The Backup Superhero by Kayla Hicks - Book Review
Kayla Hicks’ The Backup Superhero offers a unique and fun take on a world of heroes. Though packed with intriguing characters and worldbuilding, the story doesn’t reach its full potential.
In The Backup Superhero, Book One of The Backup Superhero Series, Kayla Hicks introduces a world where superheroes work closely with law enforcement to protect the public. They operate under the watchful eye of the Superhero League Board. This League enforces reserves fame for top-tier heroes and relegates backup heroes to the shadows. But what happens when someone disrupts this hierarchy?
After a rough day, Tanser Girl, a D-list superhero, heads to Hero’s Cave, a bar where backup heroes unwind. There, she meets Dwighter, a fellow low-ranking hero, and Frank, the bar’s owner. When first Dwighter and then Tanser Girl receive accolades for their actions, tensions rise with their superiors. Soon, Tanser Girl suspects that something more is at play. As she and Dwighter face mounting problems, they find support in Frank and his contact Seeds. Together, they uncover betrayal in a world where heroes are supposed to protect, not deceive.
Ordinary heroes and realistic relationships
The fascinating twist in The Backup Superhero is that these superheroes have no actual superpowers. They are regular people who have trained rigorously to gain a spot in the Superhero League. Because of this, the author does not need to explain paranormal abilities or far-fetched powers.
The characters feel authentic and grounded. Tanser Girl, the main protagonist, is a capable woman who has put in serious work to earn her place in the League. Her life is not without challenges, but her struggles are not because of incompetence or naïveté. Instead, it is her colleague, Dwighter, who ignites the story’s conflict. His issues with alcoholism and his naïve, sometimes impulsive, personality make him a liability.
Hicks crafts a plausible villain in Goffman. Introduced as the “poster boy” of heroism, his polished public image does not match his true nature. While his actions as a villain are believable, more exploration into his motivations would have added depth to his character and the story.
An engaging start, but room for expansion
The Backup Superhero is an enjoyable novella that establishes a world of superheroes that feels both fresh and accessible. The League’s structured hierarchy brings to mind The Boys—though with no superpowers, no gore, and no gritty darkness. Instead, the story is suitable for readers of all ages. It balances action and drama without veering into anything too intense or controversial.
However, the novella reads more like a prequel than a standalone tale. The potential of its world is so vast that the short length feels limiting. A full-length novel would have allowed Hicks to explore the superhero system and its members. Moreover, the showdown between Goffman and Tanser Girl feels rushed.
Nonetheless, Kayla Hicks’ The Backup Superhero offers a unique take on hero stories with its realistic characters and relatable plot. While more development would have enriched the story, the novella lays the groundwork for a promising series.
