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Super Powereds #3
Super Powereds: Year 3
Junior year has come for the remaining students of Melbrook Hall, and it promises to be the most difficult one yet. With one of their own gone and another under serious investigation, none of the former Powereds knows how many days remain for them in the Hero Certification Program.
The time they do have will be filled with more trials and classes, honing their skills as they work toward the increasingly difficult goal of becoming Heroes. Ample new challenges await them, and not all of them can be met on the safety of Lander’s campus. Fallout from last year’s final exam has stirred the interest of many parties, not all of them friendly.
With enemies pressing in from all directions, it’s going to take new alliances, dedication, and countless hours of training if they want to last another year.
The time they do have will be filled with more trials and classes, honing their skills as they work toward the increasingly difficult goal of becoming Heroes. Ample new challenges await them, and not all of them can be met on the safety of Lander’s campus. Fallout from last year’s final exam has stirred the interest of many parties, not all of them friendly.
With enemies pressing in from all directions, it’s going to take new alliances, dedication, and countless hours of training if they want to last another year.
1104 pages, ebook
First published June 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
October 4, 2016
I finished this some time ago but...well...frankly I haven't felt like reviewing for some time. Thus my poor completed books just set there, pining for a review.
Sad huh?
Any way (anyway?) this/these books are surprisingly good. I mean I did go 5 stars. (By the way, please forgive any typos. I need to get a new key board, the letters are worn off the keys on this one and I'm a self taught typist so you know...)
So we are now up to book 3 and things are getting stickier, more dangerous and possibly more convoluted. We lost one of our protagonists (or did we?) and now the world is so mysteriously turning on it's head. I mean will the world survive all this? Will the good guys be revealed? Will our collage age heroes be able to stay in school...while picking the correct major?
Yes huge decisions and momentous events await!
I hate waiting for the next book.
These books are very well told. This (I thought) at times threatened to get a little wordy on giving our protagonists inner thoughts and their angst filled lives but in the end it/he did a good job of bringing it all together.
So far great brain candy. I like pretty much everything I've read by Hayes.
Sad huh?
Any way (anyway?) this/these books are surprisingly good. I mean I did go 5 stars. (By the way, please forgive any typos. I need to get a new key board, the letters are worn off the keys on this one and I'm a self taught typist so you know...)
So we are now up to book 3 and things are getting stickier, more dangerous and possibly more convoluted. We lost one of our protagonists (or did we?) and now the world is so mysteriously turning on it's head. I mean will the world survive all this? Will the good guys be revealed? Will our collage age heroes be able to stay in school...while picking the correct major?
Yes huge decisions and momentous events await!
I hate waiting for the next book.
These books are very well told. This (I thought) at times threatened to get a little wordy on giving our protagonists inner thoughts and their angst filled lives but in the end it/he did a good job of bringing it all together.
So far great brain candy. I like pretty much everything I've read by Hayes.
February 6, 2021
Book 1 was great. Book two was even better. And book 3? AWESOMENESS.
I can't tell much about the plot without giving things away, so let me say - Vince is even more badass than you can imagine. Alice is truly coming into her own. Roy is turning into a decent human being (!) Mary is still the Den mom, and Nick... I love me some Nick. He is slight more amoral than before but nonetheless a necessary part of the group.
I laughed at some parts so hard I snorted water out my nose. And I cried at other times. And now I'm going to threaten Drew Hayes on a regular basis until book 4 comes out...
I can't tell much about the plot without giving things away, so let me say - Vince is even more badass than you can imagine. Alice is truly coming into her own. Roy is turning into a decent human being (!) Mary is still the Den mom, and Nick... I love me some Nick. He is slight more amoral than before but nonetheless a necessary part of the group.
I laughed at some parts so hard I snorted water out my nose. And I cried at other times. And now I'm going to threaten Drew Hayes on a regular basis until book 4 comes out...
May 10, 2021
This is the third book in this series and I am really enjoying the series. The foul language can be a bit much sometimes, but the story as a whole is well done. I will just always feel there is a better way to be expressive than foul language.
I love these characters and their unique personalities. The character development is so well done and they just grow through each book. You watch them change, learn more about their histories all while they really hold to their true personalities. Each one is very unique and I find I get attached to them a bit.
The story is well written and I'm really enjoying following them through their years of college. I love how they have grown in their individual super powers and how they look out for each other. There is always impending doom that they are working towards and it is fun to see how they each handle themselves. They are definitely all better as a team and really seem more like a little tight knit family.
The narrator does a great job with all the individual characters. I do not enjoy listening to him on normal speed as I feel he is a bit drawn out in his reading style, but I amp him up to 1.5% and the story flows. I don't seem to mind his voice(s) sped up a bit. It makes listening much easier.
I love these characters and their unique personalities. The character development is so well done and they just grow through each book. You watch them change, learn more about their histories all while they really hold to their true personalities. Each one is very unique and I find I get attached to them a bit.
The story is well written and I'm really enjoying following them through their years of college. I love how they have grown in their individual super powers and how they look out for each other. There is always impending doom that they are working towards and it is fun to see how they each handle themselves. They are definitely all better as a team and really seem more like a little tight knit family.
The narrator does a great job with all the individual characters. I do not enjoy listening to him on normal speed as I feel he is a bit drawn out in his reading style, but I amp him up to 1.5% and the story flows. I don't seem to mind his voice(s) sped up a bit. It makes listening much easier.
February 4, 2017
40 some hour audio book and it never got boring. This narrator is amazing!
Can't wait for book 4.
Can't wait for book 4.
October 7, 2019
I was on the edge of my seat for the whole last three hours of this!
Each book in this series is better than the one before.
Each book in this series is better than the one before.
July 21, 2022
_____________
wow, shit got real!! the series keep getting better, it's so intense and eventful that you don't even feel that it's that long of a book.
December 7, 2021
This book was so much better! I truly think Mr. Hayes has improved in all facets. The characters were well fleshed out, the pacing was almost perfect, no sexism detected, and the MC was not annoying… And I cried!!!
Great job 👏
Looking forward to the next
Great job 👏
Looking forward to the next
July 21, 2020
Rating 4 stars
Re-read April 2019. Original review below.
Still a very good read but I think there was a little fall off from the last book. The first book was enjoyable but a little simplistic. The second book added a layer of depth to the fun read, which I found fantastic because it really added to my reading experience. This book was a little less fun. Things have become more serious in their world and so the tone has changed a little. In reality I know this is what is supposed to happen when people start growing up or have to deal with adversity. The thing I loved about the second book though, is that it combined the fun carefree times with the better story (compared to the first book). So, since the fun in this book was ratcheted down a notch, the only way to compensate would be to ratchet up the story/plot again. That did not happen. yes there continued to be more depth to this story compared to the first book, and the story did progress, just not enough in my opinion to make up for the loss of "fun" I felt from the first 2 books.
My favorite book in the series so far is obviously the second book, but I still would have to rank this book second over the first book (by just a smidge). Can't really get into any detail about the story without spoiler alerts which I don't like to do. Anyone who read the first 2 books should have a pretty good idea where the story is heading anyway.
I am upset now that the next book in the series doesn't even have a release date for the audiobook. The book release date is next month, so it might take until this summer until the audiobook comes out. Despite the slight drop in my rating, I still love this book. The only reason my rating dropped is because I was comparing this book to the second book, which might not be fair anyway.
Re-read April 2019. Original review below.
Still a very good read but I think there was a little fall off from the last book. The first book was enjoyable but a little simplistic. The second book added a layer of depth to the fun read, which I found fantastic because it really added to my reading experience. This book was a little less fun. Things have become more serious in their world and so the tone has changed a little. In reality I know this is what is supposed to happen when people start growing up or have to deal with adversity. The thing I loved about the second book though, is that it combined the fun carefree times with the better story (compared to the first book). So, since the fun in this book was ratcheted down a notch, the only way to compensate would be to ratchet up the story/plot again. That did not happen. yes there continued to be more depth to this story compared to the first book, and the story did progress, just not enough in my opinion to make up for the loss of "fun" I felt from the first 2 books.
My favorite book in the series so far is obviously the second book, but I still would have to rank this book second over the first book (by just a smidge). Can't really get into any detail about the story without spoiler alerts which I don't like to do. Anyone who read the first 2 books should have a pretty good idea where the story is heading anyway.
I am upset now that the next book in the series doesn't even have a release date for the audiobook. The book release date is next month, so it might take until this summer until the audiobook comes out. Despite the slight drop in my rating, I still love this book. The only reason my rating dropped is because I was comparing this book to the second book, which might not be fair anyway.
January 23, 2021
Please note that this is a GUSHING review.
Another excellent addition to the series that made me stay up far too late reading (there was no way I could sleep with more of it to read)
This book had terrific surprises. There are twists in here which I really wouldn't have picked. You think it's going one way and it changes in an entirely different direction. I have no idea where the series is going to end up, and I LOVE that. I'm so sick of books that are predictable.
That ties into the most significant striking reason why I feel so strongly about the series: it's ORIGINAL. It's SO original. It has a beautiful new take on superheroes which I've not read before. Not the superheroes in training part, but the POWEREDS part. That's what's exciting. I think that's why I am so captivated. I find it original and humorous without being a comedy book, I find I love the characters and feel connected with them - as readers do in excellent novels. I'm so pleased I found this book and this series.
Also if you've read this and liked it, you should read all the other books done by Drew Hayes.
2017 Re-read
I can't help but love this series. I'm more attached to this book than any of the others in the series, not necessarily because it's better, but because there's already been so much development in the series that you can just slip so easily into the world of this book. That, as well as the action scenes in this novel, are nothing short of amazing.
Another excellent addition to the series that made me stay up far too late reading (there was no way I could sleep with more of it to read)
This book had terrific surprises. There are twists in here which I really wouldn't have picked. You think it's going one way and it changes in an entirely different direction. I have no idea where the series is going to end up, and I LOVE that. I'm so sick of books that are predictable.
That ties into the most significant striking reason why I feel so strongly about the series: it's ORIGINAL. It's SO original. It has a beautiful new take on superheroes which I've not read before. Not the superheroes in training part, but the POWEREDS part. That's what's exciting. I think that's why I am so captivated. I find it original and humorous without being a comedy book, I find I love the characters and feel connected with them - as readers do in excellent novels. I'm so pleased I found this book and this series.
Also if you've read this and liked it, you should read all the other books done by Drew Hayes.
2017 Re-read
I can't help but love this series. I'm more attached to this book than any of the others in the series, not necessarily because it's better, but because there's already been so much development in the series that you can just slip so easily into the world of this book. That, as well as the action scenes in this novel, are nothing short of amazing.
February 28, 2021
Reviewing the third book in a series is often hard because some books dramatically change up their formulas and others proceed to do much the same as they've done before. Super Powereds is one of the latter as the series continues to be like a comfortable pair of shoes dealing with much the same subjects as before. The exception is the ending which, honestly, does change everything and I will applaud the author for surprising me with.
Much of the book deals with the fallout from Nick's decision at the end of Book 2# and how he's since been expelled from the Hero program. His friends refuse to accept his loss and a part of him wants to regain his lost memories even as a part of him feels like he's sharper. The formatting issues in the Kindle version continue to be an issue but if you've accepted them, that's something you know is there already.
Looking forward to the fourth and final book.
Much of the book deals with the fallout from Nick's decision at the end of Book 2# and how he's since been expelled from the Hero program. His friends refuse to accept his loss and a part of him wants to regain his lost memories even as a part of him feels like he's sharper. The formatting issues in the Kindle version continue to be an issue but if you've accepted them, that's something you know is there already.
Looking forward to the fourth and final book.
July 14, 2015
I could count on one hand, how many multi-character books I have read that work so well you enjoy the POV of every character in the story. This series and especially this book is one of those. Usually you end up skimming through the chapters about some characters to get to the sections on the character/s you enjoy reading about. Very well done.
August 10, 2018
I got so sick of people being described by their hair color... yes we get it... in this overwhelmingly white world (where the 3 black people are described as the "tall cocoa man") the only way to discern who is who is by hair color. Author needs an editor and a dictionary appreciable does not mean appreciated 🙄 but I did the audio book so it was easier to ignore the grammatical errors.
September 23, 2019
I LOVE THIS SERIES!! That said this was my least favorite book of the series, but still a great read. (I am just pouting because my favorite character Nick didn't get as much time in this book as the others.)
November 23, 2017
Very nice superhero prose. Interesting take on the coming of age of people with powers and how they interact with the world around them. Good characters and plot with some surprising twists. Very recommended.
April 26, 2023
Same character driven fun as the rest of the series, but world building was a step up in this one. It's certainly setting up year 4 to be quite the finale!
August 5, 2023
There is absolutely no reason why this book is over 1100 pages long.
June 19, 2015
Oy. Okay. Because I'm petty, I am thrilled that Hayes is finally spelling "accidentally" correctly. That particular misspell took me out of the story every time. The word got used a lot in the first two books. Less in this one. What does that say about our Supers and Powereds?
I had been following the serial along in real time and stopped two months before the end so I would be able to finish the ending all in one go. This was a good call IMO.
However, re-reading the whole thing on my way to the finish highlighted once more my second ongoing frustration with this story: it's too long. The story is great, and it's better written than 95% of the self-pubbed stuff out there, but Hayes writes like he gets paid by the word and he's short on rent this month. A single battle can stretch out over three-five chapters. A single exam can take 10 or more. Stop the madness.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but there are three more love plots than the story (or I?) can bear. I am happy standing here all alone on the sideline saying that I just don't care about Vince and Camille. Very happy the Blandings got together so maybe they don't take up room on the page in Year 4. I'm mildly interested in Nick and Alice, but only insofar as it puts Nick on the page more. Chad and Angela are good for a joke or two, but I don't want to dwell on the two of them, either. I know they're college students in intense circumstances, and relationships are bound to happen. But my argument isn't that it's not realistic. My argument is that it's not terribly interesting, and even if it were interesting, it's not interesting enough that it needs to take up as much of the book as it currently does.
There are threads that come up that, while related to the central conflict, don't substantially add to it. I'm going to guess that at least 10% of this book is worthy of making it no further than the "deleted scenes". Fun bonus content, but slowing me down while I'm trying to get to whatever Globe's end game might be.
And I sort of kind of really wish Hayes would lay off describing Camille as "the pale blonde" and Vince as "the silver haired young man". I know what they look like, thanks. I'm not going to knock the overwhelming whiteness of the world--let's celebrate the three non-white characters among the 20+ named characters--but I object to being exposed to the same descriptors 20x in one book. I know Camille is small and blonde. Don't need the constant reminders. (I think Jim Butcher only describes Murphy as a small blonde once in each book.)
But, let's face it: if you're reading this review, you've read one or both of the previous books in the series. (If you haven't: don't jump in here. Hayes doesn't spend a lot of time rehashing the previous books and you won't have the background for some of the larger moving pieces.) So you probably don't care about the overuse of physical descriptions, or the loquacity of the prose, or the fact that all the action happens in the last 10% of the book. That's fair, and in that case, get to reading. This is exactly what you came for.
I had been following the serial along in real time and stopped two months before the end so I would be able to finish the ending all in one go. This was a good call IMO.
However, re-reading the whole thing on my way to the finish highlighted once more my second ongoing frustration with this story: it's too long. The story is great, and it's better written than 95% of the self-pubbed stuff out there, but Hayes writes like he gets paid by the word and he's short on rent this month. A single battle can stretch out over three-five chapters. A single exam can take 10 or more. Stop the madness.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but there are three more love plots than the story (or I?) can bear. I am happy standing here all alone on the sideline saying that I just don't care about Vince and Camille. Very happy the Blandings got together so maybe they don't take up room on the page in Year 4. I'm mildly interested in Nick and Alice, but only insofar as it puts Nick on the page more. Chad and Angela are good for a joke or two, but I don't want to dwell on the two of them, either. I know they're college students in intense circumstances, and relationships are bound to happen. But my argument isn't that it's not realistic. My argument is that it's not terribly interesting, and even if it were interesting, it's not interesting enough that it needs to take up as much of the book as it currently does.
There are threads that come up that, while related to the central conflict, don't substantially add to it. I'm going to guess that at least 10% of this book is worthy of making it no further than the "deleted scenes". Fun bonus content, but slowing me down while I'm trying to get to whatever Globe's end game might be.
And I sort of kind of really wish Hayes would lay off describing Camille as "the pale blonde" and Vince as "the silver haired young man". I know what they look like, thanks. I'm not going to knock the overwhelming whiteness of the world--let's celebrate the three non-white characters among the 20+ named characters--but I object to being exposed to the same descriptors 20x in one book. I know Camille is small and blonde. Don't need the constant reminders. (I think Jim Butcher only describes Murphy as a small blonde once in each book.)
But, let's face it: if you're reading this review, you've read one or both of the previous books in the series. (If you haven't: don't jump in here. Hayes doesn't spend a lot of time rehashing the previous books and you won't have the background for some of the larger moving pieces.) So you probably don't care about the overuse of physical descriptions, or the loquacity of the prose, or the fact that all the action happens in the last 10% of the book. That's fair, and in that case, get to reading. This is exactly what you came for.
October 22, 2023
Super Powereds
Year 3
By Drew Hayes
Summary:
What better way to start out their Junior year then Nick re-applying to Lander as a regular student, Globe’s goons letting Vince go back to Lander, and the rest of the students pretty much all staying the same? It was easy to get back into Super Powereds Year 3 after a reading hiatus. All the same power struggles (both figurative and literal), social circles, relationship building, etc., continue. The Juniors get part time jobs to help them acclimate to real life as well as the ability to choose which classes to continue and which to drop to better hone their power sets.
Now, one may balk at a 41 hour audiobook. But honestly there were very little if any dull moments (per the norm for the series). What it is was comprehensive. The author addresses many facets, implications, opportunities, and consequences to what hero-in-training means, and continues storylines on a myriad of main characters and plot lines as well as slews of sub characters and sub plots (such as with DVA agent Ralph Chapman, Mr. Transport and Mr. Numbers’ actual roles in their clandestine organization, the professors at Lander protecting their interests, Nick’s crime family rivals, Angela’s and Shane’s Super family legacy, etc.)
Now I won’t lie, the drip fed storyline can get cumbersome at times. I’m convinced that the “big reveal” about Globe, his motives, and his secret organization will be explained in a paragraph or less, but there’s enough other interesting things going on simultaneously that it’s easy to just let go and enjoy the ride. The author has his writing formula down pat, too. End a chapter on a cliffhanger, switch to another compelling plot thread, and then circle around to the other ones some chapters later - over and over. It’s hard to put the book down.
Another cause for interest is that the author somehow manages to increase the ante on the significance of his original 5 Powereds and how they tie into the “Class of Legends” of whom Dean Blane (Zero), Vince’s surrogate dad (Globe), Alice’s dad (The Alchemist) and several others introduced throughout the book all tie into them. It’s a slow burn but about three-quarters into the book, the gravity of their situations become very clear. Perhaps their enrollment in the experiment is more than mere coincidence? Perhaps their successful completion of such a program could upset the balance between Supers, Humans, and the Powereds everyone feel sorry for? Either way, Book 4 will make for essential reading.
The Good:
1. As extra-curricular activities go, some of the juniors get jobs at a bar, some at a costume shop. While the former was no surprise as the author is clearly an alcoholic, the latter brought a smile to my face. Super suits anyone?
2. Seeing Chad’s character evolve into an awkward guy around the ladies, and for Roy to take him under his wing in that department, was perfect.
3. The fight between Chad and Angela was amazing. And kudos to the author on its victor.
4. Gone are the days of tentative power usage. Vince, Alice, Camille — the whole lot is now using their powers with control and without reservation. It is truly exciting to see unfold.
5. The Subtlety class is in full force in Year 3. The subject matter encapsulates so perfectly the talents of the Supers who have more nuanced powers, which they can still be game changing to the Hero’s cause if used the right way.
6. The dichotomy between Nicholas and Nick was really interesting. It’s like a thought experiment of a person who was a sociopath but learned to care and trust others through 2 years of companionship who’s trying to convince a sociopath without those 2 years of inter-relational building the merits of trusting others.
7. Many more powers revealed, unleashed, built upon, and/or improved. Seeing Chad’s and Roy’s powers evolve and the big reveal with Angela’s powers were especially gratifying. The fight with Professor Cole was amazing.
8. Whereas the ending for Year 2 was geared towards the students, Year 3’s final showdown upped the stakes considerably in terms of overarching importance. It was well crafted and very gratifying.
9. Hooray for being able to see a glimpse of what Nick’s boosted powers look like, and Vince continuing to morph into an utter badass.
The Meh:
1. Vince’s dad is NOT Globe. He is merely someone Vince travelled with for 2 years, a mentor more than anything. His real dad died in a car crash when Vince was 13. This fact is clearly stated in book 1. It really irritates me for some reason.
2. Also clearly stated in book 1 is that not 2 years prior, Vince lost his virginity to Camille, yet 2 years later she might as well be a completely new person for all that Vince recognizes of her. A change of hair color is the only difference… how is this possible?? (And now the author changes his story that Camille was Vince’s first kiss, not first lay.)
3. More of… drum roll please… everyone’s drinking! Students, faculty, big people, little people, Supers, villains, civilians: the author is indiscriminate of his alcoholic characters! Hooray for boozing! Hooray for writing in facts like ‘you buy the first 3 rounds’ or ‘having a beer with a dear friend’! Hooray for surrounding all his characters in bars as opposed to parks or museums or restaurants or take-your-pick where else! (Sarcasm)
4. The whole premise behind what makes Globe “evil” is that he purportedly killed another Super. No dialogue is ever devoted to Globe’s motives or if the Super needed to be killed. And btw, a Super killing another Super cannot be a rare thing in a world filled with Supers.
5. The author leaves out religion in his books but I’ve surmised (through one of his characters) that he’s hopeful nonetheless. However, he puts such a reverential emphasis on gatherings with friends paired with secular holidays like Halloween or Santa Claus-mas, or just with alcohol. As an ex-alcoholic who took religion to fill the void it left, I can witness to the folly in leaving God out of such situations. The author is treating friendship as the highest level of human interaction one can attain in this life when really (from a Christian’s perspective) there’s a higher calling even still. Once viewed from that lens, then friendship turns into fellowship but it’s not the end in itself, but a means to the end. I would love to read a book by Mr. Hayes in which his characters acknowledge such a purpose.
Conclusion:
I was captivated until the very end. Can’t wait to read Year 4.
5 ⭐️
Year 3
By Drew Hayes
Summary:
What better way to start out their Junior year then Nick re-applying to Lander as a regular student, Globe’s goons letting Vince go back to Lander, and the rest of the students pretty much all staying the same? It was easy to get back into Super Powereds Year 3 after a reading hiatus. All the same power struggles (both figurative and literal), social circles, relationship building, etc., continue. The Juniors get part time jobs to help them acclimate to real life as well as the ability to choose which classes to continue and which to drop to better hone their power sets.
Now, one may balk at a 41 hour audiobook. But honestly there were very little if any dull moments (per the norm for the series). What it is was comprehensive. The author addresses many facets, implications, opportunities, and consequences to what hero-in-training means, and continues storylines on a myriad of main characters and plot lines as well as slews of sub characters and sub plots (such as with DVA agent Ralph Chapman, Mr. Transport and Mr. Numbers’ actual roles in their clandestine organization, the professors at Lander protecting their interests, Nick’s crime family rivals, Angela’s and Shane’s Super family legacy, etc.)
Now I won’t lie, the drip fed storyline can get cumbersome at times. I’m convinced that the “big reveal” about Globe, his motives, and his secret organization will be explained in a paragraph or less, but there’s enough other interesting things going on simultaneously that it’s easy to just let go and enjoy the ride. The author has his writing formula down pat, too. End a chapter on a cliffhanger, switch to another compelling plot thread, and then circle around to the other ones some chapters later - over and over. It’s hard to put the book down.
Another cause for interest is that the author somehow manages to increase the ante on the significance of his original 5 Powereds and how they tie into the “Class of Legends” of whom Dean Blane (Zero), Vince’s surrogate dad (Globe), Alice’s dad (The Alchemist) and several others introduced throughout the book all tie into them. It’s a slow burn but about three-quarters into the book, the gravity of their situations become very clear. Perhaps their enrollment in the experiment is more than mere coincidence? Perhaps their successful completion of such a program could upset the balance between Supers, Humans, and the Powereds everyone feel sorry for? Either way, Book 4 will make for essential reading.
The Good:
1. As extra-curricular activities go, some of the juniors get jobs at a bar, some at a costume shop. While the former was no surprise as the author is clearly an alcoholic, the latter brought a smile to my face. Super suits anyone?
2. Seeing Chad’s character evolve into an awkward guy around the ladies, and for Roy to take him under his wing in that department, was perfect.
3. The fight between Chad and Angela was amazing. And kudos to the author on its victor.
4. Gone are the days of tentative power usage. Vince, Alice, Camille — the whole lot is now using their powers with control and without reservation. It is truly exciting to see unfold.
5. The Subtlety class is in full force in Year 3. The subject matter encapsulates so perfectly the talents of the Supers who have more nuanced powers, which they can still be game changing to the Hero’s cause if used the right way.
6. The dichotomy between Nicholas and Nick was really interesting. It’s like a thought experiment of a person who was a sociopath but learned to care and trust others through 2 years of companionship who’s trying to convince a sociopath without those 2 years of inter-relational building the merits of trusting others.
7. Many more powers revealed, unleashed, built upon, and/or improved. Seeing Chad’s and Roy’s powers evolve and the big reveal with Angela’s powers were especially gratifying. The fight with Professor Cole was amazing.
8. Whereas the ending for Year 2 was geared towards the students, Year 3’s final showdown upped the stakes considerably in terms of overarching importance. It was well crafted and very gratifying.
9. Hooray for being able to see a glimpse of what Nick’s boosted powers look like, and Vince continuing to morph into an utter badass.
The Meh:
1. Vince’s dad is NOT Globe. He is merely someone Vince travelled with for 2 years, a mentor more than anything. His real dad died in a car crash when Vince was 13. This fact is clearly stated in book 1. It really irritates me for some reason.
2. Also clearly stated in book 1 is that not 2 years prior, Vince lost his virginity to Camille, yet 2 years later she might as well be a completely new person for all that Vince recognizes of her. A change of hair color is the only difference… how is this possible?? (And now the author changes his story that Camille was Vince’s first kiss, not first lay.)
3. More of… drum roll please… everyone’s drinking! Students, faculty, big people, little people, Supers, villains, civilians: the author is indiscriminate of his alcoholic characters! Hooray for boozing! Hooray for writing in facts like ‘you buy the first 3 rounds’ or ‘having a beer with a dear friend’! Hooray for surrounding all his characters in bars as opposed to parks or museums or restaurants or take-your-pick where else! (Sarcasm)
4. The whole premise behind what makes Globe “evil” is that he purportedly killed another Super. No dialogue is ever devoted to Globe’s motives or if the Super needed to be killed. And btw, a Super killing another Super cannot be a rare thing in a world filled with Supers.
5. The author leaves out religion in his books but I’ve surmised (through one of his characters) that he’s hopeful nonetheless. However, he puts such a reverential emphasis on gatherings with friends paired with secular holidays like Halloween or Santa Claus-mas, or just with alcohol. As an ex-alcoholic who took religion to fill the void it left, I can witness to the folly in leaving God out of such situations. The author is treating friendship as the highest level of human interaction one can attain in this life when really (from a Christian’s perspective) there’s a higher calling even still. Once viewed from that lens, then friendship turns into fellowship but it’s not the end in itself, but a means to the end. I would love to read a book by Mr. Hayes in which his characters acknowledge such a purpose.
Conclusion:
I was captivated until the very end. Can’t wait to read Year 4.
5 ⭐️
February 11, 2024
These get better with each book
As much as I loved year 1 & 2, year 3 is even better. Drew Hayes successfully juggles all the new and expanding characters and relation ships. I am especially impressed how he manages to not only avoid the obvious cliches, but to deepen and to expand the character in a surprising way that feel emotionally more true. It is this emotional reality that is the strength of everything that Mr. Hayes writes.
This is the book where I decided to read the spin-off series too.
UPDATE 5 years later:
While I still enjoyed this book on the whole, I found that it drags in long sections and has lost some of the momentum of the first two. Still, I like these characters and I liked catching up with them again. But ye gods! Drew Hayes just will not let some scenes end. Yeah we get the point! everything that can be wrung out of this, has been wrung out of this and STILL he goes on and on. If you read this make sure you are in a place where you can safely say "OH for fuck sake!"
Oh and as far as that 'emotional realism' goes, I couldn't find it again this time.
As much as I loved year 1 & 2, year 3 is even better. Drew Hayes successfully juggles all the new and expanding characters and relation ships. I am especially impressed how he manages to not only avoid the obvious cliches, but to deepen and to expand the character in a surprising way that feel emotionally more true. It is this emotional reality that is the strength of everything that Mr. Hayes writes.
This is the book where I decided to read the spin-off series too.
UPDATE 5 years later:
While I still enjoyed this book on the whole, I found that it drags in long sections and has lost some of the momentum of the first two. Still, I like these characters and I liked catching up with them again. But ye gods! Drew Hayes just will not let some scenes end. Yeah we get the point! everything that can be wrung out of this, has been wrung out of this and STILL he goes on and on. If you read this make sure you are in a place where you can safely say "OH for fuck sake!"
Oh and as far as that 'emotional realism' goes, I couldn't find it again this time.
June 7, 2017
Just listened to his one again on audiobook. The whole year is awesome. Not just the tests and the challenges overcome in the tournament that is midterms. But the way the people come together, support and sacrifice for each other.
Knowing the powers of their opponents, it is quite entertaining to watch how the characters figure out ways to solve the riddles their fellow Supers represent for the examinations.
But, the climax is just phenomenal. The final battle is epic and the Sons of Progress will be heard from again.
The *only* kick I have is that just about every protagonist is in a relationship. A nice, heterosexual relationship that is stable and long term.
I can't wait for Year 4. But wait. I can read the chapters that are done on the author's website.
LOVE this author. He ROCKS!
Knowing the powers of their opponents, it is quite entertaining to watch how the characters figure out ways to solve the riddles their fellow Supers represent for the examinations.
But, the climax is just phenomenal. The final battle is epic and the Sons of Progress will be heard from again.
The *only* kick I have is that just about every protagonist is in a relationship. A nice, heterosexual relationship that is stable and long term.
I can't wait for Year 4. But wait. I can read the chapters that are done on the author's website.
LOVE this author. He ROCKS!
January 29, 2018
Year 3 for the former powered students.
With one of them gone from the program, one of them under closer scrutiny than ever and all of them distrusted by a large portion of the students things are not looking up for them. The story follows the same route as the previous two novels and entails the stories of the lander students throughout the years. The up's, down's and everything in between.
Overall Mr hayes wrote yet gain a truly excellent novel. His universe slowly expands, his characters develop and grow. And behind it all in the background intricate plotlines ever so more pronounced giving the whole series that much more depth. In short if you liked the story and format from the previous novels you'll love this one.
Full marks! 5/5
With one of them gone from the program, one of them under closer scrutiny than ever and all of them distrusted by a large portion of the students things are not looking up for them. The story follows the same route as the previous two novels and entails the stories of the lander students throughout the years. The up's, down's and everything in between.
Overall Mr hayes wrote yet gain a truly excellent novel. His universe slowly expands, his characters develop and grow. And behind it all in the background intricate plotlines ever so more pronounced giving the whole series that much more depth. In short if you liked the story and format from the previous novels you'll love this one.
Full marks! 5/5
March 28, 2020
Year 3 for the former powered students.
With one of them gone from the program, one of them under closer scrutiny than ever and all of them distrusted by a large portion of the students things are not looking up for them. The story follows the same route as the previous two novels and entails the stories of the lander students throughout the years. The up's, down's and everything in between.
Overall Mr hayes wrote yet gain a truly excellent novel. His universe slowly expands, his characters develop and grow. And behind it all in the background intricate plotlines ever so more pronounced giving the whole series that much more depth. In short if you liked the story and format from the previous novels you'll love this one.
Full marks! 5/5
Re-read 28-3-2020
With one of them gone from the program, one of them under closer scrutiny than ever and all of them distrusted by a large portion of the students things are not looking up for them. The story follows the same route as the previous two novels and entails the stories of the lander students throughout the years. The up's, down's and everything in between.
Overall Mr hayes wrote yet gain a truly excellent novel. His universe slowly expands, his characters develop and grow. And behind it all in the background intricate plotlines ever so more pronounced giving the whole series that much more depth. In short if you liked the story and format from the previous novels you'll love this one.
Full marks! 5/5
Re-read 28-3-2020
July 21, 2017
Yep. .. I'm totally loving this series. ..
thankfully a fair bit of driving time let me fit in audio. .. cos I couldn't get enough. Now I have to waahhhh-wait for the next one... although I think it's available to read online..
thankfully a fair bit of driving time let me fit in audio. .. cos I couldn't get enough. Now I have to waahhhh-wait for the next one... although I think it's available to read online..
May 12, 2021
Another fantastic installation. I'm loving the growth of the characters and the new twists and turns. And we're finally digging deeper into some of the big mysteries!
February 26, 2019
short note, I have powered through the series back to back. Saying that I will say one thing about all the books as whole and which I hope continues into the last book. There is a set of how the book always plays out. get to school, classes, winter break, mid term, classes, spring break, final. Then between that the build of the over all story that's happening through all the books. Drew Hayes does an amazing job of writing about how these college kids deal with everyday normal school life, and learning to deal with having and learning to become a Super hero. With all that the loss of friends who don't make each year, to losing others, also while trying to find out if the main villain of the story is back after being considered dead. The books is moves quickly and there is always something going on. Drew Hayes also does an amazing job of writing for myself amazing characters that you learn to like. I don't have a complete favorite because each character in the story has something that I like.
So now a bit about the story. as the super kids return from summer break, nick returns to Mel brook after having supposedly being expelled at the end of book 2. Vince has been kidnapped at the end of book 2 and while training with George his teacher who was captured and set free by his father after trying to kid nap his friend Mary. Vince is dropped off at the front of the school and he returns to school. Herschel and Roy return but as Mary meets her once chunky boyfriend is now toning up and working out as he being in shape boosts his twin Roys power. The rest of the group returns. As the school year moves on they moved into their specific majors for super heroes. They are given there tests. the freshman year river party commences and they return destroying the place yet again. Halloween turns into there normal hell as Nicks nemesis from LV comes to mel brook and blows up the bar they are all in. After returning from spring break, they find jobs working at different places. As the end of the semester starts to come close. Nathaniel Nicks nemesis helps a super power haters group sneak into the college and they close off the school to the outside world. The teachers and the heroes in training fight to save the non powered kids that go to the college and the powered that go to the school as well. As the kids are saving students and teachers are beating back the true supers. Every thing comes to ahead. by the end of the conflict. The heroes lose a friend in battle. and many students that are not part of the super hero program are saved or died. They school mourns the loss of their friend. The book ends with kids going to a special training camp for the summer. There last chance to study and train before the new and last school year.
Can't wait to see what happens in the last book.
So now a bit about the story. as the super kids return from summer break, nick returns to Mel brook after having supposedly being expelled at the end of book 2. Vince has been kidnapped at the end of book 2 and while training with George his teacher who was captured and set free by his father after trying to kid nap his friend Mary. Vince is dropped off at the front of the school and he returns to school. Herschel and Roy return but as Mary meets her once chunky boyfriend is now toning up and working out as he being in shape boosts his twin Roys power. The rest of the group returns. As the school year moves on they moved into their specific majors for super heroes. They are given there tests. the freshman year river party commences and they return destroying the place yet again. Halloween turns into there normal hell as Nicks nemesis from LV comes to mel brook and blows up the bar they are all in. After returning from spring break, they find jobs working at different places. As the end of the semester starts to come close. Nathaniel Nicks nemesis helps a super power haters group sneak into the college and they close off the school to the outside world. The teachers and the heroes in training fight to save the non powered kids that go to the college and the powered that go to the school as well. As the kids are saving students and teachers are beating back the true supers. Every thing comes to ahead. by the end of the conflict. The heroes lose a friend in battle. and many students that are not part of the super hero program are saved or died. They school mourns the loss of their friend. The book ends with kids going to a special training camp for the summer. There last chance to study and train before the new and last school year.
Can't wait to see what happens in the last book.
August 29, 2022
Super Powereds: Year 3 continues the stories of the Heroes-to-be at Lander university. Here are some of my observations:
- The writing style remains fun and easy to read
- To be honest, the primary antagonist seems a bit one dimensional to me. But some other potential future antagonists in the background have been developed quite nicely.
- I like the character development in this book. I think seeing the characters grapple with the reality of the hero world and the hidden truths of their past gives the reader a valuable insight into who they are. And it’s great to see how much they’ve matured. My one complaint is that some of the dialogue and narration were very unnatural and redundant. For example, characters would mention MANY times just how much training they’ve done and how the mundane task before them is going to be easy because of that (or something along those lines). That was quite corny.
- Although I enjoyed the higher stakes in this book, I did feel like the climax of the story came a bit out of nowhere. Or maybe it’s that it ended too quickly, without really spending time in the event. I don’t know, but it didn’t have the sort of impact I thought it would.
- There is one aspect of the previous book that this one undid that was quite irritating. Even if the outcome was ultimately more desirable, it was still a cheap move, in my opinion.
Overall, this was definitely a good read. You won’t be bored (I don’t think). But as the penultimate entry in a series, I think it left quite a bit to be desired. Granted, a lot is revealed about the Hero world and learning about all those secrets was amazing. Seeing the characters grow as Heroes and people was great as well. But I don’t think it pushed the different plots far enough for the third book in a four book series. Because of this and the reasons I mentioned above, I’d give this book a 3.5/5. But I did genuinely enjoy reading the book, so I’ll round that up to 4.
- The writing style remains fun and easy to read
- To be honest, the primary antagonist seems a bit one dimensional to me. But some other potential future antagonists in the background have been developed quite nicely.
- I like the character development in this book. I think seeing the characters grapple with the reality of the hero world and the hidden truths of their past gives the reader a valuable insight into who they are. And it’s great to see how much they’ve matured. My one complaint is that some of the dialogue and narration were very unnatural and redundant. For example, characters would mention MANY times just how much training they’ve done and how the mundane task before them is going to be easy because of that (or something along those lines). That was quite corny.
- Although I enjoyed the higher stakes in this book, I did feel like the climax of the story came a bit out of nowhere. Or maybe it’s that it ended too quickly, without really spending time in the event. I don’t know, but it didn’t have the sort of impact I thought it would.
- There is one aspect of the previous book that this one undid that was quite irritating. Even if the outcome was ultimately more desirable, it was still a cheap move, in my opinion.
Overall, this was definitely a good read. You won’t be bored (I don’t think). But as the penultimate entry in a series, I think it left quite a bit to be desired. Granted, a lot is revealed about the Hero world and learning about all those secrets was amazing. Seeing the characters grow as Heroes and people was great as well. But I don’t think it pushed the different plots far enough for the third book in a four book series. Because of this and the reasons I mentioned above, I’d give this book a 3.5/5. But I did genuinely enjoy reading the book, so I’ll round that up to 4.
September 17, 2024
I need to think about this
I finished this at 8 am idk what is in these books but I always stay up ALL NIGHT to finish
GODD the whole time it’s who can we trust? Who’s behind the scenes? Why this? Why that??? every time I get an answer to one of my MANY questions it just gives me even more questions!!!!!
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HARD SPOILERS
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Chad?? this book made me fall in love with Chad?? I thought it was so random but I love him living with the core members!! I was a little sad cuz I was still praying for Nick to come back to the program 🥲
Also IM SO HAPPY for the Nick/Alice and Vince/Cami development even if it was little cuz I swear to god I was close to losing it when I felt a potential love triangle when Vince ex showed up 🥲 had to put the book down for a bit because I felt so bad for cami
Ch 144??😭 I cannot I wanted to sob from them sticking together to Nick not wanting them to sacrifice themselves to Nick being back UGH😭
Also I was not expecting any of the students to die 🥲 that caught me off guard😭
I finished this at 8 am idk what is in these books but I always stay up ALL NIGHT to finish
GODD the whole time it’s who can we trust? Who’s behind the scenes? Why this? Why that??? every time I get an answer to one of my MANY questions it just gives me even more questions!!!!!
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HARD SPOILERS
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Chad?? this book made me fall in love with Chad?? I thought it was so random but I love him living with the core members!! I was a little sad cuz I was still praying for Nick to come back to the program 🥲
Also IM SO HAPPY for the Nick/Alice and Vince/Cami development even if it was little cuz I swear to god I was close to losing it when I felt a potential love triangle when Vince ex showed up 🥲 had to put the book down for a bit because I felt so bad for cami
Ch 144??😭 I cannot I wanted to sob from them sticking together to Nick not wanting them to sacrifice themselves to Nick being back UGH😭
Also I was not expecting any of the students to die 🥲 that caught me off guard😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2020
Ok, so I read Volume three right after 2, as I couldn't get enough of this addicting story. As I said before, real brain candy escape here.
Slight spoilers.
As year three starts many of the original students have left and competition gets heated for the remaining spots for senior year. Hayes, keeps our original characters in the action in different ways, we see other friendships and relationships grow.
We get a action packed and heartbreaking ending to book three.
I am holding off on volume four as I don't want the story to end.
Slight spoilers.
As year three starts many of the original students have left and competition gets heated for the remaining spots for senior year. Hayes, keeps our original characters in the action in different ways, we see other friendships and relationships grow.
We get a action packed and heartbreaking ending to book three.
I am holding off on volume four as I don't want the story to end.
October 5, 2024
A lot of questions I had from book 2 were answere. Again even though it follows the characters for an entire school year nothing is repeated from prior years. You get to see some of the real Heros emerge as well. One of the HCP students dies towards the very end, she is really dead and they have a funeral for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2024
Literally nothing makes me wish I attended college more than this book series. Even if they didn't have powers, I still love the dynamic of the friends and their normal college experiences it makes me wish I had it. The plot, though, is so well thought out and written I can't imagine this book being any different.
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