Book Review: Renegades

Book: Renegades

Author: Marissa Meyer

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Warning: There may be spoilers about the characters, plot, and ending!

         I absolutely loved this book! I've always been partial to superhero books, and this exceeded my expectations. The names and powers that were given to the characters were so unique, I could never come up with something like those if I tried. The way the two groups are set up make you question who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.

         The Renegades ("Heroes") defeated the Anarchists ("Villains") around 10 years ago in a final battle. The Renegades control the city and keep peace and order through out it, while the Anarchists live in abandoned buildings and subways, forbidden to use their powers in public. Though the Renegades are the so-called heroes, many of them are unnecessarily cruel to the Anarchists and even some of the Renegade groups. Nova, one of the two perspectives told, has made it her mission to take out the Renegades. Her focus is on the council, I see them as doing the best they can and generally good people. But I understand her motive and determination. Her whole family was murdered when they were supposed to be under the council's protection. They didn't keep their promise and never personally searched for Nova.

        Nova's character was so well developed. She grew up the niece of the leader of the Anarchists. After his death, she is raised by the others of the group: Ingrid (The Detonator), Phobia (True name unknown), Winston (The Puppeteer), Honey (Queen Bee), and Leroy (Cyanide). She infiltrates the Renegades group with the name Insomnia who doesn't sleep and creates gadgets. Her plan is to find out the Renegades weakness and help the Anarchists take them down. You understand her hate for the Renegades and almost want her to succeed until you meet some of the other characters. Her powers of not being able to sleep and being able to put others to sleep is so unique, especially to her back story. You also get to see her personality and thoughts change throughout the book.

         Though I loved one of the main characters, I can't say I loved the other. Aiden is the other perspective the story was told from, and I just couldn't relate to his character. Aiden is the son of the deceased council woman Lady Indomitable and the adopted son of council men Captain Chromium and The Dread Warden. Aiden has the ability to sketch anything to life. He can also use this ability to give himself other powers, including fire and spring jumping. With this new found ability, he creates a new persona he calls The Sentinel. This is one of the reasons I don't care for his character. He goes against his family and teammates: Danna (Monarch), Ruby (Red Assassin), and Oscar (Smokescreen). Instead of helping through the Renegades, he goes off on his own and causes more trouble, even injuring one of his teammates. I also felt like I just didn't know a whole lot about him. Yes I knew his powers and a bit about his family, but I didn't know enough to become attached to his character. Honestly, if he had died at the end, I would have been indifferent.

          I won't spoil the ending, but I really enjoyed the action scene near the end. It was sort of expected until you got to the climax. I felt we have a lot to look forward to in the next book, and some major questions will be answered.

               If you've read Renegades, feel free to comment what you love and hated about it!