Heroes ‘Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2)

Heroes ‘Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2) by Susan Bischoff

 

In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids with supernatural abilities, Talents, are taken away to government-run research facilities from which they do not return. In this sequel to HUSH MONEY, all Joss wants is to be left alone—with Dylan. But as more Talents are imprisoned by the government, everyone’s looking for a leader. Some look to Joss, some to her worst enemy, Marco, whose new criminal plan threatens Joss’s family and friends. Joss wants to stand up to Marco, but Dylan’s protective instincts are putting him in harm’s way. As the stakes get higher, can Joss find a way to embrace both the boy and her hero within?

Heroes ‘Til Curfew contains strong language, violence, and some sensuality. It is definitely recommended for mature teen readers and up.

 

Heroes ‘Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2) is just as good as its predecessor. I don’t remember and strong language. If the child has watched an action film in the last decade then they can handle the violence in this novel. The perfect example is that it’s no more violent than Hunger Games and everyone has either read or watched that movie.

This time the stakes are raised. Marco is continuing his path to darkness and villainy. New players enter the field of play called The Syndicate. NIAC steps up their investigation of Fairview. The constant shifting of perspective helps this novel. You’re never with one character for too long.

Marco is the catalyst of the drama and madness that breaks out in this novel. Most of the drama surrounds him like a tornado. His vengeance and quest for power is constantly at odds and hindered by our heroes. I think the best part of this entire novel is that there is a NIAC mole. I’m not sure if Susan Bischoff meant to leave the mole identity as ambiguous as she did.

For the most part, these are typical teenagers facing extraordinarily adult problems with teenage naiveté. Which is enjoy and frustrating at the same time; you want them to grow up. I want to shake some sense into them. “With great power comes great responsibility.” these characters will be ready, to face NIAC and the government, when they figure that out.

 

I give Heroes ‘Til Curfew (Talent Chronicles 2) 3 out 5.

Hush Money (Talent Chronicles 1)

Hush Money (Talent Chronicles) by Susan Bischoff

 

They call their abilities Talents, and that’s what they call themselves as well. Talents are people born with supernatural powers, feared by the population at large. Possession of an “unregistered ability” has become illegal, and those who are discovered are forcibly removed to government-run research facilities. They do not return.

And so the Talents try, as best they can, to keep their abilities secret–some more successfully than others. For some, keeping that secret begins to define who they are. That’s where Hush Money begins…

Be normal, invisible. Don’t get close to anyone. Those are the rules to live by for seventeen-year-old Joss. She spent years as an outsider, hoping to hide what she is, until the new girl, Kat, decides she’s friend material. Kat doesn’t realize her mistake when she stands up for Joss against Marco, a guy who’s been giving Joss a hard time since freshman year. Joss is horrified when these heroics lead to the reveal of Kat’s Talent. Now she has an unasked-for best friend, who is the victim of an extortion plot by the school bully, who used to like Joss. And if all that weren’t complicated enough, Dylan, Joss’s long-time crush, is finally starting to talk to her. But as Marco’s best friend, can Dylan be trusted at all? Can Joss keep her secret and still save her friend? And what’s more important, staying safe or doing what’s right?

 

 

Hush Money is totally different than the prequel that I read. But the characters in Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles .0.5) have greater significance. The contrast in setting made me realize the differences and similarities each group of characters are facing.

It reminds me of a teen drama with superpowers. Joss is another good example of the post Buffy feminist renaissance. She’s strong, capable, and in short badass. Yet she still shows her vulnerability. She’s not a born leader but leadership has been thrust upon her.

The constant shifting of perspective is the one thing I didn’t like about the novel. I had to put it down several times, even though I didn’t want to. When I came back the first person voice became confusing, if I didn’t go back for the reminders of the POV.

 

I give Hush Money (Talent Chronicles 1) 3 out 5.

Impulse Control (Talented Chronicles 0.5)

Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles 0.5) by Susan Bischoff

In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a dangerous experiment has killed two young inmates and threatens others. Ethan, a shape-shifter, is reluctantly recruited by his best friend Karen, a telepath, and Elle, the unique Talent he has a crush on, to thwart the faculty’s plans. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning.

“Impulse Control” is a SHORT STORY of approximately 12,000 words and contains some strong language.

Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles 0.5) this is an interesting starting to a series that has really piqued my interest. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the future adventures of Karen, Elle, Ethan and the other inmates of the State Schools.

Novels about superheroes are a new market to me. I haven’t found many books on the subject that aren’t graphic novels. Everything about this novel has the perfect ingredients to be an amazing novel.

Ethan’s power is the most interesting. It’s affected by his emotion something I never thought of when thinking about shape shifters. The darker component to his shifting ability makes him the most interesting.

The government policing people with abilities reminds me of the Ultimate Comics X-Men. Don’t start. I know the Ultimate Comics is a reinterpretation of an older storyline from the main Marvel universe. The Ultimate Universe has been accessible to me without all the previous history that comes with reading the main universe.

Even in this prequel I can’t wait for what Susan Bischoff has in store. Because for all the good the government says they are doing it’s always about control, power, and fear.

I give Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles 0.5) 4 out 5.