Crimson Son

De: Russ Linton

Narrado por: Mitchell Lucas

Can the powerless son of a superhero do what his father couldn't?

Spencer Harrington is the son of the Crimson Mask, the world's most powerful Augment. Ever since witnessing his mother's abduction by a psychotic supervillain two years ago, he's been confined to his father's arctic bunker. Haunted by nightmares and tired of eating cardboard rations in the "Icehole", Spencer launches into his father's dangerous world to uncover his mother's fate.

With no superpowers of his own, Spencer stumbles through a web of conspiracies and top secret facilities armed only with his multi-tool and an arsenal of weapons grade smart-assery. Along the way he rallies a team of everyday people and cast-off Augments, but he soon discovers that his father's nemesis, the Black Beetle, isn't his only enemy or even his worst.

©2014, 2015 Russ Linton (P)2016 Russ Linton

5 Stars for a NOT so powerless superhero!!

I loved every second of this audible book! The story flowed flawlessly, the characters were likable, and the world is believable. The narrator, Mitchell Lucas, does a fantastic job with all of the characters. All I can say is Yes! Yes! Yes! I love it and I want more of the Crimson Son!!! Russ Linton & Mitchell Lucas and my new superheroes!

"I was incredibly lucky to have this audio book gifted to me by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Something for the teenagers

Would you try another book from Russ Linton and/or Mitchell Lucas?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

It was okay. Nothing really stands out. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

Great story with a comic book feel

A review copy of this book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have a weakness for superhero stories that portray a superhero’s personal life instead of focusing just on the hero while relegating their family to the background. You’d think that their familial relationships would be some of the most important and intricate relationships in their lives, and often, it’s rarely touched on or touched on in a way that supports only whatever the hero has going on. These relationships have to be some of the most complicated relationships that heroes have, and this books explores this in its own way. Spencer is a likable, sarcastic kid (and just like a kid he can get really annoying at times), and while he may not have powers, he has skills that are handy, showing that a hero doesn’t always have to have godlike powers to be useful. Spencer’s father does seem to truly care for his son, but his work has left him distant and controlling, and it felt perfectly understandable that Spencer would resent his father, especially in the wake of his mother’s abduction. Situations like that bring about tough questions such as why can his father save others but could not save the most important person in their lives?

This book was infused with humor, angst, and action. Spencer is pulled in deeper and deeper into his father’s world and learns that things aren’t so simple as he once thought they were. There’s something always going on in this book, but it does manage to still give readers a good sense of the characters and various relationships are explored throughout the book aside from Spencer and his family’s. This book takes time to process emotions and thoughts rather than skimming over them, and it really capitalizes on Spencer finding personal strength. The book is told from other point-of-views aside from Spencer’s, but Spencer’s story is told from first person where the others are not. This may be jarring from some readers, but regardless, the other sections are well-written and absorbing. Spencer can read a little younger than he is. This feels like a coming of age story, but I would think that maybe Spencer is a little too old for that categorization. Then again, we can all hit a late spurt.

The narration didn’t work for me. Mitchell Lucas wasn’t a bad narrator, but I found him to be a bit monotonous. Emotions I was expecting from passages just weren’t there, and it hampered my enjoyment of the book because it took me a while to look beyond the narration and focus on the story. I don’t know if Lucas is a new narrator. This is the first book I’ve read by him, but I think with a little more time and practice, he could be just fine. And it could’ve just been his reading for this particular book. Sometimes, I find that one book isn’t representative of a narrator’s talent and have revisited my thoughts about certain narrators after hearing more of their work.

This is an underdog story filled with familiar emotions in a superpowered setting. Comic book fans that enjoy X-Men or Superman will probably get the most enjoyment from this. The story is familiar and it has that comic book feel that appeals to comics fans. However, lovers of genre fiction and people who aren’t particular about genre fiction can enjoy this story as well with it’s easy, engaging story line.

An unique twist on a superhero book.

This is a good book. It has a different twist on a classic superhero. I received this audiobook for free and voluntarily reviewed.

It is comic book fun

Spencer is the brilliant son of the Crimson Mask, an invincible superhero. The problem is, he is small, weak, overprotected and overshadowed by his macho father. His mother was kidnapped years ago and it seems the Crimson Mask has done nothing to find her. When his icy hiding place is destroyed, it is up to Spencer to solve the many mysteries surrounding her disappearance and all the other augmented superheroes.

Spencer has only his brain and infinite anger to help him. It is hard to tell who are the bad guys. Even his father is suspect. He may be able to trust his paranoid childhood friend, but who knows, no one is who they seem.

Crimson Son is the story of a teenager fighting the world. There is a lot of action, computer hacking, inept geeks, evil geniuses, flying killer drones and oh so many high tech gadgets. It is comic book fun. If you enjoy this genre of fiction, you should definitely give this book a go. There is plenty of over-the-top tech and super evil characters, as it should be. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a fast and lighthearted listen.

Mitchell Lucas performs the story superbly. Spencer’s sarcasm and self-deprecating wit come through perfectly. The many characters are differentiated wonderfully and clearly. It is a pleasure to listen to and Mr. Lucas adds enormously to the story. Great fit.

The sci-fi sub-genre of comic book superhero/supervillain fiction has been growing of late. Crimson Son does a good job of creating engaging characters and exciting action. Certainly, not every listener is right for this kind of story, but for those who enjoy this style should look no further.

Note: The main character is 19 and full of teen problems, which makes it a good choice for young adults. There is some swearing, and allusion to sex, but that is pretty mild and should be a good listen for teenagers, particularly boys.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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