Hench (Hench, #1) in Beyond Reality

Jan 22, 2021 carol. rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, female-lead, represent

I'm not saying I was looking for lifestyle alternatives. Just because I've left the path of self-sacrificing medical worker doesn't mean I'm swinging another way. In fact, I might have shelved this on the Infinite TBR List if not for a group of enthusiastic friends. Interestingly, most of us were under the impression that this would be a somewhat humorous look at the hench role--a sort of re-imagination, perhaps a humanized Minions via Despicable Me. It most certainly was not. Instead, it was m I'm not saying I was looking for lifestyle alternatives. Just because I've left the path of self-sacrificing medical worker doesn't mean I'm swinging another way. In fact, I might have shelved this on the Infinite TBR List if not for a group of enthusiastic friends. Interestingly, most of us were under the impression that this would be a somewhat humorous look at the hench role--a sort of re-imagination, perhaps a humanized Minions via Despicable Me. It most certainly was not. Instead, it was more a detailed examination of how one slides into the villain role over time. Think Bridget Jones's Diary meets Catwoman or some origin story. It's a book that begs for comparisons, precisely because it is at once so familiar and yet takes a unique spin on a young woman's professional development, or at least for those more familiar with NYT best-sellers over Marvel Comics.

Although it wasn't what I expected, Walshots eventually looped me in for the ride. Anna Tromedlov is the main character, and we meet her en route to a mass interview at a temp firm with her bestie, June. She's a heartbeat away from being evicted, and she really needs this job. It's a smart way to develop some empathy--experiencing her downs and ups as she works to change her circumstance. Anna and June have a sarcastic relationship that conceals a lot of affection and though their interactions occasionally feel harsh, they are also funny, and a good entrance for empathy.

“A moment later, Susan, Greg, and I each had a truffle in our mouths–mine was buttercream, Susan got a toffee, and Greg got the extremely cursed orange one, which I decided was an appropriate punishment. ‘They still letting you out today?’ Greg asked, searching for a new chocolate to get the taste out of his mouth.”

It's well written, with quite believable characters, despite the 'super' trappings. In fact, it rather reminded me of George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards universe, with an array of people with 'powers' and the social problems that can ensue. In a test of philosophy; at a number of moments, I experimented with taking the 'super' out of the equation and replacing it with something like 'Facebook,' or 'Lehman Brothers,' and the story remains just as potent. The moral crises less extreme perhaps ("let's try this new algorithm' or 'let's make a few loans) but the slide into relativism no less true.

“I admired the clearheadedness with which he’d made these choices, how he’d had some kind of internal direction and followed it, knowing the consequences. When I compared it to m y own story, I saw just how much I had drifted and fallen, rudderless, in the beginning.”

Let that be a lesson.

A little slow at first, eventually there was a point where I did not want to stop reading and stayed up too late to finish. Well-written, seditious and unexpected. I went into it knowing the blurb and enjoyed the fact that at a couple of points, I had absolutely no idea what way the plot was going to go (evil? good? renunciation? redemption?). I've avoided detail in this review because I don't want to give any expectations. While there were times that I definitely did chuckle, it was not a funny book. You want more detail, you think? Then I highly recommend reviews from buddies jade and Nataliya.

Many, many thanks to Barbara, jade, Nataliya, and Stephen for the buddy-read and fascinating discussion! ...more

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Feb 22, 2021 Bradley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-shelf, sci-fi, fantasy

For a great deal of this novel, I was practicing -- or rather, reveling -- in my nefarious "muahahahahahaha" laugh.

Sometimes, I had to hold back and try to unleash my vast coil of villainy in tiny little bursts, but by the final action scene, it all came bubbling out in waves of gut-propelled dark joy.

Seriously though, the first part of the novel felt like I was back in my old job as a customer support rep for a big cell-phone agency. The sheer evil that I had to endure, with me as a lowly peon ...more

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Mar 10, 2021 Soo rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook

Notes:

I bought the audiobook when it came up as a Daily Deal on Audible. A few friends had already read it at that point & the reviews looked promising.

The concepts for the story are good, but the stuttered execution failed to deliver at the end.

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Sep 21, 2024 Lindsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, fantasy, book-club, 2024

It's been almost a year since I read this and I'm still not sure I can describe why it was so excellent. Walschots digs deep into the cause and effect of a world where superheroes and supervillains are real and collateral damage becomes a cause of its own.

Recommended for sci-fi, fantasy, and comic book readers. If you've ever watched the Avengers movies and wondered what insurance costs are like in that world, this is the book for you. ...more

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Nov 13, 2020 Dawn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: can-lit, fantasy, audiobook

This story was fantastic. It was funny. It was original. It has a kick-ass female heroine.

How do you make the bad guys into good guys?? How does a part time hench make herself into a future supervillain? How does a run in with the greatest hero of all time effect her future? When are good guys not so good anymore? How will your friendships be effected by your success? So many questions, such a good book. You should read it. :)

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