Halloween is over, and though October is a month for spooky horror reads, there were plenty of good superhero novels and novellas released last month. Here are a few that caught my eye. As usual, I haven’t read all of these books personally, so please read the reviews and samples before purchasing. And if you have any recommendations, let me know!
Spectra: A Cynical Superhero
by Amy Sumida
They think she’s a superhero. She thinks they’re delusional.
Amara Madison has strange abilities. She can manipulate colors; use them to create illusions, alter auras, and affect the human body in both helpful and harmful ways. She’s not alone either. Amara lives in a secret community of supernaturals in Washington DC. Some of her kind try to help humans. They call themselves superheroes instead of supernaturals. Amara thinks that’s just super-ridiculous. It’s hard enough to live as a supe among humans while trying to hold down a normal job; adding dangerous charity work to her busy schedule would be nearly impossible. But when a sexy Arc Angel warns Amara that she’s being hunted by demons, he brings to light secrets in her past that will force Amara to face the true heroism within her blood or lose herself forever.
From the best-selling author of the Godhunter, Twilight Court, and Spellsinger Series comes an exciting new take on superheroes. Grab a copy today and discover why cynics make the best heroes.
Fitting In: A Tor.com Original
by Max Gladstone
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. “Fitting In” by Max Gladstone shows how everyday people can step up to become extraordinary.
Robin Ruttiger tries—he really does—but his lot in life falls way shorter than his expectations. A failed contestant of the superhero reality TV show, American Hero, he now works as a high school guidance counselor to reluctant students. Things change, however, when a favorite bakery in Jokertown becomes a target of vandalism, and Robin realizes he can play the hero after all.
Liberty (Ultrahumans Book 7)
by Niall Teasdale
America has a new national hero, the enigmatic Miss Liberty, along with a new president. There are aliens in orbit around Mars. Someone is blowing up inconsequential buildings with massive amounts of explosives. A preacher is ‘casting demons’ from Ultrahumans, taking away their powers in the name of God. And an eldritch horror is rising from the depths of Puget Sound.
For Cygnus and Twilight, it’s just another Tuesday.
Haven: A Steel Falcon Novella
by N.K Quinn
A girl on the run. A vicious gang tearing itself apart. Throw a fledgling vigilante into the mix and not everyone will get out alive.
Izzy Ferguson lives in a world run by Corporations. On the surface those ‘chosen’ to be part of a Corporation have everything, everything apart from their freedom. When her family falls apart, she finds that a forbidden love from the other side of society is the only thing that can save her. Izzy and Damian have no choice but to escape to the only place where they can live in peace – the Haven.
Their plan unravels faster than they can imagine and they are hurled into a world of high tech drugs, gang warfare and betrayal. Will the involvement of the vigilante known as the Steel Falcon be their saving grace or will death come between them?
Haven is a fast-paced novella in the Steel Falcon YA sci-fi superhero series.
The Superhero’s Husband
by Joynell Schultz
It doesn’t take superpowers to do super things.
Rhett is strong. He’s heroic. He’s what every woman wants…if only his wife would notice.
During their eight years of marriage, Rhett has fought side-by-side with Rayne, his superhero wife, despite Rhett having no superpowers of his own. Together, they’ve kept Summercoast safe by defeating all sorts of dark forces.
But now, there’s a new supervillain in town: a mad scientist with abilities Rhett and Rayne have never seen before.
Dark Lightning is the first supervillain that has come to Summercoast with powers stronger than Rayne’s and the first villain that has given her so much trouble. It’s like he knows everything about her—and it’s not just paranoia speaking. Rhett finds himself cast aside when Rayne seeks help from another man—a true superhero with superpowers.
When Rayne and her new superhero companion go to capture Dark Lightning, Rhett sneaks along to help, but he inadvertently gives their enemy the upper hand.
Will his wife ever forgive him? To find out, Rhett must save her first.
Kristen Brand 