Heroine's Journey
Publisher: DAW
Publication Date (July 2018)
ISBN 10 - 075641445
ISBN 13 - 978-0756414412
373 pages of story
For a book that I never thought would have one sequel, let alone two, I am amazed at the journey these characters have taken (no pun intended). Heroine Complex saw the rise of Evie Tanaka as a superhero. Heroine Worship saw the humbling of Aveda Jupiter. Now, in this third book of the series, Evie's younger sister, Beatrice ("Bea") takes the spotlight as she begins her own journey into becoming a superhero - if she can only figure out how to get out of her own head...
Each of these books has been from a different point of view. The first was Evie's, the second was Aveda's, and now with Heroine's Journey, readers get an inside look at the thoughts of Bea Tanaka, who is still finding the limits to her power of emotional projection. As the back of the book says, Bea's life is full of "should haves." She should have been taken seriously as a powerful hero. She should have been allowed to come on missions with Evie and Aveda. She should have been free to use her powers to save others on a daily basis. But, in Bea's eyes, she is being held back.
So, when a strange new creature nearly takes out Evie and Aveda, and Bea steps in to save the day, she thinks this is the turning point in her life. Evie has finally agreed to let her become a part of the super team on a trial basis. Bea also discovers that she not only can project emotions, but she is able to actually implant thoughts into other's minds, in effect, "suggesting" what they should say or do. But even more important than all of that - the mother she thought had died of cancer years ago could quite possibly be alive, trapped in a demon dimension, calling out to her for help. What else should a super hero do, but help those in need? Right?
While I have to say, the first third of this book is a bit difficult to get through (I mean, Bea's incessant whining about not being allowed to be a full super hero, not being given more freedom, blah, blah, blah) gets a little tired of reading over and over. But starting with the second/third of the book, author Sarah Kuhn picks up the pace, and the story, and it begins to draw you in - particularly as you realize that Bea is developing new aspects to her power, and using those new abilities could very well lead her down a path that will put her at odds with her own sister. And just how far would she be willing to go in order to bring her mother back? That's a tough question, because anyone who has lost a parent will know that you'd do pretty much anything just to have another chance to be with him or her!
Once again, while there are definite heroics and some pretty funny epic battles, at the heart of this book (as with the previous books) is soul-searching and growth, and Bea definitely does a lot of both. And, as with the previous books, there is romance that blossoms, as Bea finds a man of her own in this book - meaning all three heroes now have their very own sweethearts (and it's interesting to note that it is the women who are the strong heroic ones, while the men play more of a supporting, Lois Lane-type role). Kuhn definitely flips the table on the typical hero/love interest story.
I see on Amazon that a fourth book in the series is forthcoming, so I now have something else to look forward to!
RATING: 8 amusement park rides that come to life out of 10 for sharing the human side of heroics, along with the temptations these heroes face to use their powers for selfish gain!
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