Review: I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning, frustrated and near tears in the middle and joyous at the end
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 10, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Women superheroes, where do I sign up?Opening Sentence: Eight hours out of Aukland, the plane’s temperature controls fizzled.The Review:I don’t know about the rest of you, but there is just something about a superhero that fascinates and charms me. The question often gets asked: What super power would you choose?  Invisibility? Super strength? Immortality? Teleporting or Flying? But I think this misses the basic charm of superheroes, which is how they deal on a day-to-day basis with this power. Some of them hide their gift, which is exactly what our heroine, Val, does until a flight over the Pacific Ocean cements her as Ivory forever.Ivory is put in a situation in the first chapter of this book that is an essential turning point for all superheroes, and this is one of the reasons I was charmed by this novella. Ivory’s struggle to control her power, and use it for the betterment of society. Trying to protect an entire airplane passenger jet is one heck of a way to be introduced to this book, series and this author.Now our stalking Panther is our irrepressible hero, and makes me long for a restaurant that makes an amazing curry stir fry. The heat radiates from his entire being, and I’m not sure how Ivory holds out as long as she does. I kept wanting her to jump Panther’s bones as soon as possible. Thankfully she does, eventually.As I often say, novellas are tricky.  The author must give readers enough to solidify a story, but has so few words in which to provide back story, character development, worldbuilding, and the list goes on.  However, when it is done right and the world is as self contained as this one most definitely is, then it works. This was my first introduction to this world and I want my passport stamped with all access to the Manhattan Ten.I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning, frustrated and near tears in the middle and joyous at the end. There is not much more that an author could possibly have done to make a novella this good and yet Ms. Dodge threw in super powers.  Just a tiny little detail but adored it.This is an amazing read, especially if you are waiting at a doctor’s office, sitting in the airport or just need to kill an hour and a half because of its length.  However, if you are a fan of superheroes and girl power with a hint of ice or a panther that will melt you down, then purchase this novella immediately.Notable Scene:I knew the feeling.  I stood straighter – a foot taller than him – and lifted my hands.  I had to stop him before he hurt anyone, but as my fury rose, I sensed how close I was to the edge of insanity.  “You need to calm down, sir.”He was past the point of talking.  As I reached for him, he reached behind his belt for a second gun.  Was there no airport security?My spear should’ve been instantaneous, but I was slow and out of practice.  As the ice stretched in my hands, he raised his arm.I couldn’t let him get the shot off.Charging, I hip-checked him.  We careened into the curtain, but he didn’t let go of his gun.Bang.FTC Advisory: Samhain provided me with a copy of Ivory. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.