American Goddesses in Hidden Gems

Aug 16, 2012 Debra Dunbar rated it really liked it

Two women have found themselves transformed into mighty superheroes after undergoing an experimental medical procedure intended to increase their disease resistance. It’s an easy transformation physically, but becoming an invulnerable, telepathic, flying human takes a toll on one’s relationships. Megan finds her friends feel uncomfortable around her and suddenly are no longer available for happy hours. Trish’s boyfriend feels threatened, and a prank has bone breaking consequences due to her new Two women have found themselves transformed into mighty superheroes after undergoing an experimental medical procedure intended to increase their disease resistance. It’s an easy transformation physically, but becoming an invulnerable, telepathic, flying human takes a toll on one’s relationships. Megan finds her friends feel uncomfortable around her and suddenly are no longer available for happy hours. Trish’s boyfriend feels threatened, and a prank has bone breaking consequences due to her new powers. Superpowers seem to initially bring out the worst in the women. Megan’s assertive nature goes into overdrive. She telekinetically locks down the fridge door so her husband can’t get a beer, melts his weights in a fit of anger, and forcibly hauls him home when she finds him cheating with a reporter. No wonder her marriage is on the rocks. Trish saves a jumper, but her method of suicide prevention by repeatedly dropping the guy and scooping him up would probably be frowned upon by psychologists everywhere.

The women mature rapidly though, when a psychic attack leaves Megan devastated and the city of Lawrencedale Kansas (and the world!) is threatened by a subversive organization looking to free an explosives mastermind from jail. Can the ladies and their newfound super-sisters save the world? Catch the bad guys and bring them to justice? Foil the evil intentions of the Russian psychic Melnikov?

American Goddesses reads like a comic book without the pictures. The style, character development, plot, and themes are all in keeping with those superhero comics and movies we devoured as kids. Oddly enough, that was the one regret I had with this book. The good guys were good, the loose ends all tied up in neat, morally satisfying bundles at the end. Unfair as it may be, I wanted more. I wanted dark, ugly, tortured and flawed.

Not surprisingly, my favorite character, the one I flipped pages eagerly to catch a glimpse of, was the evil Melnikov. She’s bitter and eaten up with revenge over her treatment as a youth at the hands of the Soviets. But she’s not just a product of a horrible childhood, a woman to be pitied and reformed. No, Melnikov is evil. She wants the superpowers, wants to rule the world, wants to crush everyone beneath her tobacco stained fingers.

An enjoyable and quick moving novel. Violence and some sexually explicit parts (including a scene of sexual violence) make it probably not suitable for younger teenagers. ...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Karen Einsel rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed the story American Goddesses even though it did get a bit sappy towards the end. Now being an emotional female, I cried and hugged and shared the sorrow with the characters, but a guy would probably say, "Okay enough of the tears, just get on with the story already.... Alright a man hug. There are you happy now?"

American Goddesses is a story about two women, Megan and Trish, who volunteer for a medical experiment that could wipe out all diseases known to man or woman, from the common c ...more

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Dec 12, 2012 E.L. Lindley rated it it was amazing

A fast paced unstoppable novel which had me hooked from the very opening lines. If you enjoy lots of action and exciting twists and turns then this is the novel for you. The female protagonists are fearless and fun, leaving you wistfully wishing they were real. It is well written and convincing but be warned once you pick it up you won't be able to put it back down again. ...more

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Jun 05, 2013 K.S. Daniels marked it as to-read

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