Fetch Your Copy The Protectors Narrated By Trey Dowell Offered As Publication

superhero thriller featuring a rogue superhero, a superhero forced out of retirement, and government meddling was a good premise that dragged as the story went on and did not totally wow me in the end.
The premise was promising enough, the writing is solidly decent and is fast paced, the characters are delightfully flawed, and there are comic book worthy oneliners, jokes, and sarcasm, but, for a story that involved international politics and country hopping, it felt like the scope was too narrow, and the superheroes were never in danger of actually failing.
It takes more skills to create a characterdriven story that also manages to capture the world without losing its sense of complexity, and this title just did not have it.
It came down to being just a pissing match between Scott/Knockout and Agent Tucker with a lot more damage and explosions.
The superheroes have interesting enough abilities, which saw some creative use, but they were almost too powerful for any challenge.


There are onlysuperheroes one is dead, but there is no sense of an origin story, beyond abilities just appeared and they were recruited to present the facade of an international policing team.
There were only theand haven't been any since them, and their abilities have started evolving/changing over the years, so they were a random, isolated incident.
There's mention of testing to try to understand them, Otherwise, there's not even a sense of some kind of development, backstory, underlying story, to what could have caused superheroes to exist.
It's fine if the story was to take a postmodern attitude of randomness and chaos, but it just plopped superheroes into a thriller with some flashbacks.
There were some interesting ideas tossed around about the impact of superheroes' existence on the world, but it came across a little superficial and naive.
There is a new development introduced in the end that leaves room for a sequel, but I'm not sure with some of the ways the Protectors are planning to change the world, how that fits in believably.
The Violent Century by Lavie Tidhar has been my recent benchmark for superheroes in noncomic book settings, It had superheroes as government tools, but there was define angle being explored with a sense of scope, depth, and introspection on what it was like to have abilities and what it does to them as a person.
The Protectors was a decent read but isn't one that is staying with me or will be one to reread.
An amazing debut

Firsttime novelist Trey Dowell invites readers into a near future world much like ours but complicated by the existence of four superheroes.


Scott McAlister, the former leader of the Protectors, doesnt call himself a hero and is our first person view into Dowells world.
Scott is washed up, jaded, and doesnt believe the world can be changed, His voice is snarky and sarcastic throughout much of the novel, lending a lot of humor to the narrative but not to the point where its overdone.
Hes a planner but makes plenty of mistakes along the way, especially with people, which is fitting given his superpowerputting people to sleep in an instant.
He works through problems in fun and clever ways, often making unexpected and creative use of his powers,

When Scotts former bosses at the CIA come to bring Scott out of retirement to track down his former teammate and lover, Lyla Ravzi, Scott is again forced to face the world as Knockout, his superhero persona, and choose between his country and his personal loyalties.


While the superhero coming out of retirement or having to choose between duty and a lover isnt new ground, Dowell crafts an entertaining narrative from page one, using the Scotts wit and charm to advance the plot until it spins in a new direction about halfway through.
The introduction of Lyla, now a rogue mindcontroller, provides a great counterpoint to Scotts cynicism, She doesnt just want to survive, and she isnt satisfied with the choices offered her, She wants to change the world for the better with her power, specifically in her home country of Iran.


While they make a great team, their seemingly contradictory powers and personalities actually complementing each other quite nicely, there is a the shadow of mistrust as Scott tries to figure out if shes using her mindcontrol power to manipulate him and keeps the reader guessing till the end.


The pair faces threats from both their own government via the CIA and the Iranian Government and their struggles get more and more dangerous and appropriately flashy for superheroes as they go.
Agent Tucker, their CIA boss and nemesis, is a worthy antagonist, Despite his lack of superpowers, he more than makes up for it, employing vast CIA resources, connections, and money against the pair.
His interactions with Scott are some of the best scenes in the book, as the snarky Scott runs up against the toosmart Tucker, and Dowell wisely opens on one of these scenes, bringing the reader into the conflict without delay.


Just as with the introduction of Lyla, the rest of the book gains strength as it moves forward.
Scotts interactions with other characters really shined in this book, As a first person narrative, it is sometimes hard to get a sense of the other characters, but thats not a problem with Dowells writing.
When another teammate, Diego, finally joins up, he and Scott have a completely different and unique relationship than Scott and Lyla, and it refreshes the book for the ending.


Dowell brings together a few interesting threads that had dangled in the larger narrative for the ending.
As the title suggests, the Protectors come together again, and Dowell leaves us with new revelations on the last few pages, giving the book strong sequel potential.


Comic fans, superhero movie fans, scifi fans, or plain old adventure fans will find a lot this is familiar here, but in a good way.
Dowell plays with the familiar elements in ways that feels original, Scotts first person point of view plays to the strengths of the novel and is a offers a different look into the world of superheroes that readers dont often get in other mediums.
Cool modern twist on super hero story, I have been a huge fan of superheroes and comics for decades, so it was kind of a nobrainier that I would pick up this book.
I did some with some trepidation, since every novel based on comics I've read has had me cringing at some point or another.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out this one was fantastic! Well rounded, threedimensional

characters and antagonists who are at least as intelligent as the protagonists.


The cover does state the book is a thriller, and this is correct, It is less superhero action and more of a good spy or covert ops book, yet it works really well.
I highly recommend it. "You only get everything you want right before it gets taken away, "

Superheroes, but with a twist,

Scott McAlister is a pretty average guy, He drinks beer, lives in a cabin, and since it doesn't mention him doingpushups every morning, I assume he looks pretty average looking also, except for one tiny thing: he's one of only four super heroes on the earth.
The CIA forces him out of forced retirement to track down and stop the girl he may or may not love, who has been using her super powers to recklessly try and save the world.


Dowell takes many superhero tropes and refreshingly turns them on their sides, His voice in writing Scott McAlister is amazing, with just the right amount of pithy sarcasm and introspection, The highaction, fast moving plot keeps the reader turning the pages, Highly recommend! This must be what it really feels like to have super powers, Always in the crosshairs. A unique take on the reluctant superhero theme, This isn't just a book about superheroes, Sure, they have a few powers but their weaknesses are just as great, This is a story about being different and being hunted because of it, Never being able to rest but not being able to shake the responsibility to use your abilities to their fullest.

Conflicted metahumans who need each other in order to grow in their power but to help them find some normalcy.

The good guy/bad guy lines are so blurred it is a perfect representation of todays society, Who can you trust
There is plenty of action here to keep the pages flipping, And the approach to the super powers seems like a plausible everyday occurrence,
A great ride and one I hope has a followup in the near future, A fine entertainment. This is a novel about superheroes, It is quick and enjoyable read, Ok, I love Superhero type characters as the next guy, . I loved Superman Comics,and Batman when I was a kid, I even read the Archies, Garfield,and we didn't get the Sunday St, Louis Post Dispatch, but my Aunt did,and when we went to visit, I'd always run out to the frontyard to get the paper,and spread it open on the floor to read the funnies,and always had my egg of silly putty ready too.
.

So, it is about somE, superheroes, THE PROTECTORS, obviously, . . The storyline was very engrossing, hard to put down, and the action was brisk, for sure, I cared about the characters, I cared about what was going to happen to them, Trey threw in some current issues of our dealings with the Middle East,and some environmental issues, that we are still facing.
It's a love story, it's a story about feelings,and longings, about betrayal, about conspiracy, . the list goes on . .

Should you read it YES! I gave it such a high rating because I did enjoy it very much.
I did want to keep reading,and the best part is I found myself laughing outloud pretty often, I think Trey must be a funny guy,and it comes across in his writing,

Was it the best novel I've ever read NO, but it was quite a bit of fun.
Some may say part of the formula is the same as other Superhero stories, somewhat that is true. But hey it's about some superheroes, . . that's to be expected. I don't know if this book is available in paper yet, but it's certainly worth the download, . . however you may have to do it, If you don't have such a machine Borrow one, I hope it goes to print in paper soon, I think it would do well, I am intriqued to hear if there's gonna be a movie deal, I think it would be a go,

I have a one word question for anyone that's read it,and I already put it to the author.
Yes, I do know him somewhat, Nice guy! He deserves his success, just don't get the big head, buddy, not yet, . . lol .

That one word question Are you ready for it I bet you can guess what it is Wait for it.
. . wait for it . still waiting . you know what it's gonna be, . . you're like get on with it, . . the suspense is killing you, . it's just like the book, . I wanted to keep going to find out how it was gonna end up, . . no spoilers . except this . .


Sequel


Have fun reading this one! sitelinkThis Originally Posted on Happy Cloud s

ARC provided via NetGalley by publisher in exchange for a completely honest review

When I saw this up on NetGalley, I jumped on it.
I have a very known love for superheroes, and this sounded so good I couldn't help myself but start it immediately.
I wasn't disappointed.

"Knock Out" "Aphrodite" "Blaster" these are all amazing names for superheroes, and they were such diverse and interesting characters.
You never truly know how they all got together in the first place, but the story of why they are all in different places and not working as a team anymore is wonderful.


Wonderfully written and action packed, there wasn't a slow part in this book, Plus, the plot evolved, which I really enjoyed overall, Because the story is told exclusively from Scott's point of view, Lyla is a mystery most of the book, and you never truly know what her motive for anything is.
I honestly think that was my favorite part, She added this level of mystery and "what is she going to do next" that really kept the plot flowing.


To sum things up, I loved this, Superheroes action government conspiracy wonderfully brilliant story that makes you wish there were actually "Protectors" in the real world.
An enthralling debut, The Protectors offers a dark twist on the classic superhero story as fallen hero Scott McAlister embarks on a globehopping chase to stop his former teammateand exlovergone rogue.


Dont call him a superhero,

Heroes change the world, Scott McAlister On a good day, he manages to change out of sweatpants,

It wasnt always like this, Scott used to be leader of the Protectors, the worlds one and only squad of superheroes, It was a decent gig, but far from the shiny force for good the UN advertised, He could abide the publicity stunts, the lies, the hamfisted government handlersbut when one of the Protectors died under his command, it was too much.
Wracked with guilt, Scott stepped down and into an early retirement,

Now, five years later, a desperate CIA chief shows up on Scotts doorstep with a polite request and a cadre of shock troops to ensure that Scott accepts.
His exteammate and exlover, Lyla Ravzi, has gone rogue, The former Protector has the ability to control minds, and shes no longer interested in “protecting, ” She wants world domination.

Scotts mission is simple: Find Lyla and stop her, The messy little details are up to him, Its the last thing Scott needs after five years spent trying to forget the Protectors and to get over Lyla, but the alternative is worse.


As he closes in on his target, Scott is forced to confront his past and face a chilling reality: Can he save the world and the woman he once loved Or will he have to choose.