Welcome to Herald City….where legends wear capes, villains never rest, and the fate of the world hangs on every battle.
Switch the Blue Eaglet is the son and teen sidekick of Blue Eagle, one of Herald City’s top superheroes. But being a sidekick isn’t all glory. Switch is tired of living in his father’s shadow, tired of his strict rules, and tired of being told he’ll never be strong enough to stand on his own.
Jasper Clemens is just another faceless villain henchman. All he wants is to get out of the criminal business. But his debts to the mob keep piling up, and he's stuck taking the riskiest jobs in order to protect his family.
When a dangerous supervillain launches her deadliest scheme yet, it’s up to Switch and Jasper to stop her. Can Switch prove to the world he’s more than just a sidekick? Does Jasper have what it takes to be a true hero?
Or is Herald City doomed?
Perfect for fans of coming-of-age superhero tales, this short novel delivers action, heart, and a fresh twist on what it really means to be a hero.
Don’t miss this adventure of SWITCH and BLUE EAGLE!
SWITCH and Blue A Superhero Sidekick Novel is a short prequel to my main series currently under development, SWITCH and the Challengers Bravo, and the introduction to my larger superhero world of Herald City. It has two focus characters. There is Switch the Blue Eaglet, the sidekick of Blue Eagle, who deals with the self-doubt that comes with the constant criticisms he gets from his father, as well as his unreliable powers. He wants to eventually become a superhero on his own, but he feels the need to prove his worth first. And then there is Jasper Clemens, a supervillain henchman who wants to get out of the business. But his debts to the mob keep piling up, and the only way to keep his family safe is to take on more and more dangerous jobs. And in the background of all of this, Queen Venus, the archenemy of Blue Eagle and Switch, is sprouting her deadliest plan yet and the whole world might be at stake.
Trigger warnings include fantasy violence, father-son family drama, and mob debt.
I enjoy superhero prose fiction. I'd enjoy it a lot more if more of the people who wrote it had a stronger grasp of basic writing mechanics - in this case especially tense, and most especially the past perfect tense - and weren't sloppy typists who make a lot of vocabulary errors, mangle idioms, and leave key words out of sentences or change grammatical direction halfway through, resulting in nonsense. But here we are.
Leaving all that aside (and it is theoretically possible, though unlikely, that it will be edited into slightly better shape before publication; I had a pre-publication version for review via Netgalley), this is a somewhat thoughtful piece of work that goes beyond "Bam! Pow!" and considers why henchmen might take up the dangerous occupation of henching. Jasper, a freelance henchman who works for several supervillains over the course of the book, does so because it's the only way he can get enough money to support his family and pay off the loan sharks into whose clutches he has fallen, and who are using the relatively small loan they made him as an excuse to extort from him arbitrary amounts of money with threats of violence against him and his family. He'd love to leave the henchman life, and indeed the city, but the mob won't let him.
What he can do is try to do at least something right, like save and subsequently help Switch, teenage son and sidekick of the Blue Eagle.
The Blue Eagle has almost the entire Superman power set - flight, strength, invulnerability, even eye beams - which struck me as unoriginal, but Switch can only manifest one power at a time, for an unpredictable and relatively brief period, and then has a cooldown period in which he has no powers at all. He does have super speed, which his father doesn't, and his super strength is greater than his father's. These limitations make for a more interesting character, and some suspenseful moments.
His father is tough on him, and has no patience with the idea that people might turn to crime because they're out of good options, and maybe giving them more good options could reduce the crime rate - something Switch is beginning to believe. (Extra points to the author for not implying that this is the only solution that's needed for crime, or that other forms of crime prevention are worse than useless.)
There's a big supervillain plot, of course, to take over the city and then the world. And Switch knows about it because he's talked to Jasper, but doesn't think his father will listen to him, because (unlike in real life, where police use confidential informants all the time) his father won't want to hear about information gained from a criminal.
There are plot holes. Things happen obviously because the plot requires them to, rather than because they make any sense whatsoever. And, as I already mentioned, the execution is rough in general. All this brings down a book that had good potential to the very bottom of the lowest tier of my annual recommendation list. It's only on there at all because the idea was at least original, and an original premise, however poorly executed, is becoming a rare thing these days.
It's another one that I enjoyed enough to finish, but not enough to want to read any more in the series.
EDIT TO ADD: The author has contacted me on Goodreads and (very graciously, given how rough I was on the book) thanked me for my comments and promised to fix the plot hole and go over the prose again. Thanks, TienSwitch!
A Hero’s City, A Sidekick’s Struggle Switch and Blue Eagle: A Superhero Sidekick Novel by Joseph “TienSwitch” Safdia is a fast-paced, character-driven superhero adventure that blends high-stakes action with personal drama and moral complexity. From the very first chapter, the reader is thrown into Herald City’s bustling, danger-filled world—a metropolis where father-son duo Blue Eagle and Switch routinely clash with supervillains like Blizz Kid, Queen Venus, and the deranged Poster Boy. The novel’s opening sequence, a botched heist at a research lab, immediately showcases Safdia’s skill at choreographing dynamic, cinematic fight scenes while also hinting at the complicated relationships between heroes, villains, and the civilians caught in the crossfire.
The Henchman’s Dilemma What sets this book apart from standard superhero fare is its commitment to showing the personal costs of living in a super-powered world. Switch, real name Jack Dufraine, isn’t just a sidekick trying to prove himself—he’s a teenager grappling with unreliable powers, a critical father, and his own beliefs about justice and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, characters like Jasper Clemens, a reluctant henchman for hire, give the “villain side” unexpected humanity, revealing how desperation and circumstance can push ordinary people into extraordinary crimes. These dual perspectives add depth, making the story not just about flashy battles but also about survival, ambition, and identity.
Politics in the Shadows Safdia also weaves in intriguing political and social commentary. The subplot involving Mayor Michael Warren’s controversial Liberty Park redevelopment creates a backdrop of corruption, greed, and public image management. Here, the heroes aren’t just fighting costumed villains—they’re navigating the gray areas of public policy, media optics, and community trust. This intersection of superheroics and civic politics feels refreshingly grounded, adding thematic weight to the book’s colorful set pieces. The supervillains themselves are creative and vividly described—Queen Venus with her botanical menace, Blizz Kid with his icy threats, and Poster Boy with his eerie, surreal power to pull henchmen from posters.
Fathers, Sons, and the Weight of Legacy By the final acts, Switch and Blue Eagle delivers on both spectacle and substance. The action is thrilling, but it’s the emotional beats—Switch’s longing for independence, Jasper’s moral dilemmas, the tense father-son dynamic—that resonate after the dust settles. Fans of superhero stories who crave layered characters and a mix of humor, danger, and heartfelt moments will find this a page-turner with more on its mind than capes and catchphrases. Safdia’s debut installment in this sidekick-focused series leaves plenty of room for future adventures, and if this one is any indication, they’ll be well worth following.
Switch and Blue Eagle tells the story of Jack Dufraine, a teenage sidekick known as Switch, and his father David, the legendary superhero Blue Eagle. Together, they protect Herald City from villains like Blizz Kid, Queen Venus, and the eerie Poster Boy. Beneath the flashy battles and high-speed heroics lies a story about legacy, pressure, and the uneasy relationship between generations. Jack struggles to live up to his father’s impossible expectations while questioning the morality of their world, a world that seems to see justice in black and white. The novel blends comic-book action with genuine emotional conflict, making it more than a simple superhero tale.
Author Joseph Safdia’s writing is clear and visual, almost cinematic, and I could picture every fight scene as if it were on a big screen. But what really grabbed me wasn’t the action. It was Jack’s internal struggle. He wants to be a hero in his own way, to think rather than just punch. His dad, though, is stuck in an older mindset, all muscle and certainty. That tension hit home for me. It reminded me of those times when your elders just don’t get what the world feels like now. Safdia captures that gap perfectly. Still, the dialogue sometimes felt a bit heavy, almost like it came from a comic book bubble. It worked in places, but I wanted a bit more subtlety.
What stuck with me most were the small human moments. Jasper, one of the criminals, trying to save his family from the mob, it made me rethink the idea of “villains.” Safdia doesn’t just show the shiny side of heroism. He looks at the cracks in it. The book asks what makes someone good or bad, and whether society even gives people the same chances to choose. Those questions stayed with me. Sometimes leans into comic-style melodrama, but it’s sincere, and that sincerity carries it.
I’d recommend Switch and Blue Eagle to readers who love superhero stories but want something deeper than capes and catchphrases. It’s for those who like action that also makes you think, and who appreciate a bit of heart beneath the heroics. Teen readers will see themselves in Jack’s doubts, and adults might see a bit of their own reflection in Blue Eagle’s rigid worldview. It’s an entertaining, heartfelt story that mixes the thrill of superpowers with the pain of growing up.
I've been trying to figure out why this one didnt work for me and i dont think it was just one big thing.
The book was quite simplistic and im not sure if its because it was a super hero story with a story you would expect from comic book, but the internal monologuing was so over the top. Actually so were the conversations between the good and bad guys. They just kept going. I know that it is to be expected somewhat due to the genre but it felt heavy handed. It didnt give any relevant information.
The Dad was just horrible, im not sure there are any redeeming factors. And i know exactly where the story is going with him and what happened under the building and it in no way accounts for his shitty parenting. I can straight up say, he would have been my villian origin story. The pacing was clunky.
I really liked Switch, he has potentially amazing character growth coming his way, i really hope the next books give him what he deserves.
The villians were cartoonish and over the top which i think was the point. Im still not sure on how Poster Boy's powers work. I thought i understood it and the the horror movie character happened and i think i was wrong.
The world has so much going on and as it was an intro to a series, i think the book did a solid job of giving us a basic understanding of how it all works and the different groups that we will come across in the future.
The social themes touched on through out are super relevant to the world right now and while it was heavy handed, using Switch and his dad to look at different approaches to policing, crime the governments role in causing poverty was an easy way to discuss the topics.
I wanted to like it, but unfortunately for me i was ready to dnf by 30%. While i did keep going, i probably shouldnt have. The ending just pissed me off. It was another case of maybe trying to be clever, but seemed like it was trying to hard.
I read a lot of middle grade books and some YA, im really not sure where this one sits, but this one isnt quite to the standards of most of the ones i have read so far this year.
I think this could just not be for me as other reviews are pretty happy with it. Worth noting i read an arc and what is published may be different.
This is a middle grade book, which means its moral values are up front and center and clearly stated rather than implied. That doesn’t mean it’s simplistic, though, or working on a black and white, good and evil dichotomy. There are several shades of grey, not least of which is the conversation between rehabilitation vs. punishment for criminals, how and why someone enters into crime, and how easy it is to slip into a life of crime when there is no social net to help catch families when rent is high, food is expensive, someone needs medical care and jobs are hard to come by.
Nor does it offer easy answers. Jack, a fifteen year old boy, is struggling to understand these concepts of justice vs. vengeance while dealing with his single father and the very overbearing and slightly toxic parenting he’s receiving. While it can be argued that David (Blue Eagle) has to be hard on his son to get him ready for the life of a superhero, the constant yelling, insulting, haranguing, and endless judgement of his son is steadily and slowly chipping away at Jack’s self confidence as well as his ability to trust in his father, let alone come to his father when he needs help.
Blue Eagle isn’t a monster, but while he’s a good superhero, he is not a good father. And with the reveal at the end of the book, Jack at least isn’t alone when having to deal with his father’s endless and crushing expectations.
While the plot seems simple — with villains like Poster Boy, who can bring poster pictures to life, or Blizz Kid with his ice powers — there are moments where even the reader has to decide if this is a story about justice and doing what’s right, or one person exerting their own judgement onto someone else. People die in this book, and people gt hurt, but more people are saved because of Switch and the other super heroes.
This is a prequel to Switch’s adventures as he goes from sidekick to superhero, and I think it’s worth the read if you’re looking for a middle grade book about superheroes — and heroes who aren’t necessarily super. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Trigger warnings for: parent beating a child (while under mind control), toxic relationship, violence
SWITCH and Blue Eagle by TienSwitch is an engaging and thoughtful superhero sidekick novel that delivers action, emotion, and a refreshing twist on classic hero tropes. Set in the lively world of Herald City, the story balances high-stakes battles with deeply personal struggles that make the characters feel real and relatable. Switch is a standout protagonist. His frustration with living in his father’s shadow, combined with unreliable powers and constant criticism, creates a compelling coming-of-age arc that many readers will connect with. His desire to prove himself isn’t just about strength, it’s about identity, confidence, and earning self-worth. Jasper Clemens adds an excellent parallel storyline. As a villain henchman trapped by mob debt and motivated by protecting his family, his journey blurs the line between hero and villain in a meaningful way. His internal conflict brings depth and moral complexity to the story.
There’s a certain irony in watching a teenager juggle algebra homework one moment and city-threatening villains the next. Switch and Blue Eagle thrives in that tension, showing how everyday struggles mirror extraordinary ones.
Instead of glorifying perfect powers, the story digs into imperfection—Switch’s unreliable abilities, his uneasy partnership with a larger-than-life father, and villains whose menace stems not just from strength but conviction. The battles matter, but so do the conversations afterward, when words cut deeper than fists.
Readers looking for explosive action will find it, but those who crave heart, doubt, and growth will discover something rarer: a superhero novel with soul.
Note: I received an ARC of this book. However, my voluntary review remains impartial.
I really loved this book! It reminded me a lot of a classic superhero comic book except written out obviously. I think it was very cool to have a henchman character be such an integral part of the story. I enjoyed the discussion of why these characters would turn to crime and I would love to see this explored more throughout the series. I would’ve enjoyed seeing a bit more of our main characters outside of their superhero identities but I’m hopeful that perhaps we’ll get more in the future. Such a fun read! Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my copy of this book!
This was a strong introduction to this world and the concept of a superhero world. I enjoyed getting into this world and characters and thought they were so well written and had that element that I was wanting. Tienswitch has a strong writing style and thought worked overall in the urban fantasy concept. It was a strong prequel and glad I got to read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The idea was so cute, but I could not for the life of me get past the first chapter. It was the cringy dialogue that really got to me. That and the fact that it gave off the vibes of the Incredibles. Very much so. Which I wouldn't have had an issue with if it wasn't blaringly obvious it was a copy and paste, at least to me. I won't get into spoilers but I think others could guess what I mean when they read it. Thank you NetGalley for the arc anyway.
He is his father sidekick and he feels left out as his father thinks he will never become a superhero. Meanwhile they want to get out of the mess they are in and they want something more than being a villain. They will join forces with him when danger comes so see if they can both be the hero they truly are I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great superhero adventure