Bob Proehl

When Avi Hirsch learns that his daughter Emmeline has special abilities, he tries to shield her against an increasingly hostile society. Carrie Norris can become invisible, but all she wants is to be seen by the people she loves. Fahima Deeb has faced prejudice her entire life, but her uncanny connection to machines offers her the opportunity to level the playing field. These are just a few of the ordinary nobodies with astonishing gifts who must now band together against bigotry and fear, even as one of their own actively works to destroy a fragile peace. Will their combined talents spark a much-needed revolution--or an apocalypse?

The Nobody People

Laura Kehoe

I'm a huge fan of books involving superpowers and secret groups. So I was super excited to start The Nobody People. A lot of people have been comparing it to X Men, and I 100% see the similarities between the two. This was a really interesting and fun book. The pacing seemed a bit uneven, but overall, I had a great time reading this book!

One of my struggles with this book was that sometimes it felt like things were dragging super slow, and then other times the story moved so fast I had to reread bits because I wasn't sure what exactly had happened. I really enjoyed the plot and reading about these characters, but it was hard to stay focused and engaged when the pacing was a bit all over the place. The ending in particular felt a bit rushed. Although part of my feelings might have been due to the fact that I didn't realize this was part of at first. 

The characters were what really saved this for me. Because this book spans over a bit of a long period of time, you could really see these characters grow and develop. I loved getting to know these people and see how they think/react to things. I particularly enjoyed getting the perspectives of people who weren't the "heroes" but still desperately wanted to help. There were a lot of really strong characters in this book!

This was a really interesting book and I think Proehl did a great job making a theme like superhuman powers feel fresher and not as overdone. I'm interested to see where he takes the story next. If you like science fiction and/or fantasy books with superpowers and lots of emotion, you should give this book a read!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from netgalley and the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Nobody People

Author: Bob Proehl

Book Series: The Nobody People Book 1

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Muslim faith character, LGBT

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, some language, and discrimination and racism TW)

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Pages: 481

Amazon Link

Synopsis: When a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities comes out of hiding, their clash with a violent society will spark a revolution—or an apocalypse..

Avi Hirsch has always known his daughter was different. But when others with incredible, otherworldly gifts reveal themselves to the world, Avi realizes that her oddness is something more—that she is something more. With this, he has a terrifying revelation: Emmeline is now entering a society where her unique abilities unfairly mark her as a potential threat. And even though he is her father, Avi cannot keep her safe forever.

Emmeline soon meets others just like her: Carrie Norris, a teenage girl who can turn invisible . . . but just wants to be seen. Fahima Deeb, a woman with an uncanny knack for machinery . . . but it’s her Muslim faith that makes the U.S. government suspicious of her.

They are the nobody people—ordinary individuals with extraordinary gifts who want one only thing: to live as equals in an America that is gripped by fear and hatred. But the government is passing discriminatory laws. Violent mobs are taking to the streets. And one of their own—an angry young man seething with self-loathing—has used his power in an act of mass violence that has put a new target on the community. The nobody people must now stand together and fight for their future, or risk falling apart.

The first book of a timely two-part series, The Nobody People is a powerful novel of love and hope in the face of bigotry that uses a world touched by the fantastic to explore our current reality. It is a story of family and community. It is a story of continuing to fight for one another, no matter the odds. It is the story of us.

Review: I really liked this book! I felt it was equal parts superhero and equal parts steelheart (which is also superhero but go with me!) The character development was amazing and I appreciated all of the diverse characters in it. The book had amazing world building and it had a plot that was intriguing and kept the reader hooked.

However, I did feel like the book downfall was the pacing. It was so slow and it dragged at times with some spots I felt didn’t belong. 

Verdict: I need book 2!

"A group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities must save a hateful world from annihilation in the gripping follow-up to The Nobody People. For years, Fahima Deeb has managed to maintain a fragile peace between Resonants--those with supernatural gifts--and baseliners. But the Black Rose Faction, a militaristic organization of Resonants who are controlled by an increasingly unhinged Patrick Davenport, is undermining Fahima's diplomacy, pushing instead for a violent takeover of the United States. With nowhere to turn and few she can trust, Fahima must rely on uncertain allies: Carrie Norris, whose illusion of a normal life vanishes at Fahima's reappearance; Emmeline Hirsch, adrift ever since Fahima untethered her from her ability to travel through time; and Clay Weaver, a retired soldier fighting to keep his husband and son out of the clutches of the Black Rose Faction. And if this group of unlikely heroes can't stand together, the world will surely fall apart"--

The Somebody People

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Somebody People

Author: Bob Proehl

Book Series: The Nobody People Book 2

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: Heroes like story, sci-fi

Publication Date: September 1, 2020

Genre: Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, some romance, dictatorships)

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Pages: 624

Synopsis: Fahima Deeb changed everything seven years ago when she triggered the Pulse, imbuing millions of people with otherworldly gifts like flight, telekinesis, or superhuman strength. She thought that would herald the end of the hostilities between those with abilities and those without, but it instead highlighted a new problem: There is someone behind the scenes, able to influence and manipulate these newly empowered people into committing horrible acts against their will. Worse still, that shadowy figure is wearing the face of Fahima's oldest friend, Patrick Davenport. Fahima is horror-struck when she realizes that Patrick has built an army entirely under his control to wipe out all who oppose him.

With nowhere to turn and few she can trust, Fahima must rely on uncertain allies: Carrie Norris, whose illusion of a normal life vanishes at Fahima's reappearance. Clay Weaver, a retired soldier fighting to keep his husband and son safe--and to keep Patrick from taking over his mind. And, finally, Emmeline Hirsch, adrift and untethered from her ability to travel through time. Together, they might be able to topple Patrick's shadowy regime . . . though it may spell destruction for the entire world.

Review: The book is pretty good. It's a straight continuation of the first one. The book has good world building and good pacing. The plot of this one also kept me intrigued in the book. This is another book that will be great for tome topper as well!

Overall though, I don't think this book is as good as the first. The characters were a bit weirdly wrote and I can't fully describe it. The book had weird structure also and it didn't really grasp my attention. You also have to remember the last book and it would be best to read these back to back unlike what I did.

Verdict: It was good, but make sure to read book 1 first or you’ll be confused like me!

The Nobody People

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