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Liminal People (2009)

by Ayize Jama-Everett(Favorite Author)
3.83 of 5 Votes: 1
ISBN
1280871768 (ISBN13: 9781280871764)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Small Beer Press
review 1: This novel was apparently self-published, then picked up by the illustrious Small Beer Press. Good pick. It’s not perfect, but it deserves much better than to languish in self-pubbed obscurity. I also applaud Small Beer for accurately representing the black protagonist on the cover.Taggert has the power to control and transform his own body and the bodies of others: he can heal or kill, distract opponents with sudden physical urges or create the world’s best disguise for himself. Jama-Everett takes a geeky delight in exploring how exactly Taggert’s powers work, providing logical limitations and applications. This sometimes gets extremely gross and graphically violent, so be warned.The storyline and tone are a pulp noir/superhero pastiche (complete with a fair amount ... moreof male gaze): Taggert’s ex-girlfriend summons him from Morocco, where he’s been working for a creepy supervillian/crime boss, to London, where she informs him that the daughter he never knew has powers too… and has gone missing. Cue chasing through the underbelly of London, meeting more mutant powered people and engaging in spectacular battles. But it’s not all violent and dark. The relationships between the characters are often surprisingly sweet and moving, and I got very invested in Taggert, Tamara, and several of the mutants they meet along the way. Gritty, vivid, energetic, intense: very much worth reading if my description sounds good. I didn’t like the climax, due to several annoying clichés involving the villain’s nature and eventual disposal, but the ending was satisfying.
review 2: Read this book. It's one of the best character-driven, emotionally gripping novels I've ever read.The Liminal People are those with powers beyond the human possible. The Liminal People are those whose existence is a secret best kept from others like them. The Liminal People is a book about what it means to be human, what it is worth to be human. It's a gritty, unforgiving look at the world--and a brutally honest portrayal of love and hope. less
Reviews (see all)
qwertyae
Fast and enjoyable. Fun, but not great. I would love to see this become a movie.
ARichardson
I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thanks.
sawab
A short but powerful book. Recommended.
seamstress
tttt
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