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Strictly No Heroics

By B L Radley
0.0 (0 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In a world dominated by those with superpowers, Riley Jones is a Normie trying to keep her head down while navigating work, therapy, and coming out as queer. When she's forced to join HENCH—the henchmen of villains—her life gets complicated as she witnesses a murder and becomes entangled in a fight against gentrification and for workers' rights. Alongside new friendships and a budding romance, Riley discovers the power of standing up for justice even without superpowers.
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Format: Hardback
$3499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for young adults drawn to diverse, queer narratives set in imaginative, socially aware worlds. Perfect for readers who enjoy superhero stories with a focus on identity, justice, and activism.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In Strictly No Heroics, a normal teen girl must navigate crushing on her best friend, starting a new summer job, and not being squashed during the next supervillain showdown in B.L. Radley's young adult debut filled with humor and heart.

A normal teen girl must navigate crushing on her best friend, starting a new summer job, and not being squashed during the next supervillain showdown in this YA debut filled with humor and heart.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Normie's guide to staying alive:

  1. Keep your head down.
  2. Don't make enemies.
  3. Strictly no heroics.

The world is run by those with the Super gene, and Riley Jones doesn't have it. She's just a Normie working at a diner to save money for therapy and planning how to tell her family that she's queer. But after a run-in with a handsy superhero, Riley finds herself in desperate need of new employment, and the only place that will hire her is HENCH.

Yes, HENCH, as in henchmen: masked cronies who work for the villains. Riley's plan is to follow the rules and get paid, but then she witnesses a horrible murder on the job. Caught up in a gentrification plot, a unionization effort, and a new crush on her fellow henchwoman, Riley learns that even a powerless Normie can take a stand against injustice.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Publishers Weekly praises the book as an "insightful, multilayered debut" that subverts comic book tropes with realistic interpersonal challenges. Kirkus highlights the thrilling and galvanising journey of a queer, racially diverse protagonist. BCCB notes Riley's relatable struggle and the book's celebratory ending about self-acceptance. Booklist Online calls it a smart, socially conscious thrill ride for teens.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250818478

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 17 April 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 454g

Pages: 320

Collections

B L Radley Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Fiction Young Adult

About the Author

B. L. Radley wanted to be an astronaut or a penguin when they grew up. Neither worked out. Thankfully, fiction lets them live vicariously as both. Raised in rural England alongside several tame chickens and one feral brother, Radley still lives in the countryside, along with 999 story ideas, enough books to count as a fire hazard, and the occasional Oxford comma. Strictly No Heroics is their debut novel.

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