PHENOMENAL GIRL 5

Author: A.J. Menden ISBN: 9780505527868 11/2008 ACTION Publisher: SHOMI

Lainey Livingston has just been made a member of the Elite Hands of Justice, the world’s premiere cadre of superheroes. Her work with the Red Knights and the Power Squad was impressive; all her senses are extraordinary, and her great strength and ability to fly are equally remarkable. But no one gets a free pass to active duty, and Lainey’s next test is going to be her hardest. She’s to train with the Reincarnist. Robert Elliot, the Reincarnist. A magician who has lived multiple lifetimes, he’s the smartest man in the world—and Lainey’s last obstacle. He was personally responsible for seeing Pushstar wash out. But his eyes are the softest, kindest that Lainey has ever seen, and he’s just the sort to knock her for a loop. Lesson #1: Romantic entanglements among crime fighters are super exploitable, and falling in love with a man who “can’t die” is like waving a red flag at a bull. Especially when the most fiendish plot ever is about to break over Megolopolis like a wave of fire.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Who hasn't wanted to be a superhero at some point or another in their life? Popular culture is filled to its seams with the various caped crusaders of Justice. So that's why I was more then a little shocked to realize that PHENOMENAL GIRL 5 is the first romance I've read that deals even partially with the idea.

The world of PHENOMENAL GIRL 5 is our own, except super powers are just a routine thing. Menden doesn't keep everything happy-go-lucky sweet, however—sure, there are altruistic heroes who do it because they want to make the world safer, but for everyone of them there are five others who want the fame and notoriety. In fact, the 'Elite Hands of Justice' runs more like a modeling agency then a heroic station.

If you enjoyed comic books as a kid, you will no doubt be able to recognize who some of the characters are meant to resemble and emulate. I was shocked during Lainey's first time meeting the EHJ—these are superheroes? Saving the day and keeping us safe? I swore I was reading about the latest episode of some soap opera! And I liked that. I really enjoyed that Menden made it a purpose to show that even though they had powers and were these icons of Justice, they were people with all the same foibles the rest of us have.

As for the characters, I loved Lainey. She had the stereotypical 'blonde bombshell' (complete with black leather outfit) look, but insisted on using her brains and talents to get her where she wanted to go. She didn't want to be so floozy bimbo with powers and hooker costume—she was bound and determined to make a difference, no matter what.

As for Robert, aka 'The Reincarnist' (I love the fact the names are so hokey in this book), I had a very hard time not falling in love with him as well. Stubborn, tactless and at times downright infuriating, he didn't come off as anything but protective of Lainey. Overprotective even. I admit to being a little iffy about when he dies he comes back as a whole new person, not because I objected to that, but to what that means in terms of the relationships he forges.

According to Menden's website she is working on another EHJ romance and I, for one, am eager to see what fascinating new aspects of her world she draws out for us.

Alexandra Cenni