The Rise of Renegade X

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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 .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

nearly every cliche is used in this book.

ok I think people are tired of the mc being torn over a cheating ex. we get it move the hell on you whiny baby. we understand that you're torn between being a hero or villain. just let the mc actually be willing to listen. I can go on longer but I won't. there's nothing really new or interesting in this story. it's getting tiring listening to the mc start verbally assaulting people if they bring up a subject he doesn't like or has scared about. hey it's alright that you have your weaknesses just don't be a coward about them and try to get over it or at least be able to keep his cool. the author seems to forget that a hero saves people & a villain does harm by definition so all this talk about discrimination because he's a villain or a hero is just butt backwards.
narrator did a great as t job they just did a shit job with the breathing sounds.

Really good read

I recommend this to any one into o this genre... I just wish the rest of the series was added to the audible library

So you want to be a Super Villian?

My initial impression was, oh no another confused teen adventure, but Chelsea quickly moved through the pre-adult uncertainties foundation and began developing the challenge that drives Damien Lock through the story. The story flows and the characters are brought to life to interact with Damien.
My only ding is with the voice characterization of Damien's Mom, very annoying...