Normalized, Part One: Superfluous

Normalized #1

by David Bussell

Action! Characters! Exposition! Normalized has it all!

When Captain Might started writing his journal he was the most powerful man on the planet. The all-conquering American paragon who knifed the sky like a buttered bullet and fired beams from his eyes so pinpoint deadly they could knock the prick off a Martian. That was before his arch-enemy, Professor D’eath, lured him into a trap, snuffed out his powers and transformed him from a superhero to a superzero.

Now, grounded and struggling to re-define his place in the world as a “normal,” Captain Might documents his return journey to the realm of super-heroics, only this time minus the super. But will he settle the score with his nemesis, or will he learn the hard way that ordinary men are only capable of ordinary things?

Normalized in one collected edition.

418 pages, ebook

First published March 11, 2015

About the author

​David Bussell is a best-selling British author renowned for his contributions to the urban fantasy genre. He is the co-creator of the Uncanny Kingdom, a series that explores a secret Britain teeming with paranormal suspense stories. His notable works include the "Spectral Detective" series. David's writing prowess has been recognized with the P.G. Wodehouse New Comic Writer Award. Beyond his literary achievements, he is an avid fencer, a lover of synthwave music, and a committed comic book fan.

Reviews

[Devann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This rating is for part one only, just wanted to specify that since I swear this page WAS for part one when I added it but now there doesn't even appear to be a page for part one, just this one for the whole series and then individual pages for parts 2-4. I almost gave this two stars in a kind of 'A for effort' rating but after I thought about there wasn't really anything I liked about it so I'm gonna have to go with one. Basically it's one of those 'satire' stories where we never really get to the satire and are instead just left with an asshole protagonist wandering around being fundamentally unlikable. It probably would have worked out if it wasn't in diary format and other characters were brought in to kind of call this guy on his bullshit occasionally, but as it is now I'm just left wondering why I'm supposed to care.

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 66% - this book is terrible! I wanted to finish it to justify the review, but forcing this onto myself is a punishment I wouldn't bear to put on anyone. It's vulgar and offensive. I figure it's meant to come across as a parody, but honestly... It's just disgusting and a drag to read. A lot of inappropriate opinions, even though meant in jest - still just as tasteless. And even then - not funny.

Got it as a freebie at some point. Guess that serves me right.

[Timothy Burbage · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fairly funny look at the superhero genre, and what would happen if ego overtook the powers.

The problem was that the humour was very hit-and-miss, and there is no resolution here. We didn't even get to the twist that the book title was based off.

I know this multi-part style is meant to get me to buy the next section, but for this it isn't happening.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to read humorous short story spoofing the fame and hero worship of super heroes. I style of writing made me feel as though I was reading the superheroes personal journal which gave an even funnier feel. It really felt reminiscent of old Laurel and Hardy slapstick comedy but with an adult themed twist. All in all a humorous and entertaining read. It just lacked an oomph factor that made me want to read more of this storyline. I wouldn't turn it away, yet I wouldn't seek it out either. This voluntary review is based against a KU copy.