Audible Book Review: Sidekick, Raptors, Book 1 by Jaime Castel and C.J. Valin

I found this to be a hero, comic book type story.

Sidekick
Raptors, Book 1
By: Jaime Castle, C.J. Valin
Narrated by: Jack Meloche

Series: Raptors, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 03-23-21
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Action and Adventure, Comic, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Winner of the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for Young Adult Fiction.
My name is Sawyer William Vincent - I know, it sounds like three first names - but most people know me as the Red Raptor.
Well, technically no one knows I'm the Red Raptor, he's just a bit more popular.
Wow. Enough about my name. Let me start over. I’m a superhero - the legendary Black Harrier’s partner. Not sidekick. I don't care if I'm still in high school. We work together to bring down the city's most dangerous villains.
When the Black Harrier gets a mysterious note, then goes missing in New York City, things are pretty much left up to me. But don’t worry...I’ve got this. Piece of cake.
If you like Tim Drake as Robin or ever wondered what Peter Parker would be like if he lived in Gotham, Raptors is right up your alley.
From number one Audible best seller Jaime Castle and CJ Valin comes a new superhero universe perfect for fans of both DC and Marvel.
Actually, it’s for fans of anything superhero-related. You’re gonna like it. Promise.
©2021 Aethon Books (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Sawyer has a very unique and helpful talent. He has been recruited and trained by a superhero, the Black Harrier. Sawyer knows the real identity of the Black Harrier, but the public doesn’t, and they don’t know the identity of the Red Raptor, formerly known as the Red Kite, either. Actually, Sawyer is the third Red Kite and he is becoming frustrated that his hero won’t tell him about his predecessors and really won’t share much at all. Plus his ‘partner’ has loaded his AI interface with a seductive woman’s voice that teenage Sawyer finds annoying.

Sawyer meets another masked person on the roof top during his nightly rounds. After a short confrontation the two begin to face a gang of thieves. Sawyer and Osprey may have good skills against normal criminals, but they aren’t prepared to take on super villains without the help of others. Sawyer wants to continue to work with Osprey, but the Black Harrier tells him she is not licensed by the guild and Sawyer shouldn’t work with her.

Sawyer is facing two difficulties: hiding his superhero status from his mother and classmates and trying to find the Black Harrier when he disappears. Sawyer finds another superhero at headquarters, and they learn that a super villain previously thought to be captured or dead is threatening Black Harrier. As crime increases in the city, will they be able to find Black Harrier and rescue the city while maintaining Black Harrier's primary rule: "No killing"?

I picked this out as a short and lighter listen. It definitely has a Batman and Robin or Superman and Super Boy theme and tone. There is an interesting plot, but I wasn’t enthralled with the delivery from the perspective of a teenage boy. It just isn’t my cup of tea but would very likely be fun for young adult readers and fans of the superhero genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Jack Meloche. He delivers a wide range of voices for the good and evil characters. The pacing is good and moves along well. I am glad I had the opportunity to listen to this.

Source: 6/10/2021 3 books in the series Free from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Book Review: X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword by Robert Venditti

I quite liked this except that it ends at a point that needs more.

X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword
(X-O Manowar (2012- ) #1: Digital Exclusives Edition Kindle & comiXology
by Robert Venditti (Author) (Writer), Cary Nord (Artist), Stefano Gaudiano (Inker), Moose Baumann (Colorist)

ASIN : B01FIJ9XP0
Publisher : Valiant (May 2, 2012)
File size : 32876 KB
Print length : 35 pages
Genre: Comic, Graphic Novel, Sci Fi, Superhero
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

The beginning of the all-new Valiant Universe starts here!
Aric of Dacia is a brash warrior and heir to the throne of the Visigoth people. He has lived his life under the heel of the Roman Empire, but now a far more terrible enemy has come to subjugate him. Taken from his home and family, Aric is enslaved aboard a starship belonging to a brutal race of alien colonizers known as The Vine. If he is to have any hope of escaping and returning to Earth, he will have to steal the Vine’s most powerful weapon – a sentient suit of indestructible armor – and become X-O Manowar!

Review:
The Visigoth people have been battling the conquering Roman Empire for years. Aric of Dacia is the heir to the Visigoth throne and a brash warrior. He is ready to attack even as his uncle calls the troops to retreat in the face of the overwhelming numbers and superior weapons of the Romans. When Aric and a band of his soldiers seek to charge, they find themselves facing a brutal alien force instead of the Romans. They are taken captive by the aliens known as The Vine. Aric watches as the aliens hold a religious ceremony and pick their strongest warrior to step into a powerful sentient suit of armor. Although the warrior doesn’t survive the armor, Aric now plans to steal the armor and return as a superhero to his people on Earth.

I really liked the story and the bright, clear illustrations. I was ready to learn how Aric would steal the armor and what would happen to him if he did… But that would have to wait until the next book.

Apparently, this is a recreation of a Valiant comic series from the 1990s. I am definitely tempted to get the next book in the series but, on the other hand, I am not particularly inclined to commit to a series of 50 (plus?) editions at $2.99 each. This first episode is free and teases those who might really enjoy digital comics. Give it a try!

Source: December 25, 2018 Free Kindle Download. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021eBook, and 2021Alphabet goals.