League of Somebodies Tour: Review

League of Somebodies
Author: Samuel Sattin
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Publisher: Dark Coast Press

Description:

Lenard Sikophsky’s father has been feeding him plutonium since the age of six in the hopes of making him the world’s first bona fide superhero. First, he must pass the unusual tests of manhood locked in the centuries old tomb, The Manaton, a secret relic passed down for generations. Falling in love with the beautiful, compulsively suicidal Laura Moskowitz doesn’t make his life any easier. But with the guidance of the Sikophsky men, the antiquated rulebook, and of course a healthy amount of plutonium, Lenard accepts his fate as an exactor of justice. . . .
Twenty years later, Lenard’s son Nemo is introduced to the same destiny as his father, only this time the violent entity called THEY are in dangerous pursuit. Lenard’s life and the legacy of his family are put to the test when he is forced to defend everything he loves. 

League of Somebodies is a highly inventive and thoroughly entertaining science fiction/fantasy novel that follows Lenard Sikophsky, our main character whose father has been feeding him plutonium since a young age in hopes of turning him into the first legitimate superhero. In order to be considered an actual superhero, Lenard must first past several tests to gauge his abilities. Making matters even more difficult is Laura Moskowitz - a mentally ill woman with whom Lenard falls in love with. Now, twenty years later, Lenard's own son - Nemo - is being trained to become a superhero like his father before him. To make things worse THEY are officially after the Sikophysky men and Lenard will be put to the ultimate test.

This was one of the most original and unique books I've read in a very long time - and not just in the science fiction or fantasy genres. The author creates a crazy family that is both quirky, strange, devoted, and loving. The family dynamics are interesting to learn about as we see how all the members interact with one another. The plot was fun and zany, complete with plutonium, superheroes, crazy love stories, and strange relatives. The writing was fantastic with a quick pace and an effortless flow that had me completely engaged from the first paragraph until the end. The characters in the story - especially Lenard - are very well written with individual personalities and quirks. They were a bit zany but realistic and incredibly likeable at the same time. Beneath the fun and intriguing main story are deeper issues of family, love, devotion, the battle between right and wrong, and ultimately about believing in yourself. These topics added a depth to the novel that I felt really rounded it out and gave it complexity. Highly recommended for those who enjoy fun and somewhat crazy science fiction or fantasy novels and also for those readers looking for something fresh and original.

Samuel Sattin is the author of the chaos-inspired superhero epic, LEAGUE OF SOMEBODIES, described by Mat Johnson as "So rich with originality it's actually radioactive." A featured up and coming author in San Francisco Magazine's 2013 'Writers on Writers' Issue, his work can be found in Salon Magazine, The Good Men Project, io9, and Kotaku. He is a Contributing Editor at The Weeklings, and lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, beagle, and tuxedo cat. You can visit him here: www.samuelsattin.net.

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