"Hench" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Join us for our fantasy pick! This thread is for surface level thoughts--please take all specifics to the spoiler thread!

Content warnings for those who want them (view spoiler)[ torture, body horror including eyes, medical experimentation, kidnapping, mutilation, sex shaming, PTSD (hide spoiler)]

[Beth]

in re content warnings: (view spoiler)[oh for pete's sake, not the eyes! again! (hide spoiler)] We'll, uh, see how that goes.

About 40 minutes in to the audio. I've read some reviews and this one goes some places, but it hasn't started its journey there yet so I won't say anything! So far I'm enjoying the caustic humor and the take on what it might be like to work in the superhero/villain work ecosystem and also a tenuous-employment gig economy.

[Bonnie]

I don't have the book yet so I can't tell, I'm hoping it has a quote akin to the AZ blurb:

...in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower—for good or ill—is a properly executed spreadsheet.

Then Anna could use it as her tagline. Or "Like" the quote on Goodreads, at least

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

this is an ambition i can get behind!

[Anna]

Yep, I'm hoping the spreadsheet thing is more than just a throwaway comment. But I'm also expecting it won't be, since Allison didn't mention it to me when she read it.

(I'm very behind on all group reading, I'll get to this eventually.)

[Brian]

I just began reading it. I really like the tone so far; combination of sarcastic and irrelevant The protagonist seems like some I want to go along with the ride with. I am curious where the journey goes. I’m still in the first chapter and it is off to a wild beginning.

[Dennis]

It’s quite funny in places. Caustic humor indeed. The way the main character’s life unfolds is at times very realistic, reminding me of my own student life, and then completely fictional, almost absurd. But the pace and the jokes keep it interesting for me so far. I’ve read about a quarter. Very interested in what y’all think about it.

[Christopher]

Debating whether to pick this one up or not - my suspicion is that it’s not for me — not generally a fan of caustic or anti-heroes or gore

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

You know normally I encourage everyone to try everything, but I think I have a good read of your preferences, and I would invite you to try one of the rereads instead, Chris.

[Christopher]

I had a hunch that Hench wouldn't be for me, thanks for confirming!

[Brian]

I just finished the 2nd chapter (loooooong chapters. Not a fan of that). It does a nice job of swerving and heading in fun direction.

[Brian]

"But the pace and the jokes keep it interesting for me so far."

I couldn't agree more! If this book didn't have all of the humor, it would be pretty damn bleak. The humor allows the reader to be in on the joke.

[Oleksandr]

Started it today. So far a nice easy read (ok, with some painful experiences). I'm curious, how it goes for people enjoying superhero comics - from what I know the problems of antiheroes and their minions were done in detail in the 1980s and 1990s, together with good guys turning bad and vice versa

[John]

AMG wrote: "I read this a few months ago, so I'm pretty excited to see what people think."

same for me, read last month and a 4 star book for me. will check in on the thread. and +1 on RATB, bonus.

[Sabrina]

My library just confirmed that they got this book for me. So, I'll probably be able to start this within the next week. I have no idea what it'll be about, I just remember that the poll description sounded intriguing.

[J.W.]

I’ve only gotten into comics in the last few years but always hope for more superhero novels. This feels super fresh so far. I love it. About 50 pages in right now. Also if anyone knows any superhero novels they love please let me know.

[Raucous]

Playing for Keeps is a superhero novel with a not so super viewpoint that I found refreshing.

[Liane]

35 pages in - such long chapters - and it’s cracking me up. The spreadsheets were real, but brief. Tbd if they return in the story.

[Bonnie]

Brian wrote: "I just finished the 2nd chapter (loooooong chapters. Not a fan of that). It does a nice job of swerving and heading in fun direction."

I just looked at the ToC and thought, only eight chapters, nice!, I'll whip right through this.
Maybe not?.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Listening to the audiobook and its barely holding my attention...

[STEVE]

loved it!