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Prepare to Die! Hardcover – Bargain Price, May 29, 2012

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Paul Tobin (Author)
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Paul Tobin (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 43 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 350 pages
  • Publisher: Night Shade Books (May 29, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1597804207
  • ASIN: B00F6IOWNC
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,550,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsCool book marred by treatment of female characters
By Zack Davisson HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on October 30, 2012
Format: Hardcover
I almost didn't read "Prepare to Die!." To be honest, superheroes have never really clicked for me in novel form. Maybe it is their inherent visual nature, or maybe--like superhero films until recently--writers just hasn't figured out how to make it work yet; but for whatever reason every superhero-themed book I have read has been a disappointment. The only exceptions I can think of are the early Wild Cards books, which were fun to read but owed as much to Sci Fi as to superhero.

But I was lured into this book by Paul Tobin. I haven't read too much of his work, but his adaptations in "The Savage Sword of Robert E. Howard" impressed me enough to give "Prepare to Die!" a shot.

And you know, what? He did it. Tobin pulled off one of the best superhero novels I have ever read--with a massive, massive caveat.

First, the good stuff. Best of all, "Prepare to Die!" is full-on superhero. This isn't some Sci Fi-hybrid, some "well I guess you could say that blah-blah-blah was a superhero novel" mash-up. All the tropes are here; costumes, secret identities, team-ups, evil organizations of super villains. Everything. Tobin took all of the Grand Opera of classic superhero comics and scripted from a humanistic viewpoint that works really well. There are shades of Astro City in the approach, and that clicks for a novel. I didn't miss the visuals at all, because Tobin was drawing pictures right in my head the way a good author should.

And I loved that "Prepare to Die!" showcased the infinite possibilities of the superhero genre.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsEntertaining Adult Super Tale
By Timothy C Allison on August 21, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
When superhero Steve Clarke (aka Reaver) is defeated by Octagon & his band of evil henchmen, rather than killing him on the spot, he is given two weeks to live. We follow Steve as he attempts to complete his modest bucket list, which primarily consists of unfinished business from his life before he became a superhero.

Clarke's world is clearly post Miller & Moore. The heroes are burdened by their abilities and the consequences of their actions. The villains are very very evil. There are less wacky bank jobs and more burning schoolchildren alive. Clarke himself is a big dumb lug of a hero. Thanks to the silver age origin story, he goes from being a sexually repressed teenager to a beefy guy who hits things.

The pacing and use of superhero tropes is excellent. Tobin's use of flashbacks allows us to learn about the history of the Reaver. His encounters with other heroes and villains propel the story forward even as they flesh out the world.

Somewhat problematic is Tobin's treatment of women and sexuality. Female characters are consistently underdeveloped, and over sexualized. And while I have not done a head count, the feeling is that more female characters are villainous than not. Some of this is attributable to the story being told from Clarke's POV. He is after all, a superbro. Still, I would have liked to see more three dimensional characterization of some female characters (in particular Adele).

***slight spoiler***
The ending was wonderful. After wallowing in the grimgritty world of the Reaver, Tobin shows that the answer is to uphold classic heroic values. Why? Because the world needs the symbol of heroes, even if the reality does not truly match that symbol. Even if imperfect, I applaud the effort to meld a realistic tone with the idealism of past generations.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery fun and engaging
By willwheels on June 13, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The story of Steve Clark (aka Reaver), a superhero who is strong, fast, can heal, and has a bit of a temper when he fights; told against the backdrop of visiting his first love, and hometown, after he is defeated by his archenemies.

Very much a modern superhero story but still told in an unexpected way and the flashbacks (to Reaver's origin, beginnings, and growth as a superhero) establish a sense of tension throughout the book.

I hope Paul continues to write novels.
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2.0 out of 5 starsPay Attention
By Bryce on February 4, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
You will have to, to remember that there is actually a good story in here. Steve is actually a pretty cool character. He is easy to understand and not all overly righteous. His struggle to find closer is also a nice idea. The problem is it was not executed all that well and is buried under a bunch of flashbacks.

So many flashbacks about so many different things. They destroyed whatever momentum the story was gaining. Every little revelation needed a flashback to add weight to it when it more often did the opposite. While some tried to add depth, especially to Steve's relationships with other characters they just don't do the job.

I also think I need to mention the women. Now as a guy part of me is puzzled that I'm going to say this but I think it needs to be said. STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING!!! The women are all sluts. Every single one. I'm not exaggerating, every female character seems to be perpetually horny. Its just ridiculous.

The book is also filled with cringe worthy corny bits. An example? Reaver has a catchphrase. Yup people it gets THAT bad. I cant recommend this book I really just cant. There are plenty of issues and combined with the book I just wish I could get my money back.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great superhero story

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

This book is excellent.

Published 8 months ago by Chris Wilkes
3.0 out of 5 starsok, but...

I know it is based off of superheroes, but how many time can you repeat the same thing. The author must have used the saying "three times faster than a normal man" 200 plus times.

Published 13 months ago by Mike
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

amazing

Published 13 months ago by Josh Crawford
5.0 out of 5 starsAbsolutely loved this. I was convinced I knew of an ...

Absolutely loved this. I was convinced I knew of an enormous twist that never came to pass, and missed a few that did. A great page-turning adventure with a great main character.

Published 16 months ago by J. J. Carter
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

good

Published 19 months ago by Lane
2.0 out of 5 starsBig bag of nope.

Did not enjoy this at all. I found myself laughing during scenes with serious dialogue. I was looking for a light read, but this was too much.

Published 20 months ago by Bloodfart
5.0 out of 5 starsLike The Watchmen, but with more humor and sex

An interesting and unpredictable story. The writing flows well, as we learn about a collection of superheroes (Reaver, Paladin, Checkmate, etc. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Edward A
4.0 out of 5 starsdidn't like the end

ok book but kind of slow in places. didn't like the end. but still worth reading.

Published 20 months ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsGood read for comic book fans

Good book though I think the ending was a little predictable. Overall, it was a fun read with a realistic take on a modern superhero.

Published 21 months ago by Amazon Customer

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