The Rise of Renegade X, Chelsea M. Campbell

The Rise of Renegade X, Chelsea M. Campbell

Reading Level:             Young Adult

Hardcover:                     352 pages

Publisher:                       Egmont, 5/11/10

Bookmarks:                   4

Damien Locke had me at hello!  This snarky, self-involved teenager who is expecting to become a super-villain on his 16th birthday is in for a complete shock when his thumbprint is an X as opposed to a V.  Thank goodness it's not an H, because he might just have to fling himself off the tallest building in Golden City.

When the surprise X shows up, he needs to talk to his mom and fast.  How could this happen? His father was a villain, right?  Not so fast... Turns out Madame of Mayhem had a tryst inflagrante in a dirty bathroom with *gasp*-- a superhero!  Thus resulting in the X on Damien's thumb.

Chelsea's writing is spot on and her snark and wit shine through this book.  I found myself laughing out loud at Damien's antics, I think because I wish I had thought them up!  Even my little one would ask why I was laughing and smiling.  I love books that make me giddy.  The secondary characters are interesting, but I found the resolution between the relationship with Damien/Kat and Damien/Sarah to be a bit rushed.  I definitely can't wait to read a sequel and anything else that Chelsea comes up with.  Her voice is fresh and new and something that is seriously lacking lately.

I received this copy at BEA.  I didn't make her signing because her line was so long and they were shutting people off.  I went to Egmont, ready to plead and beg with Elizabeth or Alison to find a copy!  I would've been willing to give up my firstborn (they don't need to know she's 19!) :)  Thankfully, Chelsea was there.  Found a book, signed it, AND stamped it with what looks like a notary seal! (she went all out for her books!)

Simply an amazing book!