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A review by sunn_bleach
The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a surprise hit for me for the 2023 r/fantasy bingo. One of the squares was for "superheroes". Generally speaking, I find superheroes boring - and as much as I like "Watchmen" and "The Boys", I'm kind of sick of the also-rans that followed them.
This is not your typical superhero story; it's a family story. It's about superheroes far past their prime and well-aware of it; it's also about a family who hasn't really had much to say to each other in a while. Boy, do I feel that. The main character is in his seventies - how many books do that, let alone books about superheroes?
I grew up in north Florida. Hubbard captured the syntax of that area perfectly. I can hear every single one of these family members' speech patterns - and she perfectly evoked the dynamics of the Deep South, from the understated mocking of the haughty brother archetype to the "mad at you but because I love you" of the matriarch. It's amazing how someone writing about a place you know can make a good book even better.
This is not your typical superhero story; it's a family story. It's about superheroes far past their prime and well-aware of it; it's also about a family who hasn't really had much to say to each other in a while. Boy, do I feel that. The main character is in his seventies - how many books do that, let alone books about superheroes?
I grew up in north Florida. Hubbard captured the syntax of that area perfectly. I can hear every single one of these family members' speech patterns - and she perfectly evoked the dynamics of the Deep South, from the understated mocking of the haughty brother archetype to the "mad at you but because I love you" of the matriarch. It's amazing how someone writing about a place you know can make a good book even better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Gun violence
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship