Ryan’s life has been turned on its head. His dad has moved out and he also divided their house into a duplex so that they could rent out part of it. He now sleeps on the couch and dreams about the girl next door, Bizzy. Ryan works up the courage to ask to walk her home from school and during one of these trips he pulls a bee out of Bizzy’s hair so quickly she didn’t know what happened. Unfortunately, someone did notice this action and he learns that what he can do is considered a micropower. Bizzy and her mother also have powers, though theirs are different. They are on the run from witch hunters who have been after them for a while. Will Ryan be able to protect Bizzy and her mother? How can a group of people with micropowers that seem uninteresting stop these people?

Duplex is a stand-alone fantasy that fell far short of the mark. Card has written many fantasy and science fiction stories that are wonderfully complex, yet this novel felt forced and written by a new author. The majority of the story is about teenagers coming to terms with supernatural powers and an organized group whose mission is to stop them, but most of the action seems contrived. Young readers don’t need simple books and this book could have used more complexity and more pages. Duplex was an easy read that was also not satisfying.

Duplex is a great story set in the same world as Lost and Found. This can be a stand alone novel or read as part of the series. I loved the complex characters that Card included in this story and the true-to-life relationship struggles that they went through. I especially liked the relationship between Ryan and his father.

I have found this author in the past to be either very good or not so good. This is a not so good one. The basic premise of the novel is good teenagers with micropowers with one of them pursued by witch hungers. Unfortunately, the writing, dialogue and pace of the book made it a slog for me to read. In fairness, other reviewers raved about the book. I will let you decide which it is for you.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this right in the beginning because I found Ryan to be a bit too cheeky, talking back to his teachers/parents and all. That completely changed when Bizzy came onto the scene. Then it was nonstop excitement and danger as we learned about micropots and those were hunting them. I really like the idea of micropots! They are quite believable and I think it would be cool if they were real for this world. They almost could be, some of them anyways and just be explained as quirks that some people have.

This was a good story and even though it reads as a standalone, I would not mind reading more about this world!

This book had two interwoven storylines, one about teenagers with micropowers -- small powers, like the ability to make people yawn, the ability to make facial hair grow faster, and the ability to tell whether a belly button is an innie or an outie -- the other about one such teenager (Ryan) trying to come to terms with his parents' separation.

I liked the basic micropower idea. I also liked the idea of a group of people with such powers banding together to try to find creative ways to make better use of their micropowers. I was onboard with the idea of "witch hunters" coming after them. I also liked Card's illustration of the family dynamics in Ryan's home, and the struggles of having the house suddenly converted into a duplex.

Where I found this book weak was in the thought process and dialogue of the children. These teenagers -- supposedly normal aside from their micropowers -- have the reasoning ability of Sherlock Homes, and they speak in fully punctuated sentences (semicolons and all). I've read a lot of Card's work (almost every novel he's published, including multiple versions where they've been published), so I know he can do better than this, and that's what makes this really disappointing. I don't know if he was distracted by another project or if he thought this would be good enough for a book that will be marketed as "young adult", but either way, the dialogue and thoughts of the children here are distractingly unrealistic (when they're supposed to be mostly ordinary kids).

I didn’t enjoy this book. The plot felt like it lacked pace and depth and the writing wasn’t the standard I’d usually expect from Orson Scott Card. On one page, halfway through the book there were 3 paragraphs of inner thought dialogue that just consisted of questions… and not much else. I couldn’t keep going with it so it went in my ‘did not finish’ pile.

Ryan is a kid that you would call a nerd his best friend is defense also a nerd. When Ryan's dad and mom separate and Ryan's dad turn there house into a duplex Ryan meets his new neighbor bizzy. The story spun by Orson Scott card is well written with some fantasy themes that make the story interesting. I really enjoyed the story I felt like I could relate to some of the characters and how they acted as well as the decisions they made.

I was excited to receive this ARC since I am a big Orson Scott Card fan, and this book did not disappoint! I didn't realize until I started reading it that it tied into Lost and Found, another book he published a couple of years ago. Both books have characters with "micropowers" and while different from his previous books, I find them to be witty and entertaining. The characters are rich and complex, the plot is intriguing, and the book is a really great "coming of age" read the covers some deep topics in a different way than many other books do. I thought this book was quite interesting and thought provoking.

This book takes a little bit of time to get used to the style of writing - or at least it did for me. It is very apparent from the beginning that this book is a YA book. I'm only mentioning this because I have found recently that some of the books in this YA genre should REALLY not be in this genre.

We get introduced to Ryan and then eventually to his new neighbor Bizzy. As I began to read this, I was thinking that the writing style was reminding me of something familiar. When I began to try to figure that out, I realized that there are some things that remind me of the writing of TJ Klune. I mean this as the most utmost compliment because I LOVE TJ Klune and his writing is always so amazing. Sometimes innocent, sometimes quirky. That was what was resonating with me.

This book IS quirky. It does take a while to settle down and there were times in the beginning that I wasn't sure if I was going to continue, but I did and I'm glad that I did.

Be patient and the you will get to meet some unusual but interesting characters who end up making this story original and one to resonate with you as a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.

Duplex is thought provoking and a quick read. The dialogue between the teens is fast and witty. The teens are fully developed characters. The adults have less depth of character development, but perhaps that is a commentary on the overall view by teens of the adults in their lives. The fantasy element of the story, the micropowers, is gradually woven into the overall tale. I look forward to discovering whether Orson Scott Card will bring additional stories into the world of micropowers.

Ryan is in the 8th grade; 15 years old, and his life stinks. He fights with his family, his best friend is an idiot who's hobby is goading “deserving” people into a rage, and his parents are splitting up. His dad, a contractor, is building walls to split their large house into a duplex to bring in money; eliminating (their side of) the bathroom with a shower and Ryan’s bedroom!

The only thing he has going for him is school; his good grades. And he maintains those while sleeping through some classes and zoning out when he should be listening. Although school receives his only responsible efforts, it’s easy for him, and he's likable, so most teachers don't hassle him about his bad example as long as he keeps up, and his test scores are high.

A new girl in school catches his attention. Typical story, right? Except...he gets home, and the girl and her family are moving into the other half of his house. The good half. She has her good points; she's super smart, nice, a bit tough, and beautiful. And she seems to like Ryan. But her mom is a witch who curses people. Well, you can't choose your relatives, right?

Bizzy (with a "y") is the new girl in school, and she's hoping to fill an empty spot in her "friend zone" while keeping a fairly low profile. Ryan is fun and smart, but meeting her has given him goofy ideas about future marriage and breaking through the friend zone. This will take some effort he isn’t used to, but he feels unusually motivated.

What neither of them knows quite yet, is that they share one more thing. They call the people micropotents, and they have a special talent or power. Nothing as helpful as super strength; the talents are random and scattered among people in nearby areas. Fledgling powers may seem silly or trivial, but Bizzy's ability attracts attention, and Ryan's can save a life, or take one.

Ryan is waking up to a couple of harsh realities about life and himself. His choices will change the lives of dozens of people.

I wasn’t aware that Orson Scott Card, the author of Ender’s Game (a personal favorite), was still writing for teens and YA. So I was very interested to read this comparatively short fantasy book. The two books should not be compared except that both stories are about young males who saw their worlds and realities on way, but made important moral and personal choices as they discovered that life was not as it had seemed.

Duplex is real life plus minor fantasy abilities. Which I assume is why the talented are called micro-potent (micropotent, micropots). It’s an obvious “Don’t worry, folks! These are tiny abilities, so they’re not superheroes!” The author, well-known for his character-driven work, writes characters with flaws and insecurities, and even walk-ons rate some depth in his books (in my experience).

I read this book with no preconceptions, and enjoyed the ride. Although I reserved some doubts about some individuals, (and I believe strongly that kids under 18–especially under 16–are too emotionally immature for romantic kissing and the rejections and rollercoasters of paired relationships), I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading other books in the Micropower series! I recommend this story to teens or adults looking for something unusual yet familiar, with some very tense scenes!

4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the preview of this adventure!

#Duplex #NetGalley

Really enjoyed this "micropwers" YA fantasy book!

I've been a fan of author Orson Scott Card for a long time, so was excited to hear he had a new book coming out, and really enjoyed Duplex!

The idea of Micropowers- small, often silly super powers certain people have was delightfully played out, and really caught my interest right away! I liked Ryan as the hero, but Bizzy stole my heart with her wit and humor. This is a fun, engaging fantasy with likable characters and fantastic world building.

Duplex proves that author Orson Scott Card continues to create original fantasy worlds that could be right next door.

Thank you Netgalley for this ebook arc.

This is another Micropowers novel from Orson Scott Card (so watch out for some of the recurring characters), and as with 'Lost and Found', this is an exploration of a new aspect of 'power' in maturing from a teenager to a young adult, exploring the idea of a 'tiny' power (rather than a superpower). Orson Scott Card designs a teenage love story with a twist. Ryan is coping with his parents separation and their own secrets, as well as falling in love with the girl next door. It is a delightful story that will enthrall all ages of readers. I would buy these books without hesitation for any reader from Middle School up - as an adult I enjoyed it just as much as they will!

Just couldn't get into this. It's difficult not to compare it to his masterpiece, Ender's Game, as that is such an intricate, multi-layered piece of sci-fi, but this fell flat for me. I'd still recommend getting this as I feel there will be a younger audience who will appreciate this more than I did. If you're used to more complex sci-fic, then sadly, this doesn't really bring anything new to the table.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for this opportunity!

I haven't read anything from Orson Scott Card in a long time and wondered if he would catch me with this book. I was surprised by Duplex. I really enjoyed it!

There are lots of funny and smart conversations, but there are also moral dilemmas.

The beginning is so well-grounded in the real world, and the thread of Ryan's family problems continues through to the end, making the novel feel very real. Then combine this angsty mundane vibe with the discovery of a micropower (superpower), creating a twist on superheroes.

Have you ever known a stunningly beautiful woman? I've met one or two. Women tend to be jealous of them, and men turn into idiots around them. I bring this up because a theme in this novel could be described as how are we affected by beauty? How is the beautiful one's life changed? Another theme is how does violence affect us? And the third theme I would describe as being what do we do with our choices?

I think this book with be loved by both YA and adult readers.
I highly recommend it.

“Duplex” by Orson Scott Card

The story: The world of “Duplex” doesn’t have superheroes with superpowers – it has regular people with micropowers, such as the ability to make someone yawn or to know whether one’s bellybutton is an innie or an outie. Back in the old days, these people were branded as witches and persecuted, and that’s exactly what is going to happen to Bizzy, Ryan’s next-door neighbor and crush. The 16-year-old boy, along with other “micropotents” (those with micropowers) will have to save the day.

Pros: Not many. Card, the author of mind-boggling sci-fi works such as the Ender’s Games series, imagines credible, living characters, but then limits them to an undeveloped environment.

Cons: I’ve talked about the usual pattern of these stories. Not-so-special protagonist discovers he/she is actually special in some way and is introduced into a magical world by an already initiated guide. Ryan is that protagonist and Bizzy is that guide. However, how Card tells the story is almost comical, leading me to suspect that the entire book is meant to parody the genre. Why do I say that? Well, Bizzy’s micropower is being pretty. Ryan’s is being really good at fighting. The stereotypes are not only present, they’re magnified. We also have the absent, divorced parents, the annoying non-special friend providing comical relief, and the usual high school drama. The dialogue is unconnected to the story, trailing off one too many times, and the actual action happens within 30 pages out of the total 300.

Recommendation: Read it only if you’re between 12 and 17 (it is meant for this age group, a fact I did not notice when I got the copy). If you’re older than that or if you have a few fantasy books under your belt already, this one won’t be to your liking.

This is a solid YA book. You’ve got the typical hyperintelligent teen as is common in many of Card’s most popular works, mixed with a more down-to-earth urban fantasy story compared to the actual sci-fi we usually get. It’s mostly a very twee romance story between two kids, mixed with some superpower (“micropower”) stuff.

It’s a fun book for kids, but that’s about it. You won’t find anything here Card hasn’t done better in other books.

Duplex
A Micropowers Novel
by Orson Scott Card
Blackstone Publishing

I want to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read this fantastic fantasy book!

This is a young adult/teen novel but I enjoyed it and I am a senior! (Of course I have been reading this author's books since he first put his books out!) This book is about family, acceptance, being different, and love. Yes, it has romance in it. I never read romance but these two have mini super powers so it's ok! ;)

Ryan is junior in high school and the smartest kid in school. He doesn't even study. His mom and dad split up a few months ago and now his dad turned their house into a duplex to rent out the other half. Ryan doesn't even know where his dad is staying.

The most gorgeous girl moves in next door. He met her at school. What attracted him to her was her quick wit and she was smarter than he was! She was also pretty but he really liked her for her!

Come to find out, through some strange situations, that Ryan and Buzzy, the girl he likes, have mini super powers! They aren't alone! There is several people with it. One of those is Buzz yes mom. "Witch hunters" have been following her for years that's why they move often. Now they have found them again. They also now know about the kids.

The group of kids, with their mini super powers, plan to use their powers for defense and security! It gets suspenseful briefly but amazing and humorous at times too! How do you turn the super power of knowing how many belly buttons are nearby into an advantage? Or make someone yawn?

This is a great novel that had me interested throughout the book. Sad in spots with family issues and giggling in spots with the silly powers the kids have. Everything this author writes is gold!

DNF at 34%. I had a very hard time getting into this book initially because the dialogue was pretty unreadable; I’m all for smart teens and snarky, over-intelligent characters but the sentences coming out of the protagonists mouth were not particularly witty, just convoluted and cringey, and not something any teen, even a really gifted and overeducated one, would come close to saying. And honestly, the same goes for his adult interlocutors.

Despite occasionally wrestling with cliches and assumptions about people, Duplex more often seems to fall into them, especially when it comes to gender roles and high school tropes, which was tiresome. Bizzy’s “curse” to be perceived by others as “heartbreakingly beautiful” is eyeroll-inducing, especially given protagonist Ryan’s special ability to see through it to the “real” Bizzy, and to love her despite her tragic extreme beauty that ostracizes her from everyone else. I was also extremely turned off by his immediate possessive protectiveness of her and both her and her mom being a-okay with that kind of attitude.

Add to this a small but noticeable peppering of cringey turns of phrase that further eroded my desire to keep reading. Most blatant was the description of Bizzy’s magical ability as a “gypsy curse”: N.B. “gypsy” is considered a slur by the Roma community and shouldn’t have a place in casual modern parlance/tropes.

I was intrigued by the “micropowers” and the idea of using a seemingly minor talent to greater-than-expected effect, but not enough to keep reading, especially given the synopsis that indicated the eventual antagonists are Slovenian witch hunters, which just seems ripe for more insensitive gaffes.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.

A teenage love story and I read it even though I am not a teenager. Ryan and Bizzy are the main characters, and Ryan falls in love with Bizzy. He also discovers that her mother is a witch and that he has micropowers, and joins a group of people who also have micropowers, though not as impressive as the ones he possesses, which seem to involve anyone he has taken responsibility for being looked after, and him protecting them. At first this power comes out in minor ways, such as catching bees, and preventing an emergency situation with a bee sting, as he did with his sister, then it progresses to more serious defence of people, such as Defense, his friend., then Bizzy. I enjoyed reading the book and as I say, I am not a teenager, so it isn't just for teenagers, it is for all ages. The characters are well drawn and the novel is full of humour.