Review: Unique twist on the superhero tale!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 6, 2013
****3.5 stars****Superheroes and villains are always an entertaining read, and wrapping them up into an adult romance story brings that extra something to the table that the gals can enjoy. There was also a psychological element to this book that I wasn't expecting, woven through the characters and creating the foundation for the whole storyline. Zola was one complicated woman underneath that costume!!As far as superheroes go, Zola was pretty bad-ass on paper but was still reeling from the aftermath of her sidekick's death. She'd retired herself from the job as superhero, but one man was determined to bring her back to her full glory- Fort, the man who helped her out of the dark abyss that was her life after having to watch her friend be brutally murdered. As much as she claimed to be "cured," Zola had really just bottled up all of the pain and wiped it clean from her memory; Fort knew this and wanted more for the woman he was falling for. We'll just say that the doctor-patient boundaries don't apply here since there are superpowers and questionable behavior already involved, because I was definitely okay with Fort making the moves on Zola. There weren't fireworks and shooting stars flying between these two, but their attraction was still steamy and they both needed to let off some of it!Zola is literally just tossed back into the world of superheroes as the escaped villains come after her with a vengeance. She struggles with getting back in the game both mentally and physically, but Fort was there to support her even when she questioned his motives. There were some great fight scenes for the action fans out there, and some seriously twisted characters that Zola was up against!!As far as the romance side of the story, I don't know that I felt the 'love' Zola and Fort claimed to feel for each other, and that was one drawback for me. We're thrown into it and it feels like there's an expectation to just get everything from the start. Their love for each other, the fateful day when Zola's mind broke, her relationship with the other superheroes; at times I felt like there were chapters missing from the book that I missed, and I had been left trying to play catch-up without them. There were also a LOT of superhero/true identity names being thrown at the reader all at once, and it got a bit confusing following along with all of them.To the Fifth Power is captivating and the writing is very good, and I will admit that I didn't catch on to the big twist until it was actually revealed. It was a clever "aha!" moment that really wrapped everything together in the end. Shirin Dubbin's society of superheroes and supervillains existing in the open amongst the rest of society is a cool concept, and though I wanted more meat of the story I did enjoy what we're given. Overall, I see definite potential in Shirin Dubbin's writing, and anyone who loves a good action story with a hint of heart and spritz of sexy will find Zola and Fort's story right up their alley!Quotes:"Archesis Institute can't seem to hold on to its inmates, can you? She stepped over to the ledge, with arms crossed, and looked out over the city. "Perhaps you should try the revers and see if villains can get in. You've certainly proven they can get out." ~ Zola, p. 11Zola's physical wounds had amounted to a cut lip and facial abrasions, but her eyes had been empty, staring inward into nothingness. He'd reached out with his ability to probe the broken parts of her psyche and found a...lack...so profound he'd staggered back. ~Fort, p. 12This is what she wanted from him, moments like these. A man she could trust to stand by her side. One who saw all of he, judged none of her, and loved her completely. ~ Zola, p. 40