I had heard great things about this book and I was so excited when I got my hands on it. One of the first books with a queer lead I read was Perry Moore's Hero. A gay teen superhero is the main character. In Dreadnought, a trans teen superhero is the main character. That's all that I needed to pique my interest in this book.

Daniels creates a vast and interesting alternative world in which superheroes have existed. I really enjoyed the World War 2 history involving people with powers. All of the classic elements of a superhero universe are present. There's a JLA equivalent. High tech heroes. Mythological heroes. Odd element based heroes. Vigilantes with gray morals. The whole gambit is covered. The worldbuilding is excellent.

Although it took me longer than I had hoped to finish it, (I was in a weird reading slump) I enjoyed every page of this book. It's fun and playful at times, but there's some deeper issues of identity and family that are central to this book. Any person who has had to come out to their parents will be able to identify with this book.

I am ready for the sequel, which comes out July 25th! I give this book a 5/5. I want to see more books like this. Bring me all the genre stories with queer protagonists!

Do you ever feel like a book isn't meant for you?

This book wasn't meant for me. It's an important story, but not mine. 

Danny is transgender, not a protagonist prospective I've had the pleasure of reading a story from before (and I cannot say whether this representation was done well or not). And while I enjoyed this book to a degree, the delivery wasn't engaging. I never connected fully with Danny, nor the rest of the cast. They fell flat beyond a few key details when there was the potential to real bring them alive. 

Nor was I a huge fan of the superhero world created. And a lot of it was because there wasn't enough. The world works as it stands, a bit out there much like you would expect from a superhero comic but it's a bit empty beyond that. I wanted more substance, more explanation, for the world, to see it as more than just the background music in a crowded restaurant.

The whole comic vibe could have worked, I think. In fact, I'd love to see this book as a graphic novel. But I found the pacing all over the place. This book addresses a number of issues and I think it's an important story to have out in the world but as a source of entertainment (which is generally why I read over anything else). 

Honestly, I feel like I really don't have much to say about Dreadnought. This book wasn't for me, wasn't written for me, and I didn't find it as entertaining as I had hoped.

Here is our review http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/dreadnought-by-april-daniels/

Wonderful book

Right so to my knowledge, this author is not a trans person which 100% gave me pause when I learned this book was about a transwoman teen superhero. But also it sounded like conservative nightmare which was EXCELLENT. So yes. Trans superhero. Danielle Tozer. To cut to the chase, she basically transitions quite literally, to a superhero at the dying feet of the famous superhero Dreadnought. When he dies, he passes onto her some kind of energy that not only gives her powers, but her ideal body. Which is basically how she transitions. 

This book should contain trigger warnings though for a LOT of transphobia as well as abusive parents. That being said, I think it's important for Danny's story, since it really does help her reaffirm her belief in herself as a hero and the person she has become. Again, since the author is not trans - to my knowledge - I'm not gonna assume that the thought processes in the book are accurate in anyway, but it really did feel to me that they were written with a LOT of sensitivity and research from talking to other trans teens. 

Danny also teams up with an adorable black girl who is what they call a 'grey cape', not a legion member but also not a bad guy. Flexible morals we'll say. But also a teen. Anyway, there's also a legion of superheroes, these guys are like the Avengers with the Sokovia Accords. All in all the writing was really fun to read and sucked me in! The ending did feel a bit rushed and anti climactic, but I assume that is because there's a sequel planned, so probably half of that ending was cut for the next book...? Whatever. I'm reading the next one for SURE.

https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress.com/

I acknowledge the good intentions of writing a diverse superhero story with a transgender protagonist but I found this book neither convincing as a superhero novel nor as a contemporary.

I wasn't exactly bored while reading this but I often had a feeling I was reading a fan fiction to Brandon Sanderson's Reckoners series (there even was a character named Calamity!) instead of a professional novel. The pacing was okay and there was always something happening but I often struggled to care about the protagonist's story and I also had hoped for a bit more depth to the transgender aspect which I found sometimes a bit superficial. The same goes for almost all the side characters who were rather flat and not very interesting.

The superhero story was the most disappointing aspect to me though because it took the author almost until the end of the book to build an actual case and when I compare the worldbuilding to Sanderson's Reckoners series (which just seems obvious regarding the parallels) "Dreadnought" comes out on the short end in almost every aspect. Overall I don't think this is a series I'm going to continue.

Dreadnought is the first book in the Nemesis series by April Daniels. It is a young adult novel, and I think teens and adults alike will enjoy it.


Until Dreadnought fell out of the sky and died right in front of her, Danny was trying to keep people from finding out she’s transgender. But before he expired, Dreadnought passed his mantle to her, and those secondhand superpowers transformed Danny’s body into what she’s always thought it should be. Now there’s no hiding that she’s a girl. It should be the happiest time of her life, but Danny’s first weeks finally living in a body that fits her are more difficult and complicated than she could have imagined. Between her father’s dangerous obsession with “curing” her girlhood, her best friend suddenly acting like he’s entitled to date her, and her fellow superheroes arguing over her place in their ranks, Danny feels like she’s in over her head. She doesn’t have much time to adjust. Dreadnought’s murderer—a cyborg named Utopia—still haunts the streets of New Port City, threatening destruction. If Danny can’t sort through the confusion of coming out, master her powers, and stop Utopia in time, humanity faces extinction.

Dreadnought has so much going for it. From the very beginning I connected with the main character- Danny had all the angst of teen age life with the added pressure of being transgender. Add on witnessing the death of a superhero, getting the gender switch you craved, and suddenly having superpowers and anyone would be overwhelmed. Danny faces everything in a realistic manner, and I found the reactions of others in the book accurate to what a young person in her position would encounter. I found the world building to allow for the superheroes and technology necessary for the story to be well done. I never felt buried under explanations but never felt like I was lacking any information I wanted either- that can be a hard balance to master. I liked that there was also a good balance between the emotional and mental struggles that Danny was facing and the mystery and action involved in finding Utopia and figuring out what was going on. I was impressed all around with the book, I was only disappointed in that fact that it was over and the next book has not been released yet.

Dreadnought is a wonderful book on a variety of levels. Danny's story of personal growth and discovering her capabilities is very well done, as is the superhero angle and world building. I think the only people that might not enjoy it are those that need to read it most, those that are so set on the idea of people different than themselves, or those they do not understand, are somehow wrong rather than other people just trying to get through life- just like them. My only complaint with the book, is that know I want the rest of the series- I am terribly curious to see what happens next!

anny Tozer just wanted to be a girl but had been born in a boy's body. But when the superhero Dreadnought died in front of her and transferred his powers to her, it also transferred her body into her ideal one: a female body. Now she can fly, is strong, and can finally help others the way she wants to. But her father is transphobic and wants to "cure" her, her best friend suddenly wanted to date her, the superhero league in her city is arguing if she even belongs, and the cyborg villain that killed Dreadnought is still out there. At least Danny found a new friend in Calamity, another superhero in training.

It's great to see such a positive character in this role. Danny is genuinely a caring person that happens to be trans, and this isn't the driving force of her character. There are diverse side characters, and even those characters that aren't meant to be sympathetic are still fairly well drawn and described. It was interesting to see superhero politics, an underworld of "gray capes" for those who had powers and didn't want to be superheroes, and how the ordinary people dealt with this kind of reality. While the blurb for the book specifically mentioned the best friend that wanted to date her, that part of the book was over fairly quickly and didn't get mentioned again. Once Danny got her powers, there was less focus on high school and more on the actual powers, her friendship with Calamity and the interactions with her parents. It makes sense, but peer groups are also an important part of a teenager's life. It would have been good to see a little more of her high school, how she interacted with kids and navigated through some of her other friendships. Danny was on her own a lot, which is a sad truth for many transgender kids.

For those who need warnings, though, there are transphobic and misogynistic slurs used against Danny, and some from Danny toward Greywytch, one of the superheroes in New Port City that finds transgender women insulting to women in general. There is also a sequence in the beginning with medical procedures done, some of which was without Danny's consent. The fight sequences are very well described and adds to the quick pace of the novel. This is a great first book for Ms. Daniels, and I look forward to the rest of the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dreadnought! Superhero novels aren't usually my go-to genre, but this was tons of fun, and I definitely see myself continuing on with the series in the future. One thing I really appreciated about this book was the intersectionality-- not only is Danny trans, but she also identifies as a lesbian, and Dreadnought explores her coming to terms with both of those identities and the ways they intersect. I thought the premise was executed extremely well. Also, the world was fascinating!

This book was so much fun, and definitely something we need to see more of on the shelves in the future. I'll definitely be recommending this book.

Ok, so this is written for a younger generation than myself, but I simply loved it.
The plot does not get bogged down at the start like a lot of super hero story's and although the transphobia is brutal in places this is still a great read.
I cannot recommend this enough.

This book has been given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley. On the surface, Danny Tozer is a normal teenage boy, with two parents, who attends an average public school. However, first impressions often prove false. Danny Tozer is unhappy. He hates; the sports that he is forced to play, the clothes that he is forced to wear, and he really hates his masculine body. He feels that he is in the wrong body. They feel that they are truly female. They feel restricted by; society, their parents, school, and friends; and the way that these outside forces view Danny's identity.

Then, one day they encounter the dying superhero, Dreadnought. As he dies, dreadnought passes his powers to Danny Tozer. One of the advantages of Dreadnought's superpowers is that the person who takes the power is given the body of their dreams. Normally, this means that male bodies become; more buff, more toned, and more masculine. Nevertheless, Danny Tozer desires a female body and that is exactly what they get.

In fact, Danny is the first woman to assume to the Dreadnought persona. The book sees her navigate her world in her new body. She must learn to be a super hero. She must find out how to live within a female body. Her attempts are inhibited by the hostile, confused reactions of the people surrounding her: she must deal with the confusion of; her parents, friends and her school.


This book is an exciting superhero story written in a modern manner. It includes a voice of a person whose voice often goes unheard, i.e a trans individual. Written by a writer who shares that identity. I highly recommend this work.

Action-packed, super-heroine yarn with a transgender twist. The main character, Danny Tozer, is a daring change from the norm and goes into an honest exploration of the super-hero role and her new gender. You have your usual gallery of friends and super-heros/villans that are a part of her journey, mostly flat but not forgettable.. The world-building is decent and definitely sets the stage for more stories to come. This was Interesting read, just not enough for me to recommend.

I had high expectations for Dreadnought. Superheroes and a transgender protagonist? What could go wrong? Unfortunately, everything. The book was poorly written, for starters. It actually felt like fan fiction of Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series written by a teenager. Even one of the character’s names comes from Sanderson. I found the plot completely uninteresting, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and I had to force myself to finish the book, despite how short it is. I also found several parts to be very offensive to girls. Altogether, despite the importance of having transgender protagonists in books for teens, this was a disappointing book that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

Danny is out secretly buying nail polish and ends up thrust in to the middle of a superhero battle. Defeated, Dreadnought transfers his powers to Danny, giving him super human abilities but the female body this transgender teen has always wanted. But not only does Danny have to deal with coming out as the new Dreadnought, she also must come out to her strict parents, the Legion of other heroes, and content with Utopia, the cyborg villain who killed Danny’s predecessor.

After reading “Black Angel” I was a little nervous about another LGBTQ YA novel. However, this book is much like “Rebel Genius” in that I was hooked and entertained for most of this despite being a sorry old lady outside the target demographic.

This novel touches on the good and bad about being a trans teen with the added flight of fancy that if anyone bullies you for being trans, you can pummel them into the ground. Danny is such a great kid, you can’t help but root for her and just outright DESPISE what she’s put through. And, as a comic book geek, this also makes for an awesome superhero story. There is genuine peril Danny has to deal with as a budding super-heroine and despite the world ending consequences; the story doesn’t feel like it gets bogged down when dealing with the issues surrounding a transgendered individual. Some reactions are almost TOO evil but I think that’s just the part of me that is desperately holding on to a shred of hope in humanity. It doesn’t pander, it doesn’t preach; “Dreadnought” is a well-written, wild ride, and if it’s the start to a series; I look forward to more. 4.7 out of 5.

4.5 Stars
This book was pretty darned incredible. The first chapter was so well-written and attention-grabbing that it felt like I should've been watching it on the big screen with all the requisite state-of-the-art CGI and sweeping music. I loved Danny from the start and just wanted to give her a huge hug and then help her paint her nails; her story rang true and was very affecting, both in how she was adjusting to the sudden transition to her new body as well as her new powers and the responsibility that came with them. I wanted to punch several people in the book, mostly Danny's dad and Graywytch (that bytch) but also David for just being a ridiculous idiot and even Danny's mom towards the end. Sarah/Calamity Jane was a great character as well and I like how she gave Danny another view into the superhero/capping world than what she'd had with the Legion, a more gritty and street-level view. I definitely can't wait to see what she does in the sequel (I have some theories and ideas...)
Pretty much my only complaint is that the resolution came on a little fast. Everything was playing out kinda slow and methodical and I liked how it allowed the reader to get to know Danny and Sarah and their world and also explore some of the ethics of capping (because Sarah is more in the Catwoman/morally grey style of justice while Danny tends to see things a little more in the Superman/black and white style) and it gave Danny time to try and get a little more acclimated to her powers and what she might want to do with her life, but then Utopia showed up again and starting wrecking havoc and there was no let-up from there. The pacing just seemed vastly different from what we'd had before, though within the fight scenes and the big finale I was pretty riveted and eager to find out what was going to happen, but it just felt like such a sudden shift from before. I just kinda wish there had been a little more of the daring heroics and maybe a couple more fights interspersed with their capping and detective work in the middle before everything hit the fan at the end. And Utopia's plan and some of the stuff connected to that seemed a little weird and rushed. But other than that, I loved this book and can't wait to read the sequel. Also yay for an #ownvoices book about a transgender girl!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an incredible book with a great examination of self image, dreams, and what it means to be good. I think it fits perfectly in today's political climate. Many of the differences that Danni sees in how people at school act towards her and even the random old man telling her to smile speak directly to the small misogynistic moments that make up our culture. Can't wait to read more.

WHY IS IT SO LONG UNTIL THE NEXT IN THE SERIES IS RELEASED!!?!?!?!?!!

It’s very rare that a book will grab me and keep me reading through a whirlwind of emotions. I’m so grateful someone from the publisher reached out to me about this book.* All I knew going in is that the main character is LGBT (she’s transgender, but also a lesbian) and this is a superhero story. It didn’t hurt that it was a young adult book (yay more diversity).

The publisher didn’t compare it to Perry Moore’s Hero, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I think it deserves a mention. Although it’s about a cisgendered (born and identified) male, the group of quirky superheroes in that book reminded me a lot of where I’m hoping Dreadnought will go in the series.

I think what I enjoyed most about the book was Daniels’ writing from the teen perspective. She didn’t try to force it too much. There was swearing, there was super corny stuff, and there were times where it felt Danny, the main character, was trying to talk like she was a lot older than she is. That’s what teens do. All of the teen characters were relatable and I’ve been out of my teens for over a decade now (OMG I’m old).

All of this being said, I think where Daniels really hits her stride is in the conflicts surrounding Danny’s gender. I’m glad she didn’t overdo it because so many LGBT authors put too much of an emphasis on it, but with the amount she included she shared some incredibly powerful moments that many trans* individuals I’m sure have faced. I remember hearing similar arguments about women only spaces when I was pursuing my Master’s degree in Gender, Sexuality and Queer Theory:

“I don’t blame you any more than I would blame an Ebola victim. Society has fed your generation so many toxic ideas about gender, it’s only natural some of you would crack. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t dangerous. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be expunged. You reify the holocaust of gender, you invade my sex, and you poison my sisters by your simple presence. You cannot possibly understand what it means to be a woman, and you rape us all when you try. If you will not surrender the mantle, I will be forced to destroy you.” (190)

It’s this type of thinking that is seriously messed up. It also reminds me of one of my favorite lines by the slam poet Alix Olson. It’s from her piece called Cunt Cuntry (lyrickid.com) where she is reclaiming the word. I debated bleeping it or even editing it, but with such a beautiful story Daniels wrote, I don’t think I need to because it’s more powerful unedited.

For all cunted creatures, created or by birth.
And they’d wear buttons with fists raised, that say:
Patriarchy! I survived! Now this Dick’s fighting the Good Fight for
Vaginal Pride!

And then where Daniels hits it home is when she describes why Danny wants to harness the powers she has randomly received and use them for good:

“‘I got pushed around a lot when I was little. Even after it eased up when I hit my growth spurt, I still don’t feel safe at school unless I’m hiding in a corner where nobody goes. Buy now, I’ve got these powers so nobody—’ My father looms in my mind’s eye. ‘—can push me around anymore. And I don’t want to let them hurt anyone else, either.” (186)

It’s not about bullying the bullies. It’s about standing up to them and protecting the innocent and the downtrodden.

I don’t know how much of this is based on Daniels experience, or at least what I’m gathering from visiting her website, but either way Daniels has written a wonderfully heartfelt story that I cannot wait to dive back into the series.

I haven’t even begun to talk about all the other things I really enjoyed about the book (minor characters are great, the tension between Dreadnought and another character, resolution of the family drama) and I don’t know if I’m going to. I get the feeling I might re-read this book before the next one comes out. It’s that kind of book 😀

Recommendation: I think this is a strong debut novel and I definitely plan to keep an ear out for future works by her! I’m already counting down until I can get my hands on a review of the next book in the series. Seriously, if you want to read a great story then you should check this one out. It’s just an added bonus that it gives voice to a character most people don’t get to hear from very often.

Danny Tozer is painting his toenails red when the superhero Dreadnought falls in front of him. He is with his best friend when he finds the medal that will make him Dreadnought. As it makes him Dreadnought, he turns into a girl. He has been wishing he was a girl as he always thought of himself being female not male. Danny is happy but fears dad's reaction as dad has been trying to make him a man.dad is horrified and tells Danny "don't worry, we'll get you back to being a boy." So many things are happening to Danny, that what will she decide to do. She has to decide if she should train with the local superhero organization, Legion Pacifica. She ends up learning about fighting from someone who isn't a member of the organization. Her name is Calamity Jane. She tells Dreadnought not to join Legion Pacifica. Why? As Dreadnought she knows, she will have to avenge the former Dreadnought's death.

There is so much more to this coming of age story. Danny is trans. When she turns into a girl as she wanted, she had to deal with all the changes in her life -- at school, home, Legion Pacifica and discovering who she really is. The author made Dreadnought a great superhero. What I liked is that the choices we make do have consequences -- some turn out good and some not good. I am looking forward to reading the next book!

Dreadnought's strength is tackling a huge misconception of being trans head on - that once you have the body, that the issue is essentially fixed. Considering it was only relatively recently that discussions re: being trans were fixated on "being born in the wrong body", Dreadnought gets the "transition" part over with quickly, and then goes in for the hard stuff - the social realities of being trans that don't go away when you "physically" match up, the dichotomy of how people treat you now that you are visibly a woman, and the double standard that would no doubt exist if Dreadnought could die in front of all trans people: people wanting them to turn back, and suddenly looking into ways of physically making them what they think they should be, a discourse absent when trans people themselves bring it up.

On top of everything the book has a really fascinating and well thought out superverse, which is extensively tied to the history of their world. It never sacrifices superheroing as a core concept, which makes this a fun read as much as a socially conscious read.

I haven't read a super-hero theme book in a while - (Note to myself: Need to speed up, finish the Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson, I have only read Steelheart.) and so when I read the excerpt, first chapters of Dreadnought by April Daniels, I just couldn't resist my trigger-happy finger from requesting a copy. And Baaam! < comic-book style large-sized fist slamming into you!> I am floored!

This book is a sensitive and intelligent portrayal of a superhero origin story - heavily exploring themes of LGBT in a manner that is at once, refreshing and original from the point of view of a fifteen-year. Daniel(le) Tozer, is a trans-gender and has always wanted to be a girl but has never had the courage to come out of the closet. Instead resorts to hiding behind parking-garage walls to indulge in something simple yet guilty, like painting toe-nails. But that's when the world's greatest superhero, Dreadnought drops dead from the sky and in a bizarre and shocking turn of events, transfers the mantle and powers to her. And its not just the super-powers that she inherits. But the body she always wanted, that of a girl.

Rapturous with joy and yet, guilty as hell - Danny's world is suddenly turned upside down and she realizes she isn't ready to handle this change. Nor is the world. Starting with her dad, who has always called his 'son' a pussy for being weak and wants 'him'to be strong. A mom who doesn't stand up for her and secretly wishes she had her 'son' back. And then, there is David, once Danny's best friend, who suddenly develops a keen interest in her and wants to 'date' her.

And of course, there is the larger problem of this 'super-villain' called Utopia, who had killed the previous Dreadnought. There is of course, the fragmented upper-echelon of a superhero chairing committee comprised of the world's greatest superheroes, the Legion Pacifica, who want to give her a provisional membership, provided she abide by some rules. But even here, Danny's path isn't smooth - there are those within the legion who spit-fire at the very fact that she is a 'trans-gender' and others who of course, want to make 'use' of her prowess.

You see, while the book broaches an emotional topic and does a fine job indeed of portraying the mental tussles of a fifteen-year old, the alternating bursts of supreme confidence and blundering vulnerability which crowd out the minds of such, it still remains an amazingly entertaining fare. The pacing is spotless, the world-building maybe a bit sparse but the author still gives us a picture of this world filled with superheroes, a sort of hierarchical strata between these caped crusaders ( from black, to grey and then white, the highest form of super-prowess) and of course, it is interspersed with some crackling high-octane super-hero showdowns that leads to crumpled buildings and nuked craters in the earth.

The main voice is that of Danny, this girl who has to come of age, figure out her super-prowess all the while struggling to come to terms with her gender issues. Its a fun, irreverent and yet sensitive characterization. A girl juggling homework and saving crashed-up airlines at the same time, who finally decides to confront her detractors and also that super-villain determined to nuke the world into nothingness. The rising tension finally explodes in those final chapters and makes for an immensely gratifying read.

Apart from Danny, there are of course others who help her get past the finish-line: Sarah, or Calamity, a superhero or meta-human who loves playing the vigilante and befriends Danny in these difficult times. And then, there is Doc Impossible, a super-techie who loves chain-smoking and almost becomes that mother-figure for Danny as her own family disowns her.

An emotionally rich, action-packed super-hero origins story that dares to take an intelligent stand on the sensitive LGBT themes and does it spectacularly right. Loved it!