A. J. Menden

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.… (meer)

This is the sequel/companion to Menden’s previous Elite Hands of Justice book, PHENOMENAL GIRL 5, and follows the adventures of Mindy, aka Tekgrrl, as her life goes from weird to downright bizarre.

I find it immensely amusing that everything she wanted to happen in her life—Luke’s tender feelings, powers, romance—seemed to all happen at the same time, and not in a way she entirely wanted. Apparently, a new hairstyle, more mature attitude, and impending doom for mankind helped put her life in better perspective.

I liked Mindy a lot in PHENOMENAL GIRL 5—she was sassy, sarcastic and smart, but her hang up over Luke, aka Sensei, another member of the team, was cringe-worthy. She harbored a schoolgirl crush on him from the time she was twelve years old—he was her idol, her hero and knight in shining armor, and all she wanted was for him to notice her. Even from Lainey’s POV in PG5, it made me reflexively take a step back in horror.

At the start of TEKGRRL she resolves to put that behind her. She wants to prove, once and for all, she is mature now that she’s almost 30. And I applaud her for that, and for how hard she sticks to it. Sure, she was jealous over Selena and Luke’s apparent flirtation and attraction, but she didn’t let that consume her. Or let it interfere with working with them.

The development of her powers and the backstory behind them is gradual, and the pay out is painful to read. Objectively, I completely understood the reasoning behind it, but on a personal level, OW. Good intentions or not, I think everyone should feel very lucky that they were, in a manner or speaking, able to contain the situation, and it didn’t just flare up and out in one quick deadly burst.

Menden’s writing is quick and easy-to-follow—since this is a superhero caper, a lot of scientific stuff will sound fishy and implausible, but that’s par for the course. I’m not entirely certain what the need to reintroduce the cult from PG5 (the Dragon cult) was for, but maybe to illustrate that there is continuity, and it will be an underlying plot thread throughout any future books. Depending on how you look at Simon’s actions in this book, he either made himself the bigger jerk than in PG5 or he redeemed himself.

I was well satisfied with the romance and the ending. I’m interested to know who else can get their own book—I really liked Selena and would like to know more about her, but otherwise, none of the ones left at the end interested me overmuch.

Just remember to throw a toast up, folks—the good guys will always win.… (meer)

This is a very good book! (Not that I expected anything less.) I love the way superheros are treated as a normal part of society, and how the different teams have different focuses.

The romance angle is nicely done as well, with scenes that are sensual instead of explicit, and a romance that seems real.

The villains as well have some depth to them, though we don't get to see much of them (first person POV) to find out the details of that depth.

Pick it up and read it! This is a great debut book, and I can't wait to see what AJ has in store for us next.… (meer)