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Lois Lane #1
Fallout
Lois Lane is starting a new life in Metropolis. An Army brat, Lois has lived all over—and seen all kinds of things. (Some of them defy explanation, like the near-disaster she witnessed in Kansas in the middle of one night.) But now her family is putting down roots in the big city, and Lois is determined to fit in. Stay quiet. Fly straight. As soon as she steps into her new high school, though, she can see it won’t be that easy. A group known as the Warheads is making life miserable for another girl at school. They’re messing with her mind, somehow, via the high-tech immersive videogame they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and her new snazzy job as a reporter, Lois has her sights set on solving this mystery. But sometimes it’s all a bit much. Thank goodness for her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
About the author
Gwenda Bond
53 books1,188 followersGwenda Bond is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the first official Stranger Things novel, Suspicious Minds, the Lois Lane YA series, and the romantic comedies Not Your Average Hot Guy, The Date from Hell, and Mr. & Mrs. Witch. She has a number of forthcoming projects, including a magical art heist book, The Frame-Up. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in Publishers Weekly, Locus Magazine, Salon, the Los Angeles Times, and many other publications.
She co-founded and chairs the nonprofit Lexington Writer’s Room, and lives in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, author Christopher Rowe, and a veritable zoo of adorable doggos and queenly cats. Visit her online at www.gwendabond.com or join her newsletter at www.gwendabond.substack.com.
She co-founded and chairs the nonprofit Lexington Writer’s Room, and lives in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, author Christopher Rowe, and a veritable zoo of adorable doggos and queenly cats. Visit her online at www.gwendabond.com or join her newsletter at www.gwendabond.substack.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 732 reviews
August 15, 2023
This book surprised me. It is really good. The book two was about human cloning. Really freeky stuff. The first book is just Lois Lane getting familiar with her new town and new friends and job at the dayly planet. I highly recommend it.
June 27, 2015
So on the Batman/Superman divide, spectrum whatever you want to call it, I’m on the side of the Man in Blue. Have been since the fifth grade when Lois & Clark was my favorite TV show and my mom let me put Superman’s shield on my retainer. Also, the dark and broody thing has never really done it for me. I’m pretty much in agreement with John Green on this matter (“Batman is just a rich guy with an affinity for bats who is playing out his insane fantasy of single-handedly ridding Gotham of crime.”) I’ve read a smattering of Superman comics over the years, but I’ve always preferred the filmed versions over the comics. Give me Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain or Tom Welling any day.
Yeah, I’m one of those “non-comics readers”. Superhero comics overwhelm me. Deal with it.
But as much as I love that thick-necked, tight-panty-wearing honorable musk-ox of a man, the actual reason that I love Superman so much is because where goeth Superman, Lois Lane goeth also.
I love Lois Lane. Love her. LOVE.
She’s smart and spunky and tenacious. She won’t take your shit. She’s nosy and persistent and knows just exactly how to push all of your buttons, either to get what she wants or just to annoy the bejeezus out of you. She’s sometimes bitter and caustic on the outside, but inside she’s all gooey emotional center. She’s the original marshmallow.
So basically the only thing I was wanting from this book was to make sure it did my girl credit. I’m happy to report that it did.
Gwenda Bond’s Lois is a seventeen year old army brat, newly moved to Metropolis. She’s spent her childhood moving from place to place and stirring up trouble, but this time her father has requested a more permanent assignment, and Lois is determined not to screw things up, and maybe actually make a friend that will stick with her longer than her next move. Her only long-lasting friendship is with a guy she met online in a mysterious occurrences message board. He refuses to tell her his real name, only going by the handle “SmallvilleGuy.” (winkwink)
But of course, being Lois, she manages to get herself right in the thick of things almost immediately upon entering her new school. Like, IMMEDIATELY. Pretty soon she’s on a crusade to save a student from a very bizarre and terrifying form of bullying, of which the administration not only ignores, but seems to go out of their way to cover up. She does this with the online chat type help of SmallvilleGuy, and with the resources of the student version of the Daily Planet behind her (Perry White, of course, having almost immediately recruited her).
It’s a really fun read. The mystery was pretty good, very reminiscent of the comics, but my favorite parts were Lois being Lois, and the close friendship between her and SmallvilleGuy. Their relationship frustrates Lois, as she wishes she could be closer to her friend, but knowing for some reason that she can’t.
It was a fun, quick read, and I hope enough people buy it and read it so that she writes sequels. I very badly need this whole thing with SmallvilleGuy to be worked out, even though I know how it will all end.
Yeah, I’m one of those “non-comics readers”. Superhero comics overwhelm me. Deal with it.
But as much as I love that thick-necked, tight-panty-wearing honorable musk-ox of a man, the actual reason that I love Superman so much is because where goeth Superman, Lois Lane goeth also.
I love Lois Lane. Love her. LOVE.
She’s smart and spunky and tenacious. She won’t take your shit. She’s nosy and persistent and knows just exactly how to push all of your buttons, either to get what she wants or just to annoy the bejeezus out of you. She’s sometimes bitter and caustic on the outside, but inside she’s all gooey emotional center. She’s the original marshmallow.
So basically the only thing I was wanting from this book was to make sure it did my girl credit. I’m happy to report that it did.
Gwenda Bond’s Lois is a seventeen year old army brat, newly moved to Metropolis. She’s spent her childhood moving from place to place and stirring up trouble, but this time her father has requested a more permanent assignment, and Lois is determined not to screw things up, and maybe actually make a friend that will stick with her longer than her next move. Her only long-lasting friendship is with a guy she met online in a mysterious occurrences message board. He refuses to tell her his real name, only going by the handle “SmallvilleGuy.” (winkwink)
But of course, being Lois, she manages to get herself right in the thick of things almost immediately upon entering her new school. Like, IMMEDIATELY. Pretty soon she’s on a crusade to save a student from a very bizarre and terrifying form of bullying, of which the administration not only ignores, but seems to go out of their way to cover up. She does this with the online chat type help of SmallvilleGuy, and with the resources of the student version of the Daily Planet behind her (Perry White, of course, having almost immediately recruited her).
It’s a really fun read. The mystery was pretty good, very reminiscent of the comics, but my favorite parts were Lois being Lois, and the close friendship between her and SmallvilleGuy. Their relationship frustrates Lois, as she wishes she could be closer to her friend, but knowing for some reason that she can’t.
It was a fun, quick read, and I hope enough people buy it and read it so that she writes sequels. I very badly need this whole thing with SmallvilleGuy to be worked out, even though I know how it will all end.
March 6, 2016
Received to review via Maximum Pop
Gwenda Bond was on Strange Chemistry’s roster of authors, superhero novels are a thing I enjoy, and making the female supporting characters (like Lois Lane) the star of the story is 100% my thing, so I was quite intrigued by this, and glad to win it for review. Before reading it, I was a little surprised to see people complaining that it doesn’t contain more of Superman/Clark Kent. I mean, the title says Lois Lane. What did you expect? I’m baffled. After reading it, I feel even more so — one, Clark’s a reasonably big figure in the story even if we don’t see him, and two, why do you want Clark when Lois is perfect as the star of this story?
Fallout is a reimagining of Lois’ story, a teen reporter in a new school who cares about the people around her, and doesn’t care much for being asked to sit down and shut up. I don’t remember anything about Lois Lane’s traditional background in the comics and TV adaptations, but here she’s the daughter of an army general — brought up to take care of herself, with a very strong will of her own, and thus clashing with her parents and authority figures in school, but always with heart. She sees an injustice, she goes after it.
Which gives us the very topical basis of the premise: Lois sees that there’s a group of bullies in the school who are getting away with everything, and hears a star student complaining to the principal about it, only to be dismissed. Straight away she’s on the case — and Perry sees her instincts right away, recruiting her for the school magazine. It’s a bit of wish fulfilment, but it keeps the story from dawdling, and puts the focus on the problem, and the developing mystery surrounding it. You can feel how well-aimed this is, in a world that’s increasingly conscious of bullying, particularly cyberbullying.
And then it takes it one step further, and adds the conspiracy theory, the weird almost-magical techy bits. This is such a teenage book: Lois, well-meaning and determined, suspicious of the adult world and penetrating the issues immediately. She’s a great hero; as a teen, I’d have wanted to be her. And it bases it on such a realistic foundation: school officials who don’t notice bullying? I don’t know anyone who got through school without noticing some of that…
Lest you be wondering, Clark is a part of the story. Lois only knows him from the internet, but they trust each other and back each other up, and there’s… something… between them. Nothing they put a name to, not so far, but they care for each other and you can feel how much they want to meet in person and share everything. Clark’s insistence on keeping his secret worked well, and Lois’ reactions as well. Again, I suppose you could see it as topical with how you can meet people online, can you trust them, etc, etc.
For all that I’m saying it’s topical and it feels based in reality and it’s definitely a teenage-feeling book, I’m not saying I enjoyed it any the less for that. I appreciated all of that and enjoyed the story. It’s such an absorbing read, it just felt like pure fun to me. I got back from a day long journey from Brussels to Yorkshire on the train, meant to go right to bed, and picked it up ‘just for a minute’. Seventy pages later, I did eventually make myself go to bed…
Originally posted here.
Gwenda Bond was on Strange Chemistry’s roster of authors, superhero novels are a thing I enjoy, and making the female supporting characters (like Lois Lane) the star of the story is 100% my thing, so I was quite intrigued by this, and glad to win it for review. Before reading it, I was a little surprised to see people complaining that it doesn’t contain more of Superman/Clark Kent. I mean, the title says Lois Lane. What did you expect? I’m baffled. After reading it, I feel even more so — one, Clark’s a reasonably big figure in the story even if we don’t see him, and two, why do you want Clark when Lois is perfect as the star of this story?
Fallout is a reimagining of Lois’ story, a teen reporter in a new school who cares about the people around her, and doesn’t care much for being asked to sit down and shut up. I don’t remember anything about Lois Lane’s traditional background in the comics and TV adaptations, but here she’s the daughter of an army general — brought up to take care of herself, with a very strong will of her own, and thus clashing with her parents and authority figures in school, but always with heart. She sees an injustice, she goes after it.
Which gives us the very topical basis of the premise: Lois sees that there’s a group of bullies in the school who are getting away with everything, and hears a star student complaining to the principal about it, only to be dismissed. Straight away she’s on the case — and Perry sees her instincts right away, recruiting her for the school magazine. It’s a bit of wish fulfilment, but it keeps the story from dawdling, and puts the focus on the problem, and the developing mystery surrounding it. You can feel how well-aimed this is, in a world that’s increasingly conscious of bullying, particularly cyberbullying.
And then it takes it one step further, and adds the conspiracy theory, the weird almost-magical techy bits. This is such a teenage book: Lois, well-meaning and determined, suspicious of the adult world and penetrating the issues immediately. She’s a great hero; as a teen, I’d have wanted to be her. And it bases it on such a realistic foundation: school officials who don’t notice bullying? I don’t know anyone who got through school without noticing some of that…
Lest you be wondering, Clark is a part of the story. Lois only knows him from the internet, but they trust each other and back each other up, and there’s… something… between them. Nothing they put a name to, not so far, but they care for each other and you can feel how much they want to meet in person and share everything. Clark’s insistence on keeping his secret worked well, and Lois’ reactions as well. Again, I suppose you could see it as topical with how you can meet people online, can you trust them, etc, etc.
For all that I’m saying it’s topical and it feels based in reality and it’s definitely a teenage-feeling book, I’m not saying I enjoyed it any the less for that. I appreciated all of that and enjoyed the story. It’s such an absorbing read, it just felt like pure fun to me. I got back from a day long journey from Brussels to Yorkshire on the train, meant to go right to bed, and picked it up ‘just for a minute’. Seventy pages later, I did eventually make myself go to bed…
Originally posted here.
June 13, 2022
Lois Lane. Army brat, misfit, do-gooder, and newest student at East Metropolis high school. Since her dad requested a permanent assignment, Lois has to make it work here. No sticking her nose where it doesn't belong, no causing trouble, and no unnecessary attention.
Did you really create a noxious cloud that caused the evacuation of your school in Ohio?
Also: make a friend. Lois already has one, a virtual friend with the screenname SmallvilleGuy, but it would be nice to have another.
Since it is your first day, shouldn't you have arranged to be here on time? And did you really turn your seventh grade class into a 'gambling den'?
Loved this! It is oodles of fun, Lois is a wonderful character to follow, the story would hold up even without Lois's mysterious online friend... but of course, his (virtual) presence just adds to the enjoyment of the story. What I like most is this is a superhero love interest who can and does lead her own life and is equally concerned with protecting others. And at the end of each day, you, like Lois, will be looking forward to hearing from a certain young farmer.
I sincerely hope there are further novels about Lois. She is a deserving partner for the world's foremost superhero and someone we would all want as a friend. Plus, who doesn't want to see her reaction when she finds out that her digital maybe-more-than-a-friend looks like this?
4/1: Not sure how but this just came in the mail, and I'm reading it NOW.
3/11: I just pre-ordered this! I'm a sucker for strong female protagonists and anything superhero/comic book related, so clearly I'm extremely excited for this. Also, at the moment, there is a short story starring Lois available here with a %25 off coupon at the end. Who doesn't love a deal?
Did you really create a noxious cloud that caused the evacuation of your school in Ohio?
Also: make a friend. Lois already has one, a virtual friend with the screenname SmallvilleGuy, but it would be nice to have another.
Since it is your first day, shouldn't you have arranged to be here on time? And did you really turn your seventh grade class into a 'gambling den'?
Loved this! It is oodles of fun, Lois is a wonderful character to follow, the story would hold up even without Lois's mysterious online friend... but of course, his (virtual) presence just adds to the enjoyment of the story. What I like most is this is a superhero love interest who can and does lead her own life and is equally concerned with protecting others. And at the end of each day, you, like Lois, will be looking forward to hearing from a certain young farmer.
I sincerely hope there are further novels about Lois. She is a deserving partner for the world's foremost superhero and someone we would all want as a friend. Plus, who doesn't want to see her reaction when she finds out that her digital maybe-more-than-a-friend looks like this?
4/1: Not sure how but this just came in the mail, and I'm reading it NOW.
3/11: I just pre-ordered this! I'm a sucker for strong female protagonists and anything superhero/comic book related, so clearly I'm extremely excited for this. Also, at the moment, there is a short story starring Lois available here with a %25 off coupon at the end. Who doesn't love a deal?
January 13, 2016
I would actually give this one a 4.5 as I really did enjoy reading it. For all you closet "Marshmallows" out there, read this book. Lois reminds me of Veronica Mars.
April 4, 2016
WHY HELLO THERE LOIS LANE. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE SO AWESOME.
This book caught me by surprise. At the beginning, it lagged a little, and I was unsure of whether or not I'd like it... but holy cow, it came back and surprised me. My only complaints? It was a little dark in some spots, and some of the video game stuff was confusing. Also, Lois doesn't show much respect to her father, deliberately going against his will. But it was a terrific adventure, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to more SmallvilleGuy in the sequel... *wink wink*
This book caught me by surprise. At the beginning, it lagged a little, and I was unsure of whether or not I'd like it... but holy cow, it came back and surprised me. My only complaints? It was a little dark in some spots, and some of the video game stuff was confusing. Also, Lois doesn't show much respect to her father, deliberately going against his will. But it was a terrific adventure, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to more SmallvilleGuy in the sequel... *wink wink*
October 24, 2014
A friend won an uncorrected proof of “Fallout” from Switch Press and he was kind enough to let me borrow it.
I began Fallout with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I love Lois Lane and I was really worried the book wouldn’t capture the Lois I see in my head. To give some context, I love how Mark Waid wrote her in Birthright and how Kurt Busiek wrote her during his Superman run. I also thought Smallville (TV and Bryan Q Miller’s comic book) did a good job with the character even given the tv show’s uneven run. So I wondered if this was a case of be careful for what I wish for and was I going to quietly cancel my pre-order?
Me of little faith! My fears were groundless. Fallout exceeds everything I hoped it would be. Bond has captured Lois’s voice, infusing her with the Lois Lanes who have come before yet creating a fresh character with her own purpose.
This is the story of a teenage Lois who has just relocated to Metropolis. She’s an army brat who has moved around a lot but now her family plans to put down roots. She has gotten in trouble at other schools because of her brash personality so this time she wants to keep a low profile and start fresh. She creates a list of all the things she wants to do differently and it’s heartfelt, touching and charming. Bond shows her understanding of teenagers and the deep need for acceptance from their peers. Of course, this is Lois Lane, and no matter how much she wishes, she can’t change her personality. She is a curious young woman who bristles at injustice, and sure enough, on the very first day she witnesses bullying which completely derails her best intentions to keep out of trouble.
Her best friend is “SmallvilleGuy”, an on-line friend whom she’s never met but they “talk” every day. Their instant messages add texture to the story. However, this is very much Lois’s story told through her eyes with Clark playing the supporting role.
Their interactions however build the early foundation for the mutual love which will bind them when they grow up. Their conversations show their mutual respect for each other and Lois’s innocent and slightly insecure mild crushing on her friend is something almost every teenager can relate to. There is one particularly sweet conversation after a misunderstanding between the two which, instead of devolving in to angst, captures the delicate emotions of that age where everything feels larger than life. The way they talk it through made my heart sigh. I did want to ask Lois to stop pushing Clark to tell her more than he could but she did it in such a way that was true to her character and she wouldn’t be who she was otherwise. Their friendship is filled with the energy of young exhilaration when possibilities seem limitless and there is the promise of something bigger on the horizon.
I love Lois’s internal dialogue throughout the story. Bond gets in her head and shows us the young woman behind the bravado. We see her vulnerability and her caring heart and can understand why she makes the choices she does. I love how she bulldozes her way in to a group of friends who at first don���t know what to make of her but end up becoming loyal supporters.
One of the most important relationships in this story is between Lois and her dad, General Sam Lane. They are very much alike which needless to say causes problems. I couldn’t help but think of my relationship with my dad. We were very much alike and when I was a teenager we didn’t always see eye to eye. It was only after I grew up and had my own kids that I began to see his side of things. If he was alive today he’d get a kick out of watching me with my daughter, who is a lot like me even though she’d deny it.
There is a scene between father and daughter after Lois has gotten in trouble which will likely resonate for both the teenager and the parent. The reader is firmly on Lois’s side but Sam Lane’s actions are clearly motivated out of love. Meanwhile Lois’s mother and Lucy have ringside seats for their emotional battles. The few Lois and Lucy scenes manage to convey the deep bond between the sisters.
The climactic scene ties together the themes of the book. Lois learns lessons about friendship, trust and taking emotional risks which are harder for her than physical ones. She also finds purpose and direction in the form of her career choice with Perry White as her gruff mentor. Meanwhile, her actions in the final chapters are quintessential Lois Lane, albeit a younger less self-assured version.
The story feels as if it takes place in the not too distant future (to shamelessly steal from MST 3k). I found it a welcome respite from the many dystopian stories crowding the YA genre. There were threads of light and hope woven through the book.
I highly recommend Fallout. I’m hoping my kids will overcome their contrary genetic heritage which seems to spur them to do the opposite of what I suggest and read this. I think both my teenage son and my rapidly closing in on 13 daughter would enjoy this immensely.
I was left wanting more after the story ended and I’d love to see Bond continue with a Lois Lane series. I’d also love to see YA treatments for other DC and Marvel characters such as Kate Kane, Diana, Barbara Gordon, and Kamala Khan to name just a few.
Lois Lane: Fallout is expected to be released in May 2015
(review cross posted on tumblr)
I began Fallout with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I love Lois Lane and I was really worried the book wouldn’t capture the Lois I see in my head. To give some context, I love how Mark Waid wrote her in Birthright and how Kurt Busiek wrote her during his Superman run. I also thought Smallville (TV and Bryan Q Miller’s comic book) did a good job with the character even given the tv show’s uneven run. So I wondered if this was a case of be careful for what I wish for and was I going to quietly cancel my pre-order?
Me of little faith! My fears were groundless. Fallout exceeds everything I hoped it would be. Bond has captured Lois’s voice, infusing her with the Lois Lanes who have come before yet creating a fresh character with her own purpose.
This is the story of a teenage Lois who has just relocated to Metropolis. She’s an army brat who has moved around a lot but now her family plans to put down roots. She has gotten in trouble at other schools because of her brash personality so this time she wants to keep a low profile and start fresh. She creates a list of all the things she wants to do differently and it’s heartfelt, touching and charming. Bond shows her understanding of teenagers and the deep need for acceptance from their peers. Of course, this is Lois Lane, and no matter how much she wishes, she can’t change her personality. She is a curious young woman who bristles at injustice, and sure enough, on the very first day she witnesses bullying which completely derails her best intentions to keep out of trouble.
Her best friend is “SmallvilleGuy”, an on-line friend whom she’s never met but they “talk” every day. Their instant messages add texture to the story. However, this is very much Lois’s story told through her eyes with Clark playing the supporting role.
Their interactions however build the early foundation for the mutual love which will bind them when they grow up. Their conversations show their mutual respect for each other and Lois’s innocent and slightly insecure mild crushing on her friend is something almost every teenager can relate to. There is one particularly sweet conversation after a misunderstanding between the two which, instead of devolving in to angst, captures the delicate emotions of that age where everything feels larger than life. The way they talk it through made my heart sigh. I did want to ask Lois to stop pushing Clark to tell her more than he could but she did it in such a way that was true to her character and she wouldn’t be who she was otherwise. Their friendship is filled with the energy of young exhilaration when possibilities seem limitless and there is the promise of something bigger on the horizon.
I love Lois’s internal dialogue throughout the story. Bond gets in her head and shows us the young woman behind the bravado. We see her vulnerability and her caring heart and can understand why she makes the choices she does. I love how she bulldozes her way in to a group of friends who at first don���t know what to make of her but end up becoming loyal supporters.
One of the most important relationships in this story is between Lois and her dad, General Sam Lane. They are very much alike which needless to say causes problems. I couldn’t help but think of my relationship with my dad. We were very much alike and when I was a teenager we didn’t always see eye to eye. It was only after I grew up and had my own kids that I began to see his side of things. If he was alive today he’d get a kick out of watching me with my daughter, who is a lot like me even though she’d deny it.
There is a scene between father and daughter after Lois has gotten in trouble which will likely resonate for both the teenager and the parent. The reader is firmly on Lois’s side but Sam Lane’s actions are clearly motivated out of love. Meanwhile Lois’s mother and Lucy have ringside seats for their emotional battles. The few Lois and Lucy scenes manage to convey the deep bond between the sisters.
The climactic scene ties together the themes of the book. Lois learns lessons about friendship, trust and taking emotional risks which are harder for her than physical ones. She also finds purpose and direction in the form of her career choice with Perry White as her gruff mentor. Meanwhile, her actions in the final chapters are quintessential Lois Lane, albeit a younger less self-assured version.
The story feels as if it takes place in the not too distant future (to shamelessly steal from MST 3k). I found it a welcome respite from the many dystopian stories crowding the YA genre. There were threads of light and hope woven through the book.
I highly recommend Fallout. I’m hoping my kids will overcome their contrary genetic heritage which seems to spur them to do the opposite of what I suggest and read this. I think both my teenage son and my rapidly closing in on 13 daughter would enjoy this immensely.
I was left wanting more after the story ended and I’d love to see Bond continue with a Lois Lane series. I’d also love to see YA treatments for other DC and Marvel characters such as Kate Kane, Diana, Barbara Gordon, and Kamala Khan to name just a few.
Lois Lane: Fallout is expected to be released in May 2015
(review cross posted on tumblr)
August 17, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I read an uncorrected proof copy, so there were a few errors, but I am sure those will be fixed before actual publication. But the book was AMAZING. Lois Lane is and always has been one of my greatest heroes. And this book definitely did the teenage Lois justice. In fact, she is pretty perfect. I also love how the author incorporates Clark Kent into the story in such a way that he is important to the story, but he is still secondary to Lane's character. A lot of times, trying to write a story told from the point of view of another character from a story as popular as the Superman mythos, the central character being written about loses her voice in favor of the more well-known hero. Not the case in this novel. I loved it. It was perfect. I hope DESPERATELY that the author continues to write more Lois Lane books in this fashion.
July 12, 2015
3.5 stars. Really fun book, totally enjoyed it.
March 26, 2016
Spoiler-Free Impressions
I love this book. I read an uncorrected publisher's proof, and I'm looking forward to reading it again, corrected/tweaked/expanded when the book is released.
Gwenda Bond definitely knows and gets Lois Lane. There are subtle nods to Lois in some prior media depictions, but not in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way (save one very sweet homage to Smallville), this Lois stands on her own, with friends, with purpose.
Furthermore, as an entry in the "YA genre" it's as thrilling as anything else but it's also a damn sight brighter than it's dystopian cousins that have the spotlights. I wanted to cheer out loud at the climax (but didn't, because I was in a restaurant).
I dearly hope this becomes but the first in a long line of Lois Lane novels.
I love this book. I read an uncorrected publisher's proof, and I'm looking forward to reading it again, corrected/tweaked/expanded when the book is released.
Gwenda Bond definitely knows and gets Lois Lane. There are subtle nods to Lois in some prior media depictions, but not in a wink-wink nudge-nudge way (save one very sweet homage to Smallville), this Lois stands on her own, with friends, with purpose.
Furthermore, as an entry in the "YA genre" it's as thrilling as anything else but it's also a damn sight brighter than it's dystopian cousins that have the spotlights. I wanted to cheer out loud at the climax (but didn't, because I was in a restaurant).
I dearly hope this becomes but the first in a long line of Lois Lane novels.
June 30, 2015
Loved all the characters and the idea of the story! My only negative came from the sometimes confusing plot points. Occasionally I had to re-read parts of the novel to make sense of all the details. Overall 4/5 stars; I'm looking forward to the next book!
July 25, 2015
So far.. It reads like a re-telling. Awesome.
Officially a huge fan of Lane.
Officially a huge fan of Lane.
November 5, 2022
(3.5) i’ve been watching smallville for the past two months and needed more lois lane content, which is why i decided to pick this up. so perfect moment? yeah.
lois was obviously my favorite part of this, and i liked that she got to be the central person here with clark being in the background. it’s always nice to follow a character who’s so dynamic, and all the little lois quirks that make her so lovable were peppered throughout this novel. in regard to clark, while we didn’t get to see him except through those online texts and virtual reality game, it was still adorable to see his flirtmance with lois. and i liked how we were omnipotent regarding his true identity and just feeling anticipated on when they’d finally meet. the only thing i didn’t especially care about was certain elements of the plot itself. i love me a good mystery but im not really into the whole “virtual reality” scene..and so that effected my enjoyment a bit.
nonetheless, this was very fun!
lois was obviously my favorite part of this, and i liked that she got to be the central person here with clark being in the background. it’s always nice to follow a character who’s so dynamic, and all the little lois quirks that make her so lovable were peppered throughout this novel. in regard to clark, while we didn’t get to see him except through those online texts and virtual reality game, it was still adorable to see his flirtmance with lois. and i liked how we were omnipotent regarding his true identity and just feeling anticipated on when they’d finally meet. the only thing i didn’t especially care about was certain elements of the plot itself. i love me a good mystery but im not really into the whole “virtual reality” scene..and so that effected my enjoyment a bit.
nonetheless, this was very fun!
September 15, 2015
3.5 Stars
It was a fun read, but didn't have that extra-something that I was looking for
Lois Lane has just moved to Metropolis. She's determined to keep her head down and her nose out of trouble this time, but on her first day of school, she realizes her plans aren't going to work out. First, she gets recruited as a reporter for The Daily Scoop, an online high school newspaper sponsored by The Daily Planet. Then, she's confronted with a student who's being bullied by a crew of of kids known as The Warheads. The Warheads are disturbingly in sync, apparently due to Worlds War Three, a 3-D reality simulation game, and are up to something more than just recruiting people into their unit in the game. Lois knows something weird is going on, and after what she saw in Kansas one night, she knows weird.
It took me foreverrrrrr to read this book. I'm not actually sure why because I enjoyed the book, it just wasn't as attention grabbing as I'd hoped it would be. The idea (and the cover) is really cool. You have high school Lois Lane and her obvious beginnings of a relationship with Superman (who she knows as SmallvilleGuy, an online man of many secrets). What I liked about high school Lois was that she was a lot more bad ass than the Lois Lane that I know from comics and movies. Sure, she was always a girl with good instincts and plenty of common sense, but she also seemed to be a little bit of a damsel in distress as well. In this book, she's the rock star. She needs and/or wants help at certain times in the investigation, but she's not helpless... and if help doesn't come, she's totally prepared to go it alone. I loved that about her.
What I didn't like about Lois was that she wasn't someone I wanted to be friends with. She wasn't personable in that way for me. She was all rough edges and harsh stances, but I never felt FEELING from her except insecurity about SmallvilleGuy. I was kind of wishing that some other romance would develop for her so that she could show more of herself. Especially since it was obvious SmallvilleGuy was unavailable. I was also hoping for some sort of twist... a friend that turned out to be a traitor or some other major surprise element, but nothing surprising really happened. From the beginning it was pretty clear what The Warheads were up to, and it was just a matter of time before Lois would stop them. I wanted a twist, and sadly didn't get one.
I thought it was a fun book to read. I definitely would tell anyone thinking about reading it to do so. Especially if you're into the Superman stories. I feel like this series has major potential to go somewhere cool, so I think I will definitely look into the future books, but I still can't help but wish this one excited me more.
OVERALL: A book that I liked, but didn't love. Lois Lane was a bad ass, but she wasn't very personable. It was fun to read, but it didn't make me feel anything in any real way. The series has potential, so I think I will read more, and I would recommend people to give it a try if they are interested.
My Blog:
It was a fun read, but didn't have that extra-something that I was looking for
Lois Lane has just moved to Metropolis. She's determined to keep her head down and her nose out of trouble this time, but on her first day of school, she realizes her plans aren't going to work out. First, she gets recruited as a reporter for The Daily Scoop, an online high school newspaper sponsored by The Daily Planet. Then, she's confronted with a student who's being bullied by a crew of of kids known as The Warheads. The Warheads are disturbingly in sync, apparently due to Worlds War Three, a 3-D reality simulation game, and are up to something more than just recruiting people into their unit in the game. Lois knows something weird is going on, and after what she saw in Kansas one night, she knows weird.
It took me foreverrrrrr to read this book. I'm not actually sure why because I enjoyed the book, it just wasn't as attention grabbing as I'd hoped it would be. The idea (and the cover) is really cool. You have high school Lois Lane and her obvious beginnings of a relationship with Superman (who she knows as SmallvilleGuy, an online man of many secrets). What I liked about high school Lois was that she was a lot more bad ass than the Lois Lane that I know from comics and movies. Sure, she was always a girl with good instincts and plenty of common sense, but she also seemed to be a little bit of a damsel in distress as well. In this book, she's the rock star. She needs and/or wants help at certain times in the investigation, but she's not helpless... and if help doesn't come, she's totally prepared to go it alone. I loved that about her.
What I didn't like about Lois was that she wasn't someone I wanted to be friends with. She wasn't personable in that way for me. She was all rough edges and harsh stances, but I never felt FEELING from her except insecurity about SmallvilleGuy. I was kind of wishing that some other romance would develop for her so that she could show more of herself. Especially since it was obvious SmallvilleGuy was unavailable. I was also hoping for some sort of twist... a friend that turned out to be a traitor or some other major surprise element, but nothing surprising really happened. From the beginning it was pretty clear what The Warheads were up to, and it was just a matter of time before Lois would stop them. I wanted a twist, and sadly didn't get one.
I thought it was a fun book to read. I definitely would tell anyone thinking about reading it to do so. Especially if you're into the Superman stories. I feel like this series has major potential to go somewhere cool, so I think I will definitely look into the future books, but I still can't help but wish this one excited me more.
OVERALL: A book that I liked, but didn't love. Lois Lane was a bad ass, but she wasn't very personable. It was fun to read, but it didn't make me feel anything in any real way. The series has potential, so I think I will read more, and I would recommend people to give it a try if they are interested.
My Blog:
September 6, 2016
I liked this book a lot. Yeah it was cheesy in some places, yeah it was a little silly in others but overall I really, really enjoyed this one. There aren't many stories about young female journalists and as someone trying to pursue a career in journalism I really liked that aspect of the book. I like the way Lois Lane was adapted into a 16-year-old girl and I really enjoyed the additional cast of characters. I hope in the sequels we will get t learn more about them, especially James because he only really started being a part of the group of reporter friends at the very end of this book but I really liked his character. I think some people could think that the story that Lois and her friends are investigating in this book is a little silly, but I really enjoyed it and I think the other did a good job making it interesting, fun and intriguing, while including a little bit of the campiness that can go along with the early comics of the good vs. evil superheroes like Superman. I was fun to see such well-known characters at a different age in a very different setting (high school) and I had a ton of fun reading this one it was a very quick, easy read but I enjoyed the whole thing. And think it is really good to have Lois Lane be her own person and show her chops as a reporter because she gets side-lined as the love interest so easily otherwise and it's important for girls to see that they can be something like reporters and have fictional role models like Lois. Loved this one and I can't wait to pick up the sequel.
July 8, 2015
I've never cared one way or the other about Lois Lane . . . Well, that's not true. I can't stand Lois Lane as portrayed by Margot Kidder in the old Superman movies. It's her three-packs-a-day smoker's voice or something . . . anyway.
I do love Superman, though, and this was getting rave reviews so I tried it and I liked it. It reminded me of the early seasons of Smallville, or Veronica Mars (I was a sporadic watcher of both), and fans of those shows will find much to love here. I liked the mystery, and there was a great, tense timeline and a lot of questions to keep me going. I liked Lois, and her relationship with her family, and with her online friend, SmallvilleGuy. (OooooOOOOoooh, right?)
I'll definitely read more!
I do love Superman, though, and this was getting rave reviews so I tried it and I liked it. It reminded me of the early seasons of Smallville, or Veronica Mars (I was a sporadic watcher of both), and fans of those shows will find much to love here. I liked the mystery, and there was a great, tense timeline and a lot of questions to keep me going. I liked Lois, and her relationship with her family, and with her online friend, SmallvilleGuy. (OooooOOOOoooh, right?)
I'll definitely read more!
May 7, 2015
3.75 stars
That was pretty fun! Lois herself is the best part of this. She's very Veronica Mars, with a nose for truth, sass for days, and confidence up the wazoo. The actual mystery was a little strange (I like that it's clearly comic book-esque, though) and the promise of an awesome Superman/Lois ship was great. It's clearly the opening volume in a larger story--rather like Vol. 1 of a new comic book--and I wish I had the second one. BUT...I'll definitely be eading the second. I got feels! And there was sass. I will always read for sass.
Fuller review TK
That was pretty fun! Lois herself is the best part of this. She's very Veronica Mars, with a nose for truth, sass for days, and confidence up the wazoo. The actual mystery was a little strange (I like that it's clearly comic book-esque, though) and the promise of an awesome Superman/Lois ship was great. It's clearly the opening volume in a larger story--rather like Vol. 1 of a new comic book--and I wish I had the second one. BUT...I'll definitely be eading the second. I got feels! And there was sass. I will always read for sass.
Fuller review TK
September 28, 2016
review to come.
March 12, 2015
I am a huge fan of all things Superman — well, most things Superman... Let's just pretend Man of Steel didn't happen. Naturally I'm also a huge fan of Lois Lane in her many incarnations, from Phyllis Coates on the old Adventures of Superman to Terri Hatcher in Lois & Clark, and especially Dana Delany on the most recent animated series. Gwenda Bond nails the character. This is Lois Lane, and she's as stubborn and snarky and capable and kick-ass as you could want. I love the ways she and "SmallvilleGuy" interact, and I'm interested in the possible future continuity this sets up in this new Superman mythology — or should I say, the new "Lois Lane and Her Pal Superman" mythology? A fun, fast read for anyone who likes thrillers, conspiracies, hackers, video games, journalism, and of course, Superman.
February 7, 2017
Any one who wants to slam fan fic as not valid, needs to just stop! This book is an excellent example of how it should be done. Exciting and true to the characters. Our intrepid reporter is getting started in getting the whole story and battling the bad guys in the process, with help from an unknown guy in Smallville. Since Lois Lane has always been one of my favorite characters in comic books this was a real treat. I will definitely read more in the series.
July 9, 2016
Rating: 3.75/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
January 9, 2016
WHERE IS THE NEXT ONE AND CAN I HAVE ONE ABOUT SELINA KYLE
true story: i have never liked lois lane. while i haven't been exposed to /too/ much superman (being a batman fangirl mostly), every time i was introduced to his world, i always thought Lois Lane was just kind of...in the way. she was either starting trouble or getting into trouble (and being SUPER SASSY ABOUT IT), so Supes would always be like "welp, gotta go save the love of my life who doesn't notice me as clark kent for some impossible reason."
blargh.
but things are always different for me once i'm actually inside the head of the seemingly obnoxious headstrong girl. once i'm there, i kind of like it. because now i'm exposed to someone who is brave and curious and adventurous and righteous and vulnerable - and i'm all about that.
so Lois Lane FALLOUT puts us in a cute little AU where Lois is all young and vivacious and looking for truth and justice and trying to unearth spoopy sci fi things.
reasons to like this book -
you are all about girl mystery capers, we're talking modern Nancy Drew
let's just acknowledge this upfront: Lois gets dropped into a new school, lands a job, finds a mystery, establishes a crew, and saves the day in like...10 days. in a new city. but that's okay! because it was so much fun.
you are pretty sure you're okay with superman/lois lane as a ship
lois doesn't actually know clark or even superman in this world. what she does have is her internet friend, SmallvilleGuy. he's super secretive but also super sweet. but when i landed upon this line in the book--
i was like *slams fist down* THIS SHIP HAS SAILED . this was always my problem with the Lois Lane/Superman couple, what could she do except hold him back? but here, i finally see it, at least in this universe, and i love it.
so personally, i gave this 5 stars because it was an enjoyable comic book romp. i got a cool girl detective with a side of modern mythology (...the...the Superman mythos...you know...) and some adorable little nods to us, the readers, since we know who SmallvilleGuy really is. and this really is about a cool girl detective, it's not about Superman at all, really. i just liked that part too.
seriously, can i have one about Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne, please. pleasE.
true story: i have never liked lois lane. while i haven't been exposed to /too/ much superman (being a batman fangirl mostly), every time i was introduced to his world, i always thought Lois Lane was just kind of...in the way. she was either starting trouble or getting into trouble (and being SUPER SASSY ABOUT IT), so Supes would always be like "welp, gotta go save the love of my life who doesn't notice me as clark kent for some impossible reason."
blargh.
but things are always different for me once i'm actually inside the head of the seemingly obnoxious headstrong girl. once i'm there, i kind of like it. because now i'm exposed to someone who is brave and curious and adventurous and righteous and vulnerable - and i'm all about that.
so Lois Lane FALLOUT puts us in a cute little AU where Lois is all young and vivacious and looking for truth and justice and trying to unearth spoopy sci fi things.
reasons to like this book -
you are all about girl mystery capers, we're talking modern Nancy Drew
let's just acknowledge this upfront: Lois gets dropped into a new school, lands a job, finds a mystery, establishes a crew, and saves the day in like...10 days. in a new city. but that's okay! because it was so much fun.
you are pretty sure you're okay with superman/lois lane as a ship
lois doesn't actually know clark or even superman in this world. what she does have is her internet friend, SmallvilleGuy. he's super secretive but also super sweet. but when i landed upon this line in the book--
"The two of us were alike. We wouldn't stand by and watch, not when we could act instead."
i was like *slams fist down* THIS SHIP HAS SAILED . this was always my problem with the Lois Lane/Superman couple, what could she do except hold him back? but here, i finally see it, at least in this universe, and i love it.
so personally, i gave this 5 stars because it was an enjoyable comic book romp. i got a cool girl detective with a side of modern mythology (...the...the Superman mythos...you know...) and some adorable little nods to us, the readers, since we know who SmallvilleGuy really is. and this really is about a cool girl detective, it's not about Superman at all, really. i just liked that part too.
seriously, can i have one about Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne, please. pleasE.
Read
July 18, 2016Lois Lane is starting a new school, where she promises herself she will not make trouble. But trouble seems to find Lois first as she runs into gaming group, The Warheads, on her first day, and overhears a conversation where a student isn’t getting the help and support needed from her principal. Lois can’t help but get involved, which results in her earning the attention of Perry White and landing a job at the Daily Planet. Lois joins three other students at the Daily Scoop offices and proposes her story. But as the story grows, Lois and her friends find themselves deeper in the world of the Warheads. Even with the help of online friend, SmallvilleGuy, the group have a long way to go to find answers and most of all: prove what they discover to their readers.
Lois is ambitious and determined to do the right thing to protect her friends. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and high-tech world. Lois’s online friendship with SmallvilleGuy was a nice touch and the Superman-related references made me smile. Lots of characters to root for, high-stakes, good humour, and a mystery waiting to be unravelled. The setting was great – both reality and virtual-reality! I knew from page one that this was something I was going to like and fell easily into the flow of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am really looking forward to reading the next book.
If you like LOIS LANE: FALLOUT, you might also like:
Mind Games
Lois is ambitious and determined to do the right thing to protect her friends. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and high-tech world. Lois’s online friendship with SmallvilleGuy was a nice touch and the Superman-related references made me smile. Lots of characters to root for, high-stakes, good humour, and a mystery waiting to be unravelled. The setting was great – both reality and virtual-reality! I knew from page one that this was something I was going to like and fell easily into the flow of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am really looking forward to reading the next book.
If you like LOIS LANE: FALLOUT, you might also like:
Mind Games
January 24, 2021
I’ve never been a fan of Lois Lane. I always thought she was a twerp. I’m still not sure how I feel about Miss Lane, but I did enjoy this book that my husband (the uber DC fan) asked me to read. I never would have picked it up on my own.
Lois is a teenager in this story. Having moved around a lot during her childhood, you get to see a lot of her insecurities as she moves with her family to Metropolis and starts at yet another new high school. She is her normal curious self as she observes some disturbing behaviors from students and principal alike on her first day, and, of course, just has to find out exactly what is going on. She comes under the radar of one Mr. Perry White (in this book, an editor at the famous Daily Planet) who asks her to join his little group of high school journalists to work on what they call the Daily Scoop. And she also has a side internet relationship with one “SmallvilleGuy” who helps her out from a distance.
I thought this was a pretty fun YA novel with a bit of a sci-fi vibe. Contents are quite clean. Three instances of taking God’s name in vain was the only swearing I noted. It does deal with bullying as well as some disturbing science experimentation on teenagers and some violent video gaming (not very descriptive). This is the first in a trilogy. My husband assures me that if I liked this one, I will also like the next.
3.5 stars
Lois is a teenager in this story. Having moved around a lot during her childhood, you get to see a lot of her insecurities as she moves with her family to Metropolis and starts at yet another new high school. She is her normal curious self as she observes some disturbing behaviors from students and principal alike on her first day, and, of course, just has to find out exactly what is going on. She comes under the radar of one Mr. Perry White (in this book, an editor at the famous Daily Planet) who asks her to join his little group of high school journalists to work on what they call the Daily Scoop. And she also has a side internet relationship with one “SmallvilleGuy” who helps her out from a distance.
I thought this was a pretty fun YA novel with a bit of a sci-fi vibe. Contents are quite clean. Three instances of taking God’s name in vain was the only swearing I noted. It does deal with bullying as well as some disturbing science experimentation on teenagers and some violent video gaming (not very descriptive). This is the first in a trilogy. My husband assures me that if I liked this one, I will also like the next.
3.5 stars
July 17, 2015
I love Lois Lane, and the author gives young Lois an interesting and entertaining voice. It's the story she was investigating (which was pretty much the core of the plot) I found uninteresting. I couldn't get into the whole virtual reality gaming thing.
However, some tiny plot threads and the relationships between the characters, especially SmallvilleGuy, are fascinating and may make me continue reading this series.
However, some tiny plot threads and the relationships between the characters, especially SmallvilleGuy, are fascinating and may make me continue reading this series.
January 1, 2017
This was fun! Both the original and traditional characters are pretty great!
(But alas! My--the library's--copy of the book was missing two pages! They don't seem to have been torn out. They were just . . . not there!)
(But alas! My--the library's--copy of the book was missing two pages! They don't seem to have been torn out. They were just . . . not there!)
April 19, 2016
Actual Rating:
4 sparkling stars out of 5.
I loved this book!
That shouldn't come as a surprise since I'm a huge Superman fangirl, and a big part of it is due to the character of Lois Lane! I might not be an avid comic book reader (though I have picked up a couple of the popular Superman ones over the years and know the continuity) but I've watched all the movies and TV shows repeatedly like a nut. And whether it's Teri Hatcher, Margot Kidder, Dana Delaney, Erica Durance (my fav), or Amy Adams (yes, I left out the Superman Returns version, sorrynotsorry) - Lois Lane has always been more my hero, even next to Superman.
So, reading this book of a young Lois in the lead, growing into the determined and tenacious investigative reporter and heroine she is was such a treat for me. And I loved it especially because Gwenda Bond got it right!
Summary: (from goodreads - because I can't do it better):
"Lois Lane is starting a new life in Metropolis. An Army brat, Lois has lived all over—and seen all kinds of things. (Some of them defy explanation, like the near-disaster she witnessed in Kansas in the middle of one night.) But now her family is putting down roots in the big city, and Lois is determined to fit in. Stay quiet. Fly straight. As soon as she steps into her new high school, though, she can see it won’t be that easy. A group known as the Warheads is making life miserable for another girl at school. They’re messing with her mind, somehow, via the high-tech immersive videogame they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and her new snazzy job as a reporter, Lois has her sights set on solving this mystery. But sometimes it’s all a bit much. Thank goodness for her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy."
Thoughts on the Plot:
There's mad science going on in this book, conspiracy, and a fantasy/war themed virtual reality/game (called Worlds War Three) that can feel more real than the actual real world when playing. The sinister mystery behind the Warheads kept me engaged. They made interesting "villains", as they posed a real and frightening threat to Lois and her friends, which I liked since I was worried a high-school setting and the gaming stuff would make the plot more teenage-friendly and not serious real-world dangerous. Thumbs up for stepping it up.
Characters:
Our heroine - Lois Lane:
After moving around her whole life and never really making stable roots or friendships, Lois now wants nothing more than that. She promises her dad (and herself) to stay out of trouble. But it's hard to stick to that since Lois is the kind of person who cannot sit back when she even suspects something is wrong or someone is being wronged. She will go after the hard truths - and not just to expose the crimes - but she'll go above and beyond (regardless of what happens to her) to stop it.
I'm used to seeing Lois Lane being bold, resourceful, and doing whatever it takes for a story and what she believes is right, but I love the emphasis on her desire to protect people in this book. The one problem with Lois here (and this was kinda frustrating) is that she feels like she needs to shoulder everything by herself. She wants her friends'/team's trust but she also thinks she has her reasons for being secretive and protective towards them. Which isn't always great, but she does begin to learn and grow in the book.
Her Family:
Her dad, General Sam Lane: I liked there was some focus on Lois's relationship with her father. He's an army general and is strict with her, and it kind of hurts her that he doesn't really understand her need to do what it takes to help others. Still, I feel like he's a big influence in her life and I really liked the father-daughter parts in the book. There's also her younger sister, Lucy who she has a good relationship with, which surprised me. And her mom doesn't really have a large enough a part in the book to speak of.
Her friends/co workers:
Perry White: Perry is a Daily Planet journalist and probably the one adult who spends more than a few minutes with Lois, as she defends a fellow student, and sees more than trouble there. He instead offers her a job at the Daily Planet - a new online teen section.
He can be hard on her but he treats her as both an equal and mentor would. I was really pleasantly surprised that he was in this book and that he was the one who gave Lois that push into journalism.
A main theme in this book is friendship, or more Lois's goal in making and keeping friends. There's Anavi, the girl who is targeted by the Warheads and who Lois tries to help.
Her Daily Scoop team (and fellow students) have significant roles in the book, and I loved them all!
Devin is the tech-smart guy on the team who is also a player of the Worlds War Three game. I really liked Devin best out of her four friends and he's the most supportive of her. I almost almost even shipped him with Lois (she thinks he's "cute"), if it wasn't for her growing "friendship" with SmallvilleGuy.
Maddy is the girl assigned with the job of Style Editor, mostly because of her rock-chick look and tastes. But she's also kind of reserved in some ways, while Lois instantly likes her. I can see them becoming close friends.
James doesn't make the best first impression and Lois kind of quickly writes him off as the spoiled rich boy who's on the team to impress his criminally charged father. And while he doesn't act arrogant or difficult - he is the one who questions her the most. Of course there's more to him, and I actually liked him from early in the book.
And last but not least at all, there's her online anonymous friend (or more than a friend), SmallvilleGuy -- the king of subtle screen names. Of course, we know who he really is. .
But Lois doesn't know that, not even his name or face. What she does know about him is he lives in a farm in Smallville, Kansas, he's her age (he showed proof), he doesn't think her crazy for her theories of strange occurrences, and he's been her only and closest friend for two years. Maybe I'm being a biased Clark Kent/Lois Lane fan - but I thought they were adorable in this book. Potential for the perfect future couple. They were cute, flirty, deeply related and understood each other as friends and confidantes. And my favorite part is that even this way - not seeing each other - they are a team.
Still, you can see that his secrecy, that he insists on, does become a source of frustration for them both.
It kinda frustrated me too a little, but I guess maybe he's afraid Lois will read more about odd stuff happening in Kansas and easily connect it to him once he tells her who he is? Even with just his name and picture? Maybe. Anyway, I'd definitely rather have Clark Kent in the novel this way than not at all - and I liked his characterization. I also think his identity is a secret in the book as to not confuse readers (or upset some comic fans) if the two characters officially meet before the future Daily Planet job. I wouldn't mind the early twist, though.
I also want to know who his friend is, TheInventor, who helps him get some of the online information. Is he a DC superhero or Superman ally I can't pinpoint or don't know... It's just with Clark Kent not being a tech genius/hacker (as far as I know), I'm curious about how we get all the info.
But this is Lois Lane's story. Everyone else plays a good part in her story but she's an awesome heroine and lead. I loved reading her backstory, which feels like an excellent set-up for more books, so I cannot wait for more adventures and even more growth for Lois and her friends in the sequel.
I recommend this book if you like strong female leads, a fun but interesting mystery, and just an all around enjoyable book to escape into.
-----------------
Credit for a few of the gifs I used goes to these three tumblr accounts, respectively: queendelany, kendaspntwd and blenzz.
I loved this book!
That shouldn't come as a surprise since I'm a huge Superman fangirl, and a big part of it is due to the character of Lois Lane! I might not be an avid comic book reader (though I have picked up a couple of the popular Superman ones over the years and know the continuity) but I've watched all the movies and TV shows repeatedly like a nut. And whether it's Teri Hatcher, Margot Kidder, Dana Delaney, Erica Durance (my fav), or Amy Adams (yes, I left out the Superman Returns version, sorrynotsorry) - Lois Lane has always been more my hero, even next to Superman.
So, reading this book of a young Lois in the lead, growing into the determined and tenacious investigative reporter and heroine she is was such a treat for me. And I loved it especially because Gwenda Bond got it right!
Summary: (from goodreads - because I can't do it better):
"Lois Lane is starting a new life in Metropolis. An Army brat, Lois has lived all over—and seen all kinds of things. (Some of them defy explanation, like the near-disaster she witnessed in Kansas in the middle of one night.) But now her family is putting down roots in the big city, and Lois is determined to fit in. Stay quiet. Fly straight. As soon as she steps into her new high school, though, she can see it won’t be that easy. A group known as the Warheads is making life miserable for another girl at school. They’re messing with her mind, somehow, via the high-tech immersive videogame they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and her new snazzy job as a reporter, Lois has her sights set on solving this mystery. But sometimes it’s all a bit much. Thank goodness for her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy."
Thoughts on the Plot:
There's mad science going on in this book, conspiracy, and a fantasy/war themed virtual reality/game (called Worlds War Three) that can feel more real than the actual real world when playing. The sinister mystery behind the Warheads kept me engaged. They made interesting "villains", as they posed a real and frightening threat to Lois and her friends, which I liked since I was worried a high-school setting and the gaming stuff would make the plot more teenage-friendly and not serious real-world dangerous. Thumbs up for stepping it up.
Characters:
Our heroine - Lois Lane:
"My problem was that I had bad luck. And I spoke up when I saw something wrong. I did it because I could, without having to worry about the fallout lasting years. And yes, there was always fallout.
But this time, we weren’t leaving. We were here to stay."
After moving around her whole life and never really making stable roots or friendships, Lois now wants nothing more than that. She promises her dad (and herself) to stay out of trouble. But it's hard to stick to that since Lois is the kind of person who cannot sit back when she even suspects something is wrong or someone is being wronged. She will go after the hard truths - and not just to expose the crimes - but she'll go above and beyond (regardless of what happens to her) to stop it.
I'm used to seeing Lois Lane being bold, resourceful, and doing whatever it takes for a story and what she believes is right, but I love the emphasis on her desire to protect people in this book. The one problem with Lois here (and this was kinda frustrating) is that she feels like she needs to shoulder everything by herself. She wants her friends'/team's trust but she also thinks she has her reasons for being secretive and protective towards them. Which isn't always great, but she does begin to learn and grow in the book.
Her Family:
Her dad, General Sam Lane: I liked there was some focus on Lois's relationship with her father. He's an army general and is strict with her, and it kind of hurts her that he doesn't really understand her need to do what it takes to help others. Still, I feel like he's a big influence in her life and I really liked the father-daughter parts in the book. There's also her younger sister, Lucy who she has a good relationship with, which surprised me. And her mom doesn't really have a large enough a part in the book to speak of.
Her friends/co workers:
Perry White: Perry is a Daily Planet journalist and probably the one adult who spends more than a few minutes with Lois, as she defends a fellow student, and sees more than trouble there. He instead offers her a job at the Daily Planet - a new online teen section.
He can be hard on her but he treats her as both an equal and mentor would. I was really pleasantly surprised that he was in this book and that he was the one who gave Lois that push into journalism.
A main theme in this book is friendship, or more Lois's goal in making and keeping friends. There's Anavi, the girl who is targeted by the Warheads and who Lois tries to help.
Her Daily Scoop team (and fellow students) have significant roles in the book, and I loved them all!
Devin is the tech-smart guy on the team who is also a player of the Worlds War Three game. I really liked Devin best out of her four friends and he's the most supportive of her. I almost almost even shipped him with Lois (she thinks he's "cute"), if it wasn't for her growing "friendship" with SmallvilleGuy.
Maddy is the girl assigned with the job of Style Editor, mostly because of her rock-chick look and tastes. But she's also kind of reserved in some ways, while Lois instantly likes her. I can see them becoming close friends.
James doesn't make the best first impression and Lois kind of quickly writes him off as the spoiled rich boy who's on the team to impress his criminally charged father. And while he doesn't act arrogant or difficult - he is the one who questions her the most. Of course there's more to him, and I actually liked him from early in the book.
And last but not least at all, there's her online anonymous friend (or more than a friend), SmallvilleGuy -- the king of subtle screen names. Of course, we know who he really is. .
But Lois doesn't know that, not even his name or face. What she does know about him is he lives in a farm in Smallville, Kansas, he's her age (he showed proof), he doesn't think her crazy for her theories of strange occurrences, and he's been her only and closest friend for two years. Maybe I'm being a biased Clark Kent/Lois Lane fan - but I thought they were adorable in this book. Potential for the perfect future couple. They were cute, flirty, deeply related and understood each other as friends and confidantes. And my favorite part is that even this way - not seeing each other - they are a team.
Still, you can see that his secrecy, that he insists on, does become a source of frustration for them both.
It kinda frustrated me too a little, but I guess maybe he's afraid Lois will read more about odd stuff happening in Kansas and easily connect it to him once he tells her who he is? Even with just his name and picture? Maybe. Anyway, I'd definitely rather have Clark Kent in the novel this way than not at all - and I liked his characterization. I also think his identity is a secret in the book as to not confuse readers (or upset some comic fans) if the two characters officially meet before the future Daily Planet job. I wouldn't mind the early twist, though.
I also want to know who his friend is, TheInventor, who helps him get some of the online information. Is he a DC superhero or Superman ally I can't pinpoint or don't know... It's just with Clark Kent not being a tech genius/hacker (as far as I know), I'm curious about how we get all the info.
But this is Lois Lane's story. Everyone else plays a good part in her story but she's an awesome heroine and lead. I loved reading her backstory, which feels like an excellent set-up for more books, so I cannot wait for more adventures and even more growth for Lois and her friends in the sequel.
I recommend this book if you like strong female leads, a fun but interesting mystery, and just an all around enjoyable book to escape into.
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Credit for a few of the gifs I used goes to these three tumblr accounts, respectively: queendelany, kendaspntwd and blenzz.
February 19, 2017
Grade: B+
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: It's no secret that I'm a fan of superheroes, particularly female ones. I'm more of a Marvel person, but when I heard there was going to be a book about a teenage Lois Lane, I knew I had to read it. I loved the characterization in Fallout. Readers will get to know Lois well, along with several of the friends she makes at East Metropolis High - Anavi, Devin, Maddie, and James. The latter three work with Lois at a teen start-up paper run by The Daily Planet; it's called The Daily Scoop. Perry White asks Lois to join the team after he sees her stand up for another girl at East Metropolis on Lois's very first day. Lois is a girl who seems to constantly thirst for knowledge, the truth, and justice. She has reporter instincts, and she's very passionate about standing up for those who have been wronged. I would've liked a little more build for her relationship with her parents. It's easy to tell she doesn't get along with her dad very well, and her relationship starts to develop with her sister, Lucy, but I wanted more of the Lane family.
But what's really fun in Fallout are the references to Superman. As mentioned in the synopsis, she's been chatting online with a super secretive guy that she knows only as SmallvilleGuy. Readers will know this is Clark Kent, but Lois doesn't. There are a few Easter eggs to his identity that made me laugh, and I love where their friendship went in this book. There's hints of romance but since he's keeping a big secret from her and their relationship is strictly online, a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship can't really develop.
The one thing that held me back from completely loving Fallout was the plot revolving around the gamers (which, admittedly, is most of the book). I'm not really into video games and extreme technology, so those parts threw me a bit. But I enjoyed how the plot formed The Daily Scoop writers into a team.
Mild language and some violence are the worst of "the ugly."
The Verdict: Can't wait for more!
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: It's no secret that I'm a fan of superheroes, particularly female ones. I'm more of a Marvel person, but when I heard there was going to be a book about a teenage Lois Lane, I knew I had to read it. I loved the characterization in Fallout. Readers will get to know Lois well, along with several of the friends she makes at East Metropolis High - Anavi, Devin, Maddie, and James. The latter three work with Lois at a teen start-up paper run by The Daily Planet; it's called The Daily Scoop. Perry White asks Lois to join the team after he sees her stand up for another girl at East Metropolis on Lois's very first day. Lois is a girl who seems to constantly thirst for knowledge, the truth, and justice. She has reporter instincts, and she's very passionate about standing up for those who have been wronged. I would've liked a little more build for her relationship with her parents. It's easy to tell she doesn't get along with her dad very well, and her relationship starts to develop with her sister, Lucy, but I wanted more of the Lane family.
But what's really fun in Fallout are the references to Superman. As mentioned in the synopsis, she's been chatting online with a super secretive guy that she knows only as SmallvilleGuy. Readers will know this is Clark Kent, but Lois doesn't. There are a few Easter eggs to his identity that made me laugh, and I love where their friendship went in this book. There's hints of romance but since he's keeping a big secret from her and their relationship is strictly online, a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship can't really develop.
The one thing that held me back from completely loving Fallout was the plot revolving around the gamers (which, admittedly, is most of the book). I'm not really into video games and extreme technology, so those parts threw me a bit. But I enjoyed how the plot formed The Daily Scoop writers into a team.
Mild language and some violence are the worst of "the ugly."
The Verdict: Can't wait for more!
July 31, 2015
C'est plus 4.5 que 4! J'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé, mais ce n'est pas le coup de coeur absolu de The Diviners donc je n'ai pas voulu mettre 5.
On suit donc la jeune Lois Lane qui,après un énième déménagement du au métier de son père, arrive dans le lycée de Metropolis. Elle n'a qu'une idée en tête, se faire des amis et surtout rester loin des ennuis. Vous imaginez bien que Lois étant ce qu'elle est ... elle ne va pas réellement y arriver.
C'est ici, dés sa première journée dans ce lycée que va naître sa vocation de journaliste lorsque après un premier esclandre, elle est repérée par Perry White en personne. La voilà engagée par le Daily scoop, la branche adolescente du Daily Planet. Son premier article? Traiter du harcèlement scolaire. Mais très vite, elle découvre que quelque chose de bien plus grave ce cache derrière les agissements de la bande de brutes qu'elle a dans le collimateur ...
Alors que dire? J'ai beaucoup beaucoup aimé! Cette Lois est vraiment l'ébauche de ce qu'elle deviendra par la suite. Elle est pugnace, a le sens de la justice et de la vérité et ... elle fonce tête baissée dans les ennuis. Mais c'est comme ça qu'on l'aime. J'ai senti et retrouvé en elle un peu des deux Lois que je connais le mieux : celle de la série Lois et Clark pour sa pugnacité (et le côté un peu farfelu de son enquête) et celle de Man of steel pour la loyauté dont elle fait preuve envers ceux qui l'entourent.
Et Clark vous me direz? Et bien, il est là .. ou pas .. Lois discute virtuellement avec un ami dont le pseudo est SmallvilleGuy... Et déjà, on sent poindre la dynamique de leur futur duo. Et non, je ne parle pas du "elle se crée des ennuis, il vient la sauver", je parle de Lois et Clark en tant que reporters... enfin ...
Au final, c'est une vraie bonne surprise. L'auteur a repris la mythologie mais lui donne une origine, donne à Lois une histoire propre. Et j'ai hâte de lire la suite, de la voir évoluer et grandir et de voir sa rencontre avec Clark forcément !!
On suit donc la jeune Lois Lane qui,après un énième déménagement du au métier de son père, arrive dans le lycée de Metropolis. Elle n'a qu'une idée en tête, se faire des amis et surtout rester loin des ennuis. Vous imaginez bien que Lois étant ce qu'elle est ... elle ne va pas réellement y arriver.
C'est ici, dés sa première journée dans ce lycée que va naître sa vocation de journaliste lorsque après un premier esclandre, elle est repérée par Perry White en personne. La voilà engagée par le Daily scoop, la branche adolescente du Daily Planet. Son premier article? Traiter du harcèlement scolaire. Mais très vite, elle découvre que quelque chose de bien plus grave ce cache derrière les agissements de la bande de brutes qu'elle a dans le collimateur ...
Alors que dire? J'ai beaucoup beaucoup aimé! Cette Lois est vraiment l'ébauche de ce qu'elle deviendra par la suite. Elle est pugnace, a le sens de la justice et de la vérité et ... elle fonce tête baissée dans les ennuis. Mais c'est comme ça qu'on l'aime. J'ai senti et retrouvé en elle un peu des deux Lois que je connais le mieux : celle de la série Lois et Clark pour sa pugnacité (et le côté un peu farfelu de son enquête) et celle de Man of steel pour la loyauté dont elle fait preuve envers ceux qui l'entourent.
Et Clark vous me direz? Et bien, il est là .. ou pas .. Lois discute virtuellement avec un ami dont le pseudo est SmallvilleGuy... Et déjà, on sent poindre la dynamique de leur futur duo. Et non, je ne parle pas du "elle se crée des ennuis, il vient la sauver", je parle de Lois et Clark en tant que reporters... enfin ...
Au final, c'est une vraie bonne surprise. L'auteur a repris la mythologie mais lui donne une origine, donne à Lois une histoire propre. Et j'ai hâte de lire la suite, de la voir évoluer et grandir et de voir sa rencontre avec Clark forcément !!
September 6, 2015
Lois Lane is starting over in Metropolis and this time she's determined to put down roots. As an army brat, she's lived all over the place and seen some crazy things (like that thing in Kansas). She plans on keeping her head down and fitting in, but she realizes that will be difficult with a group called the Warheads making life miserable for another student. They're messing with her head somehow via this immersive videogame they all play. Using her wit and new job as a reporter, she decides to help her classmate when no one else will. When things begin to get hard, it's a good thing she knows she can rely on her one true friend, someone she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy.
I was really looking forward to Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond and it's a great deal of fun. I was hooked right from the very beginning and I love how Bond has presented Lois in modern day. She's a character I could really get behind and root for throughout the course of the story. It's a great way to reintroduce her character as they did with Clark Kent/ Superman on tv's Smallville. On that note, I appreciated how Lois and SmallvilleGuy's chats were handled on the page. That being said, the story could have stood on its own without him, but his inclusion certainly adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend Lois Lane: Fallout to fans of Lois & Clark (I get the impression that this is what this Lois would have been like in high school if that show were set now) and Smallville. I'm looking forward to the sequel, Lois Lane: Double Down, and this novel has reminded me of how much I'm looking forward to Supergirl on CBS.
I was really looking forward to Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond and it's a great deal of fun. I was hooked right from the very beginning and I love how Bond has presented Lois in modern day. She's a character I could really get behind and root for throughout the course of the story. It's a great way to reintroduce her character as they did with Clark Kent/ Superman on tv's Smallville. On that note, I appreciated how Lois and SmallvilleGuy's chats were handled on the page. That being said, the story could have stood on its own without him, but his inclusion certainly adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend Lois Lane: Fallout to fans of Lois & Clark (I get the impression that this is what this Lois would have been like in high school if that show were set now) and Smallville. I'm looking forward to the sequel, Lois Lane: Double Down, and this novel has reminded me of how much I'm looking forward to Supergirl on CBS.
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