[Book Review] Dreadnought

Dreadnought (Nemesis #1) / April Daniels

Danny Tozer tries to stay under the radar, right now that's the easiest way of surviving and staying sane.  Then the world's greatest superhero is struck down and passes his mantle to Danny.  When young men have taken on the mantle of Dreadnought they've physically changed, becoming taller, stronger, more to their ideal form.  Danny takes on the mantle and finds herself for the first time in her life in a body that matches who she is... only everyone else still remembers Danny as Daniel.  Now when she should be learning what comes with these superpowers and stepping into the void left by the previous Dreadnought, she has to deal with suspicion, disgust, and all the baggage of being seen as an attractive young woman.  She has to get a handle on things fast, because she may be the only one capable of stopping the cyborg Utopia's plans.


I started reading this book with high levels of both excitement and reservation.  Kickass trans superheroine and feminist issues?  Yeah, that's something I'd read.  But... what if it didn't deliver on it's promise?  I gotta say, it lived up to my expectations.  There are just so many moments that Danny experiences that just nail the female experience on top of realistically handling realities of gender dysphoria and trans-misogyny.  And it all takes place in a hands down awesome YA superhero novel.  This book rocks.

Advance Reader Copy courtesy of Diversion Books in exchange for an honest review; changes may exist between galley and the final edition.

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