is so good with his superhero worldbuilding. A green terrorist is trying to save the environment by planting Godzilla eggs in major water sources near big cities. New York and Tokyo have already been hit, now it’s Chicago’s turn and boy is it exciting—even though it’s just a teaser to introduce the new book.
The real plot revolves around a mysterious shape-changing thief and the super villains trying to kill him (or her). The Sentinels discover that Villains Inc (a supervillain enforcer group) has been resurrected by the Chicago mob and now the mob is in a civil war as members of Villains Inc try to take over. Chicago’s Sentinels are trapped in the middle and the population is furious that they can’t stop the villains from fighting. There is plenty of excellent action and a couple of great new supers added to the mix and once again Astra is forced to grow. This is an excellent story all around.
I listened to the book in audio this time and was disappointed by the change in narrators. Perhaps I would feel differently if Caitlin Kelly had read both of the books, but K. F. Lim’s reading of Wearing the Cape was a hard act to follow that I was halfway through Villiain’s Inc before I started to warm to Kelly’s characterizations. It’s not that she’s not a competent reader, but it’s almost always a bad decision to switch narrators midstream. Lim had brought these characters to life for us and now we had to get acquainted with them all over again. It was as if we had slipped over into a parallel universe and as a result all the characters were just slightly off from what we were expecting.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
December 9, 2012
Godzilla attacks Navy Pier in the first chapter. That gets it 5 stars alone! Even with the sappy happy endings in the sequel-5 stars for the down to earth , witty dialogue.
March 12, 2013
Very rarely does a sequel live up to the original, but I think the author has done one heck of a job with this one.
I struggle to put into words just what I like do much about this series. I think the author does a good job of at least some of it in the afterword he included in this book. Superhero mythos, superhero archetypes...they're near and dear to many of us. So many of us grew up with them and the very real stories of human struggles that the stories told us. They strike some deep chord with those of us who enjoy such things, and he not only understands that, but I get the idea he feels it himself.
This, to me, is the next step from the comics. Oh, it doesn't replace them, but the medium of a story lets the characters have a bit more depth. It allows things to be come fuller, richer, while at the same time not losing anything that made superheros what we loved, growing up.
These stories, these books...they're about people. People who happen to have superhuman powers, but what makes them so dang good is the people. Their struggles, their tragedies, their triumphs. I, at least, really feel for those in these books. The characters are real, believable, and even the 'bad guys' aren't necessarily all bad.
I find Astra really intriguing as a main character. Watching her grow and change, adapt to what's happening around her, that is the best part of this book. Of course, the fight scenes aren't bad either. ;) The author has a gift for writing highly entertaining combat scenes.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Each book opens up more possibilities for the author to explore, and I don't see any risk in things becoming 'dull' anytime soon. There are lots of stories left to be told in this world and I hope he keeps writing so I can keep reading them.
I struggle to put into words just what I like do much about this series. I think the author does a good job of at least some of it in the afterword he included in this book. Superhero mythos, superhero archetypes...they're near and dear to many of us. So many of us grew up with them and the very real stories of human struggles that the stories told us. They strike some deep chord with those of us who enjoy such things, and he not only understands that, but I get the idea he feels it himself.
This, to me, is the next step from the comics. Oh, it doesn't replace them, but the medium of a story lets the characters have a bit more depth. It allows things to be come fuller, richer, while at the same time not losing anything that made superheros what we loved, growing up.
These stories, these books...they're about people. People who happen to have superhuman powers, but what makes them so dang good is the people. Their struggles, their tragedies, their triumphs. I, at least, really feel for those in these books. The characters are real, believable, and even the 'bad guys' aren't necessarily all bad.
I find Astra really intriguing as a main character. Watching her grow and change, adapt to what's happening around her, that is the best part of this book. Of course, the fight scenes aren't bad either. ;) The author has a gift for writing highly entertaining combat scenes.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Each book opens up more possibilities for the author to explore, and I don't see any risk in things becoming 'dull' anytime soon. There are lots of stories left to be told in this world and I hope he keeps writing so I can keep reading them.
April 21, 2018
Better than the first one, I think. Very much an action-oriented book. I could see this being turned into a film, mainly because the action is only rarely allowed to stop. For that reason, I think the book lacks a little character development, but it works pretty well, the characters remain likeable, and Astra has a new costume which is a little more adult (even if it does make me feel like a dirty old man for even imagining it).
The book could really do with a proofreader. That's normally a BIG red flag for me and I'm not so bothered, so maybe the book deserves an extra star. I can't quite bring myself to give it, but I did enjoy this one.
The book could really do with a proofreader. That's normally a BIG red flag for me and I'm not so bothered, so maybe the book deserves an extra star. I can't quite bring myself to give it, but I did enjoy this one.
June 7, 2017
The second Wearing the Cape book, in which life goes on. For instance, in the opening scene, when Hope is trying to hang out with her friends, a godzilla comes out of Lake Michigan to attack the pier. (Spoilers ahead for the earlier book.)
She talks with Shelly about it. Turns out that godzillas are turning up "early" -- before they would have in the timeline before the Teatime Anarchist changed things, the last timeline that he was able to give them. And then Astra gets called in to check out first a bank robbery -- by a shapeshifter -- and then the murder of a person connected with it. A rather nasty murder. And Shelly tells Hope that in the previous timeline, this murder had been committed at a different time, to be followed shortly by the murder of their teammate Blackstone, in the same unpleasantly distinctive manner, which was never solved. She told him, of course, and his reaction did not lead her to think he would avoid the investigation that led to it. Jacky reacts rather strongly to the news, and Hope is onto the task of trying to solve a murder before it happens when their own team detective can't. Among the other things. . .
The team got shaken up, obviously, after last book, and it's a bit underplayed. I'm not surprised that Riptide's on the team, but I would have expected a bit of story about it; after all, Veritas is there to check him out. Seven is a surprise. And Lei Zi needed more intro. Even if Hope was grieving too much to pay much attention, a little would have helped.
But except for that, we have the life of a superhero carrying on. It involves Shelly and Hope deciding they can change the future, too; Hope's attempting to use the carrot and the stick on someone who could help, and ending up getting it because villains attacked him; the mob's having recruited the title Villains Inc. and their unofficial deal with superheroes; a robotic dragon; Hope's having dreams of a fox; anti-superhero agitation, and a lot more.
She talks with Shelly about it. Turns out that godzillas are turning up "early" -- before they would have in the timeline before the Teatime Anarchist changed things, the last timeline that he was able to give them. And then Astra gets called in to check out first a bank robbery -- by a shapeshifter -- and then the murder of a person connected with it. A rather nasty murder. And Shelly tells Hope that in the previous timeline, this murder had been committed at a different time, to be followed shortly by the murder of their teammate Blackstone, in the same unpleasantly distinctive manner, which was never solved. She told him, of course, and his reaction did not lead her to think he would avoid the investigation that led to it. Jacky reacts rather strongly to the news, and Hope is onto the task of trying to solve a murder before it happens when their own team detective can't. Among the other things. . .
The team got shaken up, obviously, after last book, and it's a bit underplayed. I'm not surprised that Riptide's on the team, but I would have expected a bit of story about it; after all, Veritas is there to check him out. Seven is a surprise. And Lei Zi needed more intro. Even if Hope was grieving too much to pay much attention, a little would have helped.
But except for that, we have the life of a superhero carrying on. It involves Shelly and Hope deciding they can change the future, too; Hope's attempting to use the carrot and the stick on someone who could help, and ending up getting it because villains attacked him; the mob's having recruited the title Villains Inc. and their unofficial deal with superheroes; a robotic dragon; Hope's having dreams of a fox; anti-superhero agitation, and a lot more.
December 22, 2013
Seriously disappointed. As a sequel I was expecting further character development and a chance to really know the world that has been built here. What I found was just an extension from the original with nothing too new on Astra.
There's another threat where numerous super powers are thrown together in action scenes almost every chapter. And in the middle of all this is appearances from a team of villains that we really don't learn much about. With little familiarity and interest built upon the villains there really isn't much of a reason to call this Villians Inc.
There's another threat where numerous super powers are thrown together in action scenes almost every chapter. And in the middle of all this is appearances from a team of villains that we really don't learn much about. With little familiarity and interest built upon the villains there really isn't much of a reason to call this Villians Inc.
October 12, 2016
Upbeat superhero fiction worth reading.
Astra is back for her second novel and things start right off with a monster fight (against godzilla no less) and then a superpowered robbery and murder. Things start of interesting and continue right along that path. New characters are introduced and existing characters are given room to grow and shine in this novel.
In all the novel contains plenty of action an interesting mystery and a compelling plotline. If you're interested in a upbeat superhero novel then this is the novel for you.
Astra is back for her second novel and things start right off with a monster fight (against godzilla no less) and then a superpowered robbery and murder. Things start of interesting and continue right along that path. New characters are introduced and existing characters are given room to grow and shine in this novel.
In all the novel contains plenty of action an interesting mystery and a compelling plotline. If you're interested in a upbeat superhero novel then this is the novel for you.
September 2, 2022
The direction of the story was always intriguing. A good doctor joins the entourage of Hope, Kelly, and Jackie to prevent the imminent destruction of the world. He explains about the multiverse, help solve a few mysteries, the book ends, it fking itches me. The idea has always been there, but the conclusion is always unspectacular, and the characters blow. A wallpaper has more personality than what this author can portray.
May 16, 2019
Villains Inc (Wearing The Cape #2)by Marion G. Harmon
Astra, aka Hope Corrigan, is at it again. This time she starts out up against a godzilla like beast, while trying to keep it away from the public and her not so super friends she had accompanied on a weekend outing. This seems par for the course for our super hero. As with many, I had reservations about how well Marion G. Harmon could have followed the first book in this series.
Right from the start this one does not disappoint.
Astra is back with her internal friend Shelly who is like a ghost from the past provided by future technology and left to her by The Teatime Anarchist: a past friend and nemesis who proved to be his own worst enemy; but you need to read the first book.
There are many more characters from the first book; but one of the important ones in this one is Artemis. I say this because both Artemis and Shelly undergo some awesome changes, which help develop their characters.
Once again Hopes main concern is one of her mentors, Blackstone. Through the future information available through Shelly, Hope discovers that Blackstone dies soon in at least one version of the future. Since the first book proved that time could be altered somewhat, though at great cost, Hope seeks to find a way to reduce the cost and save a friend.
Of course one problem with super heroes is that they have to have a challenge and this book certainly presents those to her to the tune of often leaving her quite battered throughout the story.
There are secrets to uncover and bad press to try to work through, while she searches for an assassin who might be able to summon demons that can shred the target leaving puddles of liquid full of tiny bones.
The characters are so great and diverse and the notions so widely open that this series of books is beginning to shape up as something that might further entertain me for a quite some time.
This novel contains great stuff for many SFF lovers and all lovers of Comic book heroes.
Well written and nicely done; thanks for the entertaining read.
J.L. Dobias
Astra, aka Hope Corrigan, is at it again. This time she starts out up against a godzilla like beast, while trying to keep it away from the public and her not so super friends she had accompanied on a weekend outing. This seems par for the course for our super hero. As with many, I had reservations about how well Marion G. Harmon could have followed the first book in this series.
Right from the start this one does not disappoint.
Astra is back with her internal friend Shelly who is like a ghost from the past provided by future technology and left to her by The Teatime Anarchist: a past friend and nemesis who proved to be his own worst enemy; but you need to read the first book.
There are many more characters from the first book; but one of the important ones in this one is Artemis. I say this because both Artemis and Shelly undergo some awesome changes, which help develop their characters.
Once again Hopes main concern is one of her mentors, Blackstone. Through the future information available through Shelly, Hope discovers that Blackstone dies soon in at least one version of the future. Since the first book proved that time could be altered somewhat, though at great cost, Hope seeks to find a way to reduce the cost and save a friend.
Of course one problem with super heroes is that they have to have a challenge and this book certainly presents those to her to the tune of often leaving her quite battered throughout the story.
There are secrets to uncover and bad press to try to work through, while she searches for an assassin who might be able to summon demons that can shred the target leaving puddles of liquid full of tiny bones.
The characters are so great and diverse and the notions so widely open that this series of books is beginning to shape up as something that might further entertain me for a quite some time.
This novel contains great stuff for many SFF lovers and all lovers of Comic book heroes.
Well written and nicely done; thanks for the entertaining read.
J.L. Dobias
July 2, 2019
This is a good straight forward story of difficulties faced and overcome. Astra/Hope solved the time travel conundrum of book 1. This has left her as full member of Chicago's leading superhero team, the Sentinels and with information about probable futures, including the likely murder of her Sentinels teammate, Blackstone.
A bank robbery points Astra in the directions of a recently re-established mob hit team made up of supers called Villains Inc. The first Villains Inc. was taken down by the Sentinels before Astra's time and in large part due to the information gathered by Blackstone. Therefore it seems likely that the new Villains Inc. is responsible for the probable future murder of Blackstone. Before matters go far a local mob boss reaches out Astra to let the Sentinels know that Villains Inc. has gone rogue. Obviously the local mob is trying to keep from being caught in the middle but at the same time the mob, being crooks, isn't willing to actually help the heroes.
The bank robber has his own ax to grind with Villains Inc. but Villains Inc. has some way of tracking him keeping every on the run. The bank robber eventually goes to Sentinel HQ causing Villains Inc. to attack in the HQ in the hope of preventing the bank robber from sharing any more information about them. In that regard Villains Inc. is successful, although that is mostly due to the bank robber not being unwilling to share. Villains Inc. was able to penetrate remarkably deep into Sentinel HQ but they were eventually beat off and bank robber escaped as well. Still it is clear that Villains Inc. pose a serious threat and it is up to Astra and the Sentinels to deal with them.
Bottom line: A truly good superhero story worth the read.
A bank robbery points Astra in the directions of a recently re-established mob hit team made up of supers called Villains Inc. The first Villains Inc. was taken down by the Sentinels before Astra's time and in large part due to the information gathered by Blackstone. Therefore it seems likely that the new Villains Inc. is responsible for the probable future murder of Blackstone. Before matters go far a local mob boss reaches out Astra to let the Sentinels know that Villains Inc. has gone rogue. Obviously the local mob is trying to keep from being caught in the middle but at the same time the mob, being crooks, isn't willing to actually help the heroes.
The bank robber has his own ax to grind with Villains Inc. but Villains Inc. has some way of tracking him keeping every on the run. The bank robber eventually goes to Sentinel HQ causing Villains Inc. to attack in the HQ in the hope of preventing the bank robber from sharing any more information about them. In that regard Villains Inc. is successful, although that is mostly due to the bank robber not being unwilling to share. Villains Inc. was able to penetrate remarkably deep into Sentinel HQ but they were eventually beat off and bank robber escaped as well. Still it is clear that Villains Inc. pose a serious threat and it is up to Astra and the Sentinels to deal with them.
Bottom line: A truly good superhero story worth the read.
March 13, 2023
I did enjoy this book but there was too much going on, that it got confusing especially with all bad guys and the bad guys controlling bad guys. It almost seemed like different books put together. A different time line, Monsters hatching out of eggs, witches controlling demos and villains inc reforming and betraying each other. I did like the fight scenes, which were well written and easy to picture and the hero's trying to work out how to save the day and live normal lives. The characters were interesting and I liked the main hero Astra. I liked that she was a super trying to help local law enforcement by solving murders but think maybe I needed to start with book one to get a better idea of what was going on.
Life goes on for Astra after the death of her boyfriend but she knows that when certain things start to happen it is only a matter of time before the leader of the Sentinels, Blackstone is killed. Can she stop it from happening? There is only one way. To discover who or what is behind the attack on the Sentinels but somebody is determined to make it happen the only way is to leave no evidence or bodies behind.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good with the characters but this is the first book I have heard in the series and so i can't compare her to the previous one, like other reviewers but I liked her.
Life goes on for Astra after the death of her boyfriend but she knows that when certain things start to happen it is only a matter of time before the leader of the Sentinels, Blackstone is killed. Can she stop it from happening? There is only one way. To discover who or what is behind the attack on the Sentinels but somebody is determined to make it happen the only way is to leave no evidence or bodies behind.
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good with the characters but this is the first book I have heard in the series and so i can't compare her to the previous one, like other reviewers but I liked her.
June 19, 2023
This book has some very strange highs and lows:
High: The mystery around Villains Inc.
Low: Tickle fight
High: Fisher, Artemis, and various other supporting characters.
Low: "The Parentals"
High: Super hero fights. Started off strong with a Godzilla style fight and ended with a quite good street brawl.
Low: Everything going "woogy" (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't know how it was spelled.
The actual story of this book surrounding Villains Inc., and how Astra goes about the investigation are the real highlights of this book. Her personal life is a real snoozefest. I simply don't care about "The Bees", her other friends, her college life, her parents, or anything that happens in her "normal" non hero life. She simply isn't interesting outside of her Astra persona.
So, this book is a solid 3 starts because half of it is extremely boring or terribly cringe-worthy. (Tickle fight, ugh.)
High: The mystery around Villains Inc.
Low: Tickle fight
High: Fisher, Artemis, and various other supporting characters.
Low: "The Parentals"
High: Super hero fights. Started off strong with a Godzilla style fight and ended with a quite good street brawl.
Low: Everything going "woogy" (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't know how it was spelled.
The actual story of this book surrounding Villains Inc., and how Astra goes about the investigation are the real highlights of this book. Her personal life is a real snoozefest. I simply don't care about "The Bees", her other friends, her college life, her parents, or anything that happens in her "normal" non hero life. She simply isn't interesting outside of her Astra persona.
So, this book is a solid 3 starts because half of it is extremely boring or terribly cringe-worthy. (Tickle fight, ugh.)
June 7, 2022
Set a few months after the events in "Wearing the Cape", a number of new characters are introduced.
The narrative is as excellent as the first story, with piles of action, some twisty evil stuff, and a couple of wonderfully heartwarming events (no Atlas, though, which would have bumped this up to my Personal Favourites list). The author cleverly slots the new characters into the narrative without resorting to possibly tedious explanations and introduces the concept of 'reality through projection, which includes Hope/Astra's childhood friend and a very interesting detective noir PI - pretty sure we'll be seeing more of him in future stories.
A superb read that left me wanting to read a lot more about this group of super people!
The narrative is as excellent as the first story, with piles of action, some twisty evil stuff, and a couple of wonderfully heartwarming events (no Atlas, though, which would have bumped this up to my Personal Favourites list). The author cleverly slots the new characters into the narrative without resorting to possibly tedious explanations and introduces the concept of 'reality through projection, which includes Hope/Astra's childhood friend and a very interesting detective noir PI - pretty sure we'll be seeing more of him in future stories.
A superb read that left me wanting to read a lot more about this group of super people!
May 31, 2024
Villains, Inc. is a good follow-up to Wearing the Cape, continuing Hope Corrigan's story as SupergirlAstra, as she fights on one of three sides in a war between Chicago's Sentinels/law enforcement, the mob, and the resurrected supervillain group Villains, Inc.
This was a decent enough story, with interesting characters on all sides, but nothing earth shattering (except literally when Atlas-type heroes and villains throw each other to the ground). I'll probably go on to read the next main entry in the series, Young Sentinels.
This was a decent enough story, with interesting characters on all sides, but nothing earth shattering (except literally when Atlas-type heroes and villains throw each other to the ground). I'll probably go on to read the next main entry in the series, Young Sentinels.
September 6, 2017
The protagonist of the series is a young woman who has her superpower breakthrough during a terrorist attack in Chicago, nearly killing her. She now has the alias Astra and is super-strong, super-durable and can fly. She also belongs to a justice league-type of organization which tries to put a smiley face on super-powered humans. However there is a shadowy group of super-powered evil doers taking them on, leading to massive battles between them. Lot of fun, much improved over the series' introductory novella which was much less intense, focusing on world-building and introducing some characters. Look forward to continuing the story.
May 27, 2019
Upbeat superhero fiction worth reading.
Astra is back for her second novel and things start right off with a monster fight (against godzilla no less) and then a superpowered robbery and murder. Things start of interesting and continue right along that path. New characters are introduced and existing characters are given room to grow and shine in this novel.
In all the novel contains plenty of action an interesting mystery and a compelling plotline. If you're interested in a upbeat superhero novel then this is the novel for you.
Astra is back for her second novel and things start right off with a monster fight (against godzilla no less) and then a superpowered robbery and murder. Things start of interesting and continue right along that path. New characters are introduced and existing characters are given room to grow and shine in this novel.
In all the novel contains plenty of action an interesting mystery and a compelling plotline. If you're interested in a upbeat superhero novel then this is the novel for you.
February 3, 2019
Story goes deeper
The first book in the series was a pretty standard story of getting superpowers—well written but until the end was pretty much as well done entry like the rest. But the ending turned from the well worn path (won’t tell you how) and it made me curious about the second book. This one continues to expand the world and the characters and I was delighted. I’ll read the next one for sure.
The first book in the series was a pretty standard story of getting superpowers—well written but until the end was pretty much as well done entry like the rest. But the ending turned from the well worn path (won’t tell you how) and it made me curious about the second book. This one continues to expand the world and the characters and I was delighted. I’ll read the next one for sure.
August 13, 2019
This is a really disappointing followup to the first novel. There is no real character development or new insight or, to be honest, depth to the protagonist. There is no real explanation behind the conflict with the villains, though an interesting revenge story is skirted around and then dropped. If you enjoyed the first book, stop there and spend time on some other book.
June 12, 2020
This was a fun, popcorn superhero story. I feel that it improved on the first book, but in a few ways slid back as well. The ending is a bit abrupt in my opinion, with some fights skimmed to get to the ending. Really could have expanded on those fights to get 5 stars from me. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
December 9, 2017
Another ok read, don't really learn too much more about the main character or the world here, but enjoyable afternoon read regardless.
December 18, 2017
Fun book like the first one.
August 12, 2019
I liked it, but this lacked the firm direction of the first novel. And the end felt rushed or truncated somehow. Still an enjoyable read.
May 30, 2023
homophobic and stereotypical booooooo. Too bad because I was enjoying the time travel fuckery but won't be reading or supporting any more of this author's work.
September 26, 2014
OK, I totally wrote an enormous review for this and somehow it got deleted (which makes me very frustrated!)
But as I said in my previous review, I think the difference between Hope/Astra and Jacky/Artemis as narrators is the difference between Ben and Jerry's Phish Food and a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.
Astra's stories are like Phish Food--super complex and delicious but sometimes they get messy and confusing.
Artemis's stories are very concisely written and much less complex/confusing, but on the whole, just as satisfying and wonderfully mixed.
I have to say, yes, that my main gripe with Hope's books is the sheer amount of characters and the way they seem inadequately introduced. I had to make judicious use of the X-ray function on my kindle app because I wasn't sure who was who (question: who is watchtower and what does he do exactly?) Complex characters are introduced with simple one-liners, and are almost never physically described (ex: Lei Zi--I'm assuming she's Chinese [because HELLO, that's a Chinese name!] but what does she look like? How old is she? Does she have any interesting battle scars? I want details!) A glossary of characters/superheroes/supervillains would be really nice.
I'm also really sad that Hope seems tragically drawn to awkward tension-filled moments with older men and still hasn't admitted that the tabloids have the right of it--that Astra and Artemis are destined to be together. Forever. As lesbian lovers. Astra, darling, Artemis bit you and it FELT FANTASTIC WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE.
I'm really happy, PS, that the Bees are Phi Mus (being a Phi Mu myself). There should definitely be judicious use of the phrase "LIOB/Love in Our Bond" in the future novels. That is, in fact, the chosen sign off for every Phi Mu and also it fits the story line great. PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
I'd also like to see more exploration and explanation of super powers. For example, I could have sworn that Rush couldn't interact with everything when he's all hyperspeed, but I guess now he can carry things with him? Also, Artemis is hUMAN now, and can go out in the sun, so why can't she go to mist in the sunlight?
Also sometimes Hope's obsession with "Asian culture" (and God, that is a cringe-worthy phrase! Asia is AN ENORMOUS CONTINENT WITH SEVERAL DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPS SO PLEASE WTF DOES THAT MEAN) tends to get a bit weeaboo at times, and I'd really like it if the non-white characters got some more description and background other than a vaguely ethnically coded name and a power (other than Riptide, who is adequately described and thus is the standout badass of the book).
Things I did like:
a) I think it's hilarious that Hope's solution for every doomed love thing ever is "HEY LET'S GET ENGAGED." She's SUCH a good little catholic girl.
b) Riptide and his judicious use of Spanish insults
c) Artemis. Just Artemis. I'm in love with Artemis.
d) Iron Jack--his backstory is SO FUCKING TANTALIZING. WE NEED MORE IRON JACK.
e) Max Fisher was amazing and his origin was fantastic and we need more of that.
All in all, satisfying, crunchy with tantalizing bits, and intriguing--and I'm sad that I'm almost done with this series!
But as I said in my previous review, I think the difference between Hope/Astra and Jacky/Artemis as narrators is the difference between Ben and Jerry's Phish Food and a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.
Astra's stories are like Phish Food--super complex and delicious but sometimes they get messy and confusing.
Artemis's stories are very concisely written and much less complex/confusing, but on the whole, just as satisfying and wonderfully mixed.
I have to say, yes, that my main gripe with Hope's books is the sheer amount of characters and the way they seem inadequately introduced. I had to make judicious use of the X-ray function on my kindle app because I wasn't sure who was who (question: who is watchtower and what does he do exactly?) Complex characters are introduced with simple one-liners, and are almost never physically described (ex: Lei Zi--I'm assuming she's Chinese [because HELLO, that's a Chinese name!] but what does she look like? How old is she? Does she have any interesting battle scars? I want details!) A glossary of characters/superheroes/supervillains would be really nice.
I'm also really sad that Hope seems tragically drawn to awkward tension-filled moments with older men and still hasn't admitted that the tabloids have the right of it--that Astra and Artemis are destined to be together. Forever. As lesbian lovers. Astra, darling, Artemis bit you and it FELT FANTASTIC WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE.
I'm really happy, PS, that the Bees are Phi Mus (being a Phi Mu myself). There should definitely be judicious use of the phrase "LIOB/Love in Our Bond" in the future novels. That is, in fact, the chosen sign off for every Phi Mu and also it fits the story line great. PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
I'd also like to see more exploration and explanation of super powers. For example, I could have sworn that Rush couldn't interact with everything when he's all hyperspeed, but I guess now he can carry things with him? Also, Artemis is hUMAN now, and can go out in the sun, so why can't she go to mist in the sunlight?
Also sometimes Hope's obsession with "Asian culture" (and God, that is a cringe-worthy phrase! Asia is AN ENORMOUS CONTINENT WITH SEVERAL DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPS SO PLEASE WTF DOES THAT MEAN) tends to get a bit weeaboo at times, and I'd really like it if the non-white characters got some more description and background other than a vaguely ethnically coded name and a power (other than Riptide, who is adequately described and thus is the standout badass of the book).
Things I did like:
a) I think it's hilarious that Hope's solution for every doomed love thing ever is "HEY LET'S GET ENGAGED." She's SUCH a good little catholic girl.
b) Riptide and his judicious use of Spanish insults
c) Artemis. Just Artemis. I'm in love with Artemis.
d) Iron Jack--his backstory is SO FUCKING TANTALIZING. WE NEED MORE IRON JACK.
e) Max Fisher was amazing and his origin was fantastic and we need more of that.
All in all, satisfying, crunchy with tantalizing bits, and intriguing--and I'm sad that I'm almost done with this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2014
I think the difference between Hope/Astra and Jacky/Artemis as characters/narrators is the difference between Phish Food Ice Cream and a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup--Astra is sort of all over the place and rich and messy and filled with lots and lots of details and bits, but sometimes it can get to be a bit much and rather confusing. Artemis is more like a Reeses Cup--self contained, totally satisfying and rich, but on the whole, easier to follow and discern.
That being said, my main gripe with this book is the same gripe I had with the last Hope-centered book: the fact that I had to use the X-ray function on the kindle app so much because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS to keep track of. It's not necessarily the number of characters, it's more the number combined with the fact that their introduction into the book was so sparse and one-liner-ish (ex: I'm still not sure of what Watchman can do).
I'm glad that Artemis is now human(ish)! I'm not quite sure of how that works and why she's still not able to mist during the day, though. Surely if she can walk about during the day she could mist?
I'm also sad that Artemis and Astra are not actually real-life lesbian lovers because they would be perfect together and are clearly meant for each other and instead of having awkwardly tension-filled moments with older scruffy men, Astra should think about the fact that she's totally been bitten and it felt really good and she can heal really fast so if she has issues with Artemis biting people then maybe she should just let Artemis bite her for a change.
The organization of this novel was, again, a little confusing--but only because the compulsion is the read this in great big gulps and as a result things can get a little confusing in your head. I wish there was a glossary in the back for characters and events and powers and things like that, and even physical descriptions would be nice (for example, Lei Zi is never actually physically described; I'm just going to assume she's Chinese, because helloooo that's such a Chinese name! But still, I'd like to know what she looks like!).
And PS: Of course the Bees would be Phi Mu. Best sorority ever! Suggestion for the author: there should be judicious use of the phrase "Love In Our Bond" /LIOB (since that is the catchphrase of our divine sisterhood and it TOTALLY FITS THE BEES).
Also I find it hilarious that Hope's main response to any love troubles is "HEY WE'RE GONNA GET MARRIED." She's such an 18 year old good Catholic girl.
Either way, it was rolicking good fun and now I'm off to read the next books!
That being said, my main gripe with this book is the same gripe I had with the last Hope-centered book: the fact that I had to use the X-ray function on the kindle app so much because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS to keep track of. It's not necessarily the number of characters, it's more the number combined with the fact that their introduction into the book was so sparse and one-liner-ish (ex: I'm still not sure of what Watchman can do).
I'm glad that Artemis is now human(ish)! I'm not quite sure of how that works and why she's still not able to mist during the day, though. Surely if she can walk about during the day she could mist?
I'm also sad that Artemis and Astra are not actually real-life lesbian lovers because they would be perfect together and are clearly meant for each other and instead of having awkwardly tension-filled moments with older scruffy men, Astra should think about the fact that she's totally been bitten and it felt really good and she can heal really fast so if she has issues with Artemis biting people then maybe she should just let Artemis bite her for a change.
The organization of this novel was, again, a little confusing--but only because the compulsion is the read this in great big gulps and as a result things can get a little confusing in your head. I wish there was a glossary in the back for characters and events and powers and things like that, and even physical descriptions would be nice (for example, Lei Zi is never actually physically described; I'm just going to assume she's Chinese, because helloooo that's such a Chinese name! But still, I'd like to know what she looks like!).
And PS: Of course the Bees would be Phi Mu. Best sorority ever! Suggestion for the author: there should be judicious use of the phrase "Love In Our Bond" /LIOB (since that is the catchphrase of our divine sisterhood and it TOTALLY FITS THE BEES).
Also I find it hilarious that Hope's main response to any love troubles is "HEY WE'RE GONNA GET MARRIED." She's such an 18 year old good Catholic girl.
Either way, it was rolicking good fun and now I'm off to read the next books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2016
Villains Inc. is the sequel to the extremely enjoyable Wearing the Cape novel. It takes six months after the events of the first novel, our protagonist forced to deal with immense fallout from the climax. I won't spoil what happened there but will say it's one of the better endings I've seen for this genre.
The setting is still light and cheerful but more wary of the destructive power of superhumans. Initially, I thought this novel was going to focus on Hope having to deal with being a figure of negative publicity as well as the rising tide of anti-superhero sentiment but the author surprised me by going in a completely different direction.
Instead, Villains Inc. is a story which focuses on giving the Chicago Sentinels their very own archenemies. Because the Wearing the Cape series has a more "realistic" sense of scale, it's a group of mob-related heavies but they still manage to invoke the kind of team-ups which gave us the Legion of Doom and Injustice League.
Speaking of realism, this book introduces an element to the setting I wasn't expecting: magic. Without changing the rules set out from the Breakthrough Event, Marion G. Harmon broadens the nature of his world significantly. We knew Breakthroughs include people who can imitate magic, vampires, and demons from the last book but this volume suggests they actually outnumber 'normal' superheroes.
I think this book is actually better than Wearing the Cape, showing that Hope isn't just a one-trick pony. She is growing as both a hero and a character, moving beyond her origin story to become a more multi-faceted complex character. I still love her relationship with Artemis and am eagerly looking forward to reading said character's solo novel.
If there was an element I missed, I rather regret losing the element of celebrity that was such an ever-present part of the previous books. It was still present, to an extent, but Hope only seems to deal with the negative elements of being famous in this book. I felt it was a missed opportunity to not explore more "responsibilities" of celebrity.
In conclusion, buy the novel. It's an excellent example of why internet publishing can be a good thing.
9.5/10
The setting is still light and cheerful but more wary of the destructive power of superhumans. Initially, I thought this novel was going to focus on Hope having to deal with being a figure of negative publicity as well as the rising tide of anti-superhero sentiment but the author surprised me by going in a completely different direction.
Instead, Villains Inc. is a story which focuses on giving the Chicago Sentinels their very own archenemies. Because the Wearing the Cape series has a more "realistic" sense of scale, it's a group of mob-related heavies but they still manage to invoke the kind of team-ups which gave us the Legion of Doom and Injustice League.
Speaking of realism, this book introduces an element to the setting I wasn't expecting: magic. Without changing the rules set out from the Breakthrough Event, Marion G. Harmon broadens the nature of his world significantly. We knew Breakthroughs include people who can imitate magic, vampires, and demons from the last book but this volume suggests they actually outnumber 'normal' superheroes.
I think this book is actually better than Wearing the Cape, showing that Hope isn't just a one-trick pony. She is growing as both a hero and a character, moving beyond her origin story to become a more multi-faceted complex character. I still love her relationship with Artemis and am eagerly looking forward to reading said character's solo novel.
If there was an element I missed, I rather regret losing the element of celebrity that was such an ever-present part of the previous books. It was still present, to an extent, but Hope only seems to deal with the negative elements of being famous in this book. I felt it was a missed opportunity to not explore more "responsibilities" of celebrity.
In conclusion, buy the novel. It's an excellent example of why internet publishing can be a good thing.
9.5/10
December 25, 2014
What I liked: This story throws us for quite a few spins, and manages to still entertain and make me laugh at some of the strange things that happen (or at least smile). We also see how Astra deals with the negative backlash the media (and therefore many regular people) is giving her because of what happened between her and Atlas in book one, and has to also deal with media assumptions for her sudden costume change. Fame is such a fickle thing. Then there’s the new threat she’s faced with, trying to save Blackstone from dying. We learned lots about different characters and their origins, plus Hope makes some…well, interesting choices so I don’t really spoil anything but it made me question if the situation would end in the same way as book one. The pace is really nice and I really liked the action scenes, they always seem to be really well thought out and written wonderfully!
What I didn’t like: I wanted to know more about the team of villains we meet in this book, and I was also hoping for a little more character development out of Hope than I got. Or you know, some decisions that wouldn’t potentially end up like book one.
Overall Review: This was yet another entertaining read that I read as soon as I finished Bite Me, simply because I really love the world that Harmon has written. It is incredibly interesting to read about all the thing that happen to the characters, and how they go about to solve these problems while tackling other problems at the same time, like Godzilla-esque monsters (no I’m seriously not joking about that). Suffice to say that I really liked it and will continue on with Omega Nights.
Recommend?: Of course! This series hasn’t lost its touch yet and you should really read it!
What I didn’t like: I wanted to know more about the team of villains we meet in this book, and I was also hoping for a little more character development out of Hope than I got. Or you know, some decisions that wouldn’t potentially end up like book one.
Overall Review: This was yet another entertaining read that I read as soon as I finished Bite Me, simply because I really love the world that Harmon has written. It is incredibly interesting to read about all the thing that happen to the characters, and how they go about to solve these problems while tackling other problems at the same time, like Godzilla-esque monsters (no I’m seriously not joking about that). Suffice to say that I really liked it and will continue on with Omega Nights.
Recommend?: Of course! This series hasn’t lost its touch yet and you should really read it!
April 17, 2016
The second book in the Wearing the Cape series, Marion Harmon maintains his frenetically paced story telling.
Villains, Inc is about the Outfit (mob) trying to clean up its own creation in VIllains, Inc (super powered Murder, Inc) and Chicago is caught in the middle. At the fore of the investigation is our protangonist, Astra (Hope Corrigan). Along with her super group, the Sentinels, she must discover who Villains, Inc. is, and how to stop them, before the rising anti-superhero sentiment in Chicago brings a future version of history to fruition.
While the story is fast paced and a fun read, I can't help but wonder who the demographic for this book is. Teen aged girls who like superhero yarns? Seems like an awfully small demographic. Villains, Inc (and really, the first book as well) is more of a young adult read that caters to tween girls. The reader will spend as much time reading about girls gushing over boys/fashions/parties as they will about the plot.
Ironically, the author's afterwords sum up the reason I love super hero stories, however fails to convey that very same sentiment in his books (to me at least). I enjoyed Villains, Inc. for what it was, but not enough to want to continue reading the series.
Villains, Inc is about the Outfit (mob) trying to clean up its own creation in VIllains, Inc (super powered Murder, Inc) and Chicago is caught in the middle. At the fore of the investigation is our protangonist, Astra (Hope Corrigan). Along with her super group, the Sentinels, she must discover who Villains, Inc. is, and how to stop them, before the rising anti-superhero sentiment in Chicago brings a future version of history to fruition.
While the story is fast paced and a fun read, I can't help but wonder who the demographic for this book is. Teen aged girls who like superhero yarns? Seems like an awfully small demographic. Villains, Inc (and really, the first book as well) is more of a young adult read that caters to tween girls. The reader will spend as much time reading about girls gushing over boys/fashions/parties as they will about the plot.
Ironically, the author's afterwords sum up the reason I love super hero stories, however fails to convey that very same sentiment in his books (to me at least). I enjoyed Villains, Inc. for what it was, but not enough to want to continue reading the series.
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