How would you react if superheroes were real, carrying out battles with villains in your city on a daily basis? For Meg Sawyer, it’s not like the comic books. Meg isn’t blinded by feelings of hero worship and gratitude. In fact, Meg is annoyed. The superheroes aren’t very observant of their surroundings and the average citizens are the ones who pay the price.
Seventeen-year-old orphan Meg goes about her days trying to balance time with her best friend Oliver, holding onto her job in a coffee shop, and surviving. She has managed to devise ways to protect herself, but she is also well-aware that any day could be her last, cut short by the villains who only seem to be emboldened by the superheroes. While fleeing a catastrophe, she finds one of Lunar City’s heroes dead and her already upside-down world gets even weirder. Despite having no powers of her own, she becomes an unlikely and reluctant hero herself. Can she save the other three heroes, Lunar City, and herself? What follows is a story that is smart, funny, thought-provoking, and intriguing.
I don’t remember exactly how I found Collateral Damage by Taylor Simonds. I think it was a tweet on Twitter inviting indie authors to promote their books. Simonds responded and I followed the link, read the description, and got hooked. The premise reminded me of the underrated (and later canceled) series Powerless, which my husband and I watched every week while it aired. When I put this book on my wishlist, I hoped and hoped I would get it for Christmas. Brett really is the best husband.
Simonds’ gifts for writing and storytelling give life, wit, and heart to this fresh story. Many times, I laughed out loud at Meg’s reactions and observations. I admire the author’s ability to go from being funny to serious and back again. Meg is a relatable, likeable, and sarcastic hero. I enjoyed this book much like I enjoy the Flavia de Luce series, even though the stories are completely different.
Collateral Damage is a must-read YA adventure that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. Don’t just borrow it, BUY IT. This indie author deserves our support. Trust me, it’s worth the price.
For those to whom it matters, this book contains profanity. It isn’t abundant, but it is there.
