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Playing for Keeps
The shining metropolis of Seventh City is the birthplace of super powers. The First Wave heroes are jerks, but they have the best gifts: flight, super strength, telepathy, genius, fire. The Third Wavers are stuck with the leftovers: the ability to instantly make someone sober, the power to smell the past, the grace to carry a tray and never drop its contents, the power to produce high-powered excrement blasts, absolute control...over elevators.
Bar owner Keepsie Branson is a Third Waver with a power that prevents anything in her possession from being stolen. Keepsie and her friends just aren't powerful enough to make a difference. at least that's what they've always been told. But when the villain Doodad slips Keepsie a mysterious metal sphere, the Third Wavers become caught in the middle of a battle between the egotistical heroes and the manipulative villains.
As Seventh City begins to melt down, it's hard to tell the good guys from the bad, and even harder to tell who may become the true heroes.
Bar owner Keepsie Branson is a Third Waver with a power that prevents anything in her possession from being stolen. Keepsie and her friends just aren't powerful enough to make a difference. at least that's what they've always been told. But when the villain Doodad slips Keepsie a mysterious metal sphere, the Third Wavers become caught in the middle of a battle between the egotistical heroes and the manipulative villains.
As Seventh City begins to melt down, it's hard to tell the good guys from the bad, and even harder to tell who may become the true heroes.
260 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Mur Lafferty
107 books1,688 followersNOTE- Goodreads mail is NOT a good way to get in touch with me. I don't get notifications of questions and I'm rarely here. Please contact me via my website, murverse.com.
Mur Lafferty is the author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Hugo and Nebula nominated novel Six Wakes, The Shambling Guides series, and several self pubbed novels and novellas, including the award winning Afterlife series. She is the host of the Hugo-winning podcast Ditch Diggers, and the long-running I Should Be Writing. She is the recipient of the John Campbell Award for best new writer, the Manly Wade Wellman Award, the Best Fancast Hugo Award, and joined the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, its inaugural year.
Mur Lafferty is the author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Hugo and Nebula nominated novel Six Wakes, The Shambling Guides series, and several self pubbed novels and novellas, including the award winning Afterlife series. She is the host of the Hugo-winning podcast Ditch Diggers, and the long-running I Should Be Writing. She is the recipient of the John Campbell Award for best new writer, the Manly Wade Wellman Award, the Best Fancast Hugo Award, and joined the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, its inaugural year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
February 9, 2009
You may not know it yet, but you want this book. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Hey, Jason, maybe *you* want this book, but how do you know that *I* want it?" Well, nameless faceless reader, I'm glad you asked that.
If you like superhero stories, you'll like this book. It's got the usual fun action, adventure, and cool superpowers that make your inner fan-person go "squee."
If you don't like superhero stories, you'll like this book. Instead of focusing on the jet-setting antics of a few too-perfect people in tights, this story revolves around the (mostly) normal, average people who get caught up in the super-powered drama around them... whether they like it or not. (Here's a hint: it's mostly "not.")
If you think superheroes are spoiled, too-perfect, overgrown jocks who like to prance around in their underwear, you'll love this book. Because, well, they *are,* and this book certainly pulls no punches in that regard. Trust me, you're not the only one who feels this way.
If you like good character stories, you'll love this book. You've never met anyone quite like Keepsie, and you'll soon be hooked. Just be warned, though, once she has you, getting away can be... well... difficult. But who would want to anyway?
So now you see why you want this book. Next time, how about we just save time and you trust me on this, okay?
If you like superhero stories, you'll like this book. It's got the usual fun action, adventure, and cool superpowers that make your inner fan-person go "squee."
If you don't like superhero stories, you'll like this book. Instead of focusing on the jet-setting antics of a few too-perfect people in tights, this story revolves around the (mostly) normal, average people who get caught up in the super-powered drama around them... whether they like it or not. (Here's a hint: it's mostly "not.")
If you think superheroes are spoiled, too-perfect, overgrown jocks who like to prance around in their underwear, you'll love this book. Because, well, they *are,* and this book certainly pulls no punches in that regard. Trust me, you're not the only one who feels this way.
If you like good character stories, you'll love this book. You've never met anyone quite like Keepsie, and you'll soon be hooked. Just be warned, though, once she has you, getting away can be... well... difficult. But who would want to anyway?
So now you see why you want this book. Next time, how about we just save time and you trust me on this, okay?
April 28, 2020
It feels mean to harshly criticize or even mock this action-packed dramedy about semi-powered B-listers stuck between asshole superheroes and slaughter-happy supervillains. Like mocking a pre-teen who is excitedly recounting their overly long and rather stupid superhero saga that is all about constantly running around and backtracking and regrouping and making phone calls and making plans and enacting those plans and doing those plans over again and going back to the same places over and over again and plenty of fights and torture and snarky face-offs and unconvincing angst and a brain-numbing amount of wisecracking and of course cardboard characters and some really goofy powers including hands that can shoot out geysers of liquid feces. Oops I guess I did mock it after all.
The author went on to write the popular and well-regarded Six Wakes, so I'm confident that the amateurish writing powers on display were enhanced over time. Perhaps like the one thing that saves this from getting 1 star: namely, the minor powers of the heroine. No one can take away the things she keeps - thus the title, groan. Her powers are explored and then enhanced over the course of the book and really do turn into something interesting. The image of various heroes and villains who tried to take something from her suddenly frozen in stasis and forced to follow her around like floating luggage was superfun to imagine.
The author went on to write the popular and well-regarded Six Wakes, so I'm confident that the amateurish writing powers on display were enhanced over time. Perhaps like the one thing that saves this from getting 1 star: namely, the minor powers of the heroine. No one can take away the things she keeps - thus the title, groan. Her powers are explored and then enhanced over the course of the book and really do turn into something interesting. The image of various heroes and villains who tried to take something from her suddenly frozen in stasis and forced to follow her around like floating luggage was superfun to imagine.
June 26, 2009
The collection of folks with lame powers in a supers setting is something of its own subgenre, complete with its own tropes and dangers. The single greatest accomplishment of this book is how deftly it avoids most of those traps. Most notably, there are very few scenes where the heroes end up in a situation where their esoteric power is exactly the right solution, and thank goodness for that. Similarly, Lafferty does a great job of starting things off morally gray and keeping them there, rather than coming to some faux-moral ending. This does mean that the ending is perhaps a little less satisfying than it could be, but that seemed a fair tradeoff.
That said, the book is not flawless. The author clearly has a strong sense of characterization, but it is communicated to the reader very slowly. The initial quick sketches of supporting characters are are very lightly applied and are dumped on the reader in blocks as multiple characters show up at once. My overall impression was that the author knew the character so intimately that she glossed over some of what a reader who was new to these characters might need to know.
More problematically, the writing is a little transparent in parts, including more than one occasion where a character abruptly does something that seems out of place, which turns out to have no impact on the story other than to serve as a vehicle for some specific point of plot introduction. This is not a horrible thing - characters do act to move the story forward out of necessity - but it happened enough to draw my attention to it.
That said, these problems do not keep it for being a fun read. More than anything, they are frustrations because the good parts are strong enough that they make the flaws stand out. I'd really be more inclined to call it 3.5 stars if goodreads allowed for such things.
That said, the book is not flawless. The author clearly has a strong sense of characterization, but it is communicated to the reader very slowly. The initial quick sketches of supporting characters are are very lightly applied and are dumped on the reader in blocks as multiple characters show up at once. My overall impression was that the author knew the character so intimately that she glossed over some of what a reader who was new to these characters might need to know.
More problematically, the writing is a little transparent in parts, including more than one occasion where a character abruptly does something that seems out of place, which turns out to have no impact on the story other than to serve as a vehicle for some specific point of plot introduction. This is not a horrible thing - characters do act to move the story forward out of necessity - but it happened enough to draw my attention to it.
That said, these problems do not keep it for being a fun read. More than anything, they are frustrations because the good parts are strong enough that they make the flaws stand out. I'd really be more inclined to call it 3.5 stars if goodreads allowed for such things.
November 19, 2009
I picked up Mur's book because I am a fan of her podcast and I feel it helped me to get published and I wanted to pay her back in some way. I'm very glad I did as I heartily enjoyed Playing for Keeps. I love her basic premise that in addition to major super powers there are minor ones as well. (I, myself, seem to posses the inexplicable ability to turn off street lights.) I'm a big fan of the secondary characters and of the love interest in this book. I was left wanting more.
I could also see an alternate writing of this book as a comedy.
I could also see an alternate writing of this book as a comedy.
August 24, 2010
The “misfit superhero” storyline is nothing new. One of my all-time favorite movies is 1999′s Mystery Men about a team of wannabes who have to step up and become real heroes to save Champion City from the clutches of the evil and delightfully campy Casanova Frankenstein. That movie was based on characters from the cult comic book Flaming Carrot. There was also the The Specials, which followed the misadventures of the “sixth or seventh best superhero team in the world.” Another prime example is Ben Edlund’s “The Tick” (both the comic and the cartoon series). Of course, you could trace the sub-sub-genre back to the TV show “The Greatest American Hero” or even further into the comics themselves; the superhero genre has never been afraid to look at its own absurdities and find the humor in them. Mur Lafferty’s Playing for Keeps is a fine addition to this sub-sub-genre, managing to adequately mine the comic possibilities while playing it straight often enough to force the reader to pay attention as they rip through the fast-paced story...
For the full review, see my blog: http://serialdistractions.wordpress.c...
For the full review, see my blog: http://serialdistractions.wordpress.c...
August 23, 2008
I didn't read the book, instead, I listen to the podcast of it. I loved it! This story gives you a unique twist about the whole superhero/villian story. Furthermore, the powers of some of the people in this story is ridiculously funny!! I didn't think I'd like this story as much as did. It's a definite listen.
September 16, 2013
Upon discovering that Campbell Award winner Mur Lafferty had written a book about superheroes with shitty powers, I immediately bought it, and I have no regrets. Playing for Keeps is a fun ride.
Keepsie Branson runs a bar for members of the Third Wave, those with powers deemed too useless to be worthy of superherodom. Her power? No one can take anything from her. Hurrah, go fight crime with that. Her best friend can balance anything on a bar tray. BIG WHOOP. It's not invulnerability and flight and laser eyes, I tell you what. Her friends and patrons all have wonderfully stupid powers in comparison to the First Wave superheroes who protect Seventh City from the supervillains. But one fateful day, Keepsie finds herself embroiled in a battle that will change her life forever. Who are the real heroes? Can the superheroes be trusted? What about the supervillains?
It did take me a while to get a handle on all the characters, but once I could keep them straight, I liked them. Lafferty finds very clever uses of their powers, as they discover that they may not be so useless after all. It's a big day for them all, really, and I enjoyed watching them become more confident in themselves. The First Wavers are jerks, and the villains are, well, villains, but the Third Wavers seemed like people I'd love to hang out with.
The book's major strength is also its biggest flaw: it's basically one long action scene. Once the plot kicks off, shit just gets more real with every chapter. Plot twists! Double crosses! Character deaths! Wanton destruction! It makes for an exciting read, but it's also exhausting, and it makes the book feel long when it really isn't. It's like jumping into the last few episodes of an anime and getting the five-episode battle royale without all the build-up. On the one hand, I kind of loved that it never slowed down, and on the other hand, I wanted some room to breathe.
I really dug Playing for Keeps. It's fun, it's funny, it's creative, it's action-packed, and it's entirely engaging. If you like superhero stories—especially more offbeat ones—check it out.
Keepsie Branson runs a bar for members of the Third Wave, those with powers deemed too useless to be worthy of superherodom. Her power? No one can take anything from her. Hurrah, go fight crime with that. Her best friend can balance anything on a bar tray. BIG WHOOP. It's not invulnerability and flight and laser eyes, I tell you what. Her friends and patrons all have wonderfully stupid powers in comparison to the First Wave superheroes who protect Seventh City from the supervillains. But one fateful day, Keepsie finds herself embroiled in a battle that will change her life forever. Who are the real heroes? Can the superheroes be trusted? What about the supervillains?
It did take me a while to get a handle on all the characters, but once I could keep them straight, I liked them. Lafferty finds very clever uses of their powers, as they discover that they may not be so useless after all. It's a big day for them all, really, and I enjoyed watching them become more confident in themselves. The First Wavers are jerks, and the villains are, well, villains, but the Third Wavers seemed like people I'd love to hang out with.
The book's major strength is also its biggest flaw: it's basically one long action scene. Once the plot kicks off, shit just gets more real with every chapter. Plot twists! Double crosses! Character deaths! Wanton destruction! It makes for an exciting read, but it's also exhausting, and it makes the book feel long when it really isn't. It's like jumping into the last few episodes of an anime and getting the five-episode battle royale without all the build-up. On the one hand, I kind of loved that it never slowed down, and on the other hand, I wanted some room to breathe.
I really dug Playing for Keeps. It's fun, it's funny, it's creative, it's action-packed, and it's entirely engaging. If you like superhero stories—especially more offbeat ones—check it out.
October 31, 2013
If this book was a movie it would be a low budget Direct to Video one. Previously, I would have given this a 1-Star but I've evolved as a reader and am now mature enough to save my 1-stars to those books that are an abomination.
Areas in which this book was lacking:
STORY
Keepsie and her friends are Third Wave heroes, which are people with useless superpowers like keeping all bar trays upright or knowing things about people from sniffing them. In a town run by real superheroes and infested with super villains, the Third Wavers are shunned by the Academy (Hero training centre) and by society. When Keepsie gets a chance to stand up to the Academy by withholding a device given to her by a villain, she does so just to spite the Academy and her friends stick by her. Interesting premise, right? Well, the rest of the story went something like this:
Third wavers get beaten up by the Super heroes, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by the villains, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by machines, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by a psychotic drugged scientist, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by demons from another dimension, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers, heroes, villains, machines, psychotic drugged scientist and demons all end up in Keepsie's bar.
Furthermore, the ending was not fulfilling at all.
WRITING
H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E. Badly in need of an editor. Cringe worthy dialogue. Half of the time it read like a superhero spoof and the other half it read like a bold and the beautiful script. Bad. Just needs to be re-written completely to sound plausible and real.
Characters
Flat. Did not feel for them AT ALL. They did not amuse me one bit. I wasn't rooting for anyone, they were all fake. The deep relationships that should have existed between them was not shown properly at all. I couldn't connect with the book or feel the connection between the characters.
I wouldn't recommend this. This should have been a first draft. Shame, as the premise had a positive prospect.
Areas in which this book was lacking:
STORY
Keepsie and her friends are Third Wave heroes, which are people with useless superpowers like keeping all bar trays upright or knowing things about people from sniffing them. In a town run by real superheroes and infested with super villains, the Third Wavers are shunned by the Academy (Hero training centre) and by society. When Keepsie gets a chance to stand up to the Academy by withholding a device given to her by a villain, she does so just to spite the Academy and her friends stick by her. Interesting premise, right? Well, the rest of the story went something like this:
Third wavers get beaten up by the Super heroes, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by the villains, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by machines, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by a psychotic drugged scientist, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers get beaten up by demons from another dimension, then they hide out in Keepsie's bar.
Third Wavers, heroes, villains, machines, psychotic drugged scientist and demons all end up in Keepsie's bar.
Furthermore, the ending was not fulfilling at all.
WRITING
H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E. Badly in need of an editor. Cringe worthy dialogue. Half of the time it read like a superhero spoof and the other half it read like a bold and the beautiful script. Bad. Just needs to be re-written completely to sound plausible and real.
Characters
Flat. Did not feel for them AT ALL. They did not amuse me one bit. I wasn't rooting for anyone, they were all fake. The deep relationships that should have existed between them was not shown properly at all. I couldn't connect with the book or feel the connection between the characters.
I wouldn't recommend this. This should have been a first draft. Shame, as the premise had a positive prospect.
August 27, 2019
My first ever episodic audiobook and it was pretty good. Read by the author herself each episode covered a couple of chapters in about 30 mins, providing a nice ear-sized chunk of super powers. The story follows a group of uniquely powered individuals, not quite powerful enough to be either heroes or villains, but caught in the middle of a battle between the two groups. Keepsie (our hero, if not officially a Hero) has the power to freeze anybody who tries to steal something from her, and - like so many of the other low-level powers - you just know that these are going to turn out to be better powers than Keepsie and the others realise...
November 4, 2013
A freebie, and the sole written word I've read from the First Lady of Podcasting. Mur's pixie voice and soft-spoken geekitude rings out in waves in this superhero novel - if the guys from "Cheers" were C-list superheroes forced into action, pitted against both superhero and supervillain. This is for the Matter-Eater-Lads, the Bouncing Boys, and the Lasso Kids of the comic book world.
Well, it's a good concept anyway. But the problem is the plot goes around and around and it never feels like you get anywhere. It's like the middle could be taken out, and you could have the beginning go to the end without missing much. This story could be a play, since it feels like they stay in one spot the entire novel. They go to their base, they go outside the bar, they go back to the bar, they infiltrate the "enemy base" to rescue someone, they go back to the bar, they go to a cave, then back to the bar. Maybe it's me, but it never felt like the characters were moving forward. And if the characters don't move forward, then the plot doesn't.
Well, it's a good concept anyway. But the problem is the plot goes around and around and it never feels like you get anywhere. It's like the middle could be taken out, and you could have the beginning go to the end without missing much. This story could be a play, since it feels like they stay in one spot the entire novel. They go to their base, they go outside the bar, they go back to the bar, they infiltrate the "enemy base" to rescue someone, they go back to the bar, they go to a cave, then back to the bar. Maybe it's me, but it never felt like the characters were moving forward. And if the characters don't move forward, then the plot doesn't.
March 7, 2023
I've never read a book so short before but this book actually had a pretty satisfying end.
November 21, 2009
Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty is an interesting new take on the superhero genre. Just like in real life, you’re not entirely sure who the “good” guy is, because everyone in charge has their own agenda – the only difference is that these politicians have superpowers. Actually, almost everyone has powers, but the only people who get to have the “super” prefix to their names are the ones who have really good ones like flight and invisibility. Everyone else gets stuck with things like summoning elevators and perfect balance of bar trays. Lafferty introduces Keepsie, who’s special power is the no one can steal from her. If they try, they stuck in a frozen stasis until she lets them go. Naturally, her and the patrons of the bar she owns (aptly named Keepsie’s bar) get caught in a whirlwind of adventure, wrong place at wrong time, epic showdown of good vs evil, etc. A tried and true method, sure, but it works well for this story, and Lafferty makes sure it packs enough punch to unleash a literal shit storm. Highly recommended for fans of Soon I Will Be Invincible and The Venture Brothers, Playing for Keeps is hits the superhero spoof nail on the head.
April 18, 2019
I really enjoyed the premise and the bones of the story, but the execution and pacing was not exciting or compelling. None of the characters were particularly likable and the Third Wave Demi-heroes were whiney cry-babies even after they realized they could get some stuff done when they work together.
I am guessing this is an early novel by Lafferty and that she has become more skillful. There's enough creativity here that I'm interested in reading some of her more recent work even though I was completely not enjoying this book by the time I was 1/2 way through.
If this was made into a movie or miniseries, I'd watch it in an instant... except for the fact that one of the third waver's power is to shoot streams of feces from his hands... so on second thought, there is no way I'd watch that.
Best wishes to the author- I think she shows tons of promise.
I am guessing this is an early novel by Lafferty and that she has become more skillful. There's enough creativity here that I'm interested in reading some of her more recent work even though I was completely not enjoying this book by the time I was 1/2 way through.
If this was made into a movie or miniseries, I'd watch it in an instant... except for the fact that one of the third waver's power is to shoot streams of feces from his hands... so on second thought, there is no way I'd watch that.
Best wishes to the author- I think she shows tons of promise.
May 24, 2022
DNF
I have to admit - I purchased this book based on the impressive array of highly eloquent five-star reviews. I'm a longtime fan of the superhero novel genre and I'm usually very impressed by the likes of, just as examples, Austin Grossman, who wrote 'Soon I Will Be Invincible', that 'Devil's Cape' book whose author I forget and James Maxey's 'Nobody Gets the Girl'. I'm always looking for new ones and somewhat naively figured that if so many people liked this one I couldn't go wrong.
Unfortunately this book isn't very good. It's so not-good that I was actually moved to write a review about it, so that perhaps other people out there wouldn't waste their money the same way I did mine. The story's premise is serviceable enough: two groups of super-powered individuals, those with powers natural or otherwise deemed suitable for government exploitation become costumed heroes, while those with more modest abilities (such as spraying excrement from one's hands, which in her own way Lafferty does her best to handle with a certain amount of sensitivity) merely attempt to live their lives. The sort-of title character, Keepsie, who has the power to never lose anything, runs a bar for the latter group where they can relate to each other about how it sucks to have superpowers without getting respect or having the great responsibility that the government heroes do. One day, however, due to her powers, Keepsie is entrusted by a super-villain with an object that the superheroes seem at great pains to recover, and determines to get to the bottom of the story herself. These are the broad strokes, anyway.
The problem is that this novel is not fun to read. For one thing, Lafferty has no ear for dialogue. In particular the banter between her protagonists sounds like someone earnestly attempting to create a spoken shorthand between longtime friends by someone who understands both friendship and banter on a purely intellectual level, and most of the witticisms seem painfully contrived. For another, the motivations and actions taken by the characters are arbitrary, as if Lafferty had an outline of the novel's story beats in her hand when writing the book which went something like 'these guys at the bar go to point A, and do B, then go to point C, where they discover D, and then do E and then everyone goes back to the bar again, and then Keepsie goes catatonic for some reason', and then couldn't quite figure out how to get them there in a way that didn't seem forced or artificial. In fact, it seems like Lafferty goes to great lengths to make sure that Keepsie's Bar is in the story as often as possible, as if the idea that the novel's gimmick was a 'superhero-story-meets-Cheers' scenario was consciously foremost in her mind, and to sideline or marginalize this bar in the novel's story would have, I don't know, compromised the novel's back-copy. In short, nothing about this novel is remotely organic or feels like it develops naturally. Many of these reviewers talk about how this novel 'takes superhero tropes and puts them on their head' and whatnot, but in my opinion, she cut a bunch of superhero and pop-culture cliches out of a magazine, tried to paste them together, and slapped a $15 price tag on whatever came out.
I read an earlier reviewer who claimed that the bulk of the positive reviews are written by people in Lafferty's "New Media" circle, who write glowing reviews of each other's output in order to bolster their sales and credibility. It sounds like a grand conspiracy theory, but quite frankly, considering the quality of this book it is the most likely explanation. For the one or two people who may actually read this review - someday - I'd be happy to sit down, book in my hand, and cite specific examples of the criticisms I've discussed above, and more, and I would do this for no other reason than I am pissed off that these people outright swindled me out of my $15 and I would not wish the same on anyone else. It's not like I can get rid of this book either. I took it to Hastings to trade it and the UPC code doesn't scan, so they wouldn't take it. I'm STUCK with it unless I decide to chuck it in the trash. So I might as well put it to good use to prevent others from wasting their money as well.
I have to admit - I purchased this book based on the impressive array of highly eloquent five-star reviews. I'm a longtime fan of the superhero novel genre and I'm usually very impressed by the likes of, just as examples, Austin Grossman, who wrote 'Soon I Will Be Invincible', that 'Devil's Cape' book whose author I forget and James Maxey's 'Nobody Gets the Girl'. I'm always looking for new ones and somewhat naively figured that if so many people liked this one I couldn't go wrong.
Unfortunately this book isn't very good. It's so not-good that I was actually moved to write a review about it, so that perhaps other people out there wouldn't waste their money the same way I did mine. The story's premise is serviceable enough: two groups of super-powered individuals, those with powers natural or otherwise deemed suitable for government exploitation become costumed heroes, while those with more modest abilities (such as spraying excrement from one's hands, which in her own way Lafferty does her best to handle with a certain amount of sensitivity) merely attempt to live their lives. The sort-of title character, Keepsie, who has the power to never lose anything, runs a bar for the latter group where they can relate to each other about how it sucks to have superpowers without getting respect or having the great responsibility that the government heroes do. One day, however, due to her powers, Keepsie is entrusted by a super-villain with an object that the superheroes seem at great pains to recover, and determines to get to the bottom of the story herself. These are the broad strokes, anyway.
The problem is that this novel is not fun to read. For one thing, Lafferty has no ear for dialogue. In particular the banter between her protagonists sounds like someone earnestly attempting to create a spoken shorthand between longtime friends by someone who understands both friendship and banter on a purely intellectual level, and most of the witticisms seem painfully contrived. For another, the motivations and actions taken by the characters are arbitrary, as if Lafferty had an outline of the novel's story beats in her hand when writing the book which went something like 'these guys at the bar go to point A, and do B, then go to point C, where they discover D, and then do E and then everyone goes back to the bar again, and then Keepsie goes catatonic for some reason', and then couldn't quite figure out how to get them there in a way that didn't seem forced or artificial. In fact, it seems like Lafferty goes to great lengths to make sure that Keepsie's Bar is in the story as often as possible, as if the idea that the novel's gimmick was a 'superhero-story-meets-Cheers' scenario was consciously foremost in her mind, and to sideline or marginalize this bar in the novel's story would have, I don't know, compromised the novel's back-copy. In short, nothing about this novel is remotely organic or feels like it develops naturally. Many of these reviewers talk about how this novel 'takes superhero tropes and puts them on their head' and whatnot, but in my opinion, she cut a bunch of superhero and pop-culture cliches out of a magazine, tried to paste them together, and slapped a $15 price tag on whatever came out.
I read an earlier reviewer who claimed that the bulk of the positive reviews are written by people in Lafferty's "New Media" circle, who write glowing reviews of each other's output in order to bolster their sales and credibility. It sounds like a grand conspiracy theory, but quite frankly, considering the quality of this book it is the most likely explanation. For the one or two people who may actually read this review - someday - I'd be happy to sit down, book in my hand, and cite specific examples of the criticisms I've discussed above, and more, and I would do this for no other reason than I am pissed off that these people outright swindled me out of my $15 and I would not wish the same on anyone else. It's not like I can get rid of this book either. I took it to Hastings to trade it and the UPC code doesn't scan, so they wouldn't take it. I'm STUCK with it unless I decide to chuck it in the trash. So I might as well put it to good use to prevent others from wasting their money as well.
July 17, 2019
This is one of those books that I read as a kid but I wanted to reread now that I'm older and (hopefully) wiser. Actually I've already gone through at it least twice.
The first time, I heard it as a podcasted audiobook (then known as a podiobook) done by the author, which was a thing because it was back when self-publishing wasn't as accessible as it is now with Amazon and such.
But the podiobook got somebody's attention and the author got it published into a print book, which I then bought to support them, and read it again. But that was several years ago so I figured I'd give it a read now that I'm an adult and see how it seems to me.
This was probably the first superhero story I read that wasn't in comic form. Or at least, wasn't originally in comic form, as I'm pretty sure I read The Death of Superman as a book rather than a comic. But I digress. As it was my first superhero story of that sort, it was also my superhero story that is a deconstruction of the superhero genre. Of course, I've been saying that about most superhero stories I've been reading (except for mainstream comics, and sometimes even then) so maybe that's just how it is now. Or maybe I don't properly understand what a deconstruction is. That's also a possibility.
Anyway.
This book is a fun ride. A really fun one. I had actually forgotten a lot of the details (and honestly some major plot points) since my last read of it. I'm not sure if it was more fun because I remembered enough for my memory to be jogged in a satisfying way before certain events, or because I forgot enough that it was almost like a fresh read. Regardless, it's a good read, and definitely gives me food for thought as far as what a person's powers can do. Honestly it might be the book that kicked off my habit of pushing the boundaries of what a power is capable of, as I sometimes do while daydreaming about superheroes (a habit from my childhood that has never really gone away).
But yeah, this book is fun for superhero fans, and for people who get kinda bored with superheroes, since it has all the antics of a superhero story, but it focuses on a main cast of people who, because their powers were seen as weaker, were cast aside by society and still find themselves in the middle of an all-out war between superheroes and supervillains.
Definitely worth checking out.
The first time, I heard it as a podcasted audiobook (then known as a podiobook) done by the author, which was a thing because it was back when self-publishing wasn't as accessible as it is now with Amazon and such.
But the podiobook got somebody's attention and the author got it published into a print book, which I then bought to support them, and read it again. But that was several years ago so I figured I'd give it a read now that I'm an adult and see how it seems to me.
This was probably the first superhero story I read that wasn't in comic form. Or at least, wasn't originally in comic form, as I'm pretty sure I read The Death of Superman as a book rather than a comic. But I digress. As it was my first superhero story of that sort, it was also my superhero story that is a deconstruction of the superhero genre. Of course, I've been saying that about most superhero stories I've been reading (except for mainstream comics, and sometimes even then) so maybe that's just how it is now. Or maybe I don't properly understand what a deconstruction is. That's also a possibility.
Anyway.
This book is a fun ride. A really fun one. I had actually forgotten a lot of the details (and honestly some major plot points) since my last read of it. I'm not sure if it was more fun because I remembered enough for my memory to be jogged in a satisfying way before certain events, or because I forgot enough that it was almost like a fresh read. Regardless, it's a good read, and definitely gives me food for thought as far as what a person's powers can do. Honestly it might be the book that kicked off my habit of pushing the boundaries of what a power is capable of, as I sometimes do while daydreaming about superheroes (a habit from my childhood that has never really gone away).
But yeah, this book is fun for superhero fans, and for people who get kinda bored with superheroes, since it has all the antics of a superhero story, but it focuses on a main cast of people who, because their powers were seen as weaker, were cast aside by society and still find themselves in the middle of an all-out war between superheroes and supervillains.
Definitely worth checking out.
August 1, 2017
How can you go wrong with a book where the main characters have super powers like being able to throw a bar tray or shooting fecal matter from your hands or not being able to be stolen from?
And that last one, that's the one which gives this book its name. It's the one that matters. Because Keepsie (the main character) has a very special ability. Anything that is her's is her's, unless she chooses otherwise. And that's what kicks this book into motion.
Keepsie and her pals aren't exactly A squad superheroes. They're way down that list. But that doesn't mean they don't wish they could use their powers for good. However, the man (in this case, the big name celebrity superheroes) have told them they just aren't good enough. And they, understandably, have a pretty bad case of sour grapes about the whole thing. However, when they get put in the middle of a battle between good and evil, they have a pretty difficult time knowing which way they should swing. Go with the "good" guys who seem to not be all that great, or go with the "bad" guys who, well, they certainly aren't good, are they?
Instead, these intrepid heroes choose to go with option C...which is a bit more convoluted than I'm going to go into here.
Needless to say, Keepsie and Co. are required to save the world, and their powers, at least at first, appear to not be up to par against these good guys and these bad guys.
Which is where Lafferty's real talent shines. She gave these folks some really odd powers. One person has the special ability to know exactly what any one person wants to eat at any given time. But Lafferty points out, through the narrative, that even these seemingly pitiful powers have some really great advantages. You know, if you get a little creative in how you use them.
Playing for Keeps is an incredibly unique look at the superhero genre. Not only does Lafferty develop some truly original superpowers, but she manages to showcase how each of them could be used to its greatest effect. And it's this ability which is incredibly necessary for the narrative, for the protagonists, to succeed.
I've read a lot of superhero novels over the years and this one is truly unique and well worth the read for anyone who likes the genre.
And that last one, that's the one which gives this book its name. It's the one that matters. Because Keepsie (the main character) has a very special ability. Anything that is her's is her's, unless she chooses otherwise. And that's what kicks this book into motion.
Keepsie and her pals aren't exactly A squad superheroes. They're way down that list. But that doesn't mean they don't wish they could use their powers for good. However, the man (in this case, the big name celebrity superheroes) have told them they just aren't good enough. And they, understandably, have a pretty bad case of sour grapes about the whole thing. However, when they get put in the middle of a battle between good and evil, they have a pretty difficult time knowing which way they should swing. Go with the "good" guys who seem to not be all that great, or go with the "bad" guys who, well, they certainly aren't good, are they?
Instead, these intrepid heroes choose to go with option C...which is a bit more convoluted than I'm going to go into here.
Needless to say, Keepsie and Co. are required to save the world, and their powers, at least at first, appear to not be up to par against these good guys and these bad guys.
Which is where Lafferty's real talent shines. She gave these folks some really odd powers. One person has the special ability to know exactly what any one person wants to eat at any given time. But Lafferty points out, through the narrative, that even these seemingly pitiful powers have some really great advantages. You know, if you get a little creative in how you use them.
Playing for Keeps is an incredibly unique look at the superhero genre. Not only does Lafferty develop some truly original superpowers, but she manages to showcase how each of them could be used to its greatest effect. And it's this ability which is incredibly necessary for the narrative, for the protagonists, to succeed.
I've read a lot of superhero novels over the years and this one is truly unique and well worth the read for anyone who likes the genre.
December 23, 2018
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty is one of my favorite books I read this year, well written and thought-provoking as well as being suspenseful. However it was like this book was written by another author or when she was maybe 12 years old. The style was, I hate to say this, simply awful, choppy and disjointed. The characters were two-dimensional. But I won't give up on her, because the person who wrote this also wrote Six Wakes, which I can highly recommend.
December 28, 2022
A worthwhile addition to the superhero genre. Bunch of misfits with less then cosmic powers (never spill a bar tray, heal a square inch...). Even the heroes and Villains have kinda weird powers.
The book actually works, it meanders and loses it's way in places but the characters are engaging and likeable (mostly) and the story keeps the pages turning nicely. The story stutters a bit and the descriptions leave something to be desired so no five star but overall a good effort.
The book actually works, it meanders and loses it's way in places but the characters are engaging and likeable (mostly) and the story keeps the pages turning nicely. The story stutters a bit and the descriptions leave something to be desired so no five star but overall a good effort.
February 23, 2019
I would not have picked this to read of my own volition, but to complete a task for my reading challenge, I read it. Still not my bag full of heroes, villains, and some in between type characters, I failed to find the sense in all this. I need more sense and coherence to get my attention, but I think the good guys (as opposed to heroes) won.
October 17, 2022
originally I felt inclined to rate it 3/3.5 stars but I'm gonna add one more star because I truly had fun reading this. it was fun and original, everytime I thought " okay this is it", the story or the characters found ways to keep surprising me.
I'm glad I give the book a chance, it reminded me of the boys (amazon) but with less cursing sex and violence. (still, good)
I'm glad I give the book a chance, it reminded me of the boys (amazon) but with less cursing sex and violence. (still, good)
June 1, 2017
This book needs a sequel... I really appreciated He development of the characters... the written undertones of how people who were often overlooked become important and recognize their worth in critical times... The authors voice was also pleasant to listen to...
August 11, 2017
The premise was good and the characters were interesting, but somehow around the middle, I lost interest. The story just couldn't pull me enough to plow through the novel. There was too much of fighting, which I didn't care much for. Left it midway.
December 1, 2022
Creative & different view of superheroes and power
Lafferty doesn't so much deconstruct the superhero genre as turn it sideways and give it a good shake.
This book stands alone, but should there ever be sequels, I will read them.
Lafferty doesn't so much deconstruct the superhero genre as turn it sideways and give it a good shake.
This book stands alone, but should there ever be sequels, I will read them.
January 4, 2024
This was my first Mur Lafferty book. I really enjoyed the superhero world Lafferty creates. I also enjoyed that the story isn't centered on an actual superhero, but from the perspective of characters that are seen as 'not-that-super'. This book will have you laughing at times as well.
February 7, 2018
Not my favorite Mur Lafferty book but it was interesting.
April 28, 2018
I absolutely loved the first half, solid 5 stars. Sadly it didn't stay that good throughout the whole thing, but I still really liked it.
August 26, 2018
Best when read by the author! This is probably one of my favorite superhero stories of all time. A bit rough in some parts, but that works with the sorry of the not quite super, powered people.
November 5, 2018
It was okay but still it felt like something was missing. I didn't get invested into the characters either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2019
A solid tale of unlikely heroes with mildly, ridiculous powers. I particularly like how this book approaches villain development.
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