About the Book
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Author:
- Marissa Meyer
Cover Story: Rise From The Ashes
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Talky Talk: Darkest Before The Dawn
Bonus Factor: Family
Anti-Bonus Factor: Battles
Relationship Status: TEABS
Red alert! Supernova is the third and final book in the Renegades series. If you haven’t read the other books in the series (Renegades or Archenemies), man your battle stations turn away now, as there might be spoilers in this review. If you’re caught up, however, feel free to continue below.
Trigger Warning: Supernova features scenes of violence, torture, and memories of childhood sexual abuse that might be triggering for some readers.
Cover Story: Rise From The Ashes
I don’t know which hero/villain this figure is supposed to be, but I dig them standing tall amongst the ruins. This is such a super (heh) “shot” for a book about heroes and villains—who often cause more damage fighting each other than is ever really recognized.
The Deal:
Nova’s quest to steal Ace Anarchy’s helmet from Renegade tower was a success—but the man himself has been captured and is being held in Gatlon City’s most secure prison. And Nova’s secrets are wearing thin; the truth about who she really is could be discovered at any moment.
But she’s positive she’s on the right side of the divide. Maybe?
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Although Nova thinks of herself as someone who has all the answers, it’s clear to me that she doesn’t. She’s stuck in the middle of a battle that she didn’t start … and is honestly not all that sure she wants to be a part of, no matter what she (or her uncle or her uncle’s friends) tells herself. Life, even when you’re a hero or a villain, isn’t always black or white. And Nova needs someone in her life reminding her of that. I’m not saying she’d listen, but I could always try.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
The swoon in Archenemies ratcheted this series’s average score up a bit, but this book—thanks mostly to the action and the multiple secrets coming to light—bumped it back down. There just isn’t a lot of time for Nova and Adrian to be around each other in a romantic sort of way, and a lot of confusion of the heart to contend with. (Not a spoiler; you’d have to assume this book would up the tension, considering the other two.)
However—highlight for spoilers below:
There is a HEA involved.
Talky Talk: Darkest Before The Dawn
More than either of the previous books in this series, Supernova deals with the questions characters have about where they really fit in/with whom they side., People whose minds were made up in the beginning of the series have gone through quite a lot, and they realize that the secrets they’re keeping are keeping them apart from the people and things that actually matter. And because all of these thoughts and feelings and discussions are couched in a “superhero” wrapper doesn’t mean that they don’t apply to the real world. There’s a lot going on in these books, and I’m not just saying that as someone who views the Marvel Cinematic Universe as more than fluff movies.
Meyer did surprise me with how dark certain portions of this book got, however. (See Trigger Warning, above.) I’ve come to expect a good amount of action and violence from her, but she went to places I didn’t ever think she would. That said, they didn’t seem out of place or used for effect, and actually added to the crazy amount of tension and/or “reality” of the situation.
Bonus Factor: Family
A consistent theme running through the Renegades series is family, be it blood or found. I enjoy examinations of this sort of topic, especially in YA, since it can be hard to come to terms with the fact that sometimes blood relations are the true villains and friends can be the true family (heroes).
Anti-Bonus Factor: Battles
I mentioned this briefly before, but the destruction caused by battles between superheroes and supervillains is always massive. Meyer delves into this a little in Renegades and Archenemies, but even more so in Supernova. She also points out the fact that the destruction can’t be immediately fixed, which I think is the most important point. The after effects of battles, be they physical or figurative, sometimes last forever.
Relationship Status: TEABS
Although our time together was charged, Book, I didn’t really like you as much as I liked your siblings. But we did have some good times together, and you made me think. I don’t know that we’ll have a long and fulfilling relationship, but I’ll think of you fondly if we don’t end up getting together again.
FTC Full Disclosure: I bought a copy of this book with my own money and got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Supernova is available now.
