*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Yes, I’m unapologetically using the word “rad”, because I am just that cool.
(I swear this book is better than my awful use of slang)
From the opening line, I knew I was in for an exciting ride. The writing gripped me from the opening sentence and I was utterly engrossed right up until the very end. It was full of great twists and turns, leading upto an ending that I wasn’t actually expecting. I have heard some complaints about pacing for this one, but I just didn’t see it that way at all. For me, the action kept on rolling up and down the rollercoaster from beginning to end.
There was also plenty going on under the surface and had layers of mystery that I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of. While Renegades perhaps could have done a bit more to keep me on the edge of my seat, given how popular the genre is right now, there was still an element of complexity and just enough intrigue to keep me wondering what was going to happen next.
Now I went into this book fully aware that some people had compared this to the X Men- and there are definitely elements of that. However, for me personally, this felt more like a homage than a ripoff. Especially as there were some cool concepts incorporated into the story. Thanks to a few changes of setting and tweaks to the story, this took on a life of its own. I think it also helped that I wasn’t really expecting anything ground-breaking or original (c’mon at this point, the formula for a superhero story is ironed out and this is a YA retelling of that same idea)
Renegades was somewhat faithful to the idea of what a superhero should be, yet still managed to play about a little with the idea of villainy. This made for some GREAT characters- and I especially liked Nova as the female lead. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the powers, especially Sketch’s, were really cool.
Above all, it was FUN. A lot of superhero stories have lost that lately- but this was thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 4/5 bananas
Have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
Well, you have certainly convinced me to give this one a go. Not that I need a lot of convincing when you mention that it’s an homage to X-men, but I thought I would just say it anyway 😊 So another book to add to the list. Great post as always! 😀
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Brilliant!! 😀 hahaha yes!! I know, I love the X Men- when everyone was comparing it to that, I kept thinking “is that supposed to put me off?” Brilliant! Thank you so much!!
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I’m really glad you liked this one! I had several problems with it but still thought it was a pretty good and entertaining story. I can’t wait for the sequel! Great review!!
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Thank you so much! Fair enough!! me too 😀 Thanks!!
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You’re welcome!!!
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Glad you liked this one! I really struggled with it, and the style and I just didn’t click, though I could see potential in some of the characters (as far as me and them went). It wasn’t a hit for me, but I can see why for others it would be!
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Ah fair enough! That makes sense- and that definitely happens to me with other books.
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I have seen so many mixed reviews for this one! I am glad you liked it so much though! I will have to keep that in mind for when I eventually get around to it.
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Yes me too to be honest. But I did really end up enjoying it 😀
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Awesome review! I can’t wait to read this.😊
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Thank you so much!! 😊
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I’m reading Renegades right now and I’m really loving it! I didn’t have a lot of expectations going in either, aside from expecting it to be good 😂 I loved the Lunar Chronicles and enjoy Meyer’s writing style. With about 150 pages left, I’m really not sure how I think it will end! I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds and hopefully getting the answers to some questions 😉
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Fantastic!! Yes I one hundred percent agree! Me too- I’ve always liked her writing style, so I knew that was one thing I would be happy with. I hope you like/liked it!!
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I’ve want to read renegades for a while now, this post just inspired me more!!! Awesome review! 😂
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Ah brilliant!! I’m so glad!! Thank you!!
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I want to read this! Great review.
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Brilliant! Thank you so much!!
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Very excited for this one! It’s one I’m hoping to get to this year for sure.
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Brilliant!!
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So glad you pointed out that it was a FUN read. Nothing says the story can’t be intense and fun at the same time. Enticing review!
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Thank you!! I totally agree! Aww thanks!!
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I have a signed copy & can’t wait to read this!
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Fantastic!!
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Okay, so this book was only just peripherally on my radar, but I have to say, reading this review made me want to pick it up! You make it sound like so much fun!
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Brilliant- I’m so glad!! It really was!!
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Already on my list to get around to someday, great review! 🙂
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That’s great 😀 And thank you!
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I also really enjoyed this one. I think Meyers is good at adding subtle complex themes. I also didn’t think the book was slow-paced, which I’ve seen as a common criticism.
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Yes I completely agree. And yeah, I just don’t see it as slow paced at all tbh.
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I loved Renegades! My favorite characters were Smokescreen and Puppeteer! Puppeteer reminded me of the joker so much! Wonderful review 😊
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Ah I’m glad you did!! I really liked them too 😀 You’re so right!! Thank you! 😀
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Oh I am really glad to hear you liked this one, I have heard mixed reviews so far and felt like so many people were disappointed by it
Glad you enjoyed it! Great review! 🙂
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I know- I’ve seen quite a few of those too, but I was glad not to feel the same way about it. Thank you!!
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I’m so glad you wrote a positive review. I love Superhero stories and I was so excited when I saw this coming out, but I’ve seen so many ‘not so happy’ reviews and it’s made me nervous. You’ve made me feel excited again!
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Thank you so much!! Me too!! And yes I’ve also seen quite a few, but having read it I don’t agree with the criticism tbh. I’m glad I could make you excited again!!
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I have seen quiet a few mixed reviews for this book lately, so I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it! 🙂 From the premise this book sounds amazing and I definitely plan on picking it up, though I really want to finish The Lunar Chronicles first. Great review! 🙂
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Yeah I have too to be honest. But it was so much fun and I do recommend it- especially if you like the Lunar Chronicles 😀 Thank you!
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I LOVED Renegades! I wish we didn’t have to wait so long for the sequel!
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Yay I’m so glad you did!! 😀 Me too!!
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I’m really glad you enjoyed this book. I’ve seen a fair few reviews out there that are mixed simply because of the slow pacing this one had but I rated Renegades four stars as well because, for me, even though the story was slow there was something about the world and the writing and the characters that kept me hooked.
The ending was definitely unexpected for me as well, and it made me even more excited for the sequel than I was simply because it’s being written by Marissa Meyer! 😀
Great review. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you!! I totally know what you mean- yeah I personally didn’t feel that way about it and I was definitely hooked from the start.
Yes it really was an awesome ending!! me too!! 😀
Thank you! 😀 ❤
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I’m really glad you liked this because I’ve seen several negative reviews. I’m reading it soon so I’m excited to get into it 🙂
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Ah I know- I definitely saw some of those- it made me nervous to pick it up, but I ended up realy enjoying it- really hope you like it!
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I am totally crazy.. I swear I saw you that the post was titled: Renegades was pretty bad… and I was expecting a full on rant 😀 hahahaha, imagine my surprise…
really glad you actually enjoyed the book though and it’s nice to hear the superheroes are put to good use bc I agree on some level that it has been rather ironed out but if someone can make it interesting again then why not… 😉
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hhahaha easily done 😉 Yes absolutely! I feel like there are an awful lot of them about nowadays, so that was the one reason I was really nervous to pick it up, especially when people were saying it’s a lot like other things. But it just goes to show, if it’s done well, I’ll probably enjoy most superhero stories 😉
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Not too excited for this one to be frank… super heroes aren’t my thing. I’m glad you liked it and it’s cool that your review was more straightup about what the book is rather than expecting the moon from a tried and true trope. ♥️
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Fair enough! I always was a fan- I’ve just gotten a bit tired with it lately, so I wasn’t expecting much tbh. Thank you!! ❤
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OK, so I admit, I removed this from my TBR after reading some very “concerning” reviews haha. But your words have renewed my faith. I just might have to pick it up soon! It is wonderful to see such praise 🙂 I am still a tad meh about super heroes but I love her writing, so who knows?!
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haha I get that- I was almost put off too 😉 I’m glad I could renew your faith! Fantastic!! I totally get that 😉 If you like her writing then I definitely think it’s worth it, cos I’ve always enjoyed her writing style and it was true to form 🙂
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That is definitely reassuring. I find her style very easy to read 😊
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Absolutely! 😊
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Fantastic honest review as always! I love that you didn’t see it as a X-Men rip-off, but rather an homage. That fine line between the two makes all the difference in the world! So glad to see that this was such a fun ride though! 😀
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Thank you so much! Yes I completely agree! It really was 😀
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Interesting review, I have seen the title around a lot but in hauls not review so I have been curious as to what the turn out was going to be like. I am pretty unfamiliar with most super hero stories so that might help for this book.
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Thank you! Fair enough- yeah I’ve heard people who are unfamiliar with superheroes like it even more tbh, so maybe it’s worth giving a shot?
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I’ll pretty much pick up any book to give it a shot.
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Great!
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