magicpreppy's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
As I mentioned in other reviews, I'm a sucker for great world building and Sacred Band is no exception. In this novel, Carriker creates a space that completely feels ready to step into.
The US government has shut down all superheros and instead runs a combination spas and training camps for superheros where they can be closely monitored.
In this world, Rusty, an empowered individual discoverers that vulnerable peoples across the world are disappearing and recruits the poster boy form the age of superheros before government intervention, a former superhero sidekick, a government experiment turned movie star, and his best friend who is a trans activist and professional witch to help fight for and save the people who are falling through the cracks.
Y'all, I can't tell you how much I needed this book. Carriker's novel is not only interesting, but is infused with hope and optimism without being Pollyanna-ish.
It has realistic superheros without falling into the trap that realistic superheros have to be grim and dark.
It's full of queer characters that are all different, interesting, and so much more than just their queer identities. As a novel, Sacred Band moves quickly and this might be its only negative. While its well-paced and fast-paced narrative structure allows for a lot to happen, there are times I just wished things would slow down so I could see the characters relationships develop even more.
I also think the first chapter is the weakest, so I urge any reader to give it at least two or three chapters before deciding to put the book down. It will be well-worth it, I promise. The ending is a bit ambiguous and I am hoping this means there will be a sequel.
The author has switched publishers it seems and had reedited and re-released this one, and it takes cares of a lot of the issues I had with it. Try and make sure you read the new edition.
The US government has shut down all superheros and instead runs a combination spas and training camps for superheros where they can be closely monitored.
In this world, Rusty, an empowered individual discoverers that vulnerable peoples across the world are disappearing and recruits the poster boy form the age of superheros before government intervention, a former superhero sidekick, a government experiment turned movie star, and his best friend who is a trans activist and professional witch to help fight for and save the people who are falling through the cracks.
Y'all, I can't tell you how much I needed this book. Carriker's novel is not only interesting, but is infused with hope and optimism without being Pollyanna-ish.
It has realistic superheros without falling into the trap that realistic superheros have to be grim and dark.
It's full of queer characters that are all different, interesting, and so much more than just their queer identities. As a novel, Sacred Band moves quickly and this might be its only negative. While its well-paced and fast-paced narrative structure allows for a lot to happen, there are times I just wished things would slow down so I could see the characters relationships develop even more.
I also think the first chapter is the weakest, so I urge any reader to give it at least two or three chapters before deciding to put the book down. It will be well-worth it, I promise. The ending is a bit ambiguous and I am hoping this means there will be a sequel.
The author has switched publishers it seems and had reedited and re-released this one, and it takes cares of a lot of the issues I had with it. Try and make sure you read the new edition.
apostrophen's review
4.0
My full review for Sacred Band is up at Out in Print.
I completely enjoyed Sacred Band. The level of queer on the page was on par with the superheroics, the powers at play were intriguing, and the world-stage upon which everything was set just added to the high stakes. It was gritty enough to make me worry for the characters, and a tangled enough knot of a mystery at its core to make me enjoy watching the heroes unravel the mess.
Frankly, I’d love to read Sacred Band again, in graphic novel form.
I completely enjoyed Sacred Band. The level of queer on the page was on par with the superheroics, the powers at play were intriguing, and the world-stage upon which everything was set just added to the high stakes. It was gritty enough to make me worry for the characters, and a tangled enough knot of a mystery at its core to make me enjoy watching the heroes unravel the mess.
Frankly, I’d love to read Sacred Band again, in graphic novel form.
kjcharles's review
A terrific read. AU where superheroes have been around since the 70s and are now heavily controlled ("with great power comes great government oversight"). But one stumbles on the mysterious abduction of unwanted people including gay and trans teens, and a team is duly, if illicitly, formed.
This is a cracking tale, fast moving with a very detailed world and some really ingenious powers. The cast is properly diverse, including a kick ass trans element-manipulator, and the parallels and resonances with queer identities and survival are really well done. I may have teared up.
I wish they'd do this (or Turbulence by Samit Basu, or both) as a film instead of the zillionth retread of bloody Spiderman. In the meantime it's cinematographically written with exciting fights and lots of feels. I look forward to book 2.
Currently in the LGBT Fantasy Storybundle btw.
This is a cracking tale, fast moving with a very detailed world and some really ingenious powers. The cast is properly diverse, including a kick ass trans element-manipulator, and the parallels and resonances with queer identities and survival are really well done. I may have teared up.
I wish they'd do this (or Turbulence by Samit Basu, or both) as a film instead of the zillionth retread of bloody Spiderman. In the meantime it's cinematographically written with exciting fights and lots of feels. I look forward to book 2.
Currently in the LGBT Fantasy Storybundle btw.
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