The Backlot Gay Book Forum discussion

Transparent is a Color (Subparh
eroes series)
By Kaje Harper
Published by the author, 2024
5 stars

This marvelous story puts a more literal spin on the notion of subparheroes. There is plenty of danger and death, but Kaje Harper manages to keep it light and humorous in the spirit of the romantic comedy is actually is.

Peregrine Crawford is the scion of a superhero family, but has disappointed his mother by developing what appears to be a fairly lame superpower—he can change the color of things. Isolated from his family by his supposed failure, he’s a lonely young man. He doesn’t seem particularly shy, but he faces the world with a complete lack of self-confidence.

Then Perry finds a bomb in his mailroom workplace using the one rather special aspect of his power: he can make things transparent (hence the title of the book). Through this discovery he meets Sergeant Deckard, big blond member of the Nova City Bomb Squad--and his remarkable bomb-sniffing dog Nix. In classic rom-com silliness, Perry ends up being taken to Deckard’s house, because not only is the sergeant convinced he can’t take care of himself; but he feels an instant attraction for this awkward, nerdy guy. Right away the protocol-driven cop is torn between his duty as a policeman and his desire to be close to Perry (who doesn’t help at all).

The personal situation is more than balanced by the sudden deadly violence that shakes up Nova City, all tied to the bomb Perry found. Deckard can’t tell Perry what’s going on, yet can’t bring himself to put Perry at risk by cutting him loose. To add to the confusion, mysterious notes from something called SPAM begin to appear for Perry.

Harper writes this very well. The characters are great and the complicated situation is handled with skill. Harper moves back and forth between the plotlines, ratcheting up anxiety over the crimes at the same time the emotional sparks build between the two protagonists.

And just when you think the story is over, we get a little bonus; a dollop of comic relief that cleverly masks another moment of threat. Meanwhile, we get to watch Peregrine Crawford turn into something more than his mother ever thought he could be, and it warms the heart.

A well-crafted story with amusing and interesting characters is what Kaje Harper always gives her readers. That’s why I keep coming back.