Customer Reviews

Soon I Will Be Invincible: A Novel

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed this book not simply for the action, which was quit well done, but fir the in-depth look at the Super Villain of the story, Doctor Impossible. This book addresses a question that is glossed over in almost every super hero story I've ever read. Why does a super villain rob a bank when their abilities could make them rich in legal ways.
This book gives the reader the chance to ride along with Doctor Impossible and get a sense of what is going on behind the mask and the maniacal laughter.

I found this book really entertaining; you're definitely not going to learn a lot but you'll be captivated by the satire which permeates the book's beginning as you follow the comments made by "Doctor Impossible".
The chapters alternate between our villainous anti-hero and a new hero, Fatale, finding her place in the world. This leads to a more interesting prose and keeps the reader entertained (if you don't like a certain storyline, you can always look forward to the next chapter) - I found the villain's inner-monologue more telling and humorous.
The shortcoming of the novel lies in the end; it seems rushed and a lot of the book's conventions are broken (you find out origins in such a fast-paced manner that you end up not caring - afterall, who cares about where a superhero got their powers from when the Earth's future hangs in the balance?).
Overall, I was very impressed by this book and hope that the author continues writing in a similar genre; his writing style will continue to get better and I, for one, am looking forward to it.

Adira Rotstein posted a review at 2007-08-12 17:55:27.

SPOILERS!

I totally disagree with most of the other reviews on this site! "Soon I will be Invincible" completely blew me away, especially the beginning part. I thought it had really great character development. Although the book was about superheroes and supervillians I have to say the characters were more three-dimensional and realistic, despite their strange and often humourus situations than in many a so-called "literary fiction" book. Every character had tons of personality. Plenty of them I wish I could see in their own short stories. Obviously this book comes from someone who loves the superhero genre, and I think a lot of comic book writers writing today could learn a lot from it-- like you don't have to put in tons of violence to make your book feel "real," "dark" or "edgy." I think the book manages the tightrope trick of poking fun at the superhero world, while at the same time making it feel totally real and possible through the use of everyday difficulties, well rendered characterization and exciting dialogue. It satirizes some things, but it comes from a place of love rather than disdain or the need to put the whole comic book culture thing on some museum pedestal (like I found Cavalier and Clay did). Best of all the plot just keeps you into it.
I really sympathized with the character of Dr. Impossible, the Wile E. Coyote-like anti-hero of the book. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the ending though-- there were some threads like the sinister Peterson School (where a lot of the heroes and villians seemed to come from) and the possible connection between Regina's "Elfland" sceptre and Elfin that seemed like they might be part of a grander scheme, but then were just dropped.
I really wanted Dr. Impossible to not neccessarily take over the world, but at least to feel good that he beat Corefire at the end. I felt he started the book in a point of despair and desperation (despite his continual bragging), slowly going insane from lack of stimulation in prison , almost having given up, and then we follow his trajectory, step by step to the peak of supervilliany. For him to be just busted back down again in the end without some other thing he's gained, just feels kind of frustrating. He has some truly excellent quotes though!
I liked Lily's backstory in the beginning better than her revised backstory in the end and thought it made more sense in terms of her characterization, physique and how she related to some of the other characters. If she was really changed into the diamond thing by the vat while she was still involved with Corefire-- wouldn't Corefire have worried if his old girlfriend Erica just suddenly disappeared?
I also thought Fatale might want to connect with her family in the end, once she found her file, but she doesn't mention them.
These quibbles aside-- this is the first time in ages that I've had a book that I just couldn't stop listening to (I listened to it from audible.com while driving). And the actors who preform it are just fantastic. I like how they used different voiceactors for Dr. Impossible and Fatale.
I really enjoyed seeing all the influences of the characters and worlds from Batman to John Nash
I loved how Lily beat both Corefire and Dr. Impossible in the end-- though part of me wished she and Dr. I ended up together. (God, I can only imagine what f-ed up children they might have someday!)
Some characters like Baron Ether and the kids from the Elfland story I'd love to see.
It would be neat to see Dr. Impossible on the side of good (like Magneto) if only for a time or in the hopes of screwing over the rest of the Champions.
I wish there was a graphic novel of this book. I hear there are talks of a movie, but I think it would just look too cheesy unless it was animated and if it was animated they couldn't include any of the more serious material so it wouldn't work.
I can't wait to read more from this author!
Go Grossman!

I very much enjoyed this look into a superpowered villain's mind and yes, reading all those comic books as a child, I did often wonder why the villains did what they did. Here is the story that helps explain it all.

I fond the main characters fascinating and enjoyed Mr. Grossman's book very much. I look forward to reading more of his titles in the future. Thanks Austin, it was a great read!