When a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities comes out of hiding, their clash with a violent society will spark a revolution—or an apocalypse. “Much like the X-Men comics, Proehl masterfully uses science fiction as a lens to examine social inequality and human evil.”—Booklist Avi Hirsch has always known his daughter was different. But when others with incredible, otherworldly gifts … with incredible, otherworldly gifts reveal themselves to the world, Avi realizes that her oddness is something more—that she is something more. With this, he has a terrifying revelation: Emmeline is now entering a society where her unique abilities unfairly mark her as a potential threat. And even though he is her father, Avi cannot keep her safe forever.
Emmeline soon meets others just like her: Carrie Norris, a teenage girl who can turn invisible . . . but just wants to be seen. Fahima Deeb, a woman with an uncanny knack for machinery . . . but it’s her Muslim faith that makes the U.S. government suspicious of her.
They are the nobody people—ordinary individuals with extraordinary gifts who want one only thing: to live as equals in an America that is gripped by fear and hatred. But the government is passing discriminatory laws. Violent mobs are taking to the streets. And one of their own—an angry young man seething with self-loathing—has used his power in an act of mass violence that has put a new target on the community. The nobody people must now stand together and fight for their future, or risk falling apart.
The first book of a timely two-part series, The Nobody People is a powerful novel of love and hope in the face of bigotry that uses a world touched by the fantastic to explore our current reality. It is a story of family and community. It is a story of continuing to fight for one another, no matter the odds. It is the story of us.
Bob Proehl will return with The Somebody People!
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Thoughtful, nuanced, kinetic, and, above all, human, this is the superhero story we’ve been waiting for.
The epitome of a page-turner, with well-drawn-out characters, tense set pieces, and a cinematic feel.
Bob Proehl brings striking realism to this extraordinary story, delving into the notion of otherness with nuance and complexity. With an ensemble cast of badass, cool-as-hell, and deeply human characters, The Nobody People is a super-fun ride and a timely tale of love, hate, and everything in between.
This was a really excellent story that grabbed me in the opening pages and never let go – although I must confess to being disappointed that it stopped rather than ended… There are a LOT of loose ends left hanging, and in a way that felt unfinished rather than cliff-hanger’ed.
Despite that, I loved the story – and for me, that’s an unusual statement to make.
I automatically knock a star off for an abrupt end that leaves the current elements of the story unfinished (as I did here). But usually that knock off also means I have to give an “I’m so disappointed” on the whole book – and no matter how much I might be, I just can’t do that here. The writing is amazing, the story marvelously crafted – as are the characters – and that combination makes this one of the better things I’ve read this year.
Proehl has done a magnificent job crafting a world that is utterly believable and populated by a fantastic, in every sense of the word, mix of characters. The story resonates (no pun intended) with current events and extrapolates the plight of the Resonant to that of minority groups of all shapes and sizes. The story rings clarion-clear and delivers a fantastic punch all wrapped in a delightful package of witty, clever, original storytelling.
There are a lot of possibilities for a sequel/subsequent books – and frankly, the way the story ended demands at least one more. I hope it comes soon – there was so much going on here, with such a panoply of characters, that it would be tough to wait too long and still keep things straight enough in my head to fully enjoy the next installment. And if the next book is anything like this one, I fully intend to enjoy it. This was a fantastic story and I will definitely be keeping Proehl on my watchlist…
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
Disappointed
I went into this story expecting lots of action and details on people’s paranormal abilities. What I got hit with was a political broadside against people who are different in our society and the imbalance between the haves and the have-nots.
Well, I’m overloaded with politics right now. Everywhere I turn, whether it be television or any social media I use, I’m inundated with everyone’s view on politics or how this country is being run.
When I read I’m looking for a form of escapism. The book was written well but I just don’t believe it delivered what was advertised.
I received this book from Del Rey Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
The Nobody People is an expertly plotted, morally complex, brilliantly written, adrenaline-fueled adventure into a new dawn of heroes and villains. Hold on tight to this novel, because you’re in for a hell of a ride.
Bob Proehl is one of those authors you can trust to guide you out of your comfort zone. The Nobody People is a gripping, haunting, and complex book, perfect for our times. It will take you on a warrior’s journey. In fact, I’m reminded of something Gandalf said to Bilbo at the outset of The Hobbit: “…if you do [come back], you won’t be the same.”
Smart, exciting, lyrical, and fun. This astonishing book brings the superhero universe of Marvel or DC into our own, with all its rough edges and ugliness. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
*REVIEW*
The Nobody People tells the tale of a group of people, kids, who should not, but do, exist. Called The Resonants, they decide to emerge from hiding and show themselves to the world. Good or bad idea? The world is not kind to those who are different. This story is no exception. They are faced with judgment, ridicule and discrimination of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. And, questions arise about their powers and the uses of them being lawful, etc. Things look bleak. Obviously, the premise has been written before, but this story is engaging with its underlying ethical questions and moral values. How would you feel about a group of people with superpowers? Yay or nah? The subject is definitely debatable. Fans of action hero movies and comic books should try this book. I enjoyed the story overall and found it thought provoking and compelling.