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The Henchman's Survival Guide #1
How to Become a Henchman: The Henchman's Survival Guide
It's Time to Root for the Henchman!Welcome to Big Little City, a semi-reality town where the bank gets robbed at least once a week, and the heroes spend more time showboating for the cameras than helping the citizens.Alice just needs to keep her head down, earn her college degree, and then she’ll finally be able to escape this crazy place. Too bad a super scary villain just blew up the restaurant where she worked and her paycheck along with it.As luck would have it, one of the town’s most famous villains is holding henchmen auditions. The gig would earn Alice the money she needs. All she has to do is beat out the other cunning and dangerous competitors who might just kill for the limited henchmen spots. Is Alice willing to risk life, limb, and her integrity to land the role of a lifetime?Author J Bennett is back with an action-packed superhero series. With a keen social eye and her trademark wit, J Bennett weaves a story of a futuristic world where good and evil are both beholden to ratings. Find out why it's so much fun to root for the henchman!
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2019
166 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
J. Bennett
46 books74 followersJ Bennett lives and writes in San Diego. Her writing partner is a bunny named Avalon who contributes to each manuscript by trying to eat it. His adorableness is his primary strength as a writer.
J Bennett is a professional copywriter and an author who loves asking that oh-so-dangerous question – “What if?” She currently writes a paranormal adventure series, Girl With Broken Wings, and a tongue-in-cheek short story series, The Vampire’s Housekeeper Chronicles, featuring a very old, very grouchy, very non-sparkly vampire and his patient housekeeper.
She also writes the blog www.ShyWriter.com
Find J Bennett online at www.jbennettwrites.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jbennettwrites.
J Bennett is a professional copywriter and an author who loves asking that oh-so-dangerous question – “What if?” She currently writes a paranormal adventure series, Girl With Broken Wings, and a tongue-in-cheek short story series, The Vampire’s Housekeeper Chronicles, featuring a very old, very grouchy, very non-sparkly vampire and his patient housekeeper.
She also writes the blog www.ShyWriter.com
Find J Bennett online at www.jbennettwrites.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jbennettwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 25, 2019
I know a good review should start with an overview of the plot, the world setting, the characters, maybe the strengths and weaknesses of a book, but after a story like this one, I just want to go OH MY GOD YOU GUYS! THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! I THOUGHT ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, I EVEN SNEAKY-READ IT WHILE AT WORK!
Set sometime in the future, the country (world?) had advanced enough that everyone got a Universal Basic Income even if they didn't work. It wasn't enough to live a good life on, but if you had no other job, you could survive on it. So in general the population was bored, so the governments set up things like "semi-reality towns" as in semi-reality show towns -- the whole city is one big reality show, with nearly everyone either a star or trying to become one. (Other cities included things like zombie attacks to keep the population busy and focused on something.)
This story was set in Big Little City, a superhero semi reality city. A bunch of people were "capes" (heroes) or "vils" (villains), and most everyone else was working on their fame levels so they could become one or the other.
The author "evolved" language in a really fun way. While (of course) the book was written in English, a lot of the words were shortened or used in unusual ways. It was a nice touch for world building.
All that was backdrop for the story though. The main character (Alice) was one of the few people who did not want to be famous. She came to Big Little City because rent and schooling were cheaper there (since attacks by vils often happened). The story followed her life and how she came to try out to become a henchman.
Because of the setting, there were such cool twists: How do you know if the person sitting next to you is actually a superhero? It made all the relationships and interactions all the more fun.
There were only two downsides of the story for me:
1) Use of nontraditional pronouns. Nothing knocks me out of a story faster than ze/zir/whatever. As much as I loved this book, every time those pronouns came up, my eyes glazed over. Luckily there were only two minor characters who used them.
2) By my Kindle's tracking, I had 15 minutes left in the book. I was saving the last of the story so I could savor and enjoy it... and boy was I sad to find it was 15 full minutes of previews for the next book, author's notes, etc. Sad!
I really wish the next book was out already. I completely loved Alice as a main character, but all the minor ones and the world setting as well.
Set sometime in the future, the country (world?) had advanced enough that everyone got a Universal Basic Income even if they didn't work. It wasn't enough to live a good life on, but if you had no other job, you could survive on it. So in general the population was bored, so the governments set up things like "semi-reality towns" as in semi-reality show towns -- the whole city is one big reality show, with nearly everyone either a star or trying to become one. (Other cities included things like zombie attacks to keep the population busy and focused on something.)
This story was set in Big Little City, a superhero semi reality city. A bunch of people were "capes" (heroes) or "vils" (villains), and most everyone else was working on their fame levels so they could become one or the other.
The author "evolved" language in a really fun way. While (of course) the book was written in English, a lot of the words were shortened or used in unusual ways. It was a nice touch for world building.
All that was backdrop for the story though. The main character (Alice) was one of the few people who did not want to be famous. She came to Big Little City because rent and schooling were cheaper there (since attacks by vils often happened). The story followed her life and how she came to try out to become a henchman.
Because of the setting, there were such cool twists: How do you know if the person sitting next to you is actually a superhero? It made all the relationships and interactions all the more fun.
There were only two downsides of the story for me:
1) Use of nontraditional pronouns. Nothing knocks me out of a story faster than ze/zir/whatever. As much as I loved this book, every time those pronouns came up, my eyes glazed over. Luckily there were only two minor characters who used them.
2) By my Kindle's tracking, I had 15 minutes left in the book. I was saving the last of the story so I could savor and enjoy it... and boy was I sad to find it was 15 full minutes of previews for the next book, author's notes, etc. Sad!
I really wish the next book was out already. I completely loved Alice as a main character, but all the minor ones and the world setting as well.
November 18, 2020
While this was a pretty entertaining book, it was not really what I was hoping for. I was looking for a straight up story about being a henchman in a world of super-heroes and villians... something about being a lackey for the Riddler or maybe a thug for Magneto. What we have here is kind a meta-henchman story, in a not too far off dystopian future where all the social media companies have merged into a world spanning mega-goliath and everyone's life is live-streamed and your circumstances in life are largely dictated by your popularity. Small cities in an effort to survive allow themselves to be purchased by the media conglomerate and remade into semi-reality show towns where zombies roam the streets, aliens invade or super-heroes exist.
Alice, our main character, lives in Big Little City which was remade into a super-hero milieu. People who live in the city have to sign a waiver acknowledging that super-heroes and villains are dangerous and "innocent bystanders" (re: you) may be robbed or injured and that's just the way of things. As a result of one of these hero/villian encounters Alice finds herself unemployed and soon to be tossed out of school and sh*t out of luck if she can't land some kind of gig which leads to her trying out for the role of henchman in the comeback of a famous villain.
The first half of the book and Alice largely rant about the whole "fame" culture and the kinds of behavior it leads to. The second half is Alice dealing with the fact that she's going to have to suck it up and play the game if she wants to finish school and have a real life vs going to live in cargo container out in the hinterlands.
The characters were interesting, the plot reasonable. The writing is good but very post-millenial/gen-Z heavy on the emoji's and acronyms
Alice, our main character, lives in Big Little City which was remade into a super-hero milieu. People who live in the city have to sign a waiver acknowledging that super-heroes and villains are dangerous and "innocent bystanders" (re: you) may be robbed or injured and that's just the way of things. As a result of one of these hero/villian encounters Alice finds herself unemployed and soon to be tossed out of school and sh*t out of luck if she can't land some kind of gig which leads to her trying out for the role of henchman in the comeback of a famous villain.
The first half of the book and Alice largely rant about the whole "fame" culture and the kinds of behavior it leads to. The second half is Alice dealing with the fact that she's going to have to suck it up and play the game if she wants to finish school and have a real life vs going to live in cargo container out in the hinterlands.
The characters were interesting, the plot reasonable. The writing is good but very post-millenial/gen-Z heavy on the emoji's and acronyms
November 30, 2023
This reads like an extended introduction to the series. There is lots of world building but very little happens. The only event of note is that Alice does get to be a henchman, which shouldn't be a spoiler since it's pretty obvious that has to happen for there to be a book 2 in the series.
Even though there isn't a lot of action the book still has some interest. The setting is a mild extrapolation of trends in today's America. Automation has eliminated most jobs, and while a universal basic income exists it leaves its recipients desperately poor. The only way for most people to live is to become a social media celebrity. I don't know to what extent social commentary is intended but Bennett paints a plausible picture of an alarmingly dystopic America, though for my taste she is a bit heavy handed.
Alice is an idealist who wants to change the world for the better, but for that she needs a Masters degree. And she needs to pay for the Masters. And she needs a job to get that money. And there aren't any jobs. You see the problem.
The book follows Alice's capitulation to the system and joining in with the social media circus around the superheroes and their henchmen. However I'm not sure this really works. The book gives the impression Alice genuinely wants to be a henchman and will enjoy it, so as a betrayal of ideals goes it's not an especially biting one.
I did enjoy the book. It's nicely written and Alice is an engaging character, so if you just want a fun read then this book will do the trick. I'm just not sure how much depth was intended, given that only a limited depth was achieved. I don't regret the time spent reading this, but I'm not in a great hurry to read the sequel.
Even though there isn't a lot of action the book still has some interest. The setting is a mild extrapolation of trends in today's America. Automation has eliminated most jobs, and while a universal basic income exists it leaves its recipients desperately poor. The only way for most people to live is to become a social media celebrity. I don't know to what extent social commentary is intended but Bennett paints a plausible picture of an alarmingly dystopic America, though for my taste she is a bit heavy handed.
Alice is an idealist who wants to change the world for the better, but for that she needs a Masters degree. And she needs to pay for the Masters. And she needs a job to get that money. And there aren't any jobs. You see the problem.
The book follows Alice's capitulation to the system and joining in with the social media circus around the superheroes and their henchmen. However I'm not sure this really works. The book gives the impression Alice genuinely wants to be a henchman and will enjoy it, so as a betrayal of ideals goes it's not an especially biting one.
I did enjoy the book. It's nicely written and Alice is an engaging character, so if you just want a fun read then this book will do the trick. I'm just not sure how much depth was intended, given that only a limited depth was achieved. I don't regret the time spent reading this, but I'm not in a great hurry to read the sequel.
June 1, 2019
This book is perfect for superhero fans looking for a fresh take that will have you rooting for the henchman instead of the heroes.
Living in a semi-virtual town means Alice gets to see the dark side of living amongst heroes and villains and just how dangerous getting caught up in their battles can be. When she gets desperate to afford college she has no choice but to join the dark side, if she can get past the producers of the show first. In a town full of superheroes, villains, and wannabes, only the best succeed.
This story has great world building. The world is so well fleshed out that it feels like its own character. In a way this story is a bit of a futuristic dystopia of what happens when the governments and rich rely on entertainment and reality shows to control the population. The society felt like something that could be featured in a Black Mirror episode. Every detail has been carefully crafted and I can see how all the slang might annoy some readers, but for me it added realism to the world. The technology is also based on current gadgets and systems already in use, which helped make the technology easy to relate to and understand right away.
Living in a semi-virtual town means Alice gets to see the dark side of living amongst heroes and villains and just how dangerous getting caught up in their battles can be. When she gets desperate to afford college she has no choice but to join the dark side, if she can get past the producers of the show first. In a town full of superheroes, villains, and wannabes, only the best succeed.
This story has great world building. The world is so well fleshed out that it feels like its own character. In a way this story is a bit of a futuristic dystopia of what happens when the governments and rich rely on entertainment and reality shows to control the population. The society felt like something that could be featured in a Black Mirror episode. Every detail has been carefully crafted and I can see how all the slang might annoy some readers, but for me it added realism to the world. The technology is also based on current gadgets and systems already in use, which helped make the technology easy to relate to and understand right away.
August 13, 2020
The Freshest Story I've Read In Ages
Bennet has created a world that is very easy to imagine living in isn't too far off from our future. Tech has advanced to the point that there are few jobs. Social media has become the method used to try and lift yourself out of poverty and reality shows have taken over all entertainment outside of virtual reality. Reality shows have grown to include hero/villain escapeds that involve real people getting caught and truly hurt in the crossfire.
Alice is going to school and trying the old fashioned way to better her life and that of her family. When tragedy strikes, or rather a villain does, Alice's plans are smashed. Out of desperation, she decides to try and get on a reality show at entry level. Only instead of being a superhero sidekick, Alice is auditioning for henchman.
The superhero genre thus far is small but Bennett just slammed into it and has created a new branch. Her deft writing skills are showcased by her ability to create acronyms that make perfect sense and it's done without adding any confusion or annoyances. It truly breathes life into the society She's envisioned.
Bennet has created a world that is very easy to imagine living in isn't too far off from our future. Tech has advanced to the point that there are few jobs. Social media has become the method used to try and lift yourself out of poverty and reality shows have taken over all entertainment outside of virtual reality. Reality shows have grown to include hero/villain escapeds that involve real people getting caught and truly hurt in the crossfire.
Alice is going to school and trying the old fashioned way to better her life and that of her family. When tragedy strikes, or rather a villain does, Alice's plans are smashed. Out of desperation, she decides to try and get on a reality show at entry level. Only instead of being a superhero sidekick, Alice is auditioning for henchman.
The superhero genre thus far is small but Bennett just slammed into it and has created a new branch. Her deft writing skills are showcased by her ability to create acronyms that make perfect sense and it's done without adding any confusion or annoyances. It truly breathes life into the society She's envisioned.
Read
November 12, 2020I had a lot of fun reading this book, which takes an unconventional and appealing approach to the superhero/villain genre.
Main character Alice is sympathetic without being a pushover. We can see how her past has brought her to where she is today without bludgeoning the reader with tragic backstory. The other characters she encounters are well fleshed out, and they clearly have their own lives to lead rather than revolving around Alice's story. Some of the characters have only brief appearances, but I suspect they might pop up in later books. The plot flowed nicely without feeling too convenient or forced.
I enjoyed being immersed in the world. It's set in a future that we can imagine rather than being completely alien. I particularly liked seeing how language and customs might have evolved along with society and its conventions. What I enjoyed the most was feeling that although Alice's story is the one we're focussing on, there are plenty of other stories that might be told.
Even if you're not into the superhero genre, I think this is well worth a look.
Main character Alice is sympathetic without being a pushover. We can see how her past has brought her to where she is today without bludgeoning the reader with tragic backstory. The other characters she encounters are well fleshed out, and they clearly have their own lives to lead rather than revolving around Alice's story. Some of the characters have only brief appearances, but I suspect they might pop up in later books. The plot flowed nicely without feeling too convenient or forced.
I enjoyed being immersed in the world. It's set in a future that we can imagine rather than being completely alien. I particularly liked seeing how language and customs might have evolved along with society and its conventions. What I enjoyed the most was feeling that although Alice's story is the one we're focussing on, there are plenty of other stories that might be told.
Even if you're not into the superhero genre, I think this is well worth a look.
August 4, 2019
Honestly? Better than I expected. I like the "semi-reality show" premise, even though the rest of the society is depressingly likely, the way things are going.
Alice is interesting without being cloying or insipid, and the writing is fairly good. And the book is technically high quality, too, without the many typos and "grammos" far too many books are littered with nowadays. Only one "oops" caught my eye; one of the characters looking at her band when after they'd already been collected at the second tryout.
Other than that, nothing broke my immersion, and I'm actually interested in the next book.
Oh, and final kudo? It's not a freakin' cliff-hanger ending! The book stands alone, with a natural ending, not a "to be continued" unfinished part of a single narrative. That's the way a series should be written!
Alice is interesting without being cloying or insipid, and the writing is fairly good. And the book is technically high quality, too, without the many typos and "grammos" far too many books are littered with nowadays. Only one "oops" caught my eye; one of the characters looking at her band when after they'd already been collected at the second tryout.
Other than that, nothing broke my immersion, and I'm actually interested in the next book.
Oh, and final kudo? It's not a freakin' cliff-hanger ending! The book stands alone, with a natural ending, not a "to be continued" unfinished part of a single narrative. That's the way a series should be written!
February 20, 2020
A superhero novel that aren't really superheros.
At some point in the near future, society is all but collapsed. Automation has left most people without a job and subsist on welfare programs and exist in virtual reality. There are "semi-reality" show that people hope they can get into so they can have some employment and a chance for something more. That's where the "superheros" come in. The heroes and villains have gadgets and gear they use to film episodes.
All in all, it's an interesting premise and is an enjoyable read. The main character is fleshed out and has her own motivations and problems.
Some people don't like how the narrative is peppered with slang, but I think it keeps the reader anchored in the story. The only thing that annoyed me was when the MC encounters non-binary characters and all of a sudden the pronouns switch to "xe" and "xir".
At some point in the near future, society is all but collapsed. Automation has left most people without a job and subsist on welfare programs and exist in virtual reality. There are "semi-reality" show that people hope they can get into so they can have some employment and a chance for something more. That's where the "superheros" come in. The heroes and villains have gadgets and gear they use to film episodes.
All in all, it's an interesting premise and is an enjoyable read. The main character is fleshed out and has her own motivations and problems.
Some people don't like how the narrative is peppered with slang, but I think it keeps the reader anchored in the story. The only thing that annoyed me was when the MC encounters non-binary characters and all of a sudden the pronouns switch to "xe" and "xir".
November 12, 2022
I really enjoyed the world created by Ms. Bennett. It is amusing, but very intriguing and believable. Her characters are quite well-drawn and easy for the reader to accept in this world full of villains, heroes and common folk that could be all too real in the near future. I really like the author's ability to create a believable, relatable storyline that can be pictured readily in the reader's mind. Too often today books relate a story without drawing the readers into the world where characters and action exist. There is no such semi-empty writing here! This is the first book I have read by the author but will not be the last. I highly recommend "How to Become a Henchman".
September 17, 2019
In a mildly dystopic future this book provides us a fascinating and insightful exploration of the reality tv world of becoming a henchman. The characters are interesting and will draw you into the story, despite the slow start. What I like best is the main character's commentary on the world around, which parodies the comic book world of supervillains and heroes. This book reminded me a lot of an episode of The Venture Brothers and the hapless henchmen. Highly recommend if you like supervillain fiction.
June 13, 2020
Fun story with some strong socio-economic world building
Sure, I have a weakness for the superhero genre. It can be great escapism with terrific opportunities for the kind of morality plays that powered the best of the old westerns. But rarely to they have serious attempts at creating an underlying science fiction universe - the kind that projects today's currents into the future. This one does that and does it will, all while telling an entertaining story.
Sure, I have a weakness for the superhero genre. It can be great escapism with terrific opportunities for the kind of morality plays that powered the best of the old westerns. But rarely to they have serious attempts at creating an underlying science fiction universe - the kind that projects today's currents into the future. This one does that and does it will, all while telling an entertaining story.
June 26, 2020
How to Become a Henchman is a twist on a heavily saturated superhero/villain market. I wasn't sure I could relate to the main character at first, but she grows on you. Much of the story has the feel of Mystery Men (movie), where the supers aren't really so super and rely more on gadgets and toys for their special powers.
The story is set in the future in Big Little City, a corporate sponsored semi-reality show town where heroes and villains vie for ratings to stay relevant and keep their jobs. Unemployment is high and everyone wants a piece of the fame game. Biggie LC is not the safest place to live, but you signed a waiver so you knew what your were getting into.
The story is set in the future in Big Little City, a corporate sponsored semi-reality show town where heroes and villains vie for ratings to stay relevant and keep their jobs. Unemployment is high and everyone wants a piece of the fame game. Biggie LC is not the safest place to live, but you signed a waiver so you knew what your were getting into.
November 10, 2020
In an alternate world, Alice lives in a town that thrives on superheroes. When she looses her job, she tries out for a position as a henchman. She has to figure out how to pay for college.
Opinion
Fun, fun, fun. I enjoyed entering this fun and exciting world but shutter to think it could happen.
I also enjoyed the almost monotone accents that the citizens (narrators) use. Truly a fun book.
Opinion
Fun, fun, fun. I enjoyed entering this fun and exciting world but shutter to think it could happen.
I also enjoyed the almost monotone accents that the citizens (narrators) use. Truly a fun book.
February 15, 2021
I put this book down after the first chapter. I like superhero stories, but I felt it was silly. But then I returned to the book and realized that it was a satire on society's obsession with social media and gaining online fame, "The Fame Game". With a better perspective, I was quickly hooked on the characters and the setting.
I'll be reading the sequel.
I'll be reading the sequel.
June 1, 2019
Fun spin on heroes and villains
Fun and snarky take on social media, reality shows, and where automation could be leading our society. And to top it off, story was well told and interesting.
Fun and snarky take on social media, reality shows, and where automation could be leading our society. And to top it off, story was well told and interesting.
December 18, 2019
Wonderful book! The plot is one I haven't read before. The only confusing part for me was the lingo - I still don't understand some if it, but I refused to let it take me away from the storyline. Highly recommend!
December 2, 2020
Surprising
The blurb doesn’t do this justice.
There’s a lot to unpack here, some of it really good, some of it depressing. Mostly though, it’s just a damn original take on villains and heroes.
If you like social commentary mixed with your hero deconstruction, this is it.
The blurb doesn’t do this justice.
There’s a lot to unpack here, some of it really good, some of it depressing. Mostly though, it’s just a damn original take on villains and heroes.
If you like social commentary mixed with your hero deconstruction, this is it.
June 3, 2022
A different kind of superhero book
I am very happy that I choose this book as my first superhero book. The writing and characters are great, as is the editing.
The main character is a smart, unlucky woman, that makes do.
I am very happy that I choose this book as my first superhero book. The writing and characters are great, as is the editing.
The main character is a smart, unlucky woman, that makes do.
November 7, 2022
Good read
This was one of the more cynical books about superheroes that I've read, but that doesn't mean it was too serious and depressing. It was well-written; with action, humor, some drama, and really interesting characters and dialog. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
This was one of the more cynical books about superheroes that I've read, but that doesn't mean it was too serious and depressing. It was well-written; with action, humor, some drama, and really interesting characters and dialog. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
December 19, 2022
This popped up as a Facebook ad and it looked intriguing because of the cover. And I'm glad that I made the decision to read this. It was not what I expected and I was genuinely surprised. Instantly fell in love with the characters and their story.
May 30, 2019
Henchman Guide
J Bennet has created a new and entertaining reality of the future. A fun read that makes me hungry for more!
J Bennet has created a new and entertaining reality of the future. A fun read that makes me hungry for more!
July 25, 2019
I love it
Great take on superhero stories and I love that it is about the hench woman. It's also a unique look at a oddly possible dystopian future.
Great take on superhero stories and I love that it is about the hench woman. It's also a unique look at a oddly possible dystopian future.
August 9, 2019
Clever Superhero Setting
How to Become A Superhero has an interesting protagonist and a unique setting. It's well worth the read if you're a fan of the genre.
How to Become A Superhero has an interesting protagonist and a unique setting. It's well worth the read if you're a fan of the genre.
May 2, 2020
I enjoyed this book so much that I found and read all of J. Bennett's work. I highly recommend the series and the rest of her writing.
June 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Great world building, really fun characters, and an engaging social critique of the role of technology, fame, and income inequality.
September 8, 2021
What if Venture Brothers but an henchman origin story?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews