The Rise of Renegade X

Renegade X, Book 1

By: Chelsea M. Campbell

Narrated by: Phillip Russell Newman

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Sixteen-year-old Damien Locke has a plan: major in messing with people at the local supervillain university and become a professional evil genius, just like his supervillain mom. But when he discovers the shameful secret she's been hiding all these years, that the one-night stand that spawned him was actually with a superhero, everything gets messed up. His father's too moral for his own good, so when he finds out Damien exists, he actually wants him to come live with him and his goody-goody superhero family. Damien gets shipped off to stay with them in their suburban hellhole, and he has only six weeks to prove he's not a hero in any way, or else he's stuck living with them for the rest of his life, or until he turns eighteen, whichever comes first.

To get out of this mess, Damien has to survive his dad's "flying lessons" that involve throwing him off the tallest building in the city--despite his nearly debilitating fear of heights--thwarting the eccentric teen scientist who insists she's his sidekick, and keeping his supervillain girlfriend from finding out the truth. But when Damien uncovers a dastardly plot to turn all the superheroes into mindless zombie slaves, a plan hatched by his own mom, he discovers he cares about his new family more than he thought. Now he has to choose: go back to his life of villainy and let his family become zombies, or stand up to his mom and become a real hero.

©2010 Chelsea M. Campbell (P)2013 Chelsea M. Campbell

Very surprised at how good this book is

Any additional comments?

I wanted to get into the superhero fantasy genre after going through lots of Urban, LITRPG, Epic, and all other kinds of fantasy. If you expect a good vs evil then this will surprise you. This is also a YA book series for teens in Junior high to high school. There is a lot of teen drama but the drama is more funny than irritating. Seriously if you want a care free book that will make you laugh and groan this is a good book. Also the voice actor that narrates this book is AMAZING. I mean he does get a bit carried away and go off script like shout "CAT!" rather than mutter it as it calls for in the book. Totally forgivable though props.

Great story but okay listening.

I really enjoyed the story and when Phillip Newman voiced the male characters it was a great experience. But when he voiced the older female characters it was like listening to MTV's Jersey Shore girls in there 60s. Eventually I got used to the shrill voice but I definitely didn't enjoy it.

An entertaining young adult take on the super hero genre.

The only major flaw is the voice actor's characterizations of the adults, especially the protagonist's mother who is almost painfully shrill.

can't get enough

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise of Renegade X?

My memorable moment was when Damian father pushed him off the roof To teach him how to fly.

Which character – as performed by Phillip Russell Newman – was your favorite?

I liked when he did the girls performance and the dad

Any additional comments?

I listen to this book over and over again. I Can't wait untill book 2 comes out .

Cool concept but an +18 level read

This was an interesting idea to watch as a kid who’s genetics are from two worlds is forced into an unanticipated identity crisis. The narration was good, differentiations between characters of the same gender were not as clear as I’d prefer. The story itself was very interesting to see unfold, if the description spiked your curiosity I’d suggest giving this series a go. I know I definitely am curious about what will happen in the sequel. Parents: this is not terribly YA appropriate despite the main characters being 15/16 year olds. The language is of moderate level (no Fbombs) but the sexual content/allusions alone are pretty heavy for those under 18 in my opinion. If anything, give this a read through before you let your teens do. —I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great story, bad reader.

*sigh* I hate to do this, but the reader's female voices were unbearable. Damien was fine though. story still worth a read.

A fun adventure for mature YA audience

I would caution parents that this is not a story for children. There is a heavy focus on sex talk amongst 16 year olds and a teen threatening rape. While the subject matter may be uncomfortable, it is, unfortunately, true to life. Some of the scenes can be used as a segue into an open dialog about sexualality.

A tad over the top but loads of fun.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rise of Renegade X to be better than the print version?

I've only listened to the audiobook so I wouldn't know.

What other book might you compare The Rise of Renegade X to and why?

Hmmm... Genre wise Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart comes close but that book is much more serious and this is quite light hearted in comparison.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the book, but don't like to give spoilers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It moved pretty quickly along, yes.

Any additional comments?

I really, really enjoyed the book! I think the best single word that describes this story is fun. It's a little campy and some parts are quite silly [Mainly the idea that there is a virus that makes a V for villain or H for hero show up on peoples thumbs.], but it really had a nice blend of snarky humor, teen angst, and costumed superhero stuff.

I also really enjoyed the narration on this one. I thought the guys voice fit the main character; although it probably would have driven me crazy if this had been a more serious type of story. He really goes all out on the main character's mother's voice; I laughed when I first heard it.

I really liked all the characters in the story for once. It's been awhile since I came away from a book that didn't have at least one character I wanted to slap up the side of the head of the author. It's really nice when you're interested in all the characters and what motivates each of them. So, I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.

Fantastic YA that any adult would love too

Any additional comments?

Audible, book 2 in the series has been out for awhile now. ... Desperately waiting for the audio version!

Narrator is really bad.

I kept having a hard time understanding what the narrator was saying. He was talking too fast and i started getting a headache. Even at 50% speed i kept missing something. Maybe i am going deaf or the compression removed something but I could not figure out a way to make it ok. 10 minutes in the narrator switched to a female voice that was so bad the I turned it off. His voice for Damien's mother sounded like a 15 year old boy doing an impression of a transvestite who wears a cowboy hat in the most insulting way possible. It was REALLY bad! Chelsea Campbell or her publisher needs to fire whoever decided to cast this guy and re-record it.

somewhere between anti hero and anti villain

if you like brainless superpower battles this may mot neccesarily be for you but it is a great story nontheless about how a sly youth from the wrong side of the supertracks realises he is a halfbreed and now had to live with his hero dad against his will.

fun angle

at first I thought the narrator was a little odd with mothers voice gratting a little but I grew to love it. there is passion in the narration and writing. its a fun spin on the superhero stereotype that our protagonist HAS to be the hero. looking forward to book 2!!

Super hero or super villain either choice is great

This is the first book by this author that I have listened to but it won't be my last as I have already downloaded book two. It is a fun and unique take on the super hero theme. It is billed as a teen or young adult but I think with the tongue in cheek humour it is enjoyable for any age, although it does contain lots of sexual innuendo. The characters were fun and I just love the way that a letter on the hand defines your Destiny, unless you are Damien and then your actions do, it was right trying to work out which side he would choose. The story contains plenty of action and teenage drama and is just a fun adventure. Off to start the next book so see what happens next.
When Damien turns sixteen a 'V' will appear on his hand and he can finally become the super villain he has always wanted to be. Instead he learns that his father is a super hero and instead of the biggest night of his life he hides away in shame with an 'X'. Once his father finds out he has son he demand that Damien comes and lives with his family until the x changes into a 'V' for Villain or 'H' for hero. With his world crashing down around him Damien gets enrolled in school for the first time and finds himself drawn to the weirdo in class, the one person who hasn't judged him for being a villain or a hero. But how will his ex girlfriend take the news? Every one he knows is a villain but which side will Damen choose?
I liked the narrator but did find some of the ladies voices annoying, the mum in particular, she was just to high pitched for my liking.
I was given this free review copy Audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.