Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slow start, but much intrigue in supervillain/hero tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 52 kid reviews
Kids say the book is an engaging mix of superhero and villain perspectives, challenging traditional notions of good and evil while featuring a diverse cast, including openly gay characters. While some found the pacing slow and the character development hit-or-miss, many rave about the overall plot and the unique storytelling style, emphasizing that it offers valuable lessons despite occasional violence.
- unique perspectives
- mixed reviews
- diverse characters
- engaging plot
- pacing issues
- valuable lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In RENEGADES, Nova lives with a small band of anarchists in the subway tunnels, just waiting for their chance to strike out against the Renegade superheroes who run the city of Gatlon. They seize their moment at a parade and Nova, aka Nightmare, takes aim at Captain Chromium from a high building and barely misses. As she flees, she encounters a new superhero on the rooftop: the Sentinel. He fights with fire and can leap high in the air, and his suit is nearly indestructible. Nova escapes with her life that day, and also with a new purpose. She must find out who this Sentinel is and how he possessed all those powers. She worries that the Renegades are using their labs to create super soldiers, and she figures the only way to uncover and sabotage the program is to turn spy and infiltrate their ranks. Meanwhile, the Sentinel, aka Adrian, hides his suit -- from everyone, but especially the Renegades -- and heads home to check on his dad, Captain Chromium. He is upset that Nightmare slipped away from him, and he's determined to find out everything he can to bring her to justice.
Is It Any Good?
This "if X-men types ran the government" story keeps the often explored superhero genre fresh enough with unique superpowers, spies, and double-crosses, and many layers of secrets. Readers may find it a little hard to dig into this world at first. So many superheroes and supervillains are introduced, it's hard to keep them straight as you learn about the war between them. It doesn't help that they all have real names and their alter-ego names and different powers.
A little frustration is worth it, however, when the main character, Nova, turns spy. The story builds from here, adding tension -- will Nova be found out? -- and adding more sympathetic notes to Nova's character. How long will she be bent on revenge as she learns more about her supposed enemies? And about Adrian. Their love story doesn't get far, which may disappoint readers of author Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series. They know she usually delivers a stellar romantic storyline. There's much romantic room to grow and many secrets to unveil in the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what each side is fighting for in Renegades. Is one side all right or all wrong? What prejudices get in the way of each side seeing the other more fairly?
How does the world of Renegades compare with other superhero worlds you've read about in books or seen in movies?
How do you think Nova and Adrian will change in the second and final book?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Puppets
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Feiwel & Friends
- Publication date : November 7, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 576
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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