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Save the Day - Let it save yours
15 years ago
General
Finally finished Save the Day, and I must recommend it to you.
So, how can I describe Save the Day? In five words, "Out of Position with Superheroes".
That's not fair. It doesn't copy anything, the characters are quite different, and characters are quite settled with being gay - the main characters have been in a relationship for five years. But the issues of trust and honesty, of coming out, are the central issues of both books. Save the Day is a little more angsty, but also quite clean compared to Out of Position.
The author put a lot of work into his world. It shows a consideration and education of the genre, and clearly thought hard things, right down to supers choosing jobs that have flexible schedules because they can't compete with other things. The supers aspect is enjoyable start to finish, and often very absurd in a good way.
The book is professional. The editing, the writing - I have a few issues, but the writing, the plotting, everything is so solid. Even more impressive, there is foreshadowing and hints about what's coming later. If you read it and then read it again, you'll see almost all the hints. I point this out because it shows a serious strength of plotting.
A few weeks ago I made a post encouraging writers to frustrating your readers by drawing out your conflict. In terms of plotting and pacing, Save the Day does this. Things do not get immediately resolved to character limitations. It does get a little annoying at times because of the aforementioned angst, but you know what? I think it's worth it, because the resolution more than pays for it. At several points the book made me care, really strongly, about the resolution; I wanted the characters to "just say this" or "just do that", and when it finally happened, it was immensely rewarding.
As a bonus, I've been talking to the author. He is a nice, exuberant and enthusiastic guy about his world and story. He wants to open the setting to others writing in his world, and he reminds me of me when I talk about my writing.
If you enjoy supers, if you enjoy coming out stuff, or if you just enjoy reading good books, I cannot recommend this book enough.
So, how can I describe Save the Day? In five words, "Out of Position with Superheroes".
That's not fair. It doesn't copy anything, the characters are quite different, and characters are quite settled with being gay - the main characters have been in a relationship for five years. But the issues of trust and honesty, of coming out, are the central issues of both books. Save the Day is a little more angsty, but also quite clean compared to Out of Position.
The author put a lot of work into his world. It shows a consideration and education of the genre, and clearly thought hard things, right down to supers choosing jobs that have flexible schedules because they can't compete with other things. The supers aspect is enjoyable start to finish, and often very absurd in a good way.
The book is professional. The editing, the writing - I have a few issues, but the writing, the plotting, everything is so solid. Even more impressive, there is foreshadowing and hints about what's coming later. If you read it and then read it again, you'll see almost all the hints. I point this out because it shows a serious strength of plotting.
A few weeks ago I made a post encouraging writers to frustrating your readers by drawing out your conflict. In terms of plotting and pacing, Save the Day does this. Things do not get immediately resolved to character limitations. It does get a little annoying at times because of the aforementioned angst, but you know what? I think it's worth it, because the resolution more than pays for it. At several points the book made me care, really strongly, about the resolution; I wanted the characters to "just say this" or "just do that", and when it finally happened, it was immensely rewarding.
As a bonus, I've been talking to the author. He is a nice, exuberant and enthusiastic guy about his world and story. He wants to open the setting to others writing in his world, and he reminds me of me when I talk about my writing.
If you enjoy supers, if you enjoy coming out stuff, or if you just enjoy reading good books, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Also, I could barely put down my copy of "Save the Day." Rarely have I read a book- any book- where I found the characters so thoroughly likable.
I also know (from his LJ posts) that he's very current-events savvy, and that really shows in his world-building. He takes the two extremes of comic book super heroes (the friend of the law and the misunderstood vigilante) and combines them into one broad viewpoint.
That is one thing that seemed very unique about it; everyone was so Nice. Everyone was a Good person, right down to it. Perhaps a little too much so, the book ultimately was a little too happy, but you know, I'm OK with that.
I've told Zia more than once I want to see more Raja in the next book.
You know something I don't?
ANGST POWERS ACTIVATE!!!
1) There are GLBT in the police department, fire department, doctors and nurses. If they can be gay and still help people, what does it matter about superheroes? Or "should they also not be allowed in those professions?"
2) Bottom line: "If you or a loved one is threatened by a supervillain, or in some sort of disaster, would you prefer to be saved by a superhero who happens to be gay, or die?"