Meta

The author, Tom, did a great job in making an entertaining story that will capture and hold your attention through several chapters at a time.The book follows a similar path to many other story lines, but this is by no means a bad thing. The plot is unique but still familiar enough to make it a fun read. I especially enjoyed the deep integration of the internet and the media in a realistic way that actually advanced the story.For listeners of TCGTE if you want to have some fun, replace all instances of Conor with Tom, all instances of Jim with Tim, and instances of the mentor character with Batman for an extra special reading. I often found myself imagining Connor's inner monologue in the voice of Tom Reynolds.If you enjoyed books like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, tv shows like Heroes (before it got terrible), or super heroes in general then you will enjoy this book.Also if you did enjoy the book, specifically the inner monologue or the banter between Connor and Jim I would highly encourage you to download the podcast The Complete Guide To Everything and Pop Everything for similar comedic banter.

"META" is an action-packed, super-charged science fiction novel by Tom Reynolds that begins years after the fatal Battle between The Governor and Jones, two powerful humans with supernatural abilities who disappeared into legend with other Metas. Now ten years later these super-powered beings have reappeared, fighting crime and saving the helpless. As the story opens sixteen year old Connor Connolly has survived deadly wounds in his encounter with a murderer while trying to save the life of a child, only to find strange armbands wrapped around his wrists. What he doesn't suspect is that this alien technology and his newfound abilities come with a price. Allied with Midnight and Iris, two other Metas, Connor must learn to control his power, lose many of his human shortcomings and hide his identity. When he does he may become Omni, the mightiest Meta the world has ever known.The narrative written in the first person flows steadily, although at times the dialogue seems disjointed and the plot lacks continuity. But, even though it could use more development to smooth out the rough edges, it is still a striking and imaginative story.The characters are interesting and seem to change, their personalities developing as the plot progresses. Connor Connelly is an unpopular, nerdy high-school teen whose curiosity and need to question can be irritating at times. As the story unfolds his attitude begins to transform as his body adapts to his new abilities. Derrick, a blogger and Connor's loyal and supportive brother is obsessive, persistent and perceptive. Sarah Miller, his high school love interest is non-judgemental, smart and funny. Like Midnight, the strategist, who seems aloof but is diligent, allowing Connor the flexibility to develop his own powers and Iris,whose a realist and very efficient, all help Connor mature and excel. Even the antagonist, "The Controller", is memorable with his fanaticism, abuse of power, his deception and cold-blooded heartlessness. All add depth to a story that grows in intensity.When I read the outline I knew I wanted to read "Meta" so I bought a copy and wasn't disappointed. I hope there is a sequel

I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I'll admit I picked the book up on a whim as I was in the mood for something light and fun after a very intense read. This definitely filled the bill. It's pacing is good, it's concept is fun. It's a decent read. It's well edited. It doesn't read like a first effort which is a huge plus, so good job there. It is, however, a short novella - 2600 locations which seems to contradict the page size.On the downside, the characters are a bit formulaic and not well fleshed out. There's the misfit teen who's suddenly a superhero, his friend who pops up occasionally, the out-of-his-league love interest who kinda likes him, the parental figure in the form of his brother and the mysterious teacher who helps him learn about his new powers. None of these characters step outside their designated roles or really have fully developed back stories. They're all fairly two-dimensional.I like the wristbands as a plot device giving people their superpowers and I like that they don't come with instructions or any information on where they came from. The story itself, the battle, Connor learning to use his powers and the anecdotes from others learning to use their wristbands were good and I enjoyed them but they could also have stood up to more detail. But, I still enjoyed it for all that I wanted more.I would say this book is geared towards younger teens even though there is no age listing with the book and even with the high body count in the book. It just reads like something 12yo me would have really enjoyed.This feels like the beginning of a series. I'm curious. I may read the next one when it's available. This one was good enough as a brain sorbet that another could be welcome.

"Meta" by Tom Reynolds is a breath of fresh air in the realm of superhero novels, a story that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. At its core, Meta revolves around Connor Connelly, a relatable and endearing protagonist thrust into a world of incredibly powerful individuals, “metas”. What sets Connor apart as a protagonist is his self-deprecating humor and relatable struggles, making him instantly likable and easy to root for.With its compelling protagonist, breakneck pacing, and intricate worldbuilding, it's a book that will appeal to fans of action-packed adventures and character-driven storytelling alike. While it may not be without its flaws, its strengths far outweigh any shortcomings, making it a standout addition to the genre.

I love Young Adult fiction... They can be very childish, but some of the best young adult novels have had me hooked with some deep conversations.Unfortunately this novel is not able to do that. It has a very interesting concept, but it ends up being a very shallow/surface level realisation of that concept.Still, the idea is promising, and the cliffhanger is strong enough for it to make me wanna read the 2nd novel. So here goes nothing.

Watching a young man new to becoming a super hero deal with hardship, all the while maintaining a sense of humour is very entertaining.

Very well written - good pacing - nice character development - good story.Here's a tell-tale sign for me that it was a good book ... I finished it within a couple of days and immediately wanted to download the next book in the series so that I could continue reading where the story was going.

J'ai découvert la série en écoutant un podcast avec Tom Reynolds. J'ai lu le premier, et j'ai tout de suite acheté le second. Et j'attends le troisième… C'est dire ce que j'en pense.C'est plutôt pour un public "Marvel", et c'est vraiment très proche d'un comic book. Pas aussi noir que les american superheroes… Même si les méchants sont vraiment méchants, sans concession.Il y a aussi un aspect "high school" assez amusant et plutôt réussi.Ce mélange des genres fonctionne bien. Je recommande.